IDP Waiver Wire: Week 6 Targets

Oct 08, 2019

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Another week and a further slew of injuries creating opportunities for backups and situational role players. Whether rookies or journeymen, the ‘next man up’ mentality is a core ethos in the NFL and something us fantasy gamers need to be clued into as it often can produce productive points scorers for us at the pointy end of the season. Remember, 12 points from an undrafted backup counts exactly the same as 12 points from Aaron Donald or Luke Kuechly.

With that in mind, this week’s waiver wire certainly has a more ‘JAG’ (just another guy) feel, but thankfully IDP leagues score points for tackles, not column inches so not being a household name or a top-selling jersey isn’t going to hamper their scoring potential when on the field. That all being said, here are some names to monitor this week...

Linebackers

Josh Bynes - Baltimore Ravens

Just four days after signing, Bynes played 43 snaps as the Ravens middle linebacker on Sunday in a promising performance that saw the 30-year old veteran record five tackles and an interception. Somewhat of a journeyman during his career which included a previous three-season stint in Baltimore, Bynes was posting a career-year for Arizona last season before succumbing to a thumb injury that landed him on injured reserve in Week 11.

Bynes should assume three-down duties moving forward and appeals as a consistent scoring top-end LB3.

A.J. Johnson - Denver Broncos

A first-quarter hamstring injury for ILB Josey Jewell gave Johnson an opportunity on Sunday and he seized it in the first significant playing time of his career, charting nine total tackles and an interception against the Chargers. Hamstring injuries are notorious for sidelining players for multiple weeks and the signs point to Johnson being the main beneficiary of an extended period for Jewell on the sidelines.

Johnson’s value will likely only be short-term and the lack of previous starting experience makes it somewhat difficult to project his scoring potential with confidence, but he will also be a slightly more under the radar pickup so those of you in leagues using a FAAB may find him an affordable stop-gap.