Welcome, IDP Nerds. I’m filling in this week to provide you with the best options for week five’s Bottom of the Barrel waiver wire series.
We are officially an entire month into the fantasy football season. The injuries are starting to pile up for dynasty managers, and now more than ever, it’s important to lock into your waiver wire to find help. Replacing the production of high performers is not as easy as picking up their backup, as it sometimes is on the offensive side of fantasy football. The idea of streaming and playing matchup-based lineups to get the most production possible is a real scenario for IDP managers.
As I’ve stated before, we will use the Dynasty Nerds IDP default scoring for this article all season long. Let’s look at three players from each position you can add to your rosters this week. The importance of waiver wire additions during the year can’t be overstated. Hopefully, you guys can find a few waiver wire players this week that will help contribute to your team’s success. IDP managers will be looking for all the help they can get to collect enough wins to become a playoff team this year.
Defensive Line
Deatrich Wise, NE
As a dynasty manager, rostering IDPs for the New England Patriots is almost as frustrating as it is with their offensive players. The consistent production seems so few and far between. That said, Deatrich Wise is the Patriots’ most recent defender who has been producing well. Wise doesn’t carry much long-term dynasty value primarily because of the team and system he plays for, but he is a nice player who is available in nearly all dynasty leagues. He’s averaging 52.75 snaps per game and has scored 15+ fantasy points in two of his four games this season. Wise had a huge game in Week 3 with three sacks and registering 40 fantasy points. If you’re desperate for defensive line production, there are much worse options out there on waivers.
Jihad Ward, NYG
Jihad Ward has been very productive and carries dual-eligibility on the sleeper platform. During last week’s Monday Night Football broadcast, it was mentioned how much Giant’s defensive coordinator Don Martindale loves Jihad Ward. Ward has scored double-digit fantasy points in every game this season and looks to be a key part of the rotation for the Giants this season. I have reservations that he can continue on this pace with Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux fighting for more snaps, but you can’t complain about his current usage and production.
Justin Madubuike, BAL
The Baltimore Ravens look to have found another one with Justin Madubuike. The former Texas A&M pass rusher has been very productive in his second year with the Ravens. He has been a double-digit fantasy scorer in three of his first four-game this season. He has 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles through four games and carries the most dynasty value of anyone who made this week’s list. Madubuike is still 24 and is yet to play a full-time role with just 55% snap share on the season. Most, if not all, dynasty managers are looking for defensive line depth for cheap. This is a great opportunity to find that if you have available roster spots.
Linebackers
Joe Schobert, TEN
IDP managers are very familiar with Joe Schobert. The former Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker has been a tackle machine. The veteran linebacker has notched over 100 tackles in five straight seasons prior to starting the 2022 season as a free agent. I’m not sure about the issue with him not being on a team, but in a spot start reserve role, he produced well in week four. Schobert was elevated from the Titans practice squad and racked up six stops and a forced fumble on just 24 snaps. I wouldn’t count on him even staying on the active roster, but if injuries continue for the Titans at linebacker, he has shown he can be a reliable fantasy scorer.
Jaylon Smith, NYG
A blast from the past last week as IDP managers saw Jaylon Smith take the field for the first time in 2022. The former Notre Dame linebacker saw action in four games, with the Giants last season scoring over 10 points in 50% of those games. I honestly thought we had seen the last of Smith in 2021, but he was signed to the active 53-man roster last week and stepped right in to collect seven tackles. I don’t have a ton of faith that Jaylon Smith can be a reliable fantasy producer again, but when I look at the Giant’s linebacker depth, it makes some sense. If the depth and needs are available for your dynasty team, he’s worth the risk in hopes he can find a way to keep earning more snaps as the season progresses.
Blake Martinez, LVR
We will keep the theme going of veteran linebackers who are looking to bring back some dynasty value to their names. Blake Martinez was signed to the Raiders and reunites with his former defensive coordinator from the New York Giants, Patrick Graham. The Raiders currently have Denzel Perryman and Divine Deablo producing at LB, but if one of them goes down, there shouldn’t be a drop-off in production if Martinez sees the field. Martinez was one of the most reliable IDPs in all of dynasty fantasy football before an injury that led to his release last season. IDP managers would be smart to make room on their rosters in case he earns a starting role for the Raiders at any point this season.
Defensive Backs
Cam Dantzler, MIN
It’s not often we recommend picking up cornerbacks in non-required leagues. However, Cam Dantzler has proven he’s worth being in your lineup over his first four games. The Minnesota Vikings defensive back averages 5.5 tackles per game while playing nearly 60 snaps per game. Cam Dantzler doesn’t appear to be a flash in the pan, either. He’s finished with 20 fantasy points or more in four of his last fourteen games. IDP managers desperate for defensive back production can find some value in Cam Dantzler as a streaming option from week to week.
Lamarcus Joyner, NYJ
Lamarcus Joyner should be the most added defensive back on waivers in most dynasty leagues this week. His 58.40 fantasy points this season are tied for the 21st most among all defensive backs in dynasty nerds IDP scoring. The veteran New York Jets defensive back is averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game and is coming off a huge 31.40 performance last week after notching six tackles and two interceptions. Joyner is on pace to set career highs in tackles, interceptions, and fantasy points in 2022. If you’re looking for defensive back help on your fantasy rosters, you should be looking to acquire Lamarcus Joyner ahead of Week 5.
Jaylen Watson, KC
Jaylen Watson is a very intriguing player for the Kansas City Chiefs this season. It’s not easy to earn the trust and playing time of Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo but the Washington St. rookie has done just that. In week two, the young defensive back made a huge game-changing play to help beat the division rival Los Angeles Chargers. Since that game, he’s been looking more and more comfortable in the defense. Over his last three games, he’s averaged 55.3 snaps per game while averaging just under 21 fantasy points. Watson is a 24-year-old rookie who potentially carries big-time value in CB-required leagues. If you’re like most IDP managers and searching waivers each week to find production at the defensive back position, you can find a multi-week starter in Watson, and hopefully, he can keep up the current pace he’s on.
The Wrap-Up
That will do it for this week’s deep dive into the waiver wire. The above players carry less than 5% ownership among Sleeper and MFL platforms. I’m just a guest here, but I always appreciate the opportunity to stop by when asked to drop some IDP knowledge for the readers. The dynasty nerds IDP team appreciates your support, and we look forward to helping you for the rest of the season. Good luck this week, and keep pushing towards another dynasty championship to add to your trophy case.
