Week 8 IDP fantasy football rankings: Watt, Hutchinson surge

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV holds No. 1 in my Week 8 individual defensive player (IDP) fantasy football rankings after a nine-tackle night in a 20-3 win over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter jumps from 10th to second overall, and Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson climbs to third. The 49ers, Giants, Saints and Texans are on bye, which sidelines Fred Warner and Will Anderson Jr.

You can find my overall IDP and position-by-position rankings tables at the bottom of the article.

MORE:Week 8 fantasy football PPR rankings: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry rise

T.J. Watt, Aidan Hutchinson lead DL

Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) gets ready for a play against Green Bay Packers | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt moves from seventh to first in my defensive line (DL) rankings for Cleveland at Pittsburgh. He spun past the Saints’ right tackle for a second-quarter sack of Tyler Shough and added two quarterback hits in a 16-10 win in Paris.

“Good defenses are always sitting on the bench,” Watt said after Pittsburgh held New Orleans to 18 rushing yards. The Browns have allowed a league-high 25 sacks and the most fantasy points per game (FP/G) to DL (29.6), and both teams are 5-2 and tied atop the AFC North.

Hutchinson rises from DL12 to DL2 for Minnesota at Detroit. He sacked Jordan Love for a 10-yard loss and drew a holding penalty in a 20-17 win over Green Bay, and his 48th career sack tied Ezekiel Ansah for fourth in Lions history. The Vikings are 6-0 but have allowed the second-most FP/G to DL (29.4).

MORE:Week 8 fantasy football QB start-sit: Murray, McKee, Young, Goff

Why are four Steelers in the top six?

Steelers outside linebackers Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith jump from DL25 and DL24 to DL3 and DL4, and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward climbs from DL35 to DL6. Pittsburgh is tied for third in the NFL in sacks, and Cleveland is also without starting right guard Teven Jenkins.

Heyward has 17 pressures and five batted passes this season, so the veteran adds tackle and pass-defended upside even in weeks he doesn’t reach Deshaun Watson.

Ernest Jones IV tops LB rankings

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones (13) before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Jones holds at LB1 for Chicago at Seattle on Monday night (8:15 p.m. ET). He led the Seahawks with nine tackles against Kansas City, his third straight game with exactly nine, and he has at least eight tackles in all seven games. His 68 tackles are tied for third in the NFL.

“Nobody was down, it was just, ‘Let’s get to Sunday, let’s go get a win,’” Jones said. The Bears have allowed the fourth-most FP/G to linebackers (20.9).

Trotter climbs from LB9 to LB2 for Atlanta at Tampa Bay. The Missouri product led the Buccaneers in tackles in a 43-13 rout at Carolina and leads the team with 62 tackles through six games.

His 42.5% run-stop win rate ranks 10th among all players, and the Falcons have allowed the ninth-most FP/G to linebackers (20.6).

Why did Devin Bush Jr. climb?

Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush Jr. jumps from LB31 to LB5 for Chicago at Seattle. T.J. Edwards has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury, and the Bears need more from Bush without him.

Coverage was a problem in a 30-24 win over New England, as Bush allowed six receptions on six targets for 81 yards and a 30-yard touchdown. But Seattle converted 11 of 16 third downs against Kansas City, which means longer drives and more tackle chances, and the Seahawks have allowed the second-most FP/G to linebackers (21.2).

MORE:Week 8 waiver wire FAAB: Omar Cooper Jr., Jonah Coleman are top adds

Quentin Lake tops DB rankings

Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (20) carries the ball under pressure from Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake (37) | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake climbs from fifth to first in my defensive back (DB) rankings for the Chargers at Rams. He led the Rams with seven tackles in a 35-21 win at Las Vegas and has at least six tackles in every game this season. The Chargers have allowed the second-most FP/G to DB (37.3).

Rams safety Kam Curl jumps from DB21 to DB3 in the same matchup. He played all but one defensive snap against the Raiders and has 34 tackles through seven games.

Why is Derwin James at DB4?

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. debuts in the top five after missing three straight games with a hamstring injury. Head coach Jim Harbaugh named James among the players the 0-6 Chargers hope to have back after the bye, and the Florida State product worked on a side field during Tuesday’s bonus practice.

The Rams have allowed the most FP/G to DB (37.9), so James carries top-five upside if he’s cleared. Check his injury designation before lineups lock.

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Tap the rankings arrow you want to see below, and they will appear. You can open and close the ranking lists to make them easier to view.

Overall IDP Rankings

Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP Rankings

RankPlayerTeamPositionOpponent

1	Ernest Jones IV	SEA	LB	vs CHI
2	Josiah Trotter	TB	LB	vs ATL
3	Aidan Hutchinson	DET	DE	vs MIN
4	Zack Baun	PHI	LB	@ WAS
5	Roquan Smith	BAL	LB	@ BUF
6	Quentin Lake	LAR	S	vs LAC
7	Nick Emmanwori	SEA	S	vs CHI
8	Nakobe Dean	LV	LB	@ NYJ
9	Devin Bush Jr.	CHI	LB	@ SEA
10	Evan Williams	GB	S	vs CAR
11	Anthony Hill Jr.	TEN	LB	@ CIN
12	Barrett Carter	CIN	LB	vs TEN
13	Payton Wilson	PIT	LB	vs CLE
14	Alex Singleton	DEN	LB	vs KC
15	Nate Landman	LAR	LB	vs LAC
16	Jamien Sherwood	NYJ	LB	vs LV
17	Xavier Watts	ATL	S	@ TB
18	Kam Curl	LAR	S	vs LAC
19	Caleb Downs	DAL	S	vs ARI
20	Demetrius Knight Jr.	CIN	LB	vs TEN
21	Blake Cashman	MIN	LB	@ DET
22	Budda Baker	ARI	S	@ DAL
23	Demario Davis	NYJ	LB	vs LV
24	Jacob Rodriguez	MIA	LB	vs NE
25	Quay Walker	LV	LB	@ NYJ
26	Jaishawn Barham	DAL	LB	vs ARI
27	Kendal Daniels	ATL	S	@ TB
28	Trenton Simpson	BAL	LB	@ BUF
29	DeMarvion Overshown	DAL	LB	vs ARI
30	Jessie Bates III	ATL	S	@ TB
31	Dillon Thieneman	CHI	S	@ SEA
32	Derwin James Jr.	LAC	S	@ LAR
33	D’Marco Jackson	CHI	LB	@ SEA
34	Julian Love	SEA	S	vs CHI
35	Devon Witherspoon	SEA	CB	vs CHI
36	Jihaad Campbell	PHI	LB	@ WAS
37	Jordyn Brooks	MIA	LB	vs NE
38	T.J. Watt	PIT	LB	vs CLE
39	Patrick Queen	PIT	LB	vs CLE
40	Kyle Hamilton	BAL	S	@ BUF
41	Shemar James	DAL	LB	vs ARI
42	Keisean Nixon	GB	CB	vs CAR
43	Harold Perkins Jr.	ATL	LB	@ TB
44	Alex Anzalone	TB	LB	vs ATL
45	Cameron Heyward	PIT	DT	vs CLE
46	Tyrice Knight	SEA	LB	vs CHI
47	Carson Schwesinger	CLE	LB	@ PIT
48	Sonny Styles	WAS	LB	vs PHI
49	Terrel Bernard	BUF	LB	vs BAL
50	Omar Speights	LAR	LB	vs LAC
51	Dane Belton	NYJ	S	vs LV
52	Minkah Fitzpatrick	NYJ	S	vs LV
53	Foyesade Oluokun	JAC	LB	vs IND
54	Christian Elliss	NE	LB	@ MIA
55	Leonard Williams	SEA	DT	vs CHI
56	Xavier McKinney	GB	S	vs CAR
57	Quincy Williams	CLE	LB	@ PIT
58	Amani Hooker	TEN	S	@ CIN
59	Robert Spillane	NE	LB	@ MIA
60	Jeremy Chinn	LV	S	@ NYJ
61	Dorian Williams	BUF	LB	vs BAL
62	Nick Bolton	KC	LB	@ DEN
63	Daiyan Henley	LAC	LB	@ LAR
64	Dallas Turner	MIN	DE	@ DET
65	Jack Campbell	DET	LB	vs MIN
66	Devin Lloyd	CAR	LB	@ GB
67	Cedric Gray	TEN	LB	@ CIN
68	Frankie Luvu	WAS	LB	vs PHI
69	Alex Highsmith	PIT	LB	vs CLE
70	Jeffery Simmons	TEN	DT	@ CIN
71	Kevin Winston Jr.	TEN	S	@ CIN
72	Mack Wilson Sr.	ARI	LB	@ DAL
73	Tykee Smith	TB	S	vs ATL
74	Eric Kendricks	LAR	LB	vs LAC
75	Nick Herbig	PIT	LB	vs CLE
76	Ventrell Miller	JAC	LB	vs IND
77	Justin Strnad	DEN	LB	vs KC
78	A.J. Haulcy	IND	S	@ JAC
79	Drue Tranquill	KC	LB	@ DEN
80	Jack Gibbens	ARI	LB	@ DAL
81	Andrew Van Ginkel	MIN	LB	@ DET
82	Eric Wilson	MIN	LB	@ DET
83	Bobby Okereke	CAR	LB	@ GB
84	Joshua Metellus	MIN	S	@ DET
85	Akeem Davis-Gaither	IND	LB	@ JAC
86	Maxx Crosby	LV	DE	@ NYJ
87	Jalen Ramsey	PIT	CB	vs CLE
88	Brandon Jones	DEN	S	vs KC
89	Chamarri Conner	KC	S	@ DEN
90	Brian Branch	DET	S	vs MIN
91	Jordan Battle	CIN	S	vs TEN
92	Derrick Barnes	DET	LB	vs MIN
93	Quinnen Williams	DAL	DT	vs ARI
94	Chuck Clark	DET	S	vs MIN
95	Cooper DeJean	PHI	CB	@ WAS
96	Jaquan Brisker	PIT	S	vs CLE
97	Isaiah McDuffie	GB	LB	vs CAR
98	Laiatu Latu	IND	DE	@ JAC
99	Zach Allen	DEN	DE	vs KC
100	George Karlaftis III	KC	DE	@ DEN
101	Dexter Lawrence II	CIN	DT	vs TEN
102	Ty’Ron Hopper	GB	LB	vs CAR

DL Rankings

Fantasy Football Week 8 DL Rankings

RankPlayerTeamOpponent

1	T.J. Watt	PIT	vs CLE
2	Aidan Hutchinson	DET	vs MIN
3	Nick Herbig	PIT	vs CLE
4	Alex Highsmith	PIT	vs CLE
5	Byron Young	LAR	vs LAC
6	Cameron Heyward	PIT	vs CLE
7	Lukas Van Ness	GB	vs CAR
8	Leonard Williams	SEA	vs CHI
9	Dallas Turner	MIN	@ DET
10	Austin Booker	CHI	@ SEA
11	Greg Rousseau	BUF	vs BAL
12	Andrew Van Ginkel	MIN	@ DET
13	Elijah Ponder	NE	@ MIA
14	Aaron Donald	LAR	vs LAC
15	Mason Graham	CLE	@ PIT
16	Josh Hines-Allen	JAC	vs IND
17	Jared Verse	CLE	@ PIT
18	DJ Wonnum	DET	vs MIN
19	Alim McNeill	DET	vs MIN
20	Isaiah McGuire	CLE	@ PIT
21	Montez Sweat	CHI	@ SEA
22	Zach Sieler	MIA	vs NE
23	Travon Walker	JAC	vs IND
24	Byron Murphy II	SEA	vs CHI
25	Josh Uche	MIA	vs NE
26	Josaiah Stewart	LAR	vs LAC
27	Jeffery Simmons	TEN	@ CIN
28	Maxx Crosby	LV	@ NYJ
29	David Bailey	NYJ	vs LV
30	DeMarcus Lawrence	SEA	vs CHI
31	Chop Robinson	MIA	vs NE
32	Jalen Redmond	MIN	@ DET
33	Jalen Carter	PHI	@ WAS
34	Gabe Jacas	NE	@ MIA
35	Maliek Collins	CLE	@ PIT
36	Devonte Wyatt	GB	vs CAR
37	Milton Williams	NE	@ MIA
38	Derick Hall	SEA	vs CHI
39	Yaya Diaby	TB	vs ATL
40	Quinnen Williams	DAL	vs ARI
41	Deone Walker	BUF	vs BAL
42	Jaishawn Barham	DAL	vs ARI
43	Bradley Chubb	BUF	vs BAL
44	Donovan Ezeiruaku	DAL	vs ARI
45	Ed Oliver	BUF	vs BAL
46	Derrick Brown	CAR	@ GB
47	Dre’Mont Jones	NE	@ MIA
48	Boye Mafe	CIN	vs TEN
49	Laiatu Latu	IND	@ JAC
50	Tuli Tuipulotu	LAC	@ LAR
51	Zach Allen	DEN	vs KC
52	Jaelan Phillips	CAR	@ GB
53	Princely Umanmielen	CAR	@ GB
54	Dexter Lawrence II	CIN	vs TEN
55	George Karlaftis III	KC	@ DEN
56	Nik Bonitto	DEN	vs KC
57	Kwity Paye	LV	@ NYJ
58	Patrick Jones II	CAR	@ GB
59	Kingsley Enagbare	NYJ	vs LV
60	Trey Hendrickson	BAL	@ BUF
61	Rashan Gary	DAL	vs ARI
62	Jonathan Greenard	PHI	@ WAS
63	Malcolm Koonce	LV	@ NYJ
64	Khalil Mack	LAC	@ LAR
65	Vita Vea	TB	vs ATL
66	Arnold Ebiketie	PHI	@ WAS
67	Jermaine Johnson II	TEN	@ CIN
68	Akheem Mesidor	LAC	@ LAR
69	Nnamdi Madubuike	BAL	@ BUF
70	Rueben Bain Jr.	TB	vs ATL
71	K’Lavon Chaisson	WAS	vs PHI
72	Jonathan Allen	CIN	vs TEN
73	Grover Stewart	IND	@ JAC
74	Jaylahn Tuimoloau	IND	@ JAC
75	Adetomiwa Adebawore	IND	@ JAC
76	Mike Green	BAL	@ BUF
77	Josh Sweat	ARI	@ DAL
78	Jonathon Cooper	DEN	vs KC
79	Malachi Lawrence	DAL	vs ARI
80	Dorance Armstrong Jr.	WAS	vs PHI
81	Will McDonald IV	NYJ	vs LV
82	Daron Payne	WAS	vs PHI
83	Chris Jones	KC	@ DEN

LB Rankings

Fantasy Football Week 8 LB Rankings

RankPlayerTeamOpponent

1	Ernest Jones IV	SEA	vs CHI
2	Josiah Trotter	TB	vs ATL
3	Zack Baun	PHI	@ WAS
4	Roquan Smith	BAL	@ BUF
5	Devin Bush Jr.	CHI	@ SEA
6	Nakobe Dean	LV	@ NYJ
7	Nate Landman	LAR	vs LAC
8	Kendal Daniels	ATL	@ TB
9	Anthony Hill Jr.	TEN	@ CIN
10	Barrett Carter	CIN	vs TEN
11	Payton Wilson	PIT	vs CLE
12	Alex Singleton	DEN	vs KC
13	Jamien Sherwood	NYJ	vs LV
14	Jaishawn Barham	DAL	vs ARI
15	Demetrius Knight Jr.	CIN	vs TEN
16	DeMarvion Overshown	DAL	vs ARI
17	Trenton Simpson	BAL	@ BUF
18	Demario Davis	NYJ	vs LV
19	Blake Cashman	MIN	@ DET
20	Jihaad Campbell	PHI	@ WAS
21	Jacob Rodriguez	MIA	vs NE
22	Quay Walker	LV	@ NYJ
23	D’Marco Jackson	CHI	@ SEA
24	Shemar James	DAL	vs ARI
25	Harold Perkins Jr.	ATL	@ TB
26	Alex Anzalone	TB	vs ATL
27	T.J. Watt	PIT	vs CLE
28	Terrel Bernard	BUF	vs BAL
29	Tyrice Knight	SEA	vs CHI
30	Patrick Queen	PIT	vs CLE
31	Omar Speights	LAR	vs LAC
32	Jordyn Brooks	MIA	vs NE
33	Sonny Styles	WAS	vs PHI
34	Carson Schwesinger	CLE	@ PIT
35	Foyesade Oluokun	JAC	vs IND
36	Rashan Gary	DAL	vs ARI
37	Dorian Williams	BUF	vs BAL
38	Jeremiah Trotter Jr.	PHI	@ WAS
39	Christian Elliss	NE	@ MIA
40	Quincy Williams	CLE	@ PIT
41	Robert Spillane	NE	@ MIA
42	Daiyan Henley	LAC	@ LAR
43	Cedric Gray	TEN	@ CIN
44	Noah Sewell	CHI	@ SEA
45	Frankie Luvu	WAS	vs PHI
46	Alex Highsmith	PIT	vs CLE
47	Nick Bolton	KC	@ DEN
48	Eric Kendricks	LAR	vs LAC
49	Samson Ebukam	ATL	@ TB
50	Nick Herbig	PIT	vs CLE
51	Teddye Buchanan	BAL	@ BUF
52	Cody Barton	TEN	@ CIN
53	Ventrell Miller	JAC	vs IND
54	Jack Campbell	DET	vs MIN
55	Devin Lloyd	CAR	@ GB
56	Mack Wilson Sr.	ARI	@ DAL
57	Josh Woods	ATL	@ TB
58	Justin Strnad	DEN	vs KC
59	Shaun Dolac	LAR	vs LAC
60	Andrew Van Ginkel	MIN	@ DET
61	Jack Gibbens	ARI	@ DAL
62	Eric Wilson	MIN	@ DET
63	Jacob Martin	TEN	@ CIN
64	Drue Tranquill	KC	@ DEN
65	Kaleb Elarms-Orr	BUF	vs BAL
66	Del’Shawn Phillips	LAC	@ LAR
67	Dallas Turner	MIN	@ DET
68	Bobby Okereke	CAR	@ GB
69	Akeem Davis-Gaither	IND	@ JAC
70	Troy Dye	LAC	@ LAR
71	Tommy Eichenberg	LV	@ NYJ
72	Oren Burks	CIN	vs TEN
73	Derrick Barnes	DET	vs MIN
74	Gabe Jacas	NE	@ MIA
75	Jackson Woodard	MIA	vs NE
76	Isaiah McDuffie	GB	vs CAR
77	Cody Simon	ARI	@ DAL
78	Ty’Ron Hopper	GB	vs CAR
79	Malcolm Rodriguez	DET	vs MIN
80	Jaylon Carlies	IND	@ JAC
81	Germaine Pratt	IND	@ JAC
82	Austin Ajiake	IND	@ JAC

DB Rankings

Fantasy Football Week 8 DB Rankings

RankPlayerTeamOpponent

1	Quentin Lake	LAR	vs LAC
2	Nick Emmanwori	SEA	vs CHI
3	Kam Curl	LAR	vs LAC
4	Derwin James Jr.	LAC	@ LAR
5	Xavier Watts	ATL	@ TB
6	Evan Williams	GB	vs CAR
7	Caleb Downs	DAL	vs ARI
8	Kendal Daniels	ATL	@ TB
9	Julian Love	SEA	vs CHI
10	Devon Witherspoon	SEA	vs CHI
11	Jessie Bates III	ATL	@ TB
12	Kyler Gordon	CHI	@ SEA
13	Budda Baker	ARI	@ DAL
14	Dillon Thieneman	CHI	@ SEA
15	Keisean Nixon	GB	vs CAR
16	Kyle Hamilton	BAL	@ BUF
17	Dane Belton	NYJ	vs LV
18	C.J. Henderson	ATL	@ TB
19	Minkah Fitzpatrick	NYJ	vs LV
20	Xavier McKinney	GB	vs CAR
21	Antonio Johnson	JAC	vs IND
22	Kamren Kinchens	LAR	vs LAC
23	Amani Hooker	TEN	@ CIN
24	Javon Bullard	GB	vs CAR
25	Jeremy Chinn	LV	@ NYJ
26	A.J. Haulcy	IND	@ JAC
27	Grant Delpit	CLE	@ PIT
28	Tykee Smith	TB	vs ATL
29	Kevin Winston Jr.	TEN	@ CIN
30	DaRon Bland	DAL	vs ARI
31	Jacob Parrish	TB	vs ATL
32	Nick Scott	CAR	@ GB
33	Tre’von Moehrig	CAR	@ GB
34	Joshua Metellus	MIN	@ DET
35	Cam Bynum	IND	@ JAC
36	Brandon Cisse	GB	vs CAR
37	Jalen Ramsey	PIT	vs CLE
38	Will Lee III	CAR	@ GB
39	Ronnie Hickman Jr.	CLE	@ PIT
40	Antoine Winfield Jr.	TB	vs ATL
41	Brian Branch	DET	vs MIN
42	Chamarri Conner	KC	@ DEN
43	Justin Walley	IND	@ JAC
44	Brandon Jones	DEN	vs KC
45	Marlon Humphrey	BAL	@ BUF
46	Zyon McCollum	TB	vs ATL
47	Malik Muhammad II	CHI	@ SEA
48	Dante Trader Jr.	MIA	vs NE
49	Jordan Battle	CIN	vs TEN
50	Chuck Clark	DET	vs MIN
51	Byron Murphy Jr.	MIN	@ DET
52	Tyson Campbell	CLE	@ PIT
53	Jaquan Brisker	PIT	vs CLE
54	Keionte Scott	TB	vs ATL
55	Treydan Stukes	LV	@ NYJ
56	Michael Taaffe	MIA	vs NE
57	Amik Robertson	WAS	vs PHI
58	Akayleb Evans	CAR	@ GB
59	Malaki Starks	BAL	@ BUF
60	Mansoor Delane	KC	@ DEN
61	Nick Cross	WAS	vs PHI
62	Cooper DeJean	PHI	@ WAS
63	L’Jarius Sneed	KC	@ DEN
64	Kevin Byard III	NE	@ MIA
65	D.J. Reed Jr.	DET	vs MIN
66	Cole Bishop	BUF	vs BAL
67	DeShon Elliott	PIT	vs CLE
68	Nohl Williams	KC	@ DEN
69	Ifeatu Melifonwu	TB	vs ATL
70	Dax Hill	CIN	vs TEN
71	Jeremy Reaves	WAS	vs PHI
72	Roger McCreary	DET	vs MIN
73	Craig Woodson	NE	@ MIA
74	Carlton Davis III	NE	@ MIA
75	Marcus Jones	NE	@ MIA
76	Riley Moss	DEN	vs KC
77	Quinyon Mitchell	PHI	@ WAS
78	Andrew Mukuba	PHI	@ WAS
79	Christian Benford	BUF	vs BAL