Here are my top 10 IDP Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs based on the IDP123 scoring system. Additionally, I will touch on a few of the players from each position. Keep in mind, you will notice that T. J. Watt and Micah Parsons are ranked as both DL and LB. The reason for it is that on some platforms both Watt and Parsons as well as several other players, are eligible to be played in the DL or the LB slot. Continue reading for my top 10 players at each position for your IDP dynasty fantasy football leagues.

Defensive Linemen

1. T. J. Watt
2. Nick Bosa
3. Maxx Crosby
4. Micah Parsons
5. Myles Garrett
6. Aidan Hutchinson
7. Brian Burns
8. Haason Reddick
9. Danielle Hunter
10. Matthew Judon

Maxx Crosby – Crosby is coming off of his best season finishing as the No. 1 DL with career highs in both tackles (87) and sacks (12.5). He finished 1st in defensive snaps and 2nd in tackles among defensive linemen. Furthermore, he had seven or more tackles in four games last season and 20 or more points in 8 games. At just 25 years old Crosby looks to be one of the top defensive linemen for many more years.

Micah Parsons – Parsons finished as a top 3 DL with 13 sacks in each of his first two seasons. In his rookie season, he played 57% of the time as a linebacker. However, in 2022 he played just 19% of the time as a linebacker. Playing more snaps as a lineman caused more wear and tear on his body.

While this had almost no effect on the number of his sacks it did cause a dip in his tackles. In one extra game in 2022, he had 19 fewer tackles while playing more snaps as a lineman. It will be better for his health and for fantasy football purposes if he plays 50% or more snaps as a linebacker while still maintaining DL eligibility.

Aidan Hutchinson – In his rookie season Hutchinson finished top 5 in defensive snaps and was just shy of double-digit sacks. Additionally, he led all defensive linemen in interceptions with three. He finished the season strong with double-digit points in four of his last five games while recording three and a half sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Overall, he will be a dominant defensive lineman for the next decade with many double-digit sack seasons.

Linebackers

1. Roquan Smith
2. Foyesade Oluokun
3. Nick Bolton
4. Devin White
5. Jordyn Brooks
6. Micah Parsons
7. T. J. Watt
8. Fred Warner
9. C. J. Mosley 
10. Zaire Franklin

Nick Bolton – Bolton is just 23 years old and has over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons. Last season he finished 2nd in both defensive snaps(1119) and tackles(180) among linebackers. Additionally, he had nine games with 10 or more tackles and 20 or more points. All in all, I believe Bolton will continue to improve and be one of the best linebackers for fantasy.

Jordyn Brooks – Brooks is coming off of back-to-back top 10 seasons with 160 or more tackles. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Week 17. That being said, Brooks is only 25 years old and should have a good recovery. Once he is healthy I am confident he will have several more top-10 seasons.

Zaire Franklin – Franklin is just 26 years old with two more years on a cheap contract. Last season he set the franchise record for tackles in a single season with 167. He finished 4th in the NFL in tackles and 5th in defensive snaps. Franklin certainly took advantage of the opportunity given to him while Shaquille Leonard missed most of the season with injuries.

Leonard played only three games last season due to concussion, nose, and back injuries. He ended up getting his second back surgery in November just five months after his first one. Additionally, he turns 28 in July and the Colts have an “out” in his contract in 2024. I don’t trust Leonard to stay healthy or to remain on the team. Finally, he Colts also just lost Bobby Okereke in free agency so Franklin should be in for another big role in 2023.

Defensive Backs

1. Derwin James
2. Budda Baker
3.  Minkah Fitzpatrick
4. Jalen Pitre
5. Jeremy Chinn
6. Isaiah Simmons
7. L’ Jarius Sneed
8. Jaquan Brisker
9. Talanoa Hufanga
10. Jalen Thompson

Jalen Pitre – Pitre burst on the scene in his rookie season finishing as THE No. 1 defensive back in the NFL. He is the only rookie to do so in the last five years. Additionally, he scored 15 or more points in his last seven games. Pitre racked up nearly 150 tackles which was 20 more than any other defensive back. Moving forward, if he has another season like that he might have an argument to be ranked No. 1.

L’ Jarius Sneed – Sneed finished as the No. 2 defensive back with 108 tackles which is impressive for a cornerback. He had nine games with seven or more tackles and only two games with fewer than five tackles. This made Sneed an incredibly consistent and reliable fantasy option. He failed to score double-digit points just three times.

Derwin James – James had 20 or more points in seven of his 14 games and fewer than 10 points in just one game in 2022. He has finished with 250+ points three times in his career. James has finished top 5 in all three seasons in which he played at least 14 games. In those three seasons, he averaged at least 17 PPG. Overall, while health has been an issue for him, when healthy he is the best safety in the NFL.

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