Week 10 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

I'll begin with a disclaimer: I know this article is about defense and IDP rankings. Arthur Smith is obviously an offensive-minded coach whose decisions/mistakes largely impact offensive players. That said, we are all fantasy football fans, and Smith routinely does or says things that put him in the crosshairs of fantasy and regular football fans alike. This weekend, Smith made two more irksome comments, and they should be addressed after he lost to a fourth-string QB.

First, Smith said his offense "moves the ball" but doesn't score enough. He's right. They don't score enough (26^th in points per game). However, they are also average at “moving the ball.” Atlanta ranks 16^th in yards per play, 14^th in rush efficiency, and 15^th in first downs. They haven’t been explosive or steady against the NFL’s easiest schedule. Atlanta has PFF's sixth-best run-blocking unit and an elite RB in Bijan Robinson, yet they’re 14^th in rush efficiency?

Smith has also expressed hostility any time people question a quarterback problem that he helped make. Smith endorsed Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, but their sub-40 QBRs were predictable. He also designs multiple plays with Mack Hollins, Jonnu Smith, and Van Jefferson as primaries, which is no help. Worse, this team could have outbid Carolina for the rights to C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young had Smith given Ridder a real audition in 2022.

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IDP Scoring System for Rankings

Note: These rankings are also based on leagues that start one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and two DFLEX.

• 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

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Riser of the Week

Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Barrett is the 40^th most rostered DL in fantasy, though he is designated as an LB on some sites. He is the 22^nd highest-scoring edge rusher in standard scoring and the 29^th highest-scoring DL overall. On average, he grades out as a high-end DL3 option most weeks. This week, we view Barrett as a DL2 with DL1 upside, though.

The Titans are allowing pressure on 46.6% of their dropbacks this season, while allowing 3.7 sacks per game. For perspective, the Titans allow the third-most sacks per game in the NFL… while attempting the third-fewest pass attempts. That's pretty staggering.

However, with Will Levis at quarterback the Titans are throwing the ball at a league average clip. Barrett is a multi-purpose edge who should get after Levis, considering Tennessee is a bottom ten pass blocking unit that just lost starting offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. With a floor supported by tackles in the run game, and a ceiling elevated by this pass rush matchup, Barrett is a solid streaming option in Week 10.

DL Disappointment of the Week

Nik Bonitto & Jonathan Cooper, Denver Broncos

With the return of Baron Browning, Bonitto and Cooper have entered into an even messier timeshare at the edge. While they were both used in a rotation before, their snaps went down when Browning returned.

To make matters worse, the Bills allow the second-fewest sacks and just 11 quarterback pressures per game. Their pass-blocking unit overall rates as the sixth-best in the league. While Josh Allen adds to the team’s overall pressure totals with his mobility, he’s rarely taken down behind the line of scrimmage. Bonitto is particularly reliant on sacks for his fantasy production, but both he and Cooper are downgraded.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Riser of the Week

Kwon Alexander, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Unfortunately, Cole Holcomb could be out for the season, if not longer. While these injuries are always sad, the unfortunate truth of fantasy is we must look at the next man up in these situations. That person appears to be Kwon Alexander.

While Elandon Roberts has been a more reliable tackler than Alexander this season, it was Alexander whose snap share spiked after Holcomb's injury. The former Buccaneer saw 86% of the defensive snaps against Tennessee, up 17% from his previous season high. That playing time didn't result in a lot of tackles, but it did come with an INT and the indication he is likely to seize Holcomb’s snap share over Roberts.

Alexander has historically been a big play machine. He led the NFL in tackles in 2016 and has forced a turnover in 20% of his professional games. While the best is behind Alexander, and his recent production has been spotty, he has produced seven or more tackles in three of the five games he’s played over 60% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps. He should see that kind of usage this week in a solid matchup with Green Bay.

LB Disappointment of the Week:

Divine Deablo, Las Vegas Raiders

The New York Jets average the second-fewest offensive plays per game, while the Raiders average the third-fewest. Additionally, Zach Wilson has the 11^th fewest turnover-worthy plays amongst quarterbacks who have started six or more games. The Jets also average the fourth-fewest rush attempts in the league and just seven tight end targets per game. Altogether, those metrics are bad for opposing fantasy LBs.

Deablo has been dealing with an ankle injury recently, so he may not play this week if it flares up. If he does play, it's worth noting that he has put up three below-average fantasy performances in his past five complete games. Robert Spillane also seems to have taken the mantle as Vegas’ leading tackler, which is a problem considering the low volume we expect in this contest.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Riser of the Week

Brian Branch, DB, Detroit Lions

Branch is in the slot 71% of the time, and the box another 15%. The Chargers’ top weapon (Keenan Allen) lines up near or behind the line 70% of the time, while all but one of Austin Ekeler’s targets have come near the line of scrimmage.

Los Angeles’ top two weapons both play into Branch’s skillset and region. Their combined target volume is traditionally in the 15-20 region, not counting the 6.75 rushes per game that Austin Ekeler takes to the edge/slot. Given that potential volume, there is high-end DB2 upside for Branch in this matchup, and he's available in 94% of IDP leagues.

DB Disappointment of the Week

Darious Williams, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars

We can't drop Williams too far down our ranks, as he was the top-scoring fantasy CB heading into his bye. However, the 49ers were the lowest volume passing attack in the NFL heading into their shared bye week with Jacksonville.

Williams spends 58% of his time at left corner, but he has been known to shadow. The most likely option for Williams to shadow is Brandon Aiyuk, who averages just 7.4 targets with Deebo on the field. With Deebo expected back, this offense could be anemic for any opposing cornerbacks’ fantasy potential. For that reason, Williams’ ranking this week is lower than it usually would be.

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