Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 5

Manti Te’o, Linebacker

Manti Te'o probably wishes it was easier to make certain information forgettable, but the Internet has this way of remembering certain jokes about a player’s past. Perhaps memes should be blocked in the Republic of Chad, in case he ever decides to visit. Unlike his personal life, Te’o’s past production has been absolutely forgettable until this season. He’s been banged up a number of times since being drafted in 2013, putting together just 122 total tackles in those two years combined. This year, however, he’s on pace to eclipse that mark by a wide margin; he has 33 total tackles and 3 tackles for a loss through Week 4, and he ranks as the 22nd-best linebacker in balanced scoring.

Even better for him, Te’o and the Chargers get to play the Steelers. Should teammate Liuget not clean up Le’Veon Bell’s rushes, the rangy Te’o will be able to track the running back down himself. His coverage skills will also come into player here, as Michael Vick repeatedly checked down last week against the Baltimore Ravens. With Te’o patrolling the underneath crossing routes, he could get some passes defensed points, or even an interception as well.

Te’o is available in 95.4% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 8.5 tackles, a decent chance at a pass defensed, and a total score of 9.04 balanced fantasy points in Week 5.