Welcome to Week 5 IDP Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em. Here. This column is written by Aaron St. Denis, FSAN’s IDP Expert and perennial Top 5 ranker in the Fantasy Pros Accuracy Competition. Aaron was ranked 2nd overall in 2023 and 3rd overall in 2024. Rostership numbers will be from Sleeper Fantasy IDP leagues.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the DL1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column. The number in brackets after the player’s name is the rating of how well that defense does against that particular position. A positive number means that they allow more points than average, while a negative number means they allow fewer points than average.
Week 5 Start ‘Em- Defensive Linemen
Start of the Week
Tuli Tuipulotu (DE, Los Angeles Chargers)
Tuli Tuipulotu dominated Week 4 with 4 sacks and 9 tackles, building on three QB hits through prior weeks in an expanded every-down role with the Chargers’ aggressive front. His edge burst has collapsed pockets consistently, turning pressures into multi-stat lines. Hosting Washington in Week 5, whose revamped line has leaked the most sacks league-wide amid injuries, sets up Tuipulotu for exploitation. Fully healthy and minimal rotation, he’s a premier DL1 with sack and tackle upside to anchor your lineup.
Start ‘Em
Josh Sweat (DE, Arizona Cardinals)
Josh Sweat has surged with the Cardinals, posting 3 sacks and 8 tackles in four games, extending his streak of QB hits through four weeks in Arizona’s aggressive scheme. His refined hand usage exploits edges, blending run stops with pass-rush wins. Facing Tennessee’s line, which has struggled with counters and ranks bottom-third in pressures allowed, Sweat is positioned for disruption. Cleared from a minor Week 2 ding, his 80% snap share ensures high volume. Start him as a strong DL2 with top-10 potential in this favorable matchup.
Week 5 Sit ‘Em- Defensive Linemen
Sit of the Week
DeForest Buckner (DT, Indianapolis Colts)
DeForest Buckner’s interior presence has waned through four weeks, with sparse tackles and no sacks amid a rotation limiting him to 40% snaps in a rebuilding front. His run stuffing remains elite, but pass-rush opportunities evaporate against quick schemes. Hosting Las Vegas, whose mobile QB(ish) and stout interiors rank top-five in pressures denied, caps his output. A knee tweak from Week 3 lingers, potentially reducing bursts. Bench the veteran; his floor lacks fantasy punch here.
Sit ‘Em
Laiatu Latu (DE, Indianapolis Colts)
Rookie Laiatu Latu debuted strongly as a rookie but has managed just 8 tackles through four weeks, buried in a committee with veterans claiming pass-rush duties at 50% snaps. His speed flashes, but NFL adjustments have stalled production. The Colts face Las Vegas’ revamped tackles, who stonewall edges and limit DL points. His depth position hampers his upside, and this matchup offers little. Sit the hype train—seek volume producers instead.
Week 5 Start ‘Em- Defensive Backs
Start of the Week
Brian Branch (S, Detroit Lions)
Brian Branch has bounced back with increased snaps in the Lions’ hybrid defense, posting five tackles in Week 4 after a decent start, blending slot coverage with big hits. His ball skills have emerged against shifty receivers, and he’s thrived in sub-packages with 85% usage. Facing Cincinnati’s injury-plagued aerial attack, which ranks bottom five in efficiency and has leaked points to hybrid safeties, Branch can exploit quick passes for tackles and disruptions. This matchup makes him a strong DB2 start with top-15 potential in this exploitable spot.
Start ‘Em
Cooper DeJean (CB, Philadelphia Eagles)
Rookie Cooper DeJean has locked down the slot with 85% snaps through four weeks, averaging six tackles per game plus three passes defended, showcasing his instincts against underneath routes. His tackling tenacity has padded stats in run fits, turning middling games into consistent floors. The Eagles host Denver, whose backfield and short-area passes have allowed the most tackles to opposing corners amid line inconsistencies. Healthy and rotating minimally, DeJean offers streaming value as a DB2 with tackle volume and coverage bonuses in this plus matchup.
Week 5 Sit ‘Em- Defensive Backs
Sit of the Week
Antonie Winfield (S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Antoine Winfield Jr.’s production has hovered around average through four weeks, with tackle totals dropping to 4 or fewer in recent outings, hampered by a scheme emphasizing front-seven stops. He’s generated minimal turnovers against balanced attacks, struggling with mobile threats. The Week 5 road trip to Seattle presents a tough slate, as the Seahawks rank top 10 in points denied to safeties via efficient protection and run balance. A lingering hamstring tweak from Week 3 limits his burst, adding snap risk. Bench him for higher-volume alternatives until he regains form.
Sit ‘Em
Tyrice Knight (S, Seattle Seahawks)
Tyrice Knight flashed early but has faded with only 5 tackles in Weeks 3 and 4, playing rotational snaps in a pass-funnel defense that funnels opportunities elsewhere. His run support has been solid, but coverage duties have limited big plays. The Seahawks host the Buccaneers, whose efficient short game ranks top eight in limiting safety points via protection. His snap share could dip with veterans soaking up playing time, and this matchup caps his ceiling. Avoid starting; opt for rookies or high-volume vets instead.
Week 5 Start ‘Em- Linebackers
Start of the Week
Cedric Gray (LB, Tennessee Titans)
Cedric Gray erupted for 17 tackles and a TFL in Week 4, averaging nine combined stops through four games in his full-time starter role with 94% snaps. His pursuit speed excels against diverse fronts, adding run fits and coverage drops. Traveling to Arizona, the Cardinals’ backfield has leaked the fourth-most LB tackles amid line woes. Gray’s volume positions him as an LB1 with top-eight upside in this tackle paradise.
Start ‘Em
Devin Lloyd (LB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Devin Lloyd dazzled in Week 4 with six solos, two picks, and passes defended, rebounding to 80% snaps and three season interceptions through four weeks. His zone savvy shines in underneath coverage, blending tackles with ball production. Hosting Kansas City, whose run-lean attack funnels opps to LBs via quick dumps, favors Lloyd. He’s a matchup LB2 with flex potential for peripherals.
Week 5 Sit ‘Em- Linebackers
Sit of the Week
E.J. Speed (LB, Houston Texans)
E.J. Speed’s snaps cratered early, rebounding to a middling 4-tackle game but with coverage busts capping output through four weeks. Youth rotation in pass situations dilutes his role. Traveling to Baltimore, the Ravens’ protection excels, stifling LB pursuits. A hamstring reaggravation threatens availability, adding uncertainty. Bench outright; diminished usage warrants waiver consideration.
Sit ‘Em
Bobby Wagner (LB, Washington Commanders)
Bobby Wagner’s veteran savvy yields steady run stops. Washington’s coverage scheme limits his big-play potential. Facing the Chargers’ quick-strike attack, which ranks tough for LBs via mobility, Wagner’s ceiling shrinks. No injuries, but age and scheme fit hurt; he’s a low-end LB3—avoid in this containment matchup.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.