Draft Guide: IDP - The Next Big Thing

Most fantasy football owners’ experience with the defensive side of the game is limited to selecting a Defense/Special Teams (DST) to start each week. There are several important techniques for managing your team’s DST such as analyzing whether a team defense allows a lot of points, racks up tackles, sacks and interceptions and, in more advanced systems, whether the team has a decent kick return scheme. I tend to draft my DST just before I draft my kicker, which is usually the next to last pick in the draft. I will not rant about how a savvy fantasy drafter stocks up on offensive players while his opponents are wasting valuable mid to late round picks on a defense (or heaven forbid, two defenses), but generally pre-season DST rankings are highly suspect. Granted, drafting the Seahawks DST last year didn’t hurt anyone, but it likely did not push owners over the top in their leagues unless the commissioner has decidedly strange settings for DST’s point accumulation. I saw Chicago, Denver and Carolina go early in many drafts and I viewed them simply as premature. In short, last season’s results mean “bupkis” for the current year.

Every league I have ever set up has an IDP (Individual Defensive Player) component and this generates a substantial aspect of weekly scoring results for each team. In an IDP league, an owner not only drafts the normal offensive players (QB, RB, WR, TE, K) but also linebackers, defensive backs and defensive linemen. Personally, I like having IDP slots for the same reason I like using holds as a statistical category in fantasy baseball. It opens up a whole group of additional players that have fantasy significance. This means you have to study defensive players as well as the usual offensive players. I also enjoy the fact that using IDP means that I have a vested interest on both sides of the line of scrimmage during NFL games. Most fantasy owners are already aware of star defensive players such as J.J. Watt, Lavonte David and Derrick Johnson. But when you are involved in an IDP league, it is necessary to study other aspects of football, such as the defensive scheme a team employs, because it affects how useful a linebacker will be for your fantasy team.

Defensive Schemes

The biggest distinction between defenses is whether a team employs a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme. If a team has three defensive linemen (3-4 scheme), then you want to target their outside linebackers. They are more likely to pick up sacks because the three linemen generally just clog the running lanes up and are not used to rush the quarterback. Defensive linemen and inside linebackers on a 3-4 team will accumulate tackles but not much else. Of course, this can prove valuable in a tackle-heavy IDP league. We will discuss scoring systems a bit later.

A 4-3 team (four defensive linemen) affords a lot of IDP value to defensive ends and the middle linebacker. The defensive ends provide the best option for sacks, while the middle linebacker is a tackle machine. In a 4-3 scheme, all three linebackers can provide points because there is less spreading of the tackles, interceptions and passes defended amongst the group. Overall, it is preferable to draft IDP’s from a team that runs a 4-3 defense because the points will flow better on a weekly basis having effectively five defensive players putting up stats for you. A 3-4 defense will provide decent numbers from the weak side linebacker, while the strong side linebacker will often be tied up by the tight end blocking scheme, and as discussed above, the three defensive linemen will provide some tackle points but little else.

Linebackers

Linebackers are gold in IDP leagues. They have the highest propensity to accumulate fantasy points for tackles, sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, fumble returns and even passes defended. There are plenty of solid linebackers to choose from, so you do not necessarily need to target linebackers as the first defensive players to draft. That being said, you should grab a stud linebacker as your first IDP pick if you have the opportunity. If you can get two stud linebackers then take them and do not look back. If your other league members have drafted their initial IDPs early, however, you can afford to be patient as value exists in the middle picks. What I said above about knowing what sort of scheme a team employs is essential to picking your linebacking crew, but you also want to populate your roster with “3 down” linebackers. It only stands to reason that the more time a player spends on the field, the more likely he is to provide your team with fantasy point production. Also, look for linebackers on bad teams, as they will undoubtedly have more opportunities to tackle the opponent’s running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

Here are my top-30 linebacker rankings, including the distinction between outside and inside linebackers for your preseason consideration:

Defensive Backs

Always opt for safeties to fill your defensive back slots if you are not required to have both cornerbacks and safeties on your fantasy team. Safeties are the safest choices (pun intended), as they will provide the most tackles on a weekly basis since one of their primary roles is to stuff the run. Even if your league puts a high value on interceptions, these plays are notoriously inconsistent from week to week and especially year to year. Also, a shutdown cornerback is a bad IDP choice since the opposing team will avoid passing to whichever wide receiver he is covering. For example, Darrelle Revis is a superb football player but a lousy fantasy football player. In fact, if a rookie cornerback is starting for a team, he is a particularly good draft option because opposing offenses will repeatedly test him until he proves he can cover his man. Thus, a rookie starting cornerback will give you points for tackles, passes defended and an occasional interception. Even so, safeties provide the best consistent value at defensive back and should be targeted when drafting your squad.

As with the linebackers above, here are my early pre-season top-30 defensive backs:

You will note that there are a several cornerbacks in this ranking system. I know I said to target safeties over cornerbacks and I stand by that pronouncement. However, the positive spin on cornerbacks in these projections has to do with my particular scoring system, which is detailed below. If I were to rank the defensive backs by tackle numbers, the rankings would skew predominantly in favor of the safeties. Remember that how you value players requires an in-depth knowledge of your league’s scoring system and then applying that system to the projections for the available players.

Defensive Linemen

When targeting defensive linemen, you will want to go for defensive ends as opposed to defensive tackles. Defensive ends are typically the best source of sacks and tackles, although there is an occasional defensive tackle that provides value. As a general rule, avoid starting a defensive tackle unless your league requires it. If you find that the all the top tier linebackers have been snatched up by the time you like to draft your defensive players, then go for one of the top defensive ends, which will most likely still be available. Remember, look for a defensive end that starts in a 4-3 scheme. In this case, you should look to last year’s statistics for some guidance in terms of sack totals and tackles. Target at least one of the top five to seven defensive ends for your roster because the drop-off after the first tier is dramatic.

Here are my top-29 defensive linemen based upon very early preseason projections:

Notice all the defensive ends? You want to target those guys when drafting defensive linemen. However, keep the top defensive tackles in mind too, as they can provide sneaky production that many inexperienced IDP players will overlook.

Draft Timing

You should not begin drafting defensive players until you have your starting offense set. I would even suggest you grab at least one backup running back and wide receiver or possibly wait until you have three backup offensive players. Do not rush to draft defensive players irrespective of what the rest of your league is doing early on. You run the risk of missing out on the top tier linebackers, but usually defensive backs and defensive linemen will still be there for you to select as your initial IDP options. Except in two-quarterback leagues, you should fill all your IDP starting spots before you go back to selecting the rest of your backup offensive players. Much like all draft advice, if an offensive bargain falls to you in the later rounds, then you need to take advantage at the expense of grabbing an IDP. No matter how highly you may have ranked a defensive player on your cheat sheet, I urge you not to reach for him over a starting offensive player.

I compile a tiered cheat sheet every year along with a separate sheet for IDP. Even though I have certain players ranked as tier one IDPs, my notes say not to get carried away because a tier one IDP is a tenth round selection, not a fourth round draft choice. I also hope it goes without saying that all IDP starters should be selected before a kicker and DST (if your league uses one). I typically draft a DST in the slot just before I select my kicker, or the next to last draft slot. I will have taken any backup offensive players as well as any valuable IDPs based on predicted production or bye week use before I consider taking a DST or kicker.

Scoring Setup

I want my IDP to provide weekly point totals that are nearly equivalent to an offensive player. For example, a good linebacker can usually earn 10-15 points a week, which is what I want from my running back or wide receiver. Occasionally a player may blow up one week where his totals can rival those of a top tier quarterback. When I first began setting up my IDP leagues, I followed the recommended settings I found on various websites. Now after several years of experience, I tend to value IDP stats differently. For example, I see interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles and blocked kicks as more valuable than fumbles recovered (a lucky occurrence) or passes defended. The reason is because these defensive plays reverse possession (interceptions) or stop momentum (sacks and forced fumbles) and have a greater impact on the game than simply tackling a running back or stopping a reception. Sacks have significantly more consequence throughout than a simple tackle through the course of a game, so I assign them an appropriate value when setting up my scoring system. Typically, I use the following values:

Solo Tackle (or Total Tackles), 1 point

Assisted tackle, 1/2 point

Sack, 4 points

Interception, 6 points

Pass defended, 1 point

Fumble forced, 4 point

Fumble recovered, 2 points

Safety, 2 points

Blocked field goal/extra point/punt, 6 points

All defensive touchdowns, 6 points

I typically do not use a DST slot in my newer IDP leagues. I’ve also started dispensing with kickers as well because I believe all kickers are basically the same over the course of a season. I admit that I enjoy drafting in those leagues because I no longer feel like I am settling for my final two picks. Rather, I am looking for a sleeper defensive player or running back at the end of the draft.

I also use six to eight defensive slots in all my leagues. The normal setup is two linebackers, two defensive linemen, two defensive backs and perhaps two defensive flex players that can be a defensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back. I have been considering deleting the dedicated defensive linemen slots and instead letting each owner decide if he wants one on his roster by using two to four general IDP slots.

Rookies

Unlike rookie offensive players who should generally be avoided when drafting a starting lineup, rookie defensive players can have great value immediately. As noted above, a rookie cornerback will rack up points for you simply because he will be targeted by the opposition until he proves himself to be a capable defender. Depending on the team that drafts him, a defensive lineman or linebacker can step into a starting role immediately. The learning curve for defensive players is not as steep and you can regularly find exceptional value from a rookie that is taken in the first few rounds of the NFL draft.

Rankings

As with all fantasy projections, rankings are subjective. I provided three lists of the top-30 preseason linebackers, defensive linemen and defensive backs. Understand that these are EARLY pre-training camp rankings based on projections that will undoubtedly change as the summer rolls on and we get a better idea as to how teams are designing their defensive schemes and using their personnel. However, it is a useful tool for those of you new to IDP fantasy football and will give a general idea as to how the various positions are ranked.

Final Thoughts

Consistency is the key to having success in an IDP league, which means drafting for tackles. Players to target include middle linebackers and defensive ends on teams in a 4-3 scheme, outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme, and safeties over cornerbacks. Except for sacks to an extent, all the other statistical categories are too unpredictable to project when you draft.

Look for tacklers on bad teams. The defense on a lower scoring team will be on the field much more with a resulting increase in tackles and other defensive scoring plays. The winning team also will most likely run the ball more to expire the clock rather than try to pass. Conversely, draft your defensive backs from good teams because opponents will likely have to air it out playing from behind, which will increase the opportunities for interceptions and tackles in the backfield.

The waiver wire will be your friend because fortunes fluctuate over the course of the season due to injuries, lack of performance and bad matchups. Do not sweat if you don’t manage to draft your top defensive back targets. All defensive backs, especially cornerbacks, are wildly inconsistent which you can use to your advantage by snatching up mid to late season rising stars to replace the underperforming and injured dogs cluttering your roster.

Do not worry about dropping a defensive player on a bye week unless you have an absolute stud. Chances are that no one else will pick him up that week and you will have a chance to put him back on your roster once the bye week is over. Even if you do not get him back, another owner will likely drop one of their defensive players due to bye week pressures and then you can pick up his castoff. Besides, there are plenty of good defensive players available on the waiver wire or free agent market every week based on matchups.

If your league awards points for return yards, look for IDPs that play on special teams as kick returners. This will make these players valuable even if they do not record tackles or interceptions.

I went IDP several years ago and will not set up a league without having at least six IDP slots in the starting lineup. I implore you to take the plunge and embrace the world of IDP in fantasy football. After all, we essentially do the same thing in fantasy baseball drafting both hitters and pitchers, as well as in fantasy hockey drafting both goalies and skaters. Why not extend the same concept to fantasy football? If nothing else, it will make every NFL game more meaningful regardless of the score since you will now have defensive players to pull for or root against. You will be hooked the first time you win a matchup with a superb performance from your starting linebacker in the Monday night game. I will bet my league fees on it.