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IDP fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 7 of 2025. Chris looks at IDP streamers, fades, matchups, and starts/sits for NFL defensive players.
Expectations are a tricky thing with IDP leagues, especially those that don't use Premium Scoring. While those in Premium Scoring leagues see defenders score on par with receivers or running backs regularly, the most widely used scoring systems for IDP typically have an average defender score on par with a good kicker or D/ST.
With this common scoring in mind, it is worth remembering how rarely we see elite defenders average double-digit totals any given year. For example, only one DB averaged double-digit Standard IDP points last year. Worse, no DL topped nine points per game last year, and just four LBs averaged double digits.
Considering historical output, it is no shock to see the top defenders fall back to the pack this year. Going into Week 6, there were five DBs, three DLs, and eight LBs averaging 10+ fantasy points per game. Now, there are zero DLs, one DB, and five LBs. This should not concern you, as this pattern repeats every year when big plays drive up early averages before evening out.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Patience Preach of the Week
Dexter Lawrence II, DL, New York Giants
Perhaps our expectations for Lawrence were a bit too high this year. In the preseason, we had him ranked as an easy top-20 option at the DL position. Our optimism was driven by several factors.
First, we all value Lawrence's positional value in leagues that require you to play a DT or NT. Second, he was coming off a career season in which he was on pace for 12.5 sacks and 50+ tackles, both elite production from a DT. Finally, there was hope that Abdul Carter's presence would further unleash Lawrence's pass rush upside.
Unfortunately, Lawrence has just zero sacks and is on pace for a career low in TFLs. This is despite the fact that his pass rush win rate and pressure rate are approximately 90% of what they were in 2024, while his pass rush opportunities are actually up. There is no statistical explanation for his poor season.
While Lawrence has a tough matchup on paper this week, four of his next seven matchups are positive pass rush matchups. Better yet, the Clemson alum’s poor start to the season has driven his roster rate down to 11%. Savvy managers will let Lawrence sit one more week, then buy low.
Casual IDP Streamers and Fades
Stream: Shemar James, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has fielded one of the worst linebacking corps in the league this year, with Jack Sanborn particularly struggling with missed tackles and coverage assignments. Shemar James may be the answer they have been looking for, though. The rookie is easily the highest graded tackler, run defender, and cover man in Dallas’ linebacker room this year.
Impressive @dallascowboys Rookie Shemar James Is A Ballistic Missile: Film Review pic.twitter.com/rgkGModhxb
— SMI Football Show (@smifootballshow) October 7, 2025
Thankfully, it appears the Cowboys are finally noticing that James is their best option. The Florida product has seen his usage rise in each of his past three games, culminating in his first start last week. In that start, James saw 91% of the defensive snaps and totaled double-digit tackles for the second week in a row.
With the Commanders on tap, James will face the 11th-most run-oriented offense in the NFL. Considering he is available in 97.1% of IDP leagues and is arguably the best run defender on a defense that faces the second-highest offensive volume in the league, James is a bargain streamer this week.
Stream: Jessie Bates III, DB, Atlanta Falcons
We told you to fade Bates last week, as he is a turnover-dependent asset who was going against a famously stingy and run-oriented Buffalo offense. This week, we recommend the opposite, as the 49ers offer a surprisingly strong matchup for the ball-hawking Bates.
After years of leaning on the run under Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco's offense is desperately heaving the ball to whoever is healthy enough to play. This increased passing volume is likely due to the fact that the 49ers rank third-worst in rushing efficiency and rush yards per game, despite grading as the third-best run blocking offense in football.
San Fran’s rushing struggles have forced them to throw the second-most pass attempts per game. Worse, the wave of injuries to their defense should allow Atlanta to take an early lead in this one, forcing an injured Brock Purdy to throw a lot. That's good news for Bates, as Purdy has the eighth-highest turnover-worthy throw rate amongst starting QBs.
Fade: Jonathan Greenard, DL, Minnesota Vikings
Greenard is the 11th most rostered DL in fantasy this year, which outpaces his fantasy production a bit. The former Texan is still a solid DL2 option, but he ranks as DL38 in fantasy points per game, and he has a tough matchup on paper this week.
While the Eagles' pass blockers have taken a step back from being the top-rated unit in football the past two seasons, they still rank second-best in pass block win rate this year. Worse, their offense is attempting the sixth-fewest pass attempts in the NFL.
Granted, Philly is allowing a staggering three sacks per game despite their positive game scripts and pass blocking grades. However, half of those sacks came in their past two games, both of which were losses. Additionally, 78% of Philly’s sacks allowed have occurred in games where they were playing from behind and throwing to catch up.
When the Eagles play with a positive game script, they run the ball more than anyone and allow just 1.6 sacks per contest (sixth-lowest in the NFL). Sports books have the Eagles as 1.5-point favorites in this one, and that number could grow if J.J. McCarthy starts. These factors combine to make Greenard a risky starter in shallow leagues this week.
Fade: Tre’von Moehrig, DB, Carolina Panthers
Full disclosure, Moehrig has unusual upside for a weekly fade. Given the structure of the Jets’ offense and the errant throws that Justin Fields can put on film, everyone in Carolina’s secondary could make the one big play needed to cement their fantasy weekend. Thus, it is impossible to drop any Panthers defender too far this week.
With that said, the Jets are attempting the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game this season, and that has been with Garrett Wilson on the field. Worse, Fields is averaging a league-average 2.9% turnover-worthy play rate this season. In other words, the Panthers are facing a low-volume passing attack and a relatively cautious QB.
Given how heavily Carolina has leaned on the run recently, and the fact that the Jets will likely be without their top receiver, you should expect the Panthers to milk a modest lead throughout this entire game. As a result, we project the Jets to throw less than they have all year, while committing 0.812 turnovers.
Premium/Deep League Streamers and Fades
Stream: Laiatu Latu, DL, Indianapolis Colts
The first defender selected in last year's NFL Draft, Latu, has had a slower start to his NFL career than many expected. The former Bruin was considered a limited athlete, but his advanced understanding of pass rush plans and opponent tendencies was expected to help him quickly adapt to the NFL.
Yesterday was the best Laiatu Latu has looked as a pro. Big year 2 leap from him. Much needed difference maker on the Colts DL pic.twitter.com/MiqFHJ9TRW
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 29, 2025
A year into his career, Latu has proven to be an above-average pass rusher who can win with his hands but rarely turns pressures into sacks. This is likely why he is just the 80th most rostered DL in fantasy. However, the Colts have a tremendous pass rush matchup on tap, and that makes Latu a streaming option in deeper leagues.
The Chargers are allowing the fifth-most quarterback pressures and eighth-most sacks in the NFL, but those numbers are misleadingly positive. The truth is L.A.'s pass blocking is worse than the metrics imply, as they've lost three offensive tackles and their two best pass blocking backs to injury.
If Joe Alt does not return this week, this is a premium matchup. If he does, feel free to lower expectations for Latu once again.
Stream: Derek Stingley Jr, DB, Houston Texans
Pure cover corners are always a risky play in fantasy, as it can be tricky predicting who they will cover and how many targets that particular receiver may get when in that corner’s vicinity. Fortunately, this week is an exception for Stingley.
The Seahawks deploy the NFL's fifth-lowest volume offense and attempt the second-fewest pass attempts in the league. However, Jaxon Smith-Njigba currently ranks fifth in the NFL in targets and sees a staggering 35% target share. Since Houston’s star corner will shadow and Seattle has a weapon worth following, this seems like a Stingley week.
Fade: Zyon McCollum, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 48th most rostered DB in fantasy, McCollum has been a steady CB2 throughout the season while ranking as DB49 in fantasy ppg. Unfortunately, McCollum could see lower than usual volume this week, making him a tough start in moderately deep leagues.
The Lions are attempting the seventh-fewest passes in the NFL this season. Worse, a whopping 62% of Jared Goff’s throws go to pass catchers lined up in the slot, inline, or coming out of the backfield. That is bad news, because McCollum lines up out wide 90% of the time.
While the Bucs’ top corner could certainly notch an interception against the Lions, like he did last year, he is a boom-or-bust option who profiles to have lower than typical volume this week. That is particularly true if Baker Mayfield cannot work magic with an increasingly depleted receiver corps and Tampa falls behind early.
Fade: Adam Butler, DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Butler is a strong fade because of his roster rate, production, and his matchup for the week. Each of those categories is concerning when it comes to Butler.
This Vanderbilt alum is the 42nd most rostered DL in fantasy, yet he is DL137 in fantasy points per game. His fantasy total makes sense when you consider he has zero sacks, PDs, TFLs, INTs, or FF on the year. Worse, he's registered more than three total tackles just once.
To put icing on this crispy cake, Butler has a very poor matchup this week. While the former Patriot does spend equal time on the left and right sides of the interior, he will regularly face Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith this week. That duo has combined to allow zero sacks and just 12 pressures through six games.
Defenders Worth Stashing
Nick Emmanwori, DB, Seattle Seahawks
We have told you to add Emmanwori for months, and we will continue to do so. His physical profile bleeds fantasy potential, and he saw 94% of the defensive snaps in just his third NFL game.
The South Carolina product has 14 tackles in his past two games, is immensely talented, and is available in 98.3% of IDP leagues. Consider Emmanwori a high upside add with the potential to impact even the shallowest of leagues in the near future.
Barrett Carter, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
As we covered in our IDP Rankings article this week, Carter has seemingly replaced longtime starter Logan Wilson in Cincinnati’s lineup. While this article was written before Cincy’s Thursday night matchup with Pittsburgh, we tend to believe Zac Taylor when he says Carter has earned Wilson’s snaps.
Another good play from Barrett Carter against the run pic.twitter.com/Ejf6YMVnK3
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) October 13, 2025
Historically, Bengals linebackers produce in fantasy. Wilson has been a borderline LB1 in each of the past three seasons, while Germaine Pratt was an LB2 for much of last year. With Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. both producing strong tackle rates in limited time this year, you should expect both to be worthwhile stashes and potential starters.
James Houston, DL, Dallas Cowboys
Houston is the 107th most rostered DL in fantasy, yet he is DL41 in fantasy ppg. Houston also leads Dallas in sacks by 233% and he has a history of producing strong sack totals in limited snaps. Remember, the former Lion collected eight sacks in his first seven NFL games. So, there is precedent for this level of efficiency to continue.
Consider Houston a deep league streaming option whenever Dallas faces a high-volume offense, but there is upside for more.
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