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Welcome to the final fantasy week in the regular season. Let’s jump into another fantasy breakdown as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 3, 2026. Below is a focused IDP preview for Week 18, highlighting the top-ranked defensive players, followed by additional options who have produced this season and offer value in deeper leagues, such as true-position formats.
Injury Report
Carolina: Claudin Cherelus, Robert Rochell
Tampa Bay: Anthony Nelson, Jamel Dean
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Top IDP Rankings (FantasyPros)
DB Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB) – Overall Rank 22
LB Lavonte David (TB) – Overall Rank 33
DB Tre’von Moehrig (CAR) – Overall Rank 41
LB Christian Rozeboom (CAR) – Overall Rank 45
DB Tykee Smith (TB) – Overall Rank 49
LB SirVocea Dennis (TB) – Overall Rank 88
DB Nick Scott (CAR) – Overall Rank 92
Winfield remains the clear headliner in this matchup, offering a steady floor with upside in spike weeks at the defensive back position. David continues to show why he’s one of the league’s most reliable linebackers in fantasy (most weeks), while Rozeboom and Moehrig both profile as strong tackle-based options for fantasy managers in deeper leagues or with no other options.
Other IDP Options (5+ Fantasy Points This Season)
Tampa Bay: Yaya Diaby, Jacob Parrish, Vita Vea
Carolina: Derrick Brown, Mike Jackson Sr., Jaycee Horn
These players fall outside the weekly rankings but have shown enough production to remain on the radar, especially in deeper formats or leagues requiring multiple starters at each IDP position.
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DST Rankings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rank 14
Carolina Panthers – Rank 16
Both offenses in this game have struggled this season at sustaining drives, but both can also explode for a large number of points. I would look elsewhere if possible for a DST this week.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 18 IDP Fantasy Preview
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