Final FronTiers-IDP

By Winsto (08/30/2023)

There is some solid depth at IDP this season, but there are a few players who could have outstanding years.  

The rankings below are color coded by position: Edge Rushers (Edge), Linebackers (LB), and Defensive Backs (DB). 

One thing to consider: do not draft IDPs based on name value.  The more popular players are not necessarily the best fantasy options. 

To recap, the following tiers/rankings are based on the scoring system to the right: 

  • 1 point——-Tackle (solo) 
  • 0.5 points–Tackle (assist) 
  • 3 points—–Sack 
  • 3 points—–Interception 
  • 1 point——-Pass defensed 
  • 2 points—–Forced fumble 
  • 2 points—–Fumble recovery 
  • 2 points—–Safety 
  • 2 points—–Blocked kick
  • 2 points—–Extra point returned 
  • 6 points—–Defensive touchdown 

Tier 1–The Elite (1-2) 

  • Foyesade Oluokun, Jax (LB-1)
  • Roquan Smith, Bal (LB-2) 

 

Oluokun should be the top IDP off the board.  He had 20 more solo tackles than the next person last season.  Don’t overthink this.  Smith is simply a defensive machine, as he proved last season by not missing a beat even though he switched teams.  

 

Tier 2–The Upper Echelon (3-6) 

  • Nick Bolton, KC (LB-3) 
  • Zaire Franklin, Ind (LB-4) 
  • Bobby Okereke, NYG (LB-5) 
  • C. J. Mosley, NYJ (LB-6) 

 

Bolton may belong in the higher tier, but my slight concern is missing Chris Jones to fend off offensive lineman and the presence of Dru Tranquill, who may actually be better than Bolton in passing situations.  Thus, I do wonder if Tranquill “could” replace Bolton in dime packages.  Franklin was a revelation last season, and he should still continue to thrive, even with a healthy Shaquille Leonard.  Okereke’s stats should benefit from the move to New York and surpass last season’s totals.  Of course, Okereke is not the only New York linebacker here, as Mosley continues to put up the stats.   

 

Tier 3—The Seemingly Solid Options (7-13) 

  • T.J. Edwards, Chi (LB-7) 
  • Dre Greenlaw, SF (LB-8) 
  • Cole Holcomb, Pit (LB-9) 
  • Logan Wilson, Cin (LB-10) 
  • Jordan Hicks, Min (LB-11) 
  • Derwin James Jr., LAC (DB-1) 
  • Bobby Wagner, Sea (LB-12) 

 

This tier has players who should provide steady and higher end fantasy points.  Edwards should lead the way in Chicago.  Greenlaw looks like the better fantasy linebacker option in San Francisco going into this year.  Holcomb has been steady and should continue with his new team in Pittsburgh.  Wilson, Hicks, and James are steady as well. Wagner has coexisted with Jordyn Brooks before and produced.  Why can’t he do it again? 

 

Tier 4—The Upside with Questions (14-26) 

  • Nakobe Dean, Phi (LB-13) 
  • Azeez Al-Shaair, Ten (LB-14) 
  • Ernest Jones, LAR (LB-15) 
  • Jalen Pitre, Hou (DB-2)
  • Quay Walker, GB (LB-16) 
  • Kyzir White, Ari (LB-17)
  • Denzel Perryman, Hou (LB-18) 
  • Jordyn Brooks, Sea (LB-19) 
  • Divine Deablo, LV (LB-20) 
  • Budda Baker, Ari (DB-3)
  • Troy Andersen, Atl (LB-21) 
  • Kaden Ellis, Atl (LB-22) 
  • Pete Werner, NO (LB-23) 

 

Some would put the next tier before these guys, but I believe the upside here is worth taking the risk, as there is top 10 potential with each of them.  All of these players have questions going into the season, but they are all in situations where they could provide a big return on your investment.  Dean, Al-Shaair, and Jones are in new situations where they face less competition and should be wearing the green dot.  Pitre may find a bit more competition for tackles, but he should still thrive.  This may be the year where Walker surpasses Campbell, fantasy-wise.  Arizona, to put it delicately, will struggle this year.  White and Baker are going to be on the field a lot!  They should both rack up fantasy stats.  Perryman looks to be the leader at linebacker in Houston.  Brooks had success with Wagner before, and if he is healthy enough after his ACL injury, I do not see why he cannot do it again.  Deablo “appears” to have the inside track on the green dot for Las Vegas.  The situation in Atlanta is not as certain, but Anderson and Ellis could both thrive.  Werner may not be in Demario Davis’s shadow anymore. 

 

Tier 5—The Steady: Lower Ceilings and Sack Artists (27-50) 

  • T. J. Watt, Pit (Edge-1) 
  • Josey Jewell, Den (LB-24) 
  • De’Vondre Campbell, GB (LB-25) 
  • Alex Singleton, Den (LB-26) 
  • Eric Kendricks, LAC (LB-27) 
  • Devin White, TB (LB-28) 
  • Shaq Thompson, Car (LB-29) 
  • Fred Warner, SF (LB-30) 
  • Alex Anzalone, Det (LB-31) 
  • Micah Parsons, Dal (Edge-2) 
  • David Long Jr., Mia (LB-32) 
  • Patrick Queen, Bal (LB-33) 
  • Cody Barton, Was (LB-34) 
  • Frankie Luvu, Car (LB-35) 
  • Maxx Crosby, LV (Edge-3) 
  • Lavonte David, TB (LB-36) 
  • Shaquille Leonard, Ind (LB-37) 
  • Anthony Walker Jr., Cle (LB-38) 
  • Jaquan Brisker, Chi (DB-4) 
  • L’Jarius Sneed, KC (DB-5) 
  • Robert Spillane, LV (LB-39) 
  • Tremaine Edmunds, Chi (LB-40) 
  • Matt Milano, Buf (LB-41) 
  • Jamin Davis, Was (LB-42) 

 

In this tier, we have consistent players who have steady floors, but also capped ceilings.  We also have a few edge rushers who will be less consistent but have several very strong weeks. I have Jewell lower than others, and I could be wrong. My reasoning is partly due to the competition with Singleton and partly due to the possibility of Drew Sanders (rookie) earning some playing time this season. Watt and Parsons both have a wide range of outcomes this season, so that is factored into their rankings. Crosby is very active for a defensive end, as he not only acquires sacks but also a decent amount of tackles.  Leonard has not had a high-end fantasy season for several years now. Brisker was stellar last year, but Chicago’s offseason linebacker additions may cap his ceiling.