Week 6 IDP Rankings for Fantasy Football - Positional Rankings for Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

Fantasy football IDP rankings and IDP streamers for Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season. Chris's IDP fantasy start em, sit em picks for individual defensive players.

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to begin this week by returning to a favorite topic of mine: Arthur Smith. The former Titans’ coordinator has been a whipping post of mine for some time, but he’s earned praise from some analysts as a “gamer” who wins despite his offense (his specialty) struggling to score touchdowns. He is widely considered to have job security because his team wins low-scoring close games against bad teams, despite a waste of top-end offensive talent.

I’ll remind you that Smith is an offensive coach whose offense ranks 20^th in yards and 27^th in points per game. His Atlanta offenses have never ranked higher than 24^th in yards per game nor higher than 15^th in points. He has three top-ten draft picks at skill positions and three first-round picks on the offensive line, and he chose to go into this season with Desmond Ridder at quarterback. With that talent, his team struggles for points against Houston and Carolina.

I mention these things because Smith continues underutilizing Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and even Bijan Robinson. He gets away with it because his defense holds opponents to 19.2 points per game. So, IDP factors like Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell are saving Smith’s job, while his struggling offense gets headlines for incremental improvements. It’s another example of the media and fans undervaluing defense. A trend IDP managers are all too familiar with.

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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

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Chargers
2	Myles Garrett (Q)	Browns	49ers
3	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Patriots
4	Nick Bosa	49ers	Browns
5	Danielle Hunter	Vikings	Bears
6	Brian Burns	Panthers	Dolphins
7	Josh Allen	Jaguars	Colts
8	Josh Sweat	Eagles	Jets
9	Jaelan Phillips (Q)	Dolphins	Panthers
10	Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	Buccaneers
11	Aaron Donald	Rams	Cardinals
12	Chris Jones	Chiefs	Broncos
13	Haason Reddick	Eagles	Jets
14	Joey Bosa (Q)	Chargers	Cowboys
15	Christian Wilkins	Dolphins	Panthers
16	Javon Hargrave	49ers	Browns
17	Chase Young	Commanders	Falcons
18	Montez Sweat	Commanders	Falcons
19	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Seahawks
20	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Bills
21	Jalen Carter	Eagles	Jets
22	Jonathan Allen	Commanders	Falcons
23	Kwity Paye (Q)	Colts	Jaguars
24	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Cowboys
25	Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	Saints
26	Nik Bonitto	Broncos	Chiefs
27	Uchenna Nwosu	Seahawks	Bengals
28	Daron Payne	Commanders	Falcons
29	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Ravens
30	Shaquil Barrett	Buccaneers	Lions
31	Vita Vea	Buccaneers	Lions
32	Josh Uche	Patriots	Raiders
33	Demarcus Lawrence	Cowboys	Chargers
34	Deforest Buckner	Colts	Jaguars
35	Dexter Lawrence	Giants	Bills
36	Zaven Collins	Cardinals	Rams
37	Jonathan Cooper	Broncos	Chiefs
38	Leonard Williams	Giants	Bills
39	Denico Autry	Titans	Ravens
40	Byron Young	Rams	Cardinals
41	Za’Darius Smith	Browns	49ers
42	Quinnen Williams	Jets	Eagles
43	Carl Granderson	Saints	Texans
44	Cameron Jordan	Saints	Texans
45	Arik Armstead	49ers	Browns
46	Ogbo Okoronkwo	Browns	49ers
47	David Onyemata	Falcons	Commanders
48	Calais Campbell (Q)	Falcons	Commanders
49	Duane Brown	Panthers	Dolphins
50	Yannick Ngakoue	Bears	Vikings

DL Riser of the Week:

Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles

Carter has slowly risen in our ranks, previously appearing in our streamers article as a DL3 option. Despite limited snaps and playing from the interior, he rises into the mid-tier DL2 ranks this week.

Carter’s efficiency is tremendous, ranking eighth in the NFL in quarterback pressures and seventh in hurries. He now goes against a Jets team that allows 14 quarterback pressures per game and just lost Alijah Vera-Tucker. With Carter often shading the inside tackle and occasionally lining up at end, he should be able to abuse a banged-up Jets offensive line.

DL Disappointment of the Week:

Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

As with any of our defensive disappointment calls, Thibodeaux is a talented player who has earned some semblance of fantasy trust. He wouldn't be worth mentioning in this space if he hadn't. So, he could very well produce fantasy points in a bad fantasy matchup. There are reasons to doubt Thibs in this one though.

One reason to be low on the Oregon product is that his advanced metrics could be better. PFF grades him as a below-average pass rusher, and his pass-rush win rate of 4.9% is the fifth lowest amongst all defenders with at least 100 pass-rush snaps. Aggravating matters is the fact Josh Allen is averaging just 1.8 sacks per game, and his blockers have allowed just seven total quarterback hits.

The matchup in this one is bad for Thibodeaux. His advanced metrics have been disappointing, too. While he deserves to be in the DL2 mix based on talent and sack production alone, we are fading expectations this week.

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Zaire Franklin	Colts	Jaguars
2	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Colts
3	Roquan Smith	Ravens	Titans
4	T.J. Edwards	Bears	Vikings
5	Jordyn Brooks	Seahawks	Bengals
6	Ernest Jones	Rams	Cardinals
7	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Cardinals
8	Bobby Wagner	Seahawks	Bengals
9	Cody Barton	Commanders	Falcons
10	Nick Bolton (Q)	Chiefs	Broncos
11	C.J. Mosley	Jets	Eagles
12	Alex Singleton	Broncos	Chiefs
13	Fred Warner	49ers	Browns
14	Terrel Bernard	Bills	Giants
15	Patrick Queen	Ravens	Titans
16	Bobby Okereke	Giants	Bills
17	Azeez Al-Shaair	Titans	Ravens
18	Kyzir White	Cardinals	Rams
19	Dre Greenlaw	49ers	Browns
20	Jack Gibbens	Titans	Ravens
21	Devin White	Buccaneers	Lions
22	Henry To’oTo’o	Texans	Saints
23	David Long Jr.	Dolphins	Panthers
24	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Lions
25	Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	Vikings
26	Germaine Pratt	Bengals	Seahawks
27	Divine Deablo	Raiders	Patriots
28	Quincy Williams	Jets	Eagles
29	Josey Jewell (Q)	Broncos	Chiefs
30	Pete Werner	Saints	Texans
31	Frankie Luvu	Panthers	Dolphins
32	Nicholas Morrow	Eagles	Jets
33	Jordan Hicks	Vikings	Bears
34	Denzel Perryman (Q)	Texans	Saints
35	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	49ers
36	Kenneth Murray Jr.	Chargers	Cowboys
37	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Chargers
38	Kaden Elliss	Falcons	Commanders
39	Ja’Whaun Bentley	Patriots	Raiders
40	Demario Davis	Saints	Texans
41	Shaquille Leonard (Q)	Colts	Jaguars
42	Nate Landman	Falcons	Commanders
43	Ivan Pace Jr.	Vikings	Bears
44	Zach Cunningham	Eagles	Jets
45	Alex Anzalone	Lions	Buccaneers
46	Robert Spillane	Raiders	Patriots
47	Christian Harris (Q)	Texans	Saints
48	Jamin Davis	Commanders	Falcons
49	Jerome Baker	Dolphins	Panthers
50	Jahlani Tavai	Patriots	Raiders

LB Riser of the Week:

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns

Owusu-Koramoah saw a season-high 79% of Cleveland's snaps before the bye. Now, his team faces a 49er team that uses plenty of motions, screens, and zone runs. San Francisco’s scheme fits Owusu-Koramoah’s skillset well.

The Browns would be wise to use their most athletic linebacker more than usual against the 49ers. He collected eight tackles against the Ravens in Week 4, and similar production is a strong possibility this week if Cleveland properly uses the Notre Dame product. He’s an LB3 option against Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.

LB Disappointment of the Week:

Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints

Davis has historically been a jack-of-all-trades sort of fantasy linebacker. Some weeks, he could carry you with a turnover or a sack. Others, Davis could sustain your team with tackle production alone. Lately, he hasn't done either. Across his past three games, Davis has collected zero turnovers, zero sacks, and just 14 combined tackles. While he's due for a rebound soon, he must have tackle volume if he’s going to do it against Houston.

C.J. Stroud is averaging a healthy 11 targets per game to tight ends and running backs, which is good for Davis’ volume. However, Stroud has yet to throw an interception this year. Houston’s offense is also middle of the pack in run rate, has turned the ball over just twice, and they haven’t surrendered a sack in three straight games. All of those factors are bad for Davis’ upside. He will likely be a volume-dependent play this week.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Derwin James (Q)	Chargers	Cowboys
2	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Saints
3	Antoine Winfield Jr.	Buccaneers	Lions
4	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Panthers
5	Kyle Hamilton	Ravens	Titans
6	Talanoa Hufanga	49ers	Browns
7	Reed Blankenship	Eagles	Jets
8	Jaquan Brisker	Bears	Vikings
9	L’Jarius Sneed	Chiefs	Broncos
10	Camryn Bynum	Vikings	Bears
11	Kamren Curl	Commanders	Falcons
12	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Raiders
13	Julian Love	Seahawks	Bengals
14	Julian Blackmon	Colts	Jaguars
15	Grant Delpit	Browns	49ers
16	Jordan Poyer	Bills	Giants
17	Rayshawn Jenkins	Jaguars	Colts
18	Jeremy Chinn (Q)	Panthers	Dolphins
19	Kevin Byard	Titans	Ravens
20	Harrison Smith	Vikings	Bears
21	Dax Hill	Bengals	Seahawks
22	DeShon Elliott (Q)	Dolphins	Panthers
23	Nick Scott	Bengals	Seahawks
24	Jessie Bates III	Falcons	Commanders
25	Richie Grant	Falcons	Commanders
26	Jayron Kearse	Cowboys	Chargers
27	K’Von Wallace	Cardinals	Rams
28	Andre Cisco	Jaguars	Colts
29	Alohi Gilman (Q)	Chargers	Cowboys
30	Ryan Neal (Q)	Buccaneers	Lions
31	Jason Pinnock	Giants	Bills
32	Jalen Thompson (Q)	Cardinals	Rams
33	Brian Branch (Q)	Lions	Buccaneers
34	Marco Wilson	Cardinals	Rams
35	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Titans
36	Xavier McKinney	Giants	Bills
37	Justin Simmons (Q)	Broncos	Chiefs
38	Nate Hobbs (Q)	Raiders	Patriots
39	Roger McCreary	Titans	Ravens
40	Kerby Joseph (Q)	Lions	Buccaneers
41	Devon Witherspoon	Seahawks	Bengals
42	Tyson Campbell	Jaguars	Colts
43	Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner	Jets	Eagles
44	Darius Slay	Eagles	Jets
45	Isaiah Simmons	Giants	Bills
46	Adoree Jackson	Giants	Bills
47	Kyler Gordon (Q)	Bears	Vikings
48	Daron Bland	Cowboys	Chargers
49	D.J. Reed	Jets	Eagles
50	Asante Samuel Jr.	Chargers	Cowboys

DB Riser of the Week:

Marco Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

Wilson is the fourth most targeted cornerback in the NFL this season. He allows an abysmal 79.5% completion rate but turns many of those into tackles. While a lot of Wilson's production came against Ja'Marr Chase in his transcendent showing last weekend, there's reason to believe he will see significant volume against the Rams, too.

Last weekend, Cooper Kupp lined up wide more often than in the slot. Meanwhile, Puka Nakua has lined up wide nearly twice as often as he has inside. Wilson exclusively plays outside, so he should see plenty of the Rams' two star receivers. Given that Los Angeles is tied for most pass attempts per game this season, the volume should be strong for Wilson and Arizona's secondary this week.

DB Disappointment of the Week:

Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders

It is unclear whether Hobbs will be healthy enough to play this week, so you should have alternatives in mind already. If he does play, the Patriots are not an ideal matchup.

While New England is one of the more pass-oriented offenses this season, that is largely due to the 96 pass attempts Mac Jones attempted in their first two games. Since then, New England has attempted the eighth fewest pass attempts in the NFL. That is particularly concerning, considering they've lost by a combined score of 72-3 the past two weeks. Translation: the Pats can't sustain drives even when they must throw.

If the Patriots cannot sustain drives, they won’t offer the volume that opposing defenders need for fantasy production. Their inability to sustain drives will likely continue this week, as the confidence of their quarterback is in question after he was benched in two straight games. Given questions about volume, injury concerns, and a lack of a WR1 for Hobbs to shadow, consider him a turnover-dependent risk this week.

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