Week 4 IDP Rankings, Streamers, and Notes

Chris Gregory's Week 4 fantasy football IDP rankings at LB (linebacker), DL (defensive line), and DB (defensive back) plus top sleepers, streamers, and fades.

We are only three weeks into this young NFL season, and the IDP landscape is already looking like a wasteland. Before Week 3, fantasy managers were already without three of the top-15 IDP defenders after injuries took Derwin James, Nick Bosa, and Danielle Hunter away from us. Things are getting much worse now, with the top two remaining fantasy DBs (Budda Baker and Jamal Adams) looking doubtful to play in Week 4. As if that weren't enough, a groin injury could grab Chase Young off of fantasy rosters as well. Adding insult to those injuries is the fact that the Steelers and Titans are suddenly not playing in Week 4, robbing us of several IDP stars (T.J. Watt specifically) who many of us had planned on playing.

Given all this misfortune, no one can blame IDP managers who struggle to see the bright side of things right now. It's almost as if the entire bright side of the 2020 season is covered in manure, and... is that expired mayonnaise? Yeah, it tastes like expired mayonnaise.

With at least six of the top-25 fantasy defenders likely sidelined for at least this week, fantasy managers will have to continue to adapt and persevere. Remember that this is a weekly game, and even when you lose a defensive stud, you have a good shot of succeeding in fantasy. The loss of Nick Bosa or Budda Baker will cost you an edge, but you can help contain damage and pain by merely consulting our weekly rankings… and drinking some scotch… and maybe even eating a delicious chalupa from Taco Bell. See that, Taco Bell? I can seamlessly slip in a sponsor with no one noticing! Call me.

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Top-25 Fantasy Defensive Linemen for Week 4

Note: As always, our rankings will be split into Rotoballer's three primary IDP positions (DL, LB, and DB), and they will typically come with some flyer/fade notes for each position as well. Also, as per usual, we will include edge rushers in both our DL and LB ranks since they have different eligibility depending on the fantasy site you are using.

Fantasy Relevant Defenders Not in Our Week 4 Ranks Due to Injury/Postponement: T.J. Watt, Budda Baker, Jamal Adams, Chase Young, Bud Dupree, Devin Bush, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry III, Christian Kirksey, Kenny Vacarro, and Jabrill Peppers.

DL Streamer of Week 4: Yannick Ngakoue, Minnesota Vikings

So far this year, the Houston Texans' offensive line has the NFL's worst Adjusted Sack Rate per Football Outsiders. They also sit tied for second in sacks allowed at 13. That's an average of 4.3 sacks allowed per game. Meanwhile, Ngakoue has registered a strip-sack in each of his past two games.

While some may continue to fade him because of how poor this defense has been overall, Ngakoue has averaged at least two pressures a game this season without much help. Going against a bad blocking unit that can't protect a QB who loves to scramble and hold onto the ball, this former Jaguar should have an excellent opportunity for some big plays in Week 4.

DL Fade of Week 4: Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears

Mack is going against a terrific offensive line this week. The Colts' blockers are allowing just one sack per game in 2020, despite Philip Rivers serving as an immobile statue behind them. Their Adjusted Sack Rate ranks fifth in the NFL, as well. Add to that the fact that Indianapolis is short on pass catchers and runs the ball 52% of the time this year, and we can expect limited opportunities for Mack to make a big play in Week 4.

Though Mack could still register several tackles against the Colts, we should expect a similar box score to what he put up in Week 1 against the Lions. That translates to around two or three solo-tackles, a couple of half-tackles, and no sacks or turnovers.

Underrated DL Matchup of the Week 4: Josh Allen ( Jacksonville Jaguars) v. Cincinnati Bengals Offense

If one were to look only at his box score, the defensive version of Josh Allen would seem an uninteresting IDP prospect. Some may even consider starting a petition for him to change his name so that the MVP candidate in Buffalo can be the only Josh Allen in the NFL. Box scores don't always tell the whole story of a defensive lineman, though. They don't always predict a DL's future, either.

Remember that Allen collected ten sacks as a rookie last year. Also, recognize that Allen is still getting after the quarterback this year, even if that hasn't yet translated into fantasy goodness. He has logged a sack, six QB hits, and nine pressures in three games without much help around him. This matchup with a Bengals offense is just the spot for his pressures to translate into significant fantasy stats, too. The Bengals have allowed 14 sacks in three games, and they are the second pass heaviest offense in the NFL. Cincinnati will provide Allen with ample opportunity to explode, and fantasy managers should beware seeing him blow up on their bench or waiver wire.

Top-25 Fantasy Linebackers for Week 4

LB Streamer of Week 4: Jon Bostic, Washington Football Team

Bostic has already faced an elusive QB with similar skills to Lamar Jackson with success in Week 2. Against Kyler Murray, Bostic totaled eight tackles and a sack despite the former Heisman winner proving to be nearly as (or more) elusive as Jackson. Add to that the fact that the Ravens have surrendered four sacks in each of the past two weeks against good but not elite pass defenses in Houston and KC, and it isn't unreasonable to expect Bostic to match his Week 2 stats in this matchup. While Baltimore's blocking could certainly rebound to its high 2019 standards as soon as this week, such a sudden improvement would not render Bostic useless for fantasy purposes. The odds are Baltimore will get ahead early in this one, and they will look to control the game's tempo on the ground. That spells ample opportunities for Bostic to load up on tackles, even if the Ravens manage to keep him from logging a sack or many TFLs.

LB Fade of Week 4: Cory Littleton, Las Vegas Raiders

In terms of real football, Littleton has been well below average this year in both run support and coverage. In terms of fantasy football, he hasn't been any better. Littleton has made zero big plays (PDs, sacks, turnovers) as a Raider, and he has averaged a mere three solo-tackles per game. Frankly, the only reason for Littleton to be on IDP rosters at this point is the hope that he may still return to his past IDP star production.

Do not expect Littleton's bounce back to be this week, if it ever happens, however. While a matchup against Josh Allen (a big QB who likes to scramble and take risks) may look good on paper, it isn't. This season, the Bills have contained every playmaking 'backer they have faced. They held Micah Kiser to just four half-tackles last week, and he was averaging 11 tackles per game going into Buffalo. The Bills similarly neutralized Jerome Baker in Week 2, despite Baker's ability to rack up stats against Cam Newton in their season opener. The same goes for the Jets' linebackers, who were rendered useless against the Bills in Week 1. Little about Littleton's 2020 season suggests that he will break this trend and make fantasy managers happy in Week 4.

Trade Bait of the Week: Jordan Hicks, Arizona Cardinals

I was fading Hicks harder than almost any other IDP ranker this pre-season, and it looks like I was on to something. The reason for my Hicks fade was Arizona's additions of De' Vondre Campbell and Isaiah Simmons, which I believed could lead to attrition of fantasy points. I may not have faded Hicks enough, however.

Hicks has had one fantasy-relevant game (Week 2) out of three this year, and his overall play has been at or below average so far. PFF currently ranks Hicks as an extremely average 'backer in every phase of the game, and the film backs that up. He looks slower to react, is sharing more of his tackles, and has had a few noticeable slips in coverage. Making things worse is the fact Arizona has recently invested heavily in three of its four LBs (Simmons, Campbell, and Chandler Jones) as well as its star DB (Baker). If Hicks' poor play continues, he could be a 29-year-old cap casualty next summer.

If someone in your IDP league still views Hicks as the top-10 fantasy LB he used to be, see what they would give up for him. A third or fourth round dynasty pick or a young player like Logan Wilson is a good return in your deep IDP leagues and dynasty setups.

Top-25 Fantasy Defensive Backs for Week 4

DB Streamer of Week 4: C.J. Henderson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Typically you don't play many CBs in shallow IDP leagues. However, for those who play in leagues that start two or more DBs each week, Henderson has a nice matchup against the Bengals in Week 4. So far, Cincinnati is the second pass heaviest offense in the NFL. The Bengals throw the ball to the edges or deep on about half of their throws, which is where Henderson plays most of the time. It is not out of the question that Henderson could shadow Tyler Boyd in this game, though.

While Henderson has been burned several times this season, as most rookie corners are, he has shown the ability to make fantasy-relevant plays when targeted. In 2020 he has averaged 3.6 solo-tackles per game, 1.3 PDs per game, and he already has an interception. If you play in a league where you have to start a CB or multiple DBs, you could do much worse than a guy with a steady fantasy floor going against the pass-happy Bengals.

DB Fade of Week 4: James Bradberry, New York Giants

Did you know that James Bradberry leads the NFL in PDs this season? No? I didn't think so.

Bradberry has been a surprisingly productive fantasy CB this year. On top of leading the NFL with 9 PDs, he has two turnovers and is averaging a decent 3.3 solo-tackles per game. That is the kind of production you expect from a starting fantasy corner. That said, Bradberry has a bad matchup this week.

Did you know that the Los Angeles Rams are the most run-heavy team in the NFL this season? No? Yeah, it doesn't seem logical when you think about it.

Lately, Sean McVay's offenses have been known for throwing until Jared Goff's arm falls off, but this year they have found success on the ground again. A team that runs the ball 64% of the time, as the Rams do, will significantly limit the fantasy production of a CB. Add to that the fact that the Rams have no true #1 WR to pepper with targets, instead spreading the ball to multiple talented pass catchers based on matchup and scheme, and the opportunities for Bradberry dwindle even further.

IDP Riser of Week 4: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

To those who read our Week 4 IDP Waiver column, this should come as no surprise. Winfield Jr. was our top IDP waiver add, and for good reason. In this NFL Draft, Winfield Jr. had arguably the best ball skills of any DB in the class. At Boston College, he displayed the ability to not only bait quarterbacks into bad throws and cover ground to get them, but he was aggressive against the run as well. Given his playstyle and the lack of a pre-season, we anticipated Winfield Jr. would be slow to playing time and would take time to grow. He hasn't been slow to either. He is already a top-ten DB in fantasy and should be a starter in all leagues.

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