Fantasy football is a cruel mistress, but Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues are basically a high-stakes chess match played in a hurricane. By the time we hit the idp rankings week 5 window, the "sure things" from your draft are usually either on the trainer's table or getting out-snapped by some rookie you've never heard of. Honestly, if you aren't pivoting now, you're just waiting to lose.
The landscape for Week 5 in 2025 is particularly messy. We have some heavy hitters on bye—looking at you, T.J. Watt and the Steelers—which means the waiver wire is about to become a war zone. If you've been coasting on name recognition, it's time to wake up.
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Why Your Week 5 Strategy is Probably Flawed
Most people look at total tackles from last week and call it a day. That’s a mistake. A huge one. You have to look at snap counts and matchup funnels. For instance, the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys matchup is a goldmine for tacklers because of how many plays those offenses generate. If a linebacker is on the field for 95% of snaps against a team that runs 70 plays, the points will find him. It’s math, basically.
The Roquan Smith Void and the Rise of the "Next Man Up"
One of the biggest stories heading into this week is the hamstring injury to Roquan Smith. Losing the Ravens' anchor is a nightmare for real-life Baltimore fans, but for IDP, it creates a massive opportunity. Teddye Buchanan has been pushed into that every-down role. He’s seen his tackle numbers climb steadily over the last three games, and with Roquan out for at least a few weeks, Buchanan is a must-start. He isn't Roquan, obviously, but volume is king in this game.
IDP Rankings Week 5: The Top Tier Defensive Linemen
When it comes to the big boys up front, consistency is harder to find than a quiet sports bar on a Sunday. This week, the rankings are dominated by guys who have "get right" matchups.
Myles Garrett is sitting at the top for a reason. He’s facing a Minnesota Vikings team that is currently a sieve. They’re allowing the second-most sacks per game to defensive ends. With Minnesota down three starters on the offensive line due to a rash of injuries, Garrett might actually have a three-sack ceiling here.
Aidan Hutchinson is right there with him. He’s coming off a multi-sack performance and now gets a Cincinnati Bengals line that just can't seem to protect the pocket. They’re giving up two sacks per game to edge rushers. If you have Hutchinson, you aren't sitting him, but the "why" matters—it’s the confluence of his elite win rate and a crumbling pocket.
Brian Burns and Maxx Crosby round out the elite tier. Burns has been playing like a man possessed, racking up 20 tackles and five sacks already. His matchup against New Orleans is particularly juicy for tackle floors, as the Saints are a top-five team in tackles allowed to defensive ends.
Linebackers: Where the Real Points Are Made
If defensive linemen are the home runs, linebackers are the singles and doubles that win you the week.
The New King: Zack Baun
With Roquan Smith sidelined, Zack Baun has officially ascended to the #1 spot in many expert circles. He’s been a revelation for the Eagles. 30 tackles, a sack, and an interception through four games? That’s elite production. He faces Denver this week, a team that basically gifts points to opposing linebackers.
The High-Volume Workers
- Alex Singleton (Broncos): He is a tackle machine. Facing the Eagles means he will be chasing Saquon Barkley all day. That’s a recipe for 10+ tackles.
- Foyesade Oluokun (Jaguars): He’s historically been the IDP GOAT. While his matchup against Kansas City isn't a "high-volume" tackle spot, his ability to create big plays—forced fumbles and pass deflections—keeps him in the top five.
- Daiyan Henley (Chargers): Keep an eye on him against Washington. The Commanders are giving up over 16 tackles per game to the LB unit. Henley’s snap count is secure, and his range is elite.
Defensive Backs: Chasing the Big Play
Stop drafting cornerbacks in standard IDP formats. Just stop. You want safeties who play in the box.
Kyle Hamilton is the gold standard right now. He’s got 31 tackles and a forced fumble, and he’s playing the Texans. Houston is tied for the most sacks allowed to safeties. That gives Hamilton a "big play" upside that most defensive backs simply don't have.
Derwin James Jr. is also back in that elite conversation. The Chargers are finally using him correctly—moving him all over the field and letting him lurk near the line of scrimmage. He’s facing Washington, and with his current usage, a "stat-sheet stuffer" game is almost guaranteed.
The Streaming Options You're Overlooking
If you're desperate, look at the New York Giants linebackers. They’re playing the Saints, and New Orleans is one of only two teams allowing over 80 tackles to the position over the first month. Bobby Okereke is the obvious play, but even a guy like Jack Sanborn for Dallas (against the Jets) has been surprisingly productive in limited snaps.
Injuries to Watch
You have to monitor the "Q" tags. Travon Walker had wrist surgery but might play Monday night. If he’s out, that’s a huge boost for the rest of the Jags' front. Marlon Humphrey is out with a calf strain, which might force more targets toward the middle of the field—helping the tackle floor for Ravens safeties.
Actionable Insights for Week 5
- Check the Green Dot: Make sure your starting linebackers are the ones wearing the communication headset. If they aren't on the field for 100% of snaps, their ceiling is capped.
- Target the Funnels: Start your IDPs against the Jets, Saints, and Panthers. These offenses either struggle to stay on the field or run high-volume schemes that result in lots of tackles.
- Don't Chase Sacks: Sacks are volatile. Tackles are stable. If you're in a close matchup, lean toward the high-tackle floor players like Alex Singleton over "sack or bust" guys.
- Waiver Wire Priority: If Teddye Buchanan or Jamien Sherwood are sitting on your wire, go get them. The linebacker landscape is shifting fast, and these guys are the new beneficiaries of vacated volume.
The middle of the season is where championships are won in IDP leagues. While everyone else is focused on their wide receivers, you can gain a massive edge by optimizing your defensive slots. Pay attention to the snaps, ignore the "big names" who aren't producing, and don't be afraid to bench a star if the matchup is a nightmare.
For your next move, go through your roster and verify the snap percentages for your LBs from Week 4; if anyone is under 80%, they are a liability you need to address before kickoff.