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Week 6 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

Detroit Lions Defense, Aidan Hutchinson - Fantasy Football DST Rankings, Streamers, IDP Sleepers

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

One thing you must always ask yourself, any time you have a difficult lineup choice, is what you need this week. Is it upside or floor? This concept is discussed ad nauseum on fantasy podcasts and is boilerplate among the well-indoctrinated. That said, it's not always a concept that is clear or obvious when looking at weekly lineup rankings.

A fine example of this is perfectly encapsulated by a start/sit question I received last week. A frequent commenter asked me early last week whether he should start Budda Baker or Jessie Bates III. He noted that Bates was my No. 1 overall DB for the week, but he was chasing tackles, and he wondered if Budda was the better player based on his league’s settings.

My response was to note that Baker is the safer play in a tackle-premium or Standard IDP Scoring model. However, Bates was my top-rated DB because of his big play ability and matchup. For that manager, going with the security of Baker may have been the right move given his setup. For those wanting to maximize point potential, they should go with Bates.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

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 of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Nick Bosa 49ers Seahawks
2 Aidan Hutchinson Lions Cowboys
3 Maxx Crosby (Q) Raiders Steelers
4 T.J. Watt Steelers Raiders
5 Jonathon Cooper Broncos Chargers
6 Danielle Hunter Texans Patriots
7 Myles Garrett (Q) Browns Eagles
8 Josh Hines-Allen Jaguars Bears
9 Micah Parsons (Q) Cowboys Lions
10 Greg Rousseau Bills Jets
11 Trey Hendrickson Bengals Giants
12 Will Anderson Jr. Texans Patriots
13 Brian Burns Giants Bengals
14 Khalil Mack Chargers Broncos
15 Keion White Patriots Texans
16 Montez Sweat Bears Jaguars
17 Harold Landry III Titans Colts
18 Will McDonald IV Jets Bills
19 Carl Granderson Saints Buccaneers
20 Joey Bosa (Q) Chargers Broncos
21 Laiatu Latu Colts Titans
22 Travon Walker Jaguars Bears
23 Kayvon Thibodeaux Giants Bengals
24 Boye Mafe (Q) Seahawks 49ers
25 Odafe Oweh Ravens Commanders
26 Nik Bonitto Broncos Chargers
27 Dexter Lawrence (Q) Giants Bengals
28 Dorance Armstrong Commanders Ravens
29 Josh Sweat Eagles Browns
30 Kyle Van Noy Ravens Commanders
31 Derick Hall (Q) Seahawks 49ers
32 Kwity Paye (Q) Colts Titans
33 Nick Herbig (Q) Steelers Raiders
34 Matthew Judon Falcons Panthers
35 Preston Smith Packers Cardinals
36 Jeffery Simmons (Q) Titans Colts
37 Vita Vea (Q) Buccaneers Saints
38 Rashan Gary Packers Cardinals
39 Cameron Heyward Steelers Raiders
40 Ed Oliver (Q) Bills Jets
41 Yaya Diaby Buccaneers Saints
42 Quinnen Williams Jets Bills
43 Jalen Carter Eagles Browns
44 Zach Allen Broncos Chargers
45 Jadeveon Clowney (Q) Panthers Falcons
46 Leonard Floyd 49ers Seahawks
47 Sam Hubbard Bengals Giants
48 Jonathan Allen Commanders Ravens
49 Logan Hall Buccaneers Saints
50 Dennis Gardeck Cardinals Packers

 

DL Riser of the Week:

Derick Hall, Seattle Seahawks

Hall was one of my "Players to Stash" last week, as he was rostered in just 2.1% of IDP leagues but was producing top-end DL2 stats. Then Hall went out and had the best game of his career, notching 14 Standard IDP points against an improved Giants offensive line.

If Hall manages to play this week, he gets an underperforming 49ers offensive front. Hall rotates all over the formation, playing half his snaps on either side of the ball. That means he should see plenty of snaps against Colton McKivitz. The edge of the 49ers’ right side has allowed 18 quarterback pressures and eight QB hits this season.

Beyond a decent matchup with San Francisco this week, Hall is a fine addition for most IDP teams from a season-long perspective. Through five games, the Auburn alum is DL8 in fantasy ppg among all DLs with at least two starts under their belts. His advanced metrics are not yet elite, but he's making plays in run support and as a pass rusher.

 

DL Disappointment of the Week:

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Mack produced some of the finest fantasy numbers of his career last year. We warned you away from expecting a repeat performance this offseason, given his age and career averages. Instead, we told you to treat Mack as a solid DL2 rather than a high-end DL1. Accordingly, Mack has produced the 19th most fantasy ppg amongst all DLs this year.

While Mack’s sack artistry has kept him in the DL2 tier, the rise of Tuli Tuipulotu and the impending return of Joey Bosa are both concerns. Tuipulotu's usage has skyrocketed in Bosa's absence, and Jim Harbaugh values his elite run defense. When Bosa returns, we should see a true three-man rotation that limits the upside of all involved.

It’s worth noting that 82% of Mack’s 17 sacks last season came in games where he played 80% or more of the snaps. He’s matched that rate once this year. Despite his dip in snaps, Mack has produced and will continue to do so. However, his fantasy floor and ceiling could be impacted by an expanded role for Tuipulotu.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Roquan Smith Ravens Commanders
2 E.J. Speed Colts Titans
3 Eric Kendricks Cowboys Lions
4 Zack Baun Eagles Browns
5 Robert Spillane Raiders Steelers
6 Zaire Franklin Colts Titans
7 Bobby Wagner Commanders Ravens
8 Logan Wilson Bengals Giants
9 Troy Andersen (Q) Falcons Panthers
10 Terrel Bernard Bills Jets
11 Tyrel Dodson Seahawks 49ers
12 Ernest Jones Titans Colts
13 Fred Warner (Q) 49ers Seahawks
14 Lavonte David Buccaneers Saints
15 Azeez Al-Shaair Texans Patriots
16 Jeremiah Owus-Koramoah Browns Eagles
17 Dorian Williams Bills Jets
18 Germaine Pratt Bengals Giants
19 Quay Walker Packers Cardinals
20 Bobby Okereke Giants Bengals
21 T.J. Edwards Bears Jaguars
22 Demario Davis (Q) Saints Buccaneers
23 C.J. Mosley (Q) Jets Bills
24 Kyzir White Cardinals Packers
25 Quincy Williams Jets Bills
26 Cody Barton Broncos Chargers
27 Daiyan Henley Chargers Broncos
28 Frankie Luvu Commanders Ravens
29 Trevin Wallace Panthers Falcons
30 Josey Jewell (Q) Panthers Falcons
31 Alex Anzalone Lions Cowboys
32 Devin Lloyd (Q) Jaguars Bears
33 DeMarvion Overshown Cowboys Lions
34 Nakobe Dean Eagles Browns
35 Tremaine Edmunds Bears Jaguars
36 Jerome Baker Seahawks 49ers
37 Kenneth Murray Jr. Titans Colts
38 Jordan Hicks (Q) Browns Eagles
39 Jamien Sherwood Jets Bills
40 Henry To’o To’o Texans Patriots
41 Kaden Elliss Falcons Panthers
42 Micah McFadden Giants Bengals
43 T.J. Watt Steelers Raiders
44 Isaiah McDuffie Packers Cardinals
45 Chad Muma Jaguars Bears
46 Mack Wilson Sr. Cardinals Packers
47 Jack Campbell Lions Cowboys
48 Patrick Queen Steelers Raiders
49 Trenton Simpson Ravens Commanders
50 Jahlani Tavai Patriots Texans

 

LB Riser of the Week:

Trevin Wallace, Carolina Panthers

With a floundering No. 1 overall pick and truly concerning ownership, Carolina Panthers fans desperately need reasons to hope. Wallace, a third-round pick out of Kentucky, may have just given them one.

With Shaq Thompson out for the year and Josey Jewell hurt again, Wallace has seen his defensive snaps steadily rise from 37% in Week 1 to 100% in Week 5. Last weekend, that high snap rate translated into 15 total tackles and a 4th down stop of D'Andre Swift. The stop was ultimately meaningless, but it may help Wallace keep his expanded role.

While Wallace could be sent back to the bench once Jewell is healthy, he did little to merit such a demotion on Sunday. The Panthers need to get younger and more talented all over their defense, and the former Wildcat could be part of that movement. The rookie is available in nearly every IDP league and is worth a stash in deep IDP formats.

 

LB Disappointment of the Week:

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

Warner is the best linebacker in the NFL in many eyes, including yours truly. He is special in coverage, his recognition skills and ability to audible at the line are top-notch, and he’s a premium tackler. The BYU alum is also questionable to play and has a poor matchup on paper this week.

Exactly two fantasy LBs have scored more than 6.5 Standard IDP points against the Seahawks this season. Since Week 1, lead linebackers facing the Seahawks are averaging just 6.25 Standard IDP ppg. For context, that rate would be good for LB51 overall on the season.

While Warner is the kind of talent who can overcome Seattle's NFL-low 21 rush attempts per game and have a premium fantasy performance, the matchup and his injury offer concerns. The All-Pro's talent is too good to drop him far, but he's a borderline LB1 this week instead of the surefire top-10 option he usually is.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Brian Branch Lions Cowboys
2 Nick Cross Colts Titans
3 Budda Baker Cardinals Packers
4 Jessie Bates III Falcons Panthers
5 Jaquan Brisker (Q) Bears Jaguars
6 Antoine Winfield Jr. (Q) Buccaneers Saints
7 Derwin James Chargers Broncos
8 Julian Love (Q) Seahawks 49ers
9 Xavier McKinney Packers Cardinals
10 Reed Blankenship Eagles Browns
11 Kyle Hamilton Ravens Commanders
12 Jalen Pitre Texans Patriots
13 Alontae Taylor Saints Buccaneers
14 Rayshawn Jenkins Seahawks 49ers
15 Paulson Adebo Saints Buccaneers
16 Kerby Joseph Lions Cowboys
17 Devon Witherspoon Seahawks 49ers
18 DeShon Elliott Steelers Raiders
19 Julian Blackmon (Q) Colts Titans
20 Kyle Dugger (Q) Patriots Texans
21 Charvarius Ward (Q) 49ers Seahawks
22 Jordan Whitehead (Q) Buccaneers Saints
23 Minkah Fitzpatrick Steelers Raiders
24 Cam Taylor-Britt Bengals Giants
25 Tyrique Stevenson Bears Jaguars
26 Tyrann Mathieu Saints Buccaneers
27 Kenny Moore II Colts Titans
28 Damar Hamlin Bills Jets
29 Benjamin St. Juste Commanders Ravens
30 Jalen Thompson Cardinals Packers
31 Jason Pinnock Giants Bengals
32 Tony Adams Jets Bills
33 Jaylon Jones Colts Titans
34 Grant Delpit Browns Eagles
35 Vonn Bell Bengals Giants
36 Riley Moss Broncos Chargers
37 Taron Johnson (Q) Bills Jets
38 Brandon Jones Broncos Chargers
39 Zyon McCollum Buccaneers Saints
40 C.J. Gardner-Johnson Eagles Browns
41 Jamel Dean Buccaneers Saints
42 Roger McCreary Titans Colts
43 Jourdan Lewis Cowboys Lions
44 Malik Mustapha 49ers Seahawks
45 Taylor Rapp (Q) Bills Jets
46 Javon Bullard Packers Cardinals
47 Michael Jackson Panthers Falcons
48 Christian Izien Buccaneers Saints
49 Kevin Byard Bears Jaguars
50 Geno Stone Bengals Giants

 

DB Riser of the Week:

Malik Mustapha, San Francisco 49ers

With Talanoa Hufanga out yet again, it looks like the rookie from Wake Forest will take his place. In San Francisco's last two games without Hufanga, the hard-hitting Mustapha has taken over the free safety role and played a majority of their snaps in the free safety role.

While Mustapha isn’t the greatest athlete and hasn’t produced many fantasy points yet, his role this week could be valuable. He is facing a Seattle passing attack that throws the ball more than any other offense in the NFL this season. Expect San Fran to use Mustapha’s size to manage DK Metcalf and patrol the box.

 

DB Disappointment of the Week:

Riley Moss & Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Moss has been a nice surprise for fantasy managers this season, sitting 13th in Standard IDP ppg amongst all DBs. Surtain is also coming off a soft matchup with Las Vegas, which allowed him to snatch two interceptions and a touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Broncos are facing a Chargers team that is dead last in the NFL in pass attempts per game. Los Angeles has been able to follow their desires this season, namely avoiding using their best player (Justin Herbert) very often and leaning on the run because every game so far has been competitive. Denver shouldn’t blow them out, either.



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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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