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

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

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.

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 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.

 

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.

 

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.



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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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