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Welcome back, IDP Nerds! We’re heading into Week 6, and the fantasy football season is moving right along. We’ve had some big performances from players who weren’t necessarily on everyone’s radar, while a few familiar names continue to leave dynasty managers frustrated. The Week 6 IDP Start/Sit is back to help you sort through the matchups, find players worth trusting, and hopefully avoid a few disappointing performances along the way.
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We’re officially into the second quarter of the season, and by now, we’re getting a better idea of which players we can count on each week. That doesn’t mean we’re going to get every lineup decision right, and Week 5 was a perfect example of that. We had some big performances, a few frustrating misses, and a couple of calls that came down to just 1 fantasy point. There’s plenty to build on, but also some areas where we need to improve. Before we get into our Week 6 recommendations, let’s see how last week’s calls held up.
IDP Start/Sit Accuracy Report
Week 5 wasn’t quite as successful as the previous week, but we still had some positives to take away. We finished with 6 hits on 12 graded calls for a 50% hit rate, with Jalen Pitre excluded after leaving his game early due to injury. Our starts continue to be our most reliable category, hitting on 4 of 6 recommendations. The streamers also bounced back with 2 hits, but the sits remained a struggle as we failed to hit on either of our 2 graded calls.
We had a couple of frustrating misses that could have easily gone our way. Jared Verse finished with 9 fantasy points, just 1 point short of our 10-point threshold. Daiyan Henley was even closer, finishing with exactly 10 fantasy points, which counts as a miss for our sit recommendations. Those are tough ones to swallow, but the numbers are what they are. Through 5 weeks, we’re sitting just above 50% overall, and there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
| Category | Week 5 | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 4/6 (66.7%) | 20/29 (69.0%) |
| Sits | 0/2 (0.0%) | 4/14 (28.6%) |
| Streamers | 2/4 (50.0%) | 7/18 (38.9%) |
| Overall | 6/12 (50.0%) | 31/61 (50.8%) |
Top Performers: Zaire Franklin and D.J. Reed — Both finished as top-12 options at their respective positions.
Injury Exclusions: 1 — Jalen Pitre
Zaire Franklin and D.J. Reed were two of our better calls in Week 5, with both finishing inside the top 12 at their positions. Franklin took advantage of his expanded role in Green Bay, while Reed continued to show why he’s worth considering even in leagues that don’t require starting a cornerback. It’s encouraging to see those matchups pay off, especially with our streamer recommendations. We’ve still got work to do with our sits, but the starts have been fairly consistent through the first 5 weeks.
Players to Start | Week 6 IDP Fantasy Football
Defensive Line | Week 6 IDP Start/Sit
Austin Booker | DL | Chicago Bears
Austin Booker was one of my IDP breakout candidates heading into the season, and he’s making me look pretty good through the first 5 weeks. The Chicago pass rusher has earned his opportunities and is making a strong case to be the team’s DL1 for fantasy purposes. Since Week 2, only 8 defensive linemen have averaged at least 20 fantasy points per game, and Booker is one of them. His playing time has increased from 58% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 to 72% in Week 5, and he’s recorded 3 sacks over his last 2 games. The Bears are giving him more opportunities, and Booker continues to make the most of them.
Booker gets another matchup I like in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta is the only team in the NFL to allow more than 60 tackles to EDGE defenders this season, while also giving up 2.2 sacks per game. That’s a pretty good combination for a player who’s already finding ways to get to the quarterback. I’d love to see Booker continue his sack streak, but the tackle opportunities are what make me comfortable starting him this week. He’s been one of the better surprises at the position, and I’m not looking to take him out of my lineup anytime soon.
George Karlaftis | DL | Kansas City Chiefs
George Karlaftis has been a disappointment for IDP managers through the first 5 weeks. The Kansas City pass rusher was a player we could count on as a weekly starter in previous seasons, but that hasn’t been the case this year. He’s currently sitting at DL50 overall, and while the Chiefs’ early bye week hasn’t helped his ranking, the production hasn’t exactly been there either. The good news is that Karlaftis gets a familiar opponent in Week 6, and this could be the matchup he needs to get things going.
The Los Angeles Chargers are off to an ugly 0-5 start and haven’t done much to protect their quarterback. They’re allowing the second-most sacks per game (3.4) this season and have surrendered 11 tackles per game to EDGE defenders over their last 3 games. Karlaftis also had some success against the Chargers last season, recording 30 fantasy points and a sack across their 2 meetings. We’ve seen what he’s capable of when he’s getting pressure on the quarterback, and I like his chances of putting together a strong performance this week. I’m going back to Karlaftis as a starter in Week 6.
Linebacker | Week 6 IDP Start/Sit
Jamien Sherwood | LB | New York Jets
Jamien Sherwood hasn’t exactly rewarded IDP managers who invested in him this season. The Jets linebacker sits at LB41 through 5 games and saw his streak of 3 straight double-digit fantasy performances come to an end last week. Despite the slow start, Sherwood continues to play 96% of the defensive snaps, and I’m not ready to give up on a player who’s recorded at least 150 tackles in back-to-back seasons. The production hasn’t been what we’re used to seeing, but the opportunities are still there.
I like Sherwood’s chances to bounce back against New England in Week 6. The Patriots have allowed 18.7 tackles per game to opposing linebackers over their last 3 contests, and Sherwood averaged 7.5 tackles in his 2 meetings with New England last season. That’s a matchup I’m willing to take advantage of, especially with a player who has already proven he can put up big tackle numbers. Not every linebacker is going to deliver double-digit fantasy points each week, and a slow start doesn’t erase what Sherwood has done over the past 2 seasons. I’m sticking with him in Week 6.
Dorian Williams | LB | Buffalo Bills
Dorian Williams was a player I expected to lose snaps to rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr this season, but that hasn’t happened nearly as quickly as I thought it would. The Buffalo linebacker has been a pleasant surprise for IDP managers, sitting at LB32 and averaging nearly 15 fantasy points per game. He’s actually outproducing Terrel Bernard (LB37), who remains the Bills’ LB1, and has scored double-digit fantasy points in every game this season. Williams is playing 70% of the defensive snaps, and while that isn’t ideal for a linebacker, he’s making the most of his opportunities.
The matchup against Las Vegas is another reason I’m going back to Williams in Week 6. The Raiders are allowing the second-most tackles per game (21) to opposing linebackers this season. Williams has recorded at least 8 tackles in 4 of his 5 games, which is pretty impressive considering he’s not playing every defensive snap. We’ve seen him deliver consistent production without needing an impact play, and this matchup gives him a chance to do even more. If Williams can add a sack or turnover to his usual tackle numbers, we could be looking at one of his better performances of the season.
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Booker | DL | CHI | ATL | START |
| George Karlaftis | DL | KC | LAC | START |
| Jamien Sherwood | LB | NYJ | NE | START |
| Dorian Williams | LB | BUF | LV | START |
| Chamarri Conner | DB | KC | LAC | START |
| Jessie Bates | DB | ATL | CHI | START |
| Rashan Gary | DL | DAL | GB | SIT |
| Alex Anzalone | LB | TB | PIT | SIT |
| Ji’Ayir Brown | DB | SF | WAS | SIT |
Defensive Backs | Week 6 IDP Start/Sit
Chamarri Conner | DB | Kansas City Chiefs
Chamarri Conner is a familiar name for IDP managers after finishing as DB4 last season. The Kansas City defensive back returned from injury before the team’s Week 5 bye and picked up right where he left off with a double-digit fantasy performance. He’s still working his way back after missing time, but I’m expecting him to climb the DB rankings as the season progresses. We’ve already seen what Conner can do when he’s healthy, and I’m not letting a slow start caused by injury keep him out of my lineup.
Conner gets another shot at the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, a team he scored 40 fantasy points against in their 2 meetings last season. The Chargers also allowed 5 different defensive backs to score at least 10 fantasy points in Week 5. That’s the type of matchup I want to attack with a player who has already proven he can produce at a high level. I expect Conner to become the defensive back to trust in Kansas City’s secondary going forward, and I’m comfortable putting him back into my starting lineup this week.
Jessie Bates | DB | Atlanta Falcons
Jessie Bates hasn’t been the reliable fantasy option we’ve come to expect this season. The veteran safety has taken a backseat to second-year defensive back Xavier Watts, who has emerged as Atlanta’s highest-scoring DB through 5 weeks. Bates finally delivered his first 20-point performance of the season in Week 5, but that came with a defensive touchdown. He’s still sitting at DB71 overall, which isn’t what IDP managers had in mind when they drafted him. I’m not ready to give up on Bates just yet, but we’re getting close to the point where we need to have that conversation.
The matchup against Chicago in Week 6 might be his best opportunity to turn things around. The Bears are the only team allowing more than 20 tackles per game to opposing safeties over their last 3 contests. That’s exactly the type of matchup Bates needs, especially when we can’t count on defensive touchdowns to carry his fantasy production. I’m treating this as a make-or-break week for Bates in my lineups. If he can’t deliver against a team giving up this many tackles to safeties, it might be time to consider streaming the position instead. I’m giving him one more start before making that decision.
Players to Sit | Week 6 IDP Fantasy Football
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Why We’re Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashan Gary | DL | DAL | GB | Packers allow 4th-fewest EDGE tackles and just 1 home sack per game |
| Alex Anzalone | LB | TB | PIT | Steelers allow 8th-fewest LB tackles; Anzalone ranks LB56 |
| Ji’Ayir Brown | DB | SF | WAS | Commanders allow fewer than 10 safety tackles per game |
- Rashan Gary | DL | Dallas Cowboys: I’m usually a sucker for a good revenge game, but I’m playing the UNO reverse card on this one. Gary gets a matchup against his former team, and Green Bay hasn’t been particularly generous to opposing pass rushers. The Packers are allowing the fourth-fewest tackles to EDGE defenders this season and have surrendered just 1 sack per game at home. As much as I’d love the revenge game storyline, the numbers aren’t giving me much confidence. I’m leaving Gary on the bench in Week 6.
- Alex Anzalone | LB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Knowing my luck with sit recommendations this season, Anzalone will probably finish with exactly 10 fantasy points and make me regret this one. Still, he’s sitting at LB56 through the first 5 weeks, and the matchup against Pittsburgh isn’t doing him any favors. The Steelers are allowing the eighth-fewest tackles per game to opposing linebackers, while teammate Josiah Trotter is averaging 10 tackles per game himself. There might not be enough opportunities for Anzalone to deliver the production we’re looking for. I’m willing to take my chances and leave him on the bench in Week 6.
- Ji’Ayir Brown | DB | San Francisco 49ers: Brown has been the highest-scoring defensive back in San Francisco this season, but that doesn’t mean he’s an automatic start every week. The Washington Commanders are the only team allowing fewer than 10 tackles per game to opposing safeties this season. That’s not a matchup I’m looking to attack, especially at a position where we can usually find production on the waiver wire. Brown has been a solid option, but I’m looking elsewhere in Week 6.
DT-Premium & CB-Premium Streamers | Week 6 IDP Start/Sit
DT Streamers: Jowon Briggs (New York Jets) has scored double-digit fantasy points in 3 of his last 4 games, with his only miss coming at 9.8 points. He faces New England, which is allowing a 19.4% tackle efficiency rate to defensive tackles this season. James Lynch (Chicago Bears) is a riskier option with just a 41% defensive snap share, but Atlanta allowed 3 sacks last week. Lynch has a chance to record double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
CB Streamers: Deonte Banks (New York Giants) is averaging 15.9 fantasy points per game, the sixth-best mark among cornerbacks this season. He faces New Orleans, which is allowing the second-most tackles to the position. Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles) has recorded at least 5 tackles in 3 straight games while being targeted more than 5 times per game. He’s playing over 95% of the defensive snaps and faces a Carolina team that ranks among the 10 most favorable matchups for cornerback tackles. Both are strong streaming options in Week 6.
IDP Hidden Gems | Week 6 IDP Fantasy Football
Before we wrap up, here are five takeaways from Week 5 and what we’ve learned through the first quarter of the season.
- Rookie EDGE Rushers Shine: The rookie pass rushers put on a show in Week 5. David Bailey finished as DL1 and the highest-scoring IDP of the week, while Akheem Mesidor delivered his breakout performance with 34.8 fantasy points and a DL6 finish. We’ve seen plenty of rookies make an impact this season, but these two stole the show in Week 5. Dynasty managers have to love what they’re seeing from this rookie class.
- Titans LB Drama: The linebacker rotation in Tennessee continues to frustrate IDP managers. Anthony Hill recorded double-digit tackles in his first 2 games but hasn’t reached that mark in 3 straight, including 8 tackles in Week 4 and just 5 in Week 5. Meanwhile, Cedric Gray missed Week 1, played 39% of the defensive snaps in Week 2, and has played at least 45% since Week 3. Gray is now outscoring Cody Barton despite never exceeding a 47% snap share. Hill’s declining production alongside Gray’s increased involvement is becoming a real concern. This rotation isn’t doing anyone any favors.
- Budda Baker Dominance: Budda Baker continues to remind us why he’s been one of the most reliable defensive backs in fantasy football. The veteran has recorded 11 tackles twice through his first 5 games and currently sits at DB3 in his age-30 season. He’s on pace for his seventh season with at least 100 tackles, which would put him just one behind Antoine Bethea’s mark of eight. Father Time hasn’t caught up with Baker just yet.
- IDP Impact in Week 5: What a week for defensive scoring. We had 65 IDP players finish with at least 20 fantasy points, including 6 of the top 12 highest-scoring players across offense and defense. Three defensive players even topped 38 fantasy points. If you needed another reminder of how much IDP can impact fantasy matchups, Week 5 delivered. Defensive players weren’t just keeping pace with offensive stars; they were among the highest scorers in fantasy football.
- Rookie Linebackers Keep Pace: Jacob Rodriguez, Arvell Reese, and Josiah Trotter continue to impress, with all 3 averaging at least 20 fantasy points per game this season. They’re all ranked inside the top 12 at linebacker, and only 7 players at the position are averaging 20 points per game. That means rookies account for nearly 43% of that group. It’s been a fantastic start for this linebacker class, and dynasty managers have plenty to be excited about moving forward.
Final Thoughts | Week 6 IDP Start/Sit
We’ve had our fair share of disappointments through the first 5 weeks, and some of the players we expected to count on every week have left us scratching our heads. Unfortunately, that’s just how IDP fantasy football works sometimes. We can study the numbers, identify favorable matchups, and feel confident about a player’s opportunity, only to watch the game unfold completely differently than expected. Even when the data tells us one story, matchups and game plans can change how players are used, leaving us with more questions than answers. It’s frustrating, but it’s also what makes staying on top of these trends so important. We won’t get every call right, but we can keep putting ourselves in the best position to succeed.
As always, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read the Week 6 IDP Start/Sit. If you’re stuck on a lineup decision, debating between two players, or just want to talk about IDP football, reach out to me on Twitter/X @Glosser13 or Reddit u/IDPGlosser. I’m always happy to help fellow IDP managers work through those tough decisions. Best of luck in Week 6, and let’s go win some fantasy matchups!
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