Week 11 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

At the outset of every season, I warn fantasy fans and rankers alike not to overvalue the preseason strength of schedule rankings. Those ratings rely largely on player and unit performance from the previous year, which is not always consistent. Whether it's player migration, age, coaching changes, or all of the above, you will see opposing units over and underperform each year.

We mention this because we consistently see changes in what is and is not a strong matchup for fantasy defenders. As previously mentioned, the Giants' pass-blocking unit performed adequately until Andrew Thomas went down. The same goes for the Eagles’ and Vikings’ left side. Now, Tristan Wirfs could be out, drastically improving the odds of opposing pass-rushers.

Of all the teams hurt by turning tides, the Chicago Bears offense was arguably hit hardest. While advanced metrics liked their pass-blockers to start the year, and they rank just 23^rd in pass-blocking, injuries have hit every starter on their O-line. With those injuries and a QB who holds the ball too long, Chicago now allows the second-most sacks per game and most since Week 7.

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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

DL Riser of the Week

Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers

We warned you weeks ago that Tuipulotu's ascension could spell decreased playing time for both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack once Bosa was healthy. So far, that prediction has proven prescient as Bosa's snaps have been limited and Mack’s are down, though Mack’s numbers are skewed by the fact he missed most of last week.

Awesome game from Tuli Tuipulotu yesterday against the Titans. Chose violence right off the bat! pic.twitter.com/NwuMY3Djsg

— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) November 12, 2024

Whether or not Mack and Bosa have been active and healthy, Tuipulotu has played over 65% of Los Angeles' defensive snaps in every game since Week 2. Better yet, his pass-rush efficiency and production over the past three weeks have been transcendent.

While a player of Tuipulotu's skill set can't keep up his recent three-week pace, the former Trojan’s playing time and role on a sturdy defense are attractive. He's also DL23 in fantasy points per game but is just the 75th-most-rostered DL, meaning he’s under-rostered. Even if his sacks slow down, Tuipulotu should be rostered in more leagues.

DL Disappointment of the Week

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Despite an extended cold streak that has seen Jones go sackless in five straight games, he is still the 27th-most-rostered DL in fantasy. This is likely because of name recognition and a general acceptance that he remains one of the better pass-rushers in the NFL. Odds also favor Jones returning to elite production, though not this week.

The Bills are tied for the fewest sacks allowed in the NFL. Their pass-blocking grades also rank seventh best in the league, which is actually best amongst the teams who have allowed the fewest sacks. This is despite the fact Josh Allen has the third-highest scramble rate in the league.

This year is not the first in which Buffalo has allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL, either. It was first in that metric in 2021 and 2023 as well. Allen is simply hard to bring down, and Buffalo's play-calling allows for few sack opportunities. That is why Jones totaled just 2.5 fantasy points in a combined two matchups against the Bills last year.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Riser of the Week

Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills

Matt Milano hasn’t played football in a year, but he’s been a steady LB3 option that many IDP managers like even more than that. While rankers like yours truly value Milano’s coverage skills and big-play ability, his tackle numbers have never been good enough to consistently rank him as an LB2  in Standard IDP scoring.

He’s ALMOST back.

The #Bills opened Matt Milano’s 21-day practice window. 👀#BillsMafia
pic.twitter.com/FYvpQ3WOE8

— Ajay Cybulski (@AjayCybulski) November 11, 2024

Why are we talking about Milano and his past production? Well, the Bills have designated him to return from injury. Buffalo’s coaching staff will not say when or how often he will play, but it has said it has a “vision” for his return. It’s unclear what that means.

It’s also unclear how Milano’s return will impact Dorian Williams, who has filled in well for Milano this season. In fact, for Standard IDP scoring leagues, it is Williams and not Milano who has been the more effective and consistent fantasy producer. Many of us have to hope Milano will not take Williams off the field … though it’s likely he will.

Whether you love Milano as a fantasy asset or not, he is a quality NFL player who thrives in coverage. Milano is by far the best coverage linebacker the Bills have when healthy. That likely means a healthy Milano will play with Terrel Bernard on passing downs, giving Milano an attractive fantasy role and limiting Williams’ opportunities.

LB Disappointment of the Week

Tyrel Dodson, Formerly of the Seattle Seahawks

Dodson is LB29 in fantasy points per game, LB23 in total fantasy points, and he leads Seattle in total tackles. He’s also the 31st-most-rostered linebacker in fantasy, meaning a lot of people rostered him through the bye last weekend. Carrying a defender through the bye indicates manager faith and loyalty, which he should no longer have.

We mention these factors because the Seahawks unceremoniously released Dodson on Monday. This is news that went underreported, so casual IDP managers may not know. Of those who are aware, some may want to hang onto Dodson in hopes he catches on with another team and continues his high-end LB3 run.

Those hanging onto Dodson can feel free to drop him unless you're in a truly deep league. None of his advanced metrics are strong, and Seattle cut him after reportedly doing a film binge on its roster. After a deep dive into the problems with its team, Seattle didn’t just decide to bench Dodson. It decided to cut a player it started all season.

Going off the one-year, $4.26 million deal he signed with Seattle, it’s safe to say Dodson wasn’t sought after this offseason. Seattle paid minimal money to make him its MIKE, then it traded for his replacement not halfway through the season. It’s unlikely some other team will want him playing a significant role when neither Buffalo nor Seattle did.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Riser of the Week

Jeremy Chinn, Washington Commanders

Jeremy Chinn, a former favorite of ours and my top sleeper going into his rookie campaign, fell off the fantasy radar for an extended period. One of the primary reasons for that fall was the Carolina Panthers' leadership, which we all know has shown such good judgment, simply didn't seem to like him.

#Commanders

Jeremy Chinn (bottom of the screen).

One of my favorite plays from Week 9…

Stay home/run the alley when Nabers reverses field on the WR screen. pic.twitter.com/Yk2Fjz04wg

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) November 7, 2024

Chinn is experiencing a career renaissance with Washington. He has two straight games with 13 total tackles, and he's totaled eight or more takedowns in four of his past seven games. His usage and matchup with a run-oriented Eagles offense are also encouraging.

Chinn is firmly back in the starting fantasy conversation after a long layoff.

DB Disappointment of the Week

Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears

Unfortunately, this category is designated as a "disappointment," given that our worry with Brisker is entirely injury-related. To make it clear, we hope Brisker recovers from his concussion issues and that his status should not be considered a "disappointment." Rather, you should simply be prepared for the fantasy fallout.

It is incredibly disconcerting when a player has to miss a month due to a concussion. While we are not medical experts, other players who have experienced such prolonged symptoms (see Tua Tagovailoa) have been considered early retirement candidates by some doctors and analysts. Bears media is already sounding that alarm for Brisker.

Because the talent and fantasy production are all there, we must rank Brisker in our top 10 until he is ruled out this week. If he clears protocol and is a full-go, he should still be considered a DB1 in most formats. However, the risk that you carry him on your bench every week and miss out on healthier DBs until you can stick him in IR is problematic.

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