After another successful week predicting IDP sleepers, here are my sleeper picks for Week 5.
Here we are for your Week 5 IDP Sleepers. During Week 4, there were some really intriguing options to stream, especially on the defensive line. On the defensive line, I said that both Charles Harris and Rashan Gary were good options. Harris finished with four tackles (three solos), one sack, one forced fumble, and two QB hits.
Gary was able to pile up six tackles (four solos), one tackle for a loss, one sack, and three QB hits.At linebacker, I thought that Derrick Barnes would see an uptick in snaps with Jamie Collins no longer in the picture. Though he did not see a snap increase, only 31%, he was still able to compile five tackles with one going for a loss.
J.C. Jackson had a beautiful matchup against former Patriot superstar tom Brady, and he came through with six tackles and a pass defended. My only true miss was Paulson Adebo for the Saints. Though he had a solid matchup against the Giants, he only accounted for four tackles. Let's take a look at some Week 5 IDP sleepers.
Defensive Line Sleepers
Dante Fowler Jr. - Atlanta Falcons - DE
Week 4 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 2 tackles for a loss
Dante Fowler Jr. seemed like he was destined to be labeled the next guy who succeeded purely due to the Aaron Donald effect. The Falcons gave Fowler a hefty contract after he put up an all-pro caliber season with the Rams. Unfortunately for both parties, his first season was a trainwreck. The good news is, he looks really good so far this season.
After four games, Fowler has 11 tackles, 2 for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 QB hits. He is on pace to absolutely crush his 2020 campaign. Fowler is also getting good volume to go along with his newfound success with the Falcons. He has been on the field for 71% of the team's defensive snaps.
Fowler has a matchup with the Jets' defensive line that through four games has given up more sacks (16) than only the Titans (17). Fowler has a solid shot to live in the backfield and wreak havoc.
Adam Gotsis - Jacksonville Jaguars - IDL
Week 4 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 QB hit.
Adam Gotsis missed the first game of the 2021 season but has since come in and played incredibly well. Even still, Gotsis is only on the radar for managers who play in incredibly deep roster leagues. Then even still, has not garnered much talk. In his three games, Gotsis has compiled 9 tackles, 3 for a loss, 2 sacks, and 3 QB hits.
Gotsis has provided the interior pass rush presence that this team has been looking for since they decided to trade away Calais Campbell. He has earned solid playing time as well, being on the field for 63% of the team's defensive snaps. Gotsis will line up against the Titans' offensive line that has given up the most sacks (17) so far this season. Hopefully, Gotsis can continue his hot start.
Linebacker Sleepers
Reggie Ragland - New York Giants - ILB
Week 4 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos)
Reggie Ragland is your old-school style, run-thumping inside linebacker. He serves zero purpose on the field in coverage, but he can clog some running lanes. The Giants took a huge hit to the middle of the defense when they lost Blake Martinez for the season with a torn ACL. Tae Crowder was the hot waiver target, and rightfully so. He was on the field for every single defensive snap.
Ragland was on the field quite often as well though, seeing 78% of the team's snaps. He actually looked pretty good out there as well, totaling eight tackles. The Giants take on the Cowboys this week who just rushed the ball a combined 30 times with Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott. Ragland should see the field quite a bit with the Giants playing form behind and the Cowboys more run committed.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin - Detroit Lions - ILB
Week 4 Stats: 2 tackles (1 solo) and 1 pass defended.
The old IDP saying is that your best ability is availability, aka volume. I know Jalen Reeves-Maybin may not have put up gaudy numbers so far this season, but his role is increasing. He has seen his snap percentage increase to 47% in the Lions' first game sans Jamie Collins. And then to 66% just last week.
Reeves-Maybin played the most snaps of any Lions linebacker not named Alex Anzalone. Anzalone's role has not changed since he was an every-down linebacker while Collins was with the team. The Lions take on the Vikings who have a stout running game, and well, the entire offense for that matter. The Lions' defense will see the field plenty, which bodes well for some Reeves-Maybin production.
Defensive Back Sleepers
Ashtyn Davis - New York Jets - Safety
Week 4 Stats: 3 solo tackles
Ashtyn Davis was removed from IR last week and saw his first game action for 2021. I think that the Jets were playing it slow with Davis his first game back, making sure that he did not suffer any setbacks. The good news is that he did not. I have been a big Davis fan since his college days and had him ranked higher than Kyle Dugger going into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Though Davis only saw 38% of the team's snaps, he still made three tackles. Marcus Maye is going to miss at least two more weeks and Hamsah Nasirldeen was just placed on IR. The Jets take on the Falcons and will need a safety who can close quickly with the likes of Cordarrelle Patterson catching the ball out of the backfield. Davis should see his snaps increase and be in for a big Week 5 role.
Summary of Week 5 IDP Sleepers
When you are looking for sleepers, you need to find guys who are receiving expanded roles, or you need to exploit matchups. Until further notice, I will almost always be looking for an under-the-radar defensive lineman who will square off against the Titans and the Jets. When looking for linebackers, try to find guys who will be seeing extra time on the field.
With defensive backs, find guys who will be facing erratic quarterbacks or pass-heavy attacks. That is something that the Falcons offense has, high pass volume.
Thank you for reading! Follow me on Twitter at @JoeyTheToothIDP, and check out all of my IDP, Devy, and Offensive work on my IDP Guys author page. Stay up to date with the latest breaking news in fantasy football with The IDPGuys!
