Fantasy Football: Week 7 IDP Rankings & Tiers

• Find deeper IDP options to help with bye-week issues: With IDP managers dealing with injuries and six teams on a bye, the focus this week will be on potential streaming options in positive matchups.

• Dexter Lawrence is due: One of the most disruptive defensive tackles this season has yet to land a sack but draws a very favorable matchup to get home this week.

• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!

Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

With six NFL teams on a bye week this week and injuries beginning to pile up, finding depth options and fill-ins will be key for fantasy managers as they adjust to make up for significant losses.

Check the PFF.com rankings page for any updates closer to game time.

Jump to a Position:

LB | ED | DI | S | CB

LINEBACKER

Fantasy managers will have a hard time being picky about which players to start this week, given the number of teams on a bye and various injuries. With that in mind, Nakobe Dean (LB37) played only 49% of the Eagles' defensive snaps in Week 6, which was also his first game back from injured reserve. Dean figures to see his snap share increase this week — likely to a point where he’s a more startable fantasy asset. Typically, fantasy managers would want to exercise caution in starting a player coming off that low of a snap share. And while there are still plenty of options to consider ahead of him, things get shaky after that, so betting on a potential role increase this week will be key.

Micah McFadden (LB40) is another strong option in deeper leagues affected by the bye weeks. McFadden has played more than 70% of defensive snaps in all but one game this season and has generated a strong tackle efficiency rate (16.2%) to help make up for lost snaps.

Sione Takitaki (LB47) could also be a potential deeper-league play this week as Anthony Walker deals with a concussion that has him on the verge of sitting out. Takitaki draws a matchup against the Colts, who have been a top-10 team in allowing tackles to the linebacker position this season. While it won’t be a full-time role, there could be enough opportunities for him on 65%-70% of snaps.

EDGE DEFENDER

Byron Young (ED24) is averaging 87% of defensive snaps through the first six games of the year, a heavy workload. As a result, he has totaled three sacks, eight quarterback hits and 21 total tackles. He also ranks second among Rams defenders — behind only Aaron Donald — in pass-rush grade (74.2) and total pressures (25). Young draws a favorable matchup this week against the Steelers, who have earned a 31st-ranked 34.3 pass-blocking grade on the year.

The Bills' edge defenders, outside of Greg Rousseau (ED14) are in a state of transition at the moment, with Leonard Floyd (ED31) previously acting as the team’s second option off the edge while Von Miller (ED32) was on the PUP list. Floyd’s snap share has decreased as Miller's workload has slowly increased. Expect Miller to overtake Floyd in snaps as soon as this week, if not next. Both should be fine streaming options against a poor Patriots pass-blocking unit that has earned the third-worst pass-blocking grade this season (46.1).

INTERIOR DEFENDER

Dexter Lawrence (DT11) has been held without a sack through six games this year but remains as disruptive as any interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Lawrence has totaled 21 pressures — tied for the fifth most at the position — while earning an 86.8 pass-rush grade, which is the fourth-best mark among interior defenders. Lawrence is due for a sack and draws a matchup against the league’s most-sacked quarterback this week in Sam Howell, making him a great interior defender streaming option for those in need.

SAFETY

Josh Metellus (S22) has had excellent IDP usage this season, working as the Vikings' third safety in Brian Flores’ defense, which allows him to blitz and play most of his snaps in the box or slot. While he isn’t playing 100% of snaps, his usage makes up for that and keeps him in play as a startable option in deeper leagues.

Geno Stone (S30) is likely to step into a full-time role once again this week with Marcus Williams banged up and considered unlikely to play. Stone has been productive when on the field this season, in large part due to three interceptions, but he also draws a positive matchup for tackle production against the Lions this week. Stone is another great streamable option for Week 7.

CORNERBACK

Marshon Lattimore (CB11) stands out as a good streaming option going against the Jaguars, a top-five team in allowing tackles to the cornerback position this season. Lattimore leads the Saints' cornerbacks in total tackles (29) and has added an interception and four pass breakups, as well.

J.C. Jackson (CB17) played his first game back with the Patriots in Week 6 and immediately led the team’s cornerbacks in snap share (96%). Jackson saw six targets in his coverage and totaled four tackles. He faces off against a Bills passing unit that has been a positive matchup for potential cornerback tackle numbers this season.

KEY

• DNP: Did not participate in team's most recent practice due to injury
• LP: Limited participation in team's most recent practice due to injury
• D: Player is doubtful to play due to injury
• Q: Player is questionable to play due to injury
• TNF: Player is playing on Thursday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
• SNF: Player is playing on Sunday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
• MNF: Player is playing on Monday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
• UK: Player is playing on Sunday morning’s London game. Set lineups accordingly.
• WW: Potential waiver-wire target (see Weekly IDP Fantasy Report).