Dynasty IDP Rankings Review

The IDP format for dynasty fantasy football leagues continue to grow in popularity, and the fantasy football season is about to begin in earnest. So this is a terrific time for a quick review the top tens of our dynasty IDP rankings for defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

If you have never played in an IDP format before, you really should consider making the move or joining a new league incorporating IDP players.  You can find out more about IDP leagues here and by visiting the IDP thread on the DLF Forum.

Please be sure to check out our complete list of constantly updated Dynasty IDP Rankings and Dynasty IDP Rookie Rankings. These rankings include tiers, comments, and a variety of perspectives and opinions. Let’s get started!

 

Defensive Back Dynasty IDP Rankings

Let’s start with the defensive backs. They don’t get nearly enough love. The top ten from our DLF Dynasty IDP DB Rankings are as follows.

1. Landon Collins, S, NY Giants
2. Keanu Neal, S, Atlanta
3. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota
4. Reshad Jones, S, Miami
5. Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay
6. Karl Joseph, S, Oakland
7. HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Green Bay
8. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona
9. Jonathan Cyprien, S, Tennessee
10. Barry Church, S, Jacksonville

Notice anything? Any patterns jump out at you? Yes, those are all safeties. Safeties will always be the dominant portion of defensive back rankings. The other thing that jumps out is that nine of the 10 ranked come from teams that feature poor linebacking corps. Only Keanu Neal had linebackers in front of him in 2016 that I would actually want to roster in an IDP league.

Landon Collins is the unanimous No. 1 safety for fantasy football in dynasty. He played in the box enough to finish fourteenth in tackles in 2016, thanks to his linebacking corps being rather porous. He also had five interceptions and a fumble recovery last year. Not too shabby.

Honestly, I was surprised we had both Packers safeties in the Top ten. I personally have them back-to-back once I looked back at my individual dynasty IDP rankings. Burnett is probably the better play in most leagues, but if you get a bonus for interceptions, you might want to lean Clinton-Dix.

 

Defensive Line Dynasty IDP Rankings

Next, let’s turn our attention to our Dynasty IDP DL rankings. These rankings can be tricky because the edge players bounce between defensive ends and outside linebackers. Value can fluctuate wildly, especially at this time of year.

Just a quick peek behind the curtain. We rank based upon a player’s designation on MyFantasyLeague. Those designations are drawn from the depth charts found on Rotoworld. If those designations change, so will our IDP rankings.

Once you get in-season, the rankings will stabilize. Keep in mind that pass rushers can and will jump in and out of the Top ten.

1. JJ Watt, DE, Houston
2. Joey Bosa, DE, LA Chargers
3. Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota
4. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Cincinnati
5. Aaron Donald, DT, LA Rams
6. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, NY Giants
7. Olivier Vernon, DE, NY Giants
8. Leonard Williams, DE, NY Jets
9. Ziggy Ansah, DE, Detroit
10. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans

Once more this position is dominated by one spot, and once more we have a unanimous selection at the top. However, Watt is only unanimous because of that pesky edge designation that we talked about. Khalil Mack of the Raiders was my No. 1 defensive lineman, but because he is classified as an outside linebacker this year, he jumps over the LB rankings (where he checks in at No. 21 for me and No. 33 overall).

As a general rule, I am slower to rank young players high than my brethren, but I made an exception with Bosa. He came in, wrecked the league, and did it with no training camp and missed the first four games of his rookie season. That kind domination is Odell Beckam-like and we all know how people feel about him.

I personally am a huge fan of Leonard Williams and have him as my No. 3 ranked defensive lineman, easily the highest out of the entire team. Travis May is the next highest on him and he has Williams at No. 6. Yes, I know the Jets are a dumpster fire, but the defense isn’t the problem. Williams can play up and down the defensive line and generated 68 tackles and 7 sacks last season.

I have been scouting incoming rookies since the 2014 draft class and Williams is my highest-rated prospect in that time, even over this year’s sensation Myles Garrett. (Yes, I liked Jadeveon Clowney more than Mack coming out. I wasn’t the only one. It happens.)

 

Linebacker Dynasty IDP Rankings

On to the linebackers. These are the IDP players most dynasty owners really care about. They are the key players in most IDP fantasy football league scoring systems. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at the top of our Dynasty IDP LB Rankings.

1. Luke Kuechly, Carolina
2. Bobby Wagner, Seattle
3. Alec Ogletree, LA Rams
4. Telvin Smith, Jacksonville
5. Jamie Collins, Cleveland
6. Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay
7. CJ Mosley, Baltimore
8. NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
9. Deion Jones, Atlanta
10. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

While Kuechly might be our consensus top linebacker, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the unanimous number one. I’ve participated in plenty of discussions on Twitter and other IDP discussion groups about who should be at the top of the heap. Kuechly, Wagner, and Alexander all received votes and a legitimate case can be made for each. I currently have Alexander ranked sixth in my personal dynasty IDP LB rankings, but the more I research, the more I believe he may end at or near the top of the list by the start of the season.

Despite all the turnover that is happening with the Rams, Olgletree should remain right where he his, as a top five linebacker. The move to a 3-4 defense will affect values of many others in LA, but Ogletree remains a solid value and top option.

If there is a linebacker who might slide out of the Top ten, it very well could be Jamie Collins. The Browns just signed Christian Kirksey to a huge contract and took Myles Garrett first overall in the NFL Draft. I personally think Collins is more athletic than Kirksey and should maintain the 3-down role, but the contract indicates the Browns think otherwise.

A sneaky candidate to climb up the ranks is CJ Mosley. The Ravens drafted several pass rushing specialists this season. Couple that with the loss of Zach Orr and Mosley looks primed to tackle everything in sight.

So that is the review of our Dynasty IDP Rankings. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to hit me up on Twitter, or leave a comment below.