Our IDP streaming matchups for Week 5 were a hit. Emmanuel Ogbah, Nik Bonitto, and David Onyemata had sacks, and Daron Payne totaled four tackles. We only missed Dayo Odeyingbo and our sleeper, Jamin Davis. We have hit the bye weeks, and these IDP streaming options are essential to staying ahead in your league. Here are the top Week 6 IDP streaming matchups for interior defensive linemen (IDL) and edge rushers (EDGE).
IDP Streaming Option: IDL Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
Matchup: Cleveland Browns - Ranked 23rd in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Carter is off to a slow start, but only in the stat books. Carter has at least three pressures in all four games, ranking him seventh for the IDL position in the NFL. Carter has shown plenty of promise as a pass rusher since his rookie season. Watch how quickly he got to Matthew Stafford in a contest last year:
Jalen Carter recorded 2 sacks when the Eagles gave him a chance with a season high of defensive snaps played.
— ????? (@RunHurts) November 4, 2023
You can’t tell me Devon Witherspoon has more impact as a rookie.
pic.twitter.com/DLC3TGc9Td
The Eagles play the Browns in Week 6. This matchup could not get any better for Carter. The Browns have allowed the most sacks and pressures in the NFL this season, and Deshaun Watson's feet seem stuck in cement in the pocket. Carter has a great chance of finally getting into the sack column, which makes him a great IDP streaming option.
IDP Streaming Option: IDL Maliek Collins, San Francisco 49ers
Matchup: Seattle Seahawks - Ranked 28th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
The 49ers have been searching for interior pass rushing since they traded DeForest Buckner. Javon Kinlaw was supposed to be that guy, but he did not fit the bill. Collins is in his 29 season, and it looks like the 49ers have finally found their guy. He has 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the season so far.
Collins and the 49ers play the Seahawks in Week 6. The Seahawks have allowed 18 sacks during the season, which is the third-worst in the NFL. With Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd closing down off the edge, Geno Smith will be forced to step up in the pocket into Collins's arms. He is a strong IDP streaming option for Week 6.
IDP Steaming Option: EDGE Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia Eagles
Matchup: Cleveland Browns - Ranked 23rd in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Smith has yet to record a single sack on the season but has been active. He has five tackles in each of his past two games. That is a strong tackle floor for an edge defender. His snap share has increased to about 40% on the season. Smith has exceptional athleticism for an edge defender and will close down on Watson quickly, especially if Watson decides to try and scramble.
As mentioned earlier, the Browns offensive lien, and offense in general, is in complete disarray. Smith's slow start in the sack field may change in Week 6, making him an intriguing IDP streaming option.
IDP Streaming Option: EDGE Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders - Ranked 21st in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Herbig has made the Alex Highsmith injury seem like the distant past. As good as Highsmith is, the Steelers defense has not missed a beat with Herbig in the starting lineup. He has seven tackles and two-and-a-half sacks over the past three games. During this play against Dallas last week, it was tough to tell which player was T.J. Watt and which was Herbig:
Nick Herbig was a PROBLEM for the Cowboys.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) October 8, 2024
Dominant performance Sunday. The game changed entirely when he got injured. pic.twitter.com/pYlltSYj55
The Steelers challenge the Raiders, who are still unsure who their starting quarterback will be for Week 6. They are down their top receiver, Davante Adams, which will likely lead to the ball being held too much. The Raiders have already allowed 17 sacks on the season, which is terrible enough for fourth worst. Herbig is a terrific IDP streaming option for Week 6.
IDP Sleeper Option: IDL Mario Edwards Jr., Houston Texans
Matchup: New England Patriots - Ranked 32nd in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
We are well past the days when Edwards Jr. was considered a high-level defensive line prospect. He still has had a serviceable career and is currently in his 10th season on his seventh team. This is his first year in Houston, and he was off to a hot start with two sacks in his first two games. Edwards Jr. has since cooled off, but his snap share has not changed.
Edwards Jr. has averaged two pressures per game and has a great matchup against one of the worst offenses in the NFL. The Patriots are shifting to Drake Maye for Week 6, but that does not change the offensive line's poor play. They have allowed 19 sacks on the season, which is the second-worst. Edwards Jr. is a sneaky IDP streaming option.
IDP Sleeper Option: EDGE James Smith-Williams, Atlanta Falcons
Matchup: Carolina Panthers - Ranked 15th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Smith-Williams is not a name many know in the IDP world. He has never eclipsed 30 tackles or three sacks in a season. So, what makes him so intriguing? In his first year with the Falcons, Smith-Williams has become a contributor in an edge rotation, primarily in the run game. He has ten tackles over the past two games, giving him a solid tackle floor even if he does not come away with a sack.
The Falcons' defense has played well, and the Panthers do not pose much of a challenge. Even if Smith-Williams hits his tackle floor, it makes him a productive IDP streaming option.
Final Thoughts
If anything, IDP streaming has been fun and active this season. The early bye weeks make for interesting lineups and players you thought would never crack your lineups. Injuries have also piled on and are keeping us all on our toes. I appreciate you reading my articles. Good luck in Week 6.
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