RADIO
Every NFL season has what you might call a "turning point." By that, we mean there comes a time in the season when you don’t just see which teams are contenders, but which ones check out. Some teams are so lost that their players lose interest, infighting stirs, and the occasional front office will openly fold its hands and begin making moves for the upcoming offseason.
No matter the reason, NFL teams quitting on the season can present problems for fantasy. An example might be the injured Nick Bosa. If the 49ers continue to lose, is there a point that they decide to preserve Brock Purdy or Bosa by putting them on IR? Could the Browns eventually exercise caution with a banged-up Myles Garrett with their playoff dreams dead?
However, saving injured players on sinking ships isn't the worst-case scenario. Look at the Giants and Daniel Jones. What happens if more teams start sitting or cutting healthy fantasy contributors out of fear they will get injured and trigger a massive bonus? That risk is real and another reason why it pays to roster players on contenders or teams with something to play for.
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 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Bengals |
| 2 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Giants |
| 3 | Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Jaguars |
| 4 | Myles Garrett (Q) | Browns | Broncos |
| 5 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | Chiefs |
| 6 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 7 | Jared Verse | Rams | Saints |
| 8 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Steelers |
| 9 | Danielle Hunter | Texans | Jaguars |
| 10 | Nick Bosa (Q) | 49ers | Bills |
| 11 | Brian Burns | Giants | Cowboys |
| 12 | Khalil Mack (Q) | Chargers | Falcons |
| 13 | Harold Landry III | Titans | Commanders |
| 14 | Nik Bonitto | Broncos | Browns |
| 15 | Jonathon Cooper | Broncos | Browns |
| 16 | Travon Walker | Jaguars | Texans |
| 17 | Josh Hines-Allen | Jaguars | Texans |
| 18 | DeForest Buckner (Q) | Colts | Patriots |
| 19 | Jonathan Greenard | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 20 | Dexter Lawrence II | Giants | Cowboys |
| 21 | Will McDonald IV | Jets | Seahawks |
| 22 | Greg Rousseau | Bills | 49ers |
| 23 | Derick Hall | Seahawks | Jets |
| 24 | Boye Mafe | Seahawks | Jets |
| 25 | Tuli Tuipulotu | Chargers | Falcons |
| 26 | Montez Sweat | Bears | Lions |
| 27 | Byron Young | Rams | Saints |
| 28 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | Giants | Cowboys |
| 29 | Alex Highsmith (Q) | Steelers | Bengals |
| 30 | A’Shawn Robinson | Panthers | Buccaneers |
| 31 | Vita Vea | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 32 | Calijah Kancey | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 33 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Bengals |
| 34 | Josh Sweat | Eagles | Ravens |
| 35 | Jalen Carter | Eagles | Ravens |
| 36 | Dante Fowler Jr. | Commanders | Titans |
| 37 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Commanders |
| 38 | Rashan Gary | Packers | Dolphins |
| 39 | Kobie Turner | Rams | Saints |
| 40 | Zach Allen (Q) | Broncos | Browns |
| 41 | Josh Paschal | Lions | Bears |
| 42 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | Falcons |
| 43 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | Raiders |
| 44 | Carl Granderson | Saints | Rams |
| 45 | Ed Oliver | Bills | 49ers |
| 46 | Kwity Paye | Colts | Patriots |
| 47 | Za’Darius Smith | Lions | Bears |
| 48 | Chop Robinson | Dolphins | Packers |
| 49 | Grover Stewart | Colts | Patriots |
| 50 | Leonard Williams | Seahawks | Jets |
DL Riser of the Week
Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos
We have to mention Bonitto AGAIN because he remains incredibly under-rostered. As of this writing, he is just the 57th-most-rostered DL in fantasy. That's despite the fact he has a sack in nine of his past 10 games. Heck, he has a sack in 90% of the games he has started this season.
Nik Bonitto.
10 sacks.
Put him in the Pro Bowl.
pic.twitter.com/Ou7K5jFRCR— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) November 25, 2024
We've been warning you that this kid has the talent, and now he’s delivering.
Bonitto could continue this hot streak in Week 13 with another good matchup. The Browns offensive line is in shambles. Neither of their opening-day offensive tackles is healthy, and the unit allows the most sacks per game (4.3) in the NFL. They are also attempting the third-most pass attempts per game.
With Jameis Winston as its starter, Cleveland is attempting 40 pass attempts per game. If you factor out the blizzard from last Thursday, it is averaging 44 attempts. That pace would comfortably sit first in the NFL if projected over a full season. That volume and the lack of pass protection is terrific news for Bonitto.
DL Disappointment of the Week
Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears
The Detroit Lions are allowing just two sacks per game this season. Over their past three contests, they are tied for the second-fewest sacks allowed per game. Those rates are not surprising, considering the offense averages the fifth-fewest pass attempts per game and their right tackle has allowed zero sacks on the season.
Worse for Sweat is the fact he lines up over the right tackle on 86% of his snaps this season. That means he should see Penei Sewell for the majority of this game. Sewell is the aforementioned tackle who has allowed zero sacks and just 16 quarterback pressures all season. It’s a rough matchup for Sweat.
Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Zack Baun | Eagles | Ravens |
| 2 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Bills |
| 3 | Roquan Smith (Q) | Ravens | Eagles |
| 4 | Foyesade Oluokun | Jaguars | Texans |
| 5 | Terrel Bernard | Bills | 49ers |
| 6 | Zaire Franklin (Q) | Colts | Patriots |
| 7 | Ernest Jones IV | Seahawks | Jets |
| 8 | Jamien Sherwood | Jets | Seahawks |
| 9 | E.J. Speed | Colts | Patriots |
| 10 | Daiyan Henley | Chargers | Falcons |
| 11 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Steelers |
| 12 | Bobby Okereke | Giants | Cowboys |
| 13 | Robert Spillane | Raiders | Chiefs |
| 14 | Bobby Wagner | Commanders | Titans |
| 15 | Azeez Al-Shaair | Texans | Jaguars |
| 16 | Eric Kendricks (Q) | Cowboys | Giants |
| 17 | T.J. Edwards | Bears | Lions |
| 18 | Germaine Pratt | Bengals | Steelers |
| 19 | Quay Walker | Packers | Dolphins |
| 20 | Christian Rozeboom | Rams | Saints |
| 21 | Jordyn Brooks | Dolphins | Packers |
| 22 | Demario Davis | Saints | Rams |
| 23 | Dorian Williams | Bills | 49ers |
| 24 | Nakobe Dean (Q) | Eagles | Ravens |
| 25 | Lavonte David (Q) | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 26 | Jack Campbell | Lions | Bears |
| 27 | Kaden Elliss | Falcons | Chargers |
| 28 | Edgerrin Cooper (Q) | Packers | Dolphins |
| 29 | Kenneth Murray Jr. | Titans | Commanders |
| 30 | Frankie Luvu | Commanders | Titans |
| 31 | Quincy Williams | Jets | Seahawks |
| 32 | Blake Cashman | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 33 | Nick Bolton | Chiefs | Raiders |
| 34 | Josey Jewell | Panthers | Buccaneers |
| 35 | Henry To’oTo’o (Q) | Texans | Jaguars |
| 36 | Jahlani Tavai | Patriots | Colts |
| 37 | DeMarvion Overshown | Cowboys | Giants |
| 38 | Patrick Queen | Steelers | Bengals |
| 39 | Tremaine Edmunds | Bears | Lions |
| 40 | Kyzir White | Cardinals | Vikings |
| 41 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Bengals |
| 42 | Trenton Simpson | Ravens | Eagles |
| 43 | Jordan Hicks | Browns | Broncos |
| 44 | Devin Lloyd | Jaguars | Texans |
| 45 | Matt Milano (Q) | Bills | 49ers |
| 46 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 47 | Tyrel Dodson | Dolphins | Packers |
| 48 | Cody Barton | Broncos | Browns |
| 49 | Omar Speights | Rams | Saints |
| 50 | Vontrell Miller | Jaguars | Texans |
LB Riser of the Week
Christian Rozeboom, Los Angeles Rams
The 41st-most-rostered LB in fantasy, Rozeboom is rostered in fewer leagues than C.J. Mosley and Alex Singleton. While dynasty dynamics play a role in those rates, his recent production demands that he should be rostered in more leagues.
Saquon Barkley just TOSSED Rams LB Christian Rozeboom like it’s nothing! 😳💪#GiantsPride #RamsHouse #SaquonBarkley #NFL pic.twitter.com/ypBP678wXY
— US TOP HEADLINES 🇺🇸 (@ustopheadline) November 25, 2024
Los Angeles has been without Troy Reeder since Week 8. In five games without Reeder, Rozeboom has scored 6.5 or more fantasy points four times. He has notched 10.5 or more fantasy points in three of those five contests. Rozeboom has produced double-digit fantasy points against both pass and run-oriented offenses, too.
Adding to his value this week is a matchup with New Orleans. The Saints have one of the lower-rated offensive lines in nearly every metric this season. Since Derek Carr returned from injury, they are also top five in rush attempts and short-area targets to RBs and TEs. This is a positive matchup for everyone in the Rams front seven.
LB Disappointment of the Week
Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Ivan Pace Jr., one of our favorite IDP sleepers this season, went on IR this Tuesday. It was a story that neither made the front page of NFL.com nor was it conspicuous in ESPN's newsfeed. Nevertheless, it's a significant development for IDP formats.
Despite leaving multiple games with injuries this season, Pace is LB25 per game. His fantasy output also stepped up a notch when Blake Cashman was out, with the former undrafted free agent averaging 11 fantasy points during that span. For context, the highest per-game fantasy average of any LB this season is Zack Baun's 10.7 per game.
While Pace always has the potential to post the best fantasy line of any linebacker in a week, he also carries risk with his slight frame and injury profile. Now, he is out at least until Week 17, which is the final week of the playoffs in most fantasy leagues. Unfortunately, he isn't worth carrying through to that point in redraft formats.
Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Brian Branch | Lions | Bears |
| 2 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 3 | Nick Cross | Colts | Patriots |
| 4 | Julian Love | Seahawks | Jets |
| 5 | Kyle Hamilton (Q) | Ravens | Eagles |
| 6 | Budda Baker | Cardinals | Vikings |
| 7 | Alontae Taylor | Saints | Rams |
| 8 | Derwin James Jr. | Chargers | Falcons |
| 9 | Jessie Bates | Falcons | Chargers |
| 10 | Jeremy Chinn | Commanders | Titans |
| 11 | Kerby Joseph | Lions | Bears |
| 12 | Xavier McKinney | Packers | Dolphins |
| 13 | Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks | Jets |
| 14 | Quentin Lake | Rams | Saints |
| 15 | Deommodore Lenoir | 49ers | Bills |
| 16 | Kevin Byard | Bears | Lions |
| 17 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Patriots |
| 18 | Tyler Nubin (Q) | Giants | Cowboys |
| 19 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Colts |
| 20 | Tykee Smith (Q) | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 21 | Reed Blankenship | Eagles | Ravens |
| 22 | Brandon Jones | Broncos | Browns |
| 23 | Camryn Bynum | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 24 | Harrison Smith | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 25 | Tre’von Moehrig | Raiders | Chiefs |
| 26 | Marlon Humphrey | Ravens | Eagles |
| 27 | Riley Moss (Q) | Broncos | Browns |
| 28 | Grant Delpit | Browns | Broncos |
| 29 | Josh Metellus | Vikings | Cardinals |
| 30 | Zyon McCollum (Q) | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 31 | Malik Mustapha | 49ers | Bills |
| 32 | DeShon Elliott | Steelers | Bengals |
| 33 | Damar Hamlin | Bills | 49ers |
| 34 | Taron Johnson | Bills | 49ers |
| 35 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Steelers | Bengals |
| 36 | Jaylon Jones | Colts | Patriots |
| 37 | Julian Blackmon | Colts | Patriots |
| 38 | Carlton Davis III (Q) | Lions | Bears |
| 39 | Jamel Dean | Buccaneers | Panthers |
| 40 | Jimmie Ward | Texans | Jaguars |
| 41 | DaRon Bland | Cowboys | Giants |
| 42 | Ji’Ayir Brown | 49ers | Bills |
| 43 | Amani Hooker | Titans | Commanders |
| 44 | Jalen Thompson (Q) | Cardinals | Vikings |
| 45 | Derek Stingley Jr. | Texans | Jaguars |
| 46 | Tyson Campbell | Jaguars | Texans |
| 47 | Marcus Jones | Patriots | Colts |
| 48 | Kamren Curl | Rams | Saints |
| 49 | Kamren Kinchens | Rams | Saints |
| 50 | Xavier Woods | Panthers | Buccaneers |
DB Riser of the Week
Tyler Nubin, New York Giants
Nubin was our Riser of the Week last week, but his roster percentage went up just 1%. He is still just the 57th-most-rostered DB in fantasy despite having one of the NFL's healthiest snap shares and tackle rates over the past month. More importantly, Nubin is playing a consistent 100% of the defensive snaps despite Big Blue’s struggles.
Tyler Nubin with the PBU ‼️
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/IWYW7zkbtC
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 24, 2024
Since Week 5, Nubin has just two games with fewer than nine or more tackles. On the season, he is tied for 10th amongst all DBs in solo tackles, and he is fifth in that category since the beginning of October. Better yet, since Week 4, he is DB18 in fantasy points per game despite registering zero interceptions and just one PD.
As we’ve mentioned before, Nubin showed good ball skills in college, and it’s only a matter of time until he collects an interception. For the rookie to have an impeccable snap rate and consistently perform in fantasy despite just one turnover is impressive. Plus, he faces a high-volume Cowboys offense this week. Nubin should be rostered in far more leagues.
DB Disappointment of the Week
Tony Adams, New York Jets
Adams has been a consistent DB2 option this season. In games that he has started on defense, he’s averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game. That’s good for DB25 overall.
However, despite putting together a solid season on paper and film, the Jets elected to bench Adams in their last game. The former starter played exclusively on special teams. There was no explanation from interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich on why this was, though some in the local media speculate ownership made the call … but that seems unlikely.
For whatever reason, Adams didn't play any defensive snaps in his last game, and the team said it wasn't disciplinary or related to injury. Therefore, it is very hard to rely on him until we see his usage return to normal or we get an explanation for the benching.
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