Fantasy Football IDP Rankings for Week 5 feat. Fred Warner, Eric Kendricks, Bobby Wagner

Week 5 of the 2024 fantasy football season will require managers to make crucial lineup decisions that will impact the outcome of their matchups. Defensive starters sometimes get overlooked, but their scores count just as much as the offensive players, so they shouldn't be.

That becomes even more important for IDP leagues, so here are the best defenders to target this week.

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Week 5 fantasy football IDP rankings

Week 5 IDP rankings

#1 Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith entered the 2024 fantasy football season as the top-ranked IDP to target in drafts and remains there for the Week 5 rankings. He's one of the most reliable sources of tackles, which is the most coveted statistic for fantasy leagues that use IDP formats.

#2 EJ Speed

EJ Speed has surprisingly surpassed Zaire Franklin as the leading tackler for the Indianapolis Colts this season. He has recorded 47 total tackles this year and has quickly climbed the defensive rankings.

#3 Fred Warner

Fred Warner has consistently ranked towards the top of the IDP rankings during his career with the San Francisco 49ers. The 2024 season has been much of the same, as he ranks as the overall LB2 through four weeks.

#4 Robert Spillane

Robert Spillane has been one of the biggest breakout players of the 2024 fantasy football season. He ranks as the overall LB1 with 44 total tackles, a sack and an interception.

#5 Eric Kendricks

Eric Kendricks continues to see his role grow with the Dallas Cowboys this season. He played in every defensive snap across the past two weeks, racking up two sacks and an interception to go with 20 solo tackles.

#6 Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin ranks second on his team in total tackles but ranks among the top 10 players in total tackles across the NFL. His overall fantasy outlook has dropped a bit with Speed's breakout season, but Franklin is still an elite IDP option.

#7 Nick Bolton

Nick Bolton is one of the key pieces of the Kansas City Chiefs' excellent defense this season. He also flies a bit under the radar, but his 19 solo tackles and two passes defended prove his overall value in fantasy football.

#8 Bobby Wagner

Bobby Wagner is one of the most consistently reliable IDP options in fantasy football. His first year with the Washington Commanders hasn't decreased his overall value, as he ranks as the LB8 through his first four games.

#9 Jessie Bates III

Jessie Bates III is the only non-linebacker to crack the top 10 in the Week 5 rankings.

Despite playing the safety position, his dynamic contrbiutions have resulted in him being ranked as the overall IDP8 this season. That includes 29 total tackles, three passes defended and an interception.

#10 TJ Edwards

TJ Edwards has been on the field for 100% of the Chicago Bears' defensive snaps during the 2024 fantasy football season. That has allowed him him to rack up 34 total tackles in four games.

#11 Logan Wilson

Logan Wilson has also played in every snap during the 2024 season in the middle of the Cincinnati Bengals' defense. A favorable Week 5 matchup against the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens makes him an attractive IDP in fantasy lineups.

#12 Azeez Al-Shaair

Azeez Al-Shaair will likely be called upon to spy Josh Allen for many defensive plays during Week 5. While it's a difficult assignment, it helps his overall outlook in fantasy football.

#13 TJ Watt

TJ Watt is the highest-ranked EDGE player for the fantasy football Week 5 IDP rankings. He has recorded at least one sack in three of his four games this year and has also forced two turnovers.

#14 Lavonte David

Lavonte David turned in a season-high LB2 ranking in fantasy football last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. His breakout performance included eight total tackles and two sacks.

#15 Blake Cashman

Blake Cashman is one of the reasons why the Minnesota Vikings' defense has shockingly been one of the top units in the NFL this season. He has totaled 34 tackles and gets a favorable Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets' run-first offense.

The ones from #16 to #50 are as follows:

#16 - Bobby Okereke

#17 - Quay Walker

#18 - Tremaine Edmunds

#19 - Quincy Williams

#20 - Budda Baker

#21 - Kyzir White

#22 - Kaden Elliss

#23 - Tyrel Dodson

#24 - Julian Love

#25 - Kyle Hamilton

#26 - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

#27 - Nick Bosa

#28 - Patrick Queen

#29 - Kyle Dugger

#30 - Troy Reeder

#31 - Jordyn Brooks

#32 - Frankie Luvu

#33 - Jordan Hicks

#34 - Cody Barton

#35 - Josey Jewell

#36 - Dorian Williams

#37 - Troy Anderson

#38 - Baylon Spector

#39 - Kamren Curl

#40 - Joshua Metellus

#41 - Germaine Pratt

#42 - Myles Garrett

#43 - Micah McFadden

#44 - Jaquan Brisker

#45 - Minkah Fitzpatrick

#46 - Pete Werner

#47 - Trey Hendrickson

#48 - Kyle Van Noy

#49 - Rayshawn Jenkins

#50 - David Long Jr.