IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 7 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

As we state at the beginning of each weekly IDP Rankings article, those rankings are based upon a common scoring format we dub “IDP Standard Scoring.” It's a system geared towards balancing each defensive position equally. LBs and box safeties can profit from tackles, while big play machines can make up the difference with turnovers and sacks.

IDP Standard scoring is hardly the only IDP scoring format out there, though. Some leagues prioritize big plays by rewarding sacks or turnovers with 12+ points. Others attempt to drive down the impact of defenders, seeking to place them in the same tier as a D/ST or kicker in standard leagues. The lack of uniformity can be frustrating, but also exhilarating.

The wide range of IDP scoring options is also worth noting because it can significantly swing defender values and rankings. Big Play Premium scoring obviously means players like Jessie Bates III have increased value, while tacklers like Budda Baker have less. It’s important that you are cognizant of your scoring and how it impacts what players are most valuable to you.

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Casual IDP Streamers and Fades

Stream: Jamien Sherwood, LB, New York Jets

This marks two weeks in a row that we label Sherwood a casual league streamer, but he’s earned the repeat designation. Despite being the 47^th most rostered LB in fantasy, the former safety is the Jet’s leading tackler and notched double-digit takedowns even after C.J. Mosley returned to the field in a limited capacity.

If Kwon leaves, Jamien Sherwood is the favorite to replace him as the #Jets' LB3

Sherwood played well in a (very) limited sample last year. Had 10 total tackles in just 25 defensive snaps (w/ 0 missed tackles)

And most of the tackles were impressive stops pic.twitter.com/QDnqzZm4Es

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) May 15, 2023

While the converted safety's fantasy value could still be at risk when Mosley is back to full health, the hope here is that the Auburn alum has done enough to retain the role and usage that have made him so productive this season. He has made multiple big plays behind the line of scrimmage and is an underrated force in coverage, too.

Stream: Matthew Judon, DL/LB, Atlanta Falcons

Judon is having the inconsistent year that we predicted once he was traded to Atlanta. As a result, he is just the 30^th most-started DL in fantasy this week.

While we expected a dip in production for Judon, it's hard not to like his matchup this week. The Falcons are taking on a Seahawks offense that attempts the most pass attempts in the NFL and has the sixth-worst-rated pass-blocking unit. That’s a positive matchup.

What’s even better, Seattle has surrendered 58 pressures and seven sacks off the edge. The biggest culprit of that inefficiency has been Stone Forsythe, who has surrendered 35 pressures on the season. Judon should take approximately 66% of his snaps against Forsythe.

Fade: C.J. Mosley, LB, New York Jets

Mosley is the 29^th most-started LB in fantasy this week, which is noteworthy because the veteran was out for weeks before his matchup with Buffalo. In other words, a lot of people saw Mosley actually played on Monday and have since inserted him into their starting lineups.

Unfortunately for the many managers currently starting Mosley, he’s a major risk this week. Mosley played just 13% of Gang Green’s defensive snaps on Monday and he complained of soreness after a return to practice last week. Worse, Jamien Sherwood has made it easy for the Jets to bring Mosley back slowly.

Fade: Charvarius Ward, DB, San Francisco 49ers

Ward is the 22^nd most-started DB in fantasy this week, but he's struggling with injuries and has a concerning matchup on tap.

What worries us about Ward is that he plays wide left almost exclusively. Patrick Mahomes has thrown 34 passes to Ward's side of the field this season. Worse, with Rashee Rice absent, the Chiefs have no receiver they must pummel with targets. Mahomes and company should be able to easily avoid Ward, if they so choose.

Premium/Deep League Streamers and Fades

Stream: Tyler Nubin, DB, New York Giants

Rostered in just 4% of IDP leagues and starting in just 3.2%, Nubin is a fine streaming option in deeper formats this week. He is averaging a healthy 6.5 Standard IDP points per game this season, and that’s without any interceptions or pass deflections.

Tyler Nubin is a good downhill instinctive run defender from the safety position.

Really excited to see his development over the next couple of years. #Giants pic.twitter.com/xNuVoeu0hV

— The Giants Report (@giantsreport1) October 16, 2024

Given that the former Golden Gopher showed above-average ball skills in college, collecting 13 interceptions in his career, it seems inevitable that his turnover rate will improve. This week could be the week it happens, as Jalen Hurts has the second most turnover-worthy plays amongst all NFL quarterbacks despite already having his bye.

Stream: Josh Sweat, DL, Philadelphia Eagles

In our IDP Rankings column this week, we addressed the risk that Andrew Thomas could miss time. Well, things are worse than we expected. Thomas is now out for the season.

Pass rushers not named Myles Garrett have been stifled by Thomas this season. Now, he will be replaced by Joshua Ezeudu, a fourth-year tackle with below-average pass-blocking metrics and limited experience. Expect Sweat, who lines up over the left edge 70% of the time, to have a plus matchup against Ezeudu.

Sweat is readily available in most IDP formats. As of this writing, he is just the 68^th most rostered DL and is available in 97.8% of leagues. The former Seminole is starting in just 2% of IDP leagues, which is low given his matchup.

Fade: Yaya Diaby, DL/LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For weeks, we have told you just how good Diaby's advanced metrics are. He is bound to break out with a multi-sack game at some point… right? That's likely why his roster rate and start percentage have slowly risen, as he is currently the 50^th most-started DL in fantasy.

Unfortunately, this week is not the most likely for the Louisville product to break out. The Ravens have allowed just 23 total pressures and one sack off the edge this season. Lamar Jackson adds another wrinkle to that formula, as does Derrick Henry's increased role.

It’s hard to like Diaby this week, even in deeper leagues.

Fade: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Miami Dolphins

There is no doubt that Ramsey has a solid shot at a turnover this week, given that Anthony Richardson is expected to start for Indy. Richardson has the highest turnover-worthy play rate amongst all starting quarterbacks, which is likely why Ramsey is the 40^th most-started DB in fantasy right now.

The downside of rolling with Ramsey is that he doesn’t typically get you tackles. He’s averaging just four total tackles per game this year, with zero turnovers and just two PDs. Worse, the Colts are averaging just 24 pass attempts per game with Richardson under center, which is the lowest rate in the NFL.

While gambling on Ramsey getting a pick-six is reasonable in deeper leagues, the floor is immensely low, given the projected volume in this matchup. With Richardson's nagging injury and the Dolphins' ineffectiveness without Tua, expect Indy to remain run-heavy in this one.

Defenders Worth Stashing

Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings

Back to our old standard, eh?

Pace Jr. has been on our preseason sleeper lists for two years. Given his film and advanced metrics, I had him primed for an elite second season. That prediction hasn't worked out so far, as Pace has rotated off the field more than hoped. There is reason for optimism, though.

Ivan Pace Jr. and Taki Taimani combining on a run stop in the low red zone. UDFAs! pic.twitter.com/3o3KyNWVOe

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 16, 2024

One reason for optimism this week is that Blake Cashman is dealing with an injury and is doubtful to play. If he is out, Pace's snap share should increase. On top of that, Pace is just the 52^nd most rostered LB in fantasy, despite being LB28 in fantasy points per game. That means he is under-rostered.

Dorance Armstrong, DL, Washington Commanders

Armstrong's fantasy performance hasn't been particularly strong, with an average of just 3.5 fantasy points per game. That's likely why he's rostered in just 1.3% of IDP leagues.

However, Armstrong’s advanced metrics are strong this season. He has the seventh-highest pass rush win rate amongst all defensive linemen with 115 or more pass rush snaps. He also sits 25^th in quarterback pressures. Those figures suggest Armstrong could be a worthwhile stash in deeper IDP leagues.

Cooper DeJean, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

DeJean is just the 103^rd most rostered DB in fantasy, which makes sense, considering he hasn't done much for fantasy managers yet. In fact, the Iowa product had played a total of just eight defensive snaps before he earned his first start last weekend.

It was a quality first start for the rookie, however. He notched six total tackles, got a half-sack blitzing off the edge, and he played 91% of the defensive plays. As the cherry on top, for those who play in leagues that count return yards, DeJean returned four punts.

DeJean was high in my NFL Draft rankings and in my dynasty IDP rankings. He was arguably the most well-rounded defensive back prospect in this NFL Draft class, and he adds a bonus in return-yardage leagues.

The Hawkeye was always a quality dynasty stash. However, his performance last week suggests he may also be a valuable redraft asset if he continues to get quality snaps.

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