Week 3 IDP Rankings, Streamers, Start/Sit (2024)

One factor IDP managers often struggle with far more than traditional fantasy managers is the war between fantasy and reality. On the offensive side of the ball, reality often meets fantasy expectations. An example is Josh Allen, who is great for fantasy and real football. This is not always the case with defenders in fantasy, though.

While you can usually count on the most talented offensive players to produce fantasy-worthy stats, the best defenders often get the fewest opportunities. The perfect example is elite cornerbacks, which we’ve touched on in this very space before. Shutdown corners like Sauce Gardner are avoided like the plague by opposing QBs, meaning they rarely produce in fantasy.

Unfortunately, IDP managers also struggle with the “George Kittle effect.” This is the concept that a player can often be used so much as a blocker or in coverage, or they are just get rotated off for some reason, that it impacts their fantasy numbers. Ivan Pace Jr. is starting to feel like that kind of guy. His usage is varied and inconsistent, but his metrics and film remain upper-tier.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

 

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	Nick Bosa	49ers	Rams
2	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Panthers
3	Aidan Hutchinson	Lions	Cardinals
4	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Ravens
5	T.J. Watt	Steelers	Chargers
6	Myles Garrett	Browns	Giants
7	Danielle Hunter	Texans	Vikings
8	Josh Hines-Allen	Jaguars	Bills
9	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Commanders
10	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Steelers
11	Joey Bosa	Chargers	Steelers
12	Boye Mafe (Q)	Seahawks	Dolphins
13	Montez Sweat	Bears	Colts
14	Will Anderson Jr.	Texans	Vikings
15	Jaelan Phillips	Dolphins	Seahawks
16	Alex Highsmith	Steelers	Chargers
17	Chris Jones	Chiefs	Falcons
18	Greg Rousseau	Bills	Jaguars
19	Jared Verse	Rams	49ers
20	Matthew Judon	Falcons	Chiefs
21	Harold Landry III	Titans	Packers
22	Leonard Floyd	49ers	Rams
23	Javon Hargrave	49ers	Rams
24	Will McDonald IV	Jets	Patriots
25	Jonathon Cooper	Broncos	Buccaneers
26	Christian Wilkins	Raiders	Panthers
27	Von Miller	Bills	Jaguars
28	Dexter Lawrence	Giants	Browns
29	Keion White	Patriots	Jets
30	Andrew Van Ginkel	Vikings	Texans
31	Brian Burns	Giants	Browns
32	Rashan Gary	Packers	Titans
33	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Browns
34	George Karlaftis	Chiefs	Falcons
35	Byron Young	Rams	49ers
36	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Packers
37	Yaya Diaby	Buccaneers	Broncos
38	Vita Vea (Q)	Buccaneers	Broncos
39	Cameron Heyward	Steelers	Chargers
40	Josh Sweat	Eagles	Saints
41	Quinnen Williams	Jets	Patriots
42	Travon Walker	Jaguars	Bills
43	Jalen Carter	Eagles	Saints
44	Dallas Turner (Q)	Vikings	Texans
45	Harrison Phillips	Vikings	Texans
46	Leonard Williams	Seahawks	Dolphins
47	Laiatu Latu (Q)	Colts	Bears
48	Zaven Collins	Cardinals	Lions
49	Zach Allen	Broncos	Buccaneers
50	Sam Hubbard	Bengals	Commanders

DL Riser of the Week:

Keion White, New England Patriots

White made my Defenders to Stash column last week after he more than doubled his career sack total in one game against the Bengals. That burst in Week 1 could be the real deal, as he secured another 1.5 sacks and seven total tackles in Week 2.

The bulky Georgia Tech alum has played 80% or more of New England’s defensive snaps in each of their games, signaling he’s a full-time starter on their surprisingly sturdy front. While the Jets’ offensive line has been much improved through two weeks, White’s snap rate and run support make him a low-end DL2 in a mediocre matchup.

Seven wins against the LT-LG-C-RT from Keion White’s monster Week 2 performance.

– 4 inside swipe variations (LG-LG-LG-C)
– 1 outside swipe (LT)
– 1 ghost (RT)
– 1 inside spin (RT) pic.twitter.com/qFm6rKt5jn

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 17, 2024

DL Disappointment of the Week:

Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff, Philadelphia Eagles

Two weeks into the season, the Saints’ rebuilt offensive line is the top-rated pass-blocking unit on PFF. While that is partially because they capitalized on a soft matchup with the Panthers in Week 1, this team also limited Micah Parsons to three pressures and zero quarterback hits/sacks in Week 2.

Rookie Taliese Fuaga has been everything many of us NFL Draft fans hoped for and more, surrendering zero pressures in two games at left tackle. Meanwhile, beleaguered right tackle Trevor Penning has surrendered just two pressures of his own. These rates could be an aberration, but they are concerning for the Eagles’ edge rushers.

 

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Bills
2	Roquan Smith	Ravens	Cowboys
3	Fred Warner	49ers	Rams
4	Alex Singleton	Broncos	Buccaneers
5	Zack Baun	Eagles	Saints
6	T.J. Edwards	Bears	Colts
7	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Commanders
8	Eric Kendricks	Cowboys	Ravens
9	Zaire Franklin	Colts	Bears
10	E.J. Speed	Colts	Bears
11	Ernest Jones	Titans	Packers
12	Tyrel Dodson	Seahawks	Dolphins
13	Bobby Okereke	Giants	Browns
14	Blake Cashman	Vikings	Texans
15	Bobby Wagner	Commanders	Bengals
16	Quincy Williams	Jets	Patriots
17	Nick Bolton	Chiefs	Falcons
18	Azeez Al-Shaair	Texans	Vikings
19	Quay Walker	Packers	Titans
20	David Long Jr.	Dolphins	Seahawks
21	Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	Bills
22	Kyzir White	Cardinals	Lions
23	Dorian Williams	Bills	Jaguars
24	Shaq Thompson	Panthers	Raiders
25	Robert Spillane	Raiders	Panthers
26	C.J. Mosley (Q)	Jets	Patriots
27	Demario Davis	Saints	Eagles
28	Kaden Elliss	Falcons	Chiefs
29	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Broncos
30	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	Giants
31	Ivan Pace Jr.	Vikings	Texans
32	Henry To’o To’o	Texans	Vikings
33	Tremaine Edmunds	Bears	Colts
34	Germaine Pratt	Bengals	Commanders
35	Nakobe Dean	Eagles	Saints
36	Alex Anzalone (Q)	Lions	Cardinals
37	Christian Rozeboom	Rams	49ers
38	Troy Reeder	Rams	49ers
39	Josey Jewell	Panthers	Raiders
40	Trenton Simpson	Ravens	Cowboys
41	SirVocea Denniss	Buccaneers	Broncos
42	Jordan Hicks	Browns	Giants
43	DeMarvion Overshown	Cowboys	Ravens
44	De’Vondre Campbell	49ers	Rams
45	Jack Campbell	Lions	Cardinals
46	Patrick Queen	Steelers	Chargers
47	Frankie Luvu	Commanders	Bengals
48	Daiyan Henley	Chargers	Steelers
49	Jerome Baker (Q)	Seahawks	Dolphins
50	Jamien Sherwood	Jets	Patriots

LB Riser of the Week:

Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills

Reports indicate Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard could be out for four weeks with a pectoral injury. That’s good news for the fantasy stock of Williams, who was already having a breakout campaign before Bernard’s injury.

Williams is tied for 19^th in total tackles this season, but his volume should increase as the Bills likely move him around their front more often with Bernard out. Look for him to continue putting up LB2-caliber numbers over the next few weeks, especially against a Jaguars offense that prioritizes targets to its tight ends and running backs.

LB Disappointment of the Week:

Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings

Listing Pace Jr. here is an uncomfortable admission that the talented blitzer and run stuffer is tough to trust as more than a low-end LB2 until the Vikings use him more. While Pace remains an elite linebacker in most metrics, the Vikings clearly see him as too small to man the middle full-time, and that’s why Blake Cashman is filling that role.

Despite Pace producing last year, he was LB12 in fantasy when he played over 70% of Minnesota’s snaps, and earning considerable preseason hype, the Vikings seem more interested in using him as a STAR-type of weapon than their lead ‘backer. They seem to view him as an all-around weapon who can play both ends, slot corner, and inside.

Right now, Pace is LB29 in Standard IDP Scoring. This is despite the fact he’s not topped 70% of his team’s defensive snaps this season. After missing a couple of tackles against San Francisco, it’s possible that usage continues despite his supernatural nose for the ball and ability to slip into the right gaps at the right times.

While I’ve tried to be patient because the metrics and film show Pace is a top-tier linebacker in the NFL, his inconsistent usage is concerning. That’s why my preseason expectations have to come down a bit, at least until the Vikings start using him more. For now, the bigger-bodied Cashman has passed him over in fantasy.

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Jessie Bates III	Falcons	Chiefs
2	Brian Branch	Lions	Cardinals
3	Derwin James	Chargers	Steelers
4	Antoine Winfield Jr. (Q)	Buccaneers	Broncos
5	Julian Love	Seahawks	Dolphins
6	Jaquan Brisker	Bears	Colts
7	Reed Blankenship	Eagles	Saints
8	Nick Cross	Colts	Bears
9	Camryn Bynum	Vikings	Texans
10	Kyle Hamilton	Ravens	Cowboys
11	Xavier McKinney	Packers	Titans
12	Josh Metellus	Vikings	Texans
13	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Vikings
14	Quentin Lake	Rams	49ers
15	Budda Baker	Cardinals	Lions
16	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Jets
17	Julian Blackmon (Q)	Colts	Bears
18	Justin Reid	Chiefs	Falcons
19	Devon Witherspoon	Seahawks	Dolphins
20	Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	Chargers
21	Alontae Taylor	Saints	Eagles
22	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Seahawks
23	Jordan Whitehead	Buccaneers	Broncos
24	Andru Phillips	Giants	Browns
25	Grant Delpit	Browns	Giants
26	Denzel Ward (Q)	Browns	Giants
27	Tony Adams	Jets	Patriots
28	Rayshawn Jenkins	Seahawks	Dolphins
29	Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	Lions
30	Benjamin St. Juste	Commanders	Bengals
31	Kerby Joseph	Lions	Cardinals
32	Charvarius Ward	49ers	Rams
33	Nate Hobbs	Raiders	Panthers
34	Talanoa Hufanga (Q)	49ers	Rams
35	Donovan Wilson	Cowboys	Ravens
36	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Eagles	Saints
37	Christian Gonzalez	Patriots	Jets
38	Ji’Ayir Brown	49ers	Rams
39	Javon Bullard	Packers	Titans
40	Jason Pinnock	Giants	Browns
41	Kamren Curl	Rams	49ers
42	DeShon Elliott	Steelers	Chargers
43	Kenny Moore II	Colts	Bears
44	Cam Taylor-Britt	Bengals	Commanders
45	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Cowboys
46	Paulson Adebo	Saints	Eagles
47	Geno Stone	Bengals	Commanders
48	Derek Stingley Jr.	Texans	Vikings
49	Patrick Surtain	Broncos	Buccaneers
50	Brandon Jones	Broncos	Buccaneers

DB Riser of the Week:

Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts

Cross came out of college as an athletic safety who profiled best as a downhill thumper who played in the box and as a blitzer. So far this season, the Colts are utilizing him that way, and it’s paying off in fantasy.

The Maryland product has played in the box 31.7% of the time this year, but that number jumped to 49% against a run-heavy Green Bay offense. As a result, Cross currently leads the NFL in tackles. While he hasn’t added anything else to the stat sheet, his tackle production should continue against a struggling Bears attack this week.

A recent trend has showcased #Colts third-year S Nick Cross in the box more than ever before.

Cross has been aligned in the box on 25.8% of snaps through 2 games, nearly 20% higher from 2023 (6.6%). He’s also the team’s highest-graded tackler (84.6) during the preseason. pic.twitter.com/IirRv1h5Ad

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) August 21, 2024

DB Disappointment of the Week:

Quinyon Mitchell & Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles

The rookie Mitchell has been particularly intriguing in deeper IDP leagues as a source of pass deflections and targets. One should not expect too much in terms of fantasy points from this duo in Week 3, though.

The Saints have been the NFL’s most prolific offense through two weeks, but they’ve also been the least pass-heavy. New Orleans is attempting a pass on just 35.59% of their offensive plays so far. While that may change once they stop playing with an insurmountable lead, this is a team that wants to lean on the run.

Worse for Philadelphia’s corners, Derek Carr has only ever forced the ball to Davante Adams, never any other lead receiver. It’s a trait that has frustrated Amari Cooper and Chris Olave fantasy managers for years. Adams is not on this roster, so expect this offense to continue to run the ball and take what defenses give them.

 

 

 

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