Top 24 Defensive Players (IDP) Rankings For Week 15: TJ Watt In Line For A Big Week

No matter how your IDP roster is set up, we have you covered. Like offensive players, defensive players can have positive and negative matchups that will reflect their fantasy potential. The top eight names are broken down for each week between defensive lineman, linebackers, and defensive backs. In some leagues, you might have no restrictions and need to roster IDP players, and you can find them as a whole in our rankings. Get the rest of your fantasy football lineup figured out with our projections page.

Defensive Lineman

1. Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams

Aaron Donald will have a monster week against the Jets, who have allowed 18.5 sacks to defensive lineman and the 5th most fantasy points per game to defensive lineman.

2. Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns

The Browns defense relies a lot on Myles Garrett getting pressure, which he has. He has 10.5 sacks and also is the third-highest scoring defensive lineman. Garrett is a strong option, per usual.

3. Jason Pierre-Paul – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta has allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to opposing defensive lineman this season. Jason Pierre-Paul is your leading scorer among defensive lineman this season.

4. Joey Bosa – Los Angeles Chargers

When healthy, Joey Bosa has as much upside as anyone else. While most guys who rely on sacks for fantasy points have consistency issues, that shouldn’t be the case this week against the Raiders.

5. Chase Young – Washington Football Team

Chase Young is coming off an excellent week, and despite missing two games, he has the 9th most fantasy points per game among defensive lineman. Seattle isn’t a bad spot for him again this week.

6. Stephon Tuitt – Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward are strong plays this week. Tuitt has been the more productive of the two in fantasy, and the Bengals have allowed the 4th most fantasy points to defensive lineman.

7. JJ Watt – Houston Texans

After seemingly falling off in the IDP world, JJ Watt is now 4th in scoring and is doing through turnovers and consistent production. Watt remains a top option.

8. Emmanuel Ogbah – Miami Dolphins

With the Patriots allowing the 6th most fantasy points per game to defensive lineman, Emmanuel Ogbah is on my radar this week. He ranks 6th in scoring, and this is a great spot for him.

Linebackers

1. Darius Leonard – Indianapolis Colts

The linebacker rankings hardly change at the moment as Darius Leonard continues to be a safe bet and ranks 17th in scoring despite missing two games.

2. Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks

Bobby Wagner ranks 8th in scoring and has a good matchup this week against Washington, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to linebackers on the year.

3. Devin White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devin White has been overtaken in scoring as the number one option. He ranks second and has been a killer IDP play each week, averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game.

4. Zack Cunningham – Houston Texans

Zack Cunningham has been excellent this year with 81 tackles and has three sacks as well. Cunningham doesn’t need the turnover numbers to produce each week.

5. Jaylon Smith – Dallas Cowboys

San Francisco is a decent matchup, allowing the 13th most fantasy points per game to linebackers. Jaylon Smith is having a sneaky good season, ranking 7th in scoring.

6. TJ Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers

I love the upside of TJ Watt this week. He gets the Bengals, who have a horrific offensive line, and the multi-sack upside is a major plus for Watt this week.

7. Patrick Queen – Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Queen has been excellent in his rookie season and faces the Jaguars, who have allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to linebackers. Queen is averaging 8.2 fantasy points per game.

8. Blake Martinez – New York Giants

Blake Martinez has been a great signing for New York, and if you drafted him in fantasy, you are enjoying his 9.1 fantasy points per game. The Browns is a good spot this week for Martinez.

Defensive Backs

1. Jamal Adams – Seattle Seahawks

Jamal Adams is averaging the most fantasy points per game among defensive backs this season. He faces Washington this week, and matchups don’t really matter much.

2. Budda Baker – Arizona Cardinals

Philadelphia has allowed the 9th most fantasy points per game to defensive backs. Not many better than Budda Baker in the IDP world, who has averaged the 3rd most fantasy points per game.

3. Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer is the leader among defensive backs this season in scoring. He faces the Broncos this week, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to defensive backs.

4. John Johnson – Los Angeles Rams

John Johnson has averaged 6.6 fantasy points per game this season and is a part of this strong Rams secondary. It is a great matchup for the Rams IDP players against the Jets.

5. Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers

Jeremy Chinn is having an excellent IDP year, and he is looking like a staple of defensive backs for years to come. He is averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game.

6. Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings

Chicago has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to defensive back. Harrison Smith is averaging 7.1 fantasy points per game over the last five weeks.

7. Jessie Bates III – Cincinnati Bengals

Jessie Bates III continues to be a strong IDP play and is averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game on the year. Pittsburgh has allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to defensive backs.

8. Justin Simmons – Denver Broncos

Buffalo is a good spot for opposing defensive backs. They have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing defensive backs. Justin Simmons ranks 6th in scoring.