Week 1 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings

It's time again for big men in pads to grapple and hit each other while we (the fans) pretend there's nothing homo-erotic about it at all! That's right, the NFL season is beginning in just two days! That means it's time for our weekly IDP Positional Rankings to be reborn. But before we get to the rankings, let's clear up a couple of housecleaning matters.

First, there will be a change in my scoring vernacular from past seasons. In the past, I have referred to "Standard IDP Scoring” as your typical settings that reward 0.5 points for half-tackles, 1-point per full tackle, 5-6 points for turnovers, 2-points for PDs, and 4-points for sacks. That system will now be called “Casual Scoring,” but it will still be the primary root of my rankings. That said, RotoBaller has adopted its own IDP scoring that nearly mirrors my “Premium Scoring” from years past, so it will also play a factor in my rankings.

Second, my weekly IDP streamers and fades will now be in a separate article and will not be included in these rankings. However, I will still include some IDP analysis within these rankings. Now, my rankings will include our weekly Gambles and Folds for each position. Gambles will be boom-or-bust players whose boom is particularly attractive this week, while Folds will be the opposite. Those are the primary changes to our IDP columns for this season. Everything else should be status quo. So, let’s get on to our rankings!

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Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	T.J. Watt	Steelers	Bengals
2	Nick Bosa	49ers	Bears
3	Myles Garrett	Browns	Panthers
4	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Buccaneers
5	Aaron Donald	Rams	Bills
6	Joey Bosa	Chargers	Raiders
7	Danielle Hunter	Vikings	Packers
8	Trey Hendrickson	Bengals	Steelers
9	Shaquil Barrett	Buccaneers	Cowboys
10	Matthew Judon	Patriots	Dolphins
11	Marcus Davenport	Saints	Falcons
12	Haason Reddick	Eagles	Lions
13	Za’Darius Smith	Vikings	Packers
14	Rashan Gary	Packers	Vikings
15	Randy Gregory	Broncos	Seahawks
16	Robert Quinn	Bears	49ers
17	Von Miller	Bills	Rams
18	Maxx Crosby	Raiders	Chargers
19	Cameron Jordan	Saints	Falcons
20	Khalil Mack	Chargers	Raiders
21	Jaelan Phillips	Dolphins	Patriots
22	Sam Hubbard	Bengals	Steelers
23	Josh Allen	Jaguars	Commanders
24	Chandler Jones	Raiders	Chargers
25	Montez Sweat	Commanders	Jaguars
26	Joe Tryon-Shoyinka	Buccaneers	Cowboys
27	Demarcus Lawrence	Cowboys	Buccaneers
28	Leonard Williams	Giants	Titans
29	Brian Burns	Panthers	Browns
30	Jeffery Simmons	Titans	Giants
31	Cameron Heyward	Steelers	Bengals
32	Chris Jones	Chiefs	Cardinals
33	Samson Ebukam	49ers	Bears
34	Leonard Floyd	Rams	Bills
35	Odafe Oweh	Ravens	Jets
36	Azeez Ojulari	Giants	Titans
37	Kwity Paye	Colts	Texans
38	Arik Armstead	49ers	Bears
39	Kayvon Thibodeaux	Giants	Titans
40	Deforest Buckner	Colts	Texans
41	Neville Gallimore	Cowboys	Buccaneers
42	Nik Bonitto	Broncos	Seahawks
43	Preston Smith	Packers	Vikings
44	Christian Wilkins	Dolphins	Patriots
45	Jordan Davis	Eagles	Lions
46	Jonathan Greenard	Texans	Colts
47	Bud Dupree	Titans	Giants
48	Jonathan Allen	Commanders	Jaguars
49	Carl Lawson	Jets	Ravens
50	Bradley Chubb	Broncos	Seahawks

 

DL Gamble(s) of the Week: Samson Ebukam, San Francisco 49ers

Samson Ebukam started slowly in 2021, but he registered at least half a sack in seven of his final eight games. Ebukam offered one explanation for his late bloom, noting that the Rams had played him out of position for several seasons, so it took time to transition back to defensive end in the 49ers’ scheme. Ebukam noted that DE is his more natural position, so last year’s blistering close could be a sign of things to come.

Helping Ebukam’s big play prospects in Week 1 is a Chicago Bears offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranks as the second-worst unit in the NFL. Chicago currently lists two former fifth-round picks as their starting offensive tackles, and those edge protectors have a single season of NFL experience between them. Considering that lack of experience on Chicago’s edges and Justin Fields’ 11.8% sack rate (once per 7.5 attempts), Ebukam should be one of several 49ers defenders collecting a sack this week.

Other Gambles Worth Making in Premium Scoring: Randy Gregory & Nik Bonitto

Randy Gregory and Nik Bonitto were some of our best preseason values at DL this year, and they get a premium matchup to begin the season. The Seahawks will be fielding two rookie offensive tackles when Denver comes to town, which could spell trouble if the Broncos jump out to the early lead most expect. If Geno Smith has to throw more than Pete Carroll would like, Gregory should be considered a high-end DL2 in premium scoring, while Bonitto is an attractive gamble in deeper IDP leagues.

 

DL Fold(s) of the Week: Aiden Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

The safest prospect in this year’s NFL Draft is anything but a safe fantasy play in Week 1. The Eagles roster one of the most underrated left tackles in football (Jordan Mailata) and a stalwart on the right (Lane Johnson), both of whom should give Detroit’s pass rush problems. To make matters worse, the Eagles were the NFL's run-heaviest offense last year, and that formula should be repeatable against Detroit.

While we project Hutchinson to have a steady NFL career with plenty of DL2 caliber fantasy seasons, we do not love his outlook in Week 1 of his rookie year. The Michigan grad will start for many IDP managers thanks to his pedigree and Heisman run, but the upside isn't there in this matchup. The potential for a sack against the Eagles isn’t high enough to merit starting him as anything more than a DL4 this week.

 

Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Jordyn Brooks	Seahawks	Broncos
2	Roquan Smith	Bears	49ers
3	C.J. Mosley	Jets	Ravens
4	Devin White	Buccaneers	Cowboys
5	Eric Kendricks	Vikings	Packers
6	Bobby Wagner	Rams	Bills
7	Shaquille Leonard	Colts	Texans
8	Logan Wilson	Bengals	Steelers
9	De’Vondre Campbell	Packers	Vikings
10	Foyesade Oluokun	Jaguars	Commanders
11	Cole Holcomb	Commanders	Jaguars
12	Fred Warner	49ers	Bears
13	T.J. Watt	Steelers	Bengals
14	Micah Parsons	Cowboys	Buccaneers
15	T.J. Edwards	Eagles	Lions
16	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Browns	Panthers
17	Nick Bolton	Chiefs	Cardinals
18	Lavonte David	Buccaneers	Cowboys
19	Demario Davis	Saints	Falcons
20	Denzel Perryman	Raiders	Chargers
21	Shaq Thompson	Panthers	Browns
22	Isaiah Simmons	Cardinals	Chiefs
23	Christian Kirksey	Texans	Colts
24	Myles Jack	Steelers	Bengals
25	Bobby Okereke	Colts	Texans
26	Kamu Grugier-Hill	Texans	Colts
27	Dre Greenlaw	49ers	Bears
28	Ernest Jones	Rams	Bills
29	Cody Barton	Seahawks	Broncos
30	Jerome Baker	Dolphins	Patriots
31	Zaven Collins	Cardinals	Chiefs
32	Zach Cunningham	Titans	Giants
33	Josey Jewell	Broncos	Seahawks
34	Rashaan Evans	Falcons	Saints
35	Tremaine Edmunds	Bills	Rams
36	Tae Crowder	Giants	Eagles
37	Kyzir White	Eagles	Lions
38	Willie Gay	Chiefs	Cardinals
39	Leighton Vander Esch	Cowboys	Buccaneers
40	Devin Lloyd	Jaguars	Commanders
41	David Long Jr.	Titans	Giants
42	Azeez Al-Shaair	49ers	Bears
43	Ja’Whaun Bentley	Patriots	Dolphins
44	Patrick Queen	Ravens	Jets
45	Alex Anzalone	Lions	Eagles
46	Germaine Pratt	Bengals	Steelers
47	Pete Werner	Saints	Falcons
48	Shaquil Barrett	Buccaneers	Cowboys
49	Quincy Williams	Jets	Ravens
50	Malcolm Rodriguez	Lions	Eagles

 

LB Gamble(s) of the Week: Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit Lions

Starting Malcolm Rodriguez in Week 1 is a big gamble, even in deeper IDP formats. Detroit currently has the sixth-round rookie listed as a backup, with starters Alex Anzalone and Chris Board ahead of him on the depth chart. So, the downside here is significant.

That said, the Lions have been cautiously touting the rookie all offseason, challenging veterans to beat him out for starter snaps. Thus, the opportunity for the rookie to play significant snaps against a linebacker-friendly Eagles offense is also there.

If Rodriguez does play, he has the skills to register double-digit tackles against Philly’s run-oriented approach. The Oklahoma State alum’s college film showed good instincts and great tackling ability, both of which will play well in this contest. All Rodriguez needs to do is beat out Board, who has just two starts in four NFL seasons, and the mediocre Anzalone. This former Cowboy is an arsenic-laced lottery ticket for fantasy, but one that could produce high-end LB2 production if it hits.

 

LB Fold(s) of the Week: Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens

According to PFF, the only thing Patrick Queen did well last season was rush the passer. Unfortunately for Queen and fantasy managers, he did that on just 8.4% of his snaps. A vast majority of the time, Queen was either in coverage or protecting against the run, both of which were areas in which he graded very negatively.

Now, PFF grades are not everything. The film and other statistics aren’t much kinder to this former first-round pick, though. While Queen did improve in 2021, once Josh Bynes became a starter, he still struggles with routine tackles (17.5% missed tackle rate) and processing in coverage (79% allowed comp. percentage). That data is concerning, as is the fact the LSU product has just two games with double-digit tackles and only four forced turnovers in two full seasons (33 games) as a starter.

This week’s matchup doesn’t help this former Tiger, either. While Joe Flacco traditionally targets Queen’s area of the field regularly, Flacco’s interception rate over the past five seasons is barely over 2%. This contest projects as a blowout with minimal opportunities for defenders to make plays, as the Ravens look to run out the clock and the Jets struggle to move the ball. Thus, Queen could end up a sack-dependent play in Week 1, with less upside than many other boom-or-bust options.

 

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Derwin James Jr.	Chargers	Raiders
2	Jordan Poyer	Bills	Rams
3	Jeremy Chinn	Panthers	Browns
4	Harrison Smith	Vikings	Packers
5	Jamal Adams	Seahawks	Jets
6	Antoine Winfield Jr.	Buccaneers	Cowboys
7	Johnathan Abram	Raiders	Chargers
8	Kenny Moore II	Colts	Texans
9	Jalen Thompson	Cardinals	Chiefs
10	Kyle Hamilton	Ravens	Jets
11	Jevon Holland	Dolphins	Patriots
12	Kamren Curl	Commanders	Jaguars
13	Budda Baker	Cardinals	Chiefs
14	Grant Delpit	Browns	Panthers
15	Jayron Kearse	Cowboys	Buccaneers
16	Kyle Dugger	Patriots	Dolphins
17	Minkah Fitzpatrick	Steelers	Bengals
18	Kevin Byard	Titans	Giants
19	Vonn Bell	Bengals	Steelers
20	Charvarius Ward	49ers	Bears
21	Marlon Humphrey	Ravens	Jets
22	Tracy Walker III	Lions	Eagles
23	Marcus Williams	Ravens	Jets
24	Xavier McKinney	Giants	Titans
25	A.J. Terrell	Falcons	Saints
26	Carlton Davis	Buccaneers	Cowboys
27	Jessie Bates III	Bengals	Steelers
28	Jaquan Brisker	Bears	49ers
29	Andre Cisco	Jaguars	Commanders
30	Jordan Fuller	Rams	Bills
31	Marcus Maye	Saints	Falcons
32	Taron Johnson	Bills	Rams
33	Taylor Rapp	Rams	Bills
34	Jalen Pitre	Texans	Colts
35	Talanoa Hufanga	49ers	Bears
36	Justin Reid	Chiefs	Cardinals
37	Nick Cross	Colts	Texans
38	Adrian Amos	Packers	Vikings
39	Logan Ryan	Buccaneers	Cowboys
40	Jordan Whitehead	Jets	Ravens
41	Trevon Diggs	Cowboys	Buccaneers
42	Dax Hill	Bengals	Steelers
43	Adrian Phillips	Patriots	Dolphins
44	Kendall Fuller	Commanders	Jaguars
45	Jalen Ramsey	Rams	Bills
46	Nasir Adderley	Chargers	Raiders
47	Rayshawn Jenkins	Jaguars	Commanders
48	Richie Grant	Falcons	Saints
49	Brandon Jones	Dolphins	Patriots
50	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	Eagles	Lions

 

DB Gamble(s) of the Week: Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts

Again, we are going relatively deep here. Nick Cross was an NFL Combine superstar, but several teams in need of a safety (we are looking at you, 49ers) repeatedly passed on Cross in the NFL Draft. However, the Colts didn’t make that mistake, and now they look to start the Maryland product in Week 1, just one day after his 21^st birthday.

Reasons to love Cross’ immediate upside are his 4.34 speed, surprising size/strength combo, and his fantasy-friendly role on Indy's defense. Remember that Khari Willis was a fantasy starter for most of 2021 in this same position, and Willis lacked Cross' physical ability.

You also have to like the Texans as a matchup, as they should give the former Terrapin several chances at an interception while providing him a solid tackle floor. Cross is a risky outside-the-box option for those looking to get a serious boom from their DB2.

 

DB Fold(s) of the Week: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

We have regularly beaten up Trevon Diggs this offseason, and it's starting to feel a bit unfair. After all, Diggs does have some of the best ball skills of any DB in the NFL, and he just finished a tremendous sophomore season. What’s even better, Diggs’ high completion percentage allowed lends itself to consistent targets, and even his opponent this week (Tom Brady) tossed an interception his way.

Sadly, none of that keeps the Crimson Tide off our Folds list this week. While Diggs’ hands and short history with Brady are encouraging, Brady is the GOAT for a reason. The seven-time champ has a long memory, an insanely low interception rate of 1.8%, a bad throw rate that sits amongst the best in the NFL, and his receiving corps is deep enough to avoid Diggs all day. We are projecting Brady will do just that, giving Diggs only a handful of opportunities/targets to collect fantasy points this week.

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