MasterIDP’s “My Guys” for 2024 IDP Leagues
Here is a list of a few defensive players that I have selected in my most recent IDP drafts with fellow IDP analysts. These are players that I think are good values and the guys I am counting on to help me win championships in my IDP leagues.
Linebackers
Kyzir White (Arizona Cardinals)
Draft Slot: LB21
White was 14th in linebacker scoring average in 2023 but his season was cut short with a biceps injury in Week 11. White will be expected to man the middle with the Cardinals and be the player to stay on the field in single-linebacker formations. In addition, there is not much depth or competition behind him with just Mack Wilson and Owen Pappoe currently in the fold.
Eric Kendricks (Dallas Cowboys)
Draft Slot: LB35
Kendricks will be asked to man the middle in Dallas after playing with the Chargers this past season. He has finished with over 100 tackles in each of the past eight seasons and someone I expect to be relied on to improve Dallas’ run defense.
Tyrel Dodson (Seattle Seahawks)
Draft Slot: LB39
Dodson is one of my favorite “sleeper” picks for the season. In the offseason, he signed a cheap 1-year $4.3m deal to join the Seahawks but I am encouraged by his role in this new defense. He will be in the middle and calling the defensive plays while Jerome Baker will likely play more weakside when they are in three linebacker sets. Dodson finished with one of the top PFF linebacker grades in 2023, on limited snaps, however I believe the skill is there for him to take on a bigger role.
K.J. Britt (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Draft Slot: LB49
Britt will get the chance to start opposite Lavonte David now that Devin White is in Philadelphia. When I am looking to fill out the back end of my linebacker group, I look for someone like Britt who will likely play an every down role and have plenty of tackle opportunities. If Britt continues to play well, he can become the future leader of this defense.
Defensive Linemen
Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders)
Draft Slot: DE3
It’s rare that I get a chance to grab one of the top defenders since I’m typically filling out my starting offensive lineup, but if I get to the 7th or 8th round and Crosby is still available I don’t mind being able to set and forget Crosby in my starting lineup each week. He has one of the highest snap percentages for defensive linemen and can be productive in both sacks and tackles. He finished last season with 90 tackles and 14.5 sacks.
Matt Judon (Atlanta Falcons)
Draft Slot: DE19
Judon’s holdout with the Patriots promptly ended when he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were in desperate need of help along the defensive line and Judon brings along double digit sack potential. In 2022, he finished with 15.5 sacks and his 2023 season was off to a hot start with 4 sacks in the first 3 weeks, but his season was derailed with a biceps injury in Week 4.
Josh Sweat (Philadelphia Eagles)
Draft Slot: DE46
Sweat’s fantasy stats regressed in 2023 but there is optimism he can return to his old self this coming season. His sack numbers dropped from 11 to 6 last season, but his quarterback pressures actually increased from 43 to 68 as he finished 17th in quarterback pressures (per PFF). Haason Reddick has been traded to the Jets and Bryce Huff has been brought on board to pair with Sweat and Nolan Smith.
Defensive Backs
Brian Branch (Detroit Lions)
Draft Slot: S10
I don’t typically draft defensive backs early but once Brian Branch gets to 10-12 range, I strongly consider pulling the trigger. Branch finished as S18 while playing less than 70% of the defensive snaps last season. I expect his production to increase with a full-time role in 2024, even though he is likely to see less snaps from the slot.
Jeremy Chinn (Washington Commanders)
Draft Slot: S23
Chinn fell out of favor in Carolina but will get a fresh start in Washington and should return to a box-heavy role that will increase his tackle and IDP production.
Kamren Curl (Los Angeles Rams)
Draft Slot: S26
With Ernest Jones recently being traded, the Rams may need to rely heavily on their remaining defensive playmakers. I think Curl may even need to help out with a few extra linebacker snaps in dime situations.
Justin Simmons (Atlanta Falcons)
Draft Slot: S43
Simmons saw his average draft position (ADP) fall considerably throughout the summer since he was an unsigned free agent, but he finally signed with the Falcons and he will be part of a formidable duo with Jessie Bates.
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