“Breaking down the latest IDP DB rankings for dynasty fantasy football leagues. We highlight rising talent, tackle standouts, and sleepers.”
If you’re deep in the IDP fantasy football world, you know defensive backs can be volatile. In Part Two of the IDP Plus Podcast’s dynasty DB rankings, host Johnny breaks down players 19 through 36 with a sharp focus on production, youth, contract length, and — most importantly — tackle volume. The approach remains tackle-heavy, not reliant on fluky splash plays like sacks or interceptions. Let’s take a look at the second part of our 2025 IDP DB rankings.
Don’t forget to check out part one of Johnny’s rankings, which can be found here.
(This is an AI-generated article from a recently published IDP+ Betting Podcast transcript.)
Tackles Over Turnovers: A Foundational Philosophy
Johnny reiterates that his IDP evaluation is rooted in tackle-heavy scoring systems. He cautions against chasing stats that happen a handful of times a year. Take Daron Bland, for example — after leading the league with nine picks in 2023, he had zero in 2024. Justin Reid dropped from three sacks to none. Tackles are the volume play that carries value all season long.
19. Keisean Nixon Headlines This Tier
At number 19, Nixon leads the charge thanks to his multi-faceted value. He recorded 88 tackles in 2024 and an eye-popping 576 return yards. If your league rewards return yards, Nixon’s stock rises. He also posted three sacks and eight tackles for loss, production not often seen from a cornerback. Only Buda Baker and Nick Cross scored more DB fantasy points than Nixon in some leagues, and Nixon did it without eclipsing 100 tackles. At 27 years old with two years left on his contract, he remains a unique asset.
31-32. Cornerback Specialists: Alontae Taylor and Mike Sainristil
Taylor (31st) delivered 89 tackles, 16 pass deflections, and four sacks. For leagues that require starting cornerbacks, he’s gold. Sainristil (32nd) ended the year on a tear with 49 tackles over the final eight games and 93 total for the year. He’s not flashy but extremely reliable.
33-36. Late-Round Vets and Deep League Stashes
Taylor Rapp (33rd) remains a high-floor option for deep leagues. He averaged nearly six tackles per game and should eclipse 100 in 2025 if healthy. Jevon Holland (34th) regressed in 2024 but had a three-interception season the year before. Paulson Adebo (35th) was a monster before breaking his femur — 52 tackles in seven games with three picks. Finally, Cole Bishop rounds out the list at 36. He’s unlikely to start right away, but his three-game stretch as a fill-in starter showed promise with 17 tackles.
Final Thoughts on the 2025 IDP DB Rankings
As Johnny points out, you don’t win your league with DBs. But you can absolutely lose it if you whiff. These IDP DB rankings highlight a tier of players with the potential to either stabilize your lineup or become trade bait as they ascend. Keep an eye on camp news, injuries, and alignments to capitalize before the market does.
Thank you for reading this article by @IDP_Plus. This article was created using IDP+ AI and edited by an IDP+ Staff Member. Be sure to check out the video above by Johnny, which this article is based talking about the 2025 Top 18 IDP DB rankings. Follow @JohnnyFreakinF1 on X!
