It’s that time again, IDP fantasy managers, your weekly free start and sit recommendations. This week’s article will feature critical matchups, under-the-radar performers, and streaming options for those premium scoring leagues. Whether you’re a seasoned IDP veteran or new to the format, our insights aim to help you make informed choices to maximize your lineup’s potential. Let’s gear up for a thrilling week of football!
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
IDP Fantasy Start Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Laiatu Latu | Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts first-round pick is coming off a career-high in tackles (6) in Week 5. Laiatu Latu was one of the most polished EDGE rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft, and you can check out his IDP rookie profile HERE.
Latu has reached double-digit fantasy points in 2 of his last 3 games. The Colts EDGE rusher has also stepped up while the team is dealing with injuries at the defensive line position. Latu has played over 65% of snaps in his last 2 games. He has 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery this season. Laiatu Latu has a great chance to record his second sack of the season against the Tennessee Titans, who allow the second-most sacks per game in the NFL (4.0).
Linebacker (LB)
Nakobe Dean | Philadelphia Eagles
The talented Brad Custer featured Nakobe Dean in the Week 6 Positional Matchup. As mentioned, the former Georgia Bulldog has played 97% of the defensive snaps this season. Dean is LB43 in fantasy points per game this season and has recorded 22 tackles over his last 3 games.
IDP fantasy managers should confidently start the Eagles linebacker this week against Cleveland Browns, who have surrendered 5 top-12 performances to the LB position this season. Dean has outstanding value for the rest of the season after veteran LB Devin White was released by the team this week. The third-year breakout is here for Nakobe Dean; ride the hot hand as his fantasy value continues to skyrocket throughout the season.
Defensive Back (DB)
Tyler Nubin | New York Giants
Tyler Nubin has quickly put IDP fantasy managers on notice. The second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is DB45 through the first 5 games. His impact has been robust over the past 2 games, with DB19 and DB4 performances. Nubin has compiled 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in his last 2 games.
Tyler Nubin was my top defensive back option in this rookie class. He was one of the most accomplished college defensive backs and stepped into a great situation with the New York Giants defense. Nubin has a 15% positive positional advantage matchup this week against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. IDP fantasy managers should expect the Giants’ DB to continue his solid production against the Bengals, who have allowed the 10th most tackles to the safety position this season.
Defensive Tackle (DT)
Grady Jarrett | Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons are dead last in the NFL in sacks through the first 5 Weeks. The perfect remedy is a matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who have allowed 2.4 sacks per game this season. The Panthers have been vulnerable on the interior, allowing both starting defensive tackles of the Chicago Bears to score 10+ fantasy points in Week 5.
This is a good spot for Grady Jarrett coming in as DT17 in FPPG despite only a half-sack this season. The veteran interior lineman has recorded at least 3 tackles in 5-straight games against the Carolina Panthers. His tackle floor makes him a safe option in Week 5, and a sack could have him as a top-5 performer at the DT position.
IDP Fantasy Streaming Options
When Christian Wilkins was hurt, the Las Vegas Raiders lost their best free-agent acquisition of the off-season. Adam Butler steps into a solid spot for IDP fantasy managers. The Raiders defensive tackle is DT33 in FPPG this season. He faces a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, which allowed 1.5 sacks to the position in Week 5. The Raiders’ DT is rostered on all platforms in less than 3% of IDP leagues.
LaBryan Ray is a solid streaming option for desperate IDP fantasy managers. This season, Ray has stepped in for the injured Derrick Brown. The former Alabama interior defensive lineman is on pace for the best season of his early career. The Panthers DT has a 62% defensive snapshare and has compiled 4 tackles in 2 of his last 3 games.
Cornerback (CB)
Martin Emerson | Cleveland Browns
Martin Emerson and the Cleveland Browns secondary will face a significant challenge in Week 6. The Philadelphia Eagles will get their starting wide receivers back after the bye week. Emerson has rewarded fantasy managers this season, averaging the 18th most fantasy points per game amongst qualifying cornerbacks.
The Cleveland Browns CB has finished with double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed at least 3 tackles to every starting CB they have played this season.
The Week 6 streaming options at the CB position include Christian Gonzalez (CB25) and Cam Taylor-Britt (CB46). Each defensive back has played over 88% of the defensive snaps this season and has positive positional matchup advantages this week. They have also recorded multiple games of 6 tackles or more this season. These should be viable options for IDP fantasy managers looking to boost their lineups in Week 6.
IDP Fantasy Sit Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Khalil Mack | Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack will be a Hall of Famer one day, but that doesn’t mean he’s exempt from a rare sit recommendation. Mack continues to impress in his 11th NFL season, coming off a career-high 17 sacks in 2023.
As much as we love the player as IDP fantasy managers, it’s acceptable not to love the matchup. That’s the case this week with the Chargers pass rushers matching up against the Denver Broncos, who allow the 3rd-fewest sacks per game (1.4). The Broncos offense also allows the 6th-fewest tackles to the DL position this season. The numbers typically don’t lie; look for better options in Week 6.
Linebacker (LB)
Kaden Ellis | Atlanta Falcons
Kaden Ellis has been excellent over the first month of the season, with double-digit fantasy points in 5-straight games. He has posted 6+ tackles in every game this season. The former University of Idaho product is LB38 on the season.
The Carolina Panthers have been a tough matchup for opposing linebackers this season. Carolina has allowed the 6th fewest tackles per game to the position. While Ellis has succeeded against Carolina with Atlanta and New Orleans, there are better matchups. The Atlanta linebackers face an opposing negative 16% positional advantage in Week 6. IDP fantasy managers could find more production if they are flexible with their lineups this week.
Defensive Back (DB)
Patrick Surtain II | Denver Broncos
It’s rare to see a player who finished as DB2 overall the week before being featured in the sit column, but here we are. Patrick Surtain put on a show in Denver last week with 2 interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-6. He sent fantasy managers a tiny reminder of how elite he is, and usually, that doesn’t bode well for scoring fantasy points.
Patrick Surtain is tied for 78th among all cornerbacks in targets and only averages 2.8 tackles per game. Stop me when you’ve heard this one before. Jim Harbaugh coached football teams that hated to throw the football. The Chargers rank 11th in the NFL in rush attempts and dead last in passing attempts. If the Chargers are going to throw the football, it surely won’t be at Patrick Surtain. The DB position is the easiest to stream weekly, so you should have many options.
IDP Fantasy Injury Updates
Pete Werner | New Orleans Saints
Peter Werner is the second New Orleans linebacker to suffer a soft tissue injury over the season’s first month. Demario Davis was only forced to miss one game; Werner is slated to miss his second straight game on a short week after the Saints’ loss on Monday Night to the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Ohio State LB is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice for the second consecutive week.
Anfernee Orji started in place of Pete Werner in Week 5 and impressed. The second-year player from Vanderbilt posted 10 tackles while playing 87% of the snaps. Orji looks to benefit greatly from the absence of Werner. IDP fantasy managers once again find free production from the waiver wire. While the matchup isn’t the greatest, Orji should be a starting consideration after his production in Week 5.
IDP Fantasy Six Pack of Facts
- Robert Spillane (LB1) and Brain Branch (DB4) are the only IDPs with 20+ points in every game.
- “Saints Go Marching In” Paulson Adebo (DB5) and Alontae Taylor (DB6) are the only DB duo with 100+ fantasy points each.
- Dorian Williams breakout season: Currently LB7 in FPPG.
- Commanders Linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner combined for 13 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
- Top IDP Rookies are Jared Verse (DL15), Tyrice Knight (LB65), and Tyler Nubin (DB45).
- There were 10 IDPs with at least 2 sacks in Week 5 (8 DL, 2 LB).
Weekly IDP Fantasy Roster Management
IDP Fantasy Tip of the Week
This week, we will focus on maximizing the value of IDPs for rebuilding teams. We have heard it hundreds of times to “sell your aging players as a middling or rebuilding team to acquire more picks in next year’s rookie draft.” This strategy is much easier to do from an offensive perspective as the upside of those players is much easier to project.
Far too often, we overvalue IDPs on dynasty-rebuilding teams. There are very few scenarios where you’ll package defensive players for a first-round pick. The exception to this is typically elite linebackers. IDPs like Roquon Smith usually draw heavy interest from contending teams. As much as we value elite linebackers in Dynasty, we shouldn’t be so hesitant to trade them away. Linebackers can be viewed as wide receivers on the defensive side of the ball. However, LB production is far more replaceable than that of WRs.
In a proper rebuild, you need to maximize your value, and if that means trading your highest FPPG defensive players, you should not be afraid to do that. If your league prioritizes IDP scoring correctly, fantasy managers should be able to maximize your entire roster for trade value. Lastly, trust your research, stay adaptable, and don’t hesitate to make bold moves when the opportunity arises.
IDP Fantasy Final Thoughts
As you finalize your lineup, remember that starting the right IDPs can make all the difference; lean on matchup data and recent performance to guide your choices. We continue to aim to deliver you the best free IDP content you can find. As always, please contact me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13. I look forward to hearing your feedback and answering any IDP questions you may have.
Also, check out the Positional Matchups with IDP matchups to focus on by staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
All of my IDP Nerds, don’t forget to join the live #NerdHerds Discord channel for Sunday mornings. The team is looking forward to answering your IDP lineup questions.
