Welcome Back, IDP Nerds! It’s time for the Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups. The season is flying by, and after five games, we are starting to feel the pain of in-season injuries and bye weeks. At this point in the year, we have a good idea of the potential of our dynasty teams. As IDP managers decide who to buy, hold, or sell, it’s essential to ensure you know the layout of the IDP landscape. The Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire has all the IDP strategy insight and waiver wire nuggets you need to stay ahead of your leaguemates.
Looking for more reinforcements? See last week’s Waiver Wire or check our IDP Hub.
Players to Add | Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Best Defensive Line Waiver Pickups | Week 5 IDP
| Player | Team | FAAB % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Houston | Dallas Cowboys | 1–5% | DL13 over last two weeks (38 FP); 3.5 sacks + FF in four games. |
| Za’Darius Smith | Philadelphia Eagles | 6–8% | Veteran EDGE; 14.3% pressure rate led team in Week 5. |
James Houston | Dallas Cowboys | 1-5% FAAB
The Dallas Cowboys are still searching for answers at EDGE rusher after trading away star pass rusher Micah Parsons this offseason. Despite the snap shares and usage still leaning towards a committee approach, James Houston is a player who has stepped up. The veteran pass rusher has 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his last four games.
The Dallas Cowboys average only two sacks per game this season, a whole sack less than they did with Parsons in 2024. James Houston is coming off back-to-back huge weeks, with 38 fantasy points over his previous two games, making him the DL13 over that span. His 32% snap share is concerning, as he ranks 5th amongst Dallas pass rushers. The hope is that with his recent spike in production, he will earn more snaps and be a play for deeper leagues in Week 6.
Za’Darius Smith | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-8% FAAB
The Philadelphia Eagles have felt the pain of losing many of their productive pass rushers from years past who left in free agency. The Eagles’ defense is just one of nine NFL teams averaging less than two sacks per game this season. Hopeful breakout Nolan Smith was recently placed on injured reserve, forcing the team to sign veteran EDGE rusher Za’Darius Smith.
The veteran pass rusher is playing for his third team in two years. This season, he’s collected 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Smith played 45.9% of the defensive snaps last week and posted a 14.3% pressure rate, the highest on the team. As the Eagles’ defense searches for ways to pressure opposing quarterbacks, IDP managers can find value in a veteran who has racked up 70.5 sacks over his 11-year NFL career.
Linebacker Adds (LB) | Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire
| Player | Team | FAAB % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaq Thompson | Buffalo Bills | 6–10% | Injuries to Milano & Williams open starting role; strong bye-week fill-in. |
| Jahlani Tavai | New England Patriots | 1–5% | 225 tackles in last two seasons; efficient on limited snaps. |
Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire Linebacker Pickups (Condensed)
Shaq Thompson | Buffalo Bills | 6-10% FAAB
The odd history of swapping coaches and players between the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills continues. Veteran LB Shaq Thompson signed with Buffalo this offseason as a depth player, and as luck would have it, he finds himself likely starting before the halfway point of the season. Thompson is a depth addition with injuries to Matt Milano and Dorian Williams ahead of him. IDP managers can find some value in a primetime matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, even as a bye week fill-in, as he is worth the FAAB you would spend on him.
Jahlani Tavai | New England Patriots | 1-5% FAAB
Fantasy managers in offense-only and IDP leagues can always agree that rostering players for the New England Patriots has been frustrating over the past two decades. Mike Vrabel’s taking over as the team’s Head Coach this season does little to change that. The Patriots play matchup football on defense, and it becomes tough to count on consistent production from that group.
Jahlani Tavai returned to the lineup this week, playing just 22% of the defensive snaps. He posted a 20% tackle efficiency, the best of any of the team’s linebackers. He is a player who has registered 225 tackles for this defense over the past 2 years and will likely push for more snaps as he gets back into game shape.
Resources for You
Defensive Back Adds (DB) | Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire
| Player | Team | FAAB % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | Arizona Cardinals | 1–5% | DB42 overall; three straight 16+ FP games; strong tackle volume. |
| Lathan Ransom | Carolina Panthers | 1–3% | 65% snap share; rising box usage; potential long-term starter. |
IDP Waiver Wire Defensive Back Pickups Week 6 (Condensed)
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | Arizona Cardinals | 1-5% FAAB
It’s not often I do this, but we will be doubling down this week, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson will again be featured as a must-add this week at the DB position, as he was in Week 4. The Cardinals’ safety has been on fire with 3 games in a row with at least 16 fantasy points. He’s still available in over 85% of leagues for a third consecutive week. Now is the time to add him if you need DB streaming options with players like Josh Metellus and Jalen Pitre on the bye. Taylor-Demerson has a favorable matchup this week with the Indianapolis Colts, who just surrendered 15 tackles to the starting safeties of the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.
Lathan Ransom | Carolina Panthers | 1-3% FAAB
The former Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back is another player highlighted ahead of Week 4 as a player to watch. Lathan Ransom played 65% of the snaps last week and continues to earn more playing time. IDP managers know Nick Scott is a placeholder at the deep safety position. Ransom has been used in a deep safety role and as a box safety through the first five games of his career. It shouldn’t be long before he becomes the starter and a player managers can confidently start in their lineups in deeper leagues.
Drop Candidates to Make Room for Week 6 Waiver Wire Sleepers
| Player | Reason to Drop |
|---|---|
| Anfernee Jennings | Role cut to 32% snaps after Landry’s arrival; no weekly floor. |
| Justin Strnad | Low tackle volume; Greenlaw return will erase relevance. |
| Justin Reid | Concussion + Jonas Sanker breakout limit long-term role. |
Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire | Drop Candidates Analysis (Condensed)
Anfernee Jennings – Posted career highs in tackles (78) and sacks (2.5) last season. Harold Landry’s signing has turned him into a 32% defensive snap share player.
Justin Strnad – LB with low volume tackling output who relies on impact plays. The potential return of Dre Greenlaw in Week 7 makes him a roster clogger.
Justin Reid – Fantasy production has been inconsistent. Suffered a concussion in Week 5 and could lose box snaps long term to breakout rookie Jonas Sanker.
Top Trade Targets | Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire
| Player | Notes |
|---|---|
| Will McDonald | 10-sack 2024; low tackle floor—ideal sell-high for rebuilding managers. |
| Christian Ellis | LB53 averaging 11 FPPG; rotation risk, flip for value. |
| Antoine Winfield | Top-12 DB, but Tykee Smith emergence hurting tackle floor. |
Top Week 6 IDP Trade Targets | DL, LB, DB Must-Adds
Will McDonald – Double-digit sack production in 2024. Low-volume tackler on a bad defense. Potential trade-away candidate for rebuilding managers looking to gain some draft capital.
Christian Ellis – LB53, averaging 11FPPG. A sell candidate with rotation at the LB2 spot for New England.
Antoine Winfield – Projected top 12 DB. Breakout DB Tykee Smith impacts his tackle floor. Managers should seek to fill team needs or get back mid-round draft capital.
IDP Scouting Notes | Week 6 Players to Watch for Dynasty
| Player | Notes |
|---|---|
| Myles Murphy | 8 tackles + 1.5 sacks in last three; 80% PFF pass-rush grade. |
| Shemar James | 15 tackles in Week 5; short-term boost if Sanborn remains out. |
| Jalyn Armour-Davis | 9 tackles filling Brownlee’s role; strong CB-required stash. |
Week 6 Players to Watch | Dynasty IDP Scouting Notes (Condensed)
Myles Murphy – Registered 8 tackles and 1.5 sacks over the last 3 games. 80% PFF pass rush grade in Week 5.
Shemar James – Collected 15 tackles in Week 5 with Jack Sanborn injured. Could see a short-term production spike if Sanborn is to miss extended time.
Jalyn Armour-Davis – Finished second on the team in tackles (9). He will fill Jarvis Brownlee’s role and should be a high-volume tackling CB.
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FAQ | Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Q: Who is the top IDP add this week?
A: James Houston (DL, Cowboys) — 3.5 sacks + FF in last four; DL3 value in deeper leagues.
Q: Which linebacker should I prioritize?
A: Shaq Thompson for immediate usage; Jahlani Tavai for deeper-league stashes.
Q: Are there defensive backs worth adding?
A: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is a weekly streamer; Lathan Ransom is a stash before breakout.
Q: Who are the best drop candidates this week?
A: Anfernee Jennings, Justin Strnad, and Justin Reid are safe cuts based on reduced roles.
Q: Should I sell high on anyone?
A: Will McDonald, Christian Ellis, and Antoine Winfield are prime sell-high candidates.
Q: What deep dynasty stashes should I monitor?
A: Myles Murphy, Shemar James, and Jalyn Armour-Davis are trending up with future upside.
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