IDP Positional Rankings for 2023 Fantasy Football Drafts - Linebacker, Defensive Line, Defensive Back (Individual Defensive Players)

September 5, 2023

Chris ranks his top defensive lineman, linebackers, and defensive backs for 2023 IDP leagues that feature defensive players in their fantasy football format.

With the 2023 NFL season just a couple of weeks away, now is a fine time to renew my IDP positional rankings series. Every year, I will designate the top players at each defensive position in fantasy football and give you weekly analysis based on their matchups. We will do the same here but with the entire season in mind.

Two things to watch for in these rankings are injured players and league format. On the injury front, take teammates Jordyn Brooks and Jamal Adams for example. Both make my rankings because they have high upside and may be active in Week 1, but Brooks would be in my top five if I were sure he’d be full speed by then. As for factoring in formats, note that my rankings are tailored to the most common IDP formats. While my ranks should help in any IDP style, deeper leagues may value medium-floor players or turnovers more than I do.

Something else to be mindful of before we begin is the fact that top-tier fantasy defenders don’t have quite the same value this year. By this, I mean the gap between the top of the DL and LB tiers has closed, leaving less difference between LB1 and LB5 as there used to be. There was a time when Darius Leonard and T.J. Watt dominated their positions in fantasy points per game. Until another defender emerges and dominates fantasy points like those two have, most drafters can wait a bit longer on defenders than usual.

IDP Scoring System Used for Rankings

• 6.0 points per Defensive Touchdown
• 4.0 points per Forced Turnover (FF/INT)
• 3.0 points per Sack
• 2.0 points per PD, FR, Safety
• 1.0 points per Solo Tackle
• 0.5 points per Assisted Tackle

Note: These rankings are also based on leagues that start one player at each defensive position (DL, LB, DB) and one DFLEX.

Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen

Breakout DL of 2023: Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins

I’ve mentioned Jaelan Phillips as a breakout in several articles dating back to February, but it bears repeating in this space. He was seventh in both pressures and quarterback hits last year, but he finished tied for 25^th in sacks amongst edge rushers. Those rates are due for positive regression, even if Phillips doesn’t take a big leap during his third season. All reports out of camp suggest that leap is coming, though. This former Hurricane is a potential DL1 who can be had at DL2 cost in most drafts.

DL Values

Phillips is a big value in this year's drafts, but he's not alone. Kayvon Thibodeaux is reportedly having a strong camp, and he’s been an elite defensive prospect dating back to when he signed with Oregon as a high school senior. The long and fast sophomore is currently being drafted as DL18, but his upside is that of a top-five option at his position. There's some bust possibility here, but he could give you a huge boom as well.

Another name to monitor is Zaven Collins. The Tulsa alum was used as an old-school linebacker in his first two seasons, but the Cardinals are moving him to the edge this year. That move has given Collins eligibility as a DL on many fantasy apps. Collins was considered a versatile and athletic player coming out of college, with the ability to rush the passer and stop the run. His tackle potential at DL could give him one of the higher floors of any fantasy edge.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a DL to stash for later in the season, Rashan Gary is arguably the best option. Because of his injury last year, Gary has been completely left off of many DL rankings altogether. However, he’s begun practicing with the team recently and there are rumors he may play in Week 1. Gary was a solid DL2 option when healthy last year and could return to a similar status by mid-season.

Finally, pay attention to James Houston this draft season. The former sixth-rounder isn't listed among the top 50 defensive linemen on some reputable fantasy websites, but PFF ranked him as their 13^th-best graded pass rusher last season. Houston had a strong pressure rate of 23.9% in a part-time role and could see an increase in both efficiency and opportunities this season.

Potential DL Busts

I say this every year, but I still don't understand why so many IDP outlets like Sam Hubbard so much. He's a fine real-life player, but his fantasy production has always been subpar. He's never posted double-digit sacks, his tackle rate is average, and he forces just one turnover per season. His current cost in drafts is DL16, which is baffling to me. The Ohio State product won't give you goose eggs, but his upside is bottom-tier.

The Jacksonville Jaguars' version of Josh Allen was a tremendous pass-rushing prospect coming out of Kentucky. As a result, I and many other analysts have always ranked him as if his breakout is just around the corner… and maybe it is. Unfortunately, projecting a breakout for Allen is hard when his only double-digit sack season was three years ago and his advanced metrics last year were good, but not great. Allen’s recent production and metrics do not support his ADP of DL13.

Top Fantasy Linebackers

Breakout LB of 2023: Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles

I was a big advocate for Nakobe Dean coming out of Georgia. His testing numbers were poor, as was his size, but his film and recognition skills were tremendous. He landed in an ideal spot with Philadelphia, who has a strong unit around Dean and a history of creating elite fantasy production for unheralded linebackers (see Alex Singleton and T.J. Edwards). The former Bulldog is yet another player earning strong preseason buzz and he has a good chance of becoming this year’s breakout fantasy linebacker.

LB Values

David Long Jr. regularly made our weekly rankings last year, but the buzz surrounding him is different now. After producing as a Titan when healthy, Long is now the projected starter in Miami. Multiple teammates have lauded Long's performance in the offseason, and he projects to be his new team's leading tackler. The Dolphins' defense has talent in the secondary and an ascending pass rush, which should free Long up to make more plays than ever.

In deeper leagues, Ivan Pace Jr. is a good name to know. I was higher on Pace coming out of Cincinnati than most, ranking him as a third-round draft pick instead of the undrafted prospect the NFL decided he was. However, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is giving Pace "gold stars" this offseason, and his defensive coordinator thinks he could be a difference-maker. Pace is undersized, but he showed the ability to rack up tackles and sacks at Cincinnati. He could be valuable if he gets significant snaps.

Last but not least, we should discuss Jordyn Brooks. The Texas Tech product has finished in the top six of the NFL in total and solo tackles in each of the past two years, but his fantasy stock is suppressed because of a knee injury suffered late in the 2023 season. While reports suggest Brooks could play in Week 1, there are significant questions surrounding how fast he will return to normal. Those questions are why I can’t take him as an LB1 in drafts this year.

Potential LB Busts

I was higher on Jack Campbell than most this summer. It could be because I'd pegged him and Dan Campbell as a perfect fit and projected them together throughout the draft process, or it could be because his old-school approach usually leads to a high fantasy floor. Either way, I am high on Campbell… but his current ADP of LB17 is high, considering he is a limited athlete who could start the season in a rotation. The Hawkeye will be a quality starter, it just may not be early this season.

Meanwhile, Lavonte David will not lose you leagues, but he won’t win you any shallow formats, either. The aging vet hasn’t topped 130 total tackles since 2015 and hasn't forced more than two turnovers since 2020. So it's concerning when IDP analysts rank him ahead of higher upside plays like Quay Walker, Pete Werner, Alex Singleton, and Azeez Al-Shaair. If you want a steady LB3, David is fine. If you want anything more, you should look elsewhere.

Top Fantasy Defensive Backs

Breakout DB of 2023: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

There's not much about Kyle Hamilton's rookie numbers or film that screams a surefire breakout. I still believe in the talent he showed at Notre Dame, though. The Ravens have had multiple injuries in their secondary. They need Hamilton to play a bigger role this year, especially early. If the sophomore can come close to the potential he showed in college, he could be a difference-maker in every statistical category. He's worth the risk at his current cost as DB12 overall.

DB Values

Dax Hill is a fine flyer for those waiting to draft a DB2 until late. He's a former first-rounder with corner experience and good ball skills. He's taking on a safety role that once allowed Jessie Bates III to be a fantasy starter. The Michigan product played sparingly last year, but he should see plenty of fantasy opportunities against offenses struggling to keep up with the Bengals' offense.

For those in really shallow leagues, it can be hard to discern which top-10 DB to roster. For those people, it's worth noting Jeremy Chinn's cost is down but his stock is up. After a mediocre season as a true safety, multiple reports suggest Chinn will return to his old hybrid/rover role this year. In that role as a rookie, Chinn logged 117 total tackles while picking up big plays in every category. Chinn could be one of the better values at a relatively thin position.

Two more names to know in the DB field are Darrick Forrest and Ji'Ayir Brown. Forrest took over a starting role for the Commanders in the second half of last year, during which he set a season-long pace of 102 total tackles and 10 PDs. He has an upside as a DB3. Meanwhile, Brown is not yet a starter with the 49ers, but he's routinely made plays in camp. He is worth stashing in deep dynasty formats in anticipation he could earn a valuable deep safety role by next season.

Potential DB Busts

When most IDP managers heard that Isaiah Simmons would move to safety, the general thought was optimism. A big and athletic hybrid player who can play at the line is exactly what you want in a fantasy DB. However, the former first-rounder's initial reviews as a safety have been poor. Simmons has been slammed for bad effort and slow recognition against the Chiefs this preseason, and the team has two capable safeties if they want to keep him off the field. There's massive upside here but lots of downside, too.

Note: This article was submitted prior to Simmons' trade to the Giants. Reports indicate the Giants plan to use Simmons mostly on passing downs, as a pass rusher and in coverage. It is possible he could earn an every down role for himself and live up to his potential, but a lack of usage on rushing downs could lower his fantasy floor. There's less risk that Simmons will be outright benched with New York, but concerns remain about his viability as a fantasy starter.

Two other potential busts are familiar names who have yet to secure starter roles on their new teams. DeShone Elliott was an IDP contributor in Detroit. But he's in Miami now and reports are he's still fighting for a starting job. The same goes for Jonathan Owens, who began last year on a tear, leading his position in tackles in the first half of the season. He and Elliott both changed schemes and teams this year, and there are real questions about whether they'll play starter-caliber snaps early.

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