Fantasy Football Week 1 IDP Streamers: Cardinals and Packers Players Lead the Way

Individual defensive player (IDP) fantasy leagues are tough because defensive stats are accumulated so much less frequently than offensive stats. While running backs and wide receivers are going for 100 yards, defensive linemen are hoping for one sack and defensive backs one or two chances to knock a ball away or get an interception.

It can be tough to find consistent fantasy performers, so the better option is sometimes to look for the best matchups instead and the guys who might benefit from facing a weak quarterback or offensive line.

Let's look at some of those guys on teams with good matchups in Week 1. We'll look at defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs, and I'll mention some lesser-known names rather than the top players who are probably already owned in your IDP fantasy league.

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Defensive Line

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

This is about Cincinnati's offensive line. The Bengals ranked 32nd in pass blocking and 30th in run blocking last season (according to ESPN), unquestionably one of the worst offensive lines by those measures. Their starting tackles in 2025, Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims, both graded out poorly by Pro Football Focus's measures, setting up nicely for defensive linemen to get after the quarterback.

Myles Garrett is going to be owned in every league, so we're looking at the other guys on the line as streaming options. Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are the other defensive ends who could be involved, though none of them have done much in terms of sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka was a first-round pick; he also has totaled just 15 sacks in four seasons, including two last year.

While the defensive ends generally rack up more numbers, rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham might be the more intriguing player. He was drafted fifth overall and seen as one of the top prospects in this year's draft, a player who could develop into a star. It's risky to count on big production right away, but he might be the best bet on the line outside of Garrett to put up numbers.

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots

Going back to the ESPN offensive line metrics linked in the previous section, the Patriots are the only team who might have been worse than Cincinnati: they ranked 31st in pass blocking and 32nd in run blocking. They will have up to four new starters on the line, something that could improve the unit, but a closer look shows that might not come right away.

The left side of the line is set to be manned by two rookies: first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle and third-round pick Jared Wilson at left guard. Even good offensive linemen often struggle as rookies, so while there is potential here, it might not show up as success in 2025. Center Garrett Bradbury was OK with run blocking last season but among the worst centers in the league as a pass blocker. Right tackle Morgan Moses has had a good career, but he is 34 years old and graded out as average or worse last year; he might not be an above-average player again.

If it takes some time to come together, the Raiders might be able to take advantage. They are similar to Cleveland in that there is one star (Maxx Crosby in this case) and a bunch of guys around him without much pro success. Malcolm Koonce had eight sacks in 2023 but missed all of last year with injury. Tyree Wilson was the seventh overall pick in 2023 but has just eight sacks in two seasons. Defensive tackle Adam Butler had five sacks in each of the past two years with Vegas, offering a little pass rush inside, but he graded out poorly in every facet in 2024.

Koonce is the best bet here on finding someone who can pick up a sack and maybe put together a nice day. The others are just fliers who you're hoping can run into some fantasy points if something bounces their way.

Linebackers

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

This one is all about the matchups. Cleveland, Dallas, and Detroit were all in the top five in offensive snaps per game in both 2023 and 2024. Teams that run a lot of plays give opposing defenders more chances to rack up stats, mostly tackles. No position gets more tackles than linebackers.

It's hard to tell who will play at the fastest pace or run the most plays from season to season. Coordinators and play callers change, and different sets of players will sometimes necessitate playing faster or slower. A lot also comes down to luck; the teams who can handle the football and not turn it over run more plays.

By focusing on the Browns, Cowboys, and Lions, we're looking at teams that have a two-year running performance of playing more offense than almost anyone else, and until we get more information in 2025, those previous numbers are the best we can do. With the caveat of “we don't know what's going to happen,” this is where I'll look for Week 1.

In that case, we are looking for linebackers on the Bengals, Eagles, and Packers, the teams against those with the most snaps. Logan Wilson is the big name for Cincinnati, a player who has at least 100 tackles each of the past four seasons, even despite playing just 11 games last year and 13 in 2021. Oren Burks, a career backup, and Demetrius Knight Jr., a second-round pick this year, are the other guys of note, with Knight holding the upside.

In Philadelphia, Zack Baun will be owned in pretty much every league, so you're looking more at Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a fifth-round pick last year, and Jihaad Campbell, a first rounder this year, at inside linebacker. Campbell has the bigger upside, but he is coming off shoulder surgery and might not be fully involved right away, so Trotter might feature more. At outside linebacker, the depth chart lists Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt, two recent top-100 picks, as starters; they might do more rushing of the passer and get the chance at more sacks.

Green Bay has Edgerrin Cooper, a second-round pick last year, and Quay Walker, a first rounder in 2022, as their main men in the middle. Cooper is likely owned in your league, but Walker is more likely to be available, along with Isaiah McDuffie as a third option if you need to reach deep.

Defensive Backs

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints

Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans

In this case, we are looking at quarterbacks who might be more likely to throw interceptions, either because of their youth, lack of skill, or weaker surrounding unit. We are going after Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick last year who struggled as a rookie, and Cameron Ward, the top overall pick this year who has maybe the worst matchup of the week for any quarterback.

The Cardinals are a blooming defense with young talent across the roster, including with second-round rookie Will Johnson, a cornerback who was projected as a top-10 pick before injury concerns caused him to slide. Other corners who are available are Max Melton and Garrett Williams. Safety Budda Baker will probably be owned in your league, but Jalen Thompson is likely available and could be had.

Denver's defense might be the best in the league. They have stars at every level, including Pat Surtain II at corner, among the best CBs in football. This D is likely to get after the quarterback and force tough throws, and that will leave chances for the defensive backfield to make plays. Surtain won't be available, but you might be able to get cornerbacks Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, and rookie Jahdae Barron and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Hufanga is most intriguing of that group, though injuries are always a concern.