Welcome to our fifth IDP Waiver Wire article at Fantasy In Frames for the 2023 fantasy football season!
As I did for Week 4, I will use Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Rankings to base my weekly recommendations for players to roster. I believe using this method of identifying waiver recommendations will benefit people in newbie leagues all the way through to the more advanced IDP-playing fantasy managers. Here are my IDP Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 5 (2023) recommendations.
Chase Young
Week 5 ECR Rankings: DL46
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: DL36 (10.3 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- I told you a couple of weeks ago to pick up Chase Young on waivers, and some of you refused because of his injury history. Honestly, I can’t blame you. However, after his 3 total tackle, 2 QB Hit, 1 sack, and 1 TFL performance against Philly in Week 3, you might want to start paying attention and pick him up.
- His large snap percentage played in Week 4, combined with his 13.9% win rate and 16.7% pressure rate on Sunday, per PFF, as well as his notching another sack under his belt, proved he should be rostered.
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Week 5 ECR Rankings: DL80
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: DL27 (11.0 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- With Matt Judon out indefinitely, I’m leaning toward Deatrich Wise Jr. to be the next man up for New England at DL in terms of fantasy relevance. Week 4’s passing down snap share plus his team-leading pressure rate in Week 4, per PFF, makes this a somewhat easy choice.
- Now granted, Josh Uche is a name people might gravitate towards as he might be more of a better-known name. However its Wise’s snap % aka opportunity, which dwarfed Uches’, makes me recommend adding Wise Jr. instead.
Nik Bonitto
Week 5 ECR Rankings: DL57
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: DL3 (24.3 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- Bonitto leads edge rushers on the Broncos in total pressures this season despite having a low snap share %. Mind you, his playing time has now started to increase due to the injury of Randy Gregory.
- He also leads the team in sacks and QB hits. Grab him now while he’s still under the radar.
Henry To’oto’o
Week 5 ECR Rankings: LB35
Week 3’s Fantasy Point Finish: LB36 (11.5 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- From Weeks 2-4, To’oto’o is the team leader in total tackles, most importantly solo tackles, on the season at the linebacker position for the Texans. While second-year linebacker Christian Harris was more efficient on Sunday versus the Steelers, To’oto’o has played a full-time role at the position so far this season, which should enable more long-term opportunities down the stretch.
Nate Landman
Week 5 ECR Rankings: LB57
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: LB27 (13.5 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- With Troy Andersen out due to injury for the season, Nate Landman entered the football arena with 10 total tackles on Sunday (8 solo/ 2 assisted) with a team-leading tackle rate of 22.2%, per PFF.
- With bye weeks in full effect, snatch him up now and get some linebacker coverage on your fantasy football teams.
Drew Sanders
Week 5 ECR Rankings: LB62
Week 5’s Fantasy Point Finish: LB47 (9.0 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- His missed tackle % was atrocious in Week 4; however, Sanders benefits from the opportunity vacated by Josey Jewell missing time due to injury.
- In DEEP leagues, he’s worth a speculative add as his tackle production has been there, albeit inefficiently.
Geno Stone
Week 5 ECR Rankings: DB50
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: DB50 (10.3 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- While Kyle Hamilton has been dominating box snaps this season, Geno Stone has been the far more efficient tackler on the Ravens based on his 0% missed tackle efficiency, per PFF.
- Yes, box snaps are a critical position to take into account when selecting defensive backs to start on your IDP fantasy team, however, efficiency is not to be overlooked entirely.
- If you’re loaded at other IDP positions and just need someone to get you 10 or so points a game per week, Stone is your guy.
Michael Davis
Week 5 ECR Rankings: Not Ranked
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: DB37 (12.0 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- For those in cornerback-specific leagues, Michael Davis is a name worth monitoring, as he had the highest box snap percentage of any cornerback on the Chargers on Sunday.
- While not a priority add, I should point out he has been the most targeted CB on the Chargers this season and leads the team in PBUs according to PFF.
Jabrill Peppers
Week 5 ECR Rankings: DB44
Week 4’s Fantasy Point Finish: D34 (12.3 Points in Fantasy Pros Scoring)
- Since Week 2, Peppers has seen his run-defense snap percentage go up while Kyle Duggers has gone down during that time span.
- Combine that with a dual increased role at slot cornerback, and Peppers is quietly becoming that Swiss army knife at DB that could pay dividends for fantasy managers!
