IDP Start-Sit, Studs and Duds: Week 5

What. A. Month.

The Godfather is always reluctant to throw around phrases like, "the wildest/week/month/year/whatever." Recency bias is very much a thing. Today's insanity is fresher in our minds than yesterday's, so we remember it more vividly.

But man, oh man—what a month.

As the calendar turns to October, the leaderboards in IDP leagues are a who's who of "who?" Three of the top-five defensive linemen weren't drafted in the majority of leagues. Of the top five defensive backs, one was legitimately on the IDP radar over the summer. And all the linebackers are dead.

OK, they aren't dead. But the number of significant injuries suffered by high-end fantasy linebackers has been jaw-dropping. There isn't a week that goes by that another big name doesn't wind up on the list.

Not that it's just been linebackers. Right now, two of the top-five preseason defensive linemen are hurt. So are at least three top-10 linebackers. And the first two defensive backs drafted in most IDP leagues. And again, it's Week 5.

The ground is shifting under IDP managers' proverbial feet so quickly that some are at risk of careening over the edge before Halloween. They looking for a foothold. One of those Batman rope-shooting thingies. A bungee cord. Something. Anything.

Well, IDP Studs and Duds here at Footballguys checks in somewhere between "something" and "anything." But we'll do our best to help you hang on in Week 5.

Each week during the 2024 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs), as well as some that, for whatever reason, are riskier plays than normal (Duds).

This isn't necessarily to say that every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual).

Numbers in parentheses denote ranking in fantasy points allowed to that position in 2024 in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. 

Stud of the Week: LB Quincy Williams, NY Jets (at MIN) (6)

The Jets are one of the teams that have suffered an injury at linebacker—C.J. Mosley has missed the past two games with a toe injury. The Jets haven't missed a beat defensively though—largely because of the play of Quincy Williams. Older brother Quinnen, who is admittedly a bit biased, also knows a thing or two about playing football—and he told reporters that Quincy plays his position about as well as anyone in the NFL.

"He's unbelievable, man," Williams told reporters. "I feel like he's one of the top two, three linebackers in the league, and potentially can be the best linebacker in the league. He's been playing lights out this whole year from sideline to sideline, even last year, sideline to sideline. Continuing to trend in the right direction, so I'm super proud, super excited for his play, his performance."

Williams actually out-pointed Mosley last year in many scoring systems, logging 139 tackles and 95 solos. His 2024 start has been a bit sluggish, but that makes this week's favorable IDP matchup in London all the more appealing. Williams loves the national stage—and water finds its level. Nothing beats Ye Olde London Smashe.

Dud of the Week: EDGE Danielle Hunter, Houston (vs. Buffalo)

When Hunter signed with the Texans in the offseason, it was a "missing piece" deal—a contract given out by a contender looking for a player to put them over the top. The veteran edge-rusher joined a unit that has no shortage of talent (including 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.), and he told reporters recently that's how the Texans approach rushing the passer—as a unit.

"As a defensive line, we take pride in rushing as a unit," Hunter said. "One play, Will could get the sack, the next play an interior [defensive] lineman could get the sack, it's all about rushing as a unit, rushing very unselfish."

Hunter has game-wrecking talent, including at least three seasons with at least 14.5 sacks. He's capable of a big game against anyone. But he's been quiet so far this season—10 total tackles and 1.5 sacks over the season's first month. And this week, the Texans host a quarterback in Josh Allen of the Bills, who has been sacked all of five times in four games.