That’s a wrap for Week 5. Things get a bit busier on the waiver wire this week, as we will now have four teams on their bye weeks. There will be a bit more deep diving necessary to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t worry folks, we have you covered.
This week, we are adding a new twist to the article, as we’ve listed owned percentages for the IDP options suggested. As a rule, we’ll be suggesting players that are less than 30% owned as waiver wire options.
The percentages are taken from CBS Sports leagues. Keep in mind that Buffalo, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oakland are on their bye weeks.
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Brandon Graham (DL – PHI) – 9% owned (3% FAAB)
It took five weeks for the Eagles’ defense, as well as Graham, to finally get things on track. After putting up just a total of three sacks in the first four games, Philadelphia racked up 10 in the Week 5 win over the Jets. They were led by Graham, who had three sacks and was credited with five quarterback hits. It was just a matter of time for this defensive line to pick it up. There is simply too much talent for them to have continued the slow pace they had out of the gate. In Week 6, they face a Vikings offense that has allowed 8.5 sacks to defensive linemen.
Marcus Davenport (DL – NO) – 21% owned (5% FAAB)
The second-year defensive end finally had the breakout game that IDP owners have been waiting for. Last week, he put up two solo tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble against Tampa Bay. Playing opposite Cameron Jordan allows him to avoid double teams, as Jordan sees the majority of them along the Saints’ defensive front. On the season, he has 15 total tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and has been credited with a team-high 11 quarterback hits. He is currently putting up solid DL2 numbers through the first five weeks.
Brian Burns (DL – CAR) – 9% owned (4% FAAB)
There are some sites that have Burns designated as an outside linebacker, but the majority have him at defensive end. This is obviously a pickup suggestion for those leagues that have him as a defensive line option. The rookie is getting it done in all facets of the game and is currently producing top-10 defensive line totals. He had a massive Week 5, putting up a sack and forced fumble while returning a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown. Look for the hot streak to continue this week since the Buccaneers’ offense has allowed 70 total tackles and 15.5 sacks to the defensive line position.
Damien Wilson (LB – KC) – 3% owned (4% FAAB)
In his first season in Kansas City, the former Cowboys linebacker has already carved out a starting role alongside former teammate Anthony Hitchens. When Hitchens left last week’s game early with a groin injury, Wilson stepped up as the main man in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense. He had his first double-digit tackling performance of the season, finishing with 12 on Sunday night. He now has 20 in the past two games and is currently sitting just outside the top-25 linebackers in most balanced scoring formats. This week, he faces a Texans offense that just allowed 21 total tackles to the linebacker duo of De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones.
Uchenna Nwosu (LB – LAC) – 1% owned (2% FAAB)
With Melvin Ingram (groin) sitting out, it was the second-year outside linebacker, Nwosu, that saw an uptick in playing time. Last week, he played a season-high 93% of the snaps and had a very nice game. He put up seven total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. In the last two games, he has 10 total tackles, with two being for a loss. Last week against the Steelers’ offense, edge-rushing outside linebacker Pernell McPhee had six solo tackles and a sack. Look for similar numbers from Nwosu in Week 6.
Nick Vigil (LB – CIN) – 18% owned (3% FAAB)
Yes, it was me merely two weeks ago that suggested IDP owners could go ahead and drop Vigil. I was wrong. All he has done since then is put up 24 total tackles and a forced fumble in the last two games. He has double-digit tackles in back-to-back games and is putting up top-10 linebacker numbers in that time. This week, he faces a Ravens offense that has allowed seven linebackers to post at least seven total tackles against them in 2019. Don’t just pick up Vigil; start him as well.
Byron Murphy (DB – ARI) – 1% owned (2% FAAB)
With Patrick Peterson sitting out one last game due to suspension, let’s roll the dice with the rookie cornerback. Last week, he had a season-high nine total tackles and a pass defended. On the season, he has 28 total tackles along with four passes defended. Opposing offenses have targeted him 24 times, leading to plenty of tackle opportunities and big plays. Through the first five weeks, the Falcons’ offense is allowing an average of 34 total tackles per game to the defensive back position. They have also given up 12 big plays to opposing defensive backs.
Janoris Jenkins (DB – NYG) – 19% owned (3% FAAB)
This is a matchup-based waiver wire selection. The Giants’ defense heads to New England this week for a Thursday night showdown. The Patriots’ offense is among the most generous when it comes to allowing production to opposing defensive backs. Through the first five weeks, they have allowed 122 solo tackles and seven big plays to the position. It’s not as if Jenkins isn’t performing well, as he’s putting up top-20 defensive back numbers through five weeks. He has racked up 26 total tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions. Look for a big week from the veteran cornerback.
Will Redmond (DB – GB) – 0% owned (1% FAAB)
This is the deep-dive, sneaky-good, low-cost waiver wire bargain of the week. With starting safety Darnell Savage dealing with a high ankle sprain and his immediate backup, Raven Greene, (ankle) on IR, it’s a last-man-standing scenario for Redmond. The journeyman defensive back who has spent time with Kansas City and San Francisco played a season-high 76% of the snaps last week. He put up six solo tackles and is likely to draw the Week 6 start on Monday night against the Lions. The Lions’ offense through their first four games is allowing an average of 20 solo tackles to the defensive back position.
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Walton Spurlin is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Walton, check out his archive and follow him @waltonspurlin.