Week 4 of football is officially in the books, and it’s time to look ahead for our fantasy football leagues.
The IDP report will provide an early look at several waiver wire priorities of varying league sizes, along with preliminary Week 5 IDP rankings. Since all leagues are different sizes and have differing IDP requirements, the weekly rankings might be more beneficial than the waiver list.
As usual, the rankings are a reflection of IDP Flex rankings for tackle-heavy formats.
Top Week 5 IDP Pickups
Kyle Van Noy, DE, Baltimore Ravens
Need any help along the defensive line? Look no further than the Baltimore Ravens’ veteran pass rusher Kyle Van Noy. Similar to last year, Van Noy is the steady veteran on the defense just posting wild numbers.
Aidan Hutchinson is the NFL sack leader so far this season, but did you know Van Noy is second?
That’s right, in many leagues, you can find a guy who’s second in the league in sacks on waiver wires. Van Noy has now posted two sacks in THREE CONSECUTIVE GAMES! He’s just on a tear right now, and the Bengals matchup isn’t scary. They’re already down a starting offensive tackle in Trent Brown, and Van Noy can get to Joe Burrow in this game.
Trevin Wallace, LB, Carolina Panthers
Poor Shaq Thompson. For the second straight year, he has had a lower body injury that ends his season.
This year, Thompson tore his Achilles tendon. Normally, that wouldn’t make for such a big addition, but his running mate, Josey Jewell, is missing at least a week with groin and hamstring issues. That leaves rookie Trevin Wallace as Carolina’s clear-cut top option.
What do NFL teams look for at LB position? Pretty simple. Guys who can chase, play in space, and cover like this👇. Those ball skills! 👀
Kentucky WLB Trevin Wallace's best football is still waaaay ahead of him.
In a copycat league where 49ers & Ravens have built elite defenses… pic.twitter.com/LV8gP50Q60
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 10, 2024
My rookie LB1 in the class pre-draft until his landing spot, Wallace is set up to be IDP-relevant going forward. The Panthers play a lot of zone, allowing him to keep his eyes on the backfield. He’ll take some lumps, but Wallace’s athleticism is fantastic, and he’s a bigger guy. I’m excited to get to see him show what made him a fun IDP prospect.
Justin Strnad, LB, Denver Broncos
With the loss of Alex Singleton, there had been some questions about who would be the next man up. Somehow Singleton finished the game in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so we had no clue how the defense would play. Now that we do, it’s clear that Justin Strnad is the clear add to play, more so for deeper IDP leagues.
Strnad played the clear second LB role to Cody Barton in Week 4, playing 77% of the Broncos’ defensive snaps. That is a relevant role, but it may lead to some weeks like his Week 4 stat line.
Strnad posted just four total tackles in the game, which, without the sack, would’ve been a tough line from a linebacker. Add in deeper leagues or for byes, but Wallace is preferred.
Vonn Bell, S, Cincinnati Bengals
This one hurts, not because of Vonn Bell, who’s been a fine player and is still playing well in his return to Cincinnati, but because he’s relegated Jordan Battle to a bench role. However, teams will make strange choices at times, and playing the veteran over the young guy must make sense for Cincinnati’s defense.
Bell, however, has been a fine, albeit safe, option so far among defensive backs. He hasn’t been the highest ceiling player week in and week out, but he’s seeing some of the best utilization any safety can.
Among safeties, Bell sits second in total box snaps. He’s only deep about a quarter of his snaps, allowing him to be in on more tackle opportunities.
Early Week 5 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
1) Roquan Smith, LB | BAL (@ CIN)
2) T.J. Edwards, LB | CHI (vs CAR)
3) Fred Warner, LB | SF (vs ARI)
4) Bobby Wagner, LB | WAS (vs CLE)
5) Logan Wilson, LB | CIN (vs BAL)
6) E.J. Speed, LB | IND (@ JAX)
7) Nick Bolton, LB | KC (vs NO)
8) Azeez Al-Shaair, LB | HOU (vs BUF)
9) Tyrel Dodson, LB | SEA (vs NYG)
10) Blake Cashman, LB | MIN (vs NYJ)
11) Lavonte David, LB | TB (@ ATL)
12) Terrel Bernard, LB | BUF (@ HOU)
13) Zaire Franklin, LB | IND (@ JAX)
14) Kyle Hamilton, S | BAL (@ CIN)
15) C.J. Mosley, LB | NYJ (@ MIN)
16) Robert Spillane, LB | LV (@ DEN)
17) Kyzir White, LB | ARI (@ SF)
18) Eric Kendricks, LB | DAL (@ PIT)
19) Myles Garrett, DE | CLE (@ WAS)
20) Quincy Williams, LB | NYJ (@ MIN)
21) Nick Bosa, DE | SF (vs ARI)
22) Bobby Okereke, LB | NYG (@ SEA)
23) T.J. Watt, LB | PIT (vs DAL)
24) Will Anderson Jr., DE | HOU (vs BUF)
25) Trevin Wallace, LB | CAR (@ CHI)
26) Tremaine Edmunds, LB | CHI (vs CAR)
27) Micah Parsons, LB | DAL (@ PIT)
28) Micah McFadden, LB | NYG (@ SEA)
29) Jaquan Brisker, S | CHI (vs CAR)
30) Grant Delpit, S | CLE (@ WAS)
31) Quentin Lake, S | LAR (vs GB)
32) Germaine Pratt, LB | CIN (vs BAL)
33) Nick Cross, S | IND (@ JAX)
34) Patrick Queen, LB | PIT (vs DAL)
35) Jalen Thompson, S | ARI (@ SF)
36) Kaden Elliss, LB | ATL (vs TB)
37) Dorian Williams, LB | BUF (@ HOU)
38) Josey Jewell, LB | CAR (@ CHI)
39) Kyle Dugger, S | NE (vs MIA)
40) Jalen Pitre, S | HOU (vs BUF)
41) Joshua Metellus, S | MIN (vs NYJ)
42) Budda Baker, S | ARI (@ SF)
43) Quay Walker, LB | GB (@ LAR)
44) Jordyn Brooks, LB | MIA (@ NE)
45) Cody Barton, LB | DEN (vs LV)
46) Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB | CLE (@ WAS)
47) Devin Lloyd, LB | JAX (vs IND)
48) Devon Witherspoon, CB | SEA (vs NYG)
49) Kamren Curl, S | LAR (vs GB)
50) Jessie Bates III, S | ATL (vs TB)
51) Pete Werner, LB | NO (@ KC)
52) Jahlani Tavai, LB | NE (vs MIA)
53) Tyler Nubin, S | NYG (@ SEA)
54) Jevon Holland, S | MIA (@ NE)
55) Julian Love, S | SEA (vs NYG)
56) Camryn Bynum, S | MIN (vs NYJ)
57) Nate Hobbs, CB | LV (@ DEN)
58) Justin Strnad, LB | DEN (vs LV)
59) Maxx Crosby, DE | LV (@ DEN)
60) Henry To’oTo’o, LB | HOU (vs BUF)
Top IDP Players To Start in Week 5
Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders
Bobby Wagner continues to roll along at such a high level. Do not bench him now or ever (barring injury), but he’s a must-start this week. Wagner has posted 8+ tackles in all four games so far and 11 in two of the four. He’s also getting over a tackle for loss per game.
Now comes a matchup with the Browns in Week 5, which is one of the best available for linebackers. It’s rated as the second best at allowing points to the position among all matchups, and that feels unlikely to change soon. Cleveland loves to run the ball, which will allow tackle opportunities galore for Wagner.
Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota Vikings
If you’re nervous about playing Blake Cashman, it’s a bit understandable, but let me help put your mind at ease.
Cashman has two weeks with six tackles or less. He’s also posted 11 or more in the other two. So, with the Jekyll and Hyde nature, what will Cashman show in Week 5?
I’d bet on the good one. Why? The matchup is a strong one for Cashman, as the Jets are the third-best matchup for linebackers in fantasy points allowed.
Similar to the Browns, New York likes to try and establish the run. It’s possible the Vikings can jump out to a decent lead, but the Jets’ defense should be able to keep it close enough to help Cashman cash in.