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Week 15 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start 'em, sit 'em picks for individual defensive players.

As the fantasy playoffs start in full, now is a time to educate those too young to remember a scoring system called “rotisserie." It's a system still used in fantasy baseball and basketball, but some may not know it was once applied to fantasy football. Today, it appears to be a relic largely used in leagues that score things by hand. It used to be prevalent in this game, though.

Rotisserie leagues did away with head-to-head matchups. Instead, they scored teams based on statistical categories. For example, in a 12-team league, the team with the most passing yards would get 12 points for that category, while last place would get one. Each team would accrue points based on their rank in each category and the team with the most total points got a title.

The rotisserie scoring system is less exciting. It lacks the week-to-week thrill and the "anything can happen" feeling. However, it is also more likely to reward the best teams. Rotisserie helps avoid teams finishing first or second in scoring but missing the playoffs or losing a first-round bye because they also had the toughest schedule, a problem yours truly had in five leagues this year.

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

IDP Scoring System for Rankings

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

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

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Andrew Van Ginkel Vikings Bears
2 T.J. Watt Steelers Eagles
3 Nick Bosa (Q) 49ers Rams
4 Micah Parsons Cowboys Panthers
5 Maxx Crosby Raiders Falcons
6 Myles Garrett Browns Chiefs
7 Jonathan Greenard Vikings Bears
8 Will Anderson Jr. Texans Dolphins
9 Brian Burns Giants Ravens
10 Trey Hendrickson Bengals Titans
11 Harold Landry III Titans Bengals
12 Jared Verse Rams 49ers
13 Danielle Hunter Texans Dolphins
14 Josh Hines-Allen Jaguars Jets
15 Nik Bonitto Broncos Colts
16 Jonathon Cooper Broncos Colts
17 DeForest Buckner Colts Broncos
18 Travon Walker Jaguars Jets
19 Greg Rousseau Bills Lions
20 Alex Highsmith (Q) Steelers Eagles
21 Montez Sweat Bears Vikings
22 Will McDonald IV Jets Jaguars
23 Keion White Patriots Cardinals
24 Cameron Heyward Steelers Eagles
25 Khalil Mack Chargers Buccaneers
26 Josh Sweat Eagles Steelers
27 Jeffery Simmons Titans Bengals
28 Nolan Smith Eagles Steelers
29 Jalen Carter Eagles Steelers
30 Kayvon Thibodeaux Giants Ravens
31 Chris Jones Chiefs Browns
32 Vita Vea Buccaneers Chargers
33 Calijah Kancey Buccaneers Chargers
34 Leonard Williams Seahawks Packers
35 A’Shawn Robinson Panthers Cowboys
36 Byron Young Rams 49ers
37 Dante Fowler Jr. Commanders Saints
38 Sam Hubbard Bengals Titans
39 Leonard Floyd 49ers Rams
40 Kobie Turner Rams 49ers
41 Zach Allen Broncos Colts
42 Za’Darius Smith Lions Bills
43 Zach Seiler Dolphins Texans
44 Tuli Tuipulotu Chargers Buccaneers
45 Ed Oliver Bills Lions
46 Boye Mafe Seahawks Packers
47 Joey Bosa Chargers Buccaneers
48 Derick Hall Seahawks Packers
49 Carl Granderson Saints Commanders
50 Rashan Gary Packers Seahawks

 

DL Riser of the Week

Dante Fowler Jr., Washington Commanders

Fowler earned this designation approximately 10 weeks ago, and he rewarded the accolade with seven sacks in a five-game span. Unfortunately, his production has since dipped. The former top-5 pick has just five total fantasy points over the past three weeks and his snaps have declined. That is likely why his roster rate is down to just 2%.

While plenty of contenders can do better than Fowler, those looking for a streamer could do worse this week. The Commanders face the Saints in the opening round of the fantasy playoffs. New Orleans has the NFL’s lowest-graded pass-blockers, a quarterback room that is banged up, and a defense that will have it playing from behind.

 

DL Disappointment of the Week

Los Angeles Chargers Pass-Rushers

You can afford to be picky with defenders in a week with zero byes and non-playoff teams largely inactive on waivers. Therefore, we are comfortable fading an entire position group for Los Angeles.

As we warned could happen, the rise of Tuli Tuipulotu has somewhat cannibalized the snaps and opportunities for Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Over the past four weeks, Mack and Bosa have combined for 22 fantasy points. That's just 3.3 fantasy points per game per player. That's not ideal, nor is Tuipulotu's 40-50% snap rate in that frame.

Worse for the Chargers' pass rush is the matchup with the Buccaneers. Despite being one of the most pass-oriented offenses in the NFL, Tampa Bay has the third-highest-graded pass-blockers in the league. Behind that are its tackles. Tristan Wirfs’ pressure and sack rates both lead the NFL, while Luke Goedeke has allowed just one sack all year.

 

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Zack Baun Eagles Steelers
2 Zaire Franklin Colts Broncos
3 Fred Warner 49ers Rams
4 Roquan Smith Ravens Giants
5 Foyesade Oluokun Jaguars Jets
6 Daiyan Henley Chargers Buccaneers
7 Jamien Sherwood Jets Jaguars
8 Terrel Bernard Bills Lions
9 Ernest Jones IV Seahawks Packers
10 E.J. Speed Colts Broncos
11 Germaine Pratt Bengals Titans
12 Nakobe Dean Eagles Steelers
13 Bobby Wagner Commanders Saints
14 Jordyn Brooks Dolphins Texans
15 Christian Rozeboom Rams 49ers
16 Blake Cashman Vikings Bears
17 Quay Walker Packers Seahawks
18 Eric Kendricks Cowboys Panthers
19 Josey Jewell Panthers Cowboys
20 Bobby Okereke (Q) Giants Ravens
21 Robert Spillane Raiders Falcons
22 Lavonte David Buccaneers Chargers
23 Nick Bolton Chiefs Browns
24 T.J. Edwards Bears Vikings
25 Demario Davis Saints Commanders
26 Quincy Williams Jets Jaguars
27 Kenneth Murray Jr. (Q) Titans Bengals
28 Matt Milano Bills Lions
29 Jack Campbell Lions Bills
30 Kaden Elliss Falcons Raiders
31 Patrick Queen Steelers Eagles
32 Edgerrin Cooper (Q) Packers Seahawks
33 Frankie Luvu Commanders Saints
34 Micah McFadden Giants Ravens
35 Andrew Van Ginkel Vikings Bears
36 Henry To’oTo’o Texans Dolphins
37 Isaiah McDuffie Packers Seahawks
38 Jahlani Tavai Patriots Cardinals
39 Cody Barton Broncos Colts
40 Tremaine Edmunds Bears Vikings
41 Tyrel Dodson Dolphins Texans
42 Devin Lloyd Jaguars Jets
43 Kyzir White Cardinals Patriots
44 Omar Speights Rams 49ers
45 T.J. Watt Steelers Eagles
46 Dre Greenlaw (Q) 49ers Rams
47 Jordan Hicks Browns Chiefs
48 Trenton Simpson Ravens Giants
49 Mack Wilson Sr. Cardinals Patriots
50 Ventrell Miller Jaguars Jets

 

LB Riser of the Week

Micah McFadden, New York Giants

We currently rank the Giants linebackers as if Bobby Okereke were playing. However, Okereke missed last weekend with a back injury and is designated as questionable for Week 15. With New York fighting for the top draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft yet still playing a gimpy Malik Nabers, it's unclear if it’ll rest a vet like Okereke or not.

The only question for McFadden in fantasy has been his playing time. He's been intermittently productive with limited snaps, and it was clear from his film at Indiana he could be a starting linebacker in the NFL.

With Okereke out last weekend, McFadden saw 100% of New York’s snaps for the first time all season. It led to a double-digit tackle showing. If Okereke again misses time, McFadden will be firmly in the LB2 discussion. If Okereke plays, McFadden is a low-end LB3.

 

LB Disappointment of the Week

Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs

Considering Bolton a "disappointment" in a week with zero players on bye is no insult. It simply means we are considering the slew of options that IDP managers have with zero players on bye and most waiver competition already eliminated from the playoffs. As a result, and at the risk of being repetitive, you must remember that you can be picky.

Bolton was the 10th-most-started LB in fantasy last weekend. He played in more leagues than Nakobe Dean, Jamien Sherwood, and Terrel Bernard. At no point in the season has Bolton proved more valuable or worth starting over those players when all are healthy.

Worse for the Chiefs lead linebacker is his matchup this week. The Browns average the 24th-most rush attempts per game. Under Jameis Winston, they are attempting just 22 attempts per game. Winston also ranks second in average depth of throw amongst all QBs with at least 200 pass attempts.

The Browns are not an ideal matchup for a linebacker like Bolton. So, you can afford to fade him in leagues that start two or fewer linebackers.

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Brian Branch (Q) Lions Bills
2 Nick Cross Colts Broncos
3 Budda Baker Cardinals Patriots
4 Kyle Hamilton Ravens Giants
5 Julian Love Seahawks Packers
6 Tyler Nubin (Q) Giants Ravens
7 Derwin James Jr. Chargers Buccaneers
8 Jessie Bates III Falcons Raiders
9 Alontae Taylor Saints Commanders
10 Xavier McKinney Packers Seahawks
11 DeShon Elliott Steelers Eagles
12 Jeremy Chinn Commanders Saints
13 Kevin Byard Bears Vikings
14 Kerby Joseph Lions Bills
15 Deommodore Lenoir 49ers Rams
16 Tre’von Moehrig Raiders Falcons
17 Quentin Lake Rams 49ers
18 Talanoa Hufanga 49ers Rams
19 Tykee Smith Buccaneers Chargers
20 Devon Witherspoon Seahawks Packers
21 Brandon Jones Broncos Colts
22 Camryn Bynum Vikings Bears
23 Kyle Dugger Patriots Cardinals
24 Josh Metellus Vikings Bears
25 Kenny Moore II Colts Broncos
26 Ugo Amadi Saints Commanders
27 Tyrique Stevenson Bears Vikings
28 Marlon Humphrey Ravens Giants
29 Taron Johnson Bills Lions
30 Chidobe Awuzie Titans Bengals
31 Byron Murphy Jr. Vikings Bears
32 Harrison Smith Vikings Bears
33 Xavier Woods Panthers Cowboys
34 Damar Hamlin Bills Lions
35 Malik Mustapha 49ers Rams
36 Zyon McCollum (Q) Buccaneers Chargers
37 Grant Delpit Browns Chiefs
38 Minkah Fitzpatrick Steelers Eagles
39 Riley Moss (Q) Broncos Colts
40 Jalen Thompson Cardinals Patriots
41 Amani Hooker Titans Bengals
42 Reed Blankenship (Q) Eagles Steelers
43 Roger McCreary (Q) Titans Bengals
44 Jabrill Peppers Patriots Cardinals
45 Julian Blackmon Colts Broncos
46 DaRon Bland Cowboys Panthers
47 Jaylon Jones Colts Cowboys
48 Carlton Davis III (Q) Lions Bills
49 Kamren Kinchens Rams 49ers
50 Daryl Worley Titans Bengals

 

DB Riser of the Week

Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers

A month ago, there were real questions about whether Hufanga would ever play another snap in San Francisco. When he went on IR with a second major injury and the losses mounted in SF, it seemed the team would spend the rest of this season seeing what it had in young safeties Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown (more on him below).

Well, in a minor surprise, the 49ers activated Hufanga against the Bears. He ended up starting and playing 74% of the snaps in his first game back. This was a misleadingly low rate, too, given the team was easing him back from two serious injuries and it played with a major lead all game.

Expect Hufanga to see closer to 90% or more of the snaps in competitive games, which this week’s matchup with Los Angeles should be.

As many of you know, Hufanga has been a staple in this space for years. He started as a sleeper coming out of USC and has been a top-20 DB for us since the start of his sophomore campaign. In the wake of his injuries, Hufanga is the 105th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, making him a readily available difference-maker in a lot of IDP leagues.

 

DB Disappointment of the Week

Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco 49ers

Given the hype on him during 49ers camp and his strong Super Bowl performance, Brown was a preseason sleeper for us. While the ensuing fantasy production has been solid, the film has been less so. The Penn State alum has been a liability as a tackler and, at times, in coverage.

These problems ultimately made Brown the odd man out upon Hufanga’s return last weekend. Brown's coverage skills in college suggested he would play with Hufanga or Mustapha, while those two big-hitting options would conflict with each other. Instead, Mustapha and Hufanga are playing together while Brown sees 28% of the snaps.

No doubt the 49ers will spin this and say Brown still has plenty of upside and faith within the organization. That may even be true. However, the film and metrics suggest he is the weak link in that safety room. The 49ers' usage of their three safeties this past weekend suggests they know that.



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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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