Week 18 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings

January 6, 2022

Chris Gregory gives his IDP rankings and the top streamers to start along with defensive players to sit for Week 18 of the 2021 fantasy football season.

In our IDP Waivers column earlier this week, we offered you a bare-bones account of which NFL teams worried us going into the NFL's Seventh Day (aka the week of rest). In that bare-bones account, we promised to offer you more details and insight into which teams may cost you valuable fantasy snaps on defense. That deeper dive comes now in the form of a truly brilliant list of five teams who qualify as the most likely to rest players at some point in Week 18….

1. Green Bay Packers: The cheeseheads are the most obvious name on this list, as they have the #1 seed in the NFC wrapped up. While Aaron Rodgers and Packers claim they will play this Sunday, it is inconceivable that any key contributors on this team will see a full game of football with nothing on the line. Expect many Packers stars, including several defenders, to sit at least one-quarter of their Week 18 matchup.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow said this week that he could play on Sunday if he needs to… but he expects not to. Add to that the fact Trey Hendrickson and Joe Mixon went on the COVID list, while Logan Wilson just returned from a serious shoulder injury, and there are serious red flags surrounding Cincy in Week 18. While the Bengals could have a lot to play for, they are trending towards accepting a #3 or #4 seed while taking a nap.
3. Tennessee Titans: As we covered before, the Titans will secure the AFC's #1 seed with a victory over Houston… but they could also get that seed if the Chiefs lose on Saturday and the Bengals follow through on their promise to rest Burrow on Sunday. There's a non-zero chance the Titans either get out to a big lead early against the Texans or the Bengals/Chiefs tank and allow the Titans to coast by halftime. In either of those scenarios, players like Harold Landry III would likely see limited snaps.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas still has a shot at the #2 seed in the NFC, and they play on Saturday. That means they will have an incentive to win at kickoff. That said, winning may come easy if the Eagles decide to rest an ailing Jalen Hurts and accept a low seed in the playoffs. If that happens, the Cowboys could route Philly worse than they did in their 41-21 matchup earlier this season, allowing multiple Dallas starters to catch a breath late in the game.
5. Philadelphia Eagles: Philly has seeding on the line this week, as well as the pride of not wanting to lose to Dallas. However, they also have an ailing QB and several other starters who could benefit from rest. The Eagles may do the math and decide seeding matters less than healing and making sure their starters are available, meaning they could rest a lot of starters in this one, too.

There you go. That's the five teams we are most concerned about resting right now. Mind you, three of these teams were ones we thought may have something to play for earlier in the week, so you can't discount Cincy, Dallas, or Philly too much right now. There are early indicators that players on all of these teams may not give you a full four quarters, which is why we are fading most of them in the IDP rankings below.

Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Streamer of the Week: Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland Browns

You have to like Clowney here for various reasons, as long as he doesn't suffer a suspension or COVID designation. One of those reasons is his recent hot streak, with 3.5 sacks and five QB knockdowns in the past three games. The second reason is his easy path to massive opportunities, as Clowney is playing on a one-year deal, and Cleveland has every reason to play him all game. The Browns should play their starters all game in hopes of dashing a division rival's slim playoff dreams, and there's little contractual reason for them to worry about stashing Clowney to preserve his future health.

The third reason to elevate Clowney this week is his matchup. As we already noted, Joe Burrow is likely to sit this game out, meaning Brandon Allen would fill his spot. Allen isn't nearly the same threat to evade the pass rush that Burrow is, nor does Allen have the same processing power or quick release. Burrow may not be the only starter who gets rested either, as players like left tackle Jonah Williams may also get a breather at some point. The Bengals were already the second-worst team in the NFL in Adjusted Sack Rate with Burrow and their starting line on the field, and that sack rate could worsen if backups play.

DL Fade of the Week: Too Many To Count!!!

This section could last fifteen paragraphs, given all of the defensive linemen we are worried about this week. For example, we LOVE Trey Hendrickson against a Browns offensive line that just gave up nine sacks to Pittsburgh. We also hate the fact that Hendrickson is on the COVID list and is playing for a Bengals team that could choose to limit his snaps or rest him entirely, even if he manages to clear protocols.

We are also fading Leonard Floyd and Von Miller, who regularly rotate on the left edge where human wall Trent Williams sets up shop. Panthers pass rushers also get a ding from us due to the Buccaneers' still stellar pass blocking. Finally, top-ten stalwarts Micah Parsons and Harold Landry III get very slight dings due to the possibility they may not play full games.

Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Streamer of the Week: Kyzir White, Los Angeles Chargers & Jerome Baker, Miami Dolphins

This week, we are elevating Kyzir White to LB1 territory thanks to his strong matchup against the run-oriented Raiders in a game both teams have to win. This rivalry has the makings of a competitive contest, where the starters play all four quarters, which is a big benefit in Week 18. White is one of the few double-digit LBs with zero playing time concerns and a good matchup this week.

Baker is also an upgrade for us, as the Dolphins are likely to treat this divisional rivalry as their Super Bowl. Baker has been active as both a pass rusher and run defender as of late, and he put up terrific production against the Patriots in Week 1. Baker should be very involved against the Patriots' short passing game and their run-heavy approach. He is a safer play than usual.

LB Fade of the Week: De'Vondre Campbell, Green Bay Packers

For most of the season, Campbell has been a steady LB1 with elite tackle production and the occasional big play. Our reason for fading him here is the questions surrounding his playing time.

Over the past nine weeks, Campbell has been severely dependent on elite tackle volume to produce LB1 numbers. He has produced zero turnovers, one sack, and just two pass deflections during that span. That lack of big-play production hasn't mattered much because Campbell has been so consistent in the tackle department, but tackle volume requires elite playing time, and Campbell may not get that this week. Campbell's upside in an easy contest against Detroit isn't high enough to compensate for the risk he plays just two quarters and gets you zero big plays.

Also, before you ask, we are aware this call could turn out poorly if the Packers play some of their starters all game. It wouldn't turn out nearly as poorly as the Packers losing a starter to a torn ACL in a meaningless game, though.

Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Streamer of the Week: Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns

Delpit has started the past five games for the Browns at safety, and during that time, the former LSU superstar has averaged 7.2 total tackles per game while securing a turnover. He has seen 97% or more of the team's defensive snaps in each of his past three contests, too, averaging 9.3 tackles per contest during that span.

Delpit should continue seeing elite usage in the final week of the season, as the Browns have nothing to play for except getting their young players more experience. The second-year player's peak should come against a Bengals offense that could be starting several backups, including at quarterback. If the Bengals follow through with playing their second-string, that means ample big-play opportunities for Delpit. If Burrow and company end up playing without Mixon, who is on the COVID list, that also means high volume for Delpit. Either way, the Browns' safety should be upgraded significantly in Week 18.

DB Fade of the Week: Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati Bengals

Many analysts rank this former Streamer of the Week as a high-end DB2 in Week 18. That ranking is a bit much for us, considering that the Browns don't have a standout receiver who absorbs targets that Awuzie can utilize. With Cleveland's lack of weapons in the passing game and their backup QB on the field, we can expect Coach Stefanski to recommit to the running game in an attempt to keep the Bengals offense off the field and run out the clock on this disappointing season. That game plan should be easier to establish and commit to if Burrow and company don't play, too.

With the Bengals possibly sitting their stars, including Awuzie, this matchup stinks of a low-volume affair. Even if the corner from Colorado does play a full game, which isn't guaranteed, the Browns present a very low fantasy floor. Awuzie is still a low-end DB3 option, but he carries significant risk this week.

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