Who are some names to know in your IDP leagues after a wild Week 5? Let’s take a look at a list of players who make for potential waiver wire Week 6 additions to your IDP squads.
Week 5 brought us another action-packed week of football with plenty to digest. We still have one more game to cap it off, as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. The waiver wire Week 6 article was written before the conclusion of that game, so unfortunately it doesn’t include those players. Now it’s time to dive into some potential waiver wire Week 6 IDP additions!
Disclaimer: All league sizes and formats are different. Meaning some of these players may or may not be available in your league. Each week I’ll be doing my best to cover a wide enough base of scenarios. If you ever have any league-specific questions, I’m always willing to help and so is our fantastic team here at IDP Guys.
Linebackers
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Cleveland Browns
Week 5 Stats: 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 forced fumble
It finally happened! IDP managers have been waiting to see more of Owusu-Koramoah and this week we finally did. Owusu-Koramoah led all Cleveland linebackers in snaps with 68 (91%) and that was even with Anthony Walker returning (Walker played 73%). Will this continue or was it just game plan oriented? I don’t know for sure as I don’t get to sit in on the meetings, but it is definitely exciting.
While the production wasn’t huge this week with the snap increase, I expect it to pick up if his role continues to progress. Owusu-Koramoah is an explosive athlete who can cover the field and while he’s a bit on the smaller side, he packs a punch as a tackler. If he’s available on your waiver wire, Owusu-Koramoah is a priority add with serious potential should his role continue to trend up.
It is worth noting that Owusu-Koramoah was taken to the hospital after the game with a throat contusion. He’s since been cleared to travel, but keep an eye on his status throughout the week.
Pete Werner, LB, New Orleans Saints
Week 5 Stats: 13 tackles (8 Solos)
The Saints recently decided they wanted to see more of their second-round pick and Pete Werner has delivered. Werner played 40 defensive snaps (63%) in Week 4 and saw an even bigger jump this week playing 82 snaps (99%). During that two-week stretch, Werner has been balling, putting up 23 tackles (14 solos) and a tackle for loss. Hell of a two-week run for the rookie.
The Saints have a bye in Week 6 and with Kwon Alexander potentially returning, it could muddy the waters a bit. That being said, if you can pick up Werner now and hold him through the bye, I think it’s worth a shot. Werner has a solid all-around game and if his snap volume continues to be ideal, he could provide some really nice production for IDP managers.
Reggie Ragland, LB New York Giants
Week 5 Stats: 7 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery
Tae Crowder has been the every-down linebacker with Blake Martinez out, but Reggie Ragland has also seen a bump in playing time. Ragland played 53 snaps (78%) in Week 4 and saw a similar snap volume in Week 5 playing 60 snaps (77%). He’s also put up some decent production over that span with 15 tackles (9 solos), one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery.
To date, Ragland’s career has been far less than ideal since being a second-round pick in 2016. I’m not expecting a big career resurgence here by any means. However, he is looking like a viable option in deeper leagues as an LB4 type. As my buddy Johny The Greek says when injuries and byes hit, “It’s the warm body effect.” Ragland fits the bill of a guy you can plug in when in a jam in deeper leagues.
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB, Houston Texans
Week 5 Stats: 5 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Kamu Grugier-Hill made the list in last week’s article as a Zach Cunningham replacement if he was out again. Well as it turns out, even with Cunningham active Grugier-Hill was his replacement. Grugier-Hill played all 64 of Houston’s defensive snaps, while Cunningham played only 33 snaps (52%). It seems Cunningham is falling out of favor in Houston and it’s time to worry. Right now, I’m avoiding starting Cunningham anywhere I can.
Not only does Grugier-Hill have value to Cunningham managers, but he also may have stand-alone value if this trend continues. Grugier-Hill has been productive for IDP purposes when out there and is worth a roster spot should he be on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Kevin Minter, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 5 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 QB hit
In more unfortunate injury news, Tampa Bay stud linebacker Lavonte David suffered what they are calling a low ankle sprain this week. Right now, they are saying he could miss up to 3-4 weeks and will not be available Thursday night.
When David left the game, Kevin Minter was his replacement. With David out this week, Minter looks like he will draw the start next to Devin White. In deeper leagues where the waiver wire is thin, Minter is worth a look, especially if you’re a David manager.
Robert Spillane, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 5 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos)
Devin Bush exited this week’s game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. With Bush out, the Steelers turned to Robert Spillane as his replacement. Spillane filled in for Bush back in Week 2 when he was out playing 80% of the defensive snaps and producing 12 tackles (7 solos).
Bush’s status this week will be one to monitor as groin injuries can be tricky and linger. If Bush is out, Spillane would slide in as next man up next to Joe Schobert. Spillane could be a spot start in deeper leagues with Bush out.
Defensive End/Edge
Trey Flowers, DE, Detroit Lions
Week 5 Stats: 5 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
After missing Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee injury, Trey Flowers was back in the starting lineup for the Detroit defense. Returning to a healthy snap share right away, Flowers played 52 defensive snaps (78%). Flowers, wasted no time getting back to work posting a solid IDP outing with five tackles (4 solos) and a sack in his first game back.
If Flowers was dropped while unavailable, he makes for a real nice waiver wire addition this week. Flowers came back strong after being out and has a nice Week 6 matchup against a Cincinnati offensive line that allowed three sacks to Green Bay this past Sunday. If available, Flowers could provide a nice boost to your DE unit this week.
Everson Griffen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Week 5 Stats: 4 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
At 33 years old, Everson Griffen is showing he still has plenty of juice left in the tank. After recording a sack in Weeks 3 and 4, Griffen followed that up with an impressive two-sack performance in Week 5. What’s also encouraging is he drew his first start and saw his healthiest snap share of 72% this week.
The veteran defensive end will look to stay hot against a reeling Carolina offensive line who have surrendered eight sacks over the past two weeks. With his stellar production and spicy matchup, Griffen is a solid waiver wire grab this week where available.
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami Dolphins
Week 5 Stats: 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding Phillips heading into the season after his first-round selection. So far, his production has been hampered by unsteady snap volume to begin the season. However, in Week 5 Phillips got his second start of the season and saw his heaviest workload playing 57 defensive snaps (77%).
Phillips put those extra snaps to good use this week and produced a solid IDP output (see stats above). While it’s far from guaranteed, the hope is Phillips will continue to see a solid amount of snaps going forward. If he can hover around that 70% snap share number, Phillips will be an option where you start 3-4 DL. This is aimed more at redraft leagues, as Phillips was one of the top DE’s in this year’s rookie class for dynasty.
Terrell Lewis, Edge, Los Angeles Rams
Week 5 Stats: 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
After the Rams lost Justin Hollins to an unfortunate pectoral injury in Week 3, they turned to second-year man Terrell Lewis to step up a bit. Lewis was used sparingly the first two weeks but saw his snap share increase to 56% and 63% in Week 4 and Week 5, respectively. Taking advantage of the increased playing time, Lewis has registered a sack in back-to-back weeks now.
Lewis’ role seems to be growing and with eight pressures (per pff) and two sacks over his last two games, he’s making a case for it to stay that way. In deeper leagues where he has a DL/Edge designation, Lewis is worth a look.
Defensive Backs
Xavier Woods, S, Minnesota Vikings
Week 5 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos)
Harrison Smith gets most of the love at the safety position in Minnesota, but Xavier Woods has been solid in his own right. While Woods sees most of his reps at free safety, he did see a season-high 28 snaps in the box/slot this week, per PFF. Either way, Woods’ role on the Minnesota defense is rock solid as he’s played every single defensive snap through five games.
Woods has also been productive as of late, putting up 19 tackles (8 solos) over his last two games. If you’re in need of safety help, Woods is a name to look for on the waiver wire in leagues where you start 3-4 defensive backs.
Tashaun Gipson, S, Chicago Bears
Week 5 Stats: 3 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
After missing the last two games due to a hamstring injury, Tashaun Gipson returned to the Bears’ starting lineup this week. Gipson played 58 defensive snaps (87%), with 24 of those snaps coming up in the box/slot, per PFF. Definitely encouraging to see Gipson jump right back into his starting role.
If Gipson was dropped during his two-week absence, he’s worth a look in deeper leagues. While he’s not a flashy option, Gipson could be a usable depth piece with bye weeks coming up.
Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins
Week 5 Stats: 7 tackles (5 solos)
The Miami safety rotation has been quite the roller coaster to begin the year. It’s been impossible to predict with the likes of Eric Rowe, Brandon Jones, and Jevon Holland who are all seeing sporadic usage. After playing only 19 snaps (27%) in Week 4, Holland saw his usage spike to a season-high 72 snaps (97%) in Week 5. Will this continue? Honestly, who knows.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Miami safeties, Holland is more of a speculative add where you have the room in deeper leagues. I was a fan of his talent coming out of Oregon and if his role continues to grow he could put up some productive weeks going forward. Like I said earlier, just beware of the nature of the Miami safety usage.
Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 5 Stats: 5 solo tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended
Jamel Dean missed Week 4 with a knee injury but returned to play every snap this week for Tampa Bay against Miami. With Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis now both on IR, the Buccaneers defensive back unit is getting thin. Dean produced a solid outing in his return compiling five solo tackles and an interception.
With Davis and Murphy-Bunting out, Dean should see plenty of work for the time being. In cornerback required leagues, Dean is a fine pickup should he have been dropped while he was out.
Conclusion
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s edition of the IDP waiver wire Week 6! With unfortunate injuries taking place and bye weeks hitting this week, it’s important to keep churning the back end of your roster. Having starting options and depth becomes crucial as we hit this part of the season. Good luck this week and happy bidding everyone!
To get the low-down on everything IDP relevant from Week 5, make sure you check out Johny The Greek’s “The Monster” dropping on Thursday!
Thanks for taking the time to read my article, I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. You can find my work here at idpguys.org and follow me on Twitter @KBellf54. I’m always available for any questions or feedback you may have and my DMs are always open.
