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

MIles Garrett - Fantasy Football Defense Rankings, D/ST Streamers, Waiver Wire, IDP Pickups

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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

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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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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