Howdy Rush Nation, welcome back to year two of my Individual Defensive Player (IDP) arcadia. My weekly purpose is to find you the top defensive fantasy streamers. 

Shedding light on different players that could potentially give you the edge on a position you may have been otherwise doubtful of is my aim. I will also provide fantasy insight on a matchup that I will select each week at random. 

Nothing is worse than reading a streaming column and realizing most of the players in the article are already rostered. To avoid this, I select players who are under 8% rostered (via Yahoo). 

Together, we will help your IDP roster, shock your leagues, and expand our knowledge of players otherwise forgotten in the “Fantasy Realm.”

 

WEEKLY STREAMERS

(DL) Daron Payne – WFT vs NYG -3% Rostered- (5.53 projection)

No offensive lineman is safe going up against any of the defensive linemen on the Football Team. With that said, Payne had the second-most snaps of any Washington lineman in their week one contest.

Thirty-Nine snaps Payne rushed the passer with no luck at a sack. I like Daron’s chances at clogging the interior running lanes this week. The division opener could be “Payneful” for Danny Dimes.

 

(DL) Javon Hargrave – PHI vs. SF -0% Rostered- (3.95 projection)

In week 1, Philadelphia used two primary defensive linemen and then an assortment of players in rotation. Hargrave had the third-highest snaps of any defensive lineman(39). Six pressures, two sacks, and three quarterback hurries were a fantastic start to his season.

San Francisco’s run game can lead to an abundance of play action. Javon could catch the San Francisco line sleeping and feast for a second straight week if this is the case.

 

(LB) Rashaan Evans- TEN @ SEA -3% Rostered- (6.32 projection)

The Titans’ defensive unit took a thrashing last week against the Cardinals. As they continue down their NFC West quest, It won’t get any easier. Evans allowed an eighty percent completion rate in coverage. Fifty-five snaps in week one, and he was near 50-50 between rush and pass coverage. At worst, he should get a decent amount of tackles against the well-rounded Seattle offense.

 

(LB) Josey Jewell – DEN @ JAX  -2% Rostered- (6.66 projection)

In week 1, Josey finished tied for first in defensive snaps, tackled the ball carrier four times, and forced a fumble. Jewell was targeted five times and allowed catches, and broke up a pass in coverage. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawerence was tied for fourth in most passing attempts in week one and averaged over six yards per passing attempt. Forty-one of Jewell’s snaps were in pass coverage. 

 

(DB) Jaquiski Tartt  – SF  @ PHI – 0% Rostered- (4.70 projection)

Twenty-six percent of Tartt’s snaps were in run defense last week. In Tartt’s fifty-two snaps in pass coverage, he was targeted five times and finished the contest with seven tackles. Seven targets went at Tartt’s position last week, and as the 49ers’ secondary is among the worst in the league, I see nothing but opportunity for Tartt’s IDP presence going forward. 

  

(DB) Rayshawn Jenkins – JAX @ DEN- 1% Rostered- (5.32 projection)

When a team signs a player to a deal like Jenkins was offered(4 years $35 million), you cannot help but notice. Week 1 Jacksonville gave Rayshawn seventy-eight snaps, and with it, he was targeted four times and broke up one pass.

Jenkins was very close to splitting his snaps evenly between run defense and coverage. With the injury to Jerry Judy, I expect Denver to favor their tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Giving Jenkins an edge to gather more points for your roster.

 

NFL Week 2 Matchup to Watch

Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

The Raiders travel to Pittsburgh in this solid week 2 defensive matchup, and I couldn’t be more excited to watch both of these defenses do work. On one side, we have an assumed top-five defense up against a reasonably solid defense with excellent weekly streaming potential. 

The Steelers defense in week 1 pressured the quarterback thirty times, batted the ball down twice, four forced fumbles, and sacked the opposing quarterback three times. All four starting Pittsburgh defensive backs played eighty-five snaps and allowed only one touchdown in coverage.

Although Las Vegas bent at times they never truly broke, coming through as victors in week 1. The Raiders used two quarterbacks and two running backs to rush a total of nineteen times.

The Raiders offensive scheme was pass-heavy as Vegas quarterback Derek Carr dropped back sixty-one times and completed nearly sixty-one percent of his passes. 

Fifty-five percent of the Raiders passing attack was in between zero to nine yards from scrimmage. In week 1, Las Vegas targeted the Ravens’ strong safety nine times, and the will backer four through the air. 

In last week’s win over Buffalo, the Steelers targeted the slot corner and the left cornerback six times apiece. Between Buffalo’s slot and the left corner, they allowed five first downs against Pittsburgh. I would look to those two positions for streaming purposes also for your IDP rosters.

 

 

• (LVR – DL) Maxx Crosby – 2 Tackles 3 Assisted 1 TFL

• (LVR – LB) Denzel Perryman – 7 Tackles 4 Assisted 

• (LVR – DB) Jonathan Abram – 8 Tackles 2 Assisted 1 FF 

• (PIT – DL) Tyson Alualu – 2 Tackles 3 Assisted 1 Sack 

• (PIT – LB) Devin Bush – 8 Tackles 4 Assisted 

• (PIT – DB) Terrell Edmunds – 4 Tackles 2 Assisted 1 Pass Defended 1 Interception

 

That is all I have for this upcoming week; a thousand thank yous for reading and good luck in your second week. Are you looking for more? Check out last week’s IDP Streamers.

My line is always open, and I always welcome feedback of any sort! Here’s to week 2, and as always, happy streaming Rush Nation. Cheers.