RADIO
As happens after Week 1 of every NFL season, there is a lot of panic in the fantasy community right now. Inevitably, some of the veterans you've always relied on are starting to show their age, while many sleepers or breakouts haven't yet cracked their shells. It's a natural time to worry and to overreact.
The first thing to remember is that plenty of superstars struggle in Week 1. Just consider Joe Burrow's opening season jitters. Between 2020-2023, Burrow averaged just 218 passing yards, one passing TD, 1.25 INTs, and 23 rushing yards in Week 1 games. That translates to just 7.8 fantasy ppg in standard leagues.
Burrow was awful to start this season, too, but you won’t drop him. Cutting a fantasy stalwart like Joe Cool after one dud is foolhardy, and the same applies to your IDP studs. Remember, Week 1 is just 5% of the season after a long offseason of rust and relaxation. Opening week is always hectic and strange, but talent and opportunity usually persevere.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
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 with one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and two DFLEX.
Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Broncos |
| 2 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | Ravens |
| 3 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Saints |
| 4 | Myles Garrett | Browns | Jaguars |
| 5 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | Vikings |
| 6 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | Panthers |
| 7 | Josh Hines-Allen | Jaguars | Browns |
| 8 | Brian Burns | Giants | Commanders |
| 9 | Montez Sweat | Bears | Texans |
| 10 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 11 | Aidan Hutchinson | Lions | Buccaneers |
| 12 | Danielle Hunter | Texans | Bears |
| 13 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | Panthers |
| 14 | Boye Mafe | Seahawks | Patriots |
| 15 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | Giants | Commanders |
| 16 | Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Bears |
| 17 | Carl Granderson | Saints | Cowboys |
| 18 | Jaelan Phillips | Dolphins | Bills |
| 19 | Christian Wilkins | Raiders | Ravens |
| 20 | Dexter Lawrence | Giants | Commanders |
| 21 | Harold Landry III | Titans | Jets |
| 22 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Broncos |
| 23 | Javon Hargrave | 49ers | Vikings |
| 24 | Jared Verse | Rams | Cardinals |
| 25 | DeForest Buckner (Q) | Colts | Packers |
| 26 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | Bengals |
| 27 | Gregory Rousseau | Bills | Dolphins |
| 28 | Jalen Carter | Eagles | Falcons |
| 29 | Jonathon Cooper | Broncos | Steelers |
| 30 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Vikings | 49ers |
| 31 | Byron Young | Rams | Cardinals |
| 32 | Josh Sweat | Eagles | Falcons |
| 33 | George Karlaftis | Chiefs | Bengals |
| 34 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Broncos |
| 35 | Matthew Judon | Falcons | Eagles |
| 36 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Jets |
| 37 | Dallas Turner | Vikings | 49ers |
| 38 | Laiatu Latu | Colts | Packers |
| 39 | Jonathan Greenard | Vikings | 49ers |
| 40 | Bryce Huff | Eagles | Falcons |
| 41 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | Titans |
| 42 | Keion White | Patriots | Seahawks |
| 43 | Rashan Gary | Packers | Colts |
| 44 | Travon Walker | Jaguars | Browns |
| 45 | Harrison Phillips | Vikings | 49ers |
| 46 | Zaven Collins | Cardinals | Rams |
| 47 | Leonard Floyd | 49ers | Vikings |
| 48 | Sam Hubbard | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 49 | Zach Allen | Broncos | Steelers |
| 50 | Leonard Williams | Seahawks | Patriots |
DL Riser of the Week
Jared Verse, DL, Los Angeles Rams
Verse was my favorite defender in this year’s NFL Draft, thanks to his combination of motor and power that helped him repeatedly obliterate blockers last fall. Verse flashed that same dominant power in Week 1, securing a sack and logging the sixth-most QB pressures in the league despite playing against a stout Detroit offensive line.
The Cardinals should offer Verse a far easier matchup than the Lions did, especially with Jonah Williams out. Arizona surrendered four sacks and 12 pressures to Buffalo, including a three-sack performance from Gregory Rousseau. Given the matchup and talent, Verse is a nice upside play this week.
Quality quality sack by rookie Jared Verse against Taylor Decker with a chip pic.twitter.com/qy6t90eU44
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 10, 2024
DL Disappointment of the Week
Matthew Judon, Atlanta Falcons
Fading Judon this week may be risky since he overcame a shortened offseason and limited help to produce a respectable 4.5 Standard IDP points against Pittsburgh. That said, Judon is a rotational pass rusher in this front and the Steelers' patchwork line was a favorable matchup for an edge like him.
This week, Judon gets a far less favorable matchup against the Eagles. Philly fields two of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL, who surrendered a combined three pressures against the Packers in Week 1. Philadelphia has had PFF's top-graded pass-blocking unit for two straight seasons, and they are on pace for a similarly effective season so far.
Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Foyesade Oluokun | Jaguars | Browns |
| 2 | Roquan Smith | Ravens | Raiders |
| 3 | Alex Singleton | Broncos | Steelers |
| 4 | Bobby Okereke | Giants | Commanders |
| 5 | Quay Walker | Packers | Colts |
| 6 | T.J. Edwards | Bears | Texans |
| 7 | Zaire Franklin | Colts | Packers |
| 8 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Vikings |
| 9 | Terrel Bernard | Bills | Dolphins |
| 10 | Eric Kendricks (Q) | Cowboys | Saints |
| 11 | E.J. Speed | Colts | Packers |
| 12 | Ivan Pace Jr. | Vikings | 49ers |
| 13 | Nick Bolton | Chiefs | Bengals |
| 14 | Bobby Wagner | Commanders | Giants |
| 15 | C.J. Mosley | Jets | Titans |
| 16 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 17 | Zack Baun | Eagles | Falcons |
| 18 | Jordyn Brooks | Dolphins | Bills |
| 19 | Lavonte David | Buccaneers | Lions |
| 20 | Patrick Queen | Steelers | Broncos |
| 21 | Azeez Al-Shaair | Texans | Bears |
| 22 | Kyzir White | Cardinals | Rams |
| 23 | Tyrel Dodson | Seahawks | Patriots |
| 24 | De’Vondre Campbell | 49ers | Vikings |
| 25 | Ernest Jones | Titans | Jets |
| 26 | Quincy Williams | Jets | Titans |
| 27 | Alex Anzalone | Lions | Buccaneers |
| 28 | Robert Spillane | Raiders | Ravens |
| 29 | Frankie Luvu | Commanders | Giants |
| 30 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Browns | Jaguars |
| 31 | Jordan Hicks | Browns | Jaguars |
| 32 | Demario Davis | Saints | Cowboys |
| 33 | Shaq Thompson | Panthers | Chargers |
| 34 | Christian Rozeboom | Rams | Cardinals |
| 35 | DeMarvion Overshown | Cowboys | Saints |
| 36 | Kaden Elliss | Falcons | Eagles |
| 37 | Devin Lloyd | Jaguars | Browns |
| 38 | Troy Reeder | Rams | Cardinals |
| 39 | Ja’Whaun Bentley | Patriots | Seahawks |
| 40 | Tremaine Edmunds | Bears | Texans |
| 41 | Josey Jewell | Panthers | Chargers |
| 42 | Nakobe Dean | Eagles | Falcons |
| 43 | Germaine Pratt | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 44 | Trenton Simpson | Ravens | Raiders |
| 45 | Blake Cashman | Vikings | 49ers |
| 46 | Jerome Baker | Seahawks | Patriots |
| 47 | Jack Campbell | Lions | Buccaneers |
| 48 | David Long Jr. | Dolphins | Bills |
| 49 | Payton Wilson | Steelers | Broncos |
| 50 | Divine Deablo | Raiders | Ravens |
LB Riser of the Week
Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
If you have followed my articles and rankings since I started covering IDP for Rotoballer nearly five years ago, you know Zack Baun has always been one of my favorites. I had him ranked as a top-25 prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, and I bemoaned the poor fit New Orleans was for his skill set.
After considering Baun a “sleeper” or “breakout” candidate every offseason, including this one, his ascension may finally be happening. In Week 1, Baun was the clear lead linebacker for Philly, playing 100% of the snaps while securing 15 tackles and two sacks. Those sacks are part of his skill set, too, as he was a gifted pass rusher in Wisconsin.
Rumors are that Baun may be playing Devin White out of a job (more on that below), and it was Nakobe Dean who came off the field in the rare instance Philly used just one linebacker last week. Baun is a well-rounded tackler who produced the second-most fantasy points of any LB in Week 1, and he is available in 99.2% of IDP leagues.
Note that Baun also has a premium matchup this week. The Falcons ran their entire offense through Bijan Robinson in Week 1, which is great for Baun. Even better, the Falcons' pass-blocking unit surrendered constant pressure against Pittsburgh, and Kirk Cousins looked incapable of getting away from it.
Wow I underestimated Zack Baun pic.twitter.com/jBbqvotC7k
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 7, 2024
LB Disappointment of the Week
Devin White, Philadelphia Eagles
The official word out of Philadelphia is that White did not play in Week 1 due to an ankle injury. The unofficial word is that the team may be trying to trade him. By all accounts, both Baun and Nakobe Dean have outplayed the more expensive White this offseason. The team also likes the depth at the LB position with Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Despite being a premium athlete who can produce as a pass rusher and tackler, White lost favor in Tampa Bay over the past few years. Be it personality or a decline in ability, White ceded playing time to much less heralded defenders on the Buccaneers, and it looks like that may happen again in Philadelphia.
Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Derwin James | Chargers | Panthers |
| 2 | Kyle Hamilton (Q) | Ravens | Raiders |
| 3 | Brian Branch | Lions | Buccaneers |
| 4 | Jessie Bates III | Falcons | Eagles |
| 5 | Jaquan Brisker | Bears | Texans |
| 6 | Julian Love | Seahawks | Patriots |
| 7 | Reed Blankenship | Eagles | Falcons |
| 8 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Steelers | Broncos |
| 9 | Camryn Bynum | Vikings | 49ers |
| 10 | Antoine Winfield Jr. (D) | Buccaneers | Lions |
| 11 | Xavier McKinney | Packers | Colts |
| 12 | Josh Metellus | Vikings | 49ers |
| 13 | Jalen Pitre | Texans | Bears |
| 14 | Julian Blackmon | Colts | Packers |
| 15 | Jevon Holland | Dolphins | Bills |
| 16 | Grant Delpit | Browns | Jaguars |
| 17 | Charvarius Ward | 49ers | Vikings |
| 18 | Justin Reid | Chiefs | Bengals |
| 19 | Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks | Patriots |
| 20 | Nate Hobbs | Raiders | Ravens |
| 21 | Quentin Lake | Rams | Cardinals |
| 22 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Seahawks |
| 23 | Ji’Ayir Brown | 49ers | Vikings |
| 24 | Trent McDuffie | Chiefs | Bengals |
| 25 | Budda Baker | Cardinals | Rams |
| 26 | Donovan Wilson | Cowboys | Saints |
| 27 | Jalen Thompson | Cardinals | Rams |
| 28 | Rayshawn Jenkins | Jaguars | Browns |
| 29 | Alontae Taylor | Saints | Cowboys |
| 30 | Jordan Whitehead | Buccaneers | Lions |
| 31 | Kerby Joseph | Lions | Buccaneers |
| 32 | C.J. Gardner-Johnson | Eagles | Falcons |
| 33 | L’Jarius Sneed | Titans | Jets |
| 34 | Talanoa Hufanga (Q) | 49ers | Vikings |
| 35 | Nick Cross | Colts | Packers |
| 36 | Brandon Jones | Broncos | Steelers |
| 37 | Tyson Campbell | Jaguars | Browns |
| 38 | Marcus Williams | Ravens | Raiders |
| 39 | Javon Bullard | Packers | Colts |
| 40 | Jason Pinnock | Giants | Commanders |
| 41 | Geno Stone | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 42 | Christian Gonzalez | Patriots | Seahawks |
| 43 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Packers |
| 44 | Cam Taylor-Britt | Bengals | Chiefs |
| 45 | A.J. Terrell | Falcons | Eagles |
| 46 | Paulson Adebo | Saints | Cowboys |
| 47 | Kamren Curl | Rams | Cardinals |
| 48 | Derek Stingley Jr. | Texans | Bears |
| 49 | Roger McCreary | Titans | Jets |
| 50 | Tykee Smith | Buccaneers | Lions |
DB Riser of the Week
Javon Bullard, Green Bay Packers
Bullard was an overlooked prospect when it came to our preseason IDP rankings, but he demands attention after an NFL debut with 11 tackles. While Bullard played in the box less than Xavier McKinney last week, contrary to what his hard-hitting style would suggest, he does merit plenty of box and nickel assignments.
Bullard is widely available in IDP leagues, with a rostership of just 1.4%. He also has a fascinating matchup against a Colts offense that should run the ball a lot but also attempt several risky deep throws. Richardson risked interception on at least four of his 19 passes last week.
Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard communicating pre-snap on the motion could tell right way what the Eagles were doing. Bullard triggered downhill as soon as he saw Goedert's bubble. pic.twitter.com/VihsKXWsVi
— Rich (@richjmadrid) September 9, 2024
DB Disappointment of the Week
Green Bay Packers Cornerbacks
While there is plenty of potential for Packer defenders playing in the box or deep, beware of their outside corners. The Colts ran the fewest plays in the NFL in Week 1. Now, the Packers are projected to start Malik Willis, whose career completion percentage is 52.2% and who has thrown for a total of 350 yards in eight NFL games and three starts.
Given how inefficient the Packers' offense is likely to be with Willis under center and the Colts' slow pace of play, players like Jaire Alexander could see an extremely limited number of opportunities to make a play. Expect Richardson and company to run a lot and throw a few balls up for grabs, but ultimately limit throws to the outside.
i can’t possibly seem to figure out why Jaire Alexander isn’t allowed to guard WR1s, can anyone help? pic.twitter.com/eDYDpUHNC6 https://t.co/bhtSF9cgNP
— ryan maye (@ryanolsonn) September 7, 2024
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis
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.
