• IDP Fantasy Football Rankings For Week 11

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    With six teams on a bye for Week 11, there will be some players missing from these rankings. Here are my top 10 rankings at each position based off production and matchup.


    Linebacker

    Rankings

    1. Darius Leonard- 96 Tackles (64 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries. Matchup: Tennessee Titans (Give up the 12th most points to Linebackers)
    2. Blake Martinez- 79 Tackles (53 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass deflections. Matchup: Seattle Seahawks (Give up the 6th most points to Linebackers)
    3. Leighton Vander Esch- 76 Tackles (61 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception. Matchup: Atlanta Falcons (Give up the 15th most points to Linebackers)
    4. Luke Kuechly- 72 Tackles (57 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception. Matchup: Detroit Lions (Give up the 8th most points to Linebackers)
    5. Cory Littleton- 84 Tackles (59 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 1 interception, 2 blocked kicks, 1 Safety. Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs (Give up the 32nd most points to Linebackers)
    6. T.J. Watt- 43 Tackles (30 solo), 9 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 2 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick. Matchup: Jacksonville Jaguars (Give up the 9th most points to Linebackers)
    7. Todd Davis- 67 Tackles (48 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sack, 5 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers (Give up to 19th most points to Linebackers)
    8. Telvin Smith- 73 Tackles (55 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers (Give up the 20th most points to Linebackers)
    9. Jordan Hicks- 78 Tackles (53 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: New Orleans Saints (Give up the 22nd most points to Linebackers)
    10. Mason Foster- 79 Tackles (48 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 1 pass deflection, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Houstan Texans (Give up the 11th most points to Linebackers)

    The Top Spot

    Darius Leonard has been slightly less productive in his last couple games. He has still been able to come up with chunks of tackles but hasn't been doing much else. This is a result of Clayton Geathers having missed time or was coming back from injury. I personally feel the defensive play calling was dialed back slightly. 

    Leonard was used more often blitzing earlier in the season and was quite successful. He had 4 sacks in his first 4 games. In Week 5 Geathers was was forced from action with a concussion and neck injury sidelining him for 2 games. Going forward Geathers is healthy and back to full time. As a result the Colts have a reliable tackler in the secondary. This allows them to be a little more aggressive without having to worry about missing tackles. Leonard should be able to blitz more frequently now:

    Who to Watch

    Cory Littleton is having a great year and should be everybody's pick for most improved player...maybe Mitch Trubisky. Littleton would normally be in the top two each week but has a really tough matchup this week. The Chiefs have a way of killing players fantasy days on a weekly basis. You don't sit Littleton, just not one of my top plays.

    Please Stop it Dallas

    Leighton Vander Esch...what more can you say about Leighton Vander Esch except Sean Lee stay off the field. Vander Esch should have shown in his starts that Lee is no longer necessary for the Cowboys and should move forward with Jaylen Smith and himself. Vander Esch proved this once again Week 10 coming up with 13 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and an interception. He does not have the greatest matchup against the Falcons but he is a must start. Watch this beautiful pick he makes in coverage:

     

    Defensive Back

    Rankings

    1. Derwin James- 64 Tackles (42 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 1 interception. Matchup: Denver Broncos (Give up the 2nd most points to Safeties)
    2. Harrison Smith- 47 Tackles (37 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Chicago Bears (Give up 9th most points to Safeties)
    3. Tyrann Mathieu- 52 Tackles (44 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Washington Redskins (Give up the 11th most points to Safeties)
    4. Landon Collins- 71 Tackles (51 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 4 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Give up the 10th most points to Safeties)
    5. Jessie Bates III- 71 Tackles (45 solo), 4 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Baltimore Ravens (
      Give up the 15th most points to Safeties)
    6. Kareem Jackson51 Tackles (41 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 10 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Washington Redskins (Give up the 28th most points to Cornerbacks)
    7. Damontae Kazee46 Tackles (36 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 7 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Dallas Cowboys (Give up the 14th most points to Safeties)
    8. John Johnson III- 63 Tackles (39 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 8 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs (Give up the 17th most points to Safeties)
    9. Eddie Jackson35 Tackles (31 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Minnesota Vikings (Give up the 7th most points to Safeties)
    10. Justin Reid49 Tackles (40 solo), 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Washington Redskins (Give up the 11th most points to Safeties)

    The Top Spot

    Derwin James is a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is one of your do it all Safeties. Not to mention he has one of the best matchups this week against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos before their bye in Week 10 had just given up 10 total tackles to Justin Reid, and 6 total tackles to Tyrann Mathieu. In that case both starting Safeties scored well. Derwin James should be able to continue to rack up tackles and may even come up with another sack. Watch him plow through the running back in his pursuit for a sack:

    https://twitter.com/i/status/1061753159326912512

    Who to Watch

    Landon Collins is a name you would think you would hear more about. Though he has only forced one turnover this season, he still has 71 total tackles. This week he gets the Buccaneers and "Fitzmagic". Collins should be all over the field in this one making plays. As a result I believe he comes down with his first interception of the year.

    Eddie Jackson is a name you hear mostly for bye week fillers but has really played well this season. Especially his past two games where he has come up with 12 tackles and 1 tackles for a loss. Jackson gets a solid matchup this week against the Vikings. They give up the 7th most points to Safeties, lets see if he can keep up the good play.

     

    Defensive Line

    Rankings

    1. Chandler Jones29 Tackles (22 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Oakland Raiders (Give up the Most points to Defensive Ends)
    2. Jason Pierre-Paul27 Tackles (23 solo), 9 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: New York Giants (Give up the 7th most points to Defensive Ends)
    3. Demarcus Lawrence- 39 Tackles (27 solo), 12 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Atlanta Falcons (Give up the 9th most points to Defensive Ends)
    4. J.J. Watt32 Tackles (25 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles. Matchup: Washington Redskins (Give up the 17th most points to Defensive Ends)
    5. Danielle Hunter43 Tackles (30 solo), 13 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Chicago Bears (Give up the 11th most points to Defensive Ends)
    6. Aaron Donald34 Tackles (23 solo), 16 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries. Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs (Give up the 26th most points to Defensive Tackles)
    7. Kenny Clark40 Tackles (28 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries. Matchup: Seattle Seahawks (Give up the 3rd most points to Defensive Tackles)
    8. Melvin Ingram III- 28 Tackles (19 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Denver Broncos (Give up the 26th most points to Defensive Ends)
    9. Matt Ioannidids- 25 Tackles (19 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Houston Texans (Give up the 2nd most points to Defensive Ends)
    10. Mario Addison21 Tackles (14 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. Matchup: Detroit Lions (Give up the 8th most points to Defensive Ends)

    The Top Spot

    Chandler Jones is a no brain top option this week. He has 5.5 sacks in his last five games and is going against the biggest losers of the NFL season in Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders who give up the most points to Defensive Ends. I expect to see both Chandler Jones and Benson Mayowa to make a living in the Raiders's backfield. Jones will probably have another multiple sack game. He was able to come up with two against the Chiefs.

    https://twitter.com/alltwentytwo/status/1062074665600860161

    Who to Watch

    Jason Pierre-Paul gets his revenge game against the team that drafted him. Considering the Giants pass rush or lack there of, that trade looks terrible. The Giants Offensive Line is abysmal and Pierre-Paul should be able to see his old buddy "Immobile Eli" (that's my nickname for Eli Manning) face to face with Eli's back on the turf.

    Two Defensive Tackles made the list. Aaron Donald is a generational talent. Since he logged his first sack in week 4, he has a total of 12.5. My motto is almost never start anybody on defense against the Chiefs but thats almost two sacks a game. Kenny Clark has a great matchup against the Seahawks who also have a poor offensive line. Clark also benefits from the run heavy scheme that the Seahawks run. Because of this Clark should grab a chunk of tackles and have a good chance at a sack.

    Melvin Ingram III does not have a great matchup either but has been playing very well as of late. He has 4 sacks in his last 5 games and faces a divisional opponent at home this weekend. Case Keenum was only sacked twice last week but I think Ingram should be able to get to him. Watch him destroy Derek Carr:

    Matt Ioannidis Has also played great as of late. He has 4.5 sacks in his last 3 games and has a plus matchup against the Texans. Expect to see that sack total to go up after Week 11 as Ioannidis is on the rise.

    That is a roundup of my top 10 Rankings at each position. There are some new players on the lists with great matchups. Tune in next week to see how the Rankings have changed.

    Don't forget to follow me on twitter @josephhaggan and @IDPGuys. Also tune in to the podcast each week to get the best information to win your Fantasy Football leagues.


    Joseph Haggan

    I am the proud father to an amazing young girl and husband to an unbelievable wife. Senior writer for IDPGuys, as well as projections creator and co-founder of our elite IDP Scoring Tool.
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