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Week 7 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings

Aaron Donald - Fantasy Football Rankings, IDP Draft Sleepers, Defense (DST)

You’ve all heard about how bad Week 7 is shaping up to be, with six teams on bye and five of those squads loaded to the brim with fantasy assets. Things are so bad that some are naming this week the “Bye-Nado,” while others refer to it as the “Bye-Pocalypse," and if you get creative you might even call it "the week with lots of byes in it.” No matter how you refer to it, this week shapes up as the most inconvenient bye week in fantasy football history. Amongst the 20+ fantasy-relevant players caught in this Bye-Nado are five RB1s, four WR1s, three WR2s, three QB1s, and a TE1. It's a fantasy catastrophe and possible negligence on the part of the NFL's scheduling crew.

Of course, IDP managers are not immune to the Bye-Centennial. This week we are without the top-overall DB (Derwin James Jr.), the top-overall DL (T.J. Watt), and other IDP stars like Danielle Hunter, Jordan Poyer, and Joey Bosa. It is a cavalcade of losses, forcing many of us to get creative. Some of you will have to leave your DL or LB slot open because you cannot drop anyone to fill them. Others will have to take major risks by conducting two-for-one trades just to make room and get a win this week. The saddest of us may even be forced to drop a star like James or Bosa just to stay competitive, giving a huge edge to anyone who has the room to snatch them up.

While Week 7 may force some fantasy managers to tear the satellite dish off of their roof this weekend, there are a few things that IDP managers can do to stem the bleeding. First, they should chase upside at the DL position. With multiple DL1s out and some concerning matchups for others, don't be afraid to start a guy like Javon Hargrave or Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, even if you wouldn't usually. Second, you should chase stability at an LB position that is still deep with dependable tacklers and solid options. Finally, you should play the matchups with your DBs this week. With no James Jr., Harrison Smith, or Poyer available, look for a mid-tier DB who is set up for maximum targets this week… and with that said, let’s get to this week’s rankings.

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Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Myles Garrett Browns Broncos
2 Nick Bosa 49ers Colts
3 Haason Reddick Panthers Giants
4 Shaquil Barrett Buccaneers Bears
5 Matthew Judon Patriots Jets
6 Brian Burns Panthers Giants
7 Aaron Donald Rams Lions
8 Javon Hargrave Eagles Raiders
9 Von Miller Broncos Browns
10 Chase Young WFT Packers
11 Harold Landry III Titans Chiefs
12 Chandler Jones (Q) Cardinals Texans
13 Khalil Mack (Q) Bears Buccaneers
14 Trey Hendrickson (Q) Bengals Ravens
15 Jason Pierre-Paul Buccaneers Bears
16 Deforest Buckner Colts 49ers
17 Montez Sweat WFT Packers
18 Malik Reed Broncos Browns
19 Darrell Taylor (Q) Seahawks Saints
20 Leonard Floyd Rams Lions
21 Leonard Williams Giants Panthers
22 Jeffery Simmons Titans Chiefs
23 Sebastian Joseph-Day Rams Lions
24 Maxx Crosby Raiders Eagles
25 Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Buccaneers Bears
26 Jonathan Allen (Q) WFT Packers
27 Quinnen Williams Jets Patriots
28 Jadeveon Clowney (Q) Browns Broncos
29 Markus Golden Cardinals Texans
30 Josh Sweat Eagles Raiders

 

DL Streamer(s) of the Week: Javon Hargrave, Philadelphia Eagles & Deforest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts

It may seem like Hargrave would be considered a weekly must-start in most IDP formats, considering he's sixth in the NFL in sacks, but the truth is less than 25% of IDP managers started him last week. Those not playing Hargrave should do so this week, as he is facing a Raiders interior offensive line that has given up 30 pressures over their first six games, and no one on their inside has a positive pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus this year. Hargraves has a DL1 matchup this week, in a bad bye week.

Meanwhile, Deforest Buckner is lined up for a big day against his former team. Not only does the former Pro Bowler have a "revenge game" motive coming up against San Francisco, but the 49ers' interior line can be easily overwhelmed by effective pass rushers. To make matters worse, rumors are the 49ers will start rookie Aaron Banks at right guard for the first time this week, and Banks looked horrific in the pre-season. This is arguably Buckner’s best matchup of the year, given the opponent and motivation.

 

DL Fade of the Week: Charles Harris, Detroit Lions

This formerly disappointing first-round draft pick has bounced back in 2021, notching a sack in four straight games before putting up a solid five tackles in his last outing. He's become a high-end DL3 option for many this season and has proven reliable so far this year. That said, he has an awful matchup this week.

We've mentioned in past columns how the Rams’ pass-blocking unit and Matthew Stafford's quick release give opposing pass rushers fits. To date, they have allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL, they stand second-best in Adjusted Sack Rate, and they are allowing a modest 8.5 pressures per contest. In short, Stafford is a nightmare for anyone to bring down, let alone a guy like Harris who doesn’t have a whole lot of help.

 

Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Darius Leonard (Q) Colts 49ers
2 Bobby Wagner Seahawks Saints
3 Roquan Smith Bears Buccaneers
4 Foyesade Oluokun Falcons Dolphins
5 Logan Wilson Bengals Ravens
6 Devin White Buccaneers Bears
7 Isaiah Simmons Cardinals Texans
8 Cole Holcomb WFT Packers
9 David Long Jr. Titans Chiefs
10 Demario Davis Saints Seahawks
11 Tae Crowder Giants Panthers
12 Fred Warner 49ers Colts
13 C.J. Mosley Jets Patriots
14 Deion Jones Falcons Dolphins
15 De’Vondre Campbell Packers WFT
16 Lavonte David Buccaneers Bears
17 Denzel Perryman Raiders Eagles
18 Alex Singleton Eagles Raiders
19 Christian Kirksey Texans Cardinals
20 Kenny Young Rams Lions
21 Alex Singleton Eagles Raiders
22 Jordyn Brooks Seahawks Saints
23 Nick Bolton Chiefs Titans
24 Azeez Al-Shaair 49ers Colts
25 Jordan Hicks Cardinals Texans
26 Bobby Okereke Colts 49ers
27 Jerome Baker Dolphins Falcons
28 Anthony Walker Browns Broncos
29 Cory Littleton Raiders Eagles
30 Quincy Williams Jets Patriots

 

LB Streamer(s) of the Week: Azeez Al-Shaair, San Francisco 49ers & Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs

With Dre Greenlaw looking unlikely to play again this week, expect Al-Shaair to take a majority of his reps like he has been the past few weeks. So far, Al-Shaair has been effective in that role, notching double-digit tackles in half of his starts as Greenlaw’s replacement. This week, the FAU alum has a particularly solid matchup against a Colts offense that ranks fifth in rushing attempts over the past three weeks. 74.2% of Indianapolis' runs have been in the area where Al-Shaair patrols, making him a high-floor fantasy option for those looking for a safe bye week fill-in.

As for our second streamer of the week, we are predictably pitching an opponent of the Titans. Derrick Henry and his rushing prowess regularly provide terrific fantasy opportunities for opposing linebackers, and Bolton appears to be next in line. The primary risk with Bolton is the return of Willie Gay Jr., which could cause the rookie's snaps to continue declining. We are betting that in this crazy bye week, the matchup is enough to compensate for any loss in touches that Bolton may see.

 

LB Fade(s) of the Week: Kyle Van Noy & Dont’a Hightower, New England Patriots

You would think that the Jets would provide an ideal fantasy matchup for all defenders, but they do the opposite for opposing linebackers. The Jets currently average the sixth-fewest rush attempts per game, the fourth-fewest offensive snaps per game, and over a quarter of their pass attempts are of the deep-out variety. That kind of offense sets up several Patriots defenders with big-play opportunities, but it prescribes a pretty low floor for linebackers.

Linebackers need a safe six tackles each week to stay competitive at a deep fantasy position, and the game script the Jets provide just won't give that to you. Consider Van Noy and Hightower to be big-play-dependent options this week.

 

Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week

Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Logan Ryan Giants Panthers
2 Taylor Rapp Rams Lions
3 Budda Baker Cardinals Texans
4 Jessie Bates III Bengals Ravens
5 Jamal Adams Seahawks Saints
6 Jeremy Chinn Panthers Giants
7 Khari Willis Colts 49ers
8 Johnathan Abram Raiders Bears
9 Kyle Dugger (Q) Patriots Jets
10 Malcolm Jenkins Saints Seahawks
11 Vonn Bell Bengals Ravens
12 Kevin Byard Titans Chiefs
13 Daniel Sorensen Chiefs Titans
14 Byron Murphy Jr. Cardinals Texans
15 Kenny Moore II Colts 49ers
16 Justin Simmons Broncos Browns
17 Antoine Winfield Jr. (Q) Buccaneers Bears
18 Emmanuel Moseley 49ers Colts
19 Chuck Clark Ravens Bengals
20 Marlon Humphrey Ravens Bengals
21 Jordan Fuller Rams Lions
22 Kamren Curl WFT Packers
23 Quandre Diggs Seahawks Saints
24 Landon Collins WFT Packers
25 Adrian Amos Packers WFT
26 Marcus Maye (Q) Jets Patriots
27 J.C. Jackson Patriots Jets
28 Eric Stokes Packers WFT
29 Justin Reid Texans Cardinals
30 Xavier McKinney Giants Panthers

 

DB Streamer of the Week: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

We are fading the Patriots' linebackers this week, but Jackson’s stock is headed in the opposite direction. New England's star corner should shadow New York’s top receiver (Corey Davis) this week, much like he has done against the Jets in the past. That is a good thing when you consider the Jets are the sixth most pass-heavy team in the NFL, that Zach Wilson has the second-highest Bad Decision rate amongst starting QBs, and that Wilson favors Davis with 21% of his pass attempts. The Jets don't have a lot of options outside of Davis, and they should be down to the Patriots early, giving Jackson a shot at an interception and an opportunity to match his four PDs from last week.

 

DB Fade of the Week: Justin Reid, Houston Texans

Reid is in a real slump after starting the year with an interception in two straight games. Our biggest concern is that his tackle floor is troublingly low, with the Stanford product never registering more than six tackles in a game and averaging just 4.2 total tackles per contest this year.

Reid's low tackle floor this season is particularly troubling against an Arizona offense that rarely turns the ball over. Specifically, this year Kyler Murray has a stellar .02% interception rate and he’s registering a bad throw on just 10.9% of his passes, which is the second-lowest rate in the NFL amongst passers with at least four starts. The odds of Murray giving Reid a shot at a big play are low, and Reid appears unlikely to compensate for that with a high-tackle output. That should trouble his fantasy managers.



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