• How to look at some LB replacements: With injuries to key players at the position, how do their replacements stack up and fit into the ranks?
• The highest-graded pass-rushing DT versus the highest-graded pass-blocking IOL unit: We examine Dexter Lawrence against the Eagles' offensive line and what it means for his Week 18 outlook.
• Incredible efficiency and an increase in playing time: Brandon Graham is having a career year at 34 years old as a rotational player and is now likely to get more snaps.
Estimated Reading Time: 11 mins
While rare, there are still enough fantasy football championships being decided in Week 18 that IDP managers should utilize all the research and tools available to them.
Check the PFF.com rankings page for any updates closer to game time.
JUMP TO A POSITION:
LINEBACKERS
| RANK | TIER | NAME | TEAM | OPP | NOTES |
| 1 | 1A | Roquan Smith | BLT | @ CIN | |
| 2 | 1A | Foyesade Oluokun | JAX | TEN | SAT |
| 3 | 1A | Zaire Franklin | IND | HST | |
| 4 | 1A | Micah Parsons | DAL | @ WAS | |
| 5 | 1B | T.J. Edwards | PHI | NYG | |
| 6 | 1B | Nick Bolton | KC | @ LV | SAT |
| 7 | 1B | Devin White | TB | @ ATL | |
| 8 | 1B | Rashaan Evans | ATL | TB | |
| 9 | 1C | C.J. Mosley | NYJ | @ MIA | |
| 10 | 1C | Alex Singleton | DEN | LAC | |
| 11 | 1C | Fred Warner | SF | ARZ | |
| 12 | 1C | Josey Jewell | DEN | LAC | |
| 13 | 2A | Eric Kendricks | MIN | @ CHI | |
| 14 | 2A | Cody Barton | SEA | LAR | |
| 15 | 2A | Bobby Wagner | LAR | @ SEA | |
| 16 | 2A | Frankie Luvu | CAR | @ NO | |
| 17 | 2B | Lavonte David | TB | @ ATL | |
| 18 | 2B | Jack Gibbens | TEN | @ JAX | SAT/WW |
| 19 | 2B | Matt Milano | BUF | NE | |
| 20 | 2B | Logan Wilson | CIN | BLT | |
| 21 | 2C | Tremaine Edmunds | BUF | NE | |
| 22 | 2C | Drue Tranquill | LAC | @ DEN | |
| 23 | 2C | Isaiah Simmons | ARZ | @ SF | |
| 24 | 2C | De’Vondre Campbell | GB | DET | SNF |
| 25 | 3A | Christian Kirksey | HST | @ IND | |
| 26 | 3A | Azeez Al-Shaair | SF | ARZ | WW |
| 27 | 3A | Germaine Pratt | CIN | BLT | |
| 28 | 3A | Bobby Okereke | IND | HST | |
| 29 | 3B | Christian Harris | HST | @ IND | |
| 30 | 3B | Shaq Thompson | CAR | @ NO | |
| 31 | 3B | Demario Davis | NO | CAR | |
| 32 | 3B | Nicholas Morrow | CHI | MIN | |
| 33 | 3C | Patrick Queen | BLT | @ CIN | |
| 34 | 3C | Kaden Elliss | NO | CAR | |
| 35 | 3C | Joe Thomas | CHI | MIN | |
| 36 | 3C | Quay Walker | GB | DET | SNF |
| 37 | 4A | Zaven Collins | ARZ | @ SF | |
| 38 | 4A | Jordan Hicks | MIN | @ CHI | |
| 39 | 4A | Monty Rice | TEN | @ JAX | SAT |
| 40 | 4A | Alex Anzalone | DET | @ GB | SNF |
| 41 | 4B | Ja’Whaun Bentley | NE | @ BUF | |
| 42 | 4B | Quincy Williams | NYJ | @ MIA | |
| 43 | 4B | Kyzir White | PHI | NYG | |
| 44 | 4B | Willie Gay Jr. | KC | @ LV | SAT |
| 45 | 4C | Luke Masterson | LV | KC | SAT |
| 46 | 4C | Robert Spillane | PIT | CLV | |
| 47 | 4C | Troy Andersen | ATL | TB | |
| 48 | 4C | Jamin Davis | WAS | DAL | |
| 49 | 5A | Devin Lloyd | JAX | TEN | SAT |
| 50 | 5A | Tanner Muse | SEA | LAR | WW |
| 51 | 5A | Jerome Baker | MIA | NYJ | |
| 52 | 5A | Pete Werner | NO | CAR | |
| 53 | 5B | Jaylon Smith | NYG | @ PHI | |
| 54 | 5B | Anthony Barr | DAL | @ WAS | |
| 55 | 5B | Kenneth Murray | LAC | @ DEN | |
| 56 | 5B | David Mayo | WAS | DAL | |
| 57 | 5C | Ernest Jones | LAR | @ SEA | |
| 58 | 5C | Damone Clark | DAL | @ WAS | |
| 59 | 5C | Jahlani Tavai | NE | @ BUF | |
| 60 | 5C | Tony Fields II | CLV | @ PIT |
Cody Barton (LB14) is set to replace Jordyn Brooks in a full-time role this weekend after Brooks tore his ACL in Week 17. Brooks ranked third in the league in total tackles (161) and was a top-tier IDP option. Barton should immediately take on a similar status in a linebacker-friendly defense. The Seahawks play the second-most zone coverage in the NFL, which has been a major contributing factor in allowing linebackers to rack up tackles, with both players averaging 15% efficiency.
Azeez Al-Shaair (LB26) is also expected to move into an every-down role if Dre Greenlaw misses this week’s game, which looks like a real possibility at this point. Al-Shaair hasn’t been as effective as Greenlaw this season, with Greenlaw ranking 17th among all linebackers in total tackles (127) and boasting a strong 15.5% tackle rate. Al-Shaair has racked up tackles at 11.2% efficiency, which is below average (13.2%) for the position. He has done so on a part-time basis and should still be considered a solid option in a decent spot to produce.
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