RADIO
Let us begin this grueling fantasy week with a moment of silence for my pre-season pick for this year’s IDP Breakout: Jaelan Phillips. While the former Hurricane was electric this weekend and showed signs of being what we thought he could in recent weeks, he struggled with injuries throughout the season before losing the rest of 2023 to a torn Achilles. It's a significant loss to those who hung onto him all year, only to see him fall just as he ascended.
Equally troubling is the fact that star pass rusher Myles Garrett heard a "pop" in his shoulder this Sunday. Garrett gutted it out this weekend, but multiple beat writers for the Browns suspect he could miss "significant time" due to the injury. Garrett is a no-doubt-about-it elite fantasy pass rusher, so I will list him in my rankings until he's declared out… but it doesn't look good.
If the prospect of losing two top-ten fantasy DLs wasn’t enough, there are six teams on bye this week. That includes four LB1s (Roquan Smith, T.J. Edwards, Terrel Bernard, and Bobby Okereke), two DL1s (Danielle Hunter and Maxx Crosby), and three DB1s (Kyle Hamilton, Camryn Bynum, and Jaquan Brisker). Worse, the most favorable pass rush matchup in fantasy (the Giants) is on bye, and other good matchups (Steelers, Jets, etc.) face underwhelming fronts.
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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
- 6-points per Defensive Touchdown
- 4-points per Forced Turnover (FF/INT)
- 3-points per Sack
- 2- points per PD, FR, Safety
- 1-point Solo Tackle
- 0.5-points Assisted Tackle
Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 2 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 3 | Josh Allen | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 4 | Myles Garrett (Q) | Browns | Rams |
| 5 | Aidan Hutchinson | Lions | Saints |
| 6 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | Eagles |
| 7 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | Patriots |
| 8 | Haason Reddick | Eagles | 49ers |
| 9 | Shaquil Barrett | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 10 | Brian Burns | Panthers | Buccaneers |
| 11 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 12 | Aaron Donald | Rams | Browns |
| 13 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | Packers |
| 14 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 15 | Javon Hargrave | 49ers | Eagles |
| 16 | Christian Wilkins | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 17 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 18 | Rashan Gary | Packers | Chiefs |
| 19 | Jonathan Allen | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 20 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Colts |
| 21 | Byron Young | Rams | Browns |
| 22 | Chase Young | 49ers | Eagles |
| 23 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 24 | Harold Landry III | Titans | Colts |
| 25 | Jalen Carter | Eagles | 49ers |
| 26 | Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Broncos |
| 27 | Josh Sweat | Eagles | 49ers |
| 28 | Bradley Chubb | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 29 | Demarcus Lawrence | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 30 | Deforest Buckner | Colts | Titans |
| 31 | Carl Granderson | Saints | Lions |
| 32 | David Onyemata | Falcons | Jets |
| 33 | Boye Mafe | Seahawks | Cowboys |
| 34 | Baron Browning | Broncos | Texans |
| 35 | Denico Autry | Titans | Colts |
| 36 | Kwity Paye | Colts | Titans |
| 37 | Dennis Gardeck | Cardinals | Steelers |
| 38 | Samson Ebukam | Colts | Titans |
| 39 | Calais Campbell | Falcons | Jets |
| 40 | Jonathan Cooper | Broncos | Texans |
| 41 | Derrick Brown | Panthers | Buccaneers |
| 42 | Vita Vea (Q) | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 43 | Preston Smith | Packers | Chiefs |
| 44 | Calijah Kancey | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 45 | Nik Bonitto | Broncos | Texans |
| 46 | Jonathan Greenard | Texans | Broncos |
| 47 | Osa Odighizuwa | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 48 | Za’Darius Smith | Browns | Rams |
| 49 | Alim McNeill | Lions | Saints |
| 50 | Travon Walker | Jaguars | Bengals |
DL Riser of the Week
Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By far, the Giants are the most generous pass rush opponent this season. However, they are on bye. The Jets are the next best matchup for pass rushers on paper, but they face a mediocre Falcons pass rush this week. Pittsburgh is another good matchup who faces a mediocre pass rush in the Arizona Cardinals. That leaves the Panthers as our next best option.
According to PFF, Carolina grades as the third-worst pass-blocking offense in the NFL. They average the fifth-most pass attempts per game, allow the fourth-most sacks, and surrender 17 quarterback pressures per game. Better yet, Bryce Young is top-ten in quarterback fumbles despite missing a game due to injury and having sat his bye already.
Barrett has been a sturdy fantasy option all season. He isn't elite in any statistical category, but he never offers a goose egg and always has big play upside. In a week with six teams on bye and multiple elite pass rushers hurt, you can do worse than Barrett against the Panthers as your DL1.
DL Disappointment of the Week
Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
Sweat spends 86.7% of his time lined up over an offense's left edge. This week, that puts him against Trent Williams. That means Haason Reddick has a plus matchup against the 49ers' weak right side, but Sweat will face one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL.
While this isn’t the banner year for Williams, as he has struggled with injuries, he still grades far better than most offensive tackles. The former Sooner is credited with allowing zero sacks, 11 hurries, and 14 total pressures on the season. If you factor out his game against Cleveland, in which he was injured and facing Myles Garrett, he's allowing only 1.25 pressures per contest. That’s bad for Sweat.
Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | C.J. Mosley | Jets | Falcons |
| 2 | Foyesade Oluokun | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 3 | Zaire Franklin | Colts | Titans |
| 4 | Jordyn Brooks | Seahawks | Cowboys |
| 5 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Eagles |
| 6 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 7 | Ernest Jones | Rams | Browns |
| 8 | Bobby Wagner | Seahawks | Cowboys |
| 9 | Azeez Al-Shaair | Titans | Colts |
| 10 | Quincy Williams | Jets | Falcons |
| 11 | Lavonte David (Q) | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 12 | Alex Singleton | Broncos | Texans |
| 13 | Quay Walker | Packers | Chiefs |
| 14 | Eric Kendricks | Chargers | Patriots |
| 15 | Kaden Elliss | Falcons | Jets |
| 16 | Blake Cashman | Texans | Broncos |
| 17 | Dre Greenlaw | 49ers | Eagles |
| 18 | Elandon Roberts | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 19 | Devin Lloyd | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 20 | Frankie Luvu | Panthers | Buccaneers |
| 21 | Cody Barton | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 22 | Devin White | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 23 | Demario Davis | Saints | Lions |
| 24 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 25 | Nicholas Morrow | Eagles | 49ers |
| 26 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 27 | Kenneth Murray Jr. | Chargers | Patriots |
| 28 | Pete Werner | Saints | Lions |
| 29 | De’Vondre Campbell (Q) | Packers | Chiefs |
| 30 | Drue Tranquill | Chiefs | Packers |
| 31 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Browns | Rams |
| 32 | Josey Jewell | Broncos | Texans |
| 33 | E.J. Speed | Colts | Titans |
| 34 | Alex Anzalone | Lions | Saints |
| 35 | Christian Harris | Texans | Broncos |
| 36 | Mykal Walker | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 37 | Jamin Davis | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 38 | Nate Landman | Falcons | Jets |
| 39 | Shaquil Barrett | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 40 | Zach Cunningham (Q) | Eagles | 49ers |
| 41 | Damone Clark | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 42 | Jerome Baker | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 43 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 44 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 45 | Germaine Pratt | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 46 | Isaiah McDuffie | Packers | Chiefs |
| 47 | David Long Jr. | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 48 | Byron Young | Rams | Browns |
| 49 | Sione Takitaki | Browns | Rams |
| 50 | Jack Campbell | Lions | Saints |
LB Riser of the Week
Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles
Several weeks ago we noted that Morrow was a better fantasy option than Zach Cunningham, though both were risky flyers given their inconsistent production. That said, Cunningham left Sunday's game early with a hamstring injury. As a result, Morrow's playing time and production skyrocketed.
With the 49ers on tap, don't be surprised if Cunningham guts out an NFC Championship rematch. After all, San Francisco's players poked the bear all offseason, and some Philly players were unhappy with the 49ers' complaining. However, if Cunningham is out, Morrow could see 90% of his team's defensive snaps against a team with the second-highest run percentage in the NFL.
LB Disappointment of the Week
Nobody?
This may seem like a cop-out, but very few linebackers are absolute fades this week. Byes have robbed us of no less than 12 LBs who regularly make our weekly rankings. That’s not counting injuries to players like Phillips, Kyzir White, Nick Bolton, and many others.
While this is usually one of the deepest positions in fantasy, a severe loss of depth makes many fringe players worth your consideration this week. It's nearly impossible to outright fade or cancel any LB who you could reasonably consider playing this week.
Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 2 | Derwin James | Chargers | Patriots |
| 3 | Kamren Curl | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 4 | Jalen Pitre | Texans | Broncos |
| 5 | Reed Blankenship | Eagles | 49ers |
| 6 | Jevon Holland (Q) | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 7 | Minkah Fitzpatrick (Q) | Steelers | Cardinals |
| 8 | L’Jarius Sneed | Chiefs | Packers |
| 9 | Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks | Cowboys |
| 10 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Chargers |
| 11 | Dax Hill | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 12 | Grant Delpit | Browns | Rams |
| 13 | Daron Bland | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 14 | Jonathan Owens | Packers | Chiefs |
| 15 | Kevin Byard | Eagles | 49ers |
| 16 | Jordan Battle | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 17 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Titans |
| 18 | Julian Blackmon | Colts | Titans |
| 19 | Jessie Bates III | Falcons | Jets |
| 20 | Roger McCreary | Titans | Colts |
| 21 | Julian Love | Seahawks | Cowboys |
| 22 | Rayshawn Jenkins | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 23 | Paulson Adebo | Saints | Lions |
| 24 | Charvarius Ward | 49ers | Eagles |
| 25 | Ryan Neal | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 26 | Budda Baker | Cardinals | Steelers |
| 27 | Tyrann Mathieu | Saints | Lions |
| 28 | Benjamin St. Juste | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 29 | Justin Simmons | Broncos | Texans |
| 30 | Richie Grant | Falcons | Jets |
| 31 | Brian Branch | Lions | Saints |
| 32 | Kerby Joseph | Lions | Saints |
| 33 | Jalen Ramsey | Dolphins | Commanders |
| 34 | A.J. Terrell | Falcons | Jets |
| 35 | Jalen Thompson | Cardinals | Steelers |
| 36 | Mike Hilton | Bengals | Jaguars |
| 37 | Justin Reid | Chiefs | Packers |
| 38 | Percy Butler | Commanders | Dolphins |
| 39 | Alohi Gilman | Chargers | Patriots |
| 40 | Carlton Davis | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 41 | Jayron Kearse (Q) | Cowboys | Seahawks |
| 42 | Andre Cisco | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 43 | Patrick Surtain II | Broncos | Texans |
| 44 | Ji’Ayir Brown | 49ers | Eagles |
| 45 | Deommodore Lenoir | 49ers | Eagles |
| 46 | Zyon McCollum | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 47 | Darious Williams | Jaguars | Bengals |
| 48 | Rudy Ford (Q) | Packers | Chiefs |
| 49 | Denzel Ward | Browns | Rams |
| 50 | Jamal Adams | Seahawks | Cowboys |
DB Riser of the Week
Jonathan Owens, Green Bay Packers
The man better known as "Simon Biles' Husband" began last season as the leading tackler at his position. Houston used him as a starter, and he was a fantasy force until Jalen Pitre slowly took over that secondary. Since seeing his role drop with the Texans, Owens moved on to Green Bay. There he made our pre-season list of players worth watching, before riding pine to open the year.
While he began the season as a backup and special teamer, Owens has played 100% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in each of their past five games. He’s totaled eight or more tackles in all but one of those contests. Now he has an opponent (the Chiefs) who can be generous to opposing safeties with Owens’ skillset. That’s a nice setup for a guy who is the 58th most rostered DB in fantasy.
DB Disappointment of the Week
Marco Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Wilson is the 11th most targeted defensive back in the NFL this year, which usually means he's a solid option as a CB streamer. The Steelers are a low-volume opponent, though.
On the season, the Steelers rank 26th in offensive plays per game. Their offensive plays in one game without Matt Canada were on par with their season rate, too. In fact, with Matt Canada, they were the 25th-highest pass volume offense in the league. In one game without him, they actually threw less.
While these rates without Canada are a small sample and skewed by a matchup against Jake Browning, Arizona isn’t a significantly tougher matchup. Kyler Murray is clearly better than Browning, but Pittsburgh continues to target their receivers at one of the lowest clips in the league. That shouldn’t change in what projects to be a contest where the Steelers can again impose their will through the ground game.
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