Week 1 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

As we addressed in our Week 1 IDP Rankings article, we are changing things a bit. In years past, I have included some positional streamers and fades within my weekly rankings, but we will be separating those into separate and larger articles this year. Hopefully, this change allows us to give you more volume and variation in our weekly IDP recommendations.

To help this article fill as many IDP needs as possible, we will attempt to separate our weekly streamers into several different categories. First, we will address streamers and fades for casual scoring and shallow IDP formats, using players rostered in under 20% of IDP leagues. Second, we will cover a deeper level of streamers and fades for Rotoballer (Premium) IDP Scoring. Finally, we will address players who can help provide a weekly boost at those pesky Defensive Tackle and Cornerback positions.

With that addressed, fans can always contact me on Twitter if they have questions or concerns. Otherwise, let's get to our Week 1 streamers and fades!

IDP Starts and Sits - Standard Scoring

Stream: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With both of the Dallas Cowboys' starting offensive tackles from 2021 now out for Week 1, most expect Jerry Jones' team to struggle in protection. The current script has them trying to run the ball behind Zack Martin while having Dak Prescott get rid of the ball quickly, but a conservative game plan could be tricky against a Buccaneers offense that should put points on the board.

With serious questions at tackle, all of Tampa’s edge rushers should be elevated for fantasy purposes. Of particular value is Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who is currently rated as a DL4 amongst most analysts. The Washington product was inconsistent as a rookie, but he's listed as a starter now and has plenty of raw power. We anticipate the Cowboys will fail to establish the run in this contest, allowing Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaquil Barrett to pin back their ears and harass Prescott.

Stream: T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles

For many, T.J. Edwards is a no-doubt starter on their fantasy defense. He's been a stellar tackle machine when given the opportunity, and all reports out of camp are that he's a leader on Philadelphia's defense. That said, Edwards is currently averaging out as the LB33 amongst IDP rankers for Week 1. If he continues to be viewed in that light, he must be considered a killer value in all formats.

This week is a particularly good week to play Edwards, as his opponent is a Detroit Lions team that takes pride in its safe offense. The Lions want to run the football as much as possible and throw it short. Amon Ra-St. Brown’s average depth of target (ADoT) was 7.1 yards last season, while T.J. Hockenson’s was 7.4, both of which are well within Edwards' reach. This matchup should be solid for a player with a routinely high tackle ceiling.

Stream: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

The floor isn't high for Kyle Hamilton in Week 1, as we lack a true understanding of his role in Baltimore's defense to start the year. We should have a much greater understanding of where, when, and how often Hamilton plays once we hit Week 5 or so. In Week 1, there is far less of a known quantity, and thus the risk is significant.

However, the juice is worth the squeeze with Hamilton this week. The rookie is immensely talented, has shown flashes in camp, and Ravens beat reporters routinely stating Hamilton should have a significant role on this defense. The Jets should be a good test subject for that role, and the fact this game projects as a blowout only improves the chances that Baltimore lets him play through some mistakes and get experience. We love Hamilton and think he’s worth the risk this week.

Fade: Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line has a noted weakness, but it's on the inside. Demarcus Lawrence played a mere 12.9% of his snaps on the interior of Dallas' line last year, and it was just 2% the year before. Far more often, Lawrence will be lining up against tackles Tristan Wirfs and Donovan Smith. Those two surrendered only 44 quarterback pressures between them last season, with Wirfs giving up only 14.

Given the tough matchup ahead of him, managers in shallow IDP leagues should hesitate to play Lawrence in Week 1. While the Boise State alum is still a quality player on the field, his fantasy production has slipped over the past two seasons even when he hasn't played against elite tackles. Fade Lawrence in leagues that start two or fewer DLs.

Fade: Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills

Based primarily on his NFL Draft pedigree, IDP managers and rankers have regularly overvalued Tremaine Edmunds. The reality of who he is doesn’t quite match the potential he showed at Virginia Tech, nor does it fit the blips of elite talent he’s shown on occasion. And yet fantasy managers continue to call him a strong LB2 despite the fact he hasn't forced more than two turnovers or sacks in three years and he’s never topped 121 tackles in a season.

Of particular concern about Edmunds this week is the matchup. We expect 2022’s NFl debut to be a shootout between two elite passing offenses, making it tough for the Rams to establish much of a run game. Edmunds doesn't produce much of anything in turnovers, sacks, or PDs, so he will really hurt you if he cannot secure double-digit tackles in run support.

IDP Starts and Sits - RotoBaller (Premium) Scoring

Stream:  Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears

Jaquan Brisker has been very impressive in pre-season play, which was no shock to those who watched his college film. The Penn State product is an efficient downhill tackler with adequate ball skills and a mean streak. Those skillsets could serve him well in Trey Lance's debut as the 49ers' leader.

While we feel most analysts overestimate Lance's propensity for turnovers, as he was particularly good about protecting the ball in college and processes well, the North Dakota State product still struggles with errant throws. That could put Brisker in line for a sloppy turnover across the middle. What's better, Brisker has a safe floor against this rushing attack, and he has the potential to knock several balls away from a still rusty Deebo Samuel.

Stream: Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals

While Isaiah Simmons isn’t a novel recommendation in deep IDP formats, he is on the precipice of becoming a LB1 in Premium scoring leagues, thanks to his heavy involvement in the passing game. While Simmons is inconsistent in his tackle production, he matches just about any fantasy linebacker in turnover potential thanks to his hybrid nature.

This Clemson product’s fluidity should come in handy against a Chiefs offense that is expected to target Travis Kelce more than ever. Players like Kelce are why Simmons was a top-ten pick in the NFL Draft, and we should expect that duo to see plenty of targets in Week 1. If you are chasing big plays, Simmons is a borderline top-ten LB this week.

Stream: Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

The Saints frequently use Marshon Lattimore in shadow coverage, and there are two obvious shadow candidates on the Falcons. Expect Lattimore to spend all his time on Drake London and Kyle Pitts, as Atlanta has few other viable options. Fans should also expect the Falcons to throw a lot while playing from behind early. With Marcus Mariota throwing 30+ passes, and just two attractive receivers on the Falcons’ roster, consider Lattimore a DB1 option in Premium scoring.

Fade: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

This call is controversial, as we have Smith as a clear DB1 in all formats. That said, if you play with true IDP Premium settings, you are likely chasing interceptions each week. The reason for this is most Premium IDP leagues award 11 or more points for a forced turnover and just one point for a tackle. This creates an incentive for Premium fans to chase the dragon, ignoring safe floors in favor of elusive but high ceilings.

If you are in such a league and chase that upside at the position every week, then Smith may be a fade for you. He hasn’t registered an interception against the Packers since 2017, and he’s forced just one fumble in the past two seasons. While we enjoy Smith’s high tackle floor and diverse resume, the combination of Aaron Rodgers’ perpetually low turnover totals and this Vikings defense doesn’t offer big play upside for Smith.

Fade: Denzel Perryman, Las Vegas Raiders

Denzel Perryman has averaged one forced turnover per season in his seven-year career. He also averaged 0.7 sacks, 1.3 pass deflections, 4.4 TFLs, and scored zero touchdowns. So it is safe to say Perryman isn't a good bet to secure a big play against a Chargers offense that allowed the sixth-fewest sacks in the NFL last season.

What's worse for Perryman in Premium formats is that his level of involvement is far from guaranteed against the fifth most pass-heavy offense of 2021. While the former Hurricane produced solid tackle numbers against the Chargers last year, he produced zero other stats in those two contests. With the Chargers employing a screen-based run game that doesn't always favor this linebacker, we are strongly fading him in Premium scoring.

Defensive Tackles to Consider Starting for Fantasy Football

Neville Gallimore, Dallas Cowboys

Coming out of Oklahoma, Neville Gallimore was an inconsistent but powerful interior force. Fast forward a year, and he’s secured a starting role along a talented Dallas Cowboys defensive line. The needle is pointing up on Gallimore in IDP leagues that use DTs, and Week 1 is a particularly good spot for him.

As noted earlier in this piece, Tampa's offensive weakness is their offensive line's interior. Their starting guards have left town, and their starting center is out for the foreseeable future. That leaves them with a backup point-man and a rookie starting in one of their guard positions. While Tom Brady is notoriously hard to bring down, this situation spells a promising opportunity for Gallimore to collect tackles against the run and perhaps notch a sack.

Jordan Davis, Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Davis is a starter for many teams that utilize a DT, but the unknowns surrounding his snap count still give some pause. We list him here to cement this Bulldog as a starting DT for us in nearly every format. The behemoth is a force against the run, is underrated as a pass rusher, and the Lions should run right at him repeatedly. Don't be shocked if the Georgia product finishes second on his team in tackles in this matchup.

Cornerbacks to Consider Starting for Fantasy Football

Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The buzz out of 49ers camp has been that Ward is a star, proving even better than he looked during his prime as a Chief. That is good news for fantasy fans, as Ward has a prime matchup this week. The hope here is Ward shadows Justin Fields' top target, Darnell Mooney. If that happens, Ward could collect several deflections while bringing in an interception. Consider Ward a CB1 this week.

Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills

Matthew Stafford led the NFL in interceptions last season and reportedly has elbow issues. Stafford loves to throw to Cooper Kupp. Kupp spent 63.1% of his time in the slot last season. Taron Johnson spent 81.7% of his time in the slot last year. See where we are bilwith this?

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