We are into the second week of preseason games at this point. Drafts have taken place in some leagues, although most leagues are scheduled to draft over the next few weeks prior to the regular season kickoff on Thursday, September 10, 2015. Thus, it is time to get your cheat sheets in order, and prepare for what is usually the best part of the fantasy season, the draft. I am therefore presenting a fresh set of rankings, and will go deeper into the rankings than I normally would for a twelve team league, just in case further injuries or depth chart adjustments are forthcoming.
I have also decided to compile a set of rankings based on what we in IDP circles refer to as “big play” leagues, where more emphasis is placed on sacks and take away plays, such as interceptions and fumble recoveries. Note, though, that my “normal” IDP rankings generally give extra credit for interceptions since I consider that play to be a huge momentum changer. The big play rankings are contained in the second set of tables below, with the rankings based on my “normal” IDP settings contained in the first grouping. Those “normal” IDP settings are as follows:
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 FG/PAT/Punt 6 points
All defensive TDs 6 points
Alternatively, the “big play” IDP settings are as follows:
Solo Tackle (or Total Tackles) 1 point
Assisted tackle 1/2 point
Sack 6 points
Interception 6 points
Pass defended 2 point
Fumble forced 6 point
Fumble recovered 3points
Safety 2 points
Blocked FG/PAT/Punt 6 points
All defensive TDs 6 points
The following three tables are the top 36 IDP at linebacker, defensive lineman and defensive back:
Ranking | Linebacker | POS | Team/Bye |
OLB | KC/9 | ||
ILB | KC/9 | ||
OLB | GB/7 | ||
OLB | TB/6 | ||
OLB | DET/9 | ||
ILB | BAL/9 | ||
ILB | JAX/8 | ||
ILB | PHI/8 | ||
OLB | STL/6 | ||
OLB | DEN/7 | ||
ILB | PHI/8 | ||
ILB | DAL/6 | ||
ILB | CAR/5 | ||
OLB | NE/4 | ||
ILB | SEA/9 | ||
OLB | MIA/5 | ||
OLB | WAS/8 | ||
ILB | GB/7 | ||
ILB | SF/10 | ||
ILB | STL/6 | ||
OLB | PHI/8 | ||
ILB | WAS/8 | ||
OLB | OAK/6 | ||
ILB | HOU/9 | ||
OLB | DEN/7 | ||
OLB | CHI/7 | ||
ILB | PIT/11 | ||
OLB | MIN/5 | ||
OLB | TEN/4 | ||
OLB | TB/6 | ||
OLB | GB/7 | ||
OLB | BUF/8 | ||
ILB | BUF/8 | ||
OLB | DAL/6 | ||
OLB | DEN/7 | ||
ILB | OAK/6 |
Ranking | Defensive Linesman | POS | Tm |
DE | HOU/9 | ||
DE | STL/6 | ||
DE | BUF/8 | ||
DE | MIA/5 | ||
DE | NE/4 | ||
DE | CIN/7 | ||
DE | OAK/6 | ||
DE | NE/4 | ||
DE | MIN/5 | ||
DE | CAR/5 | ||
DE | DAL/6 | ||
DE | DET/9 | ||
DT | MIA/5 | ||
DE | BUF/8 | ||
DE | ARI/9 | ||
DT | STL/6 | ||
DE | NO/11 | ||
DT | TB/6 | ||
DE | MIA/5 | ||
DE | TB/6 | ||
DE | STL/6 | ||
DT | BUF/8 | ||
DE | ATL/10 | ||
DE | DAL/6 | ||
DE | PHI/8 | ||
DE | JAX/8 | ||
DE | SD/10 | ||
DT | CIN/7 | ||
DE | CIN/7 | ||
DE | OAK/6 | ||
DE | CAR/5 | ||
DE | NYG/11 | ||
DE | NYJ/5 | ||
DT | TB/6 | ||
DE | JAX/8 | ||
DE | PIT/11 |
Ranking | Defensive Back | POS | Tm |
S | MIN/5 | ||
CB | DEN/7 | ||
CB | CHI/7 | ||
CB | TEN/4 | ||
CB | BUF/8 | ||
CB | HOU/9 | ||
S | MIA/5 | ||
CB | NYG/11 | ||
S | ATL/10 | ||
CB | STL/6 | ||
S | DET/9 | ||
S | SD/10 | ||
S | OAK/6 | ||
CB | MIA/5 | ||
CB | GB/7 | ||
CB | CAR/5 | ||
S | SF/10 | ||
S | PHI/8 | ||
CB | DEN/7 | ||
S | ARI/9 | ||
CB | CLE/11 | ||
S | TEN/4 | ||
CB | WAS/8 | ||
CB | SEA/9 | ||
S | CLE/11 | ||
CB | SEA/9 | ||
CB | NE/4 | ||
S | CHI/7 | ||
CB | HOU/9 | ||
S | ARI/9 | ||
S | IND/10 | ||
CB | ATL/10 | ||
CB | TB/6 | ||
S | DET/9 | ||
S | GB/7 | ||
S | DAL/6 |
Those are the standard IDP rankings. I went three deep at each position, although most IDP leagues generally only go two deep per team at LB, DL and DB. Of course, you may play in an IDP-only league, and then the tables set forth above and below will not adequately address your draft needs. I am happy to assist you in developing your own rankings, based on your league’s settings. You can contact me at my e-mail address listed at the bottom of this post, and request a set of personalized rankings. I need to know how points are assigned and how many IDP spots your league uses in the starting lineup. Also, make certain to put “IDP rankings” in the subject line to help me locate your message among the many I receive daily.
Here are the top 36 "big play" IDP at linebacker, defensive linesman and defensive back:
Ranking | Big Play Linebacker | POS | Tm |
OLB | KC/9 | ||
OLB | GB/7 | ||
OLB | DEN/7 | ||
ILB | KC/9 | ||
OLB | WAS/8 | ||
OLB | TB/6 | ||
OLB | DET/9 | ||
ILB | BAL/9 | ||
OLB | PHI/8 | ||
ILB | JAX/8 | ||
ILB | PHI/8 | ||
ILB | PHI/8 | ||
OLB | STL/6 | ||
OLB | NE/4 | ||
OLB | GB/7 | ||
ILB | CAR/5 | ||
OLB | BAL/9 | ||
ILB | DAL/6 | ||
OLB | MIA/5 | ||
ILB | SEA/9 | ||
ILB | GB/7 | ||
OLB | OAK/6 | ||
OLB | MIN/5 | ||
ILB | SF/10 | ||
ILB | STL/6 | ||
OLB | CHI/7 | ||
OLB | PHI/8 | ||
OLB | SD/10 | ||
OLB | PIT/11 | ||
ILB | WAS/8 | ||
OLB | DEN/7 | ||
ILB | HOU/9 | ||
OLB | CLE/11 | ||
ILB | PIT/11 | ||
OLB | BAL/9 | ||
OLB | TEN/4 |
Ranking | Big Play Defensive Linesman | POS | Tm |
DE | HOU/9 | ||
DE | STL/6 | ||
DE | MIA/5 | ||
DE | BUF/8 | ||
DE | NE/4 | ||
DE | CIN/7 | ||
DE | OAK/6 | ||
DE | CAR/5 | ||
DE | DAL/6 | ||
DE | MIN/5 | ||
DE | NE/4 | ||
DE | DET/9 | ||
DT | MIA/5 | ||
DE | BUF/8 | ||
DE | NO/11 | ||
DT | TB/6 | ||
DE | TB/6 | ||
DE | ARI/9 | ||
DT | STL/6 | ||
DE | STL/6 | ||
DE | MIA/5 | ||
DT | BUF/8 | ||
DE | ATL/10 | ||
DE | DAL/6 | ||
DT | CIN/7 | ||
DE | JAX/8 | ||
DE | CIN/7 | ||
DE | OAK/6 | ||
DE | PHI/8 | ||
DE | SD/10 | ||
DE | CAR/5 | ||
DE | NYJ/5 | ||
DE | PIT/11 | ||
DE | JAX/8 | ||
DE | NYG/11 | ||
DE | PHI/8 |
Ranking | Big Play Defensive Back | POS | Tm |
CB | DEN/7 | ||
CB | CHI/7 | ||
CB | BUF/8 | ||
S | MIN/5 | ||
CB | TEN/4 | ||
CB | HOU/9 | ||
CB | NYG/11 | ||
CB | STL/6 | ||
S | DET/9 | ||
S | MIA/5 | ||
S | ATL/10 | ||
CB | MIA/5 | ||
CB | CAR/5 | ||
CB | GB/7 | ||
S | OAK/6 | ||
CB | CLE/11 | ||
CB | DEN/7 | ||
S | SD/10 | ||
S | PHI/8 | ||
CB | WAS/8 | ||
S | SF/10 | ||
S | TEN/4 | ||
CB | SEA/9 | ||
CB | NE/4 | ||
CB | SEA/9 | ||
CB | ATL/10 | ||
S | ARI/9 | ||
CB | HOU/9 | ||
CB | ARI/9 | ||
S | CLE/11 | ||
CB | OAK/6 | ||
CB | TB/6 | ||
CB | BAL/9 | ||
CB | DEN/7 | ||
S | DET/9 | ||
S | CHI/7 |
You will notice that there is not a huge amount of difference in how the top players for each position are ranked. Obviously, the top IDPs at linebacker, defensive end and defensive back are generally consistent, as talent tends to rise to the top, no matter what system is employed to assign points. One huge takeaway from the rankings is just how few defensive tackles end up in either table. If your league employs a distinction between DT and DE, my advice is to target a top DT early on in your IDP draftings rounds, as the talent dries up quickly. Not that I would suggest you make a DT your top overall IDP draft pick, just be ready for the run. And please do not start drafting your IDP until you have filled your starting offense, with the exception of a team defense and kicker. Once you have your primary QB, RBs, WRs and TE, however, you need to start looking to fill your top IDP slots.
I also know that I continually preach that linebackers are the gold standard among IDP, but you can also reload at LB during the season a lot easier than you are able to recover from losing a top DL, and to a lesser extent, a DB. Match ups, injuries and breakout performances frequently take place among linebackers during the season, and I would suggest that you read my weekly IDP Reports here on the site to help you adjust as the season goes forward. I will be profiling those IDP that are rising, as well as highlighting those that are not performing up to expectations on a weekly basis. I also cover significant injuries in my weekly article.
Should you have questions regarding fantasy football, especially IDP, you can reach me at ia@fantasyalarm.com to continue the discussion.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.