Week 2 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football (2024) - Defense Positional Rankings for LB, DL, DB

As happens after Week 1 of every NFL season, there is a lot of panic in the fantasy community right now. Inevitably, some of the veterans you've always relied on are starting to show their age, while many sleepers or breakouts haven't yet cracked their shells. It's a natural time to worry and to overreact.

The first thing to remember is that plenty of superstars struggle in Week 1. Just consider Joe Burrow's opening season jitters. Between 2020-2023, Burrow averaged just 218 passing yards, one passing TD, 1.25 INTs, and 23 rushing yards in Week 1 games. That translates to just 7.8 fantasy ppg in standard leagues.

Burrow was awful to start this season, too, but you won’t drop him. Cutting a fantasy stalwart like Joe Cool after one dud is foolhardy, and the same applies to your IDP studs. Remember, Week 1 is just 5% of the season after a long offseason of rust and relaxation. Opening week is always hectic and strange, but talent and opportunity usually persevere.

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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 with 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	Broncos
2	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Ravens
3	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Saints
4	Myles Garrett	Browns	Jaguars
5	Nick Bosa	49ers	Vikings
6	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Panthers
7	Josh Hines-Allen	Jaguars	Browns
8	Brian Burns	Giants	Commanders
9	Montez Sweat	Bears	Texans
10	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Chiefs
11	Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	Buccaneers
12	Danielle Hunter	Texans	Bears
13	Joey Bosa	Chargers	Panthers
14	Boye Mafe	Seahawks	Patriots
15	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Commanders
16	Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	Bears
17	Carl Granderson	Saints	Cowboys
18	Jaelan Phillips	Dolphins	Bills
19	Christian Wilkins	Raiders	Ravens
20	Dexter Lawrence	Giants	Commanders
21	Harold Landry III	Titans	Jets
22	Alex Highsmith	Steelers	Broncos
23	Javon Hargrave	49ers	Vikings
24	Jared Verse	Rams	Cardinals
25	DeForest Buckner (Q)	Colts	Packers
26	Chris Jones	Chiefs	Bengals
27	Gregory Rousseau	Bills	Dolphins
28	Jalen Carter	Eagles	Falcons
29	Jonathon Cooper	Broncos	Steelers
30	Andrew Van Ginkel	Vikings	49ers
31	Byron Young	Rams	Cardinals
32	Josh Sweat	Eagles	Falcons
33	George Karlaftis	Chiefs	Bengals
34	Cameron Heyward	Steelers	Broncos
35	Matthew Judon	Falcons	Eagles
36	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Jets
37	Dallas Turner	Vikings	49ers
38	Laiatu Latu	Colts	Packers
39	Jonathan Greenard	Vikings	49ers
40	Bryce Huff	Eagles	Falcons
41	Quinnen Williams	Jets	Titans
42	Keion White	Patriots	Seahawks
43	Rashan Gary	Packers	Colts
44	Travon Walker	Jaguars	Browns
45	Harrison Phillips	Vikings	49ers
46	Zaven Collins	Cardinals	Rams
47	Leonard Floyd	49ers	Vikings
48	Sam Hubbard	Bengals	Chiefs
49	Zach Allen	Broncos	Steelers
50	Leonard Williams	Seahawks	Patriots

DL Riser of the Week

Jared Verse, DL, Los Angeles Rams

Verse was my favorite defender in this year’s NFL Draft, thanks to his combination of motor and power that helped him repeatedly obliterate blockers last fall. Verse flashed that same dominant power in Week 1, securing a sack and logging the sixth-most QB pressures in the league despite playing against a stout Detroit offensive line.

The Cardinals should offer Verse a far easier matchup than the Lions did, especially with Jonah Williams out. Arizona surrendered four sacks and 12 pressures to Buffalo, including a three-sack performance from Gregory Rousseau. Given the matchup and talent, Verse is a nice upside play this week.

Quality quality sack by rookie Jared Verse against Taylor Decker with a chip pic.twitter.com/qy6t90eU44

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 10, 2024

DL Disappointment of the Week

Matthew Judon, Atlanta Falcons

Fading Judon this week may be risky since he overcame a shortened offseason and limited help to produce a respectable 4.5 Standard IDP points against Pittsburgh. That said, Judon is a rotational pass rusher in this front and the Steelers' patchwork line was a favorable matchup for an edge like him.

This week, Judon gets a far less favorable matchup against the Eagles. Philly fields two of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL, who surrendered a combined three pressures against the Packers in Week 1. Philadelphia has had PFF's top-graded pass-blocking unit for two straight seasons, and they are on pace for a similarly effective season so far.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Browns
2	Roquan Smith	Ravens	Raiders
3	Alex Singleton	Broncos	Steelers
4	Bobby Okereke	Giants	Commanders
5	Quay Walker	Packers	Colts
6	T.J. Edwards	Bears	Texans
7	Zaire Franklin	Colts	Packers
8	Fred Warner	49ers	Vikings
9	Terrel Bernard	Bills	Dolphins
10	Eric Kendricks (Q)	Cowboys	Saints
11	E.J. Speed	Colts	Packers
12	Ivan Pace Jr.	Vikings	49ers
13	Nick Bolton	Chiefs	Bengals
14	Bobby Wagner	Commanders	Giants
15	C.J. Mosley	Jets	Titans
16	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Chiefs
17	Zack Baun	Eagles	Falcons
18	Jordyn Brooks	Dolphins	Bills
19	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Lions
20	Patrick Queen	Steelers	Broncos
21	Azeez Al-Shaair	Texans	Bears
22	Kyzir White	Cardinals	Rams
23	Tyrel Dodson	Seahawks	Patriots
24	De’Vondre Campbell	49ers	Vikings
25	Ernest Jones	Titans	Jets
26	Quincy Williams	Jets	Titans
27	Alex Anzalone	Lions	Buccaneers
28	Robert Spillane	Raiders	Ravens
29	Frankie Luvu	Commanders	Giants
30	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	Jaguars
31	Jordan Hicks	Browns	Jaguars
32	Demario Davis	Saints	Cowboys
33	Shaq Thompson	Panthers	Chargers
34	Christian Rozeboom	Rams	Cardinals
35	DeMarvion Overshown	Cowboys	Saints
36	Kaden Elliss	Falcons	Eagles
37	Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	Browns
38	Troy Reeder	Rams	Cardinals
39	Ja’Whaun Bentley	Patriots	Seahawks
40	Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	Texans
41	Josey Jewell	Panthers	Chargers
42	Nakobe Dean	Eagles	Falcons
43	Germaine Pratt	Bengals	Chiefs
44	Trenton Simpson	Ravens	Raiders
45	Blake Cashman	Vikings	49ers
46	Jerome Baker	Seahawks	Patriots
47	Jack Campbell	Lions	Buccaneers
48	David Long Jr.	Dolphins	Bills
49	Payton Wilson	Steelers	Broncos
50	Divine Deablo	Raiders	Ravens

LB Riser of the Week

Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles

If you have followed my articles and rankings since I started covering IDP for Rotoballer nearly five years ago, you know Zack Baun has always been one of my favorites. I had him ranked as a top-25 prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, and I bemoaned the poor fit New Orleans was for his skill set.

After considering Baun a “sleeper” or “breakout” candidate every offseason, including this one, his ascension may finally be happening. In Week 1, Baun was the clear lead linebacker for Philly, playing 100% of the snaps while securing 15 tackles and two sacks. Those sacks are part of his skill set, too, as he was a gifted pass rusher in Wisconsin.

Rumors are that Baun may be playing Devin White out of a job (more on that below), and it was Nakobe Dean who came off the field in the rare instance Philly used just one linebacker last week. Baun is a well-rounded tackler who produced the second-most fantasy points of any LB in Week 1, and he is available in 99.2% of IDP leagues.

Note that Baun also has a premium matchup this week. The Falcons ran their entire offense through Bijan Robinson in Week 1, which is great for Baun. Even better, the Falcons' pass-blocking unit surrendered constant pressure against Pittsburgh, and Kirk Cousins looked incapable of getting away from it.

Wow I underestimated Zack Baun pic.twitter.com/jBbqvotC7k

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 7, 2024

LB Disappointment of the Week

Devin White, Philadelphia Eagles

The official word out of Philadelphia is that White did not play in Week 1 due to an ankle injury. The unofficial word is that the team may be trying to trade him. By all accounts, both Baun and Nakobe Dean have outplayed the more expensive White this offseason. The team also likes the depth at the LB position with Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Despite being a premium athlete who can produce as a pass rusher and tackler, White lost favor in Tampa Bay over the past few years. Be it personality or a decline in ability, White ceded playing time to much less heralded defenders on the Buccaneers, and it looks like that may happen again in Philadelphia.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Derwin James	Chargers	Panthers
2	Kyle Hamilton (Q)	Ravens	Raiders
3	Brian Branch	Lions	Buccaneers
4	Jessie Bates III	Falcons	Eagles
5	Jaquan Brisker	Bears	Texans
6	Julian Love	Seahawks	Patriots
7	Reed Blankenship	Eagles	Falcons
8	Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	Broncos
9	Camryn Bynum	Vikings	49ers
10	Antoine Winfield Jr. (D)	Buccaneers	Lions
11	Xavier McKinney	Packers	Colts
12	Josh Metellus	Vikings	49ers
13	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Bears
14	Julian Blackmon	Colts	Packers
15	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Bills
16	Grant Delpit	Browns	Jaguars
17	Charvarius Ward	49ers	Vikings
18	Justin Reid	Chiefs	Bengals
19	Devon Witherspoon	Seahawks	Patriots
20	Nate Hobbs	Raiders	Ravens
21	Quentin Lake	Rams	Cardinals
22	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Seahawks
23	Ji’Ayir Brown	49ers	Vikings
24	Trent McDuffie	Chiefs	Bengals
25	Budda Baker	Cardinals	Rams
26	Donovan Wilson	Cowboys	Saints
27	Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	Rams
28	Rayshawn Jenkins	Jaguars	Browns
29	Alontae Taylor	Saints	Cowboys
30	Jordan Whitehead	Buccaneers	Lions
31	Kerby Joseph	Lions	Buccaneers
32	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Eagles	Falcons
33	L’Jarius Sneed	Titans	Jets
34	Talanoa Hufanga (Q)	49ers	Vikings
35	Nick Cross	Colts	Packers
36	Brandon Jones	Broncos	Steelers
37	Tyson Campbell	Jaguars	Browns
38	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Raiders
39	Javon Bullard	Packers	Colts
40	Jason Pinnock	Giants	Commanders
41	Geno Stone	Bengals	Chiefs
42	Christian Gonzalez	Patriots	Seahawks
43	Kenny Moore II	Colts	Packers
44	Cam Taylor-Britt	Bengals	Chiefs
45	A.J. Terrell	Falcons	Eagles
46	Paulson Adebo	Saints	Cowboys
47	Kamren Curl	Rams	Cardinals
48	Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	Bears
49	Roger McCreary	Titans	Jets
50	Tykee Smith	Buccaneers	Lions

DB Riser of the Week

Javon Bullard, Green Bay Packers

Bullard was an overlooked prospect when it came to our preseason IDP rankings, but he demands attention after an NFL debut with 11 tackles. While Bullard played in the box less than Xavier McKinney last week, contrary to what his hard-hitting style would suggest, he does merit plenty of box and nickel assignments.

Bullard is widely available in IDP leagues, with a rostership of just 1.4%. He also has a fascinating matchup against a Colts offense that should run the ball a lot but also attempt several risky deep throws. Richardson risked interception on at least four of his 19 passes last week.

Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard communicating pre-snap on the motion could tell right way what the Eagles were doing. Bullard triggered downhill as soon as he saw Goedert's bubble. pic.twitter.com/VihsKXWsVi

— Rich (@richjmadrid) September 9, 2024

DB Disappointment of the Week

Green Bay Packers Cornerbacks

While there is plenty of potential for Packer defenders playing in the box or deep, beware of their outside corners. The Colts ran the fewest plays in the NFL in Week 1. Now, the Packers are projected to start Malik Willis, whose career completion percentage is 52.2% and who has thrown for a total of 350 yards in eight NFL games and three starts.

Given how inefficient the Packers' offense is likely to be with Willis under center and the Colts' slow pace of play, players like Jaire Alexander could see an extremely limited number of opportunities to make a play. Expect Richardson and company to run a lot and throw a few balls up for grabs, but ultimately limit throws to the outside.

i can’t possibly seem to figure out why Jaire Alexander isn’t allowed to guard WR1s, can anyone help? pic.twitter.com/eDYDpUHNC6 https://t.co/bhtSF9cgNP

— ryan maye (@ryanolsonn) September 7, 2024

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