Now that the Week 4 bye week nightmare is over, did you survive or end up taking the lost? It seemed like either you or your opponent had the one lineup that was affected big time by the bye week and injuries or perhaps just faced a team that had Larry Donnell on it. But that’s neither here nor there because this is an IDP post, and I’m here to get you through your Week 4 worries and look to brighter days ahead as we enter Week 5.  The waiver wire is growing thin but there are some bodies left that could help you for the immediate future or if you have a roster space to stash.  As always, if you have a different variation of available players or have any questions, feel free to reach me on twitter and I will gladly respond in a timely manner. I know how important these waiver acquisitions are.

Let’s dig into some possible waiver acquisitions to fill injury spots or bye week spot starts.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Anthony Spencer (DAL):  What a welcome sight for the Cowboys. Through all the injuries they’ve endured from the off-season it was good to see Spencer suit up for the game against the Saints.  Spencer is a dark horse candidate as your DL2 because he’s capable of racking up tackles and getting after the QB.  Dallas will be easing him back in though, but putting up 3 tackles and 1 QB hit is a good sign and the Cowboys need all the playmakers they can get on the defensive side.

Damontre Moore (NYG):  He’s playing less than 50% of the snaps, but he’s doing something with his opportunities.  He put up 4 tackles and 1 sack in rotation against the Redskins in Week 4.  He gets the suspect Atlanta line this week and could be a sneaky spot play if you’re like me and love to take the risk because the reward can be sweet.

Honorable Mentions (If they’re available in your league): Corey Liuget (SDC), Mario Addison (CAR), Fletcher Cox (PHI), Bennie Logan (PHI), Sen’Derrick Marks (JAC).

LINEBACKERS:

Kavell Conner (SDC):  With Te’o out for a while, Conner will step in, and he has the ability to rack up some numbers under the radar.  In Week 4 he put up 6 tackles and will continue to be active on the defense.  If you’re looking for a spot start for week five as your LB3 or LB4, give Conner a look as he’ll face the run heavy Jets.

Cordarro Law (SDC):  Like Conner, Law got the promotion off the practice squad to take over for Ingram who is on IR.  The Chargers didn’t miss a beat as Law put up 3 tackles, 1 sack and 1 pass deflection in 30/66 snaps.  He’ll continue to be in rotation with veteran Jarrett Johnson but will be useful.  If you’re in a big play league, I’d go get Law for immediate use as a LB3/LB4.

AJ Klein (CAR):  If Thomas Davis continues to miss games, Klein becomes a viable pick-up.  Besides Kuechly, there is nobody else to compete with for tackles, and Klein put up 7 tackles in Week 4.  He’s not athletic or fast, but he’ll get the job done and against the Bears in Week 5 where he has a good chance at racking up 7-10 tackles.

Prince Shembo (ATL):  Has the tide turned in Atlanta? Shembo played 59/79 snaps in Week 4 while Bartu saw 6 snaps total.  They have been in rotation for a couple weeks now and it looks like Shembo has overtaken Bartu.  If you’re a Bartu owner, I’d definitely make the switch ASAP (if Prince is available).  He’ll be battling Worrilow for tackles, but as bad as the Falcons defense is, there’ll be plenty of opportunity on the field.  Going forward, Shembo can have solid LB3 value.

Kroy Biermann (ATL):  Another Falcons LB makes the cut; he put up back to back 7 tackle games and is one of their lone LB’s to get after the QB (5 hurries so far).  He’s a wild card though, and if you’re desperate for some production in big play scoring leagues, I’d give Kroy a shot as a LB3 as he’ll have a lot of opportunity to get after Eli.

Justin Durant (DAL):  Another body Dallas is glad to suit up for the weekend. Durant is arguably the best LB in Dallas and will continue to produce as long as he stays on the field.  He doesn’t leave the field on any down and against the Saints in he put up 8 tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Int, and 2 Pass Deflections.  Some folks have dropped him when he got injured. If he’s available, I’d go pick him up as a LB3 with LB2 upside (especially if Carter is going to miss time).

Avery Williamson (TEN):  Here is a rookie getting his shot early on, or maybe it was just the way the game was going, but he did his thing by racking up 7 tackles.  He’s someone to keep an eye on as the LB shuffle in Tennessee is still going, unless you own Woodyard.

Gerald Hodges (MIN):  Hodges didn’t really burst onto the IDP scene this past Sunday as he filled in for Greenway, but he’s capable of doing damage and he’ll get another shot on Thursday against the Packers.  I’d give him a look as a LB3 but no more than that; there’s too much of a risk to have him starting as your LB2 unless you’re completely decimated with injuries or in a 20+ team league.

Anthony Hitchens (DAL):  If Carter is going to miss some time (Quad injury, day to day) then Hitchens becomes an instant add.  The last game he started he racked up 13 tackles, 1 pass deflection.  Keep an eye on Carter’s situation as the week goes on, we should find out on Wednesday what his status is shaping up to be, but I’m counting on him to miss Week 5so Hitchens becomes a sneaky spot start with upside as the Cowboys play the Texans.

LB’s I’d drop for any of these guys:  James Michael-Johnson (KCC), Sean Spence (PIT), Joplo Bartu (ATL), Jacquian Williams (NYG)

DEFENSIVE BACKS (solid streamers and/or pick-ups):

Cortez Allen (PIT):  With Ike Taylor on the shelf, Allen stepped up and he’s decent against the run/pass.  He had a solid Week 4 game as he racked up 7 tackles, 1 int and 3 pass deflections.  He faces the Jaguars in Week 5 and is a solid DB to stream as he’ll turn in another solid game.

Mike Adams (IND):  With LaRon Landry set to miss the next 4 games due to a suspension, Adams will have to step up.  He’s capable of doing that, despite failing to record a tackle in Week 4, but he had 2 interceptions.  The Colts get the Ravens in Week 5 and will be asked to do a lot more, which would give him a bit more opportunity to rack up some tackles.  I’d definitely give Adams a look as a spot start DB2 this week.

Reshad Jones (MIA):  Yes, Miami has a bye week this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a viable DB.  In fact, if you have the roster space to stash Jones for one week; do it! He’s a top 10 DB making his way back after the bye, he served a 4 game suspension.  It may take him a game to get back onto the IDP map, but don’t be the one who misses out on this opportunity.

Orlando Scandrick (DAL):  With Claiborne out for the season, Scandrick becomes a must add if you need a DB.  He’s capable of putting up solid numbers across the board and will get every opportunity to make plays.  Against the Saints he racked up 7 tackles and 2 pass deflections, that’s pretty solid DB2 numbers right there.  I’d even roster Scandrick for the rest of the season; he has the capability to be a consistent DB2.

Darius Slay (DET):  I’ve mentioned him before, and if he’s still available this might be the last week you can grab him.  He’s playing extremely well for the Lions and it shall continue. He racked up 5 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass deflection against the Jets in Week 4.  He’ll be able to put up DB2 numbers against Buffalo in Week 5.

Quintin Demps (NYG):  Demps has taken over for Stevie Brown and had a solid showing against the Redskins in week four, racked up 7 tackles 2 PD’s and 1 Int.  The Giants defense is shaping into form and Demps will continue to make plays as long as he gets the chance.  The pass happy Falcons will meet the Giants in week five and Demps will be hovering the field to make plays.

Josh Evans (JAC):  I mentioned Evans before as well, but now’s the time to pick him up as the Jaguars have released Winston Guy.  The time has come sooner than later for Evans, thought he always had the talent, but now he can put it together with Cyprien in the back end of the defense.  I’d definitely target Evans as a bye week fill-in and then play match-ups as he has the capability to rack up 7-11 tackles week in week out, anything else is a bonus.

DB’s I’d drop:  Eric Reid (SF), Matt Elam (BAL), Darian Stewart (BAL), Troy Polamalu (PIT), Roman Harper (CAR), Stevie Brown (NYG)

Bonus Round:

Robert Quinn (STL) owners:  Be patient, his time is coming as he faces PHI, SF and SEA in the next three games.  I wouldn’t at all be surprised if his coming out game for 2014 is against the Eagles in Week 5. If you bought low on Quinn then good for you.  You need to be patient with Quinn and all other studs, I can’t preach that enough as they’ll have more good games than bad ones, and I doubt you’ll find anyone better on waivers.  When your studs are off to slow starts, this is where you build and make your depth stronger with dead weight on your bench so when it all comes together, you dominate.