IDP Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups and Matchup Plays

Oct 03, 2018

We lose some top IDPs this week with Tampa and Chicago on bye—no Kwon Alexander, Lavonte David, Khalil Mack or Roquan Smith. You may not hit the wire to fill in the gaps, but lucky for you, I've got some suggestions of defenders who are hopefully available on your wire this week. Following the below IDP waiver wire recommendations, I will then highlight some matchups I'm targeting.

Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire

Defensive Line

Takk McKinley, DE, Atlanta Falcons (49 snaps/67%)

McKinley is putting together a solid sophomore campaign. It seems like every week he's causing havoc in the offensive backfield and getting to the QB. Over 92 pass rush snaps, he's generating an 11 percent pressure rate and has already converted five of his pressures into sacks. He's averaging 0.20 points per snap and is coming off a huge three-sack performance against the Bengals.

Jarran Reed, DT, Seattle Seahawks (49 snaps/82%)

Through four games, Reed has produced 12 or more fantasy points in three games and has notched 15 solo tackles and three sacks. He's been a beast up the middle and has already appeared in over 200 defensive snaps, producing 0.19 points per snap (which is a solid rate for an interior lineman). He's shaping up to be a solid DT1 in DT-premium leagues and a DL2 in mixed leagues.

Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills (50 snaps/66%)

Hughes has been one of the lone bright spots for a Bills defense that's seeing the field a lot. Hughes has already generated 21 total QB pressures, resulting in an 18 percent QB pressure rate. He's produced two sacks in Buffalo's first four games and is generating a 0.20 points per snap rate. I don't see his usage dipping any time soon, as he's been on the field for 65 percent of the defensive snaps.