Week 1 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2025) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

September 4, 2025

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start 'em, sit 'em picks for individual defensive players.

Every year, like clockwork, fantasy fans and analysts cling to the notion that team performances and trends translate from year to year. It is this notion that helps some NFL owners or general managers cling to a roster just past its prime, or drives fantasy managers to assume certain players or teams have an easy schedule because it was easy for them last year.

The reality is that many fantasy outcomes are somewhat predictable. For example, superstar quarterbacks in their mid-20s who retain their coaching staff and offensive teammates typically do not experience a significant decline, provided they remain healthy. Similarly, elite young defenders with consistent coaching will usually continue their success from previous seasons.

However, it is folly to put too much weight into the strength of schedule or opponent early in the season because that is projecting entire units rather than specific players. The 49ers defense used to be elite, and the Lions offensive line used to grade near the top, but both units have lost multiple starters. Relying on either unit to return on past performance this early is risky.

IDP Scoring System for Rankings

Note: These rankings are also based on leagues that start one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and two DFLEX.

• Six points per Defensive Touchdown
• Four points per Forced Turnover (FF/INT)
• Three points per Sack
• Two points per PD, FR, Safety
• One point Solo Tackle
• 0.5 points Assisted Tackle

Top Fantasy Football Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Riser of the Week

Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia Eagles

If you want to play the matchups for edge-rushers this year, the Cowboys are shaping up to be the offense to target. Dallas did little to improve its running back position this offseason. It also traded its best defensive player, and its starting left tackle is currently out with an injury.

Given the loss of Micah Parsons, you should expect an already average Cowboys defense to trend into bad territory this year. That means opponents should have little issue throwing against Dallas. Thus, the Cowboys, with their subpar offensive line, are projected to lead the NFL in pass attempts and finish near the top in sacks allowed.

All of those factors spell a big Week 1 for Nolan Smith Jr. and Philadelphia’s other pass-rushers.

DL Disappointment of the Week

Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins

Chubb has not played football since late in the 2023 season, so trusting him as a DL1 or even a DL2 in Week 1 is risky.

While many rank the former Bronco as a top 15 fantasy DL this week, there is no telling how rust and injury could impact him early in the season. Worse, half of his NFL seasons have seen him finish outside the top 25 fantasy DLs in his career. Therefore, Chubb is a fine starter in deeper leagues, but those in shallow formats should wait and see.

Top Fantasy Football Linebackers of the Week

LB Riser of the Week

Jack Sanborn, Dallas Cowboys

Sanborn is currently listed as the starting MIKE for Dallas. That role should translate into massive tackle totals for Week 1.

As we have already noted, the loss of Parsons renders Dallas' defense one of the worst in the NFL. That means the defending Super Bowl champions, who led the NFL in rush attempts in 2024, should get out to an early lead and then lean heavily on the run. If that happens, Sanborn could be looking at double-digit tackles.

LB Disappointment of the Week

Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs

Bolton is currently the 13th-most-rostered and started LB in fantasy, which is exactly how he finished in Standard IDP Scoring points per game last season. Thus, it is understandable why fans would like a younger cog in the middle of a strong Chiefs defense who finished as a high-end LB2 last year despite logging just 108 total tackles.

However, he has topped 106 total tackles just once in his four-year career. He also finished just 25th in the NFL in solo tackles last year. Total and solo tackles are typically the bread and butter for fantasy LBs, and Bolton will need them since he has just five total sacks and six forced turnovers in four seasons.

While the Chargers' run-heavy approach does favor opposing linebackers and could benefit Bolton this week, he hasn't taken advantage of such a matchup in recent seasons. In fact, he collected just 10 total tackles in two games against Harbaugh's Chargers last year, so there is no guarantee he will tackle more than usual this week.

Top Fantasy Football Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Riser of the Week

Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles

Yes, we are putting a lot of bets on this week’s Cowboys v. Eagles matchup. That is because the two teams match up perfectly for a relatively predictable IDP outcome, especially for defenders wearing green.

DeJean is one of our favorite preseason risers already, given that he spent this offseason alternating positions all over the field in a Brian Branch-style role. This is excellent news, considering DeJean was a high-end, versatile prospect coming out of the University of Iowa. Even better, as we have already said multiple times, we expect Dallas to throw a lot this week.

DB Disappointment of the Week

DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys

Bland is currently the 11th-most-started DB in fantasy, despite his profile as an interception-dependent fantasy asset. Worse, the Eagles are expected to be extremely run-heavy against the Cowboys this week.

If you believe Eagles vs. Cowboys will be an offensive extravaganza, then Bland is a fine streamer, especially as a DB3 or lower. However, the Eagles project to continue their run-heavy ways after getting out to an early lead against Dallas. That projection means low volume for Bland, who is far too risky to start as a DB1 … which most of you are.

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