IDP Dynasty Sleepers: Week 5

Let's take a quick look at a few linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs who are either good grab-and-stash types or those you should target in trades. I hope you enjoy the article and that it opens your eyes to some of the gems on your leagues' waiver wires!

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Trevin Wallace, Carolina

Shaq Thompson is hurt (again), so the rookie from Kentucky will likely stepp into a starting role alongside Josey Jewell.  There are tackles (and big play opportunities) to go around for this defense, so look for Wallace to step it up.  There's a good chance he got drafted this past summer in your leagues' rookie drafts, but you might be able to get him at a decent price if you can convince the current owner that Thompson will be back next year.  Most owners wouldn't take the extra step to see that Thompson (who turned 30 this year) is a free agent in '25.  

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Justin Strnad, Denver

With Alex Singleton sidelined with an ACL injury, Strnad slides in next to Cody Barton.  Look, Barton's probably the linebacker to go and get with Singleton out, but savvy owners will realize that Barton's due for a huge workload.  Instead, you can look to Strnad, who came through with 3 solos and a sack this past week against the Jets.  He saw 77% of the defensive snaps, and while his tackle volume may be low, there will be some opportunities alongside Barton.  

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the crafty vet in this week's list.  Yes, he's 33 years old, and for dynasty purposes, I'm only recommending him if you're weak at the linebacker spot in a league that rewards handily for big plays (especially sacks).  Van Noy, who is dealing with a broken orbital bone (ouch), has two sacks in each of the past three weeks' worth of contests.  That's definitely not sustainable. But Van Noy's no stranger to sacking the opposing quarterback, and the Ravens have been using him about as much as Trenton Simpson, who was supposed to be the one to replace Patrick Queen.  Van Noy isn't the tackler that Queen (or even Simpson) is, but he makes up for it with effort plays and, as we've seen thus far, sacks.  Worth a gamble if you need a bye-week filler.

Dynasty Sleeper: DE Dorance Armstrong, Washington

Armstrong was a hot name coming into this season, with the Commanders losing both ends from last season.  Well, Armstrong got off to an extremely slow start (he had zero solos and only a half-sack), so he may have been dropped from some rosters.  He bounced back in a big way this past weekend against the Cardinals, logging three solos, a forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks.  Look for him to continue his hot streak against the Browns, who have holes on their offensive line, this coming week.  Defensive line is yet again a fairly shallow pool, so if you can grab Armstrong, he may start coming through on a regular basis.  He's just 27, and while he's not seeing 100% of the snaps, he is getting more than half of them. If he puts up numbers like this past week, he will get more usage.