Top 24 Defensive Players (IDP) Rankings For Week 9: Get Jamal Adams Back Into Your Lineups

No matter how your IDP roster is set up, we have you covered. Just like offensive players, defensive players can have positive and negative matchups that will reflect in 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 no restrictions and just 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. Chase Young – Washington Football Team

The Giants offensive line has struggled greatly this season and now faces a strong pass-rush with Chase Young and Montez Sweat, who ranks a bit lower. The Giants have allowed 14 sacks to defensive lineman this season.

2. Montez Sweat – Washington Football Team

As mentioned above, the Giants have struggled to protect their quarterback this season and just overall. They have allowed the 10th most fantasy points per game to defensive lineman.

3. Jason Pierre-Paul – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has turned around a few names, but Jason Pierre-Paul has really done damage with 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles this season. He currently ranks third among defensive lineman scoring and is averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game.

4. Joey Bosa – Los Angeles Chargers

Joey Bosa is in an upside spot this week against the Raiders, who have allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to defensive lineman. While he has been on and off this season he still ranks fairly high.

5. Stephon Tuitt – Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephon Tuitt has been amazing this season and now gets a Dallas team allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing defensive lineman. They have allowed six forced fumbles and 14.5 sacks.

6. J.J. Watt – Houston Texans

I am looking for JJ Watt to turn up for a throwback big game against the Jaguars. Their offensive line is one to target and has struggled especially over the last few weeks. Watt has slowly racked up some fantasy points in the last few games.

7. Emmanuel Ogbah – Miami Dolphins

Emmanuel Ogbah has had a strong start to the season. Ogbah is 8th in overall points this season and has forced two fumbles to go along with six sacks. Ogbah is in a strong spot again this week.

8. Aldon Smith – Dallas Cowboys

Aldon Smith is a top-scoring defensive lineman this season. Smith is averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game on the season with five sacks and 22 tackles. I would expect more of the same from him this week.

Linebackers

1. Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks

Bobby Wagner continues to be an IDP stud and has averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game on the season. Wagner has 39 tackles and two sacks to go along with a couple of pass deflections.

2. Jaylon Smith – Dallas Cowboys

Jaylon Smith has continued his strong fantasy numbers since last season and the matchup against the Steelers this week is a strong one. They have allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing linebackers.

3. Devin White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devin White is leading all linebackers in scoring this season with over 80 fantasy points. Heis averaging 10.4 per game and has been doing it across the board with 45 tackles and five sacks.

4. Darius Leonard – Indianapolis Colts

Darius Leonard returned last week with a seven tackle performance, a sack, and a forced fumble. The Ravens are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing linebackers.

5. Eric Kendricks – Minnesota Vikings

Erick Kendricks ranks 3rd in points per game scoring this season and has 56 tackles over seven games. The Lions have allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to opposing linebackers.

6. Blake Martinez – New York Giants

Blake Martinez is in a great spot this week with Washington allowing a whopping 31.4 fantasy points per game to linebackers. They have also allowed 11 sacks. Martinez ranks second in fantasy points among linebackers.

7. TJ Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers

Dallas is likely to be a bloodbath this week and TJ Watt can deliver some big blows. Dallas has allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to opposing linebackers.

8. Jerome Baker – Miami Dolphins

Jerome Baker has been very solid this season averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game. He has 34 tackles in seven games but has also chipped in for multiple categories.

Defensive Backs

1. Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer ranks top ten in fantasy points per game and has the second-most fantasy points overall among defensive backs. Poyer has 54 tackles over eight games.

2. Budda Baker – Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker is averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game and has 48 tackles in six games. He also has been flying around the field with two picks and one forced fumble. He also has two sacks.

3. Marcus Maye – New York Jets

Marcus Maye is back as a top-eight option in the secondary. He gets a strong matchup against New England, who have allowed the 6th most fantasy points per game to defensive backs.

4. Jamal Adams – Seattle Seahawks

Jamal Adams got in full practices this week and is back in action. Buffalo welcomes him and they have allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to defensive backs. Adams was averaging 9.2 fantasy points per game before the injury.

5. Malcolm Butler – Tennessee Titans

Not many are allowing more fantasy points to opposing defensive backs this season. Chicago has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points. Butler is making a ton of tackles making him a reliable option.

6. Tracy Walker – Detroit Lions

Speaking of tackles, Tracy Walker racks them up every week. He has 36 in seven games this season and is averaging 6.8 fantasy points per game on the year. He remains a weekly top option.

7. Antoine Winfield Jr. -Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers got a real steal in the draft here as Antoine Winfield has been fantastic this season. He is averaging 7.1 fantasy points per game on the year and forcing turnovers.

8. Tyrann Mathieu – Kansas City Chiefs

Tyrann Mathieu is in play again this week, and he has averaged over seven fantasy points per game on the season. This is a game where he should show off some upside as well.

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Jason Guilbault is the Brand Content Manager for Lineups.com, powered by Catena Media. He has worked 10+ in the sports betting & iGaming space as a writer and content manager. Jason has also written for DailyFantasyCafe, NBAMockDraft, & FantasyPros. He aims to bring the best sports data & insight to the industry for both novice & advanced users.

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