Week 1 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

The NFL season starts in less than a week, which is an exciting time for most. However, the beginning of the year can be nerve-wracking if you rostered injured superstars like Cooper Kupp or Jonathan Taylor. IDP fans may have it even worse. Nick Bosa and Chris Jones managers don't just worry about whether their guys are healthy. They worry whether their guys will show up at all. What happens when the Defensive Player of the Year stays home? Worse, what happens if he reports in Week 5 and immediately suffers a prolonged injury after missing all of camp?

Our inability to know what will happen with guys like Bosa and Jones will factor heavily into our Week 1 rankings, making our ranks look much different than they will by mid-season. Another difference maker in our early season rankings will be the weight we give to opponent strengths and weaknesses. In other words, our early season ranks will put more emphasis on player talent and less on quality of opponent, whereas the opposite may be true later in the season.

Our early season rankings will de-emphasize schedule quality primarily because the strengths and weaknesses of offensive units (especially blockers) can vary widely from year to year. Consider that Kaleb McGary and Jawaan Taylor entered last season as liabilities but allowed the sixth and ninth fewest pressures amongst tackles, respectively. Meanwhile, Charles Cross, Orlando Brown Jr., and Jedrick Wills Jr. were pass rush specialists who allowed the third, fourth, and ninth most pressures. That volatility will factor into the rankings below.

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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 Rankings for Week 1

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	T.J. Watt	Steelers	49ers
2	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Broncos
3	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Giants
4	Myles Garrett	Browns	Bengals
5	Alex Highsmith	Steelers	49ers
6	Haason Reddick (Q)	Eagles	Patriots
7	Jaelan Phillips	Dolphins	Chargers
8	Zaven Collins	Cardinals	Commanders
9	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Cowboys
10	Matthew Judon	Patriots	Eagles
11	Nick Bosa (Q)	49ers	Steelers
12	Joey Bosa	Chargers	Dolphins
13	Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	Chiefs
14	Uchenna Nwosu	Seahawks	Rams
15	Aaron Donald	Rams	Seahawks
16	Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	Ravens
17	Danielle Hunter	Vikings	Buccaneers
18	Javon Hargrave	49ers	Steelers
19	Brian Burns (Q)	Panthers	Falcons
20	Za’Darius Smith	Browns	Bengals
21	Jonathan Allen	Commanders	Cardinals
22	Christian Wilkins	Dolphins	Chargers
23	Harold Landry III	Titans	Saints
24	Cameron Heyward (Q)	Steelers	49ers
25	Josh Sweat	Eagles	Patriots
26	Montez Sweat	Commanders	Cardinals
27	Gregory Rousseau	Bills	Jets
28	Daron Payne	Commanders	Cardinals
29	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Browns
30	Kwity Paye	Colts	Jaguars
31	Rashan Gary	Packers	Bears
32	James Houston	Lions	Chiefs
33	Josh Uche	Patriots	Eagles
34	Dexter Lawrence	Giants	Cowboys
35	Shaquil Barrett	Buccaneers	Vikings
36	Chase Young (Q)	Commanders	Cardinals
37	Preston Smith	Packers	Bears
38	Josh Allen	Jaguars	Colts
39	Cameron Jordan	Saints	Titans
40	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Dolphins
41	Deforest Buckner	Colts	Jaguars
42	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Saints
43	Michael Hoecht	Rams	Seahawks
44	Chris Jones (Q)	Chiefs	Lions
45	Quinnen Williams	Jets	Bills
46	Vita Vea	Buccaneers	Vikings
47	Travon Walker	Jaguars	Colts
48	Demarcus Lawrence	Cowboys	Giants
49	Sam Hubbard	Bengals	Browns
50	Drake Jackson	49ers	Steelers

DL Riser of the Week

Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle Seahawks

Uchenna Nwosu is elevated into the DL1 conversation this week thanks to a great matchup on paper. While we've already discussed why you shouldn't give too much weight to strength of schedule this early, speculation is always the primary support for streamers or sits in Week 1.

The Rams' offensive line has two first-year starters protecting its quarterback, along with two starters who earned negative pass-blocking grades from PFF in 2022. LA should also be playing from behind early, given Cooper Kupp's status.

DL Disappointment of the Week

The Holdouts

This is low-hanging fruit and an obvious answer. As of this writing, Nick Bosa and Chris Jones have yet to report for duty, with the Chiefs set to play in three days. Brian Burns is also dealing with an injury many believe to be contract-related.

There's no guarantee that any of these players will play this week, so you should have their replacement ready. Managers in shallow leagues should drop Jones now since he seems likely to miss games and a holdout elevates his injury/bust risk when he does return.

Top Fantasy Linebacker Rankings for Week 1

Rank	Player	Team
1	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Colts
2	Roquan Smith	Ravens	Texans
3	Nick Bolton	Chiefs	Lions
4	Bobby Okereke	Giants	Cowboys
5	Josey Jewell	Broncos	Raiders
6	T.J. Edwards	Bears	Packers
7	Alex Singleton	Broncos	Raiders
8	Zaire Franklin	Colts	Jaguars
9	Nakobe Dean	Eagles	Patriots
10	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Browns
11	Bobby Wagner	Seahawks	Chargers
12	Quay Walker	Packers	Bears
13	C.J. Mosley	Jets	Bills
14	Shaquille Leonard (Q)	Colts	Jaguars
15	Cole Holcomb	Steelers	49ers
16	Azeez Al-Shaair	Titans	Saints
17	Devin White	Buccaneers	Vikings
18	De’Vondre Campbell	Packers	Bears
19	Divine Deablo	Raiders	Broncos
20	Pete Werner	Saints	Titans
21	Dre Greenlaw	49ers	Steelers
22	Ernest Jones	Rams	Seahawks
23	Fred Warner	49ers	Steelers
24	David Long Jr.	Dolphins	Chargers
25	Denzel Perryman	Texans	Ravens
26	Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	Colts
27	Frankie Luvu	Panthers	Falcons
28	Jordyn Brooks (Q)	Seahawks	Rams
29	Kyzir White	Cardinals	Commanders
30	T.J. Watt	Steelers	49ers
31	Kaden Eliss	Falcons	Panthers
32	Eric Kendricks	Chargers	Dolphins
33	Jordan Hicks	Vikings	Buccaneers
34	Demario Davis	Saints	Titans
35	Shaq Thompson	Panthers	Falcons
36	Troy Andersen	Falcons	Panthers
37	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Giants
38	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Vikings
39	Robert Spillane	Raiders	Broncos
40	Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	Packers
41	Leighton Vander Esch	Cowboys	Giants
42	Matt Milano	Bills	Jets
43	Jamin Davis	Commanders	Cardinals
44	Willie Gay Jr.	Chiefs	Lions
45	Quincy Williams	Jets	Bills
46	Jack Campbell	Lions	Chiefs
47	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	Bengals
48	Cody Barton	Commanders	Cardinals
49	Jerome Baker	Dolphins	Chargers
50	Christian Harris	Texans	Ravens

LB Riser of the Week

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Calling T.J. Watt a riser feels unnatural, but hear me out. In leagues where Watt does not have DL eligibility and the scoring favors tackles over big plays, the Steelers’ star is usually a boom-or-bust LB3 option. However, the 49ers are an attractive enough opponent to stream Watt as an LB2 in any format.

The right side of SF's line looks like a liability, and their coach will often use tight ends to block 3-4 edge rushers like Watt or Haason Reddick, for example.

LB Disappointment of the Week

Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions

Jack Campbell was my early summer pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the Lions are seemingly bringing him along slowly. Word out of Detroit is that Derrick Barnes will start at the MIKE for the Lions over the rookie, while Campbell will rotate in for snaps behind him.

That's disappointing news if you drafted Campbell as a starter. The Chiefs are not the ideal matchup for a run-oriented defender, either.

Top Fantasy Defensive Back Rankings for Week 1

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Derwin James	Chargers	Dolphins
2	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Ravens
3	Talanoa Hufanga	49ers	Steelers
4	Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	49ers
5	Kyle Hamilton	Ravens	Texans
6	Jeremy Chinn	Panthers	Falcons
7	Jordan Poyer	Bills	Jets
8	Rayshawn Jenkins	Jaguars	Colts
9	L’Jarius Sneed	Chiefs	Lions
10	Grant Delpit	Browns	Bengals
11	Budda Baker	Cardinals	Commanders
12	Jaquan Brisker (Q)	Bears	Packers
13	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Chargers
14	Eddie Jackson	Bears	Packers
15	Harrison Smith	Vikings	Buccaneers
16	Antoine Winfield Jr. (Q)	Buccaneers	Vikings
17	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Eagles
18	Kerby Joseph	Lions	Chiefs
19	Richie Grant	Falcons	Panthers
20	Nate Hobbs	Raiders	Broncos
21	Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	Commanders
22	Darrick Forrest	Commanders	Cardinals
23	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Texans
24	Justin Simmons	Broncos	Raiders
25	Julian Love	Seahawks	Rams
26	Kevin Byard	Titans	Saints
27	Xavier McKinney	Giants	Cowboys
28	Ryan Neal	Buccaneers	Vikings
29	Dax Hill	Bengals	Browns
30	Kamren Curl	Commanders	Cardinals
31	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Lions	Chiefs
32	Tyson Campbell	Jaguars	Colts
33	Andre Cisco	Jaguars	Colts
34	Cam Taylor-Britt	Bengals	Browns
35	Donovan Wilson	Cowboys	Giants
36	Rasul Douglas	Packers	Bears
37	Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner	Jets	Bills
38	Trevon Diggs	Cowboys	Giants
39	Jessie Bates III	Falcons	Panthers
40	Adrian Amos	Jets	Bills
41	Martin Emerson	Browns	Bengals
42	Damar Hamlin	Bills	Jets
43	Tariq Woolen	Seahawks	Rams
44	Vonn Bell	Panthers	Falcons
45	Isaiah Simmons	Giants	Cowboys
46	A.J. Terrell	Falcons	Panthers
47	Taron Johnson	Bills	Jets
48	Jimmie Ward	Texans	Ravens
49	John Johnson III	Rams	Seahawks
50	Emmanuel Moseley	Lions	Chiefs

DB Riser of the Week

Darrick Forrest, Washington Commanders

Darrick Forrest was a value pick for us this summer, and he starts the season with a premium matchup against the Cardinals. Arizona has yet to announce a starter at quarterback, which is unusual less than a week before the season starts.

Their choices are a late-round rookie or a journeyman. Both are turnover risks and should lead a run-heavy offense that Forrest can take advantage of. If you need streamers, the Commanders are the easy call.

DB Disappointment of the Week

Marshon Lattimore & the New Orleans Saints Secondary

The Titans’ offense has finished top-three in run-rate and bottom-10 in offensive plays per game in three of the past four seasons. The same staff from those seasons is in place now, as are the quarterback and Derrick Henry. The only major additions this offseason were three offensive linemen and DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins alone shouldn’t turn Tennessee’s tendencies too much, which means this game could be slow and low in opportunities for the Saints’ secondary.

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