Updated IDP rankings: Bobby Wagner, Blake Martinez among must-have defensive stars in 2022

There are a number of reasons why people play fantasy football. The quest for eternal and everlasting glory. The opportunity to win a few bucks. Or a good old-fashioned love of the game of football.

What doesn’t square with that last one is that so many fantasy leagues all but ignore half of the game. The NFL may feature three- and four-wide sets and rules that favor the offense, but defense still wins championships. However, in standard fantasy leagues, defense is all but irrelevant. You grab a team defense late on draft day and it scores a handful of points per week.

Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues restore order to the universe. Defensive stars like Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner, Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James get to make a fantasy impact just like running backs and wide receivers.

Many fantasy managers resist IDP leagues for one reason — it’s an unfamiliar format. No one wants to look silly on draft day. But the reality is IDP leagues really aren’t that different. And with just a few tips, even novices in the format can have a successful draft.

General IDP Draft Strategy

Without question, the query I get most from managers new to IDP leagues is, “when should I start drafting IDPs?” It’s a question with no pat answer. In fairly standard IDP formats that include two starters on the defensive line, two or three linebackers and two defensive backs, the first defensive players can start being drafted as early as Round 4 or as late as Round 8.

The thing is, you don’t have to set the pace with IDPs to build a solid lineup. Once the first few IDPs are drafted, elite names will trickle off the board. Then, a couple rounds later, the first real run on defensive players usually takes place. Just try not to get frozen out of that run, and you’ll probably be fine.

Finally, it’s vital that you examine the scoring in your league and determine two things. The first is the ratio between solo tackles and big plays like sacks and interceptions — the bigger that ratio, the more value that big-play types like edge-rushers and ball-hawking defensive backs have. The second is how the top IDPs score relative to their offensive counterparts. If the top linebackers score on par with a WR3, that’s one thing. If they score like a RB1, it’s quite another.

A Note on the Top 100 IDPs Overall

The Top 100 IDPs overall isn’t necessarily a “draft by numbers” list, where you can just take the highest-ranked available player and all is well and good in the universe. There are a lot of variables in any draft — rigidly adhering to a list is usually asking for trouble.

Where this list can come in handy is as a tiebreaker between similarly-ranked players and as a way to get a general feel for how the main IDP positions stack up against one another.

Top 100 IDPs Overall

Rank	Player	Rank	Player
1	Bobby Wagner — ILB. LAR	51	Brian Burns – DE, CAR
2	Roquan Smith – ILB, CHI	52	Christian Kirksey – OLB, HOU
3	Blake Martinez – ILB, NYG	53	Robert Quinn – DE, CHI
4	Jordyn Brooks — ILB, SEA	54	Minkah Fitzpatrick – S, PIT
5	Myles Garrett – DE, CLE	55	Cody Barton – OLB, SEA
6	Darius Leonard – OLB, IND	56	Quincy Williams – ILB, NYJ
7	Devin White – ILB, TBB	57	Jessie Bates – S, CIN
8	De’Vondre Campbell – ILB, GBP	58	Trey Hendrickson – DE, CIN
9	Micah Parsons – ILB, DAL	59	Quay Walker – ILB, GBP
10	Aaron Donald – DT, LAR	60	DeForest Buckner – DT, IND
11	T.J. Watt – OLB, PIT	61	Budda Baker – S, ARZ
12	Foyesade Oluokun — ILB. JAX	62	Montez Sweat – DE, WAS
13	Fred Warner – ILB, SFO	63	Anthony Walker – ILB, CLE
14	Denzel Perryman – ILB, LVR	64	Demarcus Lawrence – DE, DAL
15	Nick Bosa – DE, SFO	65	Jamal Adams – S, SEA
16	C.J. Mosley – ILB, NYJ	66	Josey Jewell – ILB, DEN
17	Logan Wilson – ILB, CIN	67	Jeffery Simmons – DT, TEN
18	Danielle Hunter – DE, MIN	68	Kamren Curl – S, WAS
19	Jordan Poyer – S, BUF	69	Jalen Thompson – S, ARZ
20	Bobby Okereke – OLB, IND	70	Josh Allen – DE, JAX
21	Lavonte David – ILB, TBB	71	Dre Greenlaw – OLB, SFO
22	Joey Bosa – DE, LAC	72	Nicholas Morrow – OLB, CHI
23	Cole Holcomb – OLB, WAS	73	Justin Simmons – S, DEN
24	Derwin James – S, LAC	74	Sam Hubbard – DE, CIN
25	Eric Kendricks – ILB, MIN	75	T.J. Edwards – ILB, PHI
26	Demario Davis – OLB, NOS	76	Kamu Grugier-Hill – ILB, HOU
27	Nick Bolton – ILB, KCC	77	Jayron Kearse – S, DAL
28	Cameron Jordan – DE, NOS	78	Chris Jones – DT, KCC
29	Jerome Baker – ILB. MIA	79	Jonathan Greenard – DE, HOU
30	David Long – ILB, TEN	80	Johnathan Abram – S, LVR
31	Chandler Jones – DE, LVR	81	Jamin Davis – ILB, WAS
32	Antoine Winfield – S, TBB	82	Logan Ryan – S, TBB
33	Tremaine Edmunds – ILB, BUF	83	Emmanuel Ogbah – DE. MIA
34	Shaq Thompson – ILB, CAR	84	Zaven Collins – ILB, ARZ
35	Maxx Crosby – DE, LVR	85	Gregory Rousseau – DE, BUF
36	Myles Jack – ILB, PIT	86	Vonn Bell – S, CIN
37	Cameron Heyward – DE, PIT	87	Jonathan Allen – DT, WAS
38	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – OLB, CLE	88	Drue Tranquill – ILB, LAC
39	Kevin Byard – S, TEN	89	Randy Gregory – DE, DEN
40	Kyzir White – OLB, PHI	90	Kenny Moore – CB, IND
41	Zach Cunningham – ILB, TEN	91	Alex Anzalone – ILB, DET
42	Devin Lloyd – ILB, JAX	92	Yannick Ngakoue – DE, IND
43	Kyle Dugger – S, NEP	93	Divine Deablo – ILB, LVR
44	Haason Reddick – DE, PHI	94	Taylor Rapp – S, LAR
45	Deion Jones – ILB, ATL	95	Quinnen Williams – DT, NYJ
46	Harrison Smith – S, MIN	96	Ernest Jones – ILB, LAR
47	Patrick Queen – ILB, BAL	97	JaQuan Brisker – S, CHI
48	Leonard Williams – DE, NYG	98	Chase Young – DE, WAS
49	Xavier McKinney – S, NYG	99	Tyrann Mathieu – S, NOS
50	Jordan Hicks – ILB, MIN	100	Christian Wilkins – DT, MIA

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

In recent years, scarcity was the keyword with defensive linemen — in 12-team leagues that start a pair, the number of reliable weekly starters dried up before the number of managers who needed them could grab two. That jacked up the value of said reliable options.

However, with the advent of “True Position” EDGE designations and 3-4 rush linebackers getting dual eligibility with some IDP providers, the pool of available talent up front has become considerably deeper. In leagues such as that, fantasy managers can afford a little more patience when selecting defensive linemen.

Still, it’s a good idea to use one early pick (say one of the first three) on a defensive lineman/edge rusher who you can plug into the starting lineup with confidence. Then, depending on how deep the pool of available talent is, you might be able to play the waiting game a bit before circling back for a second starter and depth.

Top 50 Defensive Linemen

Rank	Player	Rank	Player
1	Myles Garrett – DE, CLE	26	Randy Gregory – DE, DEN
2	Aaron Donald – DT, LAR	27	Yannick Ngakoue – DE, IND
3	Nick Bosa – DE, SFO	28	Quinnen Williams – DT, NYJ
4	Danielle Hunter – DE, MIN	29	Chase Young – DE, WAS
5	Joey Bosa – DE, LAC	30	Christian Wilkins – DT, MIA
6	Cameron Jordan – DE, NOS	31	Charles Harris – DE, DET
7	Chandler Jones – DE, LVR	32	Marcus Davenport – DE, NOS
8	Maxx Crosby – DE, LVR	33	Carl Lawson – DE, NYJ
9	Cameron Heyward – DE, PIT	34	Aidan Hutchinson – DE, DET
10	Haason Reddick – DE, PHI	35	Brandon Graham – DE, PHI
11	Leonard Williams – DE, NYG	36	Trevis Gipson – DE, CHI
12	Brian Burns – DE, CAR	37	Jermaine Johnson – DE, NYJ
13	Robert Quinn – DE, CHI	38	Kwity Paye – DE, IND
14	Trey Hendrickson – DE, CIN	39	Josh Sweat – DE, PHI
15	DeForest Buckner – DT, IND	40	Travon Walker – DE, JAX
16	Montez Sweat – DE, WAS	41	Javon Hargrave – DT, PHI
17	Demarcus Lawrence – DE, DAL	42	Darrell Taylor – DE, SEA
18	Jeffery Simmons – DT, TEN	43	Jadeveon Clowney – DE, CLE
19	Josh Allen – DE, JAX	44	George Karlaftis – DE, KCC
20	Sam Hubbard – DE, CIN	45	Zach Allen – DE, ARZ
21	Chris Jones – DT, KCC	46	J.J. Watt – DE, ARZ
22	Jonathan Greenard – DE, HOU	47	Grady Jarrett – DT, ATL
23	Emmanuel Ogbah – DE. MIA	48	Arik Armstead – DE, SFO
24	Gregory Rousseau – DE, BUF	49	Frank Clark – DE, KCC
25	Jonathan Allen – DT, WAS	50	Da’Ron Payne – DT, WAS

Target: Cameron Jordan — DE, NO: Jordan has long been one of the most undervalued DL1 in IDP leagues. The 33-year-old has 50 total tackles and/or 12 sacks in each of the past five seasons, and last year he ranked seventh in fantasy points among defensive linemen.

Fade: Chase Young — DE, WAS: When healthy, Young has Top 5 talent. But he’s coming off an ACL tear, will miss the first four games on the season while on the PUP list and no one knows how long it will take him to get up to speed once he is back.

Target: Gregory Rousseau — DE, BUF: Last year, Rousseau logged 50 total tackles while playing just 49 percent of the Bills defensive snaps. With Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes no longer in Buffalo, the second-year pro should see a big uptick in playing time. Can you say breakout?

LINEBACKERS

The linebacker position is the lifeblood of most IDP leagues. With most leagues featuring scoring that favors tackles, linebackers are both the highest-scoring and most consistent players. Most IDP squads will go exactly as far as the linebackers take them. They are like bell-cow running backs or elite receivers — there is no such thing as too many.

Given that, a significant early investment in linebackers is an absolute must on draft day. At least two of your first three picks should be linebackers. If the league features three weekly starters, you’re going to want at least two reliable every-week starters. You can platoon matchup plays in the last spot if you’re feeling froggy. Also, if your IDP league has a “flex” spot, you’re going to want to slot a linebacker there as well.

Top 50 Linebackers

Rank	Player	Rank	Player
1	Bobby Wagner — ILB, LAR	26	J. Owusu-Koramoah – OLB, CLE
2	Roquan Smith – ILB, CHI	27	Kyzir White – OLB, PHI
3	Blake Martinez – ILB, NYG	28	Zach Cunningham – ILB, TEN
4	Jordyn Brooks — ILB, SEA	29	Devin Lloyd – ILB, JAX
5	Darius Leonard – OLB, IND	30	Deion Jones – ILB, ATL
6	Devin White – ILB, TBB	31	Patrick Queen – ILB, BAL
7	De’Vondre Campbell – ILB, GBP	32	Jordan Hicks – ILB, MIN
8	Micah Parsons – ILB, DAL	33	Christian Kirksey – OLB, HOU
9	T.J. Watt – OLB, PIT	34	Cody Barton – OLB, SEA
10	Foyesade Oluokun — ILB. JAX	35	Quincy Williams – ILB, NYJ
11	Fred Warner – ILB, SFO	36	Quay Walker – ILB, GBP
12	Denzel Perryman – ILB, LVR	37	Anthony Walker – ILB, CLE
13	C.J. Mosley – ILB, NYJ	38	Josey Jewell – ILB, DEN
14	Logan Wilson – ILB, CIN	39	Dre Greenlaw – OLB, SFO
15	Bobby Okereke – OLB, IND	40	Nicholas Morrow – OLB, CHI
16	Lavonte David – ILB, TBB	41	T.J. Edwards – ILB, PHI
17	Cole Holcomb – OLB, WAS	42	Kamu Grugier-Hill – ILB, HOU
18	Eric Kendricks – ILB, MIN	43	Jamin Davis – ILB, WAS
19	Demario Davis – OLB, NOS	44	Zaven Collins – ILB, ARZ
20	Nick Bolton – ILB, KCC	45	Drue Tranquill – ILB, LAC
21	Jerome Baker – ILB. MIA	46	Divine Deablo – ILB, LVR
22	David Long – ILB, TEN	47	Ernest Jones – ILB, LAR
23	Tremaine Edmunds – ILB, BUF	48	Matt Milano – OLB, BUF
24	Shaq Thompson – ILB, CAR	49	Jonas Griffith – ILB, DEN
25	Myles Jack – ILB, PIT	50	Malcolm Rodriguez – ILB, DET

Target: Blake Martinez — ILB, NYG: Before tearing his ACL last year, Martinez eclipsed 140 total tackles and finished as a Top 10 fantasy option in four straight seasons. Getting a player with that resume outside the Top 10 at his position is how champions are made.

Fade: Deion Jones — ILB, ATL: The good news is that Jones is finally back on the practice field. The bad news is that he is coming off easily the worst season of his career, faces an uncertain future in Atlanta and is being drafted in many leagues as though he was the Top 10 option from 2020.

Target: Nick Bolton — ILB, KC: When he played all three downs last season, Bolton produced at a high level. He did the same thing at the University of Missouri. And from all indications, he’s going to be an every-down player for the Chiefs in 2022.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

I will freely admit that my views on defensive backs are not shared by all in the IDP community. There are analysts who I respect who swear by the notion that rostering an elite defensive back is worth the price in drafts.

It is not an opinion I share, however.

The defensive back position is two things. The first is deep — easily the deepest position in IDP. In this age of subpackages as base defenses, the list of defensive backs who don’t leave the field is longer than ever before. The second is unpredictable—the list of top-10 defensive backs at the beginning of the season is a lot different from the list at the end.
No one expected Jalen Thompson to post top-10 numbers last year.

Given those realities, the smart play at defensive back is to wait. Load up on linebackers and defensive linemen, and then target upside plays in the secondary late. If they pan out, outstanding. If they don’t, there will be startable options available on the waiver wire into the regular season.

Top 50 Defensive Backs

Rank	Player	Rank	Player
1	Jordan Poyer – S, BUF	26	Jordan Fuller – S, LAR
2	Derwin James – S, LAC	27	Tracy Walker – S, DET
3	Jeremy Chinn – S, CAR	28	Jordan Whitehead – S, NYJ
4	Antoine Winfield – S, TBB	29	Brandon Jones – S, MIA
5	Kevin Byard – S, TEN	30	Grant Delpit – S, CLE
6	Kyle Dugger – S, NEP	31	Jalen Ramsey – CB, LAR
7	Harrison Smith – S, MIN	32	Jalen Pitre – S, HOU
8	Xavier McKinney – S, NYG	33	Julian Love – S, NYG
9	Minkah Fitzpatrick – S, PIT	34	Quandre Diggs – S, SEA
10	Jessie Bates – S, CIN	35	Kyle Hamilton – S, BAL
11	Budda Baker – S, ARZ	36	Adrian Amos – S, GBP
12	Jamal Adams – S, SEA	37	Justin Reid – S, KCC
13	Kamren Curl – S, WAS	38	Nick Cross – S, IND
14	Jalen Thompson – S, ARZ	39	Jevon Holland – S, MIA
15	Justin Simmons – S, DEN	40	Marcus Maye – S, NOS
16	Jayron Kearse – S, DAL	41	Marlon Humphrey – CB, BAL
17	Johnathan Abram – S, LVR	42	Micah Hyde – S, BUF
18	Logan Ryan – S, TBB	43	Adrian Phillips – S, NEP
19	Vonn Bell – S, CIN	44	Talanoa Hufanga – S, SFO
20	Kenny Moore – CB, IND	45	Kendall Fuller – CB, WAS
21	Taylor Rapp – S, LAR	46	Amani Hooker – S, TEN
22	JaQuan Brisker – CHI	47	L’Jarius Sneed – CB, KC
23	Tyrann Mathieu – S, NOS	48	Darnell Savage – S, GBP
24	Xavier Woods – S, CAR	49	Xavien Howard – CB, MIA
25	Trevon Diggs – CB, DAL	50	Kareem Jackson – S, DEN

Target: Kyle Dugger — S, NWE: Dugger is one of this year’s poster players for defensive backs with Top 10 upside available at a discount. After taking a big step forward in his second season, Dugger is a good bet to eclipse the 100-tackle mark in 2022.

Fade: Derwin James — S, LAC: James parlayed an outstanding 2021 season into a massive payday, and he’s the first defensive back selected in most IDP drafts this summer. But James has also missed time in three of four NFL seasons, and more than 10 games in a year twice.

Target: Jaquan Brisker — S, CHI: Kyle Hamilton may have been the first safety drafted in 2022, but Brisker is going to lead all rookie defensive backs in fantasy points. He’s talented, has shined in training camp and is slated for an IDP-friendly box safety role with the Bears this year.

(Top photo: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)

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