Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 5 (2025)

Week 4 of the NFL season had its ups and downs. We saw some big plays on both sides of the ball, but the injury monster wreaked havoc across the league yet again. Week 5 is here, and Thursday Night Football was much more competitive than expected, with the San Francisco 49ers proving that anything can happen in a divisional game. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 5

Start em

Devin White (LB – LV)
Welcome back, Devin White. After bouncing around the league with no home to call his own following a messy divorce with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, former LB1 Devin White appears to be all the way back. He has picked up where he left off (pre contract year) and is back in the LB1 mix after recording six or more solos in three of his four contests so far this season. He was excellent in Week 4, with eight solos, one assist, and one tackle for loss, and should be counted as a top-15 option for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Eric Wilson (LB – MIN)
Eric Wilson showed up again in Week 4, tallying five solos, four assists, and one tackle for loss. Wilson has recorded five solos in two straight games and is an easy LB3 play for a plus Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Wilson has been a strong spot starter in recent seasons and should be one for as long as Blake Cashman remains on injured reserve. Start Wilson where needed.

Cameron Jordan (DE – NO)
Cam Jordan showed up in Week 4, racking up four solos, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Cam is up to 2.5 sacks on the season and is an easy DL3 option during the byes. He will have DL2 appeal in the right matchups, such as the one he has in Week 5 special against Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants. Start Jordan wherever possible.

Dru Phillips (CB – NYG)
Dru showed up in Week 4, notching two solos, one interception, and four passes defended. Phillips has been playing at a CB1 level and has worked his way into the DB3 conversation on the strength of two spike weeks in his first four contests. Treat him as such for a tasty Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Start him where possible.

Craig Woodson (S – NE)
Craig Woodson was excellent in Week 4, generating four solos, one assist, and two tackles for loss. Woodson has emerged as the only S option on the Patriots now that Jaylinn Hawkins and Kyle Dugger are splitting time, cannibalizing each other’s fantasy values in the process. For his part, Woodson has recorded four or more solos in three of his four contests and is cementing himself as a solid DB3 option. Woodson has DB2 upside for Week 5, thanks to a projected busy night against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. Start Woodson where possible.

Sit em

Leo Chenal (LB – KC)
Leo Chenal showed up in Week 4, racking up four solos, one interception, and one pass defended. Chenal saw a spike in snaps against the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens, playing 69 percent of the snaps compared to the 50 percent he usually hovers around. Drue Tranquill still played 84 percent of the snaps, so Chenal should not be inserted into lineups for Week 5. He managed just four solos total through the first three weeks of the season, making him a bench stash at best until he shows some consistency. Look elsewhere for your Week 5 LB3/4.

Alex Anzalone (LB – DET)
Anzalone was excellent in Week 4, racking up four solos, two assists, and one sack. Anzalone has been more of a bench depth play for most of the season, and that should not change for Week 5, even with the Cincinnati Bengals on tap. The matchup is tasty, but the floor is too low for a player who recorded just one solo twice already this season. Look elsewhere for your Week 5 LB3/4.

Jack Gibbens (LB – NE)
Jack Gibbens showed out in Week 4, tallying eight solos, four assists, and one tackle for loss. He managed the impressive production on just 45 percent of the snaps, signaling that he is still behind Christian Elliss. Gibbens could have earned an expanded role, but keep him benched for Week 5 while this situation sorts itself out. With that said, Gibbens, like Harold Landry, did follow Mike Vrabel from Tennessee, so it would be no surprise if he ultimately replaces Elliss as the starter.

Vita Vea (DT – TB)
Vita Vea showed out in Week 4, racking up three solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. The sacks were his first two of the season. Vea is more of a run stuffer and pressure creator than a sack artist, but has topped 5.5 in each of his last three seasons. Stash him in case he gets hot, but keep him benched for Week 5 against Seattle unless you are looking for a DT2 option. Look elsewhere for your Week 5 DL3/DT2

Mike Sainristil (CB – WAS)
Sainstrill impressed in Week 4, tallying three solos, four assists, one interception, and one pass defended. He has solidified himself as a strong CB2 play with his production thus far, but remains a strong avoid as DB play for Week 5, even with a potential plus matchup on tap against the Los Angeles Chargers. Let him show some more consistency before sliding him into lineups over other higher-floor options.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.