IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 1 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

As was noted in my Week 1 IDP Rankings, predicting streamers and fades early in the NFL season can be folly. So much of streaming and fading players is rooted in matchups, but the quality of opposing units can vary greatly from season to season. This variety has a trickle-down effect, impacting defensive opponents in multiple ways.

One major factor that can significantly impact IDP projections is a free-agency move on the offensive line. The addition of a starting guard, center, or right tackle can be something most fans and the media ignore in favor of big deals for receivers and quarterbacks but deals like that of Jon Runyan Jr. joining the Giants can have a deceptively big impact on IDP matchups.

The problem with predicting Week 1 IDP matchups is that it’s hard to know just how much someone like Taliese Fuaga will help a porous Saints offensive line. Without any stats on how tackles or guards will impact an entire unit, moving a good player down or a bad one up based on their opponent is tough. Keep this in mind when considering streamers this early on.

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Casual Fantasy Football IDP Streamers and Fades

Stream: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings

Pace Jr. is not a streamer in my rankings. I have him ranked as my fifth overall LB in fantasy this year. However, most analysts and fans are significantly lower on Pace than I am. He remains the 33rd-most-rostered LB in fantasy, and most rankers have him outside their top 30.

Since Pace is comfortably inside my LB1 tier, he should be "streamed" every week. He has a particularly advantageous matchup in Week 1, too. The Giants didn't do nearly enough to fix their bottom-ranked pass-blocking group from 2023, and the lack of quality passers in this game could mean the run game stays relevant all day.

Stream: Jalen Pitre, DB, Houston Texans

Pitre is the 31st-most-rostered DB in fantasy, largely due to his disappointing 2023 season. However, it was just two years ago that the Baylor product finished as fantasy football's second-highest-scoring fantasy DB.

The Texans secondary should have several opportunities for interceptions against the Colts' inexperienced quarterback. Anthony Richardson's accuracy remains inconsistent, which is helpful for players like Pitre. Even better, the safety will play plenty in the box, where Richardson's rushing will come into play.

But wait, there’s more..

ANOTHER reason why we shouldn’t be Stressan.. the development of JALEN PITRE at the “star” position where he’s more of a safety/likebacker

While he may be undersized, he can still fulfill LB duties. Like blowing up a tackle pic.twitter.com/f7HF5uib3v

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 28, 2024

Fade: Jadeveon Clowney, DL, Carolina Panthers

Clowney is currently the 12th-most-rostered DL in fantasy. His production has never merited a ranking close to that. Not once has Clowney produced double-digit sacks, multiple INTs, more than six PDs, or more than five FF.

While the Saints are a fine matchup on paper, they were just ninth in sacks allowed per game in 2023. Worse, they improved their perimeter blocking by drafting Taliese Fuaga. It's unclear why Clowney is so highly regarded considering his past production, and the matchup is good, but neither the player nor the opponent are elite.

Fade: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kirk Cousin's turnover-worthy play percentage was eighth lowest in the NFL last year, and it has been amongst the 10 lowest rates in three of the past four seasons. That's concerning when you consider Fitzpatrick derived 62.7% of his fantasy value from INTs, PDs, and TDs in his last full season.

While Fitzpatrick can hold his own as a tackler when he is fully healthy, tackles have been his top fantasy category only once in his career. Given Cousins' low turnover rate plus accuracy, he's not an ideal matchup for the Steelers safety.

Premium/Deep League Fantasy Football Streamers and Fades

Stream: Derek Stingley Jr., DB, Houston Texans

Another Texans defensive back makes our streaming list, thanks largely to the inconsistent arm of Anthony Richardson.

Stingley was a ballhawk coming out of LSU. Then, he finished fourth in the NFL in INTs despite playing just 11 games in 2023. That turnover production should lead to elite fantasy production in situations where the former Tiger can shadow top receivers with inconsistent passers.

While the sample size is small, Anthony Richardson relied heavily on Michael Pittman Jr. when they were on the field together. In their four games together, we saw Pittman average 8.8 targets. That's including two contests that Richardson didn’t finish. Given that volume, Stingley has a good chance at an INT this week.

Stream: Payton Wilson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson is the 70th-most-rostered LB in fantasy. This makes sense, given our lack of knowledge on when or if Wilson will play early in the season. However, there is immense upside if Wilson earns a regular role.

Pittsburgh opens the season against a Falcons offense that should run the ball plenty with Bijan Robinson, involve Kyle Pitts with multiple throws across the field, and they should pepper their running backs in the screen game. This all spells an opportunity for Wilson, who is rumored to be Pittsburgh's top cover linebacker.

There is a solid chance that Wilson won’t see enough playing time to thrive in most IDP leagues this week. However, there’s also a chance that he plays far more than many expect. If that happens, he has the athleticism and football IQ to produce elite fantasy stats.

I know Payton Wilson didn't impact the catch point here but his COD and speed is really impressive.

To basically match the WR here who had the benefit of sprinting across the formation off this play-action as Wilson read and adjusted. Wilson's timed speed matches his play speed. pic.twitter.com/tQ2riAm6rD

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 16, 2024

Fade: Carolina Defensive Backs Not Named Jaycee Horn

The Panthers have exactly one player in their secondary, Jaycee Horn, with a quality pedigree. While the likes of Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, and Troy Hill may have weeks where they are fantasy-relevant, none are physical standouts.

Adding to the concerns about the Panthers secondary in Week 1 is their opponent. New Orleans was bottom-half in pass percentage in 2023, and Derek Carr had the fifth-lowest turnover rate in the NFL. Horn should see plenty of the Saints' top target, Chris Olave, but there shouldn't be many other opportunities for anyone else.

Fade: Kenneth Murray Jr., LB, Tennessee Titans

Murray Jr. has exactly two seasons with 100 or more tackles, and he’s never collected more than 107. Last year was a career season for the former Sooner, when he tied his career high in total tackles and set the mark in solos. Unfortunately, he still wasn’t a force in any fantasy category.

Some hoped Murray would ascend in Tennessee, where he appeared to be the lead linebacker in their new scheme. Unfortunately for him, the arrival of Ernest Jones IV will likely cap his production in a similar to how it's been restricted so far.

While the Bears would seem like a fine place to stream Murray since Chicago had the second-highest run rate in 2023, the arrival of Caleb Williams should significantly swing the offensive plan. There is no reason Murray should be starting in more leagues than Josey Jewell or Christian Rozeboom.

Fantasy Football Defenders Worth Stashing

Omar Speights, LB, Los Angeles Rams

As discussed in my Week 1 IDP Rankings, the Rams need a leader on the interior of their defense. It looks like Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder are earmarked for the early snaps there, but neither player is particularly exciting.

Do not be surprised if Speights takes on a major role in Los Angeles early in the season. The buzz and film on him this summer have been very good. He could be a quality LB2 option by midseason.

Talanoa Hufanga, DB, San Francisco 49ers

Currently the 77th-most-rostered DB in fantasy, Hufanga is one year removed from an All-Pro season. He's recovering from a torn ACL but returned to practice last week.

Expectations should be that Hufanga can return to his playmaking form by midseason. That could mean a high-end DB2 or low-end DB1 is available on most wavier wires.

#49ers Talanoa Hufanga back with the squad is a great sight to see!

🎥: @957thegame pic.twitter.com/VdvkvbfxbC

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 29, 2024

Laiatu Latu, DL, Indianapolis Colts

Latu is starting in just 1% of IDP leagues and is the 79th-most-rostered DL in fantasy. Despite the fact he is a prominent name and the first defender taken in the NFL Draft, few fantasy managers are taking a gamble on him.

The camp reports on Latu are overwhelmingly positive, which is no surprise when you consider he is one of the most polished pass-rushers to come out of college since Nick Bosa. The UCLA product’s handwork and pass-rush repertoire are deep and varied, meaning he could come close to double-digit sacks as a rookie.

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