As we dive into another week of fantasy football, finding the best matchups for your IDP fantasy roster is paramount. In true IDP Nerds style, we break down the top starts at the defensive line (DL), linebacker (LB), and defensive back (DB) positions. And for those fantasy managers in leagues that require cornerbacks (CB) and defensive tackles (DT), we’ve added top streaming options at each position so you can squeeze the most out of every roster. Let’s get you set for success this week!
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
IDP Fantasy Start Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Harold Landry | Tennessee Titans
Harold Landry has been one of the more consistent defensive linemen. The former Boston College product has eclipsed 200 fantasy points or more in 4 of his previous 5 seasons. The only season he failed to do this was 2022, during which he missed the entire season due to injury. Landry is helping lead one of the NFL’s best defenses this season with his stellar play. Pro Football Focus says his pass-rushing grade (49.8) is the worst of his career, while his run-defense grade (77.6) is his best.
The Titans EDGE rusher is DL11 in fantasy points per game this season. However, he’s been in a slump over the past two games. Landry has failed to record a sack in the past 3 games and hasn’t registered a quarterback pressure since Week 6. A matchup with the dreadful New England Patriots offensive line should change that. New England allows the 2nd most sacks per game (3.4). Week 9 should be a big game for Harold Landry and IDP fantasy managers.
Linebacker (LB)
Mohamoud Diabate | Cleveland Browns
If there’s one thing about the IDP Nerds, we stay on brand like no other. This week’s recommended play at linebacker is Mohamoud Diabate, the Week 9 waiver wire prize. The Cleveland Browns LB group has dealt with injuries this season, and Diabate is officially the next man up. He has minimal NFL experience but has a chance to have some consistent long-term value for IDP managers. The 2nd year LB has ample opportunity this week in a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allow the 9th most tackles per game to linebackers this season. We put our money where our mouth is and start the top waiver wire addition across IDP leagues in Week 9.
Defensive Back (DB)
Javon Bullard | Green Bay Packers
The NFC North has been the most exciting and competitive division in the NFL through the first half of the season. In Week 9, the Green Bay Packers will host the Detroit Lions, another great divisional matchup. This matchup should favor the Green Bay secondary as they try to slow down the dynamic Detroit offense.
Javon Bullard is one of the most intriguing players ahead of this matchup. The former University of Georgia defensive back has brought some versatility to the Packers’ secondary. Bullard has averaged 5.3 tackles per game in 2024 and is ranked 5th amongst safeties in targets (30). The Detroit Lions can pressure opposing defenses, specifically their secondaries. The Lions allowed 3 top-40 performances to DBs in Week 8. The Detroit offense is 1 of 13 NFL teams to allow at least 100 tackles to the safety position this season.
Defensive Tackle (DT)
Calijah Kancey | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The University of Pittsburgh knows how to provide NFL teams with defensive line talent. Calijah Kancey is just another example. The 23-year-old interior defender made his season debut in Week 6 for Tampa Bay, and since that time he has been DT11 in FPPG. Calijah Kancey is coming off 4 sacks in 14 games as a rookie; he has recorded 1 sack in just 3 games this season. The Tampa Bay defensive tackle has a 54% defensive snap share since his return and should continue his consistent play.
IDP Fantasy Streaming Options
Davon Hamilton, who has recorded double-digit fantasy points in his last two games, is the top streaming option at the defensive tackle position this week. The Philadelphia Eagles allow the 3rd most tackles to the defensive line position. In deeper leagues, B.J. Hill can provide upside; he has averaged 4.75 tackles per game over the past month.
Cornerback (CB)
Benjamin St. Juste | Washington Commanders
Benjamin St. Juste is CB39 in 2024. He’s recorded double-digit fantasy points in all but two games this season. The Washington Commanders’ defensive back will face the New York Giants for the second time in 2024. St. Juste recorded his third 20-fantasy-point game since last season in the Week 2 matchup against the Giants. The New York offense allows the 2nd-most tackles to opposing cornerbacks. We love this matchup for the Commanders’ secondary.
The Week 9 streaming options at CB include Mike Hughes of the Atlanta Falcons, who draws a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Hughes is the CB23 over the past 3 games and has recorded double-digit fantasy points in 87.5% of his games this season. Darious Williams is another strong option for IDP fantasy managers. Williams has the most favorable matchup of the week against the Seattle Seahawks, who have surrendered the most tackles (137) to cornerbacks in 2024.
IDP Fantasy Sit Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Matt Judon | Atlanta Falcons
IDP fantasy managers have been very disappointed in Matt Judon this season. Before the 2023 season that forced him out of action after just four games, the Falcons pass rusher racked up 28 combined sacks over the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Matt Judon has been unreliable lately. Since Week 2, he has failed to record more than 3 tackles or a sack. The Falcons remain dead last in the NFL at sacks per game. The Dallas Cowboys offense has allowed the 2nd fewest tackles to the DL position this season.
Linebacker (LB)
Omar Speights | Los Angeles Rams
Omar Speights is another intriguing name with long-term dynasty value on this week’s waiver wire. The undrafted LSU linebacker is playing more snaps with Troy Reeder on IR. Rams head coach Sean McVay had nothing but positive things to say about Omar Speights in his first NFL action.
As intriguing as the situation is for LB-needy teams, this is a wait-and-see approach. Speights played just 22 snaps in Week 8 and drew the most unfavorable positional matchup for LBs in Week 9. The Seattle Seahawks have allowed 12.2 tackles per game to the position, the lowest amount in the NFL.
Defensive Back (DB)
Kevin Byard | Chicago Bears
Kevin Byard has been one of the most consistent safeties over the past few seasons. The former Tennessee Titan DB has scored 200 fantasy points or more in 7 straight seasons. He has played more deep safety this season than expected, especially in the absence of Jaquan Brisker. He has just one game with 20 box-snaps in 2024.
Kevin Byard is on pace for his lowest number of tackles since the 2021 season. The Arizona Cardinals have yet to allow a top-24 performance since Week 5. Byard offers plenty of upside, but this week has more robust streaming options. IDP fantasy managers shouldn’t completely fade this matchup but should look to see if they can find an alternate option.
IDP Fantasy Six Pack of Facts
- Kyle Hamilton recorded his 4th career double-digit tackle game. He was the top-scoring DB in Week 9
- Azeez Ojulari has 22 sacks in 28 starts over his career. One of the game’s most underrated EDGE rushers
- T.J. Watt recorded his 8th multi-sack game in his last 25 games
- The Rookie Impact – Edgerrin Cooper (LB2) and Demani Richardson (DB12) in Week 9
- Ernest Jones has recorded 12 tackles or more with 3 different teams since Week 17 of 2023
- Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson have accounted for 159 tackles, 26.6% of the team’s total tackles this season
Weekly IDP Fantasy Roster Management
IDP Fantasy Tip of the Week
This week’s tip is short and sweet. We want to focus on playing week-to-week matchups. It is beneficial in those IDP leagues that give you more opportunity to do so. Naturally, the more players you start, the more chances you have to use the data we provide weekly to get the most significant advantage.
If you are playing IDP, I strongly suggest that those leagues force you to start the same number of offensive and defensive players. IDP managers will have more flexibility and can pay attention to player utilization and tendencies to help them maximize their lineup weekly. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your fantasy football leagues!
IDP Fantasy Final Thoughts
That will do it for this week, Nerds! With all the data and insights covered, you have a solid foundation to make the right lineup decisions for Week 9. Leveraging these matchups and identifying the best starts, sits, and streamers can give your lineup the edge it needs. Stay on top of your matchups; feel free to contact me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13. I look forward to being available for any IDP advice you may need. Good Luck!
If you enjoyed the Week 9 IDP Start/Sit by Jon Glosser, please check out the rest of our Start/Sit series by navigating the toolbar above.
Also, check out the Positional Matchups with IDP matchups to focus on by staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
