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IDP Fantasy Football Rankings For Week 14

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It’s playoff time folks. If you made it there you roster probably has at least one or two of these players on your team. Here I will list the top 10 at each position with the best matchups.

Linebacker

Rankings

  1. Darius Leonard– 122 Tackles (80 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries. Matchup: Houston Texans (Give up the 5th most points to LB’s)
  2. Luke Kuechly– 100 Tackles (71 solo), 16 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Cleveland Browns (Give up the 13th most points to LB’s)
  3. Leighton Vander Esch– 102 Tackles (77 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 7 passes defensed, 2 interceptions. Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles (Give up the 10th most points to LB’s)
  4. Telvin Smith– 101 Tackles (75 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, i interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Tennessee Titans (Give up the 7th most points to LB’s)
  5. Bobby Wagner– 99 Tackles (59 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 11 passes defensed, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Minnesota Vikings (Give up the 29th most points to LB’s)
  6. Erik Kendricks- 95 Tackles (57 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 5 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumbler recovery. Matchup: Seattle Seahawks (Give up the 2nd most points to LB’s)
  7. Alec Ogletree– 78 Tackles (49 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 6 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, 2 Touchdowns. Matchup: Washington Redskins (Give up the 23rd most points to LB’s)
  8. Kiko Alonso– 106 tackles (68 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 6 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: New England Patriots (Give up the 9th most points to LB’s)
  9. Todd Davis– 92 Tackles (67 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sack, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: San Francisco 49ers (Give up the 8th most points to LB’s)
  10. Lavonte David– 83 Tackles (66 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: New Orleans Saints (Give up the 18th most points to LB’s)

Still Leonard

Darius Leonard is still leading my rankings. Last week was a little bit of a down week but he finds himself in another tasty matchup against the Texans. The Texans give up the fifth most points to linebackers and Leonard is one of the best, if not the best tackler in the NFL right now.

He is still on the move all over the field and his 6 sacks are quite high for a weak side linebacker. The Texans are tied for the 3rd worst offensive line when it comes to giving up sacks. Expect the Colts to use Leonard to pressure the QB. Leonard is able to come up with a tackle on almost on of every five snaps he plays, look at the end of this stat:

Reviving Their Season

Alec Ogletree had a very slow start to the season, maybe not quite what the Giants were thinking after their trade. He was not putting up horrible numbers but also not what you would expect. The last three games Ogletree has had an epiphany and looks like the Ogletree of three years ago.

His last three games he has put up 23 tackles (14 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 4 passes defensed, 3 interceptions and 2 Touchdowns. This week he gets the Redskins who will be with..Who knows at QB and should be running a whole lot. Ogletree should be able to rack up tackles this week. Watch Ogletree here for the pick six:

Eric Kendricks also has had a down season up til recently. He was actually one of the main parts of an early article I wrote called “From Studs to Duds”. Kendricks was the dud, but he has been able to be a tackle machine in his last 3 games.

In those games he has 35 tackles (21 solo), 1 pass defensed and 1 interception. If he could turn some of those assisted tackles into solos, even half of them, he could finish the season real strong. This week he gets a great matchup going up against Seattle who gives up the 2nd most points to LB’s on the year.

Watch this impressive pick of Tom Brady:

https://twitter.com/FirstDownFR/status/1069383922050584577

Defensive Backs

Rankings

  1. Jamal Adams– 88 Tackles (67 solo),8 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles. Matchup: Buffalo Bills (Give up the 12th most points to DB’s)
  2. Justin Simmons– 78 Tackles (60 solo), 4 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 2 blocked kicks. Matchup: San Francisco 49ers (Give up the 5th most points to DB’s)
  3. Tyrann Mathieu– 72 Tackles (60 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Indianapolis Colts (Give up the 11th most points to DB’s)
  4. Kyle Fuller– 44 Tackles (38 solo), 18 passes defensed, 6 interceptions. Matchup: Los Angeles Rams (Give up the 14th most points to DB’s)
  5. John Johnson III- 85 Tackles (57 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Chicago Bears (Give up the 10th most points to DB’s)
  6. Derwin James– 81 Tackles (56 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, 3 interceptions. Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals (Give up the 24th most points to DB’s)
  7. Justin Reid– 60 Tackles (48 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 9 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Indianapolis Colts (Give up the 11th most points to DB’s)
  8. Shawn Williams– 83 Tackles (59 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 6 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers (Give up the 31st most points to DB’s
  9. Antoine Bethea– 97 Tackles (78 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble. Matchup: Detroit Lions (Give up the 12th most points to LB’s and the 18th most points to DB’s)
  10. Ha Ha Clinton Dix- 58 Tackles (8 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 4 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: New York Giants (Give up the 10th most points to DB’s)

Adams Is the Real Deal

Jamal Adams is having a breakout season. Not that he had a bad season last year but this year he seems angry. Angry not only that he is on the Jets, but angry when you throw at him. Ask the Patriots Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, he gave both of them huge shots two weeks ago.

I personally believe that Adams should be in the running for DPOY and may be getting overlooked due to being on the Jets. Adams is the prototype for defensive backs coming out of college. You need to be able to tackle, cover, blitz, and flat out hit. If you follow the Adams prototype then you may have a good chance at having a strong career in the NFL. I love this play by Adams:

Try and Throw at Him

Kyle Fuller makes this list and high on this list as the top cornerback in the league. He has 5 more passes defensed than the next defensive back on the list. Since Week 6 Fuller has been on an absolute tear. In those 8 games he has recorded 34 tackles (26 solo), 17 passes and 6 interceptions.

Don’t even try to throw at him, it wont be completed. He is the only cornerback on the list, and it is warranted. Watch him read the route perfectly and jump Beckham’s break perfectly:

Texans Defensive Backfield

The Texans have two players in this top 10 list including Justin Reid and Tyrann Mathieu. An honorable mention for this list is fellow teammate Kareem Jackson. Not only have all three players had great seasons but they have a filthy matchup this week against the Colts.

Andrew Luck throws the ball on average almost 40 times a game. The Texans have won nine games in a row and look to extend that against the Colts, leaving a possibility of the Colts playing catch up. Thus forcing Luck to over that mark of 40. Look for these guys to have strong afternoons. Watch these great plays by Reid:

Defensive Line

Rankings

  1. Aaron Donald– 43 Tackles (30 solo), 20 tackles for a loss, 16.5 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries. Matchup: Chicago Bears (Give up the 15th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  3. J.J. Watt– 46 Tackles (35 solo), 14 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles. Matchup: Indianapolis Colts (Give up the 25th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  4. Calais Campbell– 53 Tackles (38 solo), 14 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, 2 passes defensed. Matchup: Tennessee Titans (Give up the 4th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  5. Cameron Jordan– 37 Tackles (27 solo), 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Give up the 9th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  6. Bradley Chubb– 44 Tackles (30 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: San Francisco 49ers (Give up the 7th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  7. Chandler Jones– 39 Tackles (31 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Detroit Lions (Give up the 13th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  8. Khalil Mack– 33 Tackles (27 solo), 7 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 Touchdown. Matchup: Los Angeles Rams (Give up the 11th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  9. Demarcus Lawrence– 50 Tackles (33 solo), 13 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles (Give up the 14th most points to Defensive Lineman)
  10. Chris Jones– 30 Tackles (27 solo), 14 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. Matchup: Baltimore Ravens (Give up the 24th most points to Defensive Lineman)

Duck! It’s Donald

Aaron Donald has been on a pass rushing tear, hence the scream of duck. Watch out because he is coming, out don’t care if you double team him. He has 16.5 sacks in his last 10 games, that is just amazing. If you are an opposing QB, just assume a face to face meeting at some point in your matchup. Like Mariah Carey said best “I’ll be there”. That is Aaron Donald’s theme song. Watch Donald blast through the double team for the sack fumble on Matt Stafford:

https://twitter.com/SportsQuotient/status/1069331431216824322

Recent High Performers

Cameron Jordan has been playing at a high level for years now. In his last two games he has been extra important for his team. He has 11 tackles (7 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks and a forced fumble in those two games.

Jordan has another tasty matchup this week against the Buccaneers who have given up 32 sacks this season and rank 14th in pass protection and dead last in run protection. Here is Jordan last week picking up the sack fumble:

Chris Jones has 10 sacks including all being in the last eight games. He has an eight game sack streak and goes up against the Ravens who employ Lamar Jackson at QB who has been sacked 6 times in his 3 starts. The matchup is not ideal but with the production Jones has had I would not bet against him. Here is Chris Jones with the speed off the edge:

https://twitter.com/Royals_Jun/status/1069384978515947521

Chandler Jones has shot himself up the DE rankings as well due to his recent production. In his last 4 games he has 13 tackles (12 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. He has been disruptive this year but especially recently, and the play up the gut by Robert Nkemdiche and Rodney Gunter have helped. With those two plugging up the middle it has been forcing QB’s and RB’s alike out to the edge where Jones will be waiting. Detroit has given up the 7th most sacks this season.

There are my rankings for Week 14 and the start of the playoffs. You made it this far in the season, don’t screw it up now.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @josephhaggan and @IDPGuys. Also tune in to our weekly podcast to get up to date information on how to win your leagues.

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