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Week 5 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football Advice

Week 5 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football Advice


Welcome back, IDP Nerds! It’s time for the Week 5 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football advice. The second month of the NFL season kicks off with the start of the dreaded bye weeks. Every dynasty manager finds themselves trying to find replacement players as bye weeks always seem to come at the worst time. The good news is that roles are becoming clearer for many players, as we now have a full four games of data as our sample size. I’ve done my best to bring you this week’s top IDP starts, sits, streamers, sleepers, and hidden gems.


Check the IDP Waiver Wire, Offensive Waiver Wire, and Trade Advice for more Week 5 Fantasy Football advice. Be sure to see our Player Rankings Tiers Start/Sit Guide when it releases this afternoon!


Weekly Accuracy Recap | Week 5 IDP Start Sit

Week Hit Rate Start Hit Rate Sit Hit Rate Stream Hit Rate Top Performer
Week 1 62.5% 66.6% 33.3% 100% Jarvis Brownlee CB1
Week 2 37.5% 66.6% 33.3% 0% Tykee Smith DB11
Week 3 38.4% 33.3% 66.6% 25% Cooper DeJean DB17
Week 4 61.5% 83.3% 66.6% 25% Cole Bishop 17

It was nice to get back on the right track in Week 4 with a 61.5% hit rate overall. We had our best hit rate among starts of the season, hitting on 5 of 6 recommendations. We continued to stay hot on players to sit, which is one of the more difficult decisions for IDP managers weekly. I hope you all listened last week and went in on second-year DB Cole Bishop. He delivered a massive performance with five tackles and an interception last week.

Players to Start | Week 5 IDP Start/Sit Fantasy Football

Defensive Line | Week 5 IDP Start/Sit

Player Team Opponent Snap% Start
Joey Bosa Bills Patriots 72%
Laiatu Latu Colts Raiders 62%
Defensive Line | Start/Sit Player Analysis Week 5

Joey Bosa | DL | Buffalo Bills

For IDP managers, it is hard to believe that Joey Bosa would be the healthier of the Bosa brothers through the first month of the season. The veteran EDGE rusher signed with the Buffalo Bills this offseason and has been effective. Bosa leads all defensive linemen in defensive snap share at 72%. He is the DL37 and averaging over 13 fantasy points per game.

Joey Bosa, playing for the Buffalo Bills, has a great matchup this week against New England, one of four teams to allow 20 tackles or more to the DL position over the past three games. The veteran pass rusher has double-digit fantasy points in 75% of his games this season. I also love his chances to get a sack this week, with the New England offense allowing the 4th most per game (3.3). Joey Bosa has a strong chance to finish as a top 12 DL in Week 5.

Laiatu Latu | DL | Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts will look to get things right after suffering their first season loss in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Las Vegas Raiders have been a favorable matchup for opposing DLs this season, allowing the 9th most tackles and the 11th most sacks per game. Second-year pass rusher Laiatu Latu is coming off his first 20-point game this season. I love his chances to keep it going in Week 5. His 83.3 Pro Football Focus pass rush grade is 15th among 165 qualifying EDGE rushers. The former 2024 first-round pick is still just scratching the surface, and IDP managers who have invested in him should be rewarded for years to come.


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Linebackers | IDP Week 5 Start/Sit Fantasy Football

Player Team Opponent Snap% Start
Jack Sanborn Cowboys Jets 79%
Pete Werner Saints Giants 81%
Linebacker | Week 5 Start/Sit Rankings

Jack Sanborn | LB | Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys revamped their linebacker group this offseason, bringing in veteran free agents Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn. While Murray is the top IDP option, Sanborn has been more effective after reuniting with former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The former Chicago Bears LB is coming off his first double-digit tackle game with the Cowboys despite not being a full-time player. I referenced his running mate, Kenneth Murray, as a potential trade candidate, and Sanborn’s play is a reason to be concerned for his long-term value in Dallas. 

Jack Sanborn (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Sanborn has been steady this season, with six tackles or more, and is currently holding onto the LB41 spot. Week 5 offers a favorable matchup for the LB position against the New York Jets, who allowed an 18-tackle performance on Monday Night Football. I love this spot for Jack Sanborn to continue his consistent numbers for fantasy managers this week. 

Pete Werner | LB | New Orleans Saints

We might be playing with fire by going to another non-full-time linebacker, Pete Werner, this week. The Saints are one of the worst teams in the NFL, but they have found fantasy production from their IDPs, specifically their LB group with veteran Demario Davis (LB16) and Pete Werner (LB19). A significantly favorable matchup awaits the group in Week 5. The New York Giants are just one of two teams that have allowed 80 tackles or more to the position over the first month of the season. Werner is coming off his only game of fewer than 10 fantasy points this season. He should return to his 17 FPG average this week as the Saints aim to end their winless streak at home. 


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Defensive Backs | IDP Week 5 Start/Sit

Player Team Opponent Snap% Start
Josh Metellus Vikings Browns 94%
Chamarri Conner Chiefs Jaguars 100%
Defensive Backs | Start/Sit Week 5 Fantasy Football

Josh Metellus | DB | Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense is nowhere near the level we saw a year ago, when they terrorized opposing offenses to start the season. The injuries to key players like Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman are significantly impacting. However, Brian Flores is looking to his veteran players to step up. Josh Metellus has done that with double-digit fantasy points in 75% of his games this season. 

The former Michigan Wolverine is among the most underrated IDPs in dynasty fantasy football. He had to change his role with veteran safety Harrison Smith missing the first two games. Since Smith’s return, he has seen an increase in box snaps over the past two weeks, resulting in his two highest-scoring games. Metellus is a must-start this week against the Cleveland Browns, who have surrendered the 5th most tackles per game (14.8) to opposing safeties.

Chamarri Conner | DB | Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs will head to Jacksonville to take on a surprisingly good Jaguars team. The Jaguars have been a solid matchup for opposing DBs, allowing nine different DBs to record at least five tackles this season. Chamarri Conner has been a full-time player for the Kansas City Chiefs with a 100% defensive snap share. He should be in line for his fourth double-digit fantasy performance in the first five games. Conner has 30 tackles and a forced fumble this season. His value should continue to increase with his consistent tackle floor. IDP managers can start him with confidence against the Jaguars’ offense.

Top IDPs to Stream in Week 5 | Start/Sit Fantasy Football Advice

Player Pos Team Opponent Stream
Bryan Bresee DT Saints Giants
Mason Graham DT Browns Vikings
Marcus Jones CB Patriots Bills
Tre’Davious White CB Bills Patriots
Bryan Bresee | DT | New Orleans Saints

The New York Giants surrendered six sacks last week, including an unheard-of 60-point performance to Chargers’ pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. The New Orleans Saints are a bad football team, but they rank 7th in the NFL in sacks per game (2.8). I’m intrigued by Bryan Bresee this week when looking for a streaming option at the defensive tackle position. He’s coming off his first double-digit game of the season. He was DT16 last week and could be a top 15 player again in Week 5.

Mason Graham | DT | Cleveland Browns

This week, we return to Cleveland Browns rookie DT Mason Graham. He has a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, whose offensive line has been impacted by injuries. The Vikings allowed six sacks in Week 4 and now face the task of stopping Myles Garrett. Graham should have opportunities to get some stops in the run game and land his first full sack in his young career.

Marcus Jones | CB | New England Patriots

If your league rewards kick and punt return yards, there’s a strong chance Marcus Jones will not be an option for you. He’s coming off a 16-point week on just a 55% defensive snap share in a blowout win against the Carolina Panthers. Jones had a punt return touchdown and wasn’t needed as much in his typical defensive role. That won’t be the case on the road against the reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen. Jones is the CB25 this season and should see plenty of work against the explosive Buffalo offense.

Tre’Davious White | CB | Buffalo Bills

I did not have a start recommendation for Tre White on my bingo card for the 2025 season. The veteran CB is trying to revive his career with the Bills, where he was very successful early in it. The former LSU Tiger is the CB29 on the season and available in 100% of leagues across all platforms.

He has registered 10 fantasy points or more in all three games this season. The matchup on paper with New England isn’t favorable, but he has been targeted 10 times over the past two games. I expect some Te White and Stefon Diggs matchups that could be a blast from the past for Bills fans on Sunday night.


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Players to Sit | Week 5 Fantasy Football

Player Pos Team Opponent
Haason Reddick DL Buccaneers Seahawks
Frankie Luvu LB Commanders Chargers
Justin Reid DB Saints Giants
Haason Reddick | DL | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Veteran EDGE rusher Haason Reddick gets a break from the revenge game tour after coming off back-to-back weeks playing his former teams. Let’s hope he’s a little less motivated this week and doesn’t have a huge week, which occasionally happens to my sit recommendations. Reddick is the DL53 this season, averaging 11 FPPG. He has a very favorable tackle matchup but an unfavorable pass-rushing matchup. I’m going with my gut here and banking on Reddick failing to collect a sack for the 4th consecutive game.

Frankie Luvu | LB | Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are one of the NFL’s most nameless defenses. Their usage from week to week can be frustrating for IDP managers. Frankie Luvu has been a tough player to roster and start this season. He was the LB32 last season and, through four games, is LB50. He was able to notch a 20-point performance last week after recording his first sack of the season. I fear that will not continue in Week 5 against the Chargers, who allow the 7th fewest tackles per game to opposing linebackers. It’s hard to sit an LB with his upside, especially with players like Quay Walker and Tremaine Edmunds on bye weeks. At a minimum, IDP managers should temper expectations for Frankie Luvu.

Justin Reid | DB | New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans secondary veteran leader, Justin Reid, has been average this season at DB18, averaging only 9.3 FPPG. IDP managers have continued to start him based on his high volume of snaps as a box safety. Managers have not been rewarded despite their role being what we usually want for IDP production. He was outscored by rookie Jonas Sanker last week, and I fear that will continue. The New York Giants are a bottom-10 matchup for opposing safeties. Reid is an easy fade for me this week.

Hidden IDP Gems | Week 5 Fantasy Football Start/Sit

  • The former Seahawks are soaring—Jordyn Brooks (44), Bobby Wagner (42), and Tyrel Dodson (42) are the top three in the NFL in tackles
  • Tuli Tuipulotu’s 68.8 Week 4 performance accounts for 70.7% of his total for the season.
  • Early-season injuries force IDP managers to pivot. Roquan Smith and Nick Bosa both average over 20 FPPG.
  • The Chargers are the only team with a 30-point week from an LB, a 40-point week from a DB, and a 60-point week from a DL.
  • Kam Curl is thriving in year two with the Rams—23.82 FPPG leads all DBs over the season’s first month.
  • After losing snaps in Week 3, Cedric Gray bounces back with a massive 32-point performance in Week 4— the 2nd most of any LB.

Check out my appearance on The IDP After Show with Jeff Pomazal


FAQ | Week 5 IDP Start Sit Fantasy Football

Q1: Who are the best IDP starts for Week 5?
A: Joey Bosa, Laiatu Latu, Jack Sanborn, Pete Werner, Josh Metellus, and Chamarri Conner headline this week’s start recommendations. They all carry strong matchups, high snap counts, and proven production.

Q2: Which IDP players should I avoid in Week 5?
A: Haason Reddick, Frankie Luvu, and Justin Reid are risky starts. Their matchups and production trends suggest lower fantasy floors this week.

Q3: Who are the best IDP streaming options in DT and CB required leagues for Week 5?
A: Bryan Bresee, Mason Graham, Marcus Jones, and Tre’Davious White make strong one-week streamers thanks to favorable matchups and availability in most leagues.

Q4: What hidden IDP gems should I know about in Week 5?
A: Cedric Gray is proving he belongs, Kam Curl is shining in the Rams defensive system and Tuli Tuipulotu 60 point week single handedly won matchups for managers in Week 4.

Q5: Should I prioritize tackles or sacks when setting my lineup?
A: It depends on the position, favor safer tackle floors for LBs. You want DL who put up consistent sack numbers to swing matchups in your favor. Continue to monitor usage of DBs and stream those players with favorable tackle matchups.

Q6: Which IDP positions are scoring the most early in 2025?
A: Defensive linemen are dominating early scoring, with safeties also thriving thanks to high tackle totals. Linebackers remain the bread and butter for IDP leagues.


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