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Fantasy Football IDP Rankings for Week 9 (Top 100)

Three of the top offenses in the league are taking a break this week, which could result in some lower-scoring games. New quarterbacks in Denver and Washington could lead to promising defensive performances from their opponents. As always, those who play in IDP leagues should balance safety at the linebacker position with some risk at DB or DL in order to seek out sacks or always unpredictable turnovers.

Dedicated fantasy football players know that the game isn't played on offense alone. While team defenses are a staple of the game, being able to identify value with individual defensive players (IDP) takes it to the next level. As we do with each position and every league type, RotoBaller has you covered when it comes to IDP. Expert analysts Pierre Camus and Justin Carter will bring you their top-100 consensus IDP rankings throughout the 2019 season, so check here for the latest weekly updates.

Players are classified by major position group (DL, LB, DB) to simplify things for you. We've also tiered these rankings to give you an idea of relative importance and will analyze a few key players to watch. Check out our rankings page for the offensive players right here.

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

 

Top 100 Individual Defensive Players - Week 9

Tier Rank Player Name Position
1 1 Darius Leonard LB
1 2 Bobby Wagner LB
1 3 Danielle Hunter DL
1 4 Landon Collins DB
1 5 Joe Schobert LB
1 6 Luke Kuechly LB
2 7 Blake Martinez LB
2 8 Jordan Hicks LB
2 9 Jamal Adams DB
2 10 Myles Garrett DL
2 11 Calais Campbell DL
2 12 Jordan Poyer DB
3 13 Kevin Byard DB
3 14 Leighton Vander Esch LB
3 15 Tracy Walker DB
3 16 Eric Kendricks LB
3 17 Jamie Collins LB
3 18 Joey Bosa DL
3 19 Nick Bosa DL
4 20 Devin Bush LB
4 21 Danny Trevathan LB
4 22 Zach Cunningham LB
4 23 Logan Ryan DB
4 24 Jabrill Peppers DB
4 25 Roquan Smith LB
4 26 Rashaan Evans LB
4 27 Khalil Mack LB
4 28 Shaq Thompson LB
4 29 Harrison Smith DB
4 30 Tremaine Edmunds LB
5 31 DeForest Buckner DL
5 32 Alec Ogletree LB
5 33 Ronnie Harrison DB
5 34 Shaquil Barrett LB
5 35 K.J. Wright LB
5 36 Lavonte David LB
5 37 Benardrick McKinney LB
5 38 Budda Baker DB
5 39 Kwon Alexander LB
5 40 Devin White LB
5 41 Eric Reid DB
5 42 Todd Davis LB
5 43 Jaylon Smith LB
5 44 Justin Houston DL
6 45 Yannick Ngakoue DL
6 46 Antoine Bethea DB
6 47 Everson Griffen DL
6 48 Fred Warner LB
6 49 Tyrann Mathieu DB
6 50 Olivier Vernon DL
6 51 Haason Reddick LB
6 52 Jadeveon Clowney DL
7 53 Cameron Heyward DL
7 54 Mychal Kendricks LB
7 55 Robert Quinn DL
7 56 Von Miller LB
7 57 Jurrell Casey DL
7 58 Jayon Brown LB
7 59 Richard Sherman DB
7 60 Jarrad Davis LB
7 61 Devin McCourty DB
7 62 Matt Milano LB
7 63 Jerry Hughes DL
7 64 Jabaal Sheard DL
7 65 Demarcus Lawrence DL
7 66 Tahir Whitehead LB
7 67 Morgan Burnett DB
7 68 Jon Bostic LB
7 69 Myles Jack LB
7 70 Dont'a Hightower LB
7 71 Malcolm Jenkins DB
7 72 Melvin Ingram DL
8 73 Minkah Fitzpatrick DB
8 74 Justin Simmons DB
8 75 T.J. Watt LB
8 76 Wesley Woodyard LB
8 77 A.J. Johnson LB
8 78 Hasean Clinton-Dix DB
8 79 Justin Reid DB
8 80 Kyle Fuller DB
8 81 Vince Williams LB
8 82 Jalen Mills DB
8 83 Kyle Van Noy LB
8 84 Nathan Gerry LB
8 85 Za'Darius Smith LB
8 86 Janoris Jenkins DB
8 87 Chandler Jones LB
8 88 Whitney Mercilus LB
8 89 Markus Golden LB
8 90 Jerome Baker LB
8 91 Adrian Amos DB
8 92 Jermaine Whitehead DB
8 93 Eddie Jackson DB
8 94 Thomas Davis LB
8 95 Earl Thomas DB
9 96 Micah Hyde DB
9 97 Raekwon McMillan LB
9 98 Mario Addison DL
9 99 Jonathan Allen DL
9 100 Anthony Hitchens LB

 

Streamers/Key Players to Watch

Von Miller (LB, DEN) vs Cleveland

The seven-time Pro Bowler has been relatively quiet this year with no sacks in half of his games played. He also has a knee injury to deal with, although he is listed as probable for Week 9. Miller was blanked in the stat sheet in Week 7 but came back strong with 1.5 sacks and five solo tackles last week. He now gets to face one of the few teams struggling as badly in the passing game as his own - the Browns. Picks aside, Baker Mayfield has been sacked an average of three times per game, with a sack rate of 8.3% that is ninth-worst in the league. The fact that the Broncos are rolling out Brandon Allen at QB and no longer have Emmanuel Sanders could lead to a lot more time on the field for the defense. That's not good for the team but it could benefit some individual defenders on the stat sheet.

Rashaan Evans (LB, TEN) @ Carolina

Quietly, Evans has solidified himself as a top-20 IDP asset in his second season. His solo tackle totals have risen the last couple of weeks and he's recorded at least eight combined tackles for five straight games. Carolina is in the bottom-third in terms of total plays run this season but we know as long as Kyle Allen remains at QB, this offense will live and die with Christian McCaffrey. The run game and short passes will continue to keep the ball within Evans' range, so expect a high tackle total once more.

Devin White (LB, TB) @ Seattle

Tampa's rookie is far behind in the battle of the Devins. While Steelers LB Devin Bush is already an IDP stud in the vein of Darius Leonard last year, White has missed time with injury and is stuck on a team that leaves its defense in bad positions way too often. Still, there's plenty of value here as White promises to be one of the leading tacklers against a Seattle team that will run, run, run. In his last two games, White has played 98% and 85% of the team's defensive snaps. He'll continue to move up the linebacker ranks as the season wears on and could be someone to add now while his ownership remains at a meager 14%.

Olivier Vernon (DE, CLE) @ Denver

After a slow start to his career in Cleveland, Vernon is picking things up. He posted a season-high six solo tackles last week along with his second sack. Getting to face a first-time starter in QB Brandon Allen could lead to an even better day, as Denver's offense struggles to remain competent by NFL standards. They have the fifth-highest sack rate at 9.3% and are still trending downward, if you can believe it.

Darryl Roberts (CB, NYJ) @ Miami

If you thought the offense looked bad, things are getting so ugly on the Jets' defensive side, particularly the LB corps, that Ryan Fitzpatrick is looking mighty streamable in Week 9. Avery Williamson tore his ACL in the preseason, CJ Mosley is out for several weeks, and Blake Cashman was just put on IR too. That leaves cornerback Darryl Roberts as the leading tackler outside of Jamal Adams. He's averaging 5.5 solo stops per game and also has one INT and three PD on the year. Facing Fitzpatrick doesn't hurt his chances of coming up with a big play, if we're being honest here.

More Week 9 Lineup Prep


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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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Terry McLaurin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 10
Kelly Olynyk

Cleared to Play on Friday
Jeremy Sochan

Available to Play Friday Against Houston
Puka Nacua

Will Play in Week 10
Steven Adams

Cleared to Face the Spurs
De'Andre Hunter

Available on Friday
Luke Kennard

Ruled Out Friday Against the Raptors
Kyshawn George

Ruled Out Versus Cleveland
William Eklund

Moved to Injured Reserve
Cam Thomas

Out 3-4 Weeks
Gustav Nyquist

Expected to Remain Out Friday
Luguentz Dort

Will Miss Friday's Meeting with Sacramento
Thatcher Demko

Questionable to Play This Weekend
Brock Purdy

Questionable Again, Won't Start in Week 10
Austin Reaves

Out Again on Saturday
Rasmus Dahlin

Takes Leave of Absence
Filip Hallander

to Miss at Least Three Months With Blood Clot
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Friday vs. the Thunder
Kevin Bahl

a Game-Time Call Friday
Patrick Kane

Returns to Action Friday
Garrett Wilson

Listed as Questionable for Week 10, Expected to Play
Shohei Ohtani

Headlines List of NL Silver Slugger Winners
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Officially Being Posted on Friday
Alvin Kamara

Listed as Questionable for Week 10
De'Aaron Fox

To Make Season Debut On Saturday
Aaron Jones Sr.

Questionable for Week 10
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out For Week 10
D'Andre Swift

Listed as Questionable for Week 10
J.K. Dobbins

Getting Second Opinion on Foot Injury
Collin Sexton

Downgraded from Probable to Doubtful on Friday
LaMelo Ball

Downgraded to Doubtful on Friday
Kyler Murray

Expected to Return This Season
Yves Missi

Remains Sidelined on Saturday
Al Horford

Tagged as Questionable on Friday
Anthony Edwards

Available for Friday's NBA Cup Game
Harold Fannin Jr.

Questionable for Sunday
Justin Fields

Jets Refusing to Name Starting QB; Justin Fields Expected to Get the Nod
Luke Kennard

Considered Questionable on Friday
Shedeur Sanders

Back in QB2 Role in Week 10
Kayshon Boutte

Ruled Out in Week 10 Against Tampa
Kyshawn George

Downgraded to Questionable on Friday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Officially Ruled Out for Week 10
Tetairoa McMillan

Questionable to Play With Hamstring Injury
Rico Dowdle

Cleared to Play Against Saints
Harold Fannin Jr.

Back at Friday's Practice, on Track to Play Sunday?
DeForest Buckner

Placed on Injured Reserve With Neck Injury
Chris Godwin

Will be Ruled Out in Week 10
Jordan Poole

Out with Quad Strain
Bucky Irving

Still Not Practicing, Won't Play in Week 10
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Available vs. Hornets
Norman Powell

Available vs. Hornets
Randy Brown

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Main Event
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Joseph Morales

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 111
Matt Schnell

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Co-Main Event
Uros Medic

Aims To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Muslim Salikhov

Looks For His Fourth Consecutive Win
Chris Padilla

Looks To Remain Unbeaten In The UFC
Chris Kreider

Extends Goal Streak to Four Games
Ismael Bonfim

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nikita Kucherov

Lifts Lightning Past Golden Knights
Marco Tulio

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Jalen Chatfield

Injured in Thursday's WIn
Christian Leroy Duncan

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 111 Main Card
Dougie Hamilton

Exits Early Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

Expected to Be Fine for Saturday
Michael Misa

Sharks Place Michael Misa on Injured Reserve
Kyle Tucker

Headlines List of 13 Players to Receive Qualifying Offers
Pete Fairbanks

Becomes a Free Agent
Filip Hallander

Out Against Capitals
Tyson Kozak

Available Versus Blues
Cody Glass

Returns to Action Thursday
Connor Brown

Out on Thursday
Mats Zuccarello

Could Be an Option Friday
Matt Duchene

Remains Out Thursday
Roope Hintz

a Game-Time Call Thursday
CFB

Luke Fickell Will Return as Wisconsin's Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Blue Jays Extend Qualifying Offer to Bo Bichette
Craig Stammen

Named Padres New Manager
K'Andre Miller

Could Return to Action Thursday
Jorge Polanco

Declines his 2026 Option to Become a Free Agent
Chris Sale

Braves Picking Up Chris Sale's 2026 Option
Michael Thorbjornsen

Poised to Continue Hot Play in Mexico
Davis Riley

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of World Wide Technology Championship
Taylor Montgomery

Leaning on Putter at World Wide Technology Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Offers Strong Value at World Wide Technology Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Stay Hot at El Cardonal
Nick Dunlap

Looking to Find His Game at El Cardonal
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Consistency at El Cardonal
Michael Brennan

Aims to Extend Fairytale Start at El Cardonal
Shane Bieber

Staying in Toronto for 2026
Salvador Perez

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Royals
Trevor Story

Opts in for Remaining Two Years on his Contract
Yu Darvish

to Miss All of 2026 Following Flexor-Tendon Surgery
Shota Imanaga

Becomes a Free Agent
Luis Robert Jr.

White Sox Pick Up 2026 Option on Luis Robert Jr.
CFB

LJ Martin Expected to Play in Top-10 Matchup Against Texas Tech
PGA

LIV Golf Expanding To 72-Hole Format In 2026
Atlanta Braves

Braves Hire Walt Weiss as Their Next Manager
Kris Bubic

Cleared to Begin a Throwing Program
Brandon Woodruff

Declines Mutual Option for 2026
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Exercise 2026 Option on Freddy Peralta
Lucas Giolito

Declines his 2026 Player Option
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Sixth at Procore Championship
PGA

Matti Schmid Finishes Tied for 46th at Baycurrent Classic
Keith Mitchell

Finishes Tied for 10th at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied for 21st at Genesis Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Misses The Cut at Sanderson Farms Championship
Max Greyserman

Finishes Second at Baycurrent Classic
Austin Eckroat

Finishes Tied for 56th at Baycurrent Classic
Luke Clanton

Finishes Tied for 56th at Bank of Utah Championship
Pete Alonso

Officially Opts Out of his Contract With Mets
Alex Bregman

Opts Out of his Contract With Boston
Kyle Larson

Wins His Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney

Concludes the 2025 Season with A Win at Phoenix
William Byron

Strong Championship Effort Ends With Late-Race Flat-Tire Crash
Denny Hamlin

Overtime Four-Tire Call Costs Denny Hamlin the Championship
Chase Briscoe

Championship Bid Never Really Started After Two Tire Failures
Brad Keselowski

Nearly Steals Phoenix Race
David Onama

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Steve Garcia

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Ante Delija

Suffers His First UFC Loss
CFB

Dylan Raiola Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Gets Knockout Win
Themba Gorimbo

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 110
Jeremiah Wells

Gets Back In The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Remains Undefeated
Isaac Dulgarian

Cut By UFC Following Submission Loss
Daniel Frunza

Still Winless In The UFC
Charles Radtke

Dominates Daniel Frunza
Allan Nascimento

Gets Submission Win
Austin Cindric

is A Driver to Avoid for Phoenix DFS Lineups
Alex Bowman

Could Alex Bowman be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Phoenix?
Noah Gragson

Should DFS Players Roster Noah Gragson At Phoenix?
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering for DFS at Phoenix?
Michael McDowell

an Easy Recommendation for DFS at Phoenix
Chase Briscoe

Probably Won't Win the Title
Joey Logano

Could Play Spoiler in Championship Battle at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Seeking to End Winless Drought, but Probably Won't Have the Speed
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looks to Protect Top-10 Points Finish at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Hasn't Been Fast at Phoenix With RFK Racing
Daniel Suarez

With Nothing at Stake, Expect Little From Daniel Suarez
Kyle Busch

Qualifies Well, but Will Probably Finish Worse Than he Starts
Chris Buescher

Ryan Preece has a Shot to Overtake Chris Buescher as RFK Racing's Lead Driver
Austin Dillon

Looks to Avoid Finishing Last in NASCAR Playoffs
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Might be a Worthy DFS Option

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