Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups (2024 Fantasy Football)

Week 5 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked IDP players who showed out in Week 5. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 5, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.

Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire

Linebacker

Trevin Wallace (LB – CAR): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Trevin Wallace exploded in Week 5, recording 10 solos and five assists. He has been forced into a significant role following the injuries to Shaq Thompson (Achilles) and Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin), and the early returns have been exciting for IDP managers. Tap him as an LB2 option for Week 6 against Atlanta, regardless of whether or not Jewell suits up. Wallace should be rostered in all competitive leagues.

Justin Strnad (LB – DEN): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Strnad was excellent in Week 5, racking up seven solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. Strnad has been an impact player since taking over for the injured Alex Singleton and likely solidified himself as the starter for the rest of the season with his strong back-to-back performances. Strnad should be rostered in all competitive leagues going forward. Treat him as an LB3 with LB2 upside for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jerome Baker (LB – SEA): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Baker returned with a bang in Week 5, notching eight solos, six assists, one sack, and one forced fumble. It was his first game after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury, and helps accentuate some of the upside he has in this system. This was his first strong solo performance of the season, but there should be more to come. Count him as an LB3 option during the byes, including this week, for a plus matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Devin Bush (LB – CLE): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Bush showed up in Week 5, racking up eight solos, two assists, and one pass defended on 93 percent of the snaps. He is an option as long as Jordan Hicks (knee, ribs, triceps) is sidelined and can be plugged in as a LB3/4 if Hicks misses Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Hicks did not practice at all last week, so there is a good chance he misses at least one more contest. Bush is worth the add in deeper leagues, but FAAB bids should be prepared accordingly.

Jamien Sherwood (LB – NYJ): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Sherwood continues to produce with CJ Mosley sidelined and needs to be rostered in all competitive leagues until the veteran returns. Jamien reeled off seven solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss in Week 5. Mosley may be nearing a return based on his practice participation last week, so plan your FAAB bids accordingly. Still, Sherwood is an excellent depth piece for those with the roster space, regardless of whether or not Mosley returns this week. Add Sherwood where needed.

Defensive Line

Derick Hall (DE – SEA): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Derick Hall was at it again in Week 5, recording four solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. He picked up a foot injury against the Giants but is locked in as a DL2 option if he is active for Week 6. Hall has a sack in four of his five contests this season and is going to play a major role for the Seahawks regardless of who else is healthy. Tap Hall as a top-25 option for Week 6, thanks to a plus matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Brian Burns (DE/LB – NYG): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Burns showed up in Week 5, registering one solo, one assist, one sack, one tackle for loss, and two passes defended. He has a sack in two of his last three games, suggesting that he is finally starting to gear up for the Giants. Burns should be rostered universally during the byes, regardless of your league provider’s positional settings. Add and start Burns as a DL2 option for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jonathan Cooper (DE/LB – DEN): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Cooper was solid in Week 5, tallying one solo, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Cooper is up to four sacks on the season and has registered a quarterback takedown in three of his five contests. He is worth a DL2 look when he has plus matchups as long as he is cooking. Treat him as such for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Add and start Cooper where needed.

Za’Darius Smith (DE – CLE): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Za’Darius was excellent in Week 5, tallying two solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. He now has a sack in three of his five contests on the year and has forced his way into the DL2 conversation. Treat him as a top-25 option for Week 6, despite the neutral at-best matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Add and start Smith everywhere.

Logan Hall (DE – TB): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Hall went off on Thursday night, racking up two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Hall is now up to three sacks on the season. Hall has started three straight contests, playing 67 percent or more of the snaps in each, making him worth an add in deeper formats. He is still more DL4 than DL3 but has flex appeal for Week 6 and beyond. Add and start him where needed.

Defensive Back

Tyler Nubin (S – NYG): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Nubin was excellent in Week 5, racking up seven solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. Nubin has now recorded five or more solos in three of his five contests and is pushing his way into the DB2 conversation. Treat him as a top-25 option for Week 6, thanks to a plus matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Nubin should be rostered in all competitive leagues.

Marte Mapu (S/LB – NE): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Mapu was solid in Week 5, tallying two solos, five assists, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Mapu played every snap with Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers sidelined and has a strong chance to be thrust into a significant role going forward due to Peppers’ recent legal issues. Mapu is a DB3 if Peppers is suspended or released or if Dugger or Peppers misses more time. Make the speculative add where needed.

Tykee Smith (S/CB – TB): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Tykee shined on Thursday night, racking up nine solos, two assists, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Tykee has flourished against high volume passing offenses and could be in line for another strong performance this week against the New Orleans Saints. Tykee is an elite CB1 option during plus matchups and doubles as a DB3. Tykee should be rostered in all CB leagues as a CB2 with CB1 upside. Add Tykee where needed.

Damar Hamlin (S – BUF): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Hamlin was excellent in Week 5, tallying seven solos and two assists against the Houston Texans. He has been inconsistent this season but has two games with seven or more solos and one with an interception, keeping him in the DB2 mix. With that said, he should be viewed as a DB3 with DB2 upside until he starts to show more consistency. Hamlin should be rostered in all competitive leagues, at least during the byes. Add and start Hamlin as a DB3 for Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.

Marcus Maye (S – MIA): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Maye was excellent in Week 5, racking up five solos, four assists, and one pass defended. He drew the start with Jordan Poyer sidelined and is likely to draw at least a couple more, with Jevon Holland expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks after suffering a broken bone in his hand against the New England Patriots. Maye makes for an intriguing DB3 play for as long as he is drawing starts for the Dolphins. Maye should be added in all competitive leagues.

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