IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 5 (2021)

October 5, 2021 Nate Marcum

The first quarter of the NFL season is now behind us, which means that we are approximately one-third of the way finished with the regular fantasy season.

Hopefully, many of you are still undefeated, or at least 2-2! If not, just remember that there is plenty of time and grinding away on the waiver wire is the absolute best way to stay competitive. I am a firm believer that I might not outsmart all of my competition, but I can guarantee that I am going to outwork them.

Join me, if you will, and let’s take a look at the week that was, as well as the upcoming IDP Waiver Wire gems for Week 5!

Hits and Misses from Week 4

Harold Landry III-Absolute smash play. Finished the week as the DL3 overall. 25 fantasy points/7 tackles/1 sack

Jadaveon Clowney-Only put up 1 point vs Minn. On a positive note, the process was correct. He led all DL in Week 4 with 7 QB hurries and had a 25% win rate. Typically 7 hurries will equal fantasy production.

Kenny Young-Definite let down. Only had 10 points on 5 tackles. Did have 2 hurries, which is a positive. Greener pastures for sure moving forward.

DeVondre Campbell-Solid week for Campbell. Finished as an LB2 with 18 fantasy points. Led the Packers with 9 tackles and had a PD for good measure.

Tae Crowder-Mediocre week (13pts). Finished with 9 tackles. He is a hold for me currently with the upcoming game against the Cowboys.

Adrian Amos-Disappointing week. Only 5 tackles.

Marcus Maye-The dreaded post-article injury.

Defensive Line

Randy Gregory-Dallas Cowboys

Randy Gregory has been a man on a mission for the past two weeks. In week 3, he drew two pretty egregious holding penalties that most likely would have resulted in at least 1 sack, but most likely 2. He followed that momentum into last week when he turned that tenacious pass rush into 2 sacks. Look for Gregory to get to Daniel Jones, who, despite the improvement, is still prone to the turnover.

Jason Pierre-Paul-Tampa Bay Buccanneers

JPP appears on track to play in Week 5 against the Dolphins. Despite not traveling with the team to New England, he did practice on Friday. There is still an “IF”, but if he does suit up, we can’t forget that JPP is still one of the better pass-rushing specialists in the NFL. With the stacking injuries to DB’s in TB, the Bucs will need all the pass-rush that they can get. What is the recipe for a sack-heavy diet? The Miami Dolphins! The Dolphins have allowed a league-high 55 hurries, which has all the makings for a long day for Jacoby Brissett. Shaq and JPP will be dancing together very soon!

via GIPHY

Quinnen Williams-New York Jets

Quinnen Williams could have had a starring role in “The Quiet Place” movie over the first two weeks, but his past 2 weeks have been nothing short of a Michael Bay movie. Williams’ 8 QB pressures over the past 2 weeks ranks 5th among interior linemen. If you happen to play in a league that starts DT exclusively, I doubt he is available, but maybe an impatient manager cut ties after week 2. This week the Jets will fly into Atlanta for a matchup against the Falcons and their 18th ranked O-Line (per PFF efficiency metrics). Matt Hennessey and Jalen Mayfield make up one of the worst sets of interior linemen in preventing hurries. Look for Williams to see more snaps in the backfield than Mike Davis for the Falcons.

Linebacker

Christian Kirksey-Houston Texans

Kirksey is still just a little under-rostered for my taste but has settled in very nicely with the Texans. Kirksey has been a little bit of a nomad over the past three years, with 3 different teams. This season has definitely been a good one for Kirksey, as he has collected 29 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PD’s, 1 FR, and an INT. I expect a lot of the same out of the Texans this week vs the Patriots, and that should mean another 60+ snap game out of Kirksey, who has played nearly 100% of the snaps so far this year. Currently the LB11 on the season in IDP123! No matter the format, he needs to be rostered.

Kyzir White-Los Angeles Chargers

If feels like it was at this time last year when I was beginning to tout the value of Kyzir White. Last year was a little more beneficial in that he held DB qualifications as well. With Kenneth Murray getting placed in the IR after an ankle injury in practice, it appears that White and Drue Tranquill are in line for increased snaps. We were already seeing more snaps being spread around, but White feels like the more dynamic add.

On Monday night vs the Raiders, it might not look like White did much on the scoresheet, but watching the game was a whole different story. White was disruptive on pivotal plays and was constantly around the ball. The Chargers will face the Browns in Week 5 and should see plenty of opportunities for White to rack up plenty of tackles and potential splash plays.

Pete Werner-New Orleans Saints

Pete Werner might just actually be a legit DROY candidate if Week 4 was any indicator! While he hasn’t seen significant snaps in weeks 1 & 2, he has now played in 55% over the past 2 weeks. Week 4 was definitely Werner’s coming-out party. He recorded 10 tackles and a TFL, but it’s the effort and solid tackling that doesn’t show up on stats. Werner has yet to miss a tackle and keeps all the plays in front of him. These attributes will increase his playing time, and therefore his floor and ceiling. The Saints will get the Football Team in Week 5 and they are on a BYE in Week 6.

Simply use this recommendation as a “watch”. Zack Baun is simply not a good LB, and the Saints will be getting Kwon Alexander back after the BYE.

Jamin Davis-Washington Football Team

With the news that Jon Bostic suffered a torn pectoral muscle, here is a good buying opportunity on Jamin Davis. Taken as the 3rd LB off the board in the 1st round, the draft pedigree is now being matchup up to playing time opportunity. Obviously, the Football Team would rather have seen this come together organically, such are injuries in the NFL.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Davis is still a work in progress and doesn’t guarantee to see 80% of the snaps, but this does seem like the perfect time on a wait-and-see approach! Davis will get the Saints in Week 5 and will see plenty of work over the middle as Winston has attempted 59% of his passes 10 yards or less.

Defensive Back

Trevon Diggs-Dallas Cowboys

I had questions asked on Twitter prior to this Week 4 in regards to Trevon Diggs vs starting an LB as a FLEX play. Unceremoniously, I told the person to go with the LB option. I immediately regret the decision, but I still kind of stand by that play, based on the volatility at DB vs LB. Well let me make this very clear, Trevon Diggs should be started in IDP123 leagues without a doubt.

Diggs currently leads all DB in IDP 123 scoring, with over 20 ppg. Diggs has been an absolute monster this season in splash plays, which has translated into fantasy production. While he shouldn’t be sitting on the waiver wire, I have seen situations that he is available.

Quincy Williams-New York Jets

“Brothers don’t shake hands, brothers gonna hug!” First, it was the Stefon Diggs’ brother, and now it’s the Williams brothers. Yes, both Quinnen Williams and Quincy Williams are potential Waiver Wire adds this week. As with his brother Quinnen, it has a lot to do with position eligibility! Currently, on Sleeper, Quincy Williams carries DB eligibility, despite playing a total of 1 snap at SS.

Wiliams played in 98 snaps in Week 4. No, that is not a typo…98 SNAPS! While seeing that many snaps are in no way sustainable, it shows the confidence that the Jets have in Williams. Time after time, against the Titans, we saw Williams making huge plays. His 12 tackles were among the leaders at LB, but his 10 solos were tops in the NFL in Week 4. In addition to the 12 tackles, Williams chipped in 2 TFL, 1 PD, 1 QB hit, and a sack

Again, Williams’ value is peaked in Sleeper formats or others where he could potentially have DB eligibility.

Well, that does it for this weeks’ Waiver Wire article. Don’t forget to follow all of our work here at FantasyInFrames, and if you have any questions, comments, etc, please reach out to me at @natemarcum. I am always available to help answer any and all questions….even if I tell you to not start Diggs over an LB at your IDP FLEX. Good Luck in Week 5

About Nate Marcum 134 Articles
Director of IDP Content. 2021 Top 5 IDP Ranker per FantasyPros ECR. 20+ year Fantasy Baseball/Football addict. Addiction manifested into obsession, which drove me to writing/podcasting. Obsession is still present, but now it’s directed at helping others around me get better!
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