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.

Dynasty Sleeper:  DE Payton Turner, New Orleans

The Saints had high hopes for Turner as a rookie, but he didn't get much playing time.  However, now that Marcus Davenport has moved north, Turner is seeing about 20-30% of the defensive snaps.  That's probably not enough action to merit starting him on a weekly basis, but if you're looking to bolster your taxi squad and he's available, he's worth adding for cheap or just keep your eye on him.  Chase Young and Carl Granderson (with help from the veteran Cameron Jordan) have been getting most of the snaps, but Turner is young and has a great size/speed combo and will eventually take over as a starter.  

Dynasty Sleeper: DT LaBryan Ray, Carolina

With Derrick Brown shelved for the year, the Panthers have been giving the young ex-Crimson Tide defensive tackle some run.  He has three solos in each of the past two weeks and even added a sack against the Raiders.  If you're in a deeper league that separates the two lineman positions, Ray is worth a look, especially against run-heavy offenses.  

Dynasty Sleeper: S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas

Yes, his last name sounds like a safety of old who used to fly around the field.  This young Raider also went to USC and now has a big opportunity with Marcus Epps (who we highlighted last week) on IR.  Pola-Mao stuffed the box score against the Browns with six total tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup.  He should see 100% of the snaps alongside Tre'von Moehrig, who is really just a center fielder who usually doesn't tackle much.  Definitely the best defensive back add of the week.  

Dynasty Sleeper: S Ronnie Hickman, Cleveland

The undrafted second-year pro out of Ohio State has 11 solo stops over the past two contests, siphoning snaps from the "blah" Rodney McLeod Jr.  Juan Thornhill is on IR so Hickman has a chance to rack up some tackles.  He may not stuff the box score, but he should be good for five-ish solos a game.  

Dynasty Sleeper: Dee Alford, Atlanta

We all know about the "Rookie Corner Rule", but perhaps overlooked sometimes is the "Play Opposite a Shutdown Corner Rule".  Alford, the nickel for the Falcons, has A.J. Terrell Jr. on one side and the underrated Mike Hughes on the other.  Alford's snaps have been somewhat inconsistent, yet he's coming through with big numbers.  On just half the defensive snaps this past weekend against the Saints, he logged eight solos, a sack, and a pass breakup.  Against pass-happy teams, he is a great start for those in leagues that separate the corner and safety positions.