Dynasty IDP Top 150 Fantasy Football Rankings: Movers and Shakers

Jason Abbey

Welcome to movers and shakers, an in-season series from DLF. Each week we choose a different ranking category; top 250 (one quarterback and superflex), devy, and IDP. We then review players from that group who may have risen or fallen substantially from the past month’s ranks and alert you to any relevant changes. Let’s get right to it.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

It’s slim pickings in fantasy leagues that necessitate starting a defensive tackle. Very few interior linemen perform consistently from year to year, and while this guy remains one of those select few, his dynasty value has taken a slight hit. Let’s examine why his ranking has slipped.

Aaron Donald, DT LAR (Current DL13, DT4)

Donald is still elite; his pass rush win rate is the best among all DTs, his 10.1% pressure rate ranks 14th at the position, and only one of the 13 players ranked ahead of him in that metric has produced more tackles in 2022. He’s achieved this despite being double-teamed at a higher rate than any other interior defensive lineman.

That all sounds great, so why is he slipping in the rankings? We’re used to seeing him dominate, and the gap between Donald and the chasing pack is not as prominent as it once was. The signs were there in early 2021, and the situation has continued into this season.

Donald’s IDP ranking and his ADP have always reflected his otherworldly ability. DLF held a series of mock drafts in the pre-season, and Donald was taken four rounds ahead of the next DT, Jeffrey Simmons, and 17 rounds ahead of 2022 standout Javon Hargrave. That’s egregious, albeit with the added benefit of hindsight.

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Data courtesy of DLF Dynasty Rankings History Comparison app.

It’s likely Donald will remain one of, if not the best interior defensive linemen in fantasy for years, but his age doesn’t work in his favor in dynasty formats. Quinnen Williams, Jeffrey Simmons, and Dexter Lawrence are all 25 years old or younger, and there are many more in that 25-29 age range who have performed comparably in 2022.

Should Move Behind:

Tough call. Quinnen Williams and Jeffrey Simmons already ranked ahead of Donald DLF’s IDP top-150 rankings, but DeForest Buckner has passed the Rams’ lineman for the first time, and Jonathan Allen is nipping at his heels. Even Christian Wilkins enters the discussion in leagues that prioritize tackle volume.

DEFENSIVE END/EDGE

This is a deep position. The elite group of four at the edge spot comprises Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Nick Bosa, and Michah Parsons. Finding a nugget in the chasing group is one of my favorite challenges in fantasy, and this guy is in the mix after an impressive 2022 campaign.

Jaelan Phillips, DE/EDGE MIA (Current DE16)

Phillips has taken his game to new heights in his sophomore year. Last year, he had a pedestrian 9.7% pressure rate, but his value remained high as he converted an unsustainable 25% of his pressures into double-digit sacks. This year, he hasn’t been as fortunate in converting pressure into sacks, but his pressure rate has jumped to an impressive 15.2%, ranking ninth among all edge rushers.

His tackle rate has also improved. Phillips averages a tackle on 6.3% of his snaps this year compared to just 4.8% in 2021. The only edge rusher with a superior pressure and tackle efficiency rate is the guy I mentioned in the November version of this article, Rashan Gary.

Phillips hasn’t just been more efficient; he’s playing a larger role than he did in the 2021 campaign. Last season he averaged only 54% of the available defensive snaps. This year, his snap share is 70.7%.

His improvement is reflected in his PFF pass rush grade. He’s 14th among all edge rushers in 2022 with an 82.3 pass-rush grade. Last year he ranked 104th with a score of 61.3. His numbers have also improved markedly in run defense.

Simply put, there is a lot to like about Phillips’ dynasty value.

Should Move Ahead Of:

The Miami edge rusher has moved ahead of Chase Young and Sam Hubbard in my personal rankings, and while he barely edges Alex Highsmith in our combined rankings, I think there is a sizeable difference in talent between the two. Phillips is now just one spot behind Montez Sweat.

LINEBACKER

Linebacker is often considered the most important spot in IDP. Distinguishing between productive linebackers and those who will disappoint can often mean the difference between success and failure in fantasy. This guy has exceeded all expectations in the last month, and his dynasty value has skyrocketed.

Jack Sanborn, LB CHI (Current LB59)

I was torn between Kaden Ellis and Jack Sanborn here. Both players have been on fire in the last month. I chose the Bears linebacker because his production is more sustainable; Pete Werner’s return may harm Ellis’ outlook.

It would be a stretch to call Roquan Smith’s tenure in Chicago an afterthought, but the mere suggestion that could be the case only a month after his trade to the Ravens speaks volumes about how Sanborn has produced in the last four games. He’s second among all linebackers with 38 tackles in that time, and he’s also recorded a couple of sacks.

The 2022 UDFA’s snap share has grown in four consecutive weeks, separating Sanborn from the vast majority at the position, as the number of every-down linebackers continues to diminish yearly.

We have an extremely small sample size to work with where Sanborn is concerned, but his 15% tackle efficiency currently ranks second at the position. I doubt he can sustain that going forward, but it demonstrates his fast start and bodes well for at least the rest of the season, and while there is no guarantee he will hold onto the role beyond 2022, Nicholas Morrow is scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

Should Move ahead of

He makes his debut in our rankings as the LB59, immediately moving ahead of Willie Gay and Kyzir White. Channing Tindall is one spot ahead of him, and his teammate Nicholas Morrow is four places ahead of him, but Sanborn is gathering momentum.

SAFETY

The safety position is one of my favorites. There is an incredibly flat tier behind an elite handful of players at the position, and any of the players in that huge chasing group can perform well in any given week. Predicting which players will succeed and which will disappoint can be challenging but fun.

Johnathan Abram, S SEA (Current DB39)

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Data courtesy of DLF Dynasty Rankings History Comparison app.

It has been a rough year for Abram. The Raiders declined his fifth-year option, and he found himself out of favor just six games into the season, losing his every down role. Even so, it was still a slight surprise when the Raiders released him shortly afterward.

The Packers threw Abram a lifeline after claiming him off waivers, but they weren’t overly impressed with what they saw as he barely played and was released just a few weeks later.

The Seahawks, beset with injuries at the safety position, claimed Abram off waivers this week, giving him yet another chance to return to fantasy relevance. I’m not holding my breath. Even Abram’s biggest fans have to admit that he’s a one-dimensional playing in a position that requires more versatility in the modern game. He cannot cover effectively, misses too many tackles, and has never demonstrated a knack for producing big plays.

Should Move Behind:

Abram’s value has never been lower. He’s ranked behind rookies who have barely played, such as Nick Cross and Lewis Cine. I expect him to slide out of our top 150 in the next few weeks, barring an unlikely career renaissance with the Seahawks.

Wrapping It Up

We aim to tip you off as to who the movers and shakers are weekly across our different ranking platforms. During the season, they will fluctuate regularly. The best way to stay abreast of how a particular player you are tracking is performing is to head directly to our rankings pages. Thank you for following along—best of luck in your fantasy endeavors.

jason abbey
Dynasty IDP Top 150 Fantasy Football Rankings: Movers and Shakers