X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Football IDP Rankings for Week 5 (Top 100)

IDP rankings for Week 5 of fantasy football. Pierre Camus and Justin Carter rank individual defensive players at defensive line, linebacker and defensive back.

The offenses are waking up, even on Thursday nights. That means harder times for team defenses, especially in leagues where points scored against are factored. Fortunately, IDP players can benefit from seeing the opposing offense on the field over and over again. More tackles mean more points, after all. Linebackers dominate the top 20 as usual but there are some rising stars to keep an eye on in the secondary to be found a bit further down, as we look forward to Week 5.

Dedicated fantasy football players know that the game isn't played on offense alone. While team defenses are a staple of the game, being able to identify value with individual defensive players (IDP) takes it to the next level. As we do with each position and every league type, RotoBaller has you covered when it comes to IDP. Expert analysts Pierre Camus and Justin Carter will bring you their top 100 consensus IDP rankings throughout the 2019 season, so check here for the latest weekly updates.

Players are classified by major position group (DL, LB, DB) to simplify things for you. We've also tiered these rankings to give you an idea of relative importance and will analyze a few key players to watch. Check out our rankings page for the offensive players right here.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Top 100 Individual Defensive Players - Week 5

Tier Rank Player Name Position
1 1 Cory Littleton LB
1 2 Luke Kuechly LB
1 3 Bobby Wagner LB
1 4 Blake Martinez LB
1 5 Joe Schobert LB
2 6 Devin Bush LB
2 7 John Johnson DB
2 8 Jordan Hicks LB
2 9 Leighton Vander Esch LB
2 10 Lavonte David LB
2 11 Deion Jones LB
2 12 Khalil Mack LB
3 13 Harrison Smith DB
3 14 J.J. Watt DL
3 15 Shaq Thompson LB
3 16 Jaylon Smith LB
3 17 Tremaine Edmunds LB
3 18 Zach Cunningham LB
3 19 Danielle Hunter DL
3 20 Landon Collins DB
3 21 Myles Garrett DL
3 22 Shaquil Barrett LB
3 23 Jamie Collins LB
3 24 Vonn Bell DB
4 25 Darius Leonard LB
4 26 Joey Bosa DL
4 27 Budda Baker DB
4 28 Shawn Williams DB
4 29 Jordan Poyer DB
4 30 Demario Davis LB
4 31 Danny Trevathan LB
4 32 Calais Campbell DL
4 33 Roquan Smith LB
5 34 Eric Kendricks LB
5 35 Jabrill Peppers DB
5 36 Jayon Brown LB
5 37 Aaron Donald DL
5 38 Kwon Alexander LB
5 39 Jamal Adams DB
5 40 Justin Reid DB
5 41 Patrick Onwuasor LB
5 42 Thomas Davis LB
5 43 Ronnie Harrison DB
5 44 Terrell Edmunds DB
5 45 Cameron Jordan DL
5 46 Antoine Bethea DB
5 47 Quincy Williams LB
6 48 Anthony Walker DB
6 49 Jessie Bates III DB
6 50 Todd Davis LB
6 51 Sam Hubbard DL
6 52 Kyle Fuller DB
6 53 Hasean Clinton-Dix DB
6 54 Myles Jack LB
6 55 Matt Milano LB
6 56 Darnell Savage DB
6 57 Carlos Dunlap DL
6 58 Fred Warner LB
6 59 Minkah Fitzpatrick DB
6 60 Demarcus Lawrence DL
7 61 Kevin Byard DB
7 62 Cameron Heyward DL
7 63 Haason Reddick LB
7 64 Jordan Whitehead DB
7 65 Anthony Hitchens LB
7 66 Chris Jones DL
7 67 Neville Hewitt LB
7 68 Whitney Mercilus LB
7 69 Montae Nicholson DB
7 70 Johnathan Joseph DB
7 71 Devin White LB
7 72 Jonathan Joseph DB
7 73 Jadeveon Clowney DL
7 74 Tahir Whitehead LB
7 75 Everson Griffen DL
7 76 Bradley McDougald DB
7 77 Eric Weddle DB
7 78 Kendall Fuller DB
8 79 Chandler Jones LB
8 80 Khari Willis DB
8 81 Clayton Geathers DB
8 82 Stephon Gilmore DB
8 83 Kyle Van Noy LB
8 84 Mark Barron LB
8 85 Rashaan Evans LB
8 86 DeForest Buckner DL
8 87 Dre Kirkpatrick DB
8 88 C.J. Mosley LB
8 89 T.J. Watt LB
8 90 Devin McCourty DB
8 91 De'Vondre Campbell LB
8 92 Justin Simmons DB
8 93 Robert Quinn DL
8 94 Nick Vigil LB
8 95 Stephon Tuitt DL
8 96 Tyrann Mathieu DB
8 97 Adrian Amos DB
8 98 Benardrick McKinney LB
8 99 Frank Clark DL
8 100 Mario Addison DL

 

Key Players to Watch

Jordan Hicks (LB, ARI) @Cincinnati

Hicks has recorded eight solo tackles in three different games, with a low of five in Week 3, adding up to a total of 28 on the year. He ranks third in the league behind only linebacker Blake Martinez and safety Tracy Walker, who is on a bye. Aside from the fact he's as much a high-floor play as you can get, he figures to be a solid season-long replacement for Darius Leonard owners who are likely frustrated playing the waiting game. A matchup with Cincinnati is too good to pass up this week, so get Hicks in your lineup wherever possible.

Roquan Smith (LB, CHI) @Oakland

After missing last week due to personal issues, Smith is back in action. The Raiders will have their hands full trying to ward off a motivated Khalil Mack, who faces the team that somehow decided it was a good idea to trade him before the start of last year. The Raiders haven't given up too many sacks on the year (eight) but Smith could sneak one in aside from racking up tackles as the team doubles Mack.

Jessie Bates III (S, CIN) vs Arizona

Facing the Air Raid could again be a defender's delight, as it was for Tracy Walker, Donte Jackson, and Shaq Griffin. Arizona runs the eighth-most plays per game (67) and Kyler Murray is airing it out 42.3 times per game. Shawn Williams is questionable with a knee injury, so it could fall to Bates to be the playmaker. He recorded three INT in his rookie year along with seven passes defended. His 20 tackles leave him one behind teammate Williams and puts him in the top 30 overall. Williams will also be a solid play if healthy but Bates might be the smarter pick this week.

Vonn Bell (S, NO) vs Tampa Bay

We know Jameis Winston's propensity to throw interceptions could return at any time, despite how effective he was last week. More importantly, Bell is tied for ninth among all DBs with 21 solo tackles. He's facing a team that runs the sixth-most plays per game and will push the ball downfield to its receivers rather than settling for dump-offs to running backs. Bell could be busy all afternoon with the chance to make a big play very likely.

Devin McCourty (S, NE) @Washington

It's tempting to say the McCourty can't record an interception in every single game this season as he has so far. Then again, he's facing the Redskins. We don't even know who will be at QB in Washington and apparently neither does Jay Gruden. The worst-case scenario here is that McCourty records another five-tackle game with a pass or two defended. For deeper IDP leagues, he's a high-upside streamer.

Jerry Hughes (DE, BUF) @ Tennessee

Finding a pass-rusher you can trust is getting harder and harder. Rule changes in the NFL protecting the quarterback undoubtedly have made an impact, as well as the increasing number of holding penalties we have seen. 14 teams haven't even reached the 10-sack mark yet and Buffalo is one of them, despite their excellent defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest points and third-fewest yards on the season. Maybe Hughes can get them going this week as they face the Titans, who have allowed 17 sacks, sixth-most in the league.

More Week 5 Lineup Prep


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP