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IDP Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 17

Raiders Defense - Fantasy Football DST, Maxx Crosby IDP, Defense Rankings

Chris Gregory gives his IDP rankings and the top streamers to start along with defensive players to sit for Week 17 of the 2022 fantasy football season.

The multitude of things that can change or go wrong late in the NFL season is often overlooked, especially in fantasy projections. By Week 14 or 15, we have the majority of a season under our belts, so we get cocky about our projections and what teams are. However, this past weekend we saw what weather can do to well settled rankings. We also saw what happens when a team like Denver truly bottoms out, a superstar (Micah Parsons) is repeatedly neutralized, and small injuries on truly bad teams cost you multiple starters.

The most problematic issue that playoff bound fantasy managers must address is the loss of players on uncompetitive teams. Most NFL players develop nagging issues throughout the season, and most will play through those problems as long as they have something to play for. However, small injuries are magnified when they occur on doomed teams. What might be a two-week sprain, or a contusion most would play through, can often relegate a player to the season ending IR if their team is out of contention.

Sadly, this inevitable trend can turn into a fantasy playoff killer more often than we like to admit. The choice to sit starters will not only take players away from you, but they can sway previously good or bad matchups for your players and opponents. The only way to combat this issue is to keep a vigilant eye on the injury report and waivers. Remember that defenders’ health is extremely underreported compared to their offensive counterparts, and it’s on you to follow those reports up until game time.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Micah Parsons Cowboys Titans
2 Nick Bosa 49ers Raiders
3 T.J. Watt Steelers Ravens
4 Myles Garrett Browns Commanders
5 Matthew Judon Patriots Dolphins
6 Khalil Mack Chargers Rams
7 Maxx Crosby Raiders 49ers
8 Danielle Hunter Vikings Packers
9 Josh Sweat Eagles Saints
10 Alex Highsmith Steelers Ravens
11 Josh Uche Patriots Dolphins
12 Haason Reddick Eagles Saints
13 Brian Burns Panthers Buccaneers
14 Kwity Paye Colts Giants
15 Aidan Hutchinson Lions Bears
16 Montez Sweat Commanders Browns
17 Javon Hargrave Eagles Saints
18 Preston Smith Packers Vikings
19 Cameron Heyward Steelers Ravens
20 Chris Jones Chiefs Broncos
21 Gregory Rousseau Bills Bengals
22 Za’Darius Smith Vikings Packers
23 Jaelan Phillips Dolphins Patriots
24 Kayvon Thibodeaux Giants Colts
25 Demarcus Lawrence Cowboys Titans
26 Uchenna Nwosu Seahawks Jets
27 Joey Bosa (Q) Chargers Rams
28 Josh Allen Jaguars Texans
29 Jonathan Allen Commanders Browns
30 Daron Payne Commanders Browns
31 Deatrich Wise Jr. Patriots Dolphins
32 Denico Autry (Q) Titans Cowboys
33 Sam Hubbard (Q) Bengals Bills
34 Quinnen Williams Jets Seahawks
35 Fletcher Cox Eagles Saints
36 Bradley Chubb Dolphins Patriots
37 Vita Vea (Q) Buccaneers Bengals
38 Kyle Van Noy Chargers Rams
39 Leonard Williams Giants Colts
40 J.J. Watt Cardinals Falcons
41 Chase Young Commanders Browns
42 Dexter Lawrence Giants Colts
43 Azeez Ojulari (Q) Giants Colts
44 Deforest Buckner Colts Giants
45 Trey Hendrickson (Q) Bengals Bills
46 Samson Ebukam 49ers Raiders
47 Leonard Floyd Rams Chargers
48 Dorance Armstrong Cowboys Titans
49 Baron Browning Broncos Chiefs
50 Cam Sample Bengals Bills

 

DL Gamble(s) of the Week: Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints should be without both of their starting guards this weekend, which is great news for Cox. The former Pro Bowler has been cold as of late, racking up zero fantasy points in a prime matchup with the Bears and just two points against the Cowboys. A Saints team with issues on the interior could be the cure, though. New Orleans should be playing from behind, and Philly’s defensive interior should be able to tee off regularly as a result.

 

DL Fold(s) of the Week: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

For starters, Hendrickson is dealing with injuries that are sapping his productivity. In his past four games, Hendrickson has totaled just three tackles and four quarterback hits while notching zero other statistics. That's very poor production from a formerly steady fantasy performer.

Now Hendrickson faces the Bills, who rank eighth best in Adjusted Sack Rate. While you’d think Josh Allen would be easier to take down since injuring his elbow, that hasn’t been the case. Since that injury, Allen has taken just 2.2 sacks per game. Altogether, the Bills remain a tougher-than-usual matchup for opposing pass rushers… especially when that pass rusher is dealing with injuries and a slump.

 

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Roquan Smith Ravens Steelers
2 Jordyn Brooks Seahawks Jets
3 C.J. Mosley Jets Seahawks
4 Nick Bolton Chiefs Broncos
5 Zaire Franklin Colts Giants
6 Logan Wilson Bengals Bills
7 Foyesade Oluokun Jaguars Texans
8 Devin White Buccaneers Panthers
9 Josey Jewell Broncos Chiefs
10 T.J. Edwards Eagles Saints
11 Rashaan Evans Falcons Cardinals
12 Alex Singleton Broncos Chiefs
13 Bobby Wagner Rams Chargers
14 Eric Kendricks Vikings Packers
15 Dre Greenlaw 49ers Raiders
16 Drue Tranquill Chargers Rams
17 Bobby Okereke Colts Giants
18 De’Vondre Campbell Packers Vikings
19 Isaiah Simmons Cardinals Falcons
20 Devin Lloyd Jaguars Texans
21 Jordan Hicks Vikings Packers
22 Demario Davis Saints Eagles
23 Luke Masterson Raiders 49ers
24 Kaden Elliss Saints Eagles
25 Shaq Thompson Panthers Buccaneers
26 Matt Milano Bills Bengals
27 Fred Warner 49ers Raiders
28 Cody Barton Seahawks Jets
29 Christian Kirksey Texans Jaguars
30 Micah Parsons Cowboys Titans
31 Lavonte David Buccaneers Panthers
32 Robert Spillane Steelers Ravens
33 T.J. Watt Steelers Ravens
34 Jaylon Smith Giants Colts
35 Ja'Whaun Bentley Patriots Dolphins
36 Frankie Luvu Panthers Buccaneers
37 Nicholas Morrow Bears Lions
38 Patrick Queen Ravens Steelers
39 Willie Gay Jr. Chiefs Broncos
40 Quay Walker Packers Vikings
41 Tremaine Edmunds Bills Bengals
42 Jerome Baker Dolphins Patriots
43 Christian Harris Texans Jaguars
44 Troy Andersen Falcons Cardinals
45 Elandon Roberts Dolphins Patriots
46 Tony Fields II Browns Commanders
47 Zaven Collins Cardinals Falcons
48 Anthony Barr Cowboys Titans
49 Jamin Davis Commanders Browns
50 Quincy Williams Jets Seahawks

 

LB Gamble(s) of the Week: Luke Masterson, LB, Las Vegas Raiders

With Denzel Perryman out for the rest of this regular season, Luke Masterson should step in as Las Vegas’ leading tackler. This is a role Masterson excelled in against Pittsburgh last weekend. It is a role that should offer a solid floor against the 49ers, too.

Since Brock Purdy took over as starter, the top opposing tackler against the 49ers has routinely put-up solid fantasy numbers. In four of Purdy’s five games, his offense has supplied at least eight tackles to their opponent's top tackler. Jerome Baker notched 11 total tackles and a half-sack against these 49ers, and Jordyn Brooks was on pace for double-digit tackles before missing most of the fourth quarter due to injury. This is a decent matchup to stream Masterson.

 

LB Fold(s) of the Week: Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers

This is another instance where the depth at LB, especially with no byes and limited injuries, forces us to fold on a player we traditionally like. Luvu's skillset just doesn't mesh with what the Buccaneers do. Each time Luvu has excelled in fantasy, it’s been against run-oriented offenses who ran at him. The Bucs are anything but.

Tampa Bay offers the least run-oriented offense in the NFL and the hardest passer to take down. While Tampa throws plenty of screens and tight end targets that can keep LBs fed, Luvu isn't great in coverage, which is why his pass rush usage has escalated of late. Luvu shouldn’t be expected to supplement his stats with a sack either, as Tom Brady continues to toss risky throws in order to avoid sacks. That’s a good thing for Carolina’s secondary, but bad for those in the box.

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Derwin James (Q) Chargers Rams
2 Jalen Pitre Texans Jaguars
3 Jordan Poyer Bills Bengals
4 Talanoa Hufanga 49ers Raiders
5 Jeremy Chinn Panthers Buccaneers
6 Julian Love Giants Colts
7 Grant Delpit Browns Commanders
8 L’Jarius Sneed Chiefs Broncos
9 Jalen Thompson Cardinals Falcons
10 Harrison Smith Vikings Packers
11 Minkah Fitzpatrick Steelers Ravens
12 Jaquan Brisker Bears Lions
13 Justin Simmons Broncos Chiefs
14 Jevon Holland Dolphins Patriots
15 Rayshawn Jenkins Jaguars Texans
16 Marcus Williams Ravens Steelers
17 Marcus Jones Patriots Dolphins
18 Antoine Winfield Jr. Buccaneers Panthers
19 Richie Grant Falcons Cardinals
20 Ryan Neal (Q) Seahawks Jets
21 Jayron Kearse Cowboys Titans
22 Rasul Douglas Packers Vikings
23 Jonathan Owens Texans Jaguars
24 Damar Hamlin Bills Bengals
25 Kamren Curl (Q) Commanders Browns
26 Kerby Joseph Lions Bears
27 Kyle Dugger Patriots Dolphins
28 Adrian Amos Packers Vikings
29 Nate Hobbs Raiders 49ers
30 Tariq Woolen Seahawks Jets
31 Donovan Wilson Cowboys Titans
32 Mike Edwards (Q) Buccaneers Panthers
33 Kevin Byard Titans Cowboys
34 Cameron Taylor-Britt Bengals Bills
35 DeShon Elliott Lions Bears
36 Andre Cisco Jaguars Texans
37 Jaire Alexander Packers Vikings
38 Trevon Diggs Cowboys Titans
39 Marlon Humphrey Ravens Steelers
40 Jalen Ramsey Rams Chargers
41 DaRon Bland Cowboys Titans
42 Vonn Bell Bengals Bills
43 Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner Jets Seahawks
44 Tyrann Mathieu Saints Eagles
45 Kyler Gordon Bears Lions
46 A.J. Terrell Falcons Cardinals
47 Jordan Whitehead Jets Seahawks
48 Charvarius Ward 49ers Raiders
49 Jessie Bates III Bengals Bills
50 Kyle Hamilton Ravens Steelers

 

DB Gamble(s) of the Week: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots

A few weeks back, I was asked whether to start Marcus Jones in IDP. The answer was an easy "no" since, at that point, Jones hadn't played 50% or more of New England's defensive snaps in any game. While I coveted Jones in the NFL Draft as an undersized playmaker with some of the best ball skills of any corner in the Draft, the Patriots weren't using him much, and when they did, he was in the slot.

Fast forward three weeks and a lot has changed. Jones remains an uber-talented athlete and instinctive cover man, but now New England is using him on the outside and playing him on over 80% of their defensive snaps for three straight weeks. He's rewarded them with 23 tackles and a couple of INTs during that span. Plus, he's still seeing usage on offense, which is a plus. This week, he should do well against a pass-heavy Dolphins offense, even if Tua is out.

 

DB Fold(s) of the Week: Jeff Okudah, Detroit Lions

There is a universe where Okudah shows us up and makes us look bad for this call. However, we have to fade him in your most important fantasy week. Dan Campbell just benched him for most of the second half against Carolina, and while Campbell tried to neutralize the impact of that move, saying Okudah will rebound, it’s still concerning. Any time a starter is benched for poor play, it’s tough to completely trust his volume going into the next week.

What makes matters worse for Okudah is he will match up against a Bears offense that is dead last in pass attempts per game and lacks even a true #2 wide receiver on their roster. While Justin Fields could throw more to compensate for an injured foot in this one, the Bears should remain low-volume and conservative in their play. They are a team surely looking to preserve their star QB for next year. For that reason, Okudah is a big play-dependent option in your fantasy championship.

 



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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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