Week 1 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

September 5, 2023

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 1 if the 2023 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

The NFL season starts in less than a week, which is an exciting time for most. However, the beginning of the year can be nerve-wracking if you rostered injured superstars like Cooper Kupp or Jonathan Taylor. IDP fans may have it even worse. Nick Bosa and Chris Jones managers don't just worry about whether their guys are healthy. They worry whether their guys will show up at all. What happens when the Defensive Player of the Year stays home? Worse, what happens if he reports in Week 5 and immediately suffers a prolonged injury after missing all of camp?

Our inability to know what will happen with guys like Bosa and Jones will factor heavily into our Week 1 rankings, making our ranks look much different than they will by mid-season. Another difference maker in our early season rankings will be the weight we give to opponent strengths and weaknesses. In other words, our early season ranks will put more emphasis on player talent and less on quality of opponent, whereas the opposite may be true later in the season.

Our early season rankings will de-emphasize schedule quality primarily because the strengths and weaknesses of offensive units (especially blockers) can vary widely from year to year. Consider that Kaleb McGary and Jawaan Taylor entered last season as liabilities but allowed the sixth and ninth fewest pressures amongst tackles, respectively. Meanwhile, Charles Cross, Orlando Brown Jr., and Jedrick Wills Jr. were pass rush specialists who allowed the third, fourth, and ninth most pressures. That volatility will factor into the rankings below.

IDP Scoring System for Rankings

• 6-points per Defensive Touchdown
• 4-points per Forced Turnover (FF/INT)
• 3-points per Sack
• 2- points per PD, FR, Safety
• 1-point Solo Tackle
• 0.5-points Assisted Tackle

Note: These rankings are also based on leagues that start one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and two DFLEX.

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen Rankings for Week 1

DL Riser of the Week

Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle Seahawks

Uchenna Nwosu is elevated into the DL1 conversation this week thanks to a great matchup on paper. While we've already discussed why you shouldn't give too much weight to strength of schedule this early, speculation is always the primary support for streamers or sits in Week 1.

The Rams' offensive line has two first-year starters protecting its quarterback, along with two starters who earned negative pass-blocking grades from PFF in 2022. LA should also be playing from behind early, given Cooper Kupp's status.

DL Disappointment of the Week

The Holdouts

This is low-hanging fruit and an obvious answer. As of this writing, Nick Bosa and Chris Jones have yet to report for duty, with the Chiefs set to play in three days. Brian Burns is also dealing with an injury many believe to be contract-related.

There's no guarantee that any of these players will play this week, so you should have their replacement ready. Managers in shallow leagues should drop Jones now since he seems likely to miss games and a holdout elevates his injury/bust risk when he does return.

Top Fantasy Linebacker Rankings for Week 1

LB Riser of the Week

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Calling T.J. Watt a riser feels unnatural, but hear me out. In leagues where Watt does not have DL eligibility and the scoring favors tackles over big plays, the Steelers’ star is usually a boom-or-bust LB3 option. However, the 49ers are an attractive enough opponent to stream Watt as an LB2 in any format.

The right side of SF's line looks like a liability, and their coach will often use tight ends to block 3-4 edge rushers like Watt or Haason Reddick, for example.

LB Disappointment of the Week

Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions

Jack Campbell was my early summer pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the Lions are seemingly bringing him along slowly. Word out of Detroit is that Derrick Barnes will start at the MIKE for the Lions over the rookie, while Campbell will rotate in for snaps behind him.

That's disappointing news if you drafted Campbell as a starter. The Chiefs are not the ideal matchup for a run-oriented defender, either.

Top Fantasy Defensive Back Rankings for Week 1

DB Riser of the Week

Darrick Forrest, Washington Commanders

Darrick Forrest was a value pick for us this summer, and he starts the season with a premium matchup against the Cardinals. Arizona has yet to announce a starter at quarterback, which is unusual less than a week before the season starts.

Their choices are a late-round rookie or a journeyman. Both are turnover risks and should lead a run-heavy offense that Forrest can take advantage of. If you need streamers, the Commanders are the easy call.

DB Disappointment of the Week

Marshon Lattimore & the New Orleans Saints Secondary

The Titans’ offense has finished top-three in run-rate and bottom-10 in offensive plays per game in three of the past four seasons. The same staff from those seasons is in place now, as are the quarterback and Derrick Henry. The only major additions this offseason were three offensive linemen and DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins alone shouldn’t turn Tennessee’s tendencies too much, which means this game could be slow and low in opportunities for the Saints’ secondary.

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