The Complete Guide to Dominating IDP, Part 3 - Defensive Linemen

In the first two installments of the Complete Guide to Dominating IDP, we have hit the basics—the foundation for IDP success.

IDP Guide, Part 1: Scoring
IDP Guide, Part 2: Basic Draft Strategy

Now, it's time to start taking a deeper look at each of the positions in IDP—how much they matter, what to look for in draft targets, and how to construct a strong group of IDPs at each spot.

First up, it's the guys charged with stuffing the run at the point of attack and making quarterbacks miserable—the defensive linemen. It's a position that, for many years, was defined by scarcity. But in recent years, the changing face of the NFL has brought some big changes along the defensive front in IDP leagues.

The Times, They Are-a-Changing

For many years, IDP managers faced a dilemma on the defensive line. In a 12-team league that starts two defensive linemen, the number of reliable weekly options ran out before each team had a pair of starters up front. If you weren't aggressive in acquiring two of the top 18-20 linemen, it meant a weakness at the position.

However, as the nickel became the de facto base defense in the NFL, more IDP providers began classifying 3-4 outside linebackers and 4-3 defensive ends together as DE or EDGE and 3-4 linemen and 4-3 defensive tackles together at DT or Interior Defenders (ID). True Position added a badly needed jolt of depth to the defensive line in IDP leagues.

This doesn't mean that elite defensive linemen have lost value or that having one won't afford fantasy managers an advantage at the position. But the pressure to grab a second starter before the well runs dry isn't what it once was. A measure of patience can be exercised without creating a major liability at the position.

What to Look for in a Defensive Lineman

Living on the Edge

This is by no means an absolute, but in leagues that don't differentiate between defensive ends and defensive tackles, edge rushers will generally have more value than interior linemen. As a whole, they are more consistent statistical producers.

Last year, just two of the top-12 defensive linemen (Quinnen Williams of the Jets and Daron Payne of the Commanders) were defensive tackles. In 2022, 19 players recorded double-digit sacks. Just five were tackles.

Again, this doesn't mean that interior linemen don't have IDP value, even in leagues that don't require defensive tackles—especially if they fall on draft day. But as a whole, targeting edge rushers is the more advisable course of action.

Sacks Matter, But So Do Stops

Many IDP managers focus on just one statistical category where defensive linemen are concerned—sacks. And of course, getting to the quarterback is important for defensive linemen (thanks, Captain Obvious). But there's another category that IDP managers should prioritize just as highly.

Tackles.

Last year's No. 1 defensive lineman (Maxx Crosby of the Raiders) had 12.5 sacks, but it was his jaw-dropping 89 total stops that put him over the top. Of the top-10 defensive linemen in 2022, only one (Haason Reddick of the Eagles) amassed fewer than 50 tackles. Eight of the 10 topped 60 stops. They averaged almost 63 tackles apiece.

Conversely, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones piled up 15.5 sacks. But he had just 30 solos and finished outside the top 15. Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals tallied 27.5 sacks combined in 2020 and 2021, but he's never had 35 tackles in a season. When his sack numbers dropped in 2022, his IDP production went off a cliff.

Solid tackle numbers provide defensive linemen with a floor. Even if a guy doesn't get a sack, he'll at least provide a few points based on those tackles. Nothing ruins an IDP manager's week like the dreaded doughnut from a starter.

Under Pressures

Again, sacks are, of course, an important statistic for defensive linemen. But they can also be a tad fluky. The blink of an eye separates a sack from a quarterback hit from a pressure. Many leagues don't award points for hits, and very few do for pressures.

However, hits and pressures can be a valuable tool for IDP managers—a way to forecast edge rushers and defensive tackles who could be set for a big year. Take the aforementioned Maxx Crosby. One of the reasons IDP analysts were high on Crosby in 2022 was the fact that while he managed just eight sacks in 2021, he was 10th in pressures and first in quarterback knockdowns.

Josh Allen's seven sacks in 2022 were widely regarded as a disappointing season in IDP circles. But the Jaguars edge rusher was seventh in the NFL in pressures and fifth in quarterback knockdowns. In other words, Allen could be headed for a rebound year in 2023—and could present an opportunity for value for fantasy managers.

You Down With OLB? Well, You Should Be

True Position is a relatively new phenomenon in IDP, and as with any big change, there is an adjustment period. Some fantasy managers new to the format appear to be overlooking some of the 3-4 edge rushers who were all but irrelevant in most leagues for so long. That presents an opportunity for value for those who take advantage of it.

Now, before you get too excited, this doesn't mean that you'll be able to draft Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt as the 15th defensive lineman off the board. But players like Uchenna Nwosu of the Seahawks, Rashan Gary of the Packers, Harold Landry III of the Titans, and Shaquil Barrett of the Buccaneers are all being drafted later than they should be.

Last year, Preston Smith of the Packers turned 59 tackles and 8.5 sacks into a top-25 fantasy finish at his position. The 30-year-old was essentially free in IDP drafts in 2022—and is again in the early-going this season.

Rookies are Risky

The defensive line is a valuable position in the NFL draft—this year's first non-quarterback drafted was Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson. But that value doesn't generally carry over into redraft IDP leagues.

The reason is simple—the defensive line has one of the steepest learning curves of any position in the game. Most rookie edge rushers enter the NFL having used one pass-rush move with consistent success. Then they get to the NFL—and that move no longer works. Even superstars like Myles Garrett of the Browns had relatively modest first seasons.

Last year's No. 1 rookie defensive lineman (Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions) had, by rookie standards, a great 2022—52 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Even then, he finished outside the top 20 at the position in fantasy points. Don't overinvest in first-year defensive linemen—even ones as talented as Anderson.

Guru Tip: Know Your Format and Do Your Homework

Defensive line strategy differs greatly between leagues that start two or three linemen and those that break out the positions, requiring two tackles and two defensive ends. The common denominator is understanding the relative value of the position in your scoring system.

Defensive linemen will never put up tackle totals like linebackers. That's just the nature of the game. If your scoring is the same for all positions, sacks and forced fumbles will be an equalizer for the top-shelf pass rushers, but once you get past the elite-tier guys, the punt approach might be your best option. This is especially true in formats requiring interior linemen, where there is a significant drop-off after the first 8-10 guys.

If you are in setup mode for an IDP league that breaks out the positions, I would suggest scoring that boosts interior linemen a little and levels the playing field. Maybe an extra half-point per tackle, quarter-point per assist, and half a point for a sack. Otherwise, the position is a lot like having another kicker.

As Gary mentioned, the trend toward True Position formats is adding more quality players to both the defensive end and tackle positions, but it doesn't mean there is an abundance of either. Know how deep the positions are and be flexible on draft day.

It's also vital to search out those upside guys to target late in the fray. Fantasy leagues are often won or lost in the last ten rounds. If you land that one stud at each defensive position and then turn to filling out your offense in the middle rounds, as I talked about in Part 2, you will be targeting mostly defense in the late rounds.

Building a DL Group

Step 1: Anchors Away

The advent of True Position has afforded IDP managers more options along the defensive line. But in some respects, the strategy up front hasn't changed much. It remains wise to make a relatively early investment in one defensive lineman you can rely on to anchor the position. A player who will start every week regardless of the matchup.

It's not just a matter of the fantasy points that the first lineman is expected to accrue—although those are certainly nice. In drafting a player you can reasonably expect to hit the 60-tackle, 12-sack mark, you are giving your defensive line a floor—hedging a bit against a down week from your other starter.

Whether it's an elite option like Garrett or a player a bit farther down the rankings, this is the guy you will trust as the foundation of the position group. Choose wisely.

Target: DE Matthew Judon, New England Patriots

In each of the past two seasons, Judon has posted 60 tackles and at least 12.5 sacks. Last year, he was fifth in fantasy points among defensive linemen. But he's often available outside the top 10 at the position. If you want to hammer away at linebackers early (which will be covered in Part 4), then Judon is a fantastic target as your first lineman.

Step 2: Make a Choice

At this point, there are a couple of directions IDP managers can go in. Neither is necessarily better than the other—it's all a matter of personal preference and draft flow.

The safer route is to acquire a second starter by the time the first 18-20 defensive linemen are off the board. The upside here is the notion of locking in a second every-week starter—of having a pair of D-Linemen that you can roll out each week. Two set-and-forget guys.

The alternative is to wait a while longer. Take advantage of the new depth that True Position affords and wait a while before drafting two linemen with considerable upside you can platoon based on matchups. It's a riskier play where the defensive linemen are concerned, but it allows drafters to focus more on linebacker and offense.

Target: DE Harold Landry, Tennessee Titans

An ACL tear ended Landry's season before it ever began, but there's nothing to indicate he won't be full-go in 2023, and two years ago, the 27-year-old posted 74 tackles and 12 sacks on the way to an eighth-place finish among defensive linemen. He also just so happens to play in a division where two teams will likely be starting rookie quarterbacks this year.

STEP 3: Flesh it Out

As we touched on in Part 2, unless your IDP league has a deep bench, there's no real need to carry more than two or three reserves on the defensive line. In most formats, that depth is better spent on the offensive side of the ball.

Where those reserves are concerned, one should be a high-floor option like the aforementioned Preston Smith. Having a player like that who can step in and provide at least a serviceable stat line available for bye weeks and the occasional injury fill-in isn't a bad idea.

For the other reserve spot, take a late shot on a young, high-upside, lottery-ticket type of player. If that player doesn't pan out, there's really nothing lost. But if that lottery ticket hits, you'll have that much more depth—and possibly a valuable depth chip.

Target: DE Tyus Bowser, Baltimore Ravens

Bowser's 2022 season was a mess—he missed eight games and managed just two sacks for the year. But back in 2021, the 28-year-old posted almost 60 tackles and seven sacks. He's a solid depth option available late with the potential to work his way into the DL2 conversation if things break the right way for the sixth-year veteran.

DT-Required IDP Leagues

In IDP leagues that require defensive tackles, there are essentially three tracks that can be taken—so we'll break them down “Let's Make a Deal”—style.

Door No. 1 - The Elite Options: Investing in an elite tackle like Aaron Donald of the Rams or Quinnen Williams of the Jets isn't cheap—they will likely be among the top 15 linemen selected. That means making a sacrifice at another position or waiting for a DE1. But they have demonstrated the ability in the past to give managers consistent production and an edge at the position.

Door No. 2 - The Second-Tier Guys: The best path for IDP managers from a value perspective probably lies here. Tackles like DeForest Buckner of the Colts and Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen of the Commanders have the potential to challenge to be the No. 1 defensive tackle—but their draft-day cost isn't as steep—they will mostly be selected in the DL15-DL30 range.

Door No. 3 – Punt: This strategy is rather similar to waiting to draft a quarterback. The logic behind it is the same as at that position—the belief that the hole IDP managers will be in at defensive tackle can be overcome by the players who were drafted while you waited. Regardless of which path you choose at tackle, one reserve should be all that's necessary—whether it's as part of a platoon or as a bye-week fill-in.

Guru Tip

Even with the influx of 3-4 linemen, those second stud-tackles are relatively hard to come by. If your scoring supports it by leveling the positions some, locking up a pair of stud tackles can be a big advantage for those of us in leagues starting two. Grab, for example, DeForest Buckner as your DT1, then come back and snag Jonathan Allen or whoever is the last available player on the DT1 tier, as your second starter. This does two important things for you. It gives you better production from your DT2 than some managers in your league will get from their DT1, and it closes the position for you so you no longer have to think about when or if you need to get another tackle. Use the third roster spot on another position and slip a streamer onto your roster to cover bye weeks.

Target: DT Leonard Williams, New York Giants

Williams' numbers were down last year, largely because he missed five games. But in 2021, Williams topped 80 total tackles and finished third in fantasy points among defensive tackles. The year before that, Williams piled up 11.5 sacks and again finished third in points at the position. There's top-five upside present with Williams, and it's available at a discount.

DL Sleepers, Guru Style

There are a lot of ways to zero in on your favorite sleepers. Looking for favorable situations is the obvious one, but there are other angles. When NFL teams have injuries and/or are eliminated from contention, they often plug in guys to see what they have for the future. When they do this, we need to be paying attention as well. I like to look at players that had increased roles or, for whatever reason, surged in the box scores over the second half of last season.

Gary has thrown out a few good suggestions on guys to target. I'm going to throw out a name that no one is talking about, a player I'm grabbing everywhere I can. Josh Uche of the Patriots had three solo tackles to his credit entering Week 8 of last season. He finished the year with 27 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 11.5 sacks, including a string of five consecutive contests with at least a half and 7.5 total, ending in Week 16. Yet somehow, the guy is going undrafted in many leagues. Let someone else take Matt Judon and grab Uche in the last round instead.

That's a wrap for Part 3 of the Complete Guide to Dominating IDP. Next time out, we'll be taking a look at the backbone of IDP teams—the most important defensive position in fantasy football.

Next up—it's linebacker time.