Welcome back IDP fantasy managers, it’s time to dive into Week 7 of the IDP fantasy football season. The never ending wave of injuries across the league is creating a unique landscape for fantasy managers. With key players sidelined, now is the time to reassess your defensive lineup and capitalize on the opportunities that arise.
Lineup flexibility is your best ally; being able to pivot and adapt your roster can give you a crucial edge over your league mates. In this article, we’ll spotlight some essential defensive players to add who can step up in the absence of stars, helping you stay competitive.
High-Priority IDP Fantasy Pickups
Defensive Line (DL)
Josh Pascal | Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have been dealt a significant blow after star EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg in a Week 6 blowout. This was an incredibly crushing blow to IDP fantasy managers as well.
Hutchinson was DL1 in fantasy points per game, and to put that in perspective, only 4 total players were averaging more points per game than the Detroit pass rusher. There’s a strong chance the Lions will be looking for a trade to help replace Hutchinson in an attempt to make a push for a Super Bowl.
The immediate player looking to step up here is Josh Pascal. The former Kentucky Wildcat was drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pascal has never played more than 53% of snaps or recorded over 2 sacks in a single season.
He will move from a rotational role to a full-time role in Detroit’s defense. IDP fantasy managers must temper expectations; replacing a player with a 45.5% pass-rush win rate (Pro Football Focus) and a player who averages 25 FPPG will be impossible. Josh Pascal is available in all formats ahead of Week 7.
Linebacker (LB)
Krys Barnes | Arizona Cardinals
Krys Barnes was forced into action early in Week 6 with an injury to LB Kyzir White. The Cardinals’ three-down linebacker was removed from action with a knee injury and did not return. The injury to Kyzir White has opened the door for veteran LB Krys Barnes, who has played for the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals LB has played just 18% of the defensive snaps this season. He stepped into a starting role after White’s injury, collecting 9 tackles and playing a season-high 54 snaps. Barnes is no stranger to fantasy production; he has eclipsed 125+ fantasy points in 3 of his first 4 NFL seasons. The Arizona linebacker finished as LB10 in fantasy points per game in Week 6.
It’s still early on the injury front, but with a Monday Night Football game next on the schedule for Arizona, it would be wise for Kyzir White fantasy managers to look to add some insurance. The good thing is that Krys Barnes gives you proven production if Kyzir White is sent to a short-term injured reserve.
Defensive Back (DB)
Cooper DeJean | Philadelphia Eagles
The pre-draft Cooper DeJean hype train got a little out of control. Many IDP analysts had him as a top 6 defensive back in this class, and while his talent is off the charts, his role was undefined to start his rookie season. The debate was about where DeJean would play; most viewed him as a safety, which didn’t make much sense to me.
DeJean fits best as a slot cornerback who can be a high-volume tackler, much like Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills. The most significant difference is DeJean’s coverage ability.
IDP fantasy managers, it took five weeks, if you count the bye, but we finally saw what the Iowa DB can do. Cooper DeJean received starting snaps in Week 6 and delivered with 6 tackles, including 0.5 sacks. The rookie DB will likely be the starting nickel back for the foreseeable future, with Avonte Maddox struggling in the role.
DeJean is poised to reward those IDP fantasy managers who spent draft capital on him; for those who didn’t, there’s a strong chance he’s still available and can provide value.
Avonte Maddox has an 82% defensive snap share this season; if that goes to DeJean, he could be averaging double-digit points for your fantasy team.
Best of the Rest | IDP Fantasy
Defensive Line (DL)
Dante Fowler | Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have experimented with a group of veteran EDGE rushers this year. The group has been respectable through the first 6 games, ranking 8th in the NFL in sacks with 17. Dan Quinn has the defense playing better than expected, and IDP fantasy managers have been reaping the rewards.
Dante Fowler has been the hottest as of late. The former third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has a 50% defensive snap share this season and has averaged 36 snaps per game over the past month. In those 4 games, he has 15 pressures and 3.5 sacks.
We preach every week how difficult DL depth is to find. Dante Fowler is coming off of a DL4 finish in Week 6 and is currently available in 95% of IDP leagues.
Linebacker (LB)
Jaylon Carlies | Indianapolis Colts
After six weeks, trying to find a starting linebacker is nearly impossible. You are looking for an injury to see some production at this point of the season. This week, we look at 5th-Round rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies. The Missouri LB has played 28% of defensive snaps this season. Carlies has a 90.0 coverage grade this season on limited playing time.
The University of Missouri product has posted 3 tackles or more in 4 of his last 5 games. The Colts have multiple linebackers who play 100% of defensive snaps, in the event one of them suffers an injury, Carlies is a great insurance policy for IDP fantasy managers.
Defensive Back (DB)
Kamren Kinchens | Los Angeles Rams
The second rookie defensive back to be featured in this week’s article, Kamren Kinchens, has been trending up over the past two games. He’s been increasing his snap count while collecting 10 total tackles. The University of Miami DB was one of the most polished in this year’s draft class but fell in the draft after a poor combine. You can find his rookie scouting profile HERE.
Kam Kinchens has a nice opportunity in the Rams’ secondary to earn some playing time. The Los Angeles defense is weak at the LB position, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them use more DB heavy looks—especially on passing downs. Kinchens has played 51 of his 67 snaps over the past 2 games at deep safety, so his playing time and tackle volume are too inconsistent to trust at this point. IDP fantasy managers playing for next year could benefit from stashing the young defensive back.
IDP Fantasy Players to Monitor
Azeez Al-Shaair | Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have been dealing with injuries all season long. Most notably, on the offensive side of the ball—losing both Joe Mixon and Nico Collins already this season for multiple games. The defense is starting to suffer the same fate at the LB position. Azeez Al-Shaair was forced out of action early in Week 6, which opened the door for veteran LB Neville Hewitt.
Neville Hewitt played just a single defensive snap prior to last week. He is no stranger to fantasy production; he’s posted 125 fantasy points in 3 different seasons. The injuries at the LB position for Houston are worth monitoring. Hewitt finished as LB18 coming in for Azeez Al-Shaair in Week 6. IDP managers should be looking to add Hewitt in the event that he becomes a starter in Week 7.
IDP Fantasy Summary
That will do it for this week my fellow IDP Nerds! Remember, the fantasy landscape is ever-changing, and seizing opportunities now can pay off significantly down the line. As we head into Week 7, staying active on the waiver wire is crucial for both your immediate success and the long-term health of your dynasty team. Keep your eyes peeled, stay proactive, and don’t hesitate to make those critical adds—your IDP dynasty championship aspirations depend on it!
If you’re itching for College Football content, check out Senior Nerd Tristan Cook’s QB/TE Rankings, and RB Rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft class:
