Week 4 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked IDP players who showed out in Week 4. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 4, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.
Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire
Linebacker
Devin Lloyd (LB – JAC): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Lloyd was excellent in Week 4, stacking six solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, and two passes defended. Lloyd finally got it going in the solo department and is up to three picks on the season. He has shown enough to be counted as an LB3 with LB2 matchup-based upside during the bye weeks and should be rostered in all competitive leagues. Tap Lloyd as an LB2 option for Week 5, thanks to a plus matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cedric Gray (LB – TEN): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Gray went crazy in Week 4, reeling off 10 solos, seven assists, and one tackle for loss against the Houston Texans. He played 94 percent of the snaps and is back on the IDP map just in time for the bye weeks. Gray has been quiet since his five solo, three assist Week 1, but flashed his LB2 level upside against Houston. Tap Gray as an LB3 option for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Add the Titans’ linebacker where needed.
Frankie Luvu (LB – WAS): 8% rostered on Yahoo
Luvu was excellent in Week 4, racking up five solos, three assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Luvu had been a disappointment relative to expectations leading into week 4, totaling just five solos in his first three games. Now, with a strong outing under his belt, it will be easier to keep trusting him as an LB2 option during the byes. Start him as one for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Luvu should be rostered in all competitive leagues.
Jack Sanborn (LB – DAL): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Sanborn showed up in Week 4, racking up six solos, five assists, and one pass defended. Sanborn has been a staple at linebacker for Dallas, but this was his first game with more than four solos. He remains more LB3 than LB2, but we know the upside is there. Treat him as an elite LB3 option for a plus Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets. Add Sanborn where possible.
Cody Barton (LB – TEN): 7% rostered on Yahoo
Cody Barton was rock solid in Week 4, racking up six solos and three assists. Barton has now recorded five or more solos in three of his four contests, making him an easy LB2 play. Treat him as such for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Barton should be rostered in all competitive leagues. Make the add wherever still available.
Defensive Line
Tuli Tuipulotu (DE/LB – LAC): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Tuli had a game for the ages in Week 4, going nuclear with seven solos, three assists, four sacks, five tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. As good as Jaxson Dart looked in spurts or on SportsCenter, this game was the Tuli breakout show. Tuipulotu was a bit of a disappointment relative to expectations heading into this game, but the explosion puts him in the DL2 mix for the byes. Tap him as a DL2/3 for a plus Week 5 matchup against Washington.
Nick Herbig (DE/LB – PIT): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Herbig continued to impress in Week 4, tallying three solos, two assists, 1.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss. Herbig has bullied his way into the DL2 conversation with plus matchups and will remain one until Alex Highsmith returns. Herbig has played well enough to be given an expanded role when Highsmith does return, but expectations should be tempered. Keep that in mind when planning your FAAB bids, as Highsmith might be back in the mix when the Steelers emerge from their bye in Week 6. Make the stash where possible.
Josh Sweat (DE/LB – ARI): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Josh Sweat was at it again in Week 4, racking up two solos, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Sweat has a sack in three straight games and is sitting pretty with three sacks on the season. He will continue to see heavy snaps for Arizona and should be treated as a borderline DL2 option as long as he is cooking. Make the add where possible.
Arik Armstead (DT/DE – JAC): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Armstead was excellent in Week 4, tallying two solos, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. Armstead is up to 2.5 sacks on the season and has recorded at least a half sack in each of his last three games. Armstead was a force in previous stops and could work his way back into the DL2 mix during the byes if he can keep cooking. For now, tap him as a DL3/DT1 play. Add Armstead where needed.
George Karlaftis (DE – KC): 7% rostered on Yahoo
Furious George was at it again in Week 4, racking up two solos, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Karlaftis has recorded a sack in three of his four contests and needs to be viewed as a DL2 option, at least until he cools down. Treat him as such for a plus matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. Make the add everywhere.
Defensive Back
DeShon Elliott (S – PIT): 4% rostered on Yahoo
DeShon was back in the lineup in Week 4 and responded with four solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one interception, and two passes defended. Elliott is an easy DB3 play when healthy and has recorded four or more solos in both of his games played. He has some matchup-based DB2 upside, something he will have when the Steelers come off bye in Week 6 to face the Cleveland Browns. Make the stash where possible.
Jonas Sanker (S – NO): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Sanker was excellent in Week 4, tallying four solos, one assist, one interception, and three passes defended. Sanker has recorded four or more solos in two of his three starts, putting himself on the DB3 map for the byes. He has a tasty Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants, making him an upside play for those needing a bye week filler. Make the add and start where needed.
Cole Bishop (S – BUF): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Bishop was excellent in Week 4, racking up four solos, one assist, one interception, and one pass defended. Bishop has recorded four solos in each of his four contests this season, adding a sack or pick in two of those four. Tap Bishop as a DB3 option for a plus Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots. Add Bishop where needed.
Marques Sigle (S – SF): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Sigle showed up in Week 4, tallying six solos, two assists, and one pass defended. Sigle has now recorded five or more solos in two of his four contests, putting him in the DB3 mix for the byes. Treat him as such for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Sigle should be rostered in competitive leagues as long as he is starting.
Xavier Watts (S – ATL): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Watts was at it again in Week 4, notching two solos, four assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Watts has recorded six solos or a pick in every game so far and has been one of the catalysts for a Falcons defense that is turning some heads. Tap Watts as a borderline DB2 option as long as he stays hot. Treat him as such for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Temper bids due to the Falcons being on bye for Week 5, but make the add where possible.
Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.