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Week 9 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

Jaguars Defense - Fantasy Football DST Rankings, Foyesade Oluokun IDP Draft Sleepers

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

What exactly is a struggling NFL player? Is it a player whose statistics are rough, or is it one whose film leaves you scratching your head? When Brock Purdy leads his receivers too much or misses multiple open receivers but finishes with a win and a QBR of 75.5 … is he struggling? When Josh Hines-Allen sits sixth in pass rush win rate but 39th in sacks, is he struggling?

It's a fair question for any fantasy manager or NFL personnel executive to ask, and it’s one IDP managers have to ponder more often than most. What do we do when the film or the advanced metrics tell us a player is ripe for production … but the production never comes? How long can we say Yaya Diaby is just unlucky, rather than someone who cannot turn pressure into sacks?

The aforementioned Hines-Allen is a great example. His advanced metrics and film have been elite since his time at Kentucky. However, those metrics have not always translated into fantasy points. Hines-Allen has posted just two double-digit sack seasons in his career, despite consistently elite pass-rush rates. Is that bad luck, or is he simply not as good as we think?

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

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 Maxx Crosby Raiders Bengals
2 Khalil Mack Chargers Browns
3 Andrew Van Ginkel Vikings Colts
4 Micah Parsons (Q) Cowboys Falcons
5 Myles Garrett Browns Chargers
6 Will Anderson Jr. Texans Jets
7 Jonathon Cooper Broncos Ravens
8 Brian Burns (Q) Giants Commanders
9 Harold Landry III Titans Patriots
10 Dexter Lawrence Giants Commanders
11 Zach Allen Broncos Ravens
12 Will McDonald IV Jets Texans
13 Trey Hendrickson Bengals Raiders
14 Jared Verse Rams Seahawks
15 Laiatu Latu Colts Vikings
16 Montez Sweat Bears Cardinals
17 Danielle Hunter Texans Jets
18 Derick Hall Seahawks Rams
19 Josh Hines-Allen Jaguars Eagles
20 Greg Rousseau Bills Dolphins
21 Keion White Patriots Titans
22 Boye Mafe Seahawks Rams
23 Jonathan Greenard Vikings Colts
24 Carl Granderson Saints Panthers
25 Chris Jones Chiefs Buccaneers
26 Byron Young Rams Seahawks
27 Travon Walker Jaguars Eagles
28 Nik Bonitto Broncos Ravens
29 Josh Sweat Eagles Jaguars
30 Dorance Armstrong Commanders Giants
31 Jalen Carter Eagles Jaguars
32 Joey Bosa (Q) Chargers Browns
33 Sam Hubbard Bengals Raiders
34 Vita Vea Buccaneers Chiefs
35 Jeffery Simmons Titans Patriots
36 Matthew Judon Falcons Cowboys
37 Kyle Van Noy Ravens Broncos
38 Harrison Phillips Vikings Colts
39 Za’Darius Smith Browns Chargers
40 Kwity Paye Colts Vikings
41 Ed Oliver Bills Dolphins
42 Quinnen Williams Jets Texans
43 Rashan Gary Packers Lions
44 Odafe Oweh Ravens Broncos
45 Preston Smith Packers Lions
46 Dante Fowler Commanders Giants
47 Anfernee Jennings Patriots Titans
48 Calais Campbell Dolphins Bills
49 Pat Jones II Vikings Colts
50 Kobie Turner Rams Seahawks

 

DL Riser of the Week

Josh Uche, Kansas City Chiefs

Josh Uche has always been an underrated situational pass-rusher, dating back to his time as an undersized edge at Michigan. He ranks in the top 30% in pressure rate over the past three seasons but simply never plays enough or gets enough help to be a fantasy factor.

Uche's playing time won't likely spike with his trade to the Chiefs, but his efficiency could. The Chiefs already rank as the fourth-best team in getting pressure and they have four defensive backs with a positive coverage grade. This scheme and roster could maximize Uche as a rotational player who is always a threat any time he’s on the field.

While this former Wolverine isn't jumping into a must-start territory and remains a risk in most IDP formats, he is a must-roster in deep leagues with hefty benches. The needle is pointing up after his move to Kansas City.

 

DL Disappointment of the Week

Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's edge-rushers have been largely sack-dependent for fantasy purposes this year. The trouble is that they both continue to be inconsistent in that department despite some solid metrics backing them up.

Admittedly, neither of these players has ever ranked particularly high in my rankings. While I liked Van Noy as a SAM linebacker coming out of BYU, he was never profiled as the sack artist that Baltimore is asking him to be. Meanwhile, Oweh has consistently been a darling for advanced metrics and testing, but he continues to struggle to close on sacks.

If there was a time you could book these guys as easy starters, it would have been last week against the Browns. Cleveland allows the most sacks per game in the NFL, was attempting the third-most passes per game, and attempted the third-most passes last weekend. Despite all that, Oweh and Van Noy came up empty for fantasy managers.

This week, the Ravens face a Broncos offense that is surrendering the third-fewest sacks per game. The Broncos also attempt passes near the league median, at 32.9 per contest. Add in the mobility of Bo Nix and how quickly he gets rid of the ball, and this matchup isn’t great for Baltimore’s edge-rushers.

 

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Foyesade Oluokun Jaguars Eagles
2 Roquan Smith Ravens Broncos
3 Zaire Franklin Colts Vikings
4 Robert Spillane Raiders Bengals
5 Zack Baun Eagles Jaguars
6 Eric Kendricks Cowboys Falcons
7 Germaine Pratt Bengals Raiders
8 E.J. Speed (Q) Colts Vikings
9 Bobby Wagner Commanders Giants
10 Ernest Jones IV Seahawks Rams
11 Lavonte David Buccaneers Chiefs
12 Dorian Williams Bills Dolphins
13 Jamien Sherwood Jets Texans
14 Ivan Pace Jr. Vikings Colts
15 Quay Walker (Q) Packers Lions
16 Logan Wilson Bengals Raiders
17 Terrel Bernard (Q) Bills Dolphins
18 Nakobe Dean Eagles Jaguars
19 Trevin Wallace Panthers Saints
20 Nick Bolton Chiefs Buccaneers
21 Troy Andersen (Q) Falcons Cowboys
22 Bobby Okereke Giants Commanders
23 Blake Cashman (Q) Vikings Colts
24 Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Q) Browns Chargers
25 T.J. Edwards Bears Cardinals
26 Jordyn Brooks Dolphins Bills
27 Azeez Al-Shaair (Q) Texans Jets
28 Cody Barton Broncos Ravens
29 Tyrel Dodson Seahawks Rams
30 DeMarvion Overshown Cowboys Falcons
31 Demario Davis (Q) Saints Panthers
32 Christian Rozeboom Rams Seahawks
33 Quincy Williams Jets Texans
34 Josey Jewell Panthers Saints
35 Alex Anzalone Lions Packers
36 Kenneth Murray Jr. (Q) Titans Patriots
37 Daiyan Henley Chargers Browns
38 Kyzir White (Q) Cardinals Bears
39 Tremaine Edmunds Bears Cardinals
40 Kaden Elliss Falcons Cowboys
41 Henry To’oTo’o (Q) Texans Jets
42 Frankie Luvu Commanders Giants
43 Jerome Baker (Q) Titans Patriots
44 Jack Campbell Lions Packers
45 Andrew Van Ginkel Vikings Colts
46 Edgerrin Cooper Packers Lions
47 David Long Jr. Dolphins Bills
48 Micah McFadden Giants Commanders
49 Devin Lloyd Jaguars Eagles
50 Ventrell Miller Jaguars Eagles

 

LB Riser of the Week

Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers

Cooper was a relatively raw prospect coming out of Texas A&M. He was high on many boards because of his elite range and athleticism. He produced as a pass-rusher in his final collegiate season, but he also had the physical profile to become a consistent tackler in run support.

It was a slow start to the season for Cooper, which was to be expected given his raw profile. However, the arrow has pointed up on him the past few weeks. In each of his past three games, Cooper has seen at least 60% of the defensive snaps. That's nearly double what he was receiving previously.

With that increased playing time, Cooper has put together two high-end fantasy performances in three tries. While he had a dud in Week 7, bookending that game are two contests with at least eight tackles in each. Throw in a sack for good measure, plus at least five solos in each, and you have a high-upside player just scratching the surface.

 

LB Disappointment of the Week

Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Perhaps it won’t matter much if Doug Pederson is fired and the Jaguars hire a new head coach. However, as long as Pederson remains the coach, we should have concerns about Devin Lloyd’s playing time.

With Foyesade Oluokun activated from IR last week, Pederson was asked if rookie Ventrell Miller would play at the same time as Oluokun. The thought from the media was that Oluokun and Lloyd typically played together when both were healthy, but Miller had earned more playing time with his promising play.

Pederson’s response seemed telling.

“I would say, short answer is yes. I think you want your best 11 on the field, whatever that looks like,” Pederson answered. “And [it] sometimes doesn't necessarily have to be the best football player, but the one that does things right the most. But I do still think that there's, there's enough of a rotational piece with those guys.”

Most in the Jacksonville press took this answer as a shot at Lloyd. His usage on Sunday indicates the press was right. Lloyd had a nearly even split in playing time with Miller in Week 8, seeing just 56% of the defensive snaps. This week, that kind of usage will make it tough to use Lloyd, the 35th-highest-scoring LB in fantasy.

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Antoine Winfield Jr. Buccaneers Chiefs
2 Brian Branch Lions Packers
3 Jessie Bates III Falcons Cowboys
4 Nick Cross Colts Vikings
5 Julian Love Seahawks Rams
6 Budda Baker Cardinals Bears
7 Jaquan Brisker (Q) Bears Cardinals
8 Kyle Hamilton Ravens Broncos
9 Derwin James Jr. Chargers Browns
10 Xavier McKinney Packers Lions
11 Quentin Lake Rams Seahawks
12 Jalen Pitre Texans Jets
13 Camryn Bynum Vikings Colts
14 Jaylon Jones Colts Vikings
15 Josh Metellus Vikings Colts
16 Devon Witherspoon Seahawks Rams
17 Taron Johnson Bills Dolphins
18 Julian Blackmon Colts Vikings
19 Brandon Jones Broncos Ravens
20 Kerby Joseph Lions Packers
21 Alontae Taylor Saints Panthers
22 Tre’von Moehrig Raiders Bengals
23 Rayshawn Jenkins Seahawks Rams
24 Marlon Humphrey (Q) Ravens Broncos
25 Kyle Dugger (Q) Patriots Titans
26 Tony Adams Jets Texans
27 Damar Hamlin Bills Dolphins
28 Jordan Whitehead Buccaneers Chiefs
29 Rasul Douglas Bills Dolphins
30 Reed Blankenship Eagles Jaguars
31 Byron Murphy Jr. Vikings Colts
32 Grant Delpit (Q) Browns Chargers
33 Mike Sainristil Commanders Giants
34 Keisean Nixon Packers Lions
35 Zyon McCollum Buccaneers Chiefs
36 Kamren Curl (Q) Rams Seahawks
37 Michael Jackson Panthers Saints
38 Tyrann Mathieu Saints Panthers
39 Riley Moss Broncos Ravens
40 Javon Bullard Packers Lions
41 Jaire Alexander Packers Lions
42 A.J. Terrell Falcons Cowboys
43 Jalen Thompson Cardinals Bears
44 DaRon Bland (Q) Cowboys Falcons
45 Trevon Diggs Cowboys Falcons
46 Tyrique Stevenson Bears Cardinals
47 Kenny Moore II Colts Vikings
48 Cam Taylor-Britt Bengals Raiders
49 Marte Mapu Patriots Titans
50 Chamarri Conner Chiefs Buccaneers

 

DB Riser of the Week

Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders

Those of you who followed NFL Draft evaluations this past spring know Sainristil was widely regarded as the best slot corner in this rookie class. I graded him as the most tenacious and aggressive corner in the group, with arguably the best blitzing and run support skills of anyone in a deep cornerback room.

The Michigan alum has seen consistent usage in Washington's secondary as a rookie. Better yet, he's been moved all over the field. That means that he isn't just in on nickel packages. Rather, he is playing in the slot on nickel, but he's staying out wide in base packages. That is a great sign for his week-to-week fantasy viability going forward.

To the surprise of no one who evaluated him during his national championship season, Sainristil is a diligent tackler with a very low 4.9% missed tackle rate. The analysts at PFF even grade him as the 14th-best tackling defensive back in the NFL, which is impressive for a rookie. He has gone from a dynasty stash to a redraft asset.

 

DB Disappointment of the Week

Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts

The Minnesota Vikings average the fewest offensive plays and the fewest pass attempts in the NFL this season. That fact is due in part to Sam Darnold having the fourth-highest intended air yards per attempt in the NFL. Darnold also relies heavily on his outside receivers, rather than throwing into the slot.

To make matters worse, the Indianapolis Colts average the seventh-fewest offensive plays per game. Add in the fact that the Colts have just benched their starting quarterback and are going with a statuesque passer who could be a sitting duck against a prolific Vikings pass rush, and this game could be a clock-ticking, low-volume affair.

While it's true that Moore is a versatile player who is strong in run support and plays all over the field, this contest is risky. He plays over half of his snaps in the slot, where the Vikings do not have a receiver or tight end they target more than four times per game. This could be a low-opportunity affair for Moore.



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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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