Week 9 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings

Earlier this week, we handed out some fancy awards to our waiver-eligible defenders. You have no idea how fancy these were. They were presented in a decorated affair for which men donned their flashiest tuxedos and women their most revealing pantsuits. There was a red carpet, several very unimportant individuals considered attending, and fun was had by one! People were THRILLED with the results, too, judging from the text my mom sent me after she read the results. That’s why we had a pow-wow and decided we should hand out more Mid-Season IDP Awards. So without further ado, let’s reward some of the most deserving IDP stars of the season so far!

For our DB of the Mid-Year, the award comes down to two: Trevon Diggs and Derwin James Jr. While Diggs is on a record-setting pace for interceptions, it is James’ do everything profile that makes him our winner. The sustainability of James’ fantasy production and Diggs’ over reliance on INTs forces the FSU product to the top. Meanwhile, the LB of the Mid-Year is a wide-open contest. There are several worthy contenders for this award, but our completely unbiased vote goes to Logan Wilson. Wilson earns this award because he is producing LB1 numbers with an undrafted price tag, which is a bargain no other LB can match. Finally, last amongst the positional awards is our DL of the Mid-Year. The winner of this award has to be Myles Garrett, who has DL eligibility on all websites (unlike T.J. Watt) and the frontrunner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett carries tremendous value in every format and all websites.

Now, with our position awards out of the way, we can finally announce our IDP MVP of the Mid-Year. It is a storied award that has existed for hundreds upon hundreds of half-seconds. Everyone is clamoring to win it, but only one can. And the winner is……… Derwin James Jr.! The Supercharger is putting up incredible stats at a consistent pace, and he’s doing it at a very shallow position. We told you to value him as a top-three option in the summer, but most didn’t listen. Now, everyone wants him…. And with that said, let’s get to our Week 8 rankings, shall we?

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Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

DL Streamer of the Week: Jonathan Greenard, Houston Texans

This former third-round pick has come out of nowhere to collect a sack in every game but one in 2021. His pass-rush efficiency is near elite levels this year, with a pressure every 12 pass-rush snaps, and he is doing so with virtually no help from a porous Houston secondary.

The Florida alum should have a particularly positive matchup this week against a Miami offensive line that has improved but is still below average. The Dolphins currently rank ninth in the NFL in pass percentage, 21st in sacks allowed, and Tua Tagovailoa is currently nursing rib and finger injuries. If Jacoby Brissett is the QB or if Tua plays at a compromised level, Miami’s line won’t hold up all game. That formula makes Greenard a good spot start on a week where the Washington and Tampa Bay pass rushers are on by and Danielle Hunter is on IR.

DL Fade of the Week: Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

For those hoping to see Josh Allen (of the Jaguars) collide with Josh Allen (of the Bills), prepare to be disappointed. While the Kentucky product is a fade that many will have to start thanks to his talent and upside, a solid Buffalo Bills front should limit his fantasy potential significantly this week.

The Bills’ offensive line currently rates as the fifth-best pass-blocking unit in pro football. What’s worse, their quarterback is a strong, long, athletic runner who is nearly impossible to bring down. Given how mobile and strong Josh Allen (the Bill) is, and the quality of the blocking in front of him, it seems unlikely that Josh Allen (the Jaguar) will have many chances to bring him down. Jacksonville’s star edge rusher remains a high-end DL3 during a busy bye week, but you should manage your expectations.

Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

LB Streamer of the Week: Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs

A repeat appearance on this list for the surging rookie, Bolton has a matchup that is too good for many to pass up in Week 9. With Aaron Rodgers out with COVID and Robert Tonyan on IR, you should expect the Packers to rely heavily on Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon in this one. While it’s always possible Jordan Love could come out dealing, odds favor a run-heavy approach as Matt LaFleur and company look to ease the sophomore passer into his first start.

A game script heavy on run plays early before switching to shorter passes once Kansas City goes up should serve this Missouri alum well. He’s a solid LB2 option this week, with the upside to provide more. On the same note, Bolton’s teammate Willie Gay Jr. deserves a bump in value as well.

LB Fade of the Week: Alex Singleton, Philadelphia Eagles

Up until this past week, Singleton was a staple in the Eagles' linebacker corps and on fantasy teams. Surprisingly, the Eagles changed their defensive philosophy against the Lions, and… it worked. While Detroit has a moribund offense in general, they didn't manage to do much against a Philadelphia defense that ramped up its blitzes in Week 8 and limited Singleton to just 21 snaps in the process.

While it's possible Philly's Week 8 attack was opponent-specific, it's hard to imagine the limited Lions offense demanding such an overhaul. It’s far more likely Philadelphia was unhappy with their defensive performances this year and decided massive changes were in order. Considering those changes worked for a week, we can expect them to try it again against the Chargers. That means Singleton's snaps continue to be at risk, and he cannot be considered an LB3 or better while that's the case.

Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

DB Streamer of the Week: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

As we have covered before, Fitzpatrick is having a strange sort of season. In terms of his coverage skills and overall passing game, this is easily his least-effective season. In fact, this is the first year in which Fitzpatrick has earned a negative coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. However, in terms of fantasy stability, Fitzpatrick is having the best season of his career, thanks to an impressive 7.2 tackles per game.

The reason we particularly like Fitzpatrick this week is his opponent, the Chicago Bears. Since Justin Fields took over as a starter, he has averaged 2.5 turnovers per game, on top of taking four sacks per contest. It is highly likely that the Steelers' pass rush gets to Fields early and often this week, and it is equally likely he will force the ball into places he shouldn't. As a result, Fitzpatrick, who plays deep safety on 69% of his plays, should earn his best coverage performance of the season. That should mean a solid tackle floor and perhaps his first interception.

DB Fade of the Week: Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs

Mathieu has been a steady but unimpressive fantasy performer this year, never getting you less than four tackles or more than six in any game to date. While he started the year off with a bang by getting you two picks and a touchdown against the Ravens, he's touched only one ball since, and he has zero big plays to show for it. This week shouldn’t be the week where the Honey Badger breaks from his slump, either.

Coming into Week 9, the Packers are running the eighth fewest offense plays per game. With Aaron Rodgers now ruled out, it’s safe to say the Packers will look to run even fewer plays as they establish the run and wind down the clock. That’s a bad formula for a DB who takes 59.3% of his snaps at corner and deep safety.

While it’s true Jordan Love struggled with accuracy in college and could serve Mathieu a pick or two in the sophomore’s first start under center, the overall opportunities for the DB from LSU should be limited. Mathieu should be considered a boom-or-bust prospect this week. There are safer options out there, as well as ones with higher floors.

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