IDP fantasy managers, it’s time to get the most out of your lineup for the Week 5 NFL slate. This week, there will be a slight changeup for the defensive tackle (DT) and cornerback (CB) positions, with multiple streaming options.
The key positions in IDP fantasy leagues will remain the same, and the recommended start and sit for each position will continue to be covered. We promised to listen to the feedback, so the goal is to give you the best free IDP content weekly.
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)
Leonard Floyd | San Francisco 49ers
Leonard Floyd comes in as one of the top options at the defensive line for IDP fantasy managers in Week 5. The veteran EDGE rusher is with his fourth different team since the 2019 season. Floyd has averaged 9.8 sacks over his last four seasons, while creating at least 40 pressures each season (Pro Football Focus).
Leonard Floyd has the luxury of playing alongside one of the best EDGE defenders in the NFL, Nick Bosa. The two have an excellent matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed a top-12 DL performance in four consecutive games.
The Cardinals have surrendered the overall DL1 performance twice this season. Floyd has recorded 4 tackles in back-to-back games, and his 60% defensive snap share is 2nd among 49ers’ EDGE rushers.
Linebacker (LB)
Christian Rozeboom | Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams’ linebacker room was very uncertain as they headed into the season after trading their best LB, Ernest Jones, before the season. Christian Rozeboom has slowly impacted IDP fantasy leagues over the season’s first month. We covered Christian Rozeboom in Week 4’s waiver wire article. Rozeboom has a 72% defensive snap share on the season and is one of only two linebackers being used for the Rams this season.
The Rams are primarily a two-linebacker system. Rozeboom has been very efficient, with 21 tackles over his last two games. According to Pro Football Focus, he has posted a tackling grade over 80.0 in the previous two games and hasn’t missed a tackle over that span. The Rams linebacker has been trending up as of late. This week, he had an excellent matchup against Green Bay, who allowed the 8th-most tackles to the LB position this season.
Defensive Back (DB)
Jalen Thompson | Arizona Cardinals
IDP fantasy managers should expect strong production from the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs in Week 5. Budda Baker is a no-brainer start as the DB4 in fantasy points per game (FPPG). Jalen Thompson is also an enticing option in a divisional matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, who are the 3rd most favorable matchup for DBs this season.
Thompson has averaged over 7 tackles per game this season and is currently the DB50 in FPPG. He should improve that with a big week against the 49ers. The Cardinals DB has played 97% of snaps this season and is looking to become the 5th different safety to finish as a top-15 scorer against the San Francisco offense in 2024.
Defensive Tackle (DT)
John Franklin-Myers | Denver Broncos
If you’ve been with us over the first month of the season, you know we stay on brand here at Dynasty Nerds! John Franklin-Myers was featured in this week’s IDP fantasy players to add. He has been very reliable lately, with 4 pressures and 2 sacks this season.
The Broncos DT has eclipsed double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. The Denver Broncos defensive line should see an increase in production (28%) using Brad Custer’s Positional Matchups table. IDP fantasy managers should be starting the Broncos defensive lineman with confidence in Week 5.
IDP Fantasy Streaming Options
As promised, we will include additional streaming options for the first time at the IDP premium positions for managers who play in those formats. Maliek Collins of the San Francisco 49ers could be a strong start this week; he’s the DT14 in FPPG at the DT position. Collins has scored 10 fantasy points or more in 3 consecutive games and has played over 70% of snaps in all but 1 game this season.
Tim Settle and the Houston Texans have a tough matchup this week against the Buffalo Bills offense. The Texans DT has been excellent over his past two games, converting 3 pressures into 2 sacks. This is a revenge game scenario for Settle, who spent the last 2 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Tim Settle has played over 57% of defensive snaps in the past two games for the Texans’ defense.
Cornerback (CB)
Rasul Douglas | Buffalo Bills
IDP fantasy managers have many options at the cornerback position in Week 5. Rasul Douglas against the young Houston Texans offense should be at the top of the list. Douglas will likely try to stop Nico Collins, WR3 overall in FPPG (Fantasy Points Data Suite). The Bills CB has 21 impact plays over the past 3 seasons and has a knack for making a big play.
The Buffalo defense will likely need some impact plays this week against a Houston offense that averages the 3rd most passing attempts in the NFL. His 4.5 tackle per-game average gives him a safe enough floor for IDP managers to justify starting him.
This week’s streaming options include Riley Moss (CB6) and Benjamin St-Juste (CB16) in fantasy points per game. Each player has been consistent this season despite neither recording an interception over the first month. IDP managers who can find consistent high-volume, tackling cornerbacks tend to have an advantage in CB-premium formats.
IDP Sit Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Trey Hendrickson | Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hendrickson managers have avoided a big scare with the Bengals EDGE rusher after he was cleared to play in Week 5. A late-game injury to the Bengals’ best pass rusher last week didn’t look promising. Hendrickson has avoided missing any time, thankfully for IDP fantasy managers.
The Bengals defense faces one of the more difficult matchups in Week 5. Hendrickson and the Bengals defensive line will face a Baltimore offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks per game (1.0) in 2024. Hendrickson has failed to eclipse more than 2 tackles in his last 6 games against Baltimore.
The Bengals EDGE rushers face an unfavorable 20% positional matchup this week. IDP managers should also be fearful that Joseph Ossai will see an increase in snaps, as the Bengals could be using Hendrickson in a more situational pass-rushing role with his neck injury.
Linebacker (LB)
Devin Lloyd | Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to an awful start this season. They are the only team in the NFL yet to record a win. They have lost vital fantasy contributors on both offense and defense. The Jaguars’ linebackers have been one of the most reliable groups for fantasy managers over the past few seasons. Devin Lloyd has dealt with injuries over his first two seasons but has still managed to eclipse over 115+ tackles in each of his first two seasons.
The former Utah product has been dealing with a knee injury with limited production. The Jaguars defense has seemingly trended towards playing linebackers Ventrell Miller and Chad Muma in Week 5. Both LBs played over 90% of defensive snaps, while Lloyd has struggled to stay on the field. Week 5 is a fade scenario for Devin Lloyd until he can be fully cleared to return to full action for the Jacksonville defense.
Defensive Back (DB)
Talanoa Hufanga | San Francisco 49ers
Talanoa Hufanga is slowly returning this season from an injury that cost him the end of the 2023 campaign. He returned in a Week 3 loss against the Los Angeles Rams, recording 7 tackles. The San Francisco DB was pivotal to many dynasty championship rosters in the 2022 season. He looked to repeat those numbers in 2023 before his season was cut short.
IDP fantasy managers should play it safe and wait until Hufanga can log a whole week of practices before they confidently start the former USC safety. The 49ers’ defense faces the Arizona Cardinals, a 19% unfavorable positional matchup for opposing defensive backs (Brad Custer). There are more intriguing streaming options for fantasy enthusiasts in Week 5.
IDP Fantasy Injury Updates
Jaelan Phillips | Miami Dolphins
The pain and torture keep coming for IDP fantasy managers. We now face the challenge of replacing another top IDP weekly. Jaelan Phillips will miss his second-consecutive season with a lower-body injury, as the former Miami Hurricane has been sent to injured reserve. This is another blow to the Miami Dolphins, who have lost their starting quarterback and arguably their best defensive player.
This should open up opportunities for rookie DL Chop Robinson. With Phillips out for the remainder of the season, the Penn State product will see an increase in snaps. Robinson has a 40% defensive snap share this season, but this has the potential to increase above 50% at minimum. Robinson has excelled in pass-rushing metrics by ranking as a top-15 player in pressure win percentage. IDP fantasy managers should see some value in the young EDGE defender for the remainder of the season.
IDP Fantasy Six Pack of Facts
- Raiders (Robert Spillane/ Maxx Crosby) and Colts (Nick Cross/EJ Speed) both have 2 players in the Top 12 overall FPPG.
- Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor have been top-12 IDP scorers in 3 of 4 games.
- Week 4 had 20 IDPs with 10 tackles or more (14 LB and 6 DB).
- Keion White is in a league of his own—The only DT averaging over 20 FPPG (1 of 4 DL overall).
- Vikings EDGE rushers have accounted for 12 sacks through 4 games.
- Aidan Hutchinson (DL1), Robert Spillane (LB1), and Nick Cross (DB1) are all averaging over 25 FPPG.
Weekly IDP Fantasy Roster Management
IDP Fantasy Tip of the Week
This week’s fantasy tip of the week is about assessing your team’s potential. As an IDP fantasy manager, this can be harder than it is in offensive-only leagues. Your league’s scoring comes first; the manager must determine if scoring can put you in a position to still compete with high-scoring IDPs.
Roster assessment is more manageable after a four-game sample size; using the fantasy points per game (FPPG) metric, you can figure out how your defensive positions stack up against the offensive. Starting roster requirements also play into this, but an accurate determination of your roster can begin to become more apparent after the first month of the season.
Becoming too aggressive as a potential contender, or too eager to sell as a non-contending team, can set you back. It’s imperative to assess your team’s direction and know your leaguemates rosters. Fantasy managers never want to be a mediocre team, so the pressure to buy or sell can sometimes force managers’ hands.
There is a likely scenario where someone is tanking to start the season; keep that in mind if your roster is underperforming. The decision to begin selling assets for draft picks could hurt your chances as you would assume there would be no scenario where you can be bad enough to acquire the top pick in the rookie draft.
There’s no perfect determination to break down your chances after just four weeks. The best dynasty teams are flexible and willing to adjust to the highs and lows of the fantasy football season.
IDP Fantasy Final Thoughts
Thanks for checking out another week of free IDP fantasy content. All the advice and strategy are delivered each week to ensure you compete for an IDP fantasy football championship at the end of the season. You can always find me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13 if you have any IDP questions.
Also, check out the Positional Matchups with IDP players to focus by staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
