“Week 7 IDP Rankings highlight top defensive players, matchups, and stats for your NFL fantasy football lineup decisions.”
Week 7 brings several exciting matchups and plenty of opportunity for defensive players to swing fantasy results. The NFL fantasy football week 7 IDP Rankings highlight who is surging, which matchups create the most upside, and where steady tackle volume can lock in consistent points. Every tier features defenders who have recently produced and now face opponents that allow favorable numbers for sacks and tackles.
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Defensive Linemen Outlook
The top defensive linemen for the NFL fantasy football week 7 IDP Rankings include Nik Bonitto, Maxx Crosby, Byron Young, Brian Burns, T.J. Watt, Jared Verse, Aidan Hutchinson, Harold Landry, Myles Garrett, Nick Herbig, Jeffery Simmons, and YaYa Diaby.
These players combine elite recent form with strong or exploitable matchups. Opponent tendencies over the past three weeks show where sack potential and tackle floors align, offering both ceiling and stability across lineups.
Nik Bonitto and Maxx Crosby Lead the Charge
Nik Bonitto enters Week 7 on fire. Over the last three games he has 13 tackles, five sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits. He leads the league with eight sacks this season and faces a Giants team that has allowed 1.83 sacks per game to defensive ends over the past three weeks. That same stretch shows 11.67 tackles per game available to the position, adding balance to his already high-impact profile.
Maxx Crosby continues his relentless play against the Chiefs. In his last three outings he produced 11 tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, one interception, four passes defensed, and one forced fumble. Kansas City allows roughly one sack per game to defensive ends, making Crosby’s high-volume role valuable again in a divisional matchup expected to be physical and competitive.
Byron Young and Jared Verse Target the Jaguars
Byron Young and Jared Verse have combined for an impressive run of production entering Week 7. Young’s last three games include 17 tackles, three and a half sacks, three tackles for loss, and ten quarterback hits. He remains one of the top overall IDPs on the season.
Jared Verse has matched that pace with 17 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, and eleven quarterback hits across the same stretch. Together they’ve generated 22 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles over the last three weeks. Their opponent, Jacksonville, has allowed 1.67 sacks per game to defensive ends and ranks among the top seven for tackles given up to the position.
Brian Burns, Aidan Hutchinson, and Myles Garrett Stay Productive
Brian Burns remains disruptive even in tougher spots. In the last three weeks he’s posted 15 tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. The Broncos have allowed fewer than one sack per game to defensive ends but nearly nine tackles per game, keeping Burns in strong DL1 territory.
Aiden Hutchinson squares off against Tampa Bay after a dominant three-game stretch featuring ten tackles, four sacks, four tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles. Tampa Bay’s offensive line allows only half a sack per game to the position, yet Hutchinson’s pressure rate keeps him viable.
Miles Garrett faces Miami after a quieter stretch with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits over the past three games. Miami has given up about one sack per game to defensive ends, with additional tackle production on the table. Garrett remains capable of turning any week into a statement performance.
Nick Herbig, Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, and YaYa Diaby
Nick Herbig provides an explosive presence opposite T.J. Watt. Over the past three games he’s logged nine tackles, four and a half sacks, four tackles for loss, eleven quarterback hits, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. Cincinnati has allowed over one sack per game to defensive ends recently, giving Herbig another chance to deliver impact plays.
Jeffrey Simmons headlines the interior defenders with consistent production. The Patriots allow around half a sack per game to defensive tackles but represent one of the best tackle matchups for the position. Simmons has excelled across all pass-rush and tackle metrics, offering both a high floor and ceiling.
Harold Landry benefits from a favorable sack matchup as his opponent has surrendered roughly two sacks per game to defensive ends over the last three weeks. Landry has six tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and four quarterback hits in that same stretch.
YaYa Diaby rounds out the list after a two-sack performance. Over the last three games he’s recorded eight tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. Detroit has allowed 1.67 sacks per game to defensive ends, and a left tackle injury could create even more opportunity.
Linebackers Bring Reliable Volume
The linebacker group for the NFL fantasy football week 7 IDP Rankings includes Foye Oluokun, Jordyn Brooks, Zach Baun, Ernest Jones, Patrick Queen, Nate Landman, Jamien Sherwood, Devin White, Bobby Okereke, T.J. Edwards, Mack Wilson Sr, and Levonte David.
Many of these players sit in high-volume tackle environments this week, with multiple teams allowing over 20 linebacker tackles per game over the last three weeks.
Top Tacklers: Foye Oluokun, Jordyn Brooks, and Zach Baun
Foye Oluokun remains one of the most dependable IDPs. Over the last three weeks he has 30 tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. The Rams are yielding about 15 tackles per game to linebackers, which keeps his outlook secure in double-digit territory.
Jordyn Brooks brings similar form with 30 tackles, half a sack, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery over the last three weeks. Cleveland has allowed 17.33 tackles per game and nearly a sack per week to linebackers, making Brooks an excellent start.
Zach Baun has been surging with 26 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in his last three contests. Minnesota provides one of the best linebacker matchups, giving up more than 20 tackles per game and a sack to the position in the same period.
Ernest Jones, Patrick Queen, and Nate Landman
Ernest Jones enters a strong tackling spot against Houston. He has 23 tackles, half a sack, a quarterback hit, an interception, and two passes defensed in the past three games. Houston has allowed over 20 linebacker tackles per game recently, offering stability for another productive outing.
Patrick Queen has matched high volume with playmaking. His last three games include 30 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and three passes defensed. Cincinnati gives up 18.67 tackles per game to linebackers, plus interceptions and deflections in the same span.
Nate Landman’s recent streak includes 37 tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and four passes defensed. Jacksonville has allowed 18.67 tackles per game and over a pass deflection per game to linebackers, aligning well with his form.
Linebacker Depth and Consistency
Jamie Sherwood continues steady production with 30 tackles, two quarterback hits, and two passes defensed across the last three weeks. Carolina has allowed nearly 24 tackles per game to linebackers, making this another high-floor matchup.
Devon White meets Kansas City after posting 24 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, an interception, and a pass deflection. The Chiefs have allowed 18.67 tackles per game to linebackers, a strong spot for continued involvement.
Bobby Okereke should benefit from facing Denver, which has allowed 21.33 tackles per game to linebackers. He has 20 tackles and a pass deflection in the past three weeks while playing every down in the Giants’ defense.
T.J. Edwards returned to action with nine tackles last week. The Saints offer 19.33 tackles per game to linebackers and steady coverage involvement. Mac Wilson Senior adds 22 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and two passes defensed over three games and faces a Packers team allowing 21 tackles per game to linebackers.
Levonte David remains a balanced option after 18 tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, an interception, and a pass deflection in his last three outings. Detroit has allowed 20.33 tackles per game to linebackers, supporting another strong week.
Defensive Backs Deliver Versatility
The defensive backs for the NFL fantasy football week 7 IDP Rankings include Darwin James Senior, Tykee Smith, Kam Curl, Devon Witherspoon, Nick Cross, Talanoa Hufanga, Paulson Adebo, Kyler Gordon, Quentin Lake, Trevon Moehrig, Kenny Moore, and Tyrique Stevenson.
This group combines tackling consistency, blitz usage, and playmaking ability across several favorable matchups for safeties and corners alike.
Safeties in Prime Positions
Derwin James faces Indianapolis after recording 16 tackles, a quarterback hit, half a sack, an interception, and a pass deflection in the last three games. Indianapolis has allowed 18.3 safety tackles per game, two passes defensed per game, and nearly one interception per week to the position.
Tykee Smith lines up against Detroit with 21 tackles, five passes defensed, and a fumble recovery in three weeks. The Lions have allowed 14.67 tackles per game to safeties, ranking among the ten most favorable matchups.
Kam Curl has 21 tackles, two interceptions, and three passes defensed over the last three weeks. Jacksonville offers 15.33 tackles per game to safeties, a top six matchup that favors both floor and turnover potential.
Cornerback and Hybrid Playmakers
Devon Witherspoon returns to action after posting 17 tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, a pass deflection, and half a sack in two games. His opponent allows 16 cornerback tackles per game, plus regular pass deflections and interception chances.
Nick Cross remains active with 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, a pass deflection, and half a sack in three weeks. The Chargers allow 12.6 safety tackles per game and limited big-play opportunities, but his volume keeps him relevant.
Talanoa Hufanga has 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two passes defensed, and a sack in the same span. The Giants give up 16.67 tackles per game to safeties, ranking among the top three in favorable matchups.
More Defensive Back Value
Paulson Adebo draws Denver in a matchup producing 15 cornerback tackles per game. Expect around four to five tackles with solid coverage volume.
Kyler Gordon faces New Orleans after returning from injury with two tackles and a fumble recovery. He plays mostly in the slot and will see heavy target volume against a pass-first offense.
Quentin Lake has been outstanding with 26 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, two passes defensed, and a fumble recovery in three games. Jacksonville allows 15.33 tackles per game to safeties, which supports another strong outing.
Trevon Moehrig holds a steady floor with 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit over the last three games. His opponent has allowed half a safety sack per game, giving him room for impact plays.
Kenny Moore has filled the stat sheet with ten tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, a sack, an interception returned for a touchdown, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. The Chargers allow 13.33 cornerback tackles per game and multiple deflection and interception chances weekly.
Tyrique Stevenson remains a consistent fantasy contributor with 12 tackles, an interception, four passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in the last three weeks. The Saints provide a top four cornerback tackle matchup with 15.33 tackles per game and frequent opportunities for passes defensed.
Final Word
The NFL fantasy football week 7 IDP Rankings showcase defenders thriving in both form and matchup. Many teams this week allow strong tackle volume across every level, and several edge rushers are positioned for multi-sack potential. Linebackers like Foyer Little Con and Jordan Brooks continue to dominate the middle, while defensive backs such as Derwin James and Cam Curl offer elite production and turnover upside.
Smart lineup decisions come from recent data, and Week 7 presents one of the most balanced IDP slates of the season. Focus on players seeing heavy snap counts, capitalize on high-allowance opponents, and expect big performances from those highlighted here.
Thank you for reading this article from @IDP_Plus. This article was crafted with insights from the original podcast hosts, supported by AI tools, and shaped by our staff. For the full discussion and even more great content, be sure to check out the episode on YouTube. Follow the host @AxManIDP on the X!!
