October 4, 2016

Bryan Levin's IDP waiver wire pickups, adds & sleepers for Week Five of the 2016 fantasy football season. NFL linebackers, defensive linemen & defensive backs to add.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to our weekly columns to help you win on the defensive side of the ball. Today we are here to review some IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 5.

The following players are not necessarily “must start” players for IDP leagues, but rather, players that currently have below 25% ownership levels (in Yahoo! Leagues) and are suggested deep-league IDP additions for this week.

Let's get to it!

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

Linebackers - Week 5 IDP Waiver Adds

Vince Williams, Steelers*

Matchup: vs. Jets

Ownership: 1%

Williams makes the list this week with a bit of an asterisk next to his name, as his appearance is contingent on whether or not the oft-injured Ryan Shazier is able to suit up. Filling in for Shazier this past week, Williams was an absolute monster, totaling 16 tackles (14 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and was all over the field in a number of capacities. If Shazier can’t go again this week, look for Williams to take advantage of a depleted Jets offense that appears to be in shambles this week.

Cory James, Raiders

Matchup: vs. Chargers

Ownership: 2%

James, a sixth round pick for Oakland this year, made some noise throughout training camp, and has emerged as a nearly every down linebacker for the defensively-challenged Raiders. James has been on the field for over 90% of snaps in back-to-back weeks, which included a monster performance in week 4 against the Ravens, totaling 15 total tackles (12 solo), 1 tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. If James is still available in your league, especially deep IDP leagues, run to the waiver wire and secure the rookie backer.

Michael Wilhoite, 49ers

Matchup: vs. Cardinals (Thursday)

Ownership: 2%

Wilhoite has been the go-to pickup for IDP owners when All-Pro NaVorro Bowman is missing from the lineup. Unfortunately for the 49ers and Bowman, a torn Achilles tendon this past week ended yet another season, leaving a glaring hole in the soft 49ers front seven. Enter Wilhoite, who has been in this position before, and is a trusted veteran who stepped up in a big way on Sunday (12 total tackles, 10 solo) and figures to be on the field plenty going forward. His talent won’t blow anybody away, but he has proven to be a steady hand and the 49ers will rely on him to step up in the absence of Bowman.

Chandler Jones, Cardinals

Matchup: @ 49ers (Thursday)

Ownership: 16%

Jones’ IDP outlook took a bit of a hit this year following his offseason trade to the desert, where he no longer was to be used as a defensive lineman, but rather, as a linebacker in the Arizona defense. Jones has been productive in his new role with his new team however, registering a sack in his first four games of the season. The matchup is not ideal, as the 49ers have allowed less than one sack per game this season to this point, but if you believe in Jones’ talent and the fact that the Cardinals are entering “must win” territory, then Jones should see plenty of chances to get after Blaine Gabbert.

Zach Brown, Bills

Matchup: @ Rams

Ownership: 17%

Brown, in his first year with the Bills, is currently leading the NFL in tackles, and should be owned in all IDP leagues, making his 17% ownership level puzzling. Browns last three weeks of action have included a 14 tackle performance in Week 2, a 12 tackles performance in Week 3, and an 18 tackles performance in Week 4. With another great matchup ahead this week in Los Angeles, Brown is not only a “must-add” waiver option, but is also in the “must start” category.

Defensive Linemen - Week 5 IDP Waiver Adds

Trent Murphy, Redskins

Matchup: @ Ravens

Ownership: 5%

Murphy is currently in the midst of a breakout 2016, his third year in the NFL. After playing a limited role in Week 1, Murphy’s role has steadily increased for the Redskins, and has already totaled a career high 4 sacks. His dual LB/DE status in most IDP leagues makes him even more valuable as a guy with a high floor, due to his ability to rack up multiple tackles on top of his sacks. The Ravens have allowed about 2.0 sacks per game thus far and Murphy should see enough opportunity this week, making him an enticing add in IDP leagues.

Kerry Hyder, Lions

Matchup: vs. Eagles

Ownership: 5%

One of the more non-descript transactions at the end of the 2015 season was the Lions claiming of Hyder off the Jets practice squad. After barely making the roster this preseason, despite a strong summer, Hyder is now second in the NFL with 5.0 sacks on season, registering at least one in every single game thus far. Hyder does not have the pedigree (undrafted) or the name recognition (you had no idea who he was until now) as other defensive line options, but it’s hard to deny his production to this point.

Defensive Backs - Week 5 IDP Waiver Adds

Kurt Coleman, Panthers

Matchup: vs. Buccaneers (Monday)

Ownership: 7%

Coleman was an IDP force last season, registering over 85 total tackles to go along with 7 INT. After a slow start to his 2016 campaign, Coleman broke through in a big way in the shootout loss to Atlanta in Week 4 with 6 solo tackles, and a pick-six. Coleman is a big play waiting to happen and faces the pass-happy Buccaneers and turnover-prone Jameis Winston, who has already thrown 8 INTs. If Tampa Bay falls behind early, they will ask Winston to throw plenty, giving Coleman a ton of opportunity for a big play.

Antoine Bethea, 49ers

Matchup: vs. Cardinals (Thursday)

Ownership: 8%

Bethea, an 11-year veteran, has always been viewed as a reliable and steady option at DB in IDP leagues. His performance in 2016 has had its ups (Weeks 2 & 4) and downs (Weeks 1 & 3) to this point, but has a good matchup against the struggling Cardinals at home on Thursday night and figures to be in on numerous stops while having ample opportunity at a turnover, especially if Arizona turns to Drew Stanton at quarterback in the wake of Carson Palmer’s concussion.

Barry Church, Cowboys

Matchup: vs. Bengals

Ownership: 23%

Church, like Bethea, has been one of the most reliable DBs for IDP owners for quite a long time. The long time Cowboys safety is off to another productive start to his 2016 season, totaling 17 total tackles during the past two weeks (14 solo). With a matchup this weekend that will rely heavily on Church to help out both in the pass game and the run game, he should be in on a ton of stops. Church is a nice start this week, and should be owned almost universally as a safe/high floor option at DB.