Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 5
Erik Walden, Outside Linebacker
Remember how I said I don’t like recommending outside linebackers if I can help it? Indianapolis Colts pass-rusher Erik Walden is the second of three that I believe are lined up for IDP fantasy success this week. Walden has accrued a sack rate just above Brian Orakpo’s, ranking seventh among linebackers thus far, and his quarterback hit rate is also a notch above (11th among linebackers) his similarly wizened pass-rushing peer.
So why is Walden coming in a bit behind Orakpo this week? It’s all about the matchup. The Chicago Bears present a slightly less salivation-worthy test for the Colts’ attacking front, but a quality one nonetheless. The Bears have given up the eighth-highest sack percentage to opponents this season, and present a slightly higher floor for these Colts’ edge rushers; they also rank fourth-highest in stuff percentage allowed. Walden is more stable than you think this week.
Walden is available in 100.0% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 4.79 tackles, 0.77 sacks, 0.20 passes defended, and a total score of 7.34 fantasy points in Week 5.
