IDP Start-Sit, Studs and Duds: Week 5

The first month of the 2025 NFL season is in the books. And for IDP managers, it has been a month that felt like it lasted 87 days.

It's not all bad news, mind you—Los Angeles Rams edge-rusher Byron Young went on a month-long rampage. Four weeks in, the Miami Dolphins sport two of the three highest-scoring linebackers in fantasy in Tyrel Dodson and Jordyn Brooks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith looks to be the real deal—and an IDP bargain.

But there have also been setbacks galore. San Francisco 49ers edge-rusher Nick Bosa is out for the season with a torn ACL. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is on the shelf indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Multiple defensive backs who were drafted early at the position have decided that making tackles is stupid.

Add it all up, and the best thing that can be said about September is that it's over.

September was the Ned Flanders of fantasy football.

The thing is, now that October is here, the pressure is that much higher, whether you're 4-0 and rolling or 0-4 and desperately trying to salvage the season. Every week, the further we get into the season, the higher the stakes. Less margin for error.

It's about to get scary.

Now more than ever (at least until next week), it's more critical than ever to get the right guys into starting lineups. To maximize the scoring from your IDPs.

And IDP Studs and Duds at Footballguys is all about maximum—something.

Each week during the 2025 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs), as well as some that, for whatever reason, are riskier plays than normal (Duds).

This isn't necessarily to say that every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual).

Numbers in parentheses denote ranking in fantasy points allowed to that position in 2025 in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. 

IDP STUD OF THE WEEK

LB Nate Landman, LA Rams (vs. San Francisco) (2)

After three up-and-down seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Landman landed with the Rams in free agency, where he has rapidly become a defensive leader as the team's "green dot" linebacker. While speaking to the media, the 26-year-old said that he has taken his role with his new team to heart.

"It just comes with the responsibility being the green dot, and really just trying to be myself, and pour into the guys the way – every guy's different. Some guys need to be encouraged in certain ways," Landman explained. "So getting to know the guys that I'm playing with and the communication style that they like, and trying to adapt to them, and ultimately, like I said, just being myself, taking those lessons from the people that I've learned from, coaches that I've learned under, and players that have been great leaders as well, taking nuggets from them and bringing it to this team."

Landman hasn't been as productive for fantasy managers as many hoped—he's 30th in fantasy points at his position after four games. But that ranking should get better in this week's meeting of 3-1 NFC West teams—the Niners have been decimated by injuries and are sure to lean heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey.

IDP DUD OF THE WEEK

EDGE Harold Landry III, New England (at Buffalo) (27)

After being reunited with New England head coach Mike Vrabel in the offseason, Landry came roaring out of the gate, logging 3.5 sacks over the season's first two games. While talking to reporters, Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said he wasn't at all surprised about Landry's hot start.

"Things I saw all of training camp," Smith said. "He's got explosive get off. He was mixing in his power. Making guys set him normal. And just how aggressive he plays. He's a smart guy. He knows how to rush. He knows how to set them up. He's a student of the game. Man, he studies. We talk about it all week. He reads off his report (in meetings), and it's detailed. He's a smart kid. You can tell he puts the time in. As a coach, you can see the guys that don't put the time in."

That smoking start aside, Landry was on a milk carton in Week 4—just one QB hit against the Carolina Panthers. Bad stat lines come with the territory with edge-rushers, but Landry is barreling toward a second straight bummer day in Week 5—Josh Allen has been sacked just 21 times in his last 21 starts.

WEEK 5 IDP STUDS