RADIO
One factor IDP managers often struggle with far more than traditional fantasy managers is the war between fantasy and reality. On the offensive side of the ball, reality often meets fantasy expectations. An example is Josh Allen, who is great for fantasy and real football. This is not always the case with defenders in fantasy, though.
While you can usually count on the most talented offensive players to produce fantasy-worthy stats, the best defenders often get the fewest opportunities. The perfect example is elite cornerbacks, which we've touched on in this very space before. Shutdown corners like Sauce Gardner are avoided like the plague by opposing QBs, meaning they rarely produce in fantasy.
Unfortunately, IDP managers also struggle with the “George Kittle effect.” This is the concept that a player can often be used so much as a blocker or in coverage, or they are just getting rotated off for some reason that it impacts their fantasy numbers. Ivan Pace Jr. is starting to feel like that kind of guy. His usage is varied and inconsistent, but his metrics and film remain upper-tier.
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 one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and two DFLEX.
Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | Rams |
| 2 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | Panthers |
| 3 | Aidan Hutchinson | Lions | Cardinals |
| 4 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Ravens |
| 5 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Chargers |
| 6 | Myles Garrett | Browns | Giants |
| 7 | Danielle Hunter | Texans | Vikings |
| 8 | Josh Hines-Allen | Jaguars | Bills |
| 9 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Commanders |
| 10 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | Steelers |
| 11 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | Steelers |
| 12 | Boye Mafe (Q) | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 13 | Montez Sweat | Bears | Colts |
| 14 | Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Vikings |
| 15 | Jaelan Phillips | Dolphins | Seahawks |
| 16 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Chargers |
| 17 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | Falcons |
| 18 | Greg Rousseau | Bills | Jaguars |
| 19 | Jared Verse | Rams | 49ers |
| 20 | Matthew Judon | Falcons | Chiefs |
| 21 | Harold Landry III | Titans | Packers |
| 22 | Leonard Floyd | 49ers | Rams |
| 23 | Javon Hargrave | 49ers | Rams |
| 24 | Will McDonald IV | Jets | Patriots |
| 25 | Jonathon Cooper | Broncos | Buccaneers |
| 26 | Christian Wilkins | Raiders | Panthers |
| 27 | Von Miller | Bills | Jaguars |
| 28 | Kwity Paye | Colts | Bears |
| 29 | Keion White | Patriots | Jets |
| 30 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Vikings | Texans |
| 31 | Brian Burns | Giants | Browns |
| 32 | Dexter Lawrence | Giants | Browns |
| 33 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | Giants | Browns |
| 34 | George Karlaftis | Chiefs | Falcons |
| 35 | Byron Young | Rams | 49ers |
| 36 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Packers |
| 37 | Rashan Gary | Packers | Titans |
| 38 | Vita Vea (Q) | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 39 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Chargers |
| 40 | Yaya Diaby | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 41 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | Patriots |
| 42 | Travon Walker | Jaguars | Bills |
| 43 | Josh Sweat | Eagles | Saints |
| 44 | Dallas Turner (Q) | Vikings | Texans |
| 45 | Harrison Phillips | Vikings | Texans |
| 46 | Leonard Williams | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 47 | Laiatu Latu (Q) | Colts | Bears |
| 48 | Jalen Carter | Eagles | Saints |
| 49 | Zach Allen | Broncos | Buccaneers |
| 50 | Zaven Collins | Cardinals | Lions |
DL Riser of the Week
Keion White, New England Patriots
White made my Defenders to Stash column last week after he more than doubled his career sack total in one game against the Bengals. That burst in Week 1 could be the real deal, as he secured another 1.5 sacks and seven total tackles in Week 2.
The bulky Georgia Tech alum has played 80% or more of New England's defensive snaps in each of their games, signaling he's a full-time starter on their surprisingly sturdy front. While the Jets' offensive line has been much improved through two weeks, White's snap rate and run support make him a low-end DL2 in a mediocre matchup.
Seven wins against the LT-LG-C-RT from Keion White's monster Week 2 performance.
- 4 inside swipe variations (LG-LG-LG-C)
- 1 outside swipe (LT)
- 1 ghost (RT)
- 1 inside spin (RT) pic.twitter.com/qFm6rKt5jn— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 17, 2024
DL Disappointment of the Week
Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff, Philadelphia Eagles
Two weeks into the season, the Saints' rebuilt offensive line is the top-rated pass-blocking unit on PFF. While that is partially because they capitalized on a soft matchup with the Panthers in Week 1, this team also limited Micah Parsons to three pressures and zero quarterback hits/sacks in Week 2.
Rookie Taliese Fuaga has been everything many of us NFL Draft fans hoped for and more, surrendering zero pressures in two games at left tackle. Meanwhile, beleaguered right tackle Trevor Penning has surrendered just two pressures of his own. These rates could be an aberration, but they are concerning for the Eagles' edge rushers.
Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Foyesade Oluokun | Jaguars | Bills |
| 2 | Roquan Smith | Ravens | Cowboys |
| 3 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Rams |
| 4 | Alex Singleton | Broncos | Buccaneers |
| 5 | Zack Baun | Eagles | Saints |
| 6 | T.J. Edwards | Bears | Colts |
| 7 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Commanders |
| 8 | Eric Kendricks | Cowboys | Ravens |
| 9 | Zaire Franklin | Colts | Bears |
| 10 | E.J. Speed | Colts | Bears |
| 11 | Ernest Jones | Titans | Packers |
| 12 | Tyrel Dodson | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 13 | Bobby Okereke | Giants | Browns |
| 14 | Blake Cashman | Vikings | Texans |
| 15 | Bobby Wagner | Commanders | Bengals |
| 16 | Quincy Williams | Jets | Patriots |
| 17 | Nick Bolton | Chiefs | Falcons |
| 18 | Azeez Al-Shaair | Texans | Vikings |
| 19 | Quay Walker | Packers | Titans |
| 20 | David Long Jr. | Dolphins | Seahawks |
| 21 | Devin Lloyd | Jaguars | Bills |
| 22 | Kyzir White | Cardinals | Lions |
| 23 | Dorian Williams | Bills | Jaguars |
| 24 | Shaq Thompson | Panthers | Raiders |
| 25 | Robert Spillane | Raiders | Panthers |
| 26 | C.J. Mosley (Q) | Jets | Patriots |
| 27 | Demario Davis | Saints | Eagles |
| 28 | Kaden Elliss | Falcons | Chiefs |
| 29 | Lavonte David | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 30 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Browns | Giants |
| 31 | Ivan Pace Jr. | Vikings | Texans |
| 32 | Henry To’o To’o | Texans | Vikings |
| 33 | Tremaine Edmunds | Bears | Colts |
| 34 | Germaine Pratt | Bengals | Commanders |
| 35 | Nakobe Dean | Eagles | Saints |
| 36 | Alex Anzalone (Q) | Lions | Cardinals |
| 37 | Christian Rozeboom | Rams | 49ers |
| 38 | Troy Reeder | Rams | 49ers |
| 39 | Josey Jewell | Panthers | Raiders |
| 40 | Trenton Simpson | Ravens | Cowboys |
| 41 | SirVocea Denniss | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 42 | Jordan Hicks | Browns | Giants |
| 43 | DeMarvion Overshown | Cowboys | Ravens |
| 44 | De’Vondre Campbell | 49ers | Rams |
| 45 | Jack Campbell | Lions | Cardinals |
| 46 | Patrick Queen | Steelers | Chargers |
| 47 | Frankie Luvu | Commanders | Bengals |
| 48 | Daiyan Henley | Chargers | Steelers |
| 49 | Jerome Baker (Q) | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 50 | Jamien Sherwood | Jets | Patriots |
LB Riser of the Week
Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills
Reports indicate Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard could be out for four weeks with a pectoral injury. That's good news for the fantasy stock of Williams, who was already having a breakout campaign before Bernard's injury.
Williams is tied for 19th in total tackles this season, but his volume should increase as the Bills likely move him around their front more often with Bernard out. Look for him to continue putting up LB2-caliber numbers over the next few weeks, especially against a Jaguars offense that prioritizes targets to its tight ends and running backs.
LB Disappointment of the Week
Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Listing Pace Jr. here is an uncomfortable admission that the talented blitzer and run stuffer is tough to trust as more than a low-end LB2 until the Vikings use him more. While Pace remains an elite linebacker in most metrics, the Vikings clearly see him as too small to man the middle full-time, and that's why Blake Cashman is filling that role.
Despite Pace producing last year, he was LB12 in fantasy when he played over 70% of Minnesota’s snaps, and earning considerable preseason hype, the Vikings seem more interested in using him as a STAR-type of weapon than their lead ‘backer. They seem to view him as an all-around weapon who can play both ends, slot corner, and inside.
Right now, Pace is LB29 in Standard IDP Scoring. This is despite the fact he’s not topped 70% of his team’s defensive snaps this season. After missing a couple of tackles against San Francisco, it’s possible that usage continues despite his supernatural nose for the ball and ability to slip into the right gaps at the right times.
While I've tried to be patient because the metrics and film show Pace is a top-tier linebacker in the NFL, his inconsistent usage is concerning. That's why my preseason expectations have to come down a bit, at least until the Vikings start using him more. For now, the bigger-bodied Cashman has passed him over in fantasy.
Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Jessie Bates III | Falcons | Chiefs |
| 2 | Brian Branch | Lions | Cardinals |
| 3 | Derwin James | Chargers | Steelers |
| 4 | Antoine Winfield Jr. (Q) | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 5 | Julian Love | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 6 | Jaquan Brisker | Bears | Colts |
| 7 | Reed Blankenship | Eagles | Saints |
| 8 | Nick Cross | Colts | Bears |
| 9 | Camryn Bynum | Vikings | Texans |
| 10 | Kyle Hamilton | Ravens | Cowboys |
| 11 | Xavier McKinney | Packers | Titans |
| 12 | Josh Metellus | Vikings | Texans |
| 13 | Jalen Pitre | Texans | Vikings |
| 14 | Quentin Lake | Rams | 49ers |
| 15 | Budda Baker | Cardinals | Lions |
| 16 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Jets |
| 17 | Julian Blackmon (Q) | Colts | Bears |
| 18 | Justin Reid | Chiefs | Falcons |
| 19 | Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 20 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Steelers | Chargers |
| 21 | Alontae Taylor | Saints | Eagles |
| 22 | Jevon Holland | Dolphins | Seahawks |
| 23 | Jordan Whitehead | Buccaneers | Broncos |
| 24 | Andru Phillips | Giants | Browns |
| 25 | Grant Delpit | Browns | Giants |
| 26 | Denzel Ward (Q) | Browns | Giants |
| 27 | Tony Adams | Jets | Patriots |
| 28 | Rayshawn Jenkins | Seahawks | Dolphins |
| 29 | Jalen Thompson | Cardinals | Lions |
| 30 | Benjamin St. Juste | Commanders | Bengals |
| 31 | Kerby Joseph | Lions | Cardinals |
| 32 | Charvarius Ward | 49ers | Rams |
| 33 | Nate Hobbs | Raiders | Panthers |
| 34 | Talanoa Hufanga (Q) | 49ers | Rams |
| 35 | Donovan Wilson | Cowboys | Ravens |
| 36 | C.J. Gardner-Johnson | Eagles | Saints |
| 37 | Christian Gonzalez | Patriots | Jets |
| 38 | Ji’Ayir Brown | 49ers | Rams |
| 39 | Javon Bullard | Packers | Titans |
| 40 | Jason Pinnock | Giants | Browns |
| 41 | Kamren Curl | Rams | 49ers |
| 42 | DeShon Elliott | Steelers | Chargers |
| 43 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Bears |
| 44 | Cam Taylor-Britt | Bengals | Commanders |
| 45 | Marcus Williams | Ravens | Cowboys |
| 46 | Paulson Adebo | Saints | Eagles |
| 47 | Geno Stone | Bengals | Commanders |
| 48 | Derek Stingley Jr. | Texans | Vikings |
| 49 | Patrick Surtain | Broncos | Buccaneers |
| 50 | Brandon Jones | Broncos | Buccaneers |
DB Riser of the Week
Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts
Cross came out of college as an athletic safety who profiled best as a downhill thumper who played in the box and as a blitzer. So far this season, the Colts are utilizing him that way, and it's paying off in fantasy.
The Maryland product has played in the box 31.7% of the time this year, but that number jumped to 49% against a run-heavy Green Bay offense. As a result, Cross currently leads the NFL in tackles. While he hasn’t added anything else to the stat sheet, his tackle production should continue against a struggling Bears attack this week.
A recent trend has showcased #Colts third-year S Nick Cross in the box more than ever before.
Cross has been aligned in the box on 25.8% of snaps through 2 games, nearly 20% higher from 2023 (6.6%). He's also the team's highest-graded tackler (84.6) during the preseason. pic.twitter.com/IirRv1h5Ad
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) August 21, 2024
DB Disappointment of the Week
Quinyon Mitchell & Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
The rookie Mitchell has been particularly intriguing in deeper IDP leagues as a source of pass deflections and targets. One should not expect too much in terms of fantasy points from this duo in Week 3, though.
The Saints have been the NFL’s most prolific offense through two weeks, but they’ve also been the least pass-heavy. New Orleans is attempting a pass on just 35.59% of their offensive plays so far. While that may change once they stop playing with an insurmountable lead, this is a team that wants to lean on the run.
Worse for Philadelphia's corners, Derek Carr has only ever forced the ball to Davante Adams, never any other lead receiver. It’s a trait that has frustrated Amari Cooper and Chris Olave fantasy managers for years. Adams is not on this roster, so expect this offense to continue to run the ball and take what defenses give them.
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