IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 10 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

How should injuries impact IDP rankings? It’s an interesting issue and a harder question to answer for defensive players than it is for offensive ones.

You see, the media is far more interested in reporting on high-profile positions like pass-catchers, quarterbacks, and running backs. As a result, it’s far easier to find practice reports and injury predictions on the likes of Joe Burrow or CeeDee Lamb than it is Dre Greenlaw or even Micah Parsons.

Due to the lack of clear information on defender health, building injured defenders into our weekly rankings can be difficult. Stars like Parsons and Jaquan Brisker have been listed as "questionable" for nearly a month, with little info on their status each week. So, we list these stars as if they will play, even though they have repeatedly been late scratches.

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Casual IDP Streamers and Fades

Stream: Keion White, DL, New England Patriots

White has not had a sack since Week 2, and his per-game fantasy totals have dipped since a hot start. However, White has remained one of the top-rated defensive linemen in terms of run-support grades and pass-rush win rate. He also has a plus matchup this week.

Keion White taking away a crossing route on 3rd & 8 pic.twitter.com/Z2sRkim6nr

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 23, 2024

Chicago is allowing the second-most sacks per game in the NFL this season. Caleb Williams also hurt himself last weekend and holds onto the ball longer than any quarterback in the league. That combination means Williams could be an even bigger source of sacks than usual this week, which could lead to a White rebound.

Stream: Deommodore Lenoir, DB, San Francisco 49ers

Despite being the 39th-most-rostered DB in fantasy before the 49ers went on bye, Lenoir is DB11 overall in fantasy points per game. That huge gap between roster rate and production is a big reason he makes this list. His matchup this week doesn’t hurt, either.

In their first game without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempted the most pass attempts in the NFL. This wasn’t the result of the Buccaneers being down big early, either. Tampa was within one score until the fifth drive of the second half. It never went down by more than 14, either.

Tampa has been in the top seven in pass attempts per game all season, partly because it has struggled to establish the run. Bucky Irving playing through a toe injury doesn't help that matter. While the Bucs’ passing did go down against the Chiefs, they remain one of the most pass-oriented teams, and Lenoir should see a lot of their attention, given his role.

Fade: Will McDonald IV, DL, New York Jets

McDonald is having a breakout sophomore season, but his fantasy production has been highly dependent on sacks. That is why his fantasy numbers have oscillated heavily over the last few weeks, as he’s faced low-volume or good pass-blocking offenses throughout that span.

This week, the Jets face a Cardinals offense that surrenders just 7.8 quarterback pressures per game. Worse, Arizona has the fourth-lowest sack allowed rate in the NFL. The combination of an elusive Kyler Murray, solid pass blocking, and an offense that attempts the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game is a problem for Jets pass-rushers.

Fade: Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs

Those in deep IDP leagues cannot afford to bench or even fade the prolific Jones, but managers in “shallow” leagues may want to consider it. The Denver Broncos are not the easy matchup they once looked like on paper.

Denver's starting offensive tackles have surrendered 20 quarterback pressures in 574 pass sets. That's important because Jones lines up outside on approximately 51.4% of his snaps but alternates sides. When he's inside, he will face a trio that has surrendered just 21 pressures in 941 combined pass sets.

What’s worse for Jones is the fact the Broncos offensive line is surrendering pressure on just 2.7% of its pass sets. Throw in Bo Nix's mobility and Denver’s low 1.7 sacks allowed per game (fifth lowest in the NFL), and all the Chiefs pass-rushers should be considered riskier starts than normal.

Premium/Deep League Streamers and Fades

Stream: Emmanuel Ogbah, DL/LB, Miami Dolphins

Ogbah is currently the 70th-most-rostered DL in fantasy, but his per-game fantasy production is solid. He also has a good matchup this week.

The Oklahoma State product rotates throughout the defense but should play approximately half his snaps over the Rams right tackle. That could be good news since Rob Havenstein left Week 9 early and is questionable to play. With Havenstein unlikely to play, the Rams go from one of the worst pass-blocking offenses to … well, even worse.

Stream: Malik Mustapha, DB, San Francisco 49ers

The 116th-most-rostered DB in IDP leagues, Mustapha continues to be undervalued. He is an ascending rookie who flies all over the field on film. His play has even caught the attention of All-Pros Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, both of whom have been effusive about the Wake Forest product recently.

#49ers Malik Mustapha came up with one of the most clutch plays of the night against Dallas and continues to be an absolute gem for the squad this season 💎 pic.twitter.com/ykhcoGfeuU

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) October 28, 2024

As noted in our shallow streamers column, the 49ers have a solid fantasy matchup with the Buccaneers this week. Tampa is one of the most pass-heavy offenses in the NFL, and ever since the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, it relies heavily on its tight ends and running backs in the passing game. This is a plus matchup for Mustapha.

Fade: Benjamin St-Juste, DB, Washington Commanders

Benjamin St-Juste, the 58th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, has a low-volume matchup on tap against Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are attempting the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game, averaging just 27.3 passes per game. That figure hasn't changed much with Russell Wilson as their starter. Pittsburgh is still averaging 28.5 passes with Wilson. What's worse for opposing defenses, Wilson is credited with just one turnover-worthy play in two games.

While St-Juste doesn’t typically shadow, his volume would be questioned even if he did. In two games with Wilson, George Pickens’ volume has remained inconsistent. He’s seen nine and five targets. Pickens is the only pass-catcher to see more than five targets from Wilson so far.

Fade: Leonard Floyd, DL, San Francisco 49ers

Leonard Floyd plays approximately 58% of his snaps lined up over the left tackle. That's a problem this week since Tristan Wirfs plays that spot for Tampa.

As we've noted in the past, Wirfs is arguably the best pass-blocking tackle in the NFL. Amongst offensive linemen who have played over 50% of their team's snaps, Wirfs is tops in pass-blocking grade, quarterback hits allowed, and sacks allowed. He's also fourth in pressures allowed. In nine games, he's credited with zero sacks and zero QB hits.

Defenders Worth Stashing

Za’Darius Smith, DL, Detroit Lions

One thing that was holding Za’Darius Smith back in Cleveland was his playing time. Smith hasn’t seen 60% of his team’s snaps since Week 2, which is a problem he shouldn’t have on a thin defensive front in Detroit.

The second issue for Smith in Cleveland was the game script. The Browns were routinely playing from behind in the second half of games, meaning opponents were able to run out the clock and limit pass-rush opportunities. That won’t be the case with the Lions, whose offense is one of the best in the league. Pass-rush snaps should be easier to come by with the Lions.

Watch all 5⃣ of @zadariussmith's sacks on the season thus far 🎥 pic.twitter.com/7cpONEyDIp

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 5, 2024

Smith is currently available in 98.9% of IDP leagues, but the needle is pointing up. It's worth stashing him in hopes the fantasy production improves with an increase in snaps and pass-rush opportunities.

Jack Gibbens, LB, Tennessee Titans

Jack Gibbens has played 100% of the Titans’ snaps in the two games since they traded Ernest Jones IV. In those games, he’s averaged a strong 11 tackles per game. While there’s a solid chance this usage doesn’t continue when Jerome Baker is fully integrated into the defense, there’s also a chance Gibbens keeps Baker on the bench.

Gibbens has a history of starting and producing for the Titans, notching 8+ tackles in over half of his starts the past two seasons. If he continues to be the starter, he could solidify himself as an LB3 in tackle-premium IDP leagues. That’s not bad, considering he’s the 80th-most-rostered LB in fantasy.

Tykee Smith, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith is the 97th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, but he's DB24 in fantasy points per game. That includes a Week 7 contest where he left early with an injury and registered zero fantasy points. If you remove that game against the Ravens, Smith is DB5 in fantasy.

It's hard not to consider Smith a bargain right now. He is a top-10 fantasy DB on a per-game basis, yet he's readily available on waivers in most leagues.

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