NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV takes over No. 1 in my Week 7 individual defensive player (IDP) fantasy football rankings, with at least eight tackles in all six games and extra rest before Kansas City visits Sunday night.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons jumps from 66th to 13th overall after a two-sack game at Indianapolis, while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey climbs from 32nd to 10th in my defensive back (DB) rankings. The Bills, Chargers, Commanders and Jaguars are on bye.
You can find my overall IDP and position-by-position rankings tables at the bottom of the article.
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football PPR rankings: Josh Jacobs returns, Davante Adams in limbo
Will Anderson Jr., Jeffery Simmons lead Week 7 DL rankings
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) causes and recovers a fumble Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, by Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) causes and recovers a fumble | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. moves from second to first in my defensive line (DL) rankings for New York at Houston. Jaguars tackles Walker Little and Cole Van Lanen kept him without a sack in Houston’s 34-31 win in London, but the Alabama product still has 7.5 sacks, and his 92.8 PFF grade ranks first among edge defenders.
The Giants have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game (FP/G) to DL (29.2), and head coach John Harbaugh said Monday the team is “honing in on” a decision between Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy.
Simmons climbs from DL3 to DL2 for Cleveland at Tennessee. He had six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the 26-20 win, becoming the first defensive tackle since 2020 to fill all four columns in one game. The Browns have allowed the most FP/G to DL (31.4).
Why did Chase Young climb to DL7?
New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young jumps from DL17 to DL7 for Pittsburgh at New Orleans. He had 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits in a 34-27 win over the Giants and has 5.5 sacks this season. The Steelers have allowed the ninth-most FP/G to DL (26.7).
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner rises from DL11 to DL5 for Indianapolis at Minnesota. “I’m sick and tired of the same song and dance every year,” Buckner said after the loss to Tennessee, and he has four sacks. The Vikings have allowed the second-most FP/G to DL (30.3).
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football QB start-sit: Stroud, Nix, Mahomes, Shough
Ernest Jones IV, Fred Warner lead Week 7 LB rankings
NFL: Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates after the game against the Washington Commanders | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Jones moves from LB6 to LB1 for Kansas City at Seattle. He led the Seahawks with nine tackles and recorded a sack for the third straight week in a 17-14 overtime loss at Denver. The South Carolina product has 59 tackles and three sacks on 99.5% of Seattle’s defensive snaps, and the Seahawks get 10 days of rest before Sunday night.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner slips from LB1 to LB2 for San Francisco at Atlanta. He made eight tackles in a 23-17 win over Washington on Monday night and became the first player in franchise history with 1,000 career tackles. The Falcons have allowed the ninth-most FP/G to linebackers (20.7).
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton sits at LB4 for Denver at Arizona. He leads the NFL with 68 tackles, and the Cardinals have allowed the second-most FP/G to linebackers (21.7).
How did Devin Lloyd climb to LB3?
Carolina Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd makes the biggest jump in the top 10, from LB15 to LB3 for Tampa Bay at Carolina. He played all 64 defensive snaps and sacked Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee on a blitz in a 25-14 win at Philadelphia, and his 82% pass rush win rate was the highest since ESPN began tracking it in 2017.
The Utah product has 35 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in four games. The Buccaneers have allowed the fifth-most FP/G to linebackers (21.1).
Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson jumps from LB16 to LB8 for Pittsburgh at New Orleans after a team-high 11 tackles in a 26-19 overtime win at Tampa Bay. He has 55 tackles, and the Saints have allowed the 11th-most FP/G to linebackers (19.9).
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire FAAB: Germie Bernard, Omar Cooper Jr. top adds
Kyle Hamilton, Evan Williams lead Week 7 DB rankings
NFL: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Chicago Bears | Wm. Glasheen USA Today Network via IMAGN images
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton holds at DB1 for Cincinnati at Baltimore. He made seven tackles, including a game-high three for loss, in a 13-10 loss at Cleveland.
“I think that’s one we definitely should’ve won,” Hamilton said.
Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams moves from DB3 to DB2 for Green Bay at Detroit. He intercepted Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott inside the 20 on a third-and-8 in a 23-13 win on Sunday night.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn climbs from DB8 to DB3 for Los Angeles at Las Vegas. He had 10 tackles (nine solo) in a 33-30 loss to Buffalo, his first double-digit game this season, and has two forced fumbles. The Rams have allowed the most FP/G to DB (40.1).
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker falls from DB2 to DB5 for Denver at Arizona. He sacked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in an 18-16 upset win but was questionable last week with a groin issue, and the Broncos have allowed the 10th-fewest FP/G to DB (28.0).
Why did Jalen Ramsey jump to DB10?
Ramsey climbs from DB32 to DB10 for Pittsburgh at New Orleans. Playing through a broken wrist, he had 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks at Tampa Bay, including a fourth-down sack of Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels that ended the game in overtime.
The Florida State product played all 74 defensive snaps, and the Saints have allowed the third-most FP/G to DB (37.8).
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football TE start-sit: Higbee, Freiermuth, Pitts, Mayer
Overall Week 7 IDP Rankings
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Rank Player Team Position Opponent
1 Ernest Jones IV SEA LB vs. KC
2 Fred Warner SF LB @ ATL
3 Devin Lloyd CAR LB vs. TB
4 Alex Singleton DEN LB @ ARI
5 Nakobe Dean LV LB vs. LAR
6 Carson Schwesinger CLE LB @ TEN
7 Roquan Smith BAL LB vs. CIN
8 Will Anderson Jr. HOU DE vs. NYG
9 Payton Wilson PIT LB @ NO
10 Josiah Trotter TB LB @ CAR
11 Zack Baun PHI LB vs. DAL
12 Jacob Rodriguez MIA LB @ NYJ
13 Jeffery Simmons TEN DT vs. CLE
14 Kyle Hamilton BAL S vs. CIN
15 Nick Bolton KC LB @ SEA
16 Nate Landman LAR LB @ LV
17 Tremaine Edmunds NYG LB @ HOU
18 Blake Cashman MIN LB vs. IND
19 Evan Williams GB S @ DET
20 Jamien Sherwood NYJ LB vs. MIA
21 Azeez Al-Shaair HOU LB vs. NYG
22 Anthony Hill Jr. TEN LB vs. CLE
23 Jeremy Chinn LV S vs. LAR
24 Demario Davis NYJ LB vs. MIA
25 Barrett Carter CIN LB @ BAL
26 Quentin Lake LAR S @ LV
27 Budda Baker ARI S vs. DEN
28 Brandon Jones DEN S @ ARI
29 Cooper DeJean PHI CB vs. DAL
30 Akeem Davis-Gaither IND LB @ MIN
31 Amani Hooker TEN S vs. CLE
32 Quincy Williams CLE LB @ TEN
33 Quay Walker LV LB vs. LAR
34 Dillon Thieneman CHI S vs. NE
35 Jalen Ramsey PIT CB @ NO
36 Demetrius Knight Jr. CIN LB @ BAL
37 Nick Emmanwori SEA S vs. KC
38 Reed Blankenship HOU S vs. NYG
39 Chamarri Conner KC S @ SEA
40 Arvell Reese NYG LB @ HOU
41 Kamari Lassiter HOU CB vs. NYG
42 Xavier Watts ATL S vs. SF
43 Robert Spillane NE LB @ CHI
44 Drue Tranquill KC LB @ SEA
45 Jordyn Brooks MIA LB @ NYJ
46 Talanoa Hufanga DEN S @ ARI
47 Keisean Nixon GB CB @ DET
48 Bobby Okereke CAR LB vs. TB
49 David Bailey NYJ DE vs. MIA
50 DeForest Buckner IND DT @ MIN
51 Minkah Fitzpatrick NYJ S vs. MIA
52 Dane Belton NYJ S vs. MIA
53 Devin Bush Jr. CHI LB vs. NE
54 Tykee Smith TB S @ CAR
55 Jack Campbell DET LB vs. GB
56 Christian Elliss NE LB @ CHI
57 Caleb Downs DAL S @ PHI
58 Kaden Elliss NO LB vs. PIT
59 Zaire Franklin GB LB @ DET
60 Jordan Battle CIN S @ BAL
61 Drake Thomas SEA LB vs. KC
62 Mack Wilson Sr. ARI LB vs. DEN
63 Julian Love SEA S vs. KC
64 Jihaad Campbell PHI LB vs. DAL
65 Jacob Parrish TB CB @ CAR
66 Jaquan Brisker PIT S @ NO
67 T.J. Watt PIT LB @ NO
68 Patrick Queen PIT LB @ NO
69 Trenton Simpson BAL LB vs. CIN
70 Pete Werner NO LB vs. PIT
71 Divine Deablo ATL LB vs. SF
72 Dre Greenlaw SF LB @ ATL
73 Jack Gibbens ARI LB vs. DEN
74 Chase Young NO DE vs. PIT
75 Jevon Holland NYG S @ HOU
76 Devon Witherspoon SEA CB vs. KC
77 Xavier McKinney GB S @ DET
78 Byron Young LAR DE @ LV
79 Kam Curl LAR S @ LV
80 Jaden Dugger SF LB @ ATL
81 Dee Winters DAL LB @ PHI
82 Jake Hansen HOU LB vs. NYG
83 Alex Anzalone TB LB @ CAR
84 Brian Branch DET S vs. GB
85 Eric Wilson MIN LB vs. IND
86 Danielle Hunter HOU DE vs. NYG
87 Derrick Barnes DET LB vs. GB
88 Chuck Clark DET S vs. GB
89 Justin Strnad DEN LB @ ARI
Week 7 DL Rankings
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Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Will Anderson Jr. HOU vs. NYG
2 Jeffery Simmons TEN vs. CLE
3 Arvell Reese NYG @ HOU
4 David Bailey NYJ vs. MIA
5 DeForest Buckner IND @ MIN
6 T.J. Watt PIT @ NO
7 Chase Young NO vs. PIT
8 Byron Young LAR @ LV
9 Danielle Hunter HOU vs. NYG
10 Dallas Turner MIN vs. IND
11 Andrew Van Ginkel MIN vs. IND
12 George Karlaftis III KC @ SEA
13 Zach Allen DEN @ ARI
14 Elijah Ponder NE @ CHI
15 Lukas Van Ness GB @ DET
16 Carl Granderson NO vs. PIT
17 Aidan Hutchinson DET vs. GB
18 Austin Booker CHI vs. NE
19 Nik Bonitto DEN @ ARI
20 Leonard Williams SEA vs. KC
21 Jaishawn Barham DAL @ PHI
22 Alex Highsmith PIT @ NO
23 Maxx Crosby LV vs. LAR
24 Abdul Carter NYG @ HOU
25 Nick Herbig PIT @ NO
26 Trey Hendrickson BAL vs. CIN
27 Quinnen Williams DAL @ PHI
28 Jalen Carter PHI vs. DAL
29 Laiatu Latu IND @ MIN
30 Jermaine Johnson II TEN vs. CLE
31 Tavius Robinson BAL vs. CIN
32 Cameron Heyward PIT @ NO
33 Dexter Lawrence II CIN @ BAL
34 Jared Verse CLE @ TEN
35 Jaelan Phillips CAR vs. TB
36 Nick Bosa SF @ ATL
37 Donovan Ezeiruaku DAL @ PHI
38 Nnamdi Madubuike BAL vs. CIN
39 Alim McNeill DET vs. GB
40 Isaiah McGuire CLE @ TEN
41 Chris Jones KC @ SEA
42 Aaron Donald LAR @ LV
43 Yaya Diaby TB @ CAR
44 Zach Sieler MIA @ NYJ
45 Byron Murphy II SEA vs. KC
46 Nolan Smith Jr. PHI vs. DAL
47 Maliek Collins CLE @ TEN
48 DJ Wonnum DET vs. GB
49 Kwity Paye LV vs. LAR
50 Rashan Gary DAL @ PHI
51 Keion White SF @ ATL
52 Josh Sweat ARI vs. DEN
53 Gabe Jacas NE @ CHI
54 Chop Robinson MIA @ NYJ
55 Kayvon Thibodeaux NYG @ HOU
56 Tommy Togiai HOU vs. NYG
57 Derrick Brown CAR vs. TB
58 Devonte Wyatt GB @ DET
59 Dre’Mont Jones NE @ CHI
60 Kingsley Enagbare NYJ vs. MIA
61 Jonathan Greenard PHI vs. DAL
62 Josh Uche MIA @ NYJ
63 Princely Umanmielen CAR vs. TB
64 Will McDonald IV NYJ vs. MIA
65 Daniel Hardy CHI vs. NE
66 Jalen Redmond MIN vs. IND
67 Rueben Bain Jr. TB @ CAR
68 Milton Williams NE @ CHI
69 Josaiah Stewart LAR @ LV
70 Jonathon Cooper DEN @ ARI
71 DeMarcus Lawrence SEA vs. KC
72 Malcolm Koonce LV vs. LAR
73 Osa Odighizuwa SF @ ATL
74 Arnold Ebiketie PHI vs. DAL
75 Mykel Williams SF @ ATL
76 Patrick Jones II CAR vs. TB
77 Jonah Elliss DEN @ ARI
78 R Mason Thomas KC @ SEA
79 Malachi Lawrence DAL @ PHI
80 Jordan Davis PHI vs. DAL
81 Calijah Kancey TB @ CAR
LB Week 7 Rankings
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Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Ernest Jones IV SEA vs. KC
2 Fred Warner SF @ ATL
3 Devin Lloyd CAR vs. TB
4 Alex Singleton DEN @ ARI
5 Nakobe Dean LV vs. LAR
6 Carson Schwesinger CLE @ TEN
7 Roquan Smith BAL vs. CIN
8 Payton Wilson PIT @ NO
9 Josiah Trotter TB @ CAR
10 Zack Baun PHI vs. DAL
11 Jacob Rodriguez MIA @ NYJ
12 Arvell Reese NYG @ HOU
13 Nick Bolton KC @ SEA
14 Nate Landman LAR @ LV
15 Tremaine Edmunds NYG @ HOU
16 Blake Cashman MIN vs. IND
17 Jamien Sherwood NYJ vs. MIA
18 Azeez Al-Shaair HOU vs. NYG
19 Anthony Hill Jr. TEN vs. CLE
20 Demario Davis NYJ vs. MIA
21 Barrett Carter CIN @ BAL
22 Akeem Davis-Gaither IND @ MIN
23 Quincy Williams CLE @ TEN
24 Quay Walker LV vs. LAR
25 Demetrius Knight Jr. CIN @ BAL
26 T.J. Watt PIT @ NO
27 Robert Spillane NE @ CHI
28 Drue Tranquill KC @ SEA
29 Jordyn Brooks MIA @ NYJ
30 Bobby Okereke CAR vs. TB
31 Devin Bush Jr. CHI vs. NE
32 Jack Campbell DET vs. GB
33 Christian Elliss NE @ CHI
34 Kaden Elliss NO vs. PIT
35 Zaire Franklin GB @ DET
36 Drake Thomas SEA vs. KC
37 Mack Wilson Sr. ARI vs. DEN
38 Jihaad Campbell PHI vs. DAL
39 Patrick Queen PIT @ NO
40 Trenton Simpson BAL vs. CIN
41 Pete Werner NO vs. PIT
42 Divine Deablo ATL vs. SF
43 Dre Greenlaw SF @ ATL
44 Jack Gibbens ARI vs. DEN
45 Jaishawn Barham DAL @ PHI
46 Jaden Dugger SF @ ATL
47 Dee Winters DAL @ PHI
48 Jake Hansen HOU vs. NYG
49 Alex Anzalone TB @ CAR
50 Eric Wilson MIN vs. IND
51 Derrick Barnes DET vs. GB
52 Justin Strnad DEN @ ARI
53 Nick Herbig PIT @ NO
54 Henry To’oTo’o HOU vs. NYG
55 D’Marco Jackson CHI vs. NE
56 Alex Highsmith PIT @ NO
57 Harold Perkins Jr. ATL vs. SF
58 Isaiah McDuffie GB @ DET
59 Cedric Gray TEN vs. CLE
60 Cody Barton TEN vs. CLE
61 Omar Speights LAR @ LV
62 DeMarvion Overshown DAL @ PHI
63 Gabe Jacas NE @ CHI
64 Jeremiah Trotter Jr. PHI vs. DAL
65 Ty’Ron Hopper GB @ DET
66 Jonah Elliss DEN @ ARI
67 Shemar James DAL @ PHI
68 Malcolm Rodriguez DET vs. GB
69 Rashan Gary DAL @ PHI
70 Bryce Boettcher IND @ MIN
71 Danny Stutsman NO vs. PIT
72 Teddye Buchanan BAL vs. CIN
73 Austin Ajiake IND @ MIN
74 Willie Gay Jr. MIA @ NYJ
75 CJ Allen IND @ MIN
76 Daniel Hardy CHI vs. NE
77 Noah Sewell CHI vs. NE
78 Oren Burks CIN @ BAL
79 Germaine Pratt IND @ MIN
80 Cody Simon ARI vs. DEN
81 Christian Harris ATL vs. SF
Week 7 DB Rankings
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Rank Player Team Opponent
1 Kyle Hamilton BAL vs. CIN
2 Evan Williams GB @ DET
3 Jeremy Chinn LV vs. LAR
4 Quentin Lake LAR @ LV
5 Budda Baker ARI vs. DEN
6 Brandon Jones DEN @ ARI
7 Cooper DeJean PHI vs. DAL
8 Amani Hooker TEN vs. CLE
9 Dillon Thieneman CHI vs. NE
10 Jalen Ramsey PIT @ NO
11 Nick Emmanwori SEA vs. KC
12 Reed Blankenship HOU vs. NYG
13 Chamarri Conner KC @ SEA
14 Kamari Lassiter HOU vs. NYG
15 Xavier Watts ATL vs. SF
16 Talanoa Hufanga DEN @ ARI
17 Keisean Nixon GB @ DET
18 Minkah Fitzpatrick NYJ vs. MIA
19 Dane Belton NYJ vs. MIA
20 Tykee Smith TB @ CAR
21 Caleb Downs DAL @ PHI
22 Jordan Battle CIN @ BAL
23 Julian Love SEA vs. KC
24 Jacob Parrish TB @ CAR
25 Jaquan Brisker PIT @ NO
26 Jevon Holland NYG @ HOU
27 Devon Witherspoon SEA vs. KC
28 Xavier McKinney GB @ DET
29 Kam Curl LAR @ LV
30 Brian Branch DET vs. GB
31 Chuck Clark DET vs. GB
32 L’Jarius Sneed KC @ SEA
33 Jessie Bates III ATL vs. SF
34 Mansoor Delane KC @ SEA
35 Jonas Sanker NO vs. PIT
36 Joshua Metellus MIN vs. IND
37 D.J. Reed Jr. DET vs. GB
38 DeShon Elliott PIT @ NO
39 Kevin Winston Jr. TEN vs. CLE
40 Ji’Ayir Brown SF @ ATL
41 Treydan Stukes LV vs. LAR
42 Grant Delpit CLE @ TEN
43 Byron Murphy Jr. MIN vs. IND
44 Hezekiah Masses LV vs. LAR
45 Tre’von Moehrig CAR vs. TB
46 Quinyon Mitchell PHI vs. DAL
47 Dax Hill CIN @ BAL
48 Javon Bullard GB @ DET
49 Kevin Byard III NE @ CHI
50 AJ Haulcy IND @ MIN
51 Zyon McCollum TB @ CAR
52 Marlon Humphrey BAL vs. CIN
53 Malaki Starks BAL vs. CIN
54 Justin Reid NO vs. PIT
55 Dadrion Taylor-Demerson ARI vs. DEN
56 Cam Bynum IND @ MIN
57 Will Lee III CAR vs. TB
58 Andrew Wingard ARI vs. DEN
59 Keionte Scott TB @ CAR
60 Nick Scott CAR vs. TB
61 Ronnie Hickman Jr. CLE @ TEN
62 Michael Taaffe MIA @ NYJ
63 Craig Woodson NE @ CHI
64 Kamari Ramsey HOU vs. NYG
65 Alontae Taylor TEN vs. CLE
66 Dante Trader Jr. MIA @ NYJ
67 Malik Mustapha SF @ ATL
68 Andrew Mukuba PHI vs. DAL
69 Julian Blackmon NO vs. PIT
70 Dru Phillips NYG @ HOU
71 Marcus Jones NE @ CHI
72 Justin Walley IND @ MIN
73 Calen Bullock HOU vs. NYG
74 Kyler Gordon CHI vs. NE
75 Trent McDuffie LAR @ LV
76 Akayleb Evans CAR vs. TB
77 Tyson Campbell CLE @ TEN
78 DaRon Bland DAL @ PHI
79 Kamren Kinchens LAR @ LV
80 Ifeatu Melifonwu TB @ CAR
81 Malik Muhammad II CHI vs. NE
82 Jason Pinnock NYG @ HOU
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