We have reached the first week of BYEs in the NFL season. If you have some roster holes to fill, here are some solid options to stream with.
The 2021 season has already been a strange one with many names hitting IR, and some surprise names becoming more than relevant. Zach Cunningham has ceded his every-down role to Kamu Grugier-Hill, Quincy Williams is all of the sudden a stud linebacker, and Jabrill Peppers has shown his true self in being the bust that he is.
Now we have reached the first week of byes and your roster may already be in shambles. You may be at the point where you are looking weekly for players to stream based on matchups, and do not worry, in some leagues, so am I. Here are some top sleepers at each position that could put up some real nice production for Week 6.
Defensive Line Week 6 IDP Sleepers
Jerry Tillery, Los Angeles Chargers
Week 5 Stats: 6 tackles (2 solos)
I had high hopes for Jerry Tillery dating back to his rookie season. His blend of size and athleticism was mouth-watering and he carried a stature similar to DeForest Buckner. Through Tillery’s first two seasons, he finished far below his expectations. The good news is that he finally looks like he has reached his untapped potential to start 2021.
Tillery has shown the ability to play both on the interior and off of the edge for the Chargers. He has been dominating snap percentages across the line, having played on 81% of the team’s defensive snaps. Over the last three games, he has been incredibly dominant, posting 18 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and four QB hits.
Tillery takes on the Baltimore Ravens, who have given up the 10th most sacks in the league with 13. They also run the ball plenty, much like the Cleveland Browns, who Tillery played in Week 5 and piled on six tackles. I am expecting similar production for Tillery in Week 6.
Linebacker Week 6 IDP Sleepers
Troy Reeder, Los Angeles Rams
Week 5 Stats: 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 pass defended, and 1 interception.
After how Reeder finished the 2020 season, I fully expected him to retain the starting role going forward in 2021. Oddly enough, it was Kenny Young who won the starting role to begin the season. Slowly but surely that has looked like the wrong choice, and Reeder actually out-snapped Young in Week 5: 78% to 65%.
Reeder has played well in his limit snap share so far this season and the coaching staff seems to have noticed that the Kenny Young production was in fact a mirage. He has shown much improvement in coverage so far in 2021, and already has a career-high in interceptions (2) and passes defended (3). Reeder is also the best blitzing linebacker that the Rams have.
They square off against the Giants whose running game is likely to be far worse than normal with Saquon Barkley out. The Giants will be playing from behind, allowing Reeder to attack the offensive line, while at the same time showing off his improved coverage skills on Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, or Kadarius Toney—whoever is manning the slot.
Jermaine Carter, Carolina Panthers
Week 5 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos) and 1 pass defended
I know Jermaine Carter has continuously put up lackluster game after lackluster game, even though he has recently been playing every defensive snap. He was all the field for all 67 of the team’s defensive snaps, and yet still only accumulated three tackles. When you are looking for a sleeper though, you are looking for a player who at least has an opportunity.
Being on the field as the Panthers’ primary linebacker is definitely what I would call an opportunity. With Shaq Thompson out likely again, Carter is in line for the potential of a big game. We are all waiting on a Jeremy Chinn breakout. And we are likely on the cusp of that, but without anybody at the moment stepping up to be a tackle leader, Carter has a chance to lead the team in tackles.
Defensive Back Week 6 IDP Sleepers
Julian Love, New York Giants
Week 5 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 1 forced fumble, and 1 QB hit.
Julian Love is another player who somehow finds a way to be a fantasy-relevant player. This year it comes at the expense of both poor play and injury to Jabrill Peppers. Love is a player who can play any position in the defensive backfield. Since Peppers’ injury, over the past two games, Love has played 69% of the team’s snaps.
Over his career as a starter, he has averaged just under 6 tackles per game, while also showing terrific cover skills and the ability to defend the back end of the defense. He has been excellent over the last two games, coming up with 12 tackles, one forced fumble, and one QB hit.
Love is taking on the Rams who have a high-powered passing attack. He will likely play all over the field, deep, in the box, and in the slot. Love has a great chance to put up some solid IDP production in Week 6.
Bryce Callahan, Denver Broncos
Week 5 Stats: 3 solo tackles with 1 tackle for a loss
The Denver Broncos have a very strong secondary with Patrick Surtain Jr. and Kyle Fuller playing outside cornerback and Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons manning the safety spots. The most overlooked player in the secondary is the team’s slot corner, Bryce Callahan. Last season Callahan was limited to just 10 games due to injury, though he played very well.
He was averaging over four tackles per game while also tacking on five passes defended and two interceptions over that span. To start 2021, Callahan’s tackle numbers are down, only 10 through two weeks, but he is already just two passes defended shy of tying a career-high of six.
In Week 6 the Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders average the fourth-most pass attempts so far in 2021 with 41 per game and 205 on the season. 40.5% of those pass attempts have had Hunter Renfrow or Darren Waller as the intended targets. Both of the receiving options work primarily from the slot, likely covered by Callahan. Callahan could be peppered with opposing targets in Week 6.
Summary
All of these players are playing volume snaps, and have been quite productive recently. In order to be a productive sleeper, a player needs to fit into an equation. The variables consist of a new role, injuries to previous starters, a spike in recent production, and good matchups. All of these players meet all or most of these variables for Week 6. Hopefully, they can help fill your roster gaps.
Thank you for reading! Follow me on Twitter at @JoeyTheToothIDP, and check out all of my IDP, Devy, and Offensive work on my IDP Guys author page. Stay up to date with the latest breaking news in fantasy football with The IDPGuys!
