NFL Week 5 had several great players on bye for our fantasy football IDP lineups, but there were great names mentioned to cover a four-team bye week. Week 6 is guaranteed to be another thriller, and only two NFL teams are on bye. In this article, we'll break down some top fantasy football Week 6 IDP risers and the best waiver wire targets. Plus, we'll discuss some of the best matchups and top NFL injuries to know for fantasy football IDP as you set those Week 6 lineups. 

 

 

 

2025 Fantasy Football Week 6 IDP Overview

Before a deep dive into fantasy football Week 6 IDP, let’s review some players mentioned for last week: 

Weekly Grade: A- 

It was a great week for the IDP Report with Jeffery Simmons, Cameron Jordan, and Demetrius Knight Jr. available in almost all formats. A big play from Knight would have made this an A+, but he lived up to his expectations. Simmons ruled the day with 1.5 sacks, 8 tackles, and 2 QB hits.

The Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings are on bye this week. Get players from those teams out of your lineup.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 6

Derrick Barnes, DL, Detroit Lions 

Barnes is a veteran defensive lineman for the Lions, and he is having an excellent season. The Lions are coming off another impressive win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Barnes was a part of that success as well. He recorded 8 combined tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted), 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1.0 sack, and the elusive, highly coveted sack.

The Lions have been steamrolling the competition and playing with a positive game script. That has allowed Barnes to go full throttle on obvious passing downs. He has 6 or more combined tackles in all five games this season, and appears poised for career-high numbers across the board. Including games started. Keep an eye on this riser and pick him up on the waivers if a defensive lineman is needed.

Trent Simpson, LB, Baltimore Ravens 

Simpson is a rookie linebacker for the Ravens, and played his most snaps of the season last week with Roquan Smith out. Simpson logged 88 snaps, and although he kept his spot on special teams, it was his defensive snaps that stood out. Simpson played 52 snaps in the box while replacing defensive captain Smith. That was more than double his amount from any of the previous four games.

Although the Ravens were terrible, Simpson was a bright spot on a dull day. He finished with 10 combined tackles (4 solo, 6 assisted), 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, and 1.0 sack. Smith was diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring tear and will miss a few weeks. Simpson should be picked up on waivers and started across all formats. Even if his value is capped at four to five weeks. Keep an eye on this riser and spend FAAB if an LB is needed.

Marques Sigle, DB, San Francisco 49ers 

Sigle is a rookie defensive back for the 49ers. Last week, the IDP Report mentioned another 49ers rookie to keep an eye on, and this week, there is another. Sigle is the real deal, logging 75 or more snaps over the past four weeks. He logged 13 combined tackles and 1 pass defended in the overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.

The great thing about Sigle is he’s a safety that is lining up in the box, and well… all over. He logged 17 snaps as a free safety for back-to-back weeks, 1 snap as a defensive lineman, and 8 in the slot. His high percentage of snaps inside the box makes him a cheat code for IDP leagues. Last week, he earned 42 snaps in the box, and the week prior, 44. Some linebackers don’t log that many.

Sigle is a riser, but as is the case with every IDP mentioned in this article, if a fantasy football manager can utilize him, pick him up. Fantasy football championships are won by grabbing great players from the waiver before your opponents. Do not blow this Week 6 opportunity.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Josh Sweat, DL, Arizona Cardinals

Josh Sweat is a familiar name for most IDP fantasy football managers, but he slipped off the radar this season. Perhaps it is because he is on a new team, the Arizona Cardinals. However, he should not be ignored. The Cardinals have experienced some rough breaks this season and find themselves in mediocracy once again. That could be harming Sweat from being noticed as well.

Sweat is on a roll and is impacting the game just as much as when he was a Philadelphia Eagle. He has recorded a sack in four consecutive matches, and is doing so with a rotational snap count. The former Florida State Seminoles' highest snap count came in Week 1, 47. Oddly enough, it is the only game in which he did not record a sack. 

He played 34 snaps against the Tennessee Titans last week and logged two sacks Sunday. That is a huge bonus in several IDP fantasy football leagues, and his week 5 performance could cause his FAAB to increase in Week 6. Do not hesitate to spend up on Sweat. He is reunited with his former Eagles' defensive coordinator, Head Coach Jonathan Gannon, and is playing at an elite level.

Shemar James, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Shemar James is a name not every fantasy football manager knows, but those who play IDP should take notice. James is a rookie who could be a mainstay for the Dallas Cowboys over the next decade. He already put Jack Sanborn into a reserve role, and there is a case to be made that James is the best linebacker on Dallas’ roster.

Sanborn played a season low 18 snaps against the New York Jets, James played 73 (14 on special teams), and Kenneth Murray, who was questionable entering the game, played 81 snaps (all defensive). Sanborn recorded 2 tackles, Murray recorded 5 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 QB hit, and James earned 15 combined tackles. Fifteen! 

He is a must-own IDP going forward, and a higher amount of FAAB should be used. For those in dynasty leagues, do not miss out on this opportunity to own an elite player for his entire career. James has an opportunity to surpass Sean Lee as the best Dallas linebacker this century, and be the best Cowboys linebacker since Ken Norton Jr.. 

Mike Sainristil, DB, Washington Commanders

Sainristil started the season slowly, but he is back to his 2024 pace of tackles. He is also back to harassing slot receivers. He finished his rookie season with 93 combined tackles and 14 passes defended, which was tied for the 10th most across the league. This year, the Haitian-born Commander is up to 29 tackles, 3 passes defended, and already matched his 2 interceptions from last season.

The former Michigan Wolverine has earned 3 passes defended and 2 interceptions over the last two weeks. He has 16 combined tackles over the last two weeks as well. Due to being a nickel defensive back, most of his snaps are in the slot. He is creeping into the box more often, though. Sainristil has 11 or more snaps in the box in three of the past four games.

Sainristil’s next three opponents are all pass-dominant teams. In order, they are the Chicago Bears, division rival Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs. He will continue to earn high tackle numbers and log a few more passes defended. Possibly interceptions. Put some FAAB on Sairistil in the Week 6 waivers. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 6 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Quinyon Mitchell, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

As always, the IDP report looks to start the week with a great fantasy football performance. That means getting a leg up on the competition with a projected great IDP performance on Thursday night. Quinyon Mitchell is the guy Fantasy Alarm is expecting to have that game. He is a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, and as rare as it is for a corner to be mentioned, Mitchell has good reasons.

The Eagles travel north to face their divisional rival, the New York Giants. The Giants have an awful head coach who doesn’t know how to gameplan, and it’s going to be a compounded problem with just three days of preparation. The Giants are also rolling out a rookie quarterback, Jaxson Dart, who is not mentally ready for the NFL.

To make matters worse, Jaxson Dart is playing against one of the best defensive coordinators of all time, Vic Fangio. Mitchell is second in the league in passes defended, and he is going to intercept Dart, who will be pressured all night. He has 24 combined tackles, 19 of which are solo, 7 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. It is not wise to throw against Mitchell, but rookies are prone to making mistakes with foolery masked by confidence. Play Mitchell this week.

Nick Herbig, DL/LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-1 and atop the AFC North, with games to spare. They are also the only North team that has their Week 1 starting quarterback playing. And why might that be important for an IDP article? Because that allows the defense to rest on sustained drives, and play with a positive game script. Something that Pittsburgh’s Nick Herbig has taken advantage of.

He has also taken advantage of more playing time with Alex Highsmith injured. Highsmith participated in practice on Monday and could be expected back, but it’s unlikely he plays a full snap share. Herbig has played well enough to earn more snaps, too. Over Weeks 3 and 4 (Steelers had a bye in Week 5), he earned 7 QB hits (WOW!), 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 7 combined tackles. He also has an interception this season.

The Steelers host their divisional rival, the Cleveland Browns, after resting during their bye week. Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel looked good in his first career start, but Pittsburgh now has game tape on him. They are aware he targets tight ends and will cover them tightly, forcing Gabriel to hold the ball longer. TJ Watt will likely be double-teamed, and Herbig will have several one-on-one matches to take advantage of. Look for him to make another big play and get the terrible towels waving at Acrisure Stadium. Play Herbig with confidence in Week 6.

Pete Werner, LB, New Orleans Saints

Overall records are misleading in the NFL. Indeed, a team is essentially only their record, but records only tell part of the story. The New Orleans Saints earned their first victory of the season last week, but their defense has been playing great all season. Part of that is that they have one of the best interior linebacker duos in the NFL. Pete Werner makes up half of that duo. 

Werner plays the “Will” linebacker alongside DeMario Davis, who plays the “Mike”. To be fair, Davis could be a great start as well, but Werner is available at a higher percentage. He has 41 tackles through five weeks, including spike weeks of 11 and 13. He has recorded 2 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 QB hits as well. He gets most of his points from being a tackling machine.

This week, the Saints host the New England Patriots, coming off an emotional win against the Buffalo Bills. Werner will be matched up with Rhamondre Stevenson, who has fumbled three times this season. He may be used to “spy” on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye as well. A large tackle volume should be in play for Werner in Week 6, as the Saints look for back-to-back wins. Expect a big day from Werner. 

 

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