Welcome back, IDP fantasy managers. The season continues, and we look for every advantage to improve our dynasty teams. Teams face injuries and underperforming stars at this point of the season. Luckily for you, this article aims to find those unexpected breakout players who can help you outsmart your competition. Let’s dive into those players available ahead of the Week 6 slate of games.
High-Priority IDP Fantasy Pickups
Defensive Line (DL)
Charles Snowden | Las Vegas Raiders
IDP fantasy managers looking for defensive line depth after the season’s first month are digging deep. As bye weeks approach and injuries start to hit your rosters hard, it’s crucial to ensure the players you add can make a difference to your fantasy teams.
Charles Snowden has been on the rise for the struggling Las Vegas Raiders defense. The former undrafted University of Virginia EDGE rusher has only played 6 defensive snaps before this season. Snowden has found himself a home in Las Vegas, playing at least 26 snaps in every game. He’s reaping the rewards of playing with Maxx Crosby, who demands the opposing offense’s full attention. Snowden has registered 8 pressures over his last 3 games and has turned them into 2 sacks.
Linebacker (LB)
Ventrell Miller | Jacksonville Jaguars
I hope you listened to me when I mentioned Ventrell Miller as a potential replacement for Foyesade Oluokun ahead of Week 4. If not, you might be in luck, as the Jacksonville LB still needs to be rostered in 100% of leagues in most IDP fantasy football formats. Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller were mentioned as possible replacements at the time of the injury. Since Oluokun went to injured reserve ahead of Week 4, Miller ranks as LB18, while Muma is LB60 in fantasy points per game (FPPG).
Ventrell Miller has been a solid replacement for IDP managers who lost Foye Oluokun this season. The former Florida Gator has three straight games with double-digit fantasy points and 6 tackles or more. Miller should continue to thrive in his expanded role, and it’s worth noting that while Jacksonville is struggling to win games, they could be looking to the future. The team may consider giving their highest-paid linebacker more time to recover if he’s not fully healthy.
Defensive Back (DB)
Riley Moss | Denver Broncos
Riley Moss has been exceptional for the Denver Broncos this season. The second-year man from Iowa ranks 7th in solo tackles (26) and 14th in targets (31) among qualifying cornerbacks (Pro Football Focus). Moss is DB16 through the first 5 games and should continue to see many opportunities playing across from Patrick Surtain II. Riley Moss has at least 3 tackles or more in every game this season, including a 12-tackle performance in Week 1. IDP fantasy managers can continue to start the Denver DB with confidence.
Best of the Rest IDP Fantasy
Defensive Line (DL)
James Smith-Williams | Atlanta Falcons
James Smith-Williams is another DL depth add who benefits from playing with a top-level EDGE rusher. The Atlanta Falcons’ trading for Matt Judon this off-season has opened up more one-on-one matchups for others along the Falcons’ defensive line.
The veteran EDGE rusher for Atlanta remains relevant in the fantasy world despite not recording a sack this season. Smith-Williams is DL85 in FPPG while averaging 33 snaps per game. The Atlanta Falcons defense is dead last in the NFL in sacks (5). The team will likely improve on this, which should give the Falcons pass rushers a boost in fantasy scoring. IDP managers could do worse when looking for bye-week replacements at this point in the season.
Linebacker (LB)
Devin Bush | Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns linebacker situation has been a nightmare for fantasy managers over the past few seasons. It’s been better this year, but consistency has been hard to find. The injury to veteran LB Jordan Hivks has opened up opportunities for other players. One of those players was former first-round pick Devin Bush.
Devin Bush has averaged 56.5 defensive snaps over the past 2 weeks. He has not missed a tackle this season while posting tackling grades of 71.7, 79.3, and 82.8 (PFF). The former Michigan product finished as LB15 in Week 5 and looks to continue his stellar play as the injuries to the Browns continue to pile up. There’s no timetable for Jordan Hicks’s return from injury. In this scenario, IDP fantasy managers can ride the hot hand to continue to piece together production at the LB position.
Defensive Back (DB)
Marte Mapu | New England Patriots
Few things are more frustrating than relying on New England players to perform for your fantasy football team. As a fantasy manager, I will say it’s nowhere near as painful on the defensive side of the ball. The New England defense activated last year’s third-round pick, Marte Mapu, ahead of their Week 5 matchup. The small school DB had an excellent showing in his first action with 6 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
Marte Mapu could be a cheat code for IDP fantasy managers, so you should add him aggressively this week. Mapu is listed as a defensive back; however, he lines up in the Patriots’ defensive system as a linebacker. Mapu played 45 box snaps in Week 5, accounting for 57% of his snaps. Mapu is a hybrid-type player who is a deep safety, slot defender, and box safety. New England will need him now more than ever as injuries to their starting safeties and at the LB position have been incurred. Mapu could be an excellent find for the fantasy managers’ at this point of the season.
IDP Fantasy Players to Monitor
Demarcus Lawrence | Dallas Cowboys (Foot)
Demarcus Lawrence is officially out for at least a month after suffering an injury in Week 4. The veteran EDGE rusher was off to a strong start with 3 sacks and a forced fumble through the first 4 games. The Dallas defensive line is banged up after losing Micah Parsons as well in Week 4. To make matters worse, the team lost their rookie pass rusher, Marshawn Kneeland, in Week 5.
IDP fantasy managers looking to find value here could turn to veteran EDGE rusher Carl Lawson. The former New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals defender has struggled to stay healthy over his career. However, in those 3 seasons, he played 16 games and averaged 7 sacks per season. Lawson registered 1.5 sacks in his second game of the season after being promoted from the Cowboys practice squad in Week 4. This week’s matchup isn’t great, but Lawson could be very effective when Micah Parsons returns.
IDP Fantasy Summary
I can’t stress it enough; navigating the waiver wire for defensive players can be a game-changer in your fantasy football season. Whether a rising linebacker or a defensive back capitalizing on a favorable matchup, these additions can turn the tide in close matchups.
As we move deeper into the season, being adaptable with your roster will be vital to securing those pivotal wins to get you into the fantasy playoffs. Good luck this week, and thank you for all your support in making IDP fantasy football your preferred way to play. Follow me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13!
If you’re looking for a fun read, check out our Nerds’ First Round Rookie Mock for offensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft class:
