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Welcome back, IDP Nerds! We’re heading into Week 7 with some momentum after our best week of the season. The Week 7 IDP Start/Sit is back to help you sort through the matchups, find players worth trusting, and avoid a few lineup decisions that could cost you a win.
We’ve seen plenty of surprises through the first 6 weeks, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that even the most reliable players aren’t guaranteed to deliver every Sunday. Before we get into this week’s recommendations, let’s take a look at how our Week 6 calls turned out.
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IDP Start/Sit Accuracy Report
Week 6 was something special! We finished with 10 hits on 13 recommendations for a 76.9% hit rate, our best performance of the season. For the first time this year, we hit on all 6 of our starts, including George Karlaftis and Jamien Sherwood, who both scored over 27 fantasy points and finished among the top 12 highest-scoring IDP players in Week 6. After some frustrating calls earlier in the season, it was nice to see everything come together for a week. Hopefully, we can keep that momentum rolling.
We also hit on 2 of our 3 sit recommendations, with Ji’Ayir Brown being our only miss. Our streamers finished 2/4, with one miss at defensive tackle and another at cornerback. The goal of this article has always been to make those tough lineup decisions a little easier, and the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Just because a player reaches 10 fantasy points doesn’t necessarily mean sitting him was the wrong decision. We’re looking to identify the best opportunities each week, and Week 6 was a good example of what can happen when those matchups work in our favor.
| Category | Week 6 | Season |
| Starts | 6/6 (100%) | 26/35 (74.3%) |
| Sits | 2/3 (66.7%) | 6/17 (35.3%) |
| Streamers | 2/4 (50.0%) | 9/22 (40.9%) |
| Overall | 10/13 (76.9%) | 41/74 (55.4%) |
Top Performers: George Karlaftis and Jamien Sherwood
Injury Exclusions: 0
Our starts have been the most consistent part of these weekly recommendations, hitting on 26 of 35 calls (74.3%) through the first 6 weeks. That’s a number I’m happy with, especially considering how unpredictable IDP fantasy football can be from one week to the next. We’re now sitting at a 55.4% overall hit rate, and while there’s always room to improve, Week 6 gave us plenty to build on. Let’s see if we can keep it going in Week 7.
Players to Start | Week 7 IDP Fantasy Football
Defensive Line | Week 7 IDP Start/Sit
Chop Robinson | DL | Miami Dolphins
We’re finally starting to see flashes of the Chop Robinson we watched during his rookie season. The former Penn State pass rusher has scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games, collecting 5 tackles, 5 quarterback hits, a sack, and a fumble recovery over that stretch. His first 3 games were rough, and sitting at DL166 overall isn’t exactly going to inspire confidence from IDP managers. Still, Robinson leads Miami’s pass rushers in playing time, logging nearly 63% of the defensive snaps this season. His playing time has remained consistent, but the production is finally starting to come around. Coming off the bye week, I’m willing to take a chance on him keeping that momentum going.
I’ll admit this one is a bit of a gut call, but the matchup against the New York Jets is too good to ignore. The Jets are allowing the fourth-most sacks per game this season and are one of just 3 teams surrendering at least 4 sacks per game at home. Over the last 2 weeks, 11 defensive linemen have scored at least 8 fantasy points against the Jets, including 6 who reached double digits. Robinson also recorded 15 fantasy points and a sack in his last meeting with New York. There’s a trend developing here, and I like Robinson’s chances of delivering his third consecutive double-digit performance in Week 7.
Jermaine Johnson | DL | Tennessee Titans
We’re taking a few chances at defensive line this week, but with Greg Rousseau (DL2) and Tuli Tuipulotu (DL6) both on bye, IDP managers might not have much of a choice. Jermaine Johnson isn’t necessarily a player we’re starting every week, but the Titans pass rusher has been making a strong case lately. He’s recorded 3 sacks over his last 3 games, scoring at least 20 fantasy points twice during that stretch. Johnson also led all Tennessee EDGE defenders with a 14.3% pressure rate in Week 6. I’m usually hesitant to trust a defensive lineman who relies heavily on sacks for fantasy production, but Johnson has been getting after the quarterback, and this week’s matchup is one I’m willing to take advantage of.
The Cleveland Browns have been a dream matchup for opposing pass rushers this season. They’re the only team allowing 4 sacks per game and have surrendered a top-10 DL performance in 3 consecutive weeks, including the overall DL3 in Week 4 and DL1 in Week 5. That’s a difficult trend to ignore when we’re looking for defensive line help during the bye weeks. Johnson has been finding ways to get to the quarterback, and Cleveland hasn’t shown much ability to keep opposing pass rushers away from their quarterback. I like his chances of keeping his recent sack production going and delivering another strong performance for IDP managers in Week 7.
Linebacker | Week 7 IDP Start/Sit
Bobby Okereke | LB | Carolina Panthers
Bobby Okereke was one of our recommendations in the first IDP Waiver Wire article of the season, with a suggested 10–15% FAAB bid. It’s nice to see the veteran linebacker rewarding managers who took that advice. Okereke currently sits at LB28 overall, putting him in the high-end LB3 conversation while averaging nearly 18 fantasy points per game. He’s coming off his first sack of the season and has played at least 98% of the defensive snaps in 2 of his last 3 games. The Panthers are giving him plenty of opportunities, and he’s making the most of them. For a player who was available on waiver wires to start the season, you can’t ask for much more.
Okereke gets his first taste of the NFC South rivalry between Carolina and Tampa Bay in Week 7, and it’s a matchup I like for his fantasy production. The Buccaneers are allowing 19.2 tackles per game to opposing linebackers, the fourth-most in the NFL. They’re also allowing a 28.8% linebacker tackle efficiency rate, with only 4 teams ranking higher. Those are encouraging numbers for a player who’s been on the field for nearly every defensive snap recently. I like Okereke’s chances of putting together another strong tackle performance, and if he can add an impact play, reaching his season average of nearly 18 fantasy points shouldn’t be out of the question.
Demetrius Knight | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
Demetrius Knight has quickly become one of my favorite linebackers to watch this season. The Cincinnati defender might get overshadowed at times by teammate Barrett Carter, who rarely comes off the field, but Knight continues to deliver for IDP managers. Despite playing 86% of the defensive snaps, he’s recorded at least 6 tackles and 12 fantasy points in every game this season. That’s the type of consistency we’re looking for at linebacker, especially from a player who isn’t playing every defensive snap. Knight has earned my trust through the first 6 weeks, and I’m not looking to take him out of my lineup anytime soon.
The matchup against Baltimore gives me another reason to keep Knight in my starting lineup. The Ravens have allowed 20.3 tackles per game to opposing linebackers over their last 3 contests, while their 109 total linebacker tackles allowed ranks eighth-most in the NFL through 6 weeks. Knight also enjoyed plenty of success against Baltimore as a rookie last season, averaging 23.35 fantasy points across their 2 meetings. We’ve already seen him take advantage of this matchup, and his consistent tackle production gives me confidence he can do it again. Knight has been one of the more dependable options at the position, and I like his chances of delivering another strong performance in Week 7.
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chop Robinson | DL | MIA | NYJ | START |
| Jermaine Johnson | DL | TEN | CLE | START |
| Bobby Okereke | LB | CAR | TB | START |
| Demetrius Knight | LB | CIN | BAL | START |
| Kam Curl | DB | LAR | LV | START |
| Jacob Parrish | DB | TB | CAR | START |
| Uchenna Nwosu | DL | SEA | KC | SIT |
| Derrick Barnes | LB | DET | GB | SIT |
| Calen Bullock | DB | HOU | NYG | SIT |
Defensive Backs | Week 7 IDP Start/Sit
Kam Curl | DB | Los Angeles Rams
We discussed ahead of Week 4 how a healthy Quentin Lake could impact the fantasy production of other defensive backs in Los Angeles, and Kam Curl has certainly felt it this season. Lake currently sits at DB4, while Curl has been an afterthought for IDP managers after finishing as a top-3 defensive back last year. Curl sits at DB62 overall, which isn’t exactly what managers expected when they invested in him this offseason. The good news is that we’re starting to see signs of life. Curl has averaged over 16 fantasy points across his last 2 games, ranking as DB22 during that stretch. We’ve also seen these two produce together before. In 2024, Lake finished as DB10 and Curl as DB33, proving there’s room for both players to have fantasy value in this secondary.
One thing that caught my attention was how the Rams deployed their safeties in Week 6. Curl played 56% of his snaps in the box compared to 29% for Lake, who spent 44% of his snaps defending the slot. It’s only a one game sample, but if the Rams continue using Curl as its primary box safety while Lake handles more slot responsibilities, there’s a path for both players to deliver double-digit fantasy points consistently. That brings us to this week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who are allowing the eighth-most tackles to opposing safeties and are one of just 8 teams to surrender at least 90 tackles to the position. I’m not expecting Curl to return to his top-3 production from last season, but his recent improvement, Week 6 alignment, and favorable matchup give me enough confidence to trust him in Week 7.
Jacob Parrish | DB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We featured Jacob Parrish in our Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire article, and I’m going right back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback as a player to start this week. Parrish ranks third on the team in fantasy points despite missing nearly a game and a half earlier this season. He’s scored at least 20 fantasy points in 2 of his last 3 games and recorded at least 5 tackles in 4 consecutive contests. That’s the type of production I’m looking for at defensive back, especially from a cornerback who isn’t relying on interceptions to deliver for IDP managers.
The Buccaneers face division rival Carolina in Week 7, a team Parrish scored double-digit fantasy points against during his rookie season. He finished last year with 76 tackles despite making just 5 starts and is on pace to match that tackle production in 2026. We’ve talked plenty about how opportunity drives fantasy production at defensive back, and Parrish continues to prove that point. I’m sticking with the hot hand and trusting him to deliver another productive week against the Panthers.
Players to Sit | Week 7 IDP Fantasy Football
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Why We’re Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchenna Nwosu | DL | SEA | KC | Chiefs allow 9th-fewest EDGE tackles and 3rd-fewest sacks per game |
| Derrick Barnes | LB | DET | GB | Packers allow the fewest LB tackles per game; Barnes scored just 15.5 points in 2 meetings last season |
| Calen Bullock | DB | HOU | NYG | Giants allow 13.8 safety tackles per game; Bullock plays over 85% of snaps at deep safety |
- Uchenna Nwosu | DL | Seattle Seahawks: Nwosu has been extremely matchup-dependent this season, and unfortunately for IDP managers, Week 7 brings a difficult matchup against Kansas City. The Seattle pass rusher has played more than 52% of the defensive snaps just once this season. The Chiefs are allowing the ninth-fewest tackles per game to EDGE defenders and the third-fewest sacks per game. Between the limited playing time and a matchup that hasn’t offered much production to opposing pass rushers, I’m fading Nwosu and the Seattle EDGE defenders this week.
- Derrick Barnes | LB | Detroit Lions: This might be our riskiest Sit recommendation of the week. Barnes has been fantastic to start the season, averaging 16 fantasy points per game with just one performance under double digits. However, if we’re going to trust the data, it’s hard to recommend starting a linebacker against Green Bay. The Packers are allowing the fewest tackles per game to opposing linebackers this season. Barnes also struggled in this matchup last year, combining for just 15.5 fantasy points in 2 meetings, including a 2-point performance in their most recent matchup. I understand the hesitation to sit a player who’s been this consistent, but I’m sticking with the matchup data and looking elsewhere in Week 7.
- Calen Bullock | DB | Houston Texans: Bullock is another player I’m avoiding this week against the New York Giants, who are allowing just 13.8 tackles per game to opposing safeties. My biggest concern is his usage. Despite playing 98% of Houston’s defensive snaps this season, Bullock has spent over 85% of his time lined up at deep safety. That role hasn’t translated into consistent tackle production, with Bullock already recording 2 games without a tackle. Playing nearly every snap is great, but it doesn’t mean much for fantasy managers if those snaps aren’t producing points. I’ll take my chances with a defensive back who has more opportunities to make tackles.
DT-Premium & CB-Premium Streamers | Week 7 IDP Start/Sit
DT Streamers: We’re still looking for our first 100% hit rate on streamers this season, and hopefully Week 7 is where we finally get there. and hopefully Week 7 is where we finally get there. Roy Lopez (Arizona) is worth a look for managers needing tackle production at defensive tackle. He’s playing a career-high 53% of the defensive snaps and draws a Denver offense that has struggled to find consistency in the passing game. D.J. Reader (Giants) is another option after ranking as the eighth-highest-scoring defensive tackle over the past 2 weeks. Houston is allowing the third-most tackles to opposing defensive tackles, giving Reader a favorable matchup to keep his recent production going.
CB Streamers: Will Lee (Carolina) has recorded at least 5 tackles in 3 consecutive games while playing 100% of the defensive snaps in back-to-back contests. He gets Tampa Bay this week, an offense tied for the third-most tackles allowed to opposing cornerbacks. Jahdae Barron (Denver) is another cornerback I’m willing to trust after playing every defensive snap in 2 straight games and collecting 13 tackles during that stretch. With Patrick Surtain and Talanoa Hufanga sidelined, Barron has an opportunity to continue seeing significant playing time and producing for IDP managers.
IDP Hidden Gems | Week 7 IDP Fantasy Football
Before we wrap up, here are five takeaways from Week 6 and what we’ve learned through the first 6 weeks of the season.
- How Does 2026 DL Production Stack Up? Defensive line production is down compared to the previous 2 seasons. Through 6 games, just 4 defensive linemen are averaging at least 20 fantasy points per game, compared to 11 at this point in 2025 and 7 in 2024. The decline extends beyond the elite players, with 78 defensive linemen averaging double-digit fantasy points compared to 87 last season and 96 in 2024. For perspective, only 7 defensive linemen maintained a 20-point average over the full 2025 season, with 3 of those players missing double-digit games. In 2024, just 4 players finished at that mark, including one who missed double-digit games. It’s another reminder of how difficult sustained elite production can be at the position.
- Ernest Jones Is Moving the Needle: The Seattle linebacker has taken his game to another level in 2026 and currently sits as the overall LB1. Jones has scored at least 20 fantasy points in 4 games this season, including 3 straight. After finishing as LB15 and LB19 over the previous 2 seasons, he’s making a significant jump in dynasty value. I’ve seen enough to move Jones firmly inside my top 12 dynasty linebackers going forward.
- Buccaneers DBs Can Win You Weeks: Todd Bowles’ defense continues to be a goldmine for IDP managers. Through 6 games, 5 different Tampa Bay defensive backs have scored at least 50 fantasy points, combining for 7 performances of 20 or more points. The interesting part is that 6 of those 7 performances came from cornerbacks who entered the season as streaming options in most leagues. We’ve talked about trusting the data and targeting opportunity at defensive back, and Tampa Bay continues to reward managers willing to do that. Some of the best weekly production at the position has been available for next to nothing.
- The 2026 Rookie Class Is Delivering: We’ve spent plenty of time discussing how talented this IDP rookie class was, and through 6 weeks, they’re proving us right. Using PPR and Dynasty Nerds IDP scoring, 7 defensive rookies rank among the top 100 overall fantasy scorers this season. Not a single offensive rookie has cracked that list. David Bailey leads the way as a top-3 overall IDP and DL3 on the season. Offense typically takes priority in dynasty rookie drafts, but the lack of production from offensive rookies compared to this defensive class has been eye-opening. With many of these IDP rookies available in the second round or later of rookie drafts, managers who invested in defensive talent are already seeing an impressive return.
- New Faces in New Places: We saw plenty of defensive players change teams this offseason, and a few have wasted no time making an impact. Nakobe Dean ranks fifth in the NFL in tackles and sits at LB2 overall in his first season with the Raiders. Tremaine Edmunds is now playing for his third NFL team and is producing some of his best fantasy numbers as LB8. Then there’s Devin Lloyd, who’s quickly established himself as Carolina’s top linebacker option. Lloyd has recorded 2 sacks and 2 interceptions in just 4 games and currently ranks as LB11. Three veterans in new situations are reminding us just how much opportunity and the right fit can influence fantasy production.
Final Thoughts | Week 7 IDP Start/Sit
That’s going to do it for our Week 7 IDP Start/Sit. As we get deeper into the season, trusting the data becomes an even bigger part of making the right lineup decisions. Not every recommendation is going to hit, but understanding matchups, playing time, and opportunity gives us a better chance to make those calls each week. I also want to give a huge shoutout to Jon Macri of The IDP Show, who continues to provide some of the best IDP data and analysis available every week. His work is a valuable resource and plays a big part in how all IDP managers should evaluate matchups.
As always, if you’re stuck on a lineup decision or have questions about your IDP roster, reach out to me on Twitter/X @Glosser13 or Reddit u/IDPGlosser. I appreciate everyone who continues to follow along each week. Good luck in Week 7, and let’s keep building on last week’s momentum!
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