IDP Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Football

micah parsons


Here are the IDP Rankings (Linebacker, Defensive Backs, and Defensive Linemen) to Help You Win Your 2022 IDP Leagues.


Linebackers

1.) Roquan Smith – Chicago Bears

Roquan Smith is #1 overall in our IDP Rankings. Smith led the Bears with 161 tackles in 2021. After a brief holdout, Smith is back with the team and ready to roll. With Smith in the final year of his contract, we expect him to try to impress NFL general managers not only with his play on the field but also on the stat sheet. He will be rewarded with a massive new contract.

Be aware that some analysts moved Smith down their IDP Rankings during the holdout and may not have updated their lists, but IDP Guys has you covered.

2.) Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons was Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) top-graded linebacker for 2021 – and for good reason.  His incredible ability to blitz like a Pro Bowl defensive end, stop running backs in their tracks, and cover the pass (top 10) is unmatched. As amazing as Parsons was as a rookie, we are expecting even bigger things in year two. Parsons was just getting started with his 13 sacks, 83 tackles, and three forced fumbles last season.

3.) Jordyn Brooks – Seattle Seahawks

Jordyn Brooks led the entire league in solo tackles (108) last year.  And this year he will no longer have to compete with Bobby Wagner for tackles, as Wagner has joined the Los Angeles Rams. Most IDP leagues have a scoring system that heavily weighs tackles, and Brooks is expected to lead this category two years in a row. Also, Jordyn Brooks will take over the defensive play calling and wear the green dot on his helmet.

4.) Devin White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devin White led the Bucs with 12 tackles, an interception, and a victory in the Super Bowl. White led all linebackers in scoring average in 2020, but his scoring dropped slightly in 2021 due to a decrease in his sack total. We expect this 24-year-old linebacker’s production to rebound this season and have the Bucs in contention for another championship trophy.

5.) Logan Wilson – Cincinnati Bengals

Logan Wilson was another linebacker that played in the Super Bowl. Consensus re-draft rankings have Wilson at LB12, but IDP Guys has even bigger expectations for this third-year linebacker. We are predicting a breakout season and feel analysts are undervaluing him since he missed time last year with a shoulder injury. After offseason shoulder surgery, Wilson is expected to be eased into team drills but should be ready to fill the box score in Week 1. In addition, Wilson is in line for the green dot.

Click on this Link for a Complete List of our Fantasy IDP Rankings.


Defensive Backs  (IDP Rankings)

1.) Derwin James – Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James should be the top defensive back on every IDP ranking. Even though he missed two games in 2021, James finished the season as the top-scoring IDP safety.  James can rack up not only total tackles (117) but turnovers (5) and sacks (2) as well. He spent less than 34% of his pre-snap alignment in a deep position.

A low quantity of deep snaps is crucial for tackle opportunities. James just signed a massive new deal, becoming the highest-paid safety in the NFL. James has unicorn ability when compared to other safeties. His speed and versatility to defend the run and the pass, from the defensive back position, are unrivaled.

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2.) Budda Baker – Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker finished 2020 as DB2 but dropped to DB12 in 2021 due to an increase in deep snaps.  We project Baker to bounce back in 2022. Sam Monson at PFF lists Budda Baker as the #1 “Box Strong Safety” and said the following about James:

Budda Baker is a heat-seeking missile in the Arizona defense, amassing 160 defensive stops in just five seasons of play. He has three 80.0-plus PFF run-defense grades in his first five seasons, and his versatility allows him to move around the defense, playing plenty as a free safety and in the slot.

3.) Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers

Jeremy Chinn led the Panthers with 108 total tackles in 2021. Chinn is frequently used as a linebacker and this ability gives him a distinct advantage against his peers, especially in the tackle category.

4.) Minkah Fitzpatrick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Minkah Fitzpatrick led all safeties in total tackles last year with an eye-popping 123. As a result, the Steelers rewarded him with a 4-year, $73.6 million contract.

5.) Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer showed off his playmaking ability with a league-leading five interceptions in 2021.  Poyer injured his elbow earlier in training camp but is expected to return to the team by Week 1.

Click on this Link for our 2022 IDP Draft Kit.


Defensive Linemen (+Edge)

1.) T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers

T.J. Watt led the NFL in sacks last year with 22.5 and tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record.  Who knows what that sack total could have been if he hadn’t missed two games? Watt is particularly valuable in Sleeper leagues due to his DL eligibility. And you don’t want to leave any draft without Watt if sacks and tackles for loss are heavily weighted.

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2.) Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett was the #1 PFF Edge Defender in 2021. His impressive 92.7 Pass Rush grade led all edge defenders as well. Garrett set a Cleveland Browns record with 16 sacks in 2021. He also accumulated 52 total tackles. Most IDP Rankings have Garrett in the Top 2 Defensive Linemen, however he quickly moves to #1 if Watt receives a linebacker designation.

3.) Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa tied T.J. Watt with a league-leading 21 tackles for loss in his 2021 Pro Bowl season. Bosa also ranked near the top with 40 solo tackles. Bosa was recently voted the 25th best player in the NFL, according to an NFL Network poll.  NFL players cast their votes for this Top 100 list.

4.) Danielle Hunter – Minnesota Vikings

Danielle Hunter’s consensus re-draft ranking is DL16, but IDP Guys deems this to be criminally low. Hunter had his 2021 season cut short by a torn pec injury. Hunter is particularly valuable in Sleeper leagues to the DL designation. We feel many analysts have already forgotten that Hunter led all Defensive Ends in scoring in both 2018 and 2019.

5.) Joey Bosa – Los Angeles Chargers

Joey Bosa led the league with seven forced fumbles in 2021 and is the older brother of #3 ranked, Nick Bosa. With the Chargers’ addition of Khalil Mack, teams will no longer be able to double or triple-team the elder Bosa. This change will free him up to menace all opposing quarterbacks.

Click on this Link for a Complete List of our IDP Rankings.


Thank you for reading! Follow me on Twitter at @MasterIDP. For my previous work, check out my Every-Down Linebacker Article. Please subscribe to IDPGuys.org for all your fantasy football needs and check out our customizable IDP scoring tool.

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