Week 3 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

While Week 2 was rough for some of my streamer picks, it ultimately served as a reminder of how unreliable metrics can be year-to-year. As I’ve said before, coaching staff and offensive line changes happen every season, and the smallest move can change everything. If a team loses one guard, the whole line can suffer. If an offense switches from a gap scheme to a zone, the players can stay the same, but their performances don’t. Some teams can change nothing, yet they still aren't what they were.

While my rankings held up well in Week 2, most of last week’s streamers/fades were a stark reminder of how little we know this early in the season. Just look at Aidan Hutchinson, who didn’t touch Geno Smith despite facing backup blockers. Or think of David Long Jr., who played just 21% of the Dolphins’ snaps in Week 1 and over 80% in Week 2. We had little data to suggest those things would happen, even if we knew they could.

Danielle Hunter is the best example of how tough it is to project early-season matchups for IDP purposes. In Week 2, Hunter faced an Eagles team whose pass blockers were the best in the NFL last year. Philly returned 60% of that line in 2023, including their bookend tackles, yet Hunter exploded for three sacks on Thursday. While PFF credits the Eagles’ blockers with just one of those sacks, this performance remains a reminder that 2022 is gone and 2023 is here.

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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:

Drake Jackson, San Francisco 49ers

The Giants' best-graded pass blocker this season has been Saquon Barkley. The Penn State product is his team's best dump-off option as well, not to mention he's the only reason they have a traditional run game.

Barkley is expected to be out this Thursday against the 49ers. Andrew Thomas missed the Cardinals game and could miss Week 3, too. Starters on Big Blue’s offensive line not named ‘Andrew Thomas’ have allowed a combined 27 pressures in two games. That inefficiency in blocking and a lack of traditional run game should help all 49er pass rushers feast this week.

DL Disappointment of the Week:

Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Raiders have allowed a paltry six quarterback pressures in two games despite Jimmy Garoppolo lacking mobility. Worse, their starting tackles have combined for just one pressure allowed despite facing solid pass-rush rotations in Denver and Buffalo. Kolton Miller has been especially effective, allowing just one pressure in 58 pass-blocking reps, and that’s who Alex Highsmith should face for most of Week 3.

While no one is cutting Highsmith after his performance against Cleveland, you should manage expectations this week. The Raiders average the second-fewest pass attempts per game and have earned PFF's top pass-blocking grade. That said, the Raiders are turning the ball over twice per game, and they run to Highsmith's end a healthy amount. That means Highsmith is still a viable DL2, even if his upside is severely capped.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Riser of the Week:

Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills

Bernard has played at least 85% of the Bills' snaps in each of his first two starts, collecting 17 tackles and a pick. He now faces a Commanders team that is determined to establish the run. Sam Howell is also a fine matchup for opposing linebackers, given his propensity to run and target tight ends (18 TE targets in two games).

Bernard is readily available on waivers and is a fine play this week. Consider him an LB3 with high-end LB2 upside.

LB Disappointment of the Week:

Kenneth Murray Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Murray Jr. was an IDP dynasty darling as a rookie, thanks to tremendous athleticism coming out of Oklahoma. He’s never lived up to the hype, though. That said, people always want to chase potential, and Murray showed it again against the Titans, putting up his first double-digit tackle game in years. That may be enough for some to come back to the former Sooner, despite a less-than-ideal matchup against Minnesota.

Murray has traditionally been poor in coverage, allowing a completion rate over 85% since 2020. He hasn’t generated many big plays in coverage or as a pass rusher either, totaling just one INT, six PDs, and three sacks in 46 games. The Vikings average the fourth-most pass attempts in the NFL and the fewest rush attempts. Murray’s skillset and Minnesota’s tendencies don’t mesh well for IDP purposes.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Riser of the Week:

Alohi Gilman, Los Angeles Chargers

Gilman led his team in tackles in a shootout against the Dolphins in Week 1. It's why we told you to stash him in our IDP streamers column. Now Gilman gets the Vikings, who run the ball less than anyone in the league and throw it more than all but three other teams. Gilman is tailor-made for what looks to be another shootout.

DB Disappointment of the Week:

Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

Lattimore has started the season hot, collecting five PDs and one INT in two games. The Packers are attempting only 26 pass attempts per game and have no clear WR1 for Lattimore to shadow, though.

While Jordan Love has a very poor off-target rate of 30.8%, he's thrown zero picks so far, and he's generally been smart with his decision-making. Love runs the offense his coaches tell him, so look for them to prepare their quarterback to avoid Lattimore whenever possible.

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