IDP Waiver Watch: Week Five

With the first month of the season wrapped up, we have a sense of direction for our fantasy teams as we head into week five. If you’re at the bottom looking up with a 0-4 or 1-3 record, I don’t have to tell you to move your vets for some youth or rebuilding pieces, but it doesn’t hurt to analyze your roster and start collecting those 2018 picks. We all know that acquiring that extra third round pick is gold for IDPs.

It was another awful week full of injuries on both sides of the ball, guys coming back from injuries or suspensions, and we started to see which IDPs will be sticking around for our title run or rebuild situation.

Injuries

Markus Golden, OLB ARI

In a divisional matchup against the 49ers, Golden suffered a potential season ending knee injury in overtime. Although he’s not putting up the stats he piled up last year, he’s still an important piece for the Cardinals defense.

Jatavis Brown, WLB LAC

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Against the Eagles he suffered a knee injury, but went back into the game later on so it’s unclear if this injury is bad or something he can just shake off and play through. If Hayes Pullard hasn’t been picked up yet; keep him on your radar as possible plug and play if Brown were to miss time.

Ramon Humber, LB BUF

Humber has a thumb injury and is out indefinitely.

Olivier Vernon, DE NYG

Vernon was questionable entering the game against the Bucs with an ankle injury and re-aggravated the injury during the game and didn’t return. It’s situation to monitor and have a replacement available just in case he misses a week or two.

Kurt Coleman, FS CAR

Panthers secondary took a blow against the Patriots as they lost Coleman to a knee injury which potentially could be season ending.

BJ Goodson, LB NYG

Goodson has returned after missing the last two games due to a shin injury. He rotated with Keenan Robinson but still saw majority of the snaps. Continue to roll out as you would but there’s a good chance he gives some snaps to Keenan in some situations.

Vontaze Burfict, LB CIN

Burfict has made his return coming off a three game suspension and should be seeing your starting lineup from here on out. His return makes Vincent Rey waiver fodder and Nick Vigil maintains his LB3 value.

Danny Trevathan, LB CHI

After his brutal hit to Packers Davante Adams on TNF, he got hit with a 2-game suspension. Christian Jones and John Timu are the lone two ILBs in CHI but I’m not excited about either option. If I had to choose one it’s Jones.

Deone Bucannon, LB ARI

Bucannon made his season debut against the 49ers after missing all of training camp and early part of the regular season. He played 42 snaps in week four and it’ll continue to trend up as he gets eased back in, he’s the ILB to own in ARI and if he’s still sitting on your waivers – go pick him up.

Waiver Wire

Linebackers

Matt Milano, LB BUF

With Humber suffering a hand injury, Milano is the next man up and will make his first career start in week five against the Bengals. He’s not as steady as Humber but provides slightly more quickness on the field and does enough in coverage. He would be one of my top adds this week, especially if you own Humber and looking to replace in house. He put up three tackles in sample size as he took over for Humber against the Falcons. Milano should have an easier matchup against the Bengals and wouldn’t be surprised if he mirrored Humber’s tackle numbers; it’s a friendly IDP position in BUF.

Ray Ray Armstrong, LB SF

As Foster continues to be a week to week monitor, Armstrong has been a helluva plug and play option. In the last three games he has started he saw 69, 65 and 64 snaps and has been quietly productive. He racked up 10 tackles and 1 sack against the Cardinals in week four and with the Colts coming up in week five, he makes another solid plug and play option.

Kareem Martin, LB ARI

With Golden potentially out for the season, Martin is the next man up. Although he hasn’t done much on paper in IDP throughout his career there’s no reason why it can’t start now. He’s not as good as Golden but can set the edge and get after the QB. He has a matchup against the Eagles in week five and that’s a tough one so if you’re picking up Martin it’s mainly for depth purposes as we’re approaching bye weeks. There’s also a chance Cardinals give rookie Haason Reddick some snaps off the edge as well.

Dylan Cole, LB HOU

He’s been a name thrown around for a couple weeks now but hasn’t played much and will probably continue to see the 20-30 snaps he’s been getting since Cushing got suspended. Cole had a standout game against the Titans though in week four; he led the team in tackles (5) got one sack and an interception returned for a touchdown in 21 snaps. Cunningham and McKinney still played more but as the game was out of reach already, Cole took advantage of his opportunities. He’s worth a roster move in deep leagues only, could be a spot start here and there depending if his snaps increase but one of those LBs where you could jump the gun and grab early.

Hayes Pullard, LB LAC

After not seeing any snaps in week three, he saw 49 snaps in week four against the Eagles and led the team in tackles. I know I brought his name up previously but if you’re still looking for a flier, he’s one to monitor.

Defensive Lineman

Kony Ealy, DE NYJ

Ealy has been somewhat a surprise for the Jets, he has seen 43, 35, 42 and 36 snaps so far. He’s not going to blow you away with a handful of tackles but he’s worth a flier if you’re aiming for a sack or two. He also added 4 PDs in week four against the Jaguars. I’d recommend him in deep leagues though and a decent plug and play option, could be sneaky week five start against the Browns.

Olsen Pierre, DE ARI

He was one of the bright spots against the Niners in week four as he played 25 snaps and got his first sack of the season. The Cardinals need some sort of spark from their DL and Pierre might be it. He’s a deep league consideration but snaps will fluctuate and you could get some zeroes so play it how you would filling in for bye weeks.

Anthony Zettel, DE DET

Zettel has definitely taken the second year leap this season and has been the best DE in DET. Through four games he has already put up four sacks, I have mentioned him in my earlier articles but now I bring him up again as I see him available in a lot of leagues; he should be owned in 12 team leagues as your DE3. With the Panthers coming up in week five, better add Zettel to those near must starts but he’d have to catch Cam though.

Defensive Backs

Damontae Kazee, FS ATL

With Ricardo Allen in concussion protocol, Kazee will continue to see time with Keanu Neal at the safety spot. He put up 8 tackles against the Bills in week four and Kazee, although still learning the FS spot, will be a DB to monitor going forward. The Falcons do have a bye in week five so he’s no use there but if you’re scouting for depth, put Kazee on your queue. As Falcons continue to search for playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, Kazee is a ballhawk and even when Ricardo comes back there’s a good chance Falcons use the 3-safety look since either Kazee or Ricardo can man the slot.

Demetrious Cox, FS CAR

He’s the next man up with Coleman out indefinitely. Cox finished the game with 4 tackles against the Patriots and although he won’t be able to fill Coleman’s shoes, he can be somewhat serviceable in the coming weeks. He makes a decent plug and play option in week five against the Lions and becomes a watch list candidate in deep leagues or for Coleman owners if needed. Another one to keep an eye on is veteran Mike Adams he hasn’t done much yet but now could get cooking.

Justin Evans, S TBB

Keep tabs on Evans and with injuries to Tandy and Ward, if he’s available in your league he’s worth consideration. Evans reminds me of former Bucs safety Bradley McDougald with his versatility and the more reps he gets the better he can become. He could turn into a sneaky plug and play option against the Patriots on TNF since it’s a short week and Tandy and Ward may not be available.

Cornerback Streamers

Tre’Davious White, CB BUF

He should be owned in all DB/CB leagues (DB3 overall) as he continues his impressive rookie season. I know I mentioned him last week, has another solid matchup this week against the Bengals.

Adoree’ Jackson, CB TEN

Adoree’ has been alright to start his rookie season. Through four games he’s been targeted 28 times so the opportunity is there and now he gets to face Jay Cutler. He might get his first career INT against Cutler and have himself a productive day if he draws Jarvis Landry to cover.

Darqueze Dennard, CB CIN

Dennard has been flying under the radar so far, quietly has a sack in back to back games and that’s pretty damn good for a CB. He doesn’t face a pass heavy team but I’m banking on him making it three in a row to get a sack against Tyrod Taylor and the Bills.

Desmond King, CB LAC

With the injury to Jason Verrett, King has seen his snaps increase and well deserved too. He’s going to be playing slot CB against the NYG in week five and should tune into a solid game covering Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram. Both of these teams looking for a win so why not have it be Desmond with a pick six to help the Chargers pick up the victory?

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