Week 10 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings

As we enter Week 10, we find ourselves more than halfway through the fantasy football season. That means some of you are in the thick of a final playoff push, while many others have begun rebuilding their dynasty rosters. For those out of the race and looking to hoard young assets, now is a good time to consider buying low on high upside rookies. To help you with that, let’s consider a few first-year defenders who are worth buying low on.

At the defensive line position, there are some obvious names in this rookie class to target. While many will have their eyes on Kwity Paye and Jaelen Phillips as the top two edge rushers drafted in their class, others may come cheaper and with more upside. Specifically, we would recommend targeting my favorite pure pass rusher in the 2021 rookie class: Azeez Ojulari. While Ojulari carries some long-term knee concerns, he has the most natural burst of any college player in this class. The Georgia product has flashed plus pass rush ability as a rookie, and he’s played above average run defense so far, meaning he could become a valuable every-down player in time. Another cheap option on the DL is Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a reserve specialist for the Buccaneers. The Washington alum has long-term upside as the eventual replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul on a young and talented defense.

Additionally, two rookie linebackers who look like dynasty bargains are the Cowboys’ Jabril Cox and the Titans’ Monty Rice. Cox, in particular, offers major upside as a natural fit in Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme. The coverage ability of Cox and the pass rush skills of Micah Parsons mesh well together and match what Quinn likes to do. Cox has every-down LB2 upside. Meanwhile, at the defensive back position, you should be targeting the Jaguars’ Andre Cisco. Cisco is probably the safest bet on this list to become a fantasy star, given his incredible 13 interceptions and 136 tackles in just 24 games at Syracuse. While the rookie’s draft stock fell due to injury concerns, he should beat out Andrew Wingard as Jacksonville’s free safety and become a fantasy contributor by 2022…. And with that said, let’s get to our IDP rankings, shall we?

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Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Streamer of the Week: Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints

Jordan is indeed having one of his weaker seasons as a pro, notching just three sacks over eight games. He is still showing up as an effective edge rusher in other ways, though. While he isn't yet collecting the big plays we are used to, Jordan is still averaging a solid 3.75 pressures, 2.4 hurries, and one knockdown per contest. Those numbers are consistent with the Cal alum’s past production, and they suggest an uptick in sacks is coming, This week is as good as any for that uptick to start.

The Titans have allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL this year, and Tennessee's starters on the left side of their line have allowed 24 pressures and five sacks on the season. While those stats alone indicate a good matchup for Jordan, Taylor Lewan’s nagging knee injury and Tennessee’s increased passing volume since Derrick Henry’s injury both elevate this matchup further. Jordan plays mostly on the left side and should have a good shot at producing as a DL2 this week.

DL Fade of the Week: Chase Young, Washington Football Team

Every time we fade Young, he seems to put up a surprisingly relevant week. So in that sense, this may be the week to play, but the matchup isn’t great.

The Buccaneers have allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL this season, and they have the second-best Adjusted Sack Rate. That's consistent with what this unit did last year when they ranked fourth and third in those respective categories. In short, Tampa has a consistently elite pass-blocking offensive line and a quarterback who is notoriously hard to sack. Don’t expect Young’s inevitable breakout game to come this week.

Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Streamer of the Week: T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles

Let this serve as a reminder that Edwards has supplanted Alex Singleton in Philadelphia's revamped defense. We mentioned this fact when we told you to fade Singleton last week, but it bears repeating that Edwards is now the team’s starter and a very viable fantasy asset.

In his new role as the Eagles’ defensive leader, this Wisconsin product has secured two straight double-digit tackle games. His playing time has increased significantly during that time, nearing the 100% range in Week 9. That trend should continue against a Broncos offense that averages 25.4 rush attempts per game while targeting Edwards' area of the field 60% of the time. This former undrafted prospect is a high-end LB3 option in Week 10, and he could ascend even higher if his pace continues.

LB Fade of the Week: Ernest Jones, Los Angeles Rams

This former Gamecock was a popular Week 9 sleeper for many IDP managers after dominating the Texans in his first career start. However, Jones visibly struggled in coverage against the Titans, and he surrendered completions on nearly 25% of his coverage snaps. His playing time dipped after showing those flaws in coverage, registering just 62% of the defensive snaps.

After an up and down beginning to his career as a starter, it should be hard for IDP managers to trust Jones this early in his career. The 49ers pose a particularly vexing matchup this week as well, with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel serving as difficult mid-field pass catchers with whom Jones doesn't match well. It is within the realm of possibility that Jones is taken off the field on passing downs this week, and someone more versatile is brought in to chase Kittle and company. The mere chance that could happen means Jones is a risky play.

Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Streamer of the Week: Xavier Woods, Minnesota Vikings

This former Cowboy is having quite the fantasy season so far, putting up DB2 or better statistics in five of eight contests. Woods has offered a high-tackle ceiling, regular pass deflections, and a propensity for big plays in those games. The Vikings will rely on him even more with Harrison Smith already ruled out for Week 10 too.

The Chargers offer a particularly nice matchup for Woods. Los Angeles is the sixth most pass-oriented offense in the NFL, and wunderkind Justin Herbert has shown a propensity for taking risks in the passing game. Expect this contest to be competitive until the end, with the Chargers looking to get Mike Williams back involved with several deep throws. As a result, Woods should have multiple opportunities for a big play, as well as a safe tackle floor. He’s a DB1 in a week with the Bengals’ safeties and Logan Ryan on bye.

DB Fade of the Week: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

If Jackson is your starting CB in a league where you have to play a corner or three DBs, you're playing him. Outside of that, he feels like a wing and a prayer type of play this week. While his ball skills are good enough to get you one big play against anyone, Jackson’s fantasy floor against Cleveland is perilously low.

If you want reasons we are worried about Jackson this week, there are a few. For starters, both the Browns and the Patriots are among the NFL's most run-heavy offenses. They both sit middle of the league in terms of plays per game, too. Given the offensive mentality of both these teams, this contest feels like a grinder in which Jackson sees very little passing volume. Additionally, the Browns offense is particularly poised to avoid Jackson even when they do throw. Baker Mayfield loves to spread the ball to various weapons, which is why OBJ left town, and that kind of mentality means a star corner like Jackson is easily neglected.

Jackson is a risky play this week due to a run-oriented game plan and an opposing passing attack with no #1 receiver to shadow. Consider him a low-end DB3, even if he could end up as a top performer at his position with just one play.

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