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

49ers Defense D/ST Streamers, Rankings, Waiver Wire - Nick Bosa Fantasy Football IDP

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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.



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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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