Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 5

Will Allen, Strong Safety

When you’ve been playing in the shadow of someone as great as Troy Polamalu, it’s easy to be forgotten. Steelers’ safety Will Allen has been in that position for years, but with the legendary defensive back Polamalu retiring, the strong safety spot that he’d ridden to major fantasy success was wide open. Since then, Allen has handily beat out third-year Syracuse product Shamarko Thomas for the role, and he is now the ninth-best safety in balanced scoring. Safeties are always more stable than cornerbacks, and strong safeties get the sustainable tackle numbers.

Against a strong San Diego offense, Allen figures to thrive on his tackle chances. With 28 so far this season and just one interception, his numbers are no fluke. The Chargers have a fairly balanced offense in terms of pass-to-run ratio, but Allen should be in prime position to help them continue to stuff Melvin Gordon and trail Danny Woodhead on passing routes.

Allen is available in 87.9% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 5.5 tackles, a chance at a sack, a good chance for an interception, a strong chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 8.06 balanced fantasy points in Week 5.