How’d you do in week five? Although only two teams were on a bye week, the injuries came back to haunt us.  The IDP community lost Titans safety Bernard Pollard for the season with a ruptured achilles.  The Cardinals lost defensive end Calais Campbell to a sprained MCL and will be out 2-4 weeks. Jets linebacker David Harris injured his shoulder against the Chargers.  Eagles linebacker Demeco Ryans has a groin injury, and although we won’t know until Wednesday on whether or not he’ll miss time,  I’m banking on him missing at least one game.  Rolando McClain of the Cowboys re-aggravated his groin injury and will be re-evaluated.

On the bright side, some owners got to rejoice with the returns of linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, and it sure did feel good plugging them into my starting lineup even though they where expected to be eased back in. Both are better than most on limited snaps.  Once again, we’re reaching mid-season already, and the waiver wire could be slim pickings for you as a lot of the top waiver adds have been claimed already. But you could be the lucky one where an impatient owner dropped a stud (who isn’t performing) and you could scoop him up.

As always, if your league is a bit shallower or you need to dig a bit deeper, feel free to hit me up on twitter (@IDPwithBEE_DSE) so I can assist you in re-tooling your IDP roster.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Jerry Hughes (BUF):  Hughes put up an impressive week five stat line with 5 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.  If you need a solid DL2  spot start for week six, Hughes is your guy as he faces the Patriots.  I like that match-up, and he will appear in my top 15 heading into week six rankings. I’m definitely going to target Hughes on waivers to start for Cameron Jordan (on bye).

Cedric Thornton (PHI):  Don’t get twisted with Cedric’s high scoring week five. He only racked up 2 tackles but getting 2 Fumble Recoveries and a Touchdown helped him.  Although we can’t expect that type of performance week in week out, if you’re desperate for a DL start this week, then give Thornton a look as they face the Giants.  The Eagles have better options if they’re available (Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan).

Kareem Martin (ARI):  With Campbell now shelved for at least a couple weeks, Martin will be asked to step it up on what has become a depleted Arizona defensive front line. His last three games he’s only put together 4 tackles (total). That’s not impressive but could also change with all the injuries.  It’s one of those, “should you take a gamble or should you stay away” type of adds.  To help you make your decision, the Cardinals face the Redskins in week six, yso ou know the Cardinals will bring the heat.  If you do take the gamble, I’d only do it if it’s a deep league.

Notable:

Sheldon Richardson (NYJ):  There are some leagues where owners have dropped him. If it happens to be your league, you better drop what you’re doing and go put a claim in on Richardson.  He’s heating up as he put together 15 tackles, 3 tackle for loss and 3 sacks in his last three games.

LINEBACKERS:

Avery Williamson (TEN):  Williamson looks like he overtook Gooden in the defense and has once again impressed.  He racked up 7 tackles and 2 pass deflections.  He faces the Jaguars in week six and could be a viable LB3 option if you’re looking for a spot starter.  I’d definitely pick him up in dynasty leagues already as he could run away with the job for the rest of the season.  I’d definitely drop Sean Spence for Williamson or any other dead weight at the end of your bench.

Jacquian Williams (NYG):  Jacquian finally had himself a game this past weekend, racking up 14 tackles and 1 pass deflection.  Maybe it was the match-up or maybe it’s slowly coming together for him, but he plays every down so providing these type of numbers shouldn’t be a surprise (but it is).  If he’s still available, I’d definitely target him, especially if you need a body to plug in and you’re a Mason Foster owner for example.  This could be the “breakout” game he needed, and  I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues rolling out these type of numbers week in week out.

Justin Durant (DAL):  If Durant is still available in your league and you need a LB3, grab him.  With all the injuries the Cowboys linebacker corps is suffering, Durant has all the opportunity to rack up stats.  Rolando re-aggravated his injury, Carter is still out and Hitchens is just a rookie.  The opportunity is there and Durant is probably staring at you right now as he sits on waivers. If you’re a Brandon Marshall owner (no, not the receiver), then I’d easily drop him for Durant.

Prince Shembo (ATL):  He’s clearly the LB to own next to Worrilow in ATL, though he may not put up eye popping stats. But he gets the snaps and let’s face it, we’re all looking for any IDP that gets snaps at this point of the season.  Shembo is a nice LB3 rest of the way, and he had a solid week five outing with 14 total tackles.  With the amount of time the Falcons defense sees the field, Shembo will get opportunity.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

George Wilson (TEN):  With Pollard now out for the season, Wilson becomes a hot pick-up this week.  He’s definitely up there in age, but he can still be serviceable.  I believe Michael Griffin will be the big beneficiary of this injury, but Wilson can hold his own and can flirt with DB2 status rest of the way.  If your league starts 3 DB’s, give Wilson a look, but there could be better options available as well.

Kemal Ishmael (ATL):  With William Moore out for quite some time, Ishmael is the one who’ll benefit.  He’s put up back to back solid weeks, and it shall continue as the Falcons defense continues to stay on the field.  Kemal racked up 14 total tackles in week five, and you might as well ride the hot hand.

Rafeal Bush (NOS):  Jairus Byrd is now out for the season and Bush is the one to take over.  He put up 5 tackles in week five, and although he’s not in Byrd’s tier level of play, Bush can be serviceable.  I’d look to add him in deep leagues (14 or more teams) as he’ll have his good weeks, especially whenever the Saints defense can figure everything out (that’ll help).

Kyle Arrington (NEP):  With Logan Ryan struggling, Arrington has taken over the CB2 duties. But with Browner coming back he’ll slide over to the slot (where he’s solid). Nonetheless, Arrington becomes a solid streamer this week as the Patriots face the Bills.

TJ McDonald (STL):  TJ could finally be shaping into form as he had an impressive 11 tackle, 2 tackle for loss and 1 pass deflection.  Yes, McDonald had a favorable match-up as well against the Eagles, but he’s capable of putting up this type of stat line.  I’d give TJ a look if you need a DB to stream this week against the 49ers.

Notable: Cortez Allen (PIT):  If you haven’t picked him up yet (mentioned it last week) don’t miss out. Allen has put up back to back impressive games.  Continue to utilize Cortez until Ike returns; he could definitely help you win some weeks.