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IDP fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 2 of 2025. Chris looks at IDP streamers, fades, matchups, and starts/sits for NFL defensive players.
Welcome, RotoBallers, to my IDP fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em article digging into the top matchups, streamers, and fades for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. As the season gets fully underway and we launch into another streamers and fades article, it is worthwhile to remind readers that streamers and fades should be read and considered in context. Remember that our weekly rankings provide a clear list of players who should be started, in order, based on our projections for matchups and an analysis of the players in a vacuum.
Of course, that vacuum doesn’t consider your own personal needs. For example, you may be a team in dire need of big plays in a sack premium format. That setup and need could change who you should start and alter our rankings significantly. Conversely, if you are in a Standard IDP Scoring league and just need average production, following our rankings is the safest bet.
We mention this because context matters when you send your start/sit questions every week. Without the context of what your scoring is or if you’re favored to win or lose, you might as well just refer to our analyst rankings because that's what will drive our answers. If you want more tailored insights, remember to include key details in your questions for any analyst.
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Patience Preach of the Week
Jalon Walker, DL, Atlanta Falcons
Walker was one of our streamers last week, and he failed to produce. He is also rostered in just 1.9% of IDP leagues, meaning a lot of you have dropped the talented rookie already or were never relying on him. However, the talent and profile are still elite, and one bad week isn't a reason to bail in dynasty or deeper formats.
Remember that Walker missed a chunk of August due to an injury, a factor that could have contributed to his 44% usage against Tampa Bay. That rate should only increase as the versatile defender becomes more acclimated and earns the team's trust. If Atlanta knows what it's doing, it will ramp him up until he's on the field 80-90% of the time.
Casual IDP Streamers and Fades
Stream: YaYa Diaby, DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Diaby has been an analytics darling for years, boasting strong pressure and pass-rush win rates since his rookie season. While the Louisville product has yet to produce on that promise, he came within inches of a sack twice in Week 1, and he has a strong matchup in Week 2.
The Texans had one of the worst pass-blocking units in the NFL last year, and the situation worsened this offseason. So, it comes as no surprise that their pass blockers graded fourth-worst on Sunday. The film backs that up, too, as C.J. Stroud had little time to do anything against the Rams. So, this is a prime pass-rusher matchup.
Stream: Christian Rozeboom, LB, Carolina Panthers
Rozeboom is fantasy’s 36th most rostered LB, but he’s produced LB2-caliber results since taking on a starting role with the Rams last year. He continued that stability with the Panthers in Week 1, thanks in part to his own team’s inability to score points or threaten opposing offenses.
The Cardinals were the 11th most run-heavy offense in the NFL last year, and they matched that exact pace in Week 1. Arizona likes to control the clock with the run whenever they can, and Carolina's offense seems inclined to help their opponents hold onto leads early and often.
Fade: Kaden Elliss, LB, Atlanta Falcons
Elliss is the sixth-most rostered LB in fantasy this year, which is the only real reason he is a fade for us in shallow leagues. While this usage is not wildly out of range from where he finished last year, considering he was LB12 in fantasy points per game last year, it does push him ahead of a number of higher ceiling and more consistent assets.
This Falcons defense moving different!!! Kaden Elliss not going for it!!! #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/pkh0ixyjsF
— JAiHAWKFLY℠ (@JAiHAWKFLY) September 7, 2025
Players rostered in fewer leagues than Elliss, who should be rostered over him, include Edgerrin Cooper, Daiyan Henley, Jamien Sherwood, and Foyesade Oluokun. Each of those players has a better proven track record, better matchups this week, and/or they have far more physical upside.
Fade: DeForest Buckner, DL, Indianapolis Colts
The Denver Broncos totaled 48 drop-backs/pass-blocking sets last week, and the interior of their offensive line surrendered just three total pressures. Better yet, this same interior surrendered a total of 45 quarterback pressures last season.
While Buckner will always be a sturdy option in leagues that require you to start a DT, his upside in shallow leagues is limited by his matchup. The Broncos are a difficult matchup for interior pass rushers and have been for some time.
Premium/Deep League IDP Streamers and Fades
Stream: Rashan Gary, DL, Green Bay Packers
Gary spent the better part of Week 1 tormenting the Lions behind the line of scrimmage. The metrics back up the film, too, with Gary collecting five pressures and 1.5 sacks. This all came against a Lions offensive tackle duo who have been among the best in the NFL over the past three seasons.
While the Commanders aren't an ideal matchup for pass rushers, Gary clearly benefited from the presence of Micah Parsons last week. That benefit should only continue to grow as Parsons earns more playing time in this new scheme.
Brian Burns capitalized on a deep rotation with two sacks against the Commanders, and Gary could too.
Stream: Marques Sigle, DB, San Francisco 49ers
Sigle graduates from our stash category and joins the actual streamers list. The unheralded rookie earned this accolade by playing every single defensive snap in his NFL debut. While playing ever down for the 49ers, Sigle recovered a fumble and totaled seven Standard IDP points in just 52 total snaps.
This is impressive by 49ers rookie safety Marques Sigle in his first career start
It's him and Kenneth Walker 1v1 in the hole and takes him down with a beautiful form tackle
The rookie isn't scared of the moment pic.twitter.com/R2wvO3O3k6
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) September 9, 2025
For context, the Saints attempted nearly as many pass attempts last week (46) as the Seahawks did offensive plays (52). In fact, New Orleans tied for the league lead in pass attempts last week, despite playing in a consistently competitive contest. So, they should offer fine volume for Sigle unless the Saints take an overwhelming lead somehow.
Fade: Chris Jones, DL, Kansas City Chiefs
Jones' fantasy stature is based on name value as much as it is production, lately. In 2024, he mustered just five total sacks and one forced turnover. He kept that cold streak going in Week 1, totaling just two tackles and one Standard IDP point against a Chargers offense that attempted an uncharacteristic 34 pass attempts.
This week, Jones faces an Eagles offensive line that has repeatedly graded at or near the top of most pass-blocking metrics since 2022. It's the same offensive line that limited Jones to zero fantasy points in the Super Bowl. Thus, the only way one might trust Jones is if Landon Dickerson is ruled out.
Fade: Alex Anzalone, LB, Detroit Lions
Anzalone registered just three fantasy points in Week 1, yet he’s the 21st most rostered LB in fantasy as of this writing. While it's folly to put too much weight on a one-week showing this season, the Florida alum hasn't ever produced elite numbers.
The former Saint hasn't forced a turnover since 2022, and he’s never topped three sacks in a season. Worse, he has just two career seasons with triple-digit tackles, and he's never come close to finishing top ten in total tackles. In other words, Anzalone is neither a threat for big plays nor consistent tackle production.
While Anzalone is a fine play in some deep formats, he’s rostered ahead of some much better fantasy assets. There is no reason why Rozeboom, Nate Landman, Carson Schwesinger, or Demetrius Knight Jr. should be registered in fewer leagues than Anzalone… but they are.
Defenders Worth Stashing
Demetrius Knight II, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Knight was generally regarded as the third-best linebacker overall in this year's NFL Draft. Luckily, he was drafted onto a Bengals defense in dire need of immediate contributors. Better yet, Cincy's scheme has a history of producing multiple fantasy-relevant linebackers.
After registering 11.5 Standard IDP points last week, Knight should be on plenty of radars. With that said, he's available in 98% of IDP leagues, and his usage should only increase as the season goes on.
Haason Reddick, DL/LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Reddick’s best days are likely behind him, but he flashed fantasy relevance in his debut with the Buccaneers. He saw a surprising 78% of the Bucs’ defensive snaps and generated a solid 5.25 fantasy points.
Those in dire need of a streamer at DL could do worse than the widely available Reddick
Shemar Stewart, DL, Cincinnati Bengals
Stewart was a deep sleeper on this same list last week. While his box score ended up empty in Week 1, the rookie had several impact plays that were nullified by penalties. He also graded amongst the best edge rushers in terms of run support and total defense, while logging three pressures on just 48% of the defensive snaps.
Shemar Stewart vs. Cleveland pic.twitter.com/sdXnHjCvOn
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 9, 2025
The former Aggie is raw, but he’s already flashing the potential that had scouts intrigued this spring. He is worthy of a stash in deep and dynasty leagues.
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