Bye weeks are going to start creating some tougher fantasy decisions for IDP going forward, so deciding who to start and who to sit for the next little while could require some additional research. Luckily for you, the reader, I’m here to do a bunch of that research for you. So, let’s jump in and have a look at who we should lean on and who we should avoid heading into Week 6.
DEFENSIVE LINE
START — Chase Winovich, DE, New England Patriots (vs. DEN)
Chase Winovich is on the cusp of what could be considered a breakout sophomore season in New England, leading the team in total pressures (15), sacks (3), and pass-rush grade (78.6; min. 10 attempts). Coming off a rookie season in which Winovich was used sparingly, and knowing how head coach Bill Belichick has a tendency to rotate his defensive players quite frequently, the expectation wasn’t too high for me personally coming into this season for the former Michigan star. Through this first quarter of the season, however, that opinion has certainly changed.
It is becoming clear that Winovich is a pass-rushing star — even ranking inside the top 10 at his position this season with that previously mentioned pass-rush grade. Coming off an unexpected bye week, Winovich will get a pretty enticing matchup with the Denver Broncos and their 48.6 pass-blocking grade, which is bad enough to be ranked second-to-last in the NFL this season.
The Broncos do have one significant strength this year on their offensive line in the form of left tackle Garrett Bolles, who has the second-highest pass-blocking grade so far in 2020. That being said, Winovich is a more versatile edge rusher, meaning he doesn’t have to play on just one side of the line, and Belichick can utilize him to exploit the most favorable matchups.
This should open up Winovich to get more work against Demar Dotson, who saw his first game action in Week 4 against a Jets team that doesn’t have much of a pass-rush unit, yet he still allowed four total pressures and finished with a 62.7 pass-blocking grade.
SIT — Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Tennessee Titans (vs. HST)
Jadeveon Clowney is one of the more polarizing names in the world of IDP. We’re all aware of the elite athleticism that made him the No. 1 overall pick back in 2014, but his ability to get after the quarterback has never really lived up to the hype of a defensive player who was taken at the top of the NFL draft.
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