Welcome to our team’s weekly article on IDP Fantasy Football Upside in player performance for the upcoming week!
Each week we’re going to list players that we believe will outperform their Fantasy Pros IDP Expert Consensus Rankings, thereby giving you the advantage in setting your lineups for each week’s slate of games. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading our article on IDP Fantasy Football Upside in Week 5!
Defensive Line
Dalvin Tomlinson (Minnesota Vikings)
If you play in a league where you need to start a DT, look no further than Tomlinson. Don’t get me wrong, Tomlinson could return value at DL. The Vikings will host the Chicago Bears and look to take advantage of an offensive line that ranks 32nd in Pass Blocking Efficiency per PFF. It is this type of mismatch that has me very intrigued with the ceiling for Tomlinson this week.
During the season, Tomlinson has recorded at least three pressures in all but one game. He has turned those pressures into 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hits. It’s not just the pressure rate (10%), but he also has 16 tackles on the season. The numbers may not be eye-popping, but among DL, he ranks 20th in total tackles and 36th in sacks. The true value is in the matchup, tho! Tomlinson will line up against Sam Mustipher, the league’s lowest-graded pass-blocking offensive lineman. Just last week, Dexter Lawrence dominated Mustipher and the Bears, finishing as the DL10 on the week.
Currently ranked as the DL103, the risk of starting a DT is inherent. I just love the matchup!
Dalvin Tomlinson pulled up to the drive through and ordered a strip sack pic.twitter.com/8ipBNw3QNl
— Bama NFL (@TheBamaNFL) October 2, 2022
Odafe Oweh (Baltimore Ravens)
I couldn’t wrap Week 5 up with a pretty bow without mentioning Odafe Oweh. I have spoken at length about the upside Oweh possesses in this matchup against the Bengals. Oweh has been one of the most “unlucky” edge-rushers regarding sack totals, but his time is now! For a player to be among the Top 10 in pressures, pass-rush snaps, and win-rate%, yet only 1 sack, is crazy. I am simply waiting for the roof to be blown off!
This week has all the makings for Oweh’s first multi-sack game of his career! The Ravens have added JPP to their D-Line and have provided Oweh a reduction in attention, but maybe more importantly, the switch to the ROLB position. This switch matches Oweh up with Jonah Williams, who favorably has allowed the 3rd most pressures on the season.
Currently ranked as the DL32, I have Oweh inside my Top 12 and am not looking back!
Linebacker
Drue Tranquill (Los Angeles Chargers)
Many of us had questions about the Chargers linebackers, but it appears that we can comfortably place Tranquill into our lineups without regard. Since Week 1, when Drue only saw 60% of the snaps, he has consistently played over 75%, leading to 100% in Week 4. The matchup this week is against a Browns team that will look to establish the run. If this is the case, Tranquil has a good chance to establish a high floor in tackles alone. Tranquill’s 11 run-play tackles since Wk 2 is 14th among LB. While the Browns would love to control the game with their rushing attack, there is a good chance they are forced to pass to keep pace. This also could benefit Tranqull! Since Week 2, Drue is 4th in pressures (4) and 9th in pass-play tackles (11).
Currently ranked as the LB30, I have moved Tranqull into my Top 15. Regardless of the offensive attack by the Browns, Tranquill has proven effective.
Dre Greenlaw (San Francisco 49ers)
Greenlaw has a wonderful matchup this week against a Panthers team that is likely to target the linebacker throughout the game. Coming off of a 15-tackle performance in Week 4, Greenlaw is poised to stuff the stat sheet again. For the 4th straight week, Greenlaw has improved on his previous weeks’ tackle output. While I don’t believe he will improve on the 15 tackles, I do see a path to another double-digit week.
Defensive Back
Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills)
With the mounting injuries to the Bills’ secondary, it would appear that Hamlin is in line for a big game. Last week, he played 100% of the snaps and delivered a solid 8 tackles and a DB34 finish. Not bad when he was paired with Jordan Poyer and his huge game. This week, he will be flying solo as Poyer has been ruled out.
The Steelers don’t pose much of a threat, yet should provide Hamlin with a solid tackle floor. The upside will come in his playmaking abilities. The Bills have been a very difficult matchup for first-time starters, and this shouldn’t change. Kenny Pickett threw three interceptions last week and could be under pressure all game, which could lead to another turnover-prone game. With Hamlin being ranked as the DB61, there’s plenty of upside to be had!
