If you play in a long-standing keeper or dynasty league, now is the stage at which you commit to one of two things. You are either tuning your contender like an F1 going into Monaco, or you are scrapping it for parts. If you aren't doing one of these two things in dynasty, then you're flushing good money after bad… like that time you put a racing stripe and spoiler on your Geo Metro in hopes it'd make you look cool.
Now, let's assume you have one of those teams selling parts for picks because that's the far more interesting situation to consider. Many in a situation like that will assume they should hoard draft picks for the following season, thinking it'll result in a massive influx of young elite talent. Blindly targeting next year's picks can be a mistake for two reasons, though. One is that picks tend to lose perceived trade value the further out they go. So you may find a league-mate is willing to forfeit their 2023 or 2024 picks for far less than they will their 2022 choices, offering you superior value for those later picks. The second reason to think before dealing for picks is not all draft classes are created equally. You must consider what each draft class looks like and what you need before making these deals. If you're looking to capture the next great QB, then the 2022 class isn't one you want to target in your overhaul. The 2023 and 2024 classes both offer higher-rated passers than this one, with a likely lower cost of acquiring them right now. Why pay top shelf to draft Malik Willis, who may not play or pan out for years, when you can pay less to have a shot at better bets like Caleb Williams or Bryce Young later on?
Unfortunately, those in defense premium fantasy leagues may find themselves needing to pay the premium for 2022 picks. This upcoming NFL Draft class is actually shaping up to be one of the better defensive classes in recent memory, in fact. The 2022 class projects to have one edge rusher (Kayvon Thibodeaux) whose ceiling rivals that of Chase Young, another who commands comparisons to Joey Bosa, and at least five other DLs who are fantasy relevant. On top of that, there is a Jalen Ramsey caliber corner (Derek Stingley Jr.), an elite safety (Kyle Hamilton), and two high-end interior linebackers in this class. So if you play in leagues where defensive points are at a premium, and you have holes at DL, LB, or DB, you may want to target this class while you can…. And with that said, let's get to our IDP rankings, shall we?
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Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
1 | Myles Garrett | Browns | Lions |
2 | T.J. Watt (Q) | Steelers | Chargers |
3 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Chiefs |
4 | Harold Landry III | Titans | Texans |
5 | Haason Reddick | Panthers | WFT |
6 | Matthew Judon | Patriots | Falcons |
7 | Shaquil Barrett | Buccaneers | Giants |
8 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | Jaguars |
9 | Khalil Mack | Bears | Ravens |
10 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Texans |
11 | Odafe Oweh | Ravens | Bears |
12 | Joey Bosa (Q) | Chargers | Steelers |
13 | Josh Allen | Jaguars | 49ers |
14 | Brian Burns | Panthers | WFT |
15 | Markus Golden | Cardinals | Seahawks |
16 | Emmanuel Ogbah | Dolphins | Jets |
17 | Jonathan Greenard (Q) | Texans | Titans |
18 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Chargers |
19 | Chandler Jones | Cardinals | Seahawks |
20 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Raiders |
21 | Jonathan Allen | WFT | Panthers |
22 | Deforest Buckner | Colts | Bills |
23 | Robert Quinn | Bears | Ravens |
24 | Sam Hubbard | Bengals | Raiders |
25 | Yannick Ngakoue | Raiders | Bengals |
26 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | Dolphins |
27 | Calais Campbell | Ravens | Bears |
28 | Andrew Van Ginkel | Dolphins | Jets |
29 | Cameron Jordan | Saints | Eagles |
30 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Chargers |
DL Streamer of the Week: Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens
Despite being a rookie pass rusher who many viewed as "raw" coming into this year's Draft, Oweh already leads Baltimore in quarterback pressures, hurries, and sacks. To top it off, the former Nittany Lion has been a plus-run defender and above-average in coverage, as well. He had quickly grown into the immense tools that flashed during his time at Penn State… you know when he was busy not getting a single sack last year.
A fun fact for IDP managers is this: Oweh needs just three more sacks this season to match his career total in college. Do not be shocked if you get those three sacks this week, thanks to a premium matchup with a Bears offensive line that ranks dead last in the NFL in sacks allowed per game and Adjusted Sack Percentage. Oweh is used to chasing Justin Fields all over the field, too, thanks to their shared time in the Big Ten, and he must be itching to bring down the elusive Buckeye. Oweh is a terrific streaming option for those in need of a big play DL this week.
DL Fader of the Week: Leonard Williams, New York Giants
Williams is a sturdy performer and he won't likely be a fantasy bust in any given week. In fact, Williams hasn't put up a fantasy dud since Week 2 of this season. He isn't going to give you a ton of upside against a strong Buccaneers front, however.
Tom Brady and company are the most pass-heavy offense in the league. Despite their tremendous passing volume, the Buccaneers are surrendering the fewest sacks and quarterback hits per game in the NFL. Given that resume, Tampa isn't likely to surrender anything but a few tackles to Williams in this one. That makes him a fade for us in Week 11.
Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
1 | Roquan Smith | Bears | Ravens |
2 | Darius Leonard | Colts | Bills |
3 | Foyesade Oluokun | Falcons | Patriots |
4 | Eric Kendricks | Vikings | Packers |
5 | Devin White | Buccaneers | Giants |
6 | Deion Jones | Falcons | Patriots |
7 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Raiders |
8 | Bobby Wagner | Seahawks | Cardinals |
9 | De'Vondre Campbell | Packers | Vikings |
10 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Chiefs |
11 | Denzel Perryman | Raiders | Bengals |
12 | Cole Holcomb | WFT | Panthers |
13 | Demario Davis | Saints | Eagles |
14 | Isaiah Simmons | Cardinals | Seahawks |
15 | Bobby Okereke | Colts | Bills |
16 | T.J. Watt (Q) | Steelers | Chargers |
17 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Jaguars |
18 | Jordyn Brooks | Seahawks | Cardinals |
19 | C.J. Mosley | Jets | Dolphins |
20 | Jordan Hicks | Cardinals | Seahawks |
21 | Lavonte David | Buccaneers | Giants |
22 | Anthony Walker Jr. | Browns | Lions |
23 | Shaq Thompson | Panthers | WFT |
24 | Tremaine Edmunds (Q) | Bills | Colts |
25 | David Long Jr. (Q) | Titans | Texans |
26 | Matt Milano (Q) | Bills | Colts |
27 | Jerome Baker | Dolphins | Jets |
28 | T.J. Edwards | Eagles | Saints |
29 | Nick Bolton | Chiefs | Cowboys |
30 | Tae Crowder | Giants | Buccaneers |
LB Streamer of the Week: Jerome Baker, Miami Dolphins
If you're the swing for the fences type of fantasy manager, then Baker is your kind of guy. Few LBs in fantasy have this Ohio State alum's penchant for manic swings between elite production and waiver-worthy performances. He is truly a boom-or-bust asset at a fantasy position where you usually don't have to take risks.
With all of Baker's flaws and strengths considered, this would be the week to play him if you ever plan on it. The Jets have given up the tenth most sacks in the NFL this season while sporting the fifth-worst Adjusted Line Yards per game. That means their offensive line adds little to either the passing or running attack, which is a problem when you consider the aging oak that is Joe Flacco will be their quarterback. With all of these issues, it's no wonder Gang Green's offense currently leads the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers. New York's is a truly atrocious offense right now, and that's the kind of team you like to take big swings against… hence Baker becoming our Streamer of the Week.
LB Fade of the Week: Alex Singleton, Philadelphia Eagles & Devin Bush Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Singleton is the easy problem to identify amongst these two, as he hasn't seen 50% of his team's snaps in four weeks. There is no reason why 25% of IDP managers should be rostering him, let alone starting him like they are right now. We mention this here because over a quarter of you are still playing him, and it doesn't make sense.
Meanwhile, Devin Bush Jr. is playing a lot more than Singleton, but he isn't playing particularly well. The Michigan product has turned in double-digit tackles just once this year, and that was in Week 1. What's worse, he's failed to register four or more solo tackles in five of eight contests, and PFF ranks his overall play in the red.
Take all of Bush's red flags together, and you have to worry about his matchup with a Chargers offense that averages 282.7 air yards per game and 5.3 yards after the catch. Add to that the Chargers' low turnover rate, fifth-fewest lowest in the NFL, and Bush's upside is limited. Thus, it confuses us when we see his start percentage is nearly double that of better options like Logan Wilson, Jordyn Brooks, and Nick Bolton right now.
Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
1 | Derwin James Jr. | Chargers | Steelers |
2 | Jordan Poyer | Bills | Colts |
3 | Logan Ryan | Giants | Buccaneers |
4 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Bills |
5 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Falcons |
6 | Trevon Diggs | Cowboys | Chiefs |
7 | Harrison Smith | Vikings | Packers |
8 | Jeremy Chinn | Panthers | WFT |
9 | Jessie Bates III | Bengals | Raiders |
10 | Xavier McKinney | Giants | Buccaneers |
11 | Vonn Bell | Bengals | Raiders |
12 | Johnathan Abram | Raiders | Bengals |
13 | Jamal Adams | Seahawks | Cardinals |
14 | Xavier Woods | Vikings | Packers |
15 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | Buccaneers | Giants |
16 | Kamren Curl | WFT | Panthers |
17 | Kevin Byard | Titans | Texans |
18 | Taron Johnson | Bills | Colts |
19 | Jevon Holland | Dolphins | Jets |
20 | Ashtyn Davis | Jets | Dolphins |
21 | Jayron Kearse | Cowboys | Chiefs |
22 | Landon Collins | WFT | Panthers |
23 | Budda Baker (Q) | Cardinals | Seahawks |
24 | Malcolm Jenkins | Saints | Eagles |
25 | Justin Reid | Texans | Titans |
26 | Nasir Adderley | Chargers | Steelers |
27 | J.C. Jackson | Patriots | Falcons |
28 | Adrian Amos | Packers | Vikings |
29 | Marlon Humphrey | Ravens | Bears |
30 | Brandon Jones | Dolphins | Jets |
DB Streamer of the Week: Ashtyn Davis, New York Jets
If you watched the Dolphins play the Ravens last week, you noticed that Tua Tagovailoa simply wasn't comfortable throwing the football. While the injury to his throwing finger should continue to heal, there's a good chance that the risk-taking quarterback still won't be 100% when he faces the Jets. That's good news for players in the Gang Green's secondary.
With a gimpy Tagovailoa leading the third most pass-heavy offense into New York, Davis' fantasy stock has to be elevated. The Dolphins have struggled to run the ball against nearly every defense they face, which is why they throw the ball 66.35% of the time, and there's little reason to believe they'll change their philosophy against a Jets defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the league. Davis is above-average in coverage, with the size to follow Mike Gesicki and the agility to stop Jaylen Waddle on his five-yard in routes, and he should be very active in this game. Expect the former Cal Bear to be a low-end DB2 this week, with the potential to be a DB1 if all breaks right.
DB Fade of the Week: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Humphrey has yet another unfavorable matchup this week, forcing him down into the low-end DB3 range as a result. The former Crimson Tide is a patented shadow corner who thrives in one-on-one matchups against some of the NFL's best receivers, and that profile usually means he is a high-end CB1 in fantasy. However, elite shadow corners typically struggle when they don't have anyone worth shadowing.
The Bears are currently the NFL's most run-oriented offense, meaning they should give Baltimore's secondary fewer opportunities than any other unit have. Additionally, Chicago lacks a true target hog for Humphrey to follow this week. Allen Robinson has averaged a meager 4.9 targets per game since Week 1, while Darnell Mooney averages just 6.5 on the season. Neither of those totals demands Humphrey's shadow, and their play has provided little reason for him to follow them even if they were target hogs. This lack of targets should lower Humphrey's fantasy output significantly. He's a boom-or-bust option in Week 11.
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