Week 1 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

A new NFL season is finally upon us. This means there are plenty of things to get excited and worried about. At the precipice of every season, without fail, all fantasy fans and analysts cling to the notion that we know what to expect and we know what variables to account for. This is often false.

Much of our preseason projections will help predict outcomes, but there is no accounting for the human element in sports. Odds favor Trent Williams continuing to give pass-rushers problems and Aaron Rodgers being stingy with opposing cornerbacks, but age could bite both. Therefore, you must be cautious about relying too much on the past.

Annually, I warn fans that we can use past metrics and film to try and predict the future, but any projections for Week 1 will have more variables than usual. Playing Week 1 matchups are never as reliable as they are by midseason. So, early on, you should rely on talent over matchups.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end 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	T.J. Watt	Steelers	Falcons
2	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Chargers
3	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Browns
4	Nick Bosa	49ers	Jets
5	Danielle Hunter	Texans	Colts
6	Myles Garrett	Browns	Cowboys
7	Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	Rams
8	Josh Hines-Allen	Jaguars	Dolphins
9	Montez Sweat	Bears	Titans
10	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Raiders
11	Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	Colts
12	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Patriots
13	Matthew Judon	Falcons	Steelers
14	Brian Burns	Giants	Vikings
15	Jonathan Greenard	Vikings	Giants
16	Derrick Brown	Panthers	Saints
17	Carl Granderson	Saints	Panthers
18	Javon Hargrave	49ers	Jets
19	Christian Wilkins	Raiders	Chargers
20	Jaelan Phillips (Q)	Dolphins	Jaguars
21	Jermaine Johnson	Jets	49ers
22	Alex Highsmith	Steelers	Falcons
23	Andrew Van Ginkel	Vikings	Giants
24	Laiatu Latu	Colts	Texans
25	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Vikings
26	Harold Landry III	Titans	Bears
27	Joey Bosa (Q)	Chargers	Raiders
28	DeForest Buckner	Colts	Texans
29	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Bears
30	Greg Rousseau	Bills	Cardinals
31	Jonathon Cooper	Broncos	Seahawks
32	Boye Mafe	Seahawks	Broncos
33	Leonard Floyd	49ers	Jets
34	Byron Young	Rams	Lions
35	Quinnen Williams	Jets	49ers
36	George Karlaftis	Chiefs	Ravens
37	Josh Sweat	Eagles	Packers
38	Cameron Heyward	Steelers	Falcons
39	Sam Hubbard	Bengals	Patriots
40	Jadeveon Clowney	Panthers	Saints
41	Chris Jones	Chiefs	Ravens
42	Travon Walker	Jaguars	Dolphins
43	Rashan Gary	Packers	Eagles
44	Harrison Phillips	Vikings	Giants
45	Jared Verse	Rams	Lions
46	Bryce Huff	Eagles	Packers
47	Anfernee Jennings	Patriots	Bengals
48	Dallas Turner	Vikings	Giants
49	Austin Booker	Bears	Titans
50	Trevis Gipson	Seahawks	Broncos

DL Riser of the Week

Jermaine Johnson, New York Jets

Johnson was a premium pass-rush prospect coming out of Florida State with the ability to win with speed and leverage. He has flashed in his career to date, but the loss of Bryce Huff and the continued holdout of Haason Reddick could create an elite snap share for Johnson.

To open the season, Johnson gets to tee off on the 49ers. While this isn't always an ideal matchup, San Francisco's star left tackle Trent Williams continues to hold out. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ starting right tackle (Colton McKivitz) was one of the worst pass-blocking tackles in the NFL last year.

Just an insane play from Jermaine Johnson (#11) pic.twitter.com/I7HmTGCU16

— JR (@JRNYSports) August 29, 2024

DL Disappointment of the Week

Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

This could be a breakout season for Thibodeaux, who should benefit from playing with Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II on the same front. Unfortunately, he could start the season in a rather tough spot.

Christian Darrisaw is one of the NFL's best pass-blockers, finishing with the third-fewest pressures allowed amongst all linemen with at least 500 snaps in 2023. Thibodeaux will likely alternate sides, so he won’t always face Darrisaw, but his preseason usage suggests he will see a lot of the left tackle.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Zaire Franklin	Colts	Texans
2	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Dolphins
3	Bobby Okereke	Giants	Vikings
4	Roquan Smith	Ravens	Chiefs
5	Ivan Pace Jr.	Vikings	Giants
6	Fred Warner	49ers	Jets
7	Nick Bolton	Chiefs	Ravens
8	Azeez Al-Shaair	Texans	Colts
9	Terrel Bernard	Bills	Cardinals
10	Ernest Jones IV	Titans	Bears
11	E.J. Speed	Colts	Texans
12	T.J. Edwards	Bears	Titans
13	Alex Singleton	Broncos	Seahawks
14	Quay Walker	Packers	Eagles
15	C.J. Mosley	Jets	49ers
16	Patrick Queen	Steelers	Falcons
17	Bobby Wagner	Commanders	Buccaneers
18	Jordyn Brooks	Dolphins	Jaguars
19	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Commanders
20	De’Vondre Campbell	49ers	Jets
21	Devin White	Eagles	Packers
22	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Patriots
23	Kyzir White	Cardinals	Bills
24	Frankie Luvu	Commanders	Buccaneers
25	Jordan Hicks	Browns	Cowboys
26	Quincy Williams	Jets	49ers
27	Alex Anzalone	Lions	Rams
28	Tyrel Dodson	Seahawks	Broncos
29	Eric Kendricks	Cowboys	Browns
30	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	Cowboys
31	Robert Spillane	Raiders	Chargers
32	Demario Davis	Saints	Panthers
33	Josey Jewell	Panthers	Saints
34	Trenton Simpson	Ravens	Chiefs
35	Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	Titans
36	Kaden Elliss	Falcons	Steelers
37	Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	Dolphins
38	Troy Reeder	Rams	Lions
39	Shaq Thompson	Panthers	Saints
40	Blake Cashman	Vikings	Giants
41	Denzel Perryman	Chargers	Raiders
42	Ja’Whaun Bentley	Patriots	Bengals
43	Germaine Pratt	Bengals	Patriots
44	Payton Wilson	Steelers	Falcons
45	Christian Rozeboom	Rams	Lions
46	Jerome Baker	Seahawks	Broncos
47	Jack Campbell	Lions	Rams
48	Divine Deablo	Raiders	Chargers
49	Drue Tranquill	Chiefs	Ravens
50	Omar Speights	Rams	Lions

LB Riser of the Week

Omar Speights, Los Angeles Rams

The leading interior linebacker for the Rams has historically produced quality fantasy stats under Sean McVay. Even Troy Reeder was a reliable fantasy resource in that spot, and Reeder could again seize the position … though the Rams dumped him once for a reason.

With Ernest Jones IV gone, someone has to fill the void in the middle of a Los Angeles unit that has produced quality tacklers with multiple defensive coordinators and on-field leaders. For now, it appears Reeder will again get the chance to be that guy, based on how he’s been treated since the trade.

However, Omar Speights has gotten a lot of positive buzz out of camp. The Rams even sat him in the final preseason game to preserve him. The Rams and everyone else know Reeder is a stopgap measure. Once Speights gets acclimated to the NFL, he could be the leader of this unit.

If Ernest Jones gone, that would be terrible news but Omar Speights definitely look like he got NEXT!
pic.twitter.com/MrtXw8MLvG

— Zeus (@LilMamba06) August 26, 2024

LB Disappointment of the Week

Ernest Jones IV, Tennessee Titans

If Jones is truly healthy and plays 100% of the Titans’ snaps, he will be a no-doubt LB1 this week and every week after. His tackling prowess is too valuable not to start in all IDP formats.

However, there were reported concerns about Jones' health, contributing to his being traded to Tennessee. The trade also happened late in the summer, meaning the vet had very limited snaps with his new teammates and their new scheme. Those are both mild concerns.

Against a Bears offense that could look to pass far more than expected with Caleb Williams under center, do not be surprised if this former Ram fails to meet expectations in his first game with the Titans. He could be on a snap count or simply need time to acclimate in a mediocre matchup.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Antoine Winfield Jr.	Buccaneers	Commanders
2	Kyle Hamilton (Q)	Ravens	Chiefs
3	Jessie Bates III	Falcons	Steelers
4	Derwin James	Chargers	Raiders
5	Camryn Bynum	Vikings	Giants
6	Brian Branch	Lions	Rams
7	Jaquan Brisker	Bears	Titans
8	Josh Metellus	Vikings	Giants
9	Devon Witherspoon	Seahawks	Broncos
10	Xavier McKinney	Packers	Eagles
11	Reed Blankenship	Eagles	Packers
12	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Colts
13	Julian Love	Seahawks	Broncos
14	Kamren Curl	Rams	Lions
15	Ji’Ayir Brown	49ers	Jets
16	Grant Delpit	Browns	Cowboys
17	Brandon Jones	Broncos	Seahawks
18	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Jaguars
19	Justin Reid	Chiefs	Ravens
20	Nate Hobbs	Raiders	Chargers
21	Donovan Wilson	Cowboys	Browns
22	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Bengals
23	Charvarius Ward	49ers	Jets
24	Trent McDuffie	Chiefs	Ravens
25	Tyson Campbell	Jaguars	Dolphins
26	Stephon Gilmore	Vikings	Giants
27	Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	Bills
28	Budda Baker	Cardinals	Bills
29	Jeremy Chinn	Commanders	Buccaneers
30	L’Jarius Sneed	Titans	Bears
31	Kerby Joseph	Lions	Rams
32	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Eagles	Packers
33	Jason Pinnock	Giants	Vikings
34	Talanoa Hufanga (Q)	49ers	Jets
35	Taron Johnson	Bills	Cardinals
36	Christian Gonzalez	Patriots	Bengals
37	Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	Falcons
38	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Chiefs
39	Rayshawn Jenkins	Jaguars	Dolphins
40	Jordan Whitehead	Buccaneers	Commanders
41	Geno Stone	Bengals	Patriots
42	Taylor Rapp	Bills	Cardinals
43	Byron Murphy Jr.	Vikings	Giants
44	Kenny Moore II	Colts	Texans
45	Denzel Ward	Browns	Cowboys
46	Paulson Adebo	Saints	Panthers
47	Jabrill Peppers	Patriots	Bengals
48	Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	Colts
49	Roger McCreary	Titans	Bears
50	Cam Taylor-Britt	Bengals	Patriots

DB Riser of the Week

Stephon Gilmore and Byron Murphy Jr., Minnesota Vikings

It’s unclear whether Gilmore will ever shadow with the Vikings, but he has done so throughout his career, including as recently as 2022. With Byron Murphy Jr. designated for the slot, Minnesota does not have a better option on the outside.

Both Gilmore and Murphy should see a lot of snaps against Malik Nabers this week. In less than two-quarters of preseason play with Daniel Jones, Nabers had six targets. Do not be surprised if Jones, who has looked inaccurate in camp, peppers Nabers and his corners with double-digit throws.

DB Disappointment of the Week

L’Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans

Sneed was regularly considered a DB1 over the past few years. This was partly due to the massive volume he would see as Chiefs opponents fell behind and were forced to throw. He notched seven or more tackles in five games last year, four of which were wins where Kansas City paced its opponents.

While the Titans' scheme and offense could prove better for Sneed than some fear, expecting him to continue as a top-10 fantasy DB to start this year is risky. His matchup and role in Tennessee's Week 1 contest are concerning enough to drop him into the DB3 tier to start.

L’Jarius Sneed owning the “number 1” player in the NFL pic.twitter.com/HmwkSQ0nb2

— Wes Wisley (@TitansStats) August 3, 2024

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