IDP Fantasy Football Starts For Week 1: Kyle Hamilton Headlines Matchups To Exploit

We made it. Week 1. The preseason felt like two days, let alone three weeks. Each week, I’ll be providing my favorite IDP matchup starts based on my rankings and what the matchup data is showing me.

I’m going to try to avoid suggesting you start guys like Myles Garrett, Carson Schwesinger and a lot of the stud IDPs. My goal is to provide reasoning for starts you might be on the fence about.

As we head into Week 1, these are my favorite IDP starts of the week.

Linebacker Starts In Week 1 IDP Fantasy Football

Terrel Bernard, LB, Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans

It sounds like Terrel Bernard is entering the season fully healthy. He appeared in 10 preseason snaps, producing a solo tackle and a batted pass.

Bernard is the presumptive green dot of the defense and has a three-down role with a good matchup against the Houston Texans.

Last season, the Texans allowed 11.6% more tackles to the LB position than the rest of the NFL last season, allowing nearly 19 tackles per game to the LB position. Why are they allowing so many more tackles? I’d say the structure of their run defense. It creates a fantastic environment for opposing linebackers. They rely on inside and outside zone runs, forcing the defenders to diagnose, flow and fit the run. They don’t run a lot of power, pull leads, or counters, which can get clogged up at the line of scrimmage. A puller can prevent the LB from getting to the second level.

Bernard has a 12.3% tackle rate over the last two seasons, including a 13.9% rate in 2024. In his last full healthy season (2023), Bernard had a 14.3% tackle rate. When he’s on the field, he’s efficient and gets to the ball.

Terrel Bernard looks to be an LB1 in Week 1.

Devin Lloyd, LB, Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears

Devin Lloyd has new digs and a newly minted three-down role as the green dot for the Panthers’ defense. I really like his matchup heading into Week 1.

Lloyd’s usage was up and down with the Jaguars, and it never really settled into a full-time role. Last season, he played 73% of the snaps, despite being the second-highest-graded LB according to PFF. Although he only had 81 tackles last season, he was solid in coverage and produced a career-high in INTs (5). The previous three seasons, had recorded at least 113 or more tackles, so he gets to the ball.

The Bears were a good matchup for opposing LBs last season, and with no real offensive changes, they should remain that way. The Bears, like the Texans, allowed 11.6% more tackles per game to the LB than the rest of the league at 18.7/gm. Chicago’s entire run identity is outside zone. They ran, as a total, 55.4% of their runs were inside or outside zone, which is huge for the LB position. Outside zone forces linebackers to move laterally and identify the cut, scrape, and get the tackle.

I think Lloyd is a locked-in LB1 this week.

Demarvion Overshown, LB, Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Demarvion Overshown’s health issues are well documented. However, they don’t matter for Week 1. He’s healthy, has looked good in camp and appears ready to play.

He didn’t have any preseason snaps, so we don’t have too much to go on. Overshown appeared in six games last season, and when he played in at least 65% of the snaps, he produced a 13.9% tackle rate (3 games). In 2024, he recorded 90 tackles, resulting in a 12.7% tackle rate.

The Giants present a favorable matchup for the Cowboys and Overshown in Week 1. The Giants allowed 10.4% more tackles per game than the rest of the league to the LB position, allowing 18.5 per game. The Giants were zone-oriented last season; however, Matt Nagy is the new OC. Nagy uses the same concepts and philosophies in the run game. I expect them to remain zone but more multiple, and under-center with more play action, and he wants a functional run game.

Overshown is an athletic linebacker who can move laterally in his pursuit. I like Overshown as a strong LB2 this week.

Divine Deablo, LB, Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Divine Deablo is set to have a three-down role with the Falcons and has a solid matchup with the Steelers in Week 1.

Deablo is another guy who enters the league with past health concerns, as he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year. He does have a 100-tackle season under his belt; however, his tackling hasn’t been as efficient over the last few years. But it’s a new season, and I like the potential in Week 1.

The Steelers allowed nearly 18 tackles/gm to the LB position, which is 9% above the league average. In looking at last season’s numbers, the Steelers ran zone concepts nearly 57% of the time; however, not a whole lot should change under Mike McCarthy. Outside/Inside zone should remain a staple, with Duo becoming a factor. Duo was McCarthy’s third-most-used concept when in Dallas. With Duo, the line is trying to double-team, displace the DL and get to the second level. This is where the LB attacks.

I noticed more 21/22 personnel packages during the preseason. These packages have two running backs on the field. It does look like Pittsburgh’s offense will create those second-level tackle opportunities.

Defensive Line/EDGEs To Start In Week 1 IDP Fantasy Leagues

Josh Hines-Allen, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Allen is my DL2 this week, in what’s shaping up to be a nice matchup.

Cleveland’s offensive line has been rebuilt and features five new starters, including Tytus Howard and their top pick, Spencer Fano. Now, Allen spends most of his time on the right side, but will move around, so there will be opportunities for him to get on Howard’s side.

Fano only saw 20 pass rush snaps and graded at a 70.8 in pass blocking. However, in true pass sets, that grade dropped to 63.2, allowing a 15.4% pressure rate over 13 snaps. Yes, a small sample, but it’s all we can go on. Plus, he’s still a rookie, and Hines-Allen is a wily veteran who’s coming off a solid season, pass-rush metrics-wise. Deshaun Watson creates his own pressure as well. Watson was responsible for 31% of the pressure he faced during the preseason.

Hines-Allen had a 30.9% win rate in true pass-set rush snaps, generating a 27.6% pressure rate, which resulted in 6 sacks and 10 QB hits.

Be sure to just lock in Allen and forget it.

Chop Robinson, EDGE, Miami Dolphins vs. Las Vegas Raiders

One of my favorite matchups of the week. The Raiders are getting back their LT, Kolton Miller, so it’s a good thing Chop Robinson lines up on the left side, over the right tackle.

We get to take advantage of everyone’s favorite DJ linemen, who coincidentally spin in pass blocking like a record. In 2025, DJ Glaze was responsible for 10 sacks, including 7 in true pass sets. Which means, if you lined up an edge rusher opposite Glaze in a true one-on-one, Glaze is gonna get glazed. Glaze allowed a 12.3% pressure rate in true pass-set snaps, which is a big number. We’re not sure who’s starting for the Raiders, but the right side of the line is an issue.

Chop is in line for a big rebound in 2026, and he has the opportunity to start the season off on the right foot with a great matchup.

Yaya Diaby, EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

It looks like the Bengals might be an offensive line to attack once again this season.

Yaya Diaby is the right-side edge in their base/nickel, so he should see most of his snaps over Orlando Brown. Brown only saw 7 preseason pass-rush snaps, but allowed one pressure. Last season, Brown was responsible for 9 total sacks and 10 QB hits; 5 of those sacks were in true pass sets, and he was responsible for a 9.7% pressure rate. Last season, Burrow was responsible for 4 of his own sacks and 17% of his total pressures.

Diaby generated a 13.7% pressure rate on his pass-rush snaps, but in true pass sets, it improved to 18.2% while producing a 20.3% win rate. His pass rush get-off was half a second lower than the average, and he also produced a 6.1% quick pressure rate; pressure generated in fewer than 2.5 seconds.

Joe Burrow is going to have a long day.

Will McDonald, EDGE, New York Jets vs. Tennessee Titans

An edge sleeper heading into the week. David Bailey is going to command the headlines as the top draft pick, but McDonald has a great matchup here, too.

When the Jets are in nickel, which should be most of the game, he’ll line up over Dan Moore. Moore graded at a 39.7 in over 9 true pass sets, so in one-on-one true pressure situations, he’s not holding up. Last season, he allowed an 11.9% pressure rate in true pass set situations. Even better, Cam Ward was responsible for 13 of his own sacks.

When McDonald gets in those pass rush situations, he’s tough to hold off. Looking at some of his Next Gen Stats, even though his pass rush get-off was slightly higher than the average (2.9 seconds), he had a 2.7-second time to pressure and a 5% quick pressure rate.

McDonald is looking like a solid DL3.

Defensive Backs To Start In Week 1 IDP Fantasy Football

Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Kyle Hamilton is one of my top safeties this season, and he enters Week 1 with a strong matchup.

He’s my DB1 this week. I’m excited to see how he’s used and deployed in Jesse Minter’s defense. I’m hoping he’s used similarly to Derwin James, where he’s allowed to roam the line of scrimmage and attack the ball. Last season, he played 84% of his snaps near the LOS and had a 35% box rate. 81 of Hamilton’s tackles came from a LOS deployment.

The Colts were a favorable matchup for opposing safeties, as their offense allowed nearly 15 tackles per game. Indianapolis’s run scheme is also favorable for defenders around the LOS. Indy ran outside zone 32% of the time last season. The back is running toward the edge and forces the safety to, at times, become a cleanup defender in part due to bad run fits or missed tackles.

After Baltimore’s bye in Week 7, Hamilton was the DB6 in overall scoring. I’m hoping for a few more big plays to heighten the ceiling.

Just lock in Hamilton for Week 1.

Paulson Adebo, CB, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

I’d rarely have a CB here, just because of the variance of the position and the fact that corner is one of the more streamable positions. The matchup is really good, though.

The Cowboys have been one of the more favorable matchups for corners over the last few seasons, and last season was no different. They allowed 16.3 tackles per game to the position. This was 30% higher than the league average.

When I talk about variance, Adebo represents a good example. Last season, Adebo had a 13-tackle and a 3-tackle game against Dallas last season. Adebo also gets involved in run support, as he had 299 run-defense snaps and 16 tackles in 2025.

The Cowboys should remain an outside zone run offense, so Adebo could be tasked with helping out in run support. Out of Adebo’s 16 tackles, 5 came against the run.

Adebo is a CB1/DB2.

Upton Stout, CB, San Francisco 49ers

Two corners recommended? We must be at the nexus of the universe. Upton Stout has a solid matchup with the Rams.

The Rams are a favorable matchup for corners, as they allowed 13.4% more tackles to the CB position last year on average. In two games, Stout had 12 tackles and a QB hit against the Rams last season. 5 of those tackles came from the box. In total, Stout had 21 tackles in run support last season with 168 run defense snaps. Stout also saw 11 total targets in those two games.

The Rams create tackle opportunities with their pass game, but also with their outside zone run scheme. If Stout is in the box or near the LOS, those runs will flow, and he’ll have a chance to get in on the play and clean up any missed tackles.

Stout plays all over the field, so he’ll see time on Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington.

Grant Delpit, S, Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Grant Delpit might be my favorite mid-tier option among the DBs this week.

Delpit has a favorable matchup with Jacksonville, as they allowed 14.2 tackles per game to the safety position last season, 10.1% more per game compared to the rest of the NFL against safeties.

Since the 2022 season, Delpit has a 10.1% tackle rate, which for a DB is a solid efficiency metric. I don’t anticipate too much changing with the departure of Jim Schwartz, so I expect Mike Rutenberg to use Delpit around the line of scrimmage, much like last season when he played 78% of his snaps around the line, including a 39% box rate.

The Jaguars offense creates tackle opportunities for safeties. The Jags ran outside zone 24% of the time, but also ran man concepts 17.8% of the time. In man run, the RB can get through, and the DB can become the run-support stopper. Delpit has good instincts and a nose for the ball.

I think Delpit is a strong DB2/3 in tackle-heavy formats.