24 Defensive Players (IDP) for Week 3 (Tier 1 Players & Hot Hands)

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We see the same lists and sometimes, you need to ride a hot hand. This list of 24 IDP Players covers the top defensive players with some sprinkles of the hot hands on the defensive side of the ball.

24 (IDP) Defensive Players Week 3

1. Jamie Collins (LB), New England Patriots (Hot Hand)

Opponent: New York Jets

Jamie Collins is coming off a monster week. Collins finished with only 6 total tackles but also had half a sack and 2 interceptions. One of those interceptions he took to the house. He is set to face a struggling Jets’ offense this week. Collins can be ready to pounce all over Le’Veon Bell as he is the most trusted player on the Jets currently who are forced to start the 3rd string quarterback, Luke Falk.

2. Luke Kuechly (LB), Carolina Panthers

Opponent: Arizona Cardinals

Luke Kuechly posted 8 solo tackles and 10 assisted which is the 2nd most in his career. One of those tackles resulted in the first safety of his career. Kuechly can be ready for even more tackles when he faces the Cardinals. The Cardinals have wanted to run the most plays in the league, so he will get tons of opportunities to add to his career numbers. I expect him to add even more reasons to why he is one of the best defensive players in the league.

3. Zach Cunningham (LB), Houston Texans

Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

Zach Cunningham set a game-high 9 tackles in the Texans’ game against the Jaguars. He also recorded a sack and a hit on Gardener Minshew. His sights this week will be on Philip Rivers and Chargers. Austin Ekeler has emerged as a volatile runningback and it will be Cunningham’s job to shut him down. Rivers has been sacked 5 times this year and that count could continue to climb with Cunningham gunning after him.

4. Shaquil Barrett (LB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Hot Hand)

Opponent: New York Giants

Shaquil Barrett was called the “Buccanneers’ new sack machine” in an SBNation article. This is pretty accurate seeing how he had 3 sacks in last week’s match against Cam Newton and the Panthers. His sacks changed the momentum of a close game which eventually ended up giving the Bucs a win to return to Tamp Bay with. Daniel Jones is taking over as the quarterback for the Giants. He will likely have some nerves which can be abused by someone like Barrett.

5. Montae Nicholson (S), Washington Redskins(Hot Hand)

Opponent: Chicago Bears

Nicholson had quite the game in Week 2, getting seven tackles (two assisted), plus an interception. The one worry with Nicholson is his foot injury. He was taken out of the game last week for a few drives but returned later in the game. He did not practice on Friday, but should be ready to go on Sunday. Trubisky has struggled to get the Bears’ offense going, so this would be a good matchup if Nicholson is healthy enough to play.

6. Vernon Hargreaves (CB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Opponent: New York Giants

Vernon Hargreaves has emerged as a big threat in the defense. In Week 1 he had pick-6 and in Week 2, he posted eleven solo tackles and one assisted. The Giants are starting Daniel Jones this week in his first career start. Jones may have some pregame jitters and float some up towards Hargreaves for some easy interceptions. There is a strong chance of yet another big game for Hargreaves.

7. Blake Martinez (LB), Green Bay Packers

Opponent: Denver Broncos

Blake Martinez is now projected to finish as the #6 linebacker in the league according to SportsLine Computer Picks and Fantasy Data. He showed his worth again last week, picking up 10 tackles and 3 assisted. They are set to play the Broncos this week, led by Joe Flacco. Flacco is the 31st most-sacked quarterback in NFL history. This is a good matchup for Martinez to add some sacks to his season stats.

8. Bashaud Breeland (CB), Kansas City Chiefs(Hot Hand)

Opponent: Baltimore Ravens

Bashaud Breeland is in his first season with the Chiefs and is fitting in well. He has helped turn this mediocre defense into a force to be reckoned with. Last week he picked up 7 tackles and an interception. The Ravens will be a tough matchup for Breeland and the Chiefs. Jackson has looked unstoppable but he has yet to face a good defense. This will be a challenge, but Breeland will have the opportunity to stop a rolling Ravens’ offense.

9. Joe Schobert (LB), Cleveland Browns

Opponent: Los Angeles Rams

Joe Schobert is showing that he is the number one player on the Browns’ defense yet again in Monday Night’s game against the Jets. Schobert racked up 13 tackles with 3 of them assisted and forced a fumble out of Le’Veon Bell. This week will be more of a challenge for him and the Browns as they face a Rams’ offense that has many tools. All Schobert needs to worry about is tracking down Goff and Gurley which he is more than capable of.

10.Cory Littleton (LB)

11. Aaron Donald (DL)

12. Bobby Wagner (LB)

13. Leighton Vander Esch(LB)

14. Roquan Smith(LB)

15. Jordan Hicks(LB)

16. Deion Jones(LB)

17. Jerome Baker(LB)

18. Lavonte David(LB)

19. Thomas Davis(LB)

20. Danielle Hunter (DE)

21. Budda Baker (S)

22. Joey Bosa (DE)

23. Devin Bush(LB)

24. Kwon Alexander(LB)