Our final week of the NFL fantasy season before the dreaded bye weeks arrive (although, Week 12 is free of byes, so thank the schedule makers for that bonus). Keep an eye on the NFL injury reports, beyond what is set forth below, to make sure your game day lineups are not beleaguered with an IDP that will provide zero points due to a late scratch from action.

 

 


Bye Weeks coming up: 

Week 6 - Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Tennessee

Week 7 - Buffalo, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, Philadelphia

Week 8 - Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers

 

NFL IDP Report - Week 5

Elevator Going Up - Linebackers

Haason Reddick, PHI (DE on ESPN)

Reddick picked up a pair of sacks to bolster his big play performance, which also featured a QB hit/hurry (QH), two forced fumbles (FF) and a couple of fumble recoveries (FR). He also had four total tackles (TT), all solo, and one of those for a loss of yards (TFL). Whether he is on the line or backing it, he is a force to be reckoned with in IDP circles.

 

Rashan Gary, GB (DE on ESPN)

The second of three IDP that the competing platforms categorize differently, Gary already has five sacks this season, including the two he picked up in Week 4 against the Patriots. Seven TT (four solo, one TFL) and some big play action make him an IDP to add to your roster. He racked up two QH while also forcing and recovering a fumble.

 

Odafe Oweh, BAL (DE on ESPN)

The Ravens edge rusher snagged a sack against the Bills last week, while collecting seven TT (six solo, one TFL) to go with his FF and two QH. He was on the field for nearly every defensive snap, which assisted his fantasy production. Beware the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul to the Baltimore roster which could impact his playing time (PT).

 

Blake Martinez, LV

Martinez was courted by a pair of teams, but decided to don the Raider uniform for his return to the NFL. He may have been dropped by the owner than drafted him and who tired of waiting for him to return to the field and now would be a fine time to add him to your roster as the Raiders will looking for him to assist them in stopping opposing offensive running games.

 

Malcolm Rodriguez, DET

One of the standout rookies for the Detroit defense, Rodrigo is racking up more and more tackles as his PT increases. He had 11 TT (eight solo) against the Seahawks in Week 4 and also forced a fumble in that high scoring contest. The worst defense in the league can certainly use a spark, a spark the rookie will look to provide.

 

JaWhaun Bentley, NE

Bentley has become a nearly every down LB the past two contests, and racked up nine TT in Week 4 (three solo). This week’s matchup looks favorable as the Lions have been handing out plenty of fantasy points to inside LBs.


Elevator Going Up - Defensive Linemen

Zach Allen, DE ARI

Allen seemed to wake up from his stupor to begin the season against the Panthers last week, collecting six TT (three solo, one TFL) while also grabbing a sack, a pair of QH and three pass deflections (PD). He now has a good matchup against the visiting Eagle offense in Week 5.

 

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE BAL

The Ravens put the newly signed DL to work quickly, having him play 86% of the defensive snaps with Justin Houston out with a groin issue, and he responded by collecting four TT (three solo). This week’s opponent, the Bengals, are allowing plenty of sacks to open the season, but he may see a decrease in PT if Houston is back in action.

 

Jarran Reed, DT GB

Eight TT (four solo, one TFL) and his first sack as a Packer was some fine production from a DT. He also was credited with a QH against the Patriot offense, and he faces the Giants this week who rank atop the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to defensive tackles.


Elevator Going Up - Defensive Backs

DeShon Elliott, S DET

When Tracy Walker went down for the season, it was not Elliott being tagged to pick up the slack, yet he seems the best option to count on in the Detroit secondary. He played every down against Seattle, collecting 11 TT (nine solo). He has a top-10 offense to face off against this coming Sunday when the Lions take on the Patriots.

 

Eddie Jackson, S CHI

The Bear safety picked off another pass in Week 4, giving him three INTs through the first four games of the season. He also collected nine TT (six solo). If he continues to sniff out errant passes while racking up the tackles, he becomes a dual threat valued in both tackle oriented and big play IDP formats.

 

Myles Hartsfield, S/CB CAR

Hartsfield saw an uptick in PT due to Jeremy Chinn’s concussion, and with Chinn on the IR for the near future, should be the beneficiary of increased time on the field. He collected six solo tackles in Week 4, and a FF. He has CB only status in ESPN leagues, which makes him extra valuable if you play in a CB-mandatory setup.

 

L’Jarius Sneed, CB KC 

Sneed was on the field for all the Chiefs’ defensive plays in Week 4, and was credited with a sack, a QH, a FF and nine TT (eight solo) during the contest against the host Buccaneers. His tackle production alone makes him a valued DB in any format.

 

Jack Jones, CB NE

This week’s opponent, the Lions, are the top team for allowing CB fantasy production. Jones will look to build on a seven TT (three solo) effort in Week 4. His big play value was also evident in Green Bay, with a FF, a FR, an INT, a PD together with a TD on his interception against Aaron Rodgers. Remember that rookie CBs are frequently a source of fantasy value.

 

Tariq Woolen, CB SEA

Speaking of Detroit being beneficial to opposing corners, Woolen had a five TT (four solo) game against the Lions in Week 4. He also was able to snag an INT, break up a pass and scored a TD. Week 5 brings him up against the Saints, the third most generous offense to opposing CBs thus far in 2022. As with Jones above, keep in mind that Woolen is a rookie CB and prime for offenses to target and test him until he proves himself. 

 

 

 

Escalator Going Down - Linebackers

 

Chandler Jones, LV

Despite an impressive career as a pass rusher, Jones has yet to record a sack in 2022. He had just two assists on a busy day (89% of defensive snaps played) at home against the Broncos. 
 

Escalator Going Down - Defensive Linemen

Marcus Davenport, DE NO

Davenport may be suffering from a shoulder issue, which might explain his paltry production thus far into the season: six TT, partial sack. Best to avoid him, or bench him to see if his shoulder sends him to the IR or if he can bounce back to respectability. 
 

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE MIA

A trio of tackles and zero sacks (aside from one in Week 1) makes the Dolphin edge rusher a non-factor for fantasy purposes. There are far better options on your league’s wire and/or free agent market.
 

David Onyemata, DT NO

The Saint DT has been seeing significant defensive snaps, but is failing to provide any fantasy goodness in 2022. He is coming off a zero-tackle effort in Week 4 and is a fine candidate to drop, even in DT-mandatory formats. Zero tackles just do not put food on fantasy table.
 

Escalator Going Down - Defensive Backs

Michael Jackson, CB SEA

The return to action of Sidney Jones cut into Jackson’s time on the field, and it is not as though he was making a strong case to be out there on defense in any event, with just 13 TT to his credit, and none in the recent game against the visiting Lions.
 

Byron Murphy, CB ARI

Murphy profiles as the top CB in the Cardinal secondary, and teams are avoiding him. He had but one solo tackle in Week 4 against the Panthers. He has no PD this season, and a mere 10 TT to his name.
 

Matchups to Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Chargers, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Chiefs or a DE on either side of the Washington/Tennessee game that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
 

Inside Linebackers

  • Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland
  • Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona
  • Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans
  • Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City
     

Outside Linebackers

  • Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore
  • Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh
  • New England Patriots vs Detroit
  • Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City
  • Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas
     

Defensive Ends

  • Carolina Panthers vs San Francisco
  • Tennessee Titans @ Washington
  • Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland
  • Washington Commanders vs Tennessee
  • New York Jets vs Miami
  • Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona
     

Defensive Tackles 

  • New York Giants @ Green Bay
  • Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Chargers
  • Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston
  • Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams
  • Green Bay Packers vs New York Giants


Safeties

  • Green Bay Packers vs New York Giants
  • Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona
  • Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
  • New York Jets vs Miami
  • Chicago Bears @ Minnesota


Cornerbacks

  • Detroit Lions @ New England
  • Arizona Cardinals vs Philadelphia
  • New Orleans Saints vs Seattle
  • Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City
  • New York Jets vs Miami


Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues (except for Sneed this week). Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.


Linebackers

 

Defensive Linemen

 

Defensive Backs

 

 

 

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.


Linebackers

Nick Vigil ARI hamstring
Deion Jones ATL shoulder IR
Justin Houston BAL groin
Trent Harris BAL undisclosed
Tyus Bowser BAL Achilles PUP
Steven Means BAL Achilles IR
Josh Ross BAL foot IR
David Ojabo BAL Achilles
Vince Biegel BAL Achilles IR
Tremaine Edmunds BUF hamstring
Frankie Luvu CAR shoulder
Julian Stanford CAR undisclosed IR
Christian Albright CHI undisclosed
Andre Anthony CHI undisclosed
Joe Bachie CIN knee-ACL PUP
Anthony Walker CLE quadriceps IR
Devante Bond DAL knee IR
Damone Clark back
Chris Board DET knee
Krys Barner GB ankle IR
Blake Cashman HOU concussion
Jake Hansen HOU ankle
Christian Harris HOU hamstring IR
Kevin Pierre-Louis HOU groin IR
K’Lavon Chaisson JAX ankle
Jayon Brown LV hamstring
Denzel Perryman LV concussion
Micah Kiser LV leg IR
Joey Bosa LA groin IR
Daniel Hardy LAR ankle IR
Travin Howard LAR groin
Brennan Scarlett MIA undisclosed
Calvin Munson MIA undisclosed IR
Raekwon McMillan NE thumb
Ronnie Perkins NE undisclosed IR
Sharif Finch NO undisclosed
D’Marco Jackson NO undisclosed IR
Azeez Ojulari NYG calf
Elerson G. Smith NYG lower leg IR
Darrian Beavers NYG knee-ACL IR
Marcell Harris NYJ neck
Quincy Williams NYJ ankle
Kyron Johnson PHI concussion
Patrick Johnson PHI concussion
T.J. Watt PIT pectoral IR
Azeez Al-Shaair SF knee-MCL IR
Curtis Robinson SF ankle IR
Alton Robinson SEA knee-PCL IR
Tyreke Smith SEA hip IR
Jon Rhattigan SEA knee-ACL PUP
Cam Gill TB foot IR
Bud Dupree TEN hip
Zach Cummingham TEN elbow
Joe Jones TEN knee
Ola Adenlyl TEN neck
Jamal Carter TEN undisclosed
Chance Campbell TEN knee IR
Harold Landry TEN knee-ACL IR
Monty Rice TEN Achilles PUP
Milo Eifler WAS hamstring
David Mayo WAS hamstring
Nate Gerry WAS undisclosed
Drew White WAS knee IR
 

Defensive Linemen - DE

Marlon Davidson ATL knee IR
Marquis Haynes CAR knee
Ledarius Mack CHI undisclosed
Khalid Kareem CIN hamstring IR
Jadeveon Clowney CLE ankle
Chris Odom CLE knee-ACL IR
Chase Winovich CLE hamstring IR
Stephen Weatherly CLE knee IR
Tarell Basham DAL thigh IR
John Cominsky DET wrist
Charles Harris DET groin
Romen Okwara DET Achilles PUP
Josh Paschal DET sprots hernia PUP
Jonathan Greenard HOU ankle
Mario Addison HOU thigh IR
Darek Rivers HOU biceps IR
Foley Fatukasi JAX quadriceps
Jordan Smith JAX knee IR
Jordan Jenkins LV knee-ACL IR
Kenny Willekes MIN undisclosed IR
Everson Griffen MIN personal 
DeMarcus Mitchell NE concussion
Lawrence Guy NE shoulder
Payton Turner NO chest
Leonard Williams NYG knee-MCL 
Vinny Curry NYJ hamstring IR
Derek Barnett PHI knee-ACL IR
Jordan Willis SF undisclosed IR
Darryl Johnson SEA ankle IR
L.J.Collier SEA elbow IR
Akiem Hicks TB foot
Da’Shawn Hand TEN quadriceps IR
Chase Young WAS knee-ACL/MCL PUP
Bunmi Rotimi WAS foot

 

Defensive Linemen - DE

Rashard Lawrence ARI hand
Vincent Taylor ATL Achilles IR
Michael Pierce BAL biceps IR
Jordan Phillips BUF hamstring 
Ed Oliver BUF ankle
Jacob Tuloti-Mariner CAR knee
Bravvion Roy CAR hamstring IR
D.J. Reader CIN knee-MCL IR
Taven Bryan CLE hamstring
Quinton Bohanna DAL neck
Levi Onwuzurike DET back IR
Davonte Wyatt GB quadriceps
Tyler Lancaster LV undisclosed
T.Y. McGill MIN ankle
Malcolm Roach NO undisclosed IR
Albert Huggins NO undisclosed IR
Arik Armstead SF foot
Javon Kinlaw SF knee
Kalia Davis SF undisclosed 
Maurice Hurst SF biceps IR
Phidarian Mathis WAS knee-Meniscus IR
 

Defensive Backs - S

Charles Washington ARI chest IR
Isaiah Oliver ATL knee IR
Jordan Poyer BUF ribs
Micah Hyde BUF neck IR
Jeremy Chinn CAR hamstring IR
Xavier Woods CAR hamstring
Duke Dawson CAR groin
Dane Cruikshank CHI hamstring
Tycen Anderson CIN hamstring IR
Brandon Wilson CIN knee PUP
Tracy Walker DET Achilles IR
Tariq Carpenter GB abdomen
Adrian Amos GB concussion
Kolby Harvell-Peel HOU hamstring
Taylor Rapp LAR ribs
David Long LAR groin
Jordan Fuller LAR hamstring
Quentin Lake LAR knee PUP
Keion Crossen MIA shoulder 
Clayton Fejedelem MIA undisclosed IR
Trill Williams MIA knee-ACL IR
Lewis Cine MIN leg IR
Kyle Dugger NE knee
Adrian Phillips NE rubs
Marcus Maye NO ribs 
Smoke Monday NO knee-ACL IR
Jordan Mosley NYG undisclosed
Terrell Edmunds PIT concussion
Karl Joseph PIT ankle IR
Tarvarius Moore SF hamstring
Jason Verrett SF knee-ACL PUP
Jamal Adams SEA knee IR
Logan Ryan TB foot
Amani Hooker TEN concussion
Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR
A.J. Moore TEN ankle IR
Percy Butler WAS quadriceps 
Josh Drayden WAS undisclosed
 

Defensive Backs - CB

Trayvon Mullen ARI hamstring
Antonio Hamilton ARI foot
Marcus Peters BAL quadriceps
Kyle Fuller BAL knee-ACL IR
Christian Benford BUF hand
Xavier Rhodes BUF hamstring 
Tre’Davious White BUF knee-ACL PUP
Stantley Thomas-Oliver CAR thigh
Jaylon Johnson CHI quadriceps
Tavon Young CHI undisclosed
Cam Taylor-Britt CIN abdomen IR
Greedy Williams CLE hamstring IR
Reggie Robinson II CLE undisclosed
Jourdan Lewis DAL groin
Jerry Jacobs DET knee-ACL PUP
Tavierre Thomas HOU quadriceps IR
Trent McDuffie KC hamstring IR
Anthony Averett LV thumb IR
Sam Webb LV hamstring
Cre’von LeBlanc LV undisclosed
DeCobie Durant LAR hamstring 
Troy Hill LAR groin IR
Byron Jones MIA ankle PUP
Xavien Howard MIA groin
Mackensie Alexander MIA groin
Andrew Booth Jr. MIN quadriceps
Joejuan Williams NE shoulder IR
Jalen Mills NE hamstring
Malcolm Butler NE undisclosed
P.J. Williams NO quadriceps
Alontae Taylor NO knee IR
Cordale Flott NYG calf
Aaron Robinson NYG knee IR
RoDarius Williams NYG knee-ACL IR
Zane Lewis NYJ undisclosed
Avonte Maddox PHI ankle
Ahkello Witherspoon PIT hamstring
Cameron Sutton PIT hamstring 
Jimmie Ward SF hamstring IR
Justin Coleman SEA calf
John Reid SEA groin IR
Tre Brown SEA knee PUP
Rashard Robinson TB undisclosed
Lonnie Johnson TEN illness
Caleb Farley TEN knee
Chris Williamson TEN undisclosed
Elijah Molden TEN groin IR


As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.

 

 

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