IDP Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

January 4, 2023

Chris Gregory gives his IDP rankings and the top streamers to start along with defensive players to sit for Week 18 of the 2022 fantasy football season.

Going into Sunday night, I had the introduction for this article already written. I was going to dive into Week 18 matchups that would and wouldn't lose starters to the Sit Bug and bemoan leagues that don't wrap up a week or two early. None of that matters too much right now. Watching Damar Hamlin collapse on television and seeing its impact on his teammates, friends, and family puts a lot into perspective. And so, we should take this moment to respect what happened.

As some of you know, many have taken this tragedy as a chance to donate to Hamlin's charity. The link is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mxksc-the-chasing-ms-foundation-community-toy-drive. Please consider donating to his cause or taking this opportunity to donate to an equally important cause in his name. As we leave Christmas and root for Hamlin to recover fully, it is also the perfect opportunity to add him to your IDP roster, just because. Let’s see if we can get his rostership up to 100%, huh?

For those of you who have read up to this point looking for some Week 18 advice, I will dig more into the impacts of the Week 18 Sit Bug in my upcoming streamers article. There I will also answer the most common question I've received this week: how you should handle fantasy championships with Bengals and Bills. However, for now, let’s focus this introduction on Hamlin, and then get to our rankings.

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Gamble(s) of the Week: Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

As you can see from these rankings, we are putting a lot of weight on teams with something to play for this week. We have to dig deep for our gambles and folds this week, especially since we have yet to hear what players on eliminated teams could sit and what playoff-bound teams plan to rest. Enter Travon Walker, the first overall pick from this past NFL Draft.

Before getting injured, Walker saw at least 70% of the defensive snaps in every game. While he was eased back slowly in a meaningless game last week, all hands should be on deck for the Jags as they try to win their division this week. The Titans have surrendered the seventh most sacks in the NFL this year and could be playing from behind if Trevor Lawrence continues his hot streak. We like Walker's upside as a lottery ticket in the final week.

DL Fold(s) of the Week: All Giants Pass Rushers

The Giants are one of the only teams whose playoff seed is sewn, so they only have momentum to play for. They could always play their starters to keep them sharp, but the Eagles are a better team and have the #1 seed as incentive to try. We can't predict when the Giants will sit their starters or which starters they will sit, but the odds are many won't play a full game.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Gamble(s) of the Week: Cody Barton, Seattle Seahawks

No, we don't necessarily subscribe to the philosophy of "vacated tackles." We anticipate that only some of Jordyn Brooks' plays and tackles will go to Barton now that Brooks is out with an ACL injury. Barton has always played multiple spots on the second level and that should continue.

That said, the absence of Brooks' athleticism should open an opportunity for Barton and others to fill the voids Brooks usually would. Additionally, the Rams are a premium matchup now that Cam Akers is seeing regular work up the middle. It helps that the Seahawks have something to play for, too.

LB Fold(s) of the Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebackers

As much as we love Devin White's talent and the matchup for White and Lavonte David, the downside is huge here. The Bucs are another team that has secured its playoff seeding and has little to play for. That means they should sit their starters at some point in this meaningless matchup. Thus, the floor for White and David is low, given they could play anywhere between 0-30 snaps.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Gamble(s) of the Week: Kyler Gordon, Chicago Bears

The Vikings could rest players this week, but the #2 seed in the NFC is still within their reach. Minnesota plays an early game, while San Francisco plays late. That means the Vikings won’t be eliminated from the second seed when they kick off. Thus, we anticipate this Vikings offense, which looked horrific last week, will play its starters. Gordon should see solid volume against them.

DB Fold(s) of the Week: Julian Love, New York Giants

Noticing a theme? We are fading defenders for the two most settled playoff teams, and Love is on one of those teams. While he's been a consistent starter for most fantasy teams this year, there's simply no guaranteeing his workload against an Eagles team that could thrash New York's backups early.

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