Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 5

Delivering the meaningful IDP news, notes, analysis, and speculation for this week's NFL games.

John Norton's Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 5 John Norton Published 10/01/2025

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We have passed the quarter mark of the fantasy season. The early frenzy has subsided, and it's time to settle in for the grind. There will not be as many good waiver additions the rest of the way, but stay diligent. There are always a few guys who emerge through strong performance, and some who put up good numbers as injury replacements. The key is staying ahead of the competition in finding these guys and making good, well-informed decisions on both waivers and lineups. To that end, let's get busy.

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker had the lowest output, possibly of his career, in a non-injury game, going 0-5 against the Seahawks. One ugly game would be easy to write off. This, however, could be a bigger problem. Baker opened the season with a ten-tackle game. His numbers have fallen every week since. It is not the time to panic here. Tennessee is a mediocre matchup. After that, Arizona gets the Colts, Packers, and Cowboys, who are all on the plus side.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is trending the other direction with nine solo stops, three assists, and a pick in the last two games. This provides a good glimpse into what the future may hold if he secures a starting role next year. At this point, he is still working part-time, averaging about 55-60% of the snaps each week.

After playing less than 40% of the snaps in week one, Akeem Davis-Gaither has settled in at around 80% in each of the last two games. His ten combined stops against Seattle were a season high and led the team. It would be nice to see an every-down role at some point, but that is not imminent. 

While Josh Sweat has not been flashy and his tackle production remains modest, it is noteworthy that he has a sack in three consecutive games with a forced fumble in two of them. It is also noteworthy that the Titans are giving up an average of 2.8 sacks per game to the edge position.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

Zach Harrison has just one highly productive game on the season. That was the 2-3-1.5 and a forced fumble against the Vikings in week two. What managers might want to keep in mind is that he has gotten to the quarterback in two of the last three games and currently leads the team's edge position in snaps. The Falcons' multi-player rotation likely keeps Harrison from having every-week starter value. With the bye weeks upon us, he could be worth some consideration as a spot play.

Kaden Ellis continues to disappoint. At 3-2-.5 against Washington, he has three or fewer solo stops in three of four games. He does have a sack and a half in the last two outings. This could be the new norm for him, as he continues to see time as an on-the-line defender, lining up on the outside often.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

The injury nightmare continues for the Ravens. Nnamdi Madubuike was inactive for week five and has now been placed on season-ending IR with his neck injury. During the game, Baltimore lost Nate Wiggins to a shoulder injury that could keep him sidelined for a while, Roquan Smith to a hamstring injury that will cost him at least one game and likely more, and Marlon Humphrey to a calf strain that is expected to sideline him for at least a game or two.

The injury to Smith occurred late enough in the game that snap counts don't provide a clear indication of what the team will do. Teddye Buchanan saw the most action, going 3-4 on a 75% share of the action. He is a candidate for the lead role, but the team may not want to trust a rookie with such responsibility. Jake Hummel came off the bench to go 2-3 on 39% of the snaps, and Trenton Simpson was 3-2 on 52%. Adding more mud to the water, Baltimore pulled starters when the score got out of hand. I've not yet had a chance to scout this game and see exactly what happened. At this stage, Buchanan appears to be the most likely to benefit statistically, even if he does not assume the lead role.

Keyon Martin (4-1) and Chidobe Awuzie (2-2 PD) would be the expected starters if Wiggins and Humphry miss time.

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

Terell Bernard was dinged early in Sunday's game but only missed a few snaps. He has been rather disappointing through four games, but that could change in week five when Buffalo faces a Patriots team that has opposing linebackers averaging nearly 18 tackles, a pass breakup, and more than half a splash play against them.  

Dorian Williams was a modest 3-3 against the Saints, but his playing time continues to increase steadily. It was up to 84% in week four.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

I'm not sure how a team can give up 42 points and have no defender with decent stats? That was the Panthers in week four. A'Shawn Robinson at 1-5, and Nick Scott at 4-2, led the team in total stops, while Tershawn Wharton was the only Carolina defender to reach double-digit points on the strength of 2-3-1.

I'll go ahead and mention that Trevin Wallace jumped from a 58% play share in week three to 94% versus the Patriots. This would have been much more encouraging had the team performed well. Meanwhile, Lathon Ransom's playing time fell to 31%. If the defense continues to play so poorly, changes will be made somewhere.

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

When watching the stats come in on Sunday, I jotted down in my notes to see what happened to Jaquan Brisker, who went 1-3. The answer was simply the game script. Brisker played every snap in his normal role; the ball just didn't come his way much.

Tremaine Edmunds went 6-5 against Las Vegas and is on pace for the most productive season of his career. That could change once T.J. Edwards gets over the hamstring injury.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

The concern for Logan Wilson is real. He's gone 2-3 in consecutive games and has played less than 85% of the snaps in three of four games, including the last two. Granted, some of the snap reduction could be a result of ugly, lopsided games. On the other hand, a lot of it has to do with the team's new defensive coordinator and scheme. Bengals fans continue to curse the decision to fire Lou Anaroumo.

In what was another bad sign for Wilson, he was 2-3 on 65 snaps, while rookie Barrett Carter went 1-3 on 20 snaps at the same position.   

On a positive note, Demetrius Kinight Jr. had the best outing to date of his rookie season. His playing time was up to 88% and he was a strong 6-4 with an interception.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

The Browns face off with the Vikings in London on Sunday morning. Myles Garrett was held in check by a Lions offense that is tough on edge defenders. A matchup with the Vikings should be a completely different story. Minnesota has allowed six sacks in two of its last three games and a whopping 18 on the season, including 12 to edge defenders. Garrett should go from dud to stud and has a great shot at being the defensive player of the week.

If you have players on bye and/or want to have someone to watch in the early game, consider edge Isaiah McGuire in this one. He's done little since going 4-2-1 in the opener, but is starting opposite Garrett.

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

Kenneth Murray Jr. suffered an ankle injury late in the 4th quarter against Green Bay. It did not look serious, but keep an eye on his status as the week progresses.

Safety Malik Hooker left the game with a toe injury. He was replaced by Juanyeh Thomas, who finished the game with an unimpressive 1-2.

Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions

Al-Quadin Muhammad was a waiver wire honey after the week three games. In week four, he split time with Tyler Lacey, who out-snapped him 27-25.

D.J. Reed was 3-1 with a pick before being carted off with a hamstring injury. The good news is that Reed will not miss the rest of the season. The bad news is that he will be out for a while, per the update from Dan Campbell. Campbell danced around the topic of a possible IR stint.

Terrion Arnold could miss this week's game with the Bengals. Campbell was optimistic about his chances of being ready for week six.  

The Lions fielded three linebackers on 90% of the plays again in week four. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Green Bay Packers

After sending mixed signals to start the season, the Packers have settled on Evan Williams as their every-down strong safety. He's seen at least 95% of the snaps in three straight games, with tackle totals steadily rising. His ten combined stops versus Dallas were second on the team.

Nate Hobbs left the game with a possible concussion. He did not return and will likely have to clear protocol before the Packers take the field again in week six.

Guru's IDP Notes: Houston Texans

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