X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

IDP Positional Rankings for 2021 (Pre-Training Camp)

Chris Gregory provides his top 30 rankings at linebacker (LB), defensive line (DL), and defensive back (DB) for IDP fantasy football leagues before 2021 NFL training camps get underway.

NFL Free Agency and the Draft are both done, and teams are finishing up OTAs now. That means we are entering the dull part of summer where there’s not much going on in the world of football, which gives all of us a lot of dead air we need to fill with arguments and conjecture.

Given the absence of events coming up in the NFL this month, we felt it was a good time to unleash some IDP Positional Rankings goodness on the lot of you. Hopefully, these ranks will provide you with insight, intelligence, or simply something to read while you’re on the toilet at work.

So without further ado, here are our Pre-Training Camp IDP Positional Rankings. Feel free to read them at your leisure, but please… if you’re printing these rankings off, try not to use them as toilet paper when you’re done. Printer paper doesn’t flush nearly as well as you might think.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Pre-Camp Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Linemen for 2021

Rank Player Team
1 T.J. Watt Steelers
2 Myles Garrett Browns
3 Chase Young WFT
4 Joey Bosa Chargers
5 Nick Bosa 49ers
6 Danielle Hunter Vikings
7 Brian Burns Panthers
8 Aaron Donald Rams
9 Za’Darius Smith Packers
10 Khalil Mack Bears
11 Jason Pierre-Paul Buccaneers
12 Haason Reddick Panthers
13 Shaquil Barrett Buccaneers
14 Deforest Buckner Colts
15 Montez Sweat WFT
16 Jeffery Simmons Titans
17 Bradley Chubb Broncos
18 Quinnen Williams Jets
19 Harold Landry III Titans
20 Carl Lawson Jets
21 Yannick Ngakoue Raiders
22 Josh Allen Jaguars
23 Kyle Van Noy Patriots
24 Cameron Jordan Saints
25 Brandon Graham Eagles
26 Stephon Tuitt Steelers
27 Chandler Jones Cardinals
28 J.J. Watt Cardinals
29 Leonard Williams Giants
30 Chris Jones Chiefs

 

Projecting Stardom: Chase Young, Washington Football Team

Chase Young averaged a pressure once every 10.4 pass-rush snaps last year. While that average falls short of the rate most elite pass-rushers pressure the passer (Myles Garrett averages one per 9.01 snaps & Haason Reddick one every 7.8), Young accomplished this during a rookie year marred by COVID and injuries.

The Ohio State product's pressure rate should markedly improve as a sophomore. This year he will have a full offseason. Plus, the addition of two-plus pass defenders in Jamin Davis and William Jackson III should give all Washington pass rushers more time to get after opposing quarterbacks. Couple those benefits with a clean bill of health and Young’s massive potential, and you have the recipe for a top-five fantasy defensive lineman.

 

Underrated Unit: Carolina Panthers Pass Rushers

As we already addressed in our Post-Free Agency IDP Stock Report earlier this offseason, Haason Reddick is a fascinating fantasy asset. While many assume that his elite sack production from last year was a flash in the pan, he has actually been a consistently good pass rusher for his entire pro career.  Reddick only saw his sack totals blow up last year because his pressure-to-sack conversion rate regressed to the mean and because Arizona blitzed him far more often. There was less luck involved in Reddick’s breakout last year than many think, even if his sack totals are bound to decline some.

In addition to Reddick, the Panthers have second promising pass-rusher in Brian Burns. We touted Burns' fantasy value last year and he delivered a DL2 caliber season, but there’s still more juice to squeeze from that fruit.

Burns and Reddick should both benefit from Carolina’s addition of rookie cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is a very aggressive man-cover corner. While Horn will definitely draw flags as a rookie, and he may not have much fantasy value himself, his aggressive style of play should stifle opposing receivers and buy Carolina pass-rushers time to get after the quarterback.

 

Pre-Camp Top-30 Fantasy Linebackers for 2021

Rank Player Team
1 Darius Leonard Colts
2 Devin White Buccaneers
3 Roquan Smith Bears
4 Blake Martinez Giants
5 Bobby Wagner Seahawks
6 Zach Cunningham Texans
7 Fred Warner 49ers
8 Lavonte David Buccaneers
9 Foyesade Oluokun Falcons
10 Joe Schobert Jaguars
11 T.J. Watt Steelers
12 Jaylon Smith Cowboys
13 Jayon Brown Titans
14 Demario Davis Saints
15 Eric Kendricks Vikings
16 Patrick Queen Ravens
17 Jamin Davis WFT
18 Micah Parsons Cowboys
19 Zaven Collins Cardinals
20 Deion Jones Falcons
21 Tremaine Edmunds Bills
22 Myles Jack Jaguars
23 Devin Bush Jr. Steelers
24 Isaiah Simmons Cardinals
25 Alex Singleton Eagles
26 C.J. Mosley Jets
27 Shaq Thompson Panthers
28 Kenneth Murray Jr. Chargers
29 Micah Kiser Rams
30 Jordyn Brooks Seahawks

 

Most Confusing Unit of 2021: Dallas Cowboys Linebackers

The Dallas Cowboys have five good linebackers on their team, but they’ll only field two or three of them at a time. That means someone is going to be sitting a lot of the 2021 season on the bench. Expect rookie Jabril Cox and converted safety Keanu Neal to ride the pine when Dallas is in their base 4-3 scheme, while Leighton Vander Esch shouldn’t see the field on any obvious passing downs.

Of additional concern to fantasy managers should be the fantasy compatibility of Dallas’ two full-time starting linebackers, Micah Parsons and Jaylon Smith. Most true LB1 options in fantasy football are the only alphas on their team, which allows them to suck up fantasy stats like a Hoover. Parsons and Smith are both alphas, however.

When there are two leaders in the linebacker room, it usually means you’ll see the stats split between them. That split could lead to some fantasy inconsistency with Parsons and Smith, which is why they both fall outside of our top-10 rankings. Parsons is an elite dynasty option, but he and Smith are LB2s in redraft.

 

Don’t Underrate This Rookie LB Class

This 2021 rookie linebacker class could prove to be one of the better groups to hit fantasy in a long while. Micah Parsons is too talented not to list as a top-20 option despite the crowded spot he landed in, while Jamin Davis, Zaven Collins, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are all talented prospects in their own right. There are at least five fantasy-relevant rookies in this class, with the potential for more.

Of particular interest in this group is Jamin Davis, who is competing for the starting MIKE position on Washington’s defense. Jon Bostic made himself fantasy relevant last year by manning the middle of that gifted defense, and Davis is far more talented than Bostic ever was. If the rookie can win that starting position in camp, he immediately becomes fantasy-relevant. Don't be surprised if Davis leads all rookies in tackles and curries favor for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

 

Pre-Camp Top-30 Fantasy Defensive Backs for 2021

Rank Player Team
1 Jamal Adams Seahawks
2 Budda Baker Cardinals
3 Derwin James Chargers
4 Jordan Poyer Bills
5 Jeremy Chinn Panthers
6 Jessie Bates III Bengals
7 Antoine Winfield Jr. Buccaneers
8 Jabrill Peppers Giants
9 Landon Collins WFT
10 John Johnson III Browns
11 Kamren Curl WFT
12 Justin Simmons Broncos
13 Vonn Bell Bengals
14 Khari Willis Colts
15 Harrison Smith Vikings
16 Marlon Humphrey Ravens
17 Daniel Sorensen Chiefs
18 Trevon Moehrig Raiders
19 Darnell Savage Jr. Packers
20 Carlton Davis Buccaneers
21 Kevin Byard Titans
22 Marcus Maye Jets
23 Rayshawn Jenkins Jaguars
24 Chuck Clark Ravens
25 Richie Grant Falcons
26 Donovan Wilson Cowboys
27 Eric Rowe Dolphins
28 Anthony Harris Eagles
29 Johnathan Abram Raiders
30 Justin Reid Texans

 

Curbing Cravings for Curl

While we have raved and boasted about the IDP potential on Washington’s defense throughout this article, there is one particularly concerning problem associated with this unit right now. Namely, we might be watching Ron Rivera and company tank the fantasy value of Kamren Curl.

As a rookie, Curl shocked the IDP world when he stepped in for an injured Landon Collins and thrived despite his seventh-round pedigree. The Arkansas product proved to be nearly as good in run support as Collins while showing better instincts, more speed, and looser hips in coverage. Based on the film from last year, Curl looked to be the better and cheaper option for Washington at strong safety, so there was little reason to doubt the rumors that Collins would be moving to linebacker in 2021… until the veteran gave us reason to doubt them.

When meeting with reporters this past week, Collins unequivocally denied that he was moving to linebacker. He clearly stated that he is a safety, not a linebacker. That denial took on even greater weight when reporters later spotted Curl taking snaps at nickel corner during OTAs, an obvious admission that the former Razorback was looking for a new position.

Ron Rivera's choice to experiment with Curl at corner tells you the team wants him on the field, but it also tells you they don't want him in Collins' place. Pay close attention to what Curl does in camp and pre-season games. If he wins the free safety spot, both he and Collins will maintain fantasy value. If the sophomore moves to corner, his fantasy value will tank.

 

Derwin James… Still?!

Look, I get why you may think our ranking of Derwin James may be generous. It’s completely logical and valid to place James behind healthier and more consistent performers like Jeremy Chinn, Jordan Poyer, and Jessie Bates III. If you have any of those players ranked over James, it's probably the safe move, and I won't argue against it.

With all of that said, there is no more physically gifted safety in the NFL than James when he’s healthy. If you watch his film from Florida State and during his rookie year with the Chargers, he simply jumps off the screen. A healthy James has the speed to close in and pick off passes, he has the size to collect tackles in run support, and he has the burst to collect sacks off the edge. He’s the complete package in terms of NFL talent and fantasy upside.

The only thing holding James back is his health, and that’s a big problem. He’s logged only five games in the past two seasons, and his health was a question in college as well. Anyone who doesn’t want to invest in a guy with that kind of track record cannot be blamed. There’s a definite risk here… but given where he’s being selected, there’s also massive upside. James is worth his current ADP, and he has top-overall DB upside if he remains healthy all year.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP