The Complete Guide to Dominating IDP, Part 9: IDP Draft Blueprint

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Over the past couple of months here at Footballguys, we have endeavored to give you all the knowledge you need to dominate your IDP league We have addressed Scoring and basic IDP Draft Strategy. Looked in-depth at Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. We've gone over some Advanced IDP Concepts and discussed In-Season Lineup Management and In-Season Roster Management.

IDP Guide, Part 1: Scoring
IDP Guide, Part 2: Basic Draft Strategy
IDP Guide, Part 3: Drafting Defensive Linemen
IDP Guide, Part 4: Drafting Linebackers
IDP Guide, Part 5: Drafting Defensive Backs
IDP Guide, Part 6: Advanced IDP Concepts
IDP Guide, Part 7: In-Season Lineup Management
IDP Gude, Part 8: In-Season Roster Management

We have covered just about all the bases. So now, there's just one thing left to do. We're going to close out the Complete Guide to Dominating IDP with a blueprint of sorts for your upcoming draft. With a guide within a guide—a round-by-round look at the best time to target certain defensive positions (and players).

Now, it's worth noting that there's no set blueprint for this sort of thing because there's no set time when the first defensive players will be drafted. In a recent IDP industry draft I participated in, the first defensive player (San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa) was drafted at 4.10. But in some drafts, the first IDPs may not be drafted until a full round or more later.

However, what we do generally know is that after that first IDP is drafted, a few of the elite options will trickle off the board over the next round or two. Then in Rounds 6-8, the first major run on IDPs will take place. Once that run subsides and teams have a defensive foundation, it's usually offensive and defensive players in relatively equal measure.

Given that variance in when the first defensive players will be drafted, there's no set-in-stone framework for how to approach drafting IDPs. But assuming that things don't go completely off the rails, there is a blueprint of sorts that IDP managers can follow that will result in a competitive mix of offense and defense.

The key is simple enough—rather than being a trendsetter, barring a big early run at linebacker let other managers set the pace early on defense while you continue to add offense. Then, hit players in a position of value that offer solid production at a discounted price.

The Guru Dissents!

By All Means, Be a Trendsetter

Contrary to the good Godfather, I would say never be afraid to be a trendsetter if the situation is right. Fantasy leagues are rarely won by playing it safe. If your draft slot is 1-3 or 9-12, it can be a trap. The draft comes to you at the 5-6 turn and no defensive guys, or maybe just one or two have been picked, so you take a third-tier receiver and a top-ten quarterback. The next two managers take linebackers and the run is on. You sit helplessly as your entire first tier and some of your second evaporates. From that point on, you are in chase mode, always settling for the best player left at each position and never being able to get ahead.

I much prefer to get the pick of the litter and trigger a run rather than chasing it. If you take, say Oluokun and Bolton at that turn, the worst thing that can happen is you're "stuck" with a pair of top-five linebackers with no need to address the position further for at least the next six to eight rounds. What often happens, is a move like that triggers the rest of the league to start taking linebackers, allowing offensive players like the ones you passed, to fall into your lap on the next loop. It doesn't always work but it works often, and when it does, it's a thing of beauty.

This blueprint assumes a relatively straightforward PPR setup on offense and a defensive roster that includes two starters along the defensive line, two or three linebackers, two defensive backs, and a flex spot with scoring that favors tackles (we'll also address formats that require defensive tackles and cornerbacks). As IDP setups go, it's a fairly straightforward one.

Let's get after it—by not getting after defense at all.

Phase 1: Getting Offensive (Rounds 1-6)

Unless your IDP league starts a boatload of defensive players or the scoring is weighted to the point that top IDPs score on par with their offensive counterparts, you're going to want to wait to start using all the knowledge we have been dropping on you the past couple of months. The first handful of rounds are going to be about offense.

It doesn't matter if you go Zero RB, Robust RB, Hero RB, draft a tight end like Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs early, or even (shudder) spend an early pick on a quarterback. The point here is to frame out an offensive foundation. Again, you don't have to jump the gun and be the first team to draft an IDP to field a competitive defense.

With that said, there is one thing you don't want to happen in Phase 1. Don't get frozen out of the first big run at linebacker. That's easier to avoid from the middle of the round, but if you're picking in the front third of Round 5 and three or four linebackers have been drafted, you should probably go ahead and grab (at least) one—much like the Guru advised earlier.

Guru Tip: We agree that the first six rounds are generally about offense but be flexible. I like to set up my draft board by tiers. My first tier of linebackers, for example, consists of Foyesade Oluokun, Nick Bolton, Roquan Smith, C.J. Mosley, Bobby Wagner, Zaire Franklin, and Bobby Okereke. These guys are all low-risk, high-ceiling, and uber-consistent. Landing one of them is vital to my plan. If that means I have to take one in round four, so be it. Don't ever go into a draft stubbornly thinking, I'm going to take player X in round Y or you'll end up catching some Zs on the couch while someone else is playing for a championship. Instead, go into the draft thinking, I need to get one player from this group of 5-8 guys and one from that group, etc. When the tier gets small, take your guy. If that is round five, so be it. If it's round seven, all the better.

IDP Target: Nick Bolton, LB, Kansas City Chiefs (Rounds 5-6)

Bolton won't be the first linebacker drafted. He probably won't be the second. He doesn't have the big-play upside of Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens. But as his whopping 180 total tackles and 108 solos last year show, Bolton has a chance to finish as the No. 1 linebacker overall. If you simply must have an elite linebacker, Bolton's a good get.

Phase 2: Get After the Defense (Rounds 7-12)

At this point, you have secured a solid offensive framework. You have a dependable running back or two. Some wide receivers you expect to post gaudy numbers in the upcoming season. Perhaps a reliable weekly starter at tight end.

This is the point in the draft where the first big IDP run usually comes, and once that happens, defensive players will begin coming off the board pretty regularly. With that in mind, there are two defensive objectives at this point in the draft.

By the time Phase 2 has concluded, it's a good idea to have rostered a pair of reliable linebackers—three-down players who will steadily rack up tackles on a weekly basis. They will form the backbone of your defensive unit.

It's also a good idea to draft at least one defensive lineman in this section of the draft. The additional depth at the position afforded by "True Position" and the addition of 3-4 outside linebackers to the mix has afforded IDP managers more options up front, but having at least one high-end weekly starter you can depend on remains a wise course of action.

Also, don't get so caught up on defense that you ignore the offense. Continue adding talent at running back and wide receiver. If you haven't already drafted a starting quarterback, this is likely the time to do it. Just try to get value—on both sides of the ball.

Guru Tip: By the end of round twelve, you should have a starting offense fully in place with a couple of good linebackers and a top-tier lineman. At that point, it is time to focus on offense. Fill your depth chart with those high-upside guys that are going to get on the field. By round 20 or so, you should be virtually done with the offense and should have at least four defensive starters. The rest of the draft is dedicated to picking up the best defensive guys that fall through the cracks at linebacker and defensive line and filling out your defensive backs.

IDP Target: Bobby Okereke, LB, New York Giants (Rounds 7-8)

After four years in Indianapolis (and a career-high 151 total tackles in 2022), Okereke joined the Giants in a four-year, $40 million free agent pact. He'll serve as New York's No. 1 off-ball linebacker, and given the tackle opportunities he should see in that role a top-10 fantasy finish is well within the realm of reason.

IDP Target: Cole Holcomb, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Rounds 9-10)

Like Okereke, Holcomb is joining a new team in 2023, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after four years in Washington. Durability is a potential concern with Holcomb—he missed 10 games last season. But his 142 total tackles and eighth-place finish among linebackers two years ago demonstrates the sort of fantasy upside he has if healthy.

IDP Target: Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings (Rounds 11-12)

There are quite a few changes defensively in Minnesota this season—changes that appear to have spooked some IDP managers regarding Hunter's IDP prospects. But Hunter has shown on multiple occasions that he can eclipse 60 tackles and post double-digit sacks—including a 65-tackle, 10.5-sack campaign in 2022.