Week 16 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

December 21, 2023

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

It's a well-accepted fact amongst fantasy analysts that fans do not care about our fantasy teams. The average fan worries only about their team(s) and could be bored to tears when an analyst goes off about how close they were to a win or how bad their luck was on a given weekend. However, there are moments in fantasy where we can all share in each other's misery. That's never truer than when injuries completely change the complexion of a fantasy playoff.

Players like Tank Dell, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, Ja'Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr., Isiah Pacheco, and Tyreek Hill likely got millions of fantasy fans into their fake football playoffs this year. If you rostered several of those guys, you may have gotten the #1 seed, too. Unfortunately, the odds are also good that if you roster several of those players, you’re either losing in the first round or your matchup isn’t looking good after your bye week.

I am amongst the people who earned multiple top seeds on the backs of these fine players. I am also amongst the throngs who either lost this weekend because of their injuries (one Superflex dynasty had Stroud, Herbert, Chase, Pittman, and Dell) or expect to lose without them after a bye. For those of you in these situations, I feel your aggravation. Few things are more upsetting than watching your juggernaut get hit by two buses and fall under the wheels of the last seed.

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.

Defensive Line IDP Rankings for Week 16

Defensive Line IDP Riser of the Week

Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins

Regardless of the matchup, Wilkins may be an easy start for some of you. After all, he is currently the 11th-most rostered DL in fantasy and was the 12th-most started DL last week, despite zero teams on bye. Wilkins isn't the no-doubt DL1 starter that many treat him as, though.

On a per-game basis, Wilkins ranks as DL37 in my Standard IDP Scoring this season. He is the sixth-highest-scoring DT, but most leagues don't require you to start one of those in your lineups. He has forced zero turnovers this year and has registered five or more tackles in just five contests. Throw in his solid sack totals and Wilkins has given you good fantasy production, but he hasn’t had a DL1 or even low-end DL2 season.

This week, Wilkins may be worth the faith most of you put into him, though. He lines up over the right side on 82.8% of his defensive snaps. That would normally put him over Zack Martin, who allows just 1.5 quarterback pressures per game. That’s a tough matchup… if Martin plays. However, the Notre Dame product missed most of Sunday’s game against Buffalo and is now listed as questionable to play against Miami.

If Martin suits up and is a full participant on Friday, consider Wilkins a fade. If that were the case, we would drop him 15 spots in these rankings. However, if Martin isn't playing, Wilkins is finally the strong DL1 option many already treat him as.

Defensive Line IDP Disappointment of the Week

Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers

We told you to fade Aaron Donald last week despite his strong advanced metrics and film this season. That advice worked out, as he totaled just two fantasy points despite a solid matchup against Washington. This week, we tell you to fade another supremely talented pass rusher in Brian Burns.

The Florida State alum has been slumping lately, generating just eight quarterback pressures across his past four games. Two of those games were positive matchups against the Titans and Saints. On the season, Burns is averaging just 2.6 quarterback pressures and 2.8 tackles per game while totaling a disappointing six sacks. Now, he faces a Packers team that ranks fifth in PFF's pass-blocking grades.

Green Bay allows just 5.5 pressures and 0.77 sacks off the edge per game. They are tied for the sixth-fewest sacks allowed per game, too. This is not a plus matchup, especially for an underperforming pass rusher.

Linebackers IDP Rankings for Week 16

Linebacker IDP Riser of the Week

Khaleke Hudson, Washington Commanders

With Jamin Davis on IR, David Mayo was expected to replace him in the starting lineup. After all, that's what Mayo did with Cody Barton went down. Instead, it was Khaleke Hudson who took on a prominent role in this defense. All he did with that opportunity was lead the NFL in tackles in Week 15.

While it’s nearly impossible to trust Hudson as an LB1 or LB2 after just one game, his needle is pointing up. He is worth an addition in deeper leagues, and those competing in deep IDP formats can consider streaming him if you’re in a bind. He is available in 99.8% of IDP leagues and faces a neutered Jets offense this week.

Linebacker IDP Disappointment of the Week

Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

White is a tremendously talented player who can get you fantasy points in a variety of ways… when he plays. While some already know his status and issues, the truth is that defensive news is reported far less frequently than issues on the offensive side of the ball. For that reason, we have to address White in this space.

White had a full week of practices last week. Still, the Buccaneers elected to start K.J. Britt over him, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Per Stroud, this caused White to abruptly state he couldn't play despite practicing in full. White's former teammate has since said he heard White refused to play a rotational role with Britt. This is in addition to past reports of disagreements between White and Tampa’s coaches.

As we told you with Shaquille Leonard earlier this year, this kind of drama usually signals a real fire. It is next to impossible to start someone in your fantasy playoffs when you don't know if the team or the player will take themselves out of the game at any moment. We will not rank White for that reason, barring some massive change of circumstances or reporting.

Defensive Backs IDP Rankings for Week 16

Defensive Back IDP Riser of the Week

Desmond King, Houston Texans

King has started two games in his most recent stint with the Texans. He has double-digit tackles in both contests. Now, he gets a Browns team that is attempting 44.3 pass attempts per game with Joe Flacco under center. That pace is six more than the NFL's highest volume pass offense this season. This is a strong matchup for King and Derek Stingley Jr.

Defensive Back IDP Disappointment of the Week

Jalen Ramsey & Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

We told you to fade Ramsey last week, then he totaled just one PD and zero tackles. Now, we tell you to fade both Ramsey and his teammate for similar reasons.

While Dak Prescott is coming off a particularly poor showing against the Bills, he still has the second-lowest turnover-worthy play percentage and the fourth-lowest Bad Throw Rate amongst quarterbacks with four or more starts. Better yet, he has thrown just three interceptions in his past nine games.

To put it plainly, Prescott is having a supremely safe and accurate season by all statistical standards. While "Bad Dak" can always show up in tough contests, that's happened just twice this season. The odds of Ramsey and Howard producing as top-40 options at their position are low this week.

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