Fantasy Football: Week 17 IDP Rankings & Tiers

2TG3KF3 Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)

• Bank on sack slumps to be busted in great matchups: Both Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald are among the best pass rushers at their positions this season, but a quiet few weeks could have IDP managers frustrated. Great matchups this week should help them deliver in the fantasy championship.

Derwin James drops down the rankings: A shift in usage and a poor matchup should cause fantasy managers to temper expectations this week for one of the top IDP safeties.

• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!

Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes


With the final weeks of the fantasy football season upon us and injuries testing the depth of rosters, checking in on weekly rankings to find all the players to target and avoid becomes all the more crucial.

Check the PFF.com rankings page for any updates closer to game time.


Jump to a Position:

LB | ED | DI | S | CB

WR:CB Matchup Chart


LINEBACKER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A C.J. Mosley NYJ @ CLV TNF
2 1A Roquan Smith BLT MIA
3 1A Foyesade Oluokun JAX CAR
4 1A Fred Warner SF @ WAS
5 1B T.J. Edwards CHI ATL
6 1B Bobby Okereke NYG LAR
7 1B Ernest Jones LAR @ NYG
8 1B Bobby Wagner SEA PIT
9 1C Alex Singleton DEN LAC
10 1C Frankie Luvu CAR @ JAX
11 1C Lavonte David TB NO
12 1C Azeez Al-Shaair TEN @ HST
13 2A Tremaine Edmunds CHI ATL
14 2A Zaire Franklin IND LV
15 2A Logan Wilson CIN @ KC
16 2A Quincy Williams NYJ @ CLV TNF
17 2B E.J. Speed IND LV
18 2B Devin Lloyd JAX CAR
19 2B Jordan Hicks MIN GB SNF
20 2B Quay Walker GB @ MIN SNF
21 2C Dre Greenlaw SF @ WAS
22 2C Terrel Bernard BUF NE
23 2C Patrick Queen BLT MIA
24 2C Nick Bolton KC CIN
25 3A Eric Kendricks LAC @ DEN
26 3A Robert Spillane LV @ IND
27 3A Kenneth Murray Jr. LAC @ DEN
28 3A Alex Anzalone DET @ DAL SAT
29 3B Cody Barton WAS SF
30 3B Khaleke Hudson WAS SF
31 3B Nate Landman ATL @ CHI
32 3B Ja'Whaun Bentley NE @ BUF
33 3C Krys Barnes ARZ @ PHI WW
34 3C Denzel Perryman HST TEN
35 3C Christian Harris HST TEN
36 3C Kaden Elliss ATL @ CHI
37 4A Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah CLV NYJ TNF
38 4A Demario Davis NO @ TB
39 4A Germaine Pratt CIN @ KC
40 4A Tyrel Dodson BUF NE
41 4B Nicholas Morrow PHI ARZ Q
42 4B David Long Jr. MIA @ BLT
43 4B Josey Jewell DEN LAC
44 4B De'Vondre Campbell GB @ MIN Q/SNF
45 4C Devin White TB NO
46 4C Devin Bush SEA PIT WW
47 4C Willie Gay KC CIN
48 4C Divine Deablo LV @ IND
49 5A Zach Cunningham PHI ARZ Q
50 5A Jack Campbell DET @ DAL SAT
51 5A Damone Clark DAL DET SAT
52 5A Markquese Bell DAL DET SAT
53 5B Myles Jack PIT @ SEA WW
54 5B Shaquille Leonard PHI ARZ WW
55 5B Jahlani Tavai NE @ BUF
56 5B Duke Riley MIA @ BLT
57 5C Derrick Barnes DET @ DAL SAT
58 5C Anthony Walker Jr. CLV NYJ TNF
59 5C Pete Werner NO @ TB
60 5C Micah McFadden NYG LAR

Jordan Hicks (LB19) returned from injured reserve this past week and stepped back into an every-down role. He can be trusted in all IDP lineups going forward. Hicks draws a difficult matchup this week against the Green Bay Packers, who are yielding the second-fewest tackles per game to linebackers this season (14.4). However, Hicks is the lone Vikings linebacker playing anywhere close to a full-time role. While expectations can be tempered, he is still a safe start in most formats.

Khaleke Hudson (LB30) has been on fire since stepping in for Jamin Davis the past two weeks, accumulating 28 total tackles in that span. Hudson did see his snap share increase to a much more reliable 92% in Week 16, which should help him find his way into more IDP starting lineups this week. He faces a difficult matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are yielding 15.1 tackles per game to linebackers, which ranks 28th on the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers parade of injuries at the linebacker position continued this past week, losing Elandon Roberts on top of Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander this season. The team brought in Blake Martinez and Jaylon Smith, while Myles Jack (LB53) played the majority of snaps in Week 16. Jack is the most trustworthy option for IDP managers in desperate need of a linebacker this week, but the Seahawks — Pittsburgh's Week 17 opponent — have yielded the fewest tackles per game to opposing linebackers (14.4). Jack is also unlikely to be in an every-down role, keeping him from being startable in most formats.


EDGE DEFENDER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Myles Garrett CLV NYJ TNF
2 1A T.J. Watt PIT @ SEA
3 1A Maxx Crosby LV @ IND
4 1A Micah Parsons DAL DET SAT
5 1B Nick Bosa SF @ WAS
6 1B Josh Allen JAX CAR
7 1B Trey Hendrickson CIN @ KC
8 1B Danielle Hunter MIN GB SNF
9 1C Aidan Hutchinson DET @ DAL SAT
10 1C Jonathan Greenard HST TEN Q
11 1C Haason Reddick PHI ARZ
12 1C Montez Sweat CHI ATL
13 2A Khalil Mack LAC @ DEN
14 2A Alex Highsmith PIT @ SEA
15 2A Carl Granderson NO @ TB
16 2A Brian Burns CAR @ JAX
17 2B Jermaine Johnson NYJ @ CLV TNF
18 2B Josh Sweat PHI ARZ
19 2B Bradley Chubb MIA @ BLT
20 2B Harold Landry III TEN @ HST
21 2C Denico Autry TEN @ HST
22 2C Andrew Van Ginkel MIA @ BLT
23 2C Boye Mafe SEA PIT
24 2C Byron Young LAR @ NYG
25 3A Sam Hubbard CIN @ KC
26 3A George Karlaftis KC CIN
27 3A Jonathon Cooper DEN LAC
28 3A Greg Rousseau BUF NE
29 3B Rashan Gary GB @ MIN SNF
30 3B Chase Young SF @ WAS
31 3B Cameron Jordan NO @ TB
32 3B Shaquil Barrett TB NO Q
33 3C Preston Smith GB @ MIN SNF
34 3C Will Anderson Jr. HST TEN Q
35 3C Kayvon Thibodeaux NYG LAR
36 3C Tuli Tuipuloto LAC @ DEN
37 4A Za'Darius Smith CLV NYJ TNF
38 4A Yaya Diaby TB NO
39 4A Bud Dupree ATL @ CHI
40 4A Malcolm Koonce LV @ IND
41 4B Patrick Jones II MIN GB WW/SNF
42 4B Charles Omenihu KC CIN
43 4B Jadeveon Clowney BLT MIA
44 4B Leonard Floyd BUF NE
45 4C Bryce Huff NYJ @ CLV TNF
46 4C DeMarcus Lawrence DAL DET SAT
47 4C Michael Hoecht LAR @ NYG
48 4C Baron Browning DEN LAC
49 5A Samson Ebukam IND LV
50 5A Deatrich Wise Jr. NE @ BUF
51 5A Dayo Odeyingbo IND LV
52 5A John Franklin-Myers NYJ @ CLV TNF
53 5B Casey Toohill WAS SF
54 5B Kwity Paye IND LV
55 5B Brandon Graham PHI ARZ
56 5B Travon Walker JAX CAR
57 5C Arden Key TEN @ HST
58 5C Mike Danna KC CIN
59 5C Kyle Van Noy BLT MIA
60 5C James Smith-Williams WAS SF

Myles Garrett (ED1) hasn’t recorded a sack in four weeks but continues to be the highest-graded pass rusher in the league this season (94.6). Garrett will face off against Jets offensive tackles Carter Warren and Mekhi Becton, who have endured struggles this season, both ranking outside of the top 40 players at their position in pass-blocking grade. The Jets are starting quarterback Trevor Siemian, who, to his credit, has been better at avoiding sacks than Zach Wilson, but Garrett should still be able to finally break his sack-less streak with the potential for an even bigger game than most weeks.

Khalil Mack (ED13) has been great this season, ranking fourth in the NFL in sacks (15) and 13th at his position in pass-rush grade. Mack hasn’t recorded a sack in three straight games and could be in for a difficult matchup this week working against Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles, who owns the third-best pass-blocking grade at his position (84.4) this season. Bolles has allowed just two sacks across 15 games. Helping Mack’s case for this week are his positive pass-rush metrics, strong playing time and a relative unknown at quarterback with Jarrett Stidham getting the start this week.


INTERIOR DEFENDER

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Aaron Donald LAR @ NYG
2 1A DeForest Buckner IND LV
3 1A Quinnen Williams NYJ @ CLV TNF
4 1A Christian Wilkins MIA @ BLT
5 1B Derrick Brown CAR @ JAX
6 1B Chris Jones KC CIN
7 1B Javon Hargrave SF @ WAS
8 1B Cameron Heyward PIT @ SEA
9 1C Justin Madubuike BLT MIA
10 1C Ed Oliver BUF NE
11 1C Jonathan Allen WAS SF
12 1C Dexter Lawrence NYG LAR
13 2A Zach Sieler MIA @ BLT
14 2A Zach Allen DEN LAC
15 2A Daron Payne WAS SF
16 2A Kobie Turner LAR @ NYG
17 2B Kenny Clark GB @ MIN SNF
18 2B Leonard Williams SEA PIT
19 2B Jalen Carter PHI ARZ
20 2B Christian Barmore NE @ BUF
21 2C Calais Campbell ATL @ CHI
22 2C Grover Stewart IND LV
23 2C Dre'Mont Jones SEA PIT
24 2C Harrison Phillips MIN GB SNF
25 3A Vita Vea TB NO
26 3A David Onyemata ATL @ CHI
27 3A Osa Odighizuwa DAL DET SAT
28 3A Fletcher Cox PHI ARZ
29 3B Maliek Collins HST TEN
30 3B Javon Kinlaw SF @ WAS
31 3B Arik Armstead SF @ WAS
32 3B A'Shawn Robinson NYG LAR
33 3C Calijah Kancey TB NO
34 3C Nathan Shepherd NYJ @ CLV TNF
35 3C Jarran Reed SEA PIT
36 3C B.J. Hill CIN @ KC

Aaron Donald (DT1) has only a half-sack across his past six games and certainly hasn’t delivered his usual production for IDP managers. Helping Donald’s case this week is that he’ll be facing off against the New York Giants interior offensive line, featuring three players who all rank outside of the top 100 in pass-blocking grade among 122 players with at least a 20% snap rate. Donald’s 91.3 pass-rush grade ranks second at his position, while his 78 total pressures are far and away the most among interior defenders, which is a much better indicator that Donald is still among the best in the league. He should deliver in Week 17 against Tyrod Taylor and the Giants' poor offensive line.


SAFETY

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Antoine Winfield Jr. TB NO
2 1A Kamren Curl WAS SF
3 1A Budda Baker ARZ @ PHI
4 1A Josh Metellus MIN GB SNF
5 1B Kyle Dugger NE @ BUF
6 1B Kyle Hamilton BLT MIA Q
7 1B Jaquan Brisker CHI ATL
8 1B Jessie Bates III ATL @ CHI
9 1C Camryn Bynum MIN GB SNF
10 1C Minkah Fitzpatrick PIT @ SEA Q
11 1C P.J. Locke DEN LAC
12 1C Rayshawn Jenkins JAX CAR
13 2A Jevon Holland MIA @ BLT Q
14 2A Dax Hill CIN @ KC
15 2A Xavier McKinney NYG LAR
16 2A Reed Blankenship PHI ARZ
17 2B Derwin James Jr. LAC @ DEN
18 2B Ifeatu Melifonwu DET @ DAL SUN
19 2B Jordan Poyer BUF NE
20 2B Julian Love SEA PIT
21 2C Jordan Whitehead NYJ @ CLV TNF
22 2C Kevin Byard PHI ARZ
23 2C Jason Pinnock NYG LAR
24 2C Jalen Thompson ARZ @ PHI
25 3A Justin Reid KC CIN
26 3A Vonn Bell CAR @ JAX
27 3A Harrison Smith MIN GB SNF
28 3A Nick Cross IND LV WW
29 3B Jordan Fuller LAR @ NYG
30 3B Ji'Ayir Brown SF @ WAS
31 3B Jonathan Owens GB @ MIN SNF
32 3B Jordan Howden NO @ TB
33 3C Donovan Wilson DAL DET SAT
34 3C Marcus Epps LV @ IND
35 3C Tyrann Mathieu NO @ TB
36 3C Justin Simmons DEN LAC
37 4A John Johnson III LAR @ NYG
38 4A Jabrill Peppers NE @ BUF Q
39 4A Kerby Joseph DET @ DAL SAT
40 4A Jordan Battle CIN @ KC
41 4B Alohi Gilman LAC @ DEN
42 4B Tony Adams NYJ @ CLV TNF
43 4B Brian Branch DET @ DAL SAT
44 4B Xavier Woods CAR @ JAX
45 4C Jayron Kearse DAL DET SAT
46 4C Ronnie Hickman Jr. CLV NYJ TNF
47 4C Eddie Jackson CHI ATL
48 4C Tashaun Gipson Sr. SF @ WAS
49 5A Micah Hyde BUF NE Q
50 5A Marcus Williams BLT MIA
51 5A DeShon Elliott MIA @ BLT
52 5A Andre Cisco JAX CAR
53 5B Tre'von Moehrig LV @ IND
54 5B Jalen Pitre HST TEN
55 5B DeMarcco Hellams ATL @ CHI
56 5B Amani Hooker TEN @ HST
57 5C Quandre Diggs SEA PIT
58 5C Mike Edwards KC CIN
59 5C Percy Butler WAS SF Q
60 5C Elijah Molden TEN @ HST

Derwin James (S17) drops down the rankings this week after a shift in usage in Week 16 where he worked as the team’s primary nickel/slot cornerback and came off the field for a handful of snaps throughout the game. It’s unclear whether this will be his new role going forward or if it was something the new Chargers coaching staff wanted to try out, but it is enough to push him down the board. James is still among the most efficient tacklers at his position, ranking fifth in that regard (11.7%) among players with at least 50% of snaps played. James’ limited role last week also didn’t hurt his production too much, as he still led the team in tackles (eight). This week’s matchup against the Broncos ranks around the league average, with Denver placing 19th in tackles allowed per game to safeties (12.3). However, the Broncos' quarterback change could further complicate matters, and that's why James is outside the top 15 this week.

Nick Cross (S28) stands out as a potential streamer this week, purely because of his role in Gus Bradley’s defense as the primary box safety. That role has allowed Julian Blackmon to be so productive and consistent as an IDP this year, but with Blackmon on injured reserve, it’s Cross who should absorb that opportunity. The Las Vegas Raiders, who yield the 26th-most tackles per game to safeties (11.6), aren’t the best matchup, which is why Cross is outside of the top 24. But for managers in deeper leagues who need a potentially solid tackle floor, Cross is an option this week.


CORNERBACK

RANK TIER NAME TEAM OPP NOTES
1 1A Nate Hobbs LV @ IND
2 1A Trent McDuffie KC CIN
3 1A Taron Johnson BUF NE
4 1A Kenny Moore II IND LV
5 1B Desmond King II HST TEN
6 1B Mike Hilton CIN @ KC
7 1B L'Jarius Sneed KC CIN
8 1B DaRon Bland DAL DET SAT
9 1C Kyler Gordon CHI ATL
10 1C Darious Williams JAX CAR
11 1C Rasul Douglas BUF NE
12 1C Jerry Jacobs DET @ DAL SAT
13 2A Devon Witherspoon SEA PIT Q
14 2A Roger McCreary TEN @ HST
15 2A Tyrique Stevenson CHI ATL
16 2A Jamel Dean TB NO
17 2B Chidobe Awuzie CIN @ KC
18 2B D.J. Reed NYJ @ CLV TNF
19 2B Charvarius Ward SF @ WAS
20 2B Martin Emerson Jr. CLV NYJ Q/TNF
21 2C Kader Kohou MIA @ BLT
22 2C Deommodore Lenoir SF @ WAS
23 2C Fabian Moreau DEN LAC
24 2C Alontae Taylor NO @ TB
25 3A Benjamin St-Juste WAS SF Q
26 3A Marlon Humphrey BLT MIA
27 3A Ahkello Witherspoon LAR @ NYG
28 3A DJ Turner II CIN @ KC
29 3B Kendall Fuller WAS SF
30 3B Derion Kendrick LAR @ NYG
31 3B Brandon Stephens BLT MIA
32 3B Byron Murphy Jr. MIN GB SNF
33 3C Paulson Adebo NO @ TB
34 3C Adoree' Jackson NYG LAR
35 3C Cameron Sutton DET @ DAL SAT
36 3C Jalen Ramsey MIA @ BLT
37 4A Darius Slay PHI ARZ
38 4A Sean Murphy-Bunting TEN @ HST Q
39 4A Jaycee Horn CAR @ JAX
40 4A James Bradberry PHI ARZ
41 4B Carrington Valentine GB @ MIN SNF
42 4B Patrick Peterson PIT @ SEA
43 4B Joey Porter Jr. PIT @ SEA
44 4B Steven Nelson HST TEN
45 4C Greg Newsome II CLV NYJ TNF
46 4C Ja'Quan McMillian DEN LAC
47 4C A.J. Terrell ATL @ CHI
48 4C Stephon Gilmore DAL DET SAT

Desmond King II (CB5) now has 22 total tackles over his past two games and is locked into a starting role as the Texans' primary slot cornerback, averaging 94% of defensive snaps over the past two weeks. King’s role and efficiency have been the key recently, a similar trend as earlier in the year with Tavierre Thomas in that role, when he earned an elite 13.6% tackle efficiency. King has surpassed Thomas' elite number from earlier in the year, albeit on a smaller sample size. King’s 15.6% efficiency is bound to regress, but IDP managers need him to keep it up for only one more week to help secure a fantasy championship.

Mike Hilton (CB6) is in a great spot to produce big tackle numbers this week, going up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed 14.4 tackles per game to cornerbacks this year (fourth). Nate Hobbs (CB1) is coming off an 11-tackle game against the Chiefs last week, playing almost exclusively in the slot, which is exactly the role that Hilton has played this season. Hilton does come off the field slightly more than Hobbs, but there is still a ton of potential for production this week for an IDP cornerback who has been solid all season in a slightly limited role (81%).


KEY

  • DNP: Did not participate in team's most recent practice due to injury
  • LP: Limited participation in team's most recent practice due to injury
  • D: Player is doubtful to play due to injury
  • Q: Player is questionable to play due to injury
  • TNF: Player is playing on Thursday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • SNF: Player is playing on Sunday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • MNF: Player is playing on Monday Night Football. Set lineups accordingly.
  • UK: Player is playing on Sunday morning’s London game. Set lineups accordingly.
  • WW: Potential waiver-wire target (see Weekly IDP Fantasy Report).
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