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IDP fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 4 of 2025. Chris looks at IDP streamers, fades, matchups, and starts/sits for NFL defensive players.
As is the case every year, impactful injuries in fantasy football are beginning to add up already. We are only three weeks into the season, yet injuries have already robbed us of multiple starting quarterbacks and defensive star Nick Bosa. Worse, injuries are already hobbling players who remain on the field, seemingly turning players like Brian Thomas Jr. into liabilities rather than assets.
For IDP managers in particular, it is not just injuries to our players that matter. While injuries to opposing corners can help unlock some receivers in fantasy, the impact of injured opponents has a far greater impact on IDP results. That is particularly true for offensive line injuries that unlock opposing pass-rushers, an increasingly reliable result.
The Buccaneers are a fine example of this. Their offense was the second-best-graded pass-blocking unit in the NFL last year, yet they rank 19th in pressure rate and pass-block win rate thanks to injuries. Another fine example is Cleveland, a target for pass-rusher streamers now that its high-volume pass attack has lost its left tackle and its right tackle is questionable.
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Patience Preach of the Week
Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
The vast majority of IDP managers will not drop Travis Hunter, but he has been released in 6% of IDP leagues over the past two weeks. Worse, he is available in 15% of fantasy leagues overall. He is also making several prominent "droppable" lists in the fantasy industry right now.
Travis Hunter's 1 catch was for 21 yards, he fakes out 2 defenders and converts on a 1st and 20 and he doesn't get the ball for the rest of the game.
Get this man the ball more, Jesus Christ pic.twitter.com/9WIfc1Uc9w
— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) September 23, 2025
Speaking generally, you should not drop Hunter in any league right now. His usage is disappointing. His advanced metrics are also worse than expected. However, he remains an immensely agile prospect with strong hands and instincts whose fantasy ceiling is better than almost anyone on waivers. Hold out hope Jacksonville figures this out.
Speaking specifically to IDP leagues, dropping Hunter is even more unconscionable. He sits at DB13 overall in PPR/Standard IDP scoring. That is his FLOOR, unless the Jaguars decide to use him on defense only. Given reports suggest his offensive usage will continue, Hunter has shown us his worst (DB13), and his ceiling is much higher.
Casual IDP Streamers and Fades
Stream: Abdul Carter, DL, New York Giants
Carter is a known name, and he's the 30th-most-rostered DL in fantasy, but his production has been disappointing so far. Frankly, the Giants' reluctance to use him as a primary edge-rusher is baffling, considering his ability to dominate Notre Dame with one arm in the College Football Playoff. This refusal has capped his fantasy upside … for now.
With that said, Carter has seen his snap rate jump over 70% in each of the past two weeks. He’s also seeing significant snaps as an interior linebacker, which should help solidify his fantasy floor regardless of opponent. If opposing offenses want to run, Carter can get after the QB. If they run, he should still get you some tackles.
The Chargers are a fascinating opponent, as their leadership wants to lean on the run, but they are eighth in pass attempts this season. They also struggle to protect the quarterback from the right side of the line. When Carter rushes, it's typically from the right side. When opponents run, like L.A. wants to do, he plays in the middle to stop it.
Stream: Xavier McKinney, DB, Green Bay Packers
The 44th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, McKinney is historically a turnover-dependent fantasy asset in Standard IDP leagues. With that said, his odds of collecting one of those this week are higher than usual.
Dallas is attempting the most pass attempts in the NFL, which we expected. Its pass protection ranks second-worst in terms of pressure rate, which is something we also expected. Worse, the Cowboys defense is allowing the third-most yards and the sixth-most points … which, as you may have guessed, is something we expected.
In other words, the Dallas Cowboys can’t stop opponents from scoring, and they throw to catch up. Even without CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott may have no choice but to litter Green Bay’s secondary with fantasy opportunities.
Fade: Jessie Bates III, DB, Atlanta Falcons
Bates has always been somewhat big-play dependent, but he's produced those big plays with enough regularity that he’s been DB1 the past two years. However, Bates has failed to produce a big play through three weeks this year, stifling his upside even when he's collected enough tackles to be a serviceable DB3.
Still can’t believe the Bengals just let Jessie Bates III walk in free agency
Week after week he continues to prove he’s an elite safety in this league pic.twitter.com/jWoLlE3Pun
— Jake Eckberg • Uncovered NFL (@UncoveredNFL_) October 4, 2024
Now, given Bates’ history, it is likely the big plays will come, and he will ultimately end up as a low-end DB1 by year’s end. Unfortunately, his turnaround is unlikely to happen this week. The Commanders average the 22nd-most pass attempts in the NFL, and their quarterbacks have combined for just two turnover-worthy throws in three games.
Fade: Terrel Bernard, LB, Buffalo Bills
Bernard was the 21st-most-started LB last week, a likely carryover from his productive campaigns in 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately, he has been less productive this year, ranking 40th at his position in Standard IDP points. Worse, 34% of his scoring has come from two big plays (one INT, one FR) that are hard to predict or rely on.
While Bernard should turn things around, it shouldn't happen this week. Buffalo's offense leads the NFL in rush attempts and time of possession. Worse, the Bills are favored to win by 16 points, and the Saints are third in the NFL in pass attempts. All of this means Bernard should see limited snaps and tackle opportunities against New Orleans.
Premium/Deep League Streamers and Fades
Stream: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, DB, New York Jets
The 62nd-most-rostered DB in fantasy, Sauce Gardner is a deep league play who should rarely start in your typical Standard IDP league. In other words, Gardner’s fantasy viability is usually limited to leagues that start multiple CBs or five DBs each week. However, he is a particularly interesting deep league streamer this week.
Gardner is shadowing star receivers this year, a change from past years. He also faces a quarterback this week who leads all starting QBs in turnover-worthy throw rate. While this could be the week Miami tries to run the ball, the Jets are the 11th-stingiest run defense, and Miami’s offense ranks 24th in run block win rate.
Stream: Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, Los Angeles Chargers
One of our fades from last week, Tuipulotu is still seeing a majority of the Chargers' edge-rushing snaps, and he shades to the right side of the offensive line 76% of the time, meaning he usually avoids the best pass-blocker on the opposing side. Plus, he gets a strong matchup this week.
No sacks for Tuli Tuipulotu yesterday but he was outstanding on tape. Logged 6 pressures and had a few great plays against the run, per usual. The second to last clip where he gets chipped and then wins on a double swipe against the RT is 🤌 The splash plays will there very soon… pic.twitter.com/NtCPU7wEdE
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) September 23, 2025
The Giants are the 20th-rated pass-blocking unit in the NFL, and they average the seventh-most pass attempts. Plus, their starting quarterback is making his first start ever in the NFL. All of this means the Chargers’ best pass-rusher will avoid Andrew Thomas 76% of the time and chase after a rookie who could be ripe for a strip-sack.
Fade: Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick, DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Diaby is the 51st-most-rostered DL in fantasy, while Reddick is the 55th-most-rostered. Both derive a vast majority of their fantasy value as pass-rushers. That poses a problem this week.
While the Eagles offensive line is not as dominant as it has been in the past, it still ranks 12th best in pass-block win rate this year. Worse, the Eagles run the fewest pass plays in the NFL and were last in 2024 as well. In other words, Philly loves to dominate with the run and control the clock.
Bryce Huff, Chop Robinson, Jermaine Johnson, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Will McDonald IV are all rostered in fewer IDP leagues than the Bucs pass-rushers. Each of those more available edge-rushers has better matchups and potential this week.
Fade: Reed Blankenship, DB, Philadelphia Eagles
Blankenship's production over the past two years has been inconsistent, but his 2025 fantasy performance has actually been consistent … consistently disappointing. This is despite favorable matchups against the Rams and Cowboys. This doesn't mean he's a bad player; it just means he's over-rostered as DB40 overall.
While the Buccaneers offer a decent matchup on paper (13th-highest pass rate), Blankenship has simply not proved he can take advantage. Players who possess more upside and are more readily available on waivers than Blankenship include Eric Murray, Malaki Starks, Dru Phillips, and Xavier Watts.
Defenders Worth Stashing
Xavier Watts, DB, Atlanta Falcons
Watts was a well-rounded prospect coming out of Notre Dame. While his speed and range were limited, he has always been a strong tackler, and his instincts allow him to get into coverage position despite his limitations.
Xavier Watts, the @AtlantaFalcons 3rd-round pick, seals the win with his first career INT!
ATLvsMIN on NBC
Stream on #NFLPlus + Peacockpic.twitter.com/pb4TTQ4f5h— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) September 15, 2025
The rookie is currently the 70th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, but he’s DB17 in Standard IDP points per game. His playing time is also strong, suggesting he is massively under-rostered.
Mykel Williams, DL, San Francisco 49ers
The 11th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Williams is the 76th-most-rostered DL in fantasy. While his fantasy production has been predictably stale, he has consistently played 65% or more of the defensive snaps, and his usage could increase with Nick Bosa now done for the year.
Williams flashed as a power-rusher against Arizona last week, and he now faces a Jaguars offense averaging the seventh-most passes in the NFL. This rookie is a fine dynasty stash and a viable emergency streamer in deep leagues.
Dee Winters, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Winters is the 55th-most-rostered LB in fantasy and is available in 96.6% of IDP leagues. Despite that usage, he sits as LB35 overall in Standard IDP scoring. The TCU alum has largely filled the Dre Greenlaw void in San Francisco and is a favorite of the coaching staff. He is a steady LB3 option who shouldn’t lose you a fantasy matchup.
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