Week 4 was an impressive slate for the NFL, with the highest fantasy football IDP total coming from the Los Angeles Chargers' Tuli Tuipolotu. He earned 10 combined tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. We may not see another point performance that high the rest of the season. In this article, we'll break down some top fantasy football Week 5 IDP risers and the best waiver wire targets. Plus, we'll discuss some of the best matchups and top injuries to know for fantasy football IDP as you set those Week 5 lineups. 

 

 

 

2025 Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Overview

Before we get into the fantasy football Week 5 IDP report, let’s take a look back at the players mentioned in the favorable match-ups of Week 4:

Weekly Grade: C

Tyrique Stevenson saved a lackluster line with a top ten DB performance. Cooper had a good game, not a great game. He salvaged his fantasy football performance with a 0.5 sack. The prediction on the Steelers having a great game was spot on, but we chose the wrong defensive lineman. Keeanu Benton earned 1.5 sacks, and 4 tackles. So close, yet so far.

The Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers are on bye this week. Make sure to get players from those teams out of your starting lineups. If any riser is needed for a waiver position, do it!

 

 

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 5

Tuli Tuipulotu, LB, Los Angeles Chargers 

Tuipulotu is an edge pressure outside linebacker for the Chargers, and he had the best IDP performance of the week. He was mentioned before the season as an IDP to keep an eye on. With Kahlil Mack injured, Tuipulotu has flexed his ability.

Despite his great performance, the Chargers lost their first game of the season against the New York Giants. Tuipulotu and the Chargers are up against the Washington Commanders in Week 5. Jayden Daniels has held onto the ball too long, and it has led to sacks (and injuries). This game is in Los Angeles, and Washington will deal with pumped-in crowd noise after a long road trip. Daniels could be rusty after almost three weeks without playing. Look for mental errors for Tuipulotu to capitalize on. 

Cedric Gray, LB, Tennessee Titans

Gray had the game of his career in Week 4. He earned 33 tackles for all of the 2024 season, and last week he earned 17 tackles. 10 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles as the Tennessee Titans offense put up one of the worst performances of recent memory. This allowed Gray to earn over 50% of his tackle amount from last year in one game.

The good news for IDP fantasy football managers is that the Titans have no signs of improving their offense. Gray is an IDP who can play the run and be targeted in the pass game. He has 36 tackles in four games, an average of 9 per game. Those are fantastic floor numbers with potential spike weeks due to the Titans’ inability to sustain an offensive drive. Gray is worth an addition, and he is a riser for Fantasy Alarm.

DeShon Elliott, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

Elliott had an excellent Week 4 performance. He earned 6 combined tackles, 2 passes defended, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, and 1 tackle for loss. The Steelers defense put on a show for “Ireland’s NFL Team”. That is an incredible stat line for Elliott, and it earned him the DB No. 1 of week 4.

Elliott would be a waiver wire addition, but the Steelers are on a bye this week. For fantasy football managers who can add him in the bye week, do it. He is an outstanding IDP who could be a plug-and-play starter going forward. 

He’s available in most leagues due to being inactive in Weeks 2 and 3 after an injury in the opening game. The Steelers are a stingy, hard-hitting defense, and Elliott will be in the middle of it. Keep an eye on this IDP riser, even in a bye week.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Jeffery Simmons, DL, Tennessee Titans

Jeffery Simmons, like Cedric Gray, benefits from playing on the Titans' defense. Their volume of snaps is incredible, and the Titans allow an average of 62 snaps per game. That is the tenth most in the NFL, and it is not likely to change. Simmons may not have the benefit of playing with a positive game script, but he is an IDP force to himself.

Simmons has recorded 14 tackles, 10 of which have been solo tackles. He also has 7 QB hits, 5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He is on pace to shatter his season high total of QB hits (16), and could push for his season sack record (8.5). With a match against the Arizona Cardinals, he should stuff running back Trey Benson coming up the middle. If they contain the picket, he will have an opportunity to sack the shifty quarterback, Kyler Murray. Keep an eye on Simmons, and for fantasy football managers who may be experiencing a loaded IDP bye week, utilize FAAB on him.

Jack Sanborn, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Jack Sanborn has been under the radar, but that time is coming to an end. He played his most snaps of the season (73), and that could have been partly due to the overtime match. However, Sanborn has 53 or more snaps in every game this season. 

The Dallas Cowboys are in a situation in which teams exploit their lack of a pass rush and bad coverage linebackers. Sanborn is one of those linebackers, and he is a tackling machine because of it. With games against the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers upcoming, Dallas will see two great running backs. They will also see two quarterbacks who are susceptible to turnovers. The Cowboys' linebacker room isn’t that great, but Sanborn is proving to be the best of the group. Pick him up on the waivers as he has carved out a nice role.

Rasul Douglas, DB, Miami Dolphins

Rasul Douglas is fitting in well on his new team, the Miami Dolphins. He earned a sack against the Jets in Week 4 and has an opportunity for a great game against the Panthers in Week 5. Douglas also earned three combined tackles and had his best fantasy football performance this season.

For teams in need of an IDP this week, Douglas will have a solid floor. He had 7 tackles against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, and produced tackles in every game. He should have a mix of tackles and either a pass defended or possibly an interception. Take a look at Douglas, who is available in most leagues. 
 

 

 

NFL Week 5 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Darrell Luter Jr., DB, San Francisco 49ers

In keeping with the tradition of predicting an IDP to have a successful Thursday night match, Darrell Luter Jr. makes an appearance. He is a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, and he will be lined up against Puka Nukua and DaVante Adams. He also only has a short week to prepare against one of the best offensive minds of this decade… Head Coach Sean McVay.

Without Nick Bosa, the 49ers allowed Trevor Lawrence to have his best game of the season. Matthew Stafford is immensely better than Lawrence, and the Rams have better wide receivers. He had five combined tackles in Week 4 and should exceed that amount in Week 5. Fantasy football managers with several IDPs on bye should look for him to deliver on Thursday night.

Cameron Jordan, DL, New Orleans Saints

It is time to mention the old man. Cameron Jordan could very well be playing his last season in the NFL. The former first-round pick is having a good year, too. He has played a total of 173 snaps this season and filled the stat sheet. 9 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 4 QB hits, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended.

This week, he plays against a rookie making his second start, and first on the road. Jaxson Dart and the Giants come to New Orleans, and Jordan has a great chance to sack the young man. The 15-year vet is currently 20th on the all-time sack list. He is only 1.5 sacks behind Dwight Freeney, 2.5 behind Derrick Thomas, and 4 away from Ricky Jackson. It would be fitting to see two of the greatest Saints defenders beside each other. Look for Jordan to add to his total this Sunday against a rookie quarterback playing at the loud Caesars Dome. 

Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Demetrius Knight Jr. has been putting up numbers for IDP leagues, and it is going to continue Sunday afternoon. The Cincinnati Bengals look like a defeated team, and their defense is getting a crazy high volume of stats. Knight played 71 snaps against the Denver Broncos in Week 4. He should see something more around his average of 52 snaps against the Detroit Lions.

The Lions have a great running attack with two lethal backs. They also have wide receivers who run underneath routes, and a tight end whose receptions have increased. Knight will be asked to stop all three at various times and be targeted by Jared Goff. The rookie IDP has recorded 31 tackles in four games and should earn over his average in Week 5.

Knight Jr. is a great one-and-done candidate this week as his floor is extremely high. Although he has yet to make a big play, there have been opportunities. Pick up Knight if he is available and have a rookie IDP who will see a high volume of snaps.

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy-