IDP 101: Introduction to IDP Leagues and Basic Strategies for Fantasy Football Success
IDP? What the heck is IDP? I think by this point you might know that it stands for Individual Defensive Players.
In the last fifteen years or so, IDP leagues have gone from being played by nerds in dark rooms to being a specialist, and somewhat hipster addition to regular fantasy football. With more mainstream apps and fantasy formats adding IDP to their repertoires, it has enabled more and more people to enjoy watching, appreciating and caring about what happens on both sides of the ball.
The appeal has always been there, but momentum has shifted over the last 7 years or so, accentuated by its popularity within fantasy spaces on the Twittersphere, and honorable IDP advocates on the platform doing their best to spread the word.
So, if you are new and taking up IDP, you might be looking for a strategy, tips and pointers, and ultimately, something to give you an edge against your leaguemates. The five IDP 101 steps listed below will give, in order, a fuller flavor of what to expect when approaching IDP leagues, when to draft to certain players and which mistakes to avoid.
Step 1 – Point Scoring
The key to understanding IDP, is to understand its foundation, and the foundation lies on point scoring in your IDP leagues.
IDP has begun to standardize its scoring systems with the introduction of IDP123 but, most leagues have generated their own which has made IDP more difficult to strategize.
Points are usually based around the following actions:
- Assisted Tackles;
- Solo Tackles;
- Tackles for Loss (“TFL”);
- QB Hits;
- Passes Defended/ Blocked;
- Forced Fumble;
- Fumble Recovery;
- Sacks;
- Interceptions; and, of course
- Touchdowns
To boost, there can be additional yardage points for fumble recoveries and interceptions.
This is a lot to take in but, statistics on players and by position are available, and this should be your first port-of-call.
A.) Tackle-Heavy IDP Scoring
In leagues where tackles garner a lot of points, it makes sense to select linebackers as they produce more tackles than defensive linemen.
A certain class of elite defensive backs that are heavy tacklers are also at a premium and should definitely be considered earlier, when drafting. Examples of such defensive backs include; Jalen Pitre, Jamal Adams, Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Simmons, as they stand to benefit from a large haul of tackles and are also in the right position to block passes and make interceptions.
B.) Sack-Heavy IDP Scoring
Where sacks rank highly in point scoring, it makes sense to start considering interior linemen and of course, EDGE rushers as they will be after the quarterbacks the most and stand to benefit from a hat-trick of points with a tackle (solo or assisted), a tackle for loss and the sack itself.
Thankfully, apps like Sleeper will calculate a lot of this for us and all historical data updates to reflect the league scoring.
The final thing to consider is direct comparisons on statistical/projected points between skill players and IDP. Some leagues try to match the projected points of skill players and IDPs, making IDPs just as valuable as the highest scoring skill players.
Step 2 – Competition for position, team situation and defensive scheme
Outside of elite players in their positions (and any team darlings), a lot of defensive players benefit from situation, and this changes almost on a yearly basis. Very rarely do IDPs hold down a position in the same way that the Tampa Bay linebacker corps of Devin White, Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David have.
A good example of benefiting from a situation is Alex Anzalone of the Detroit Lions, last season. He had a great summer camp and edged out second year hopeful Derrick Barnes who was projected to be a shoo-in starter. Anzalone also benefited from Jalen Reeves-Maybin departing for the Texans in the 2022 off season (even though he is now back in Detroit, likely as a rotational player).
If a player has weak competition for position, this is obviously a plus point but, it is always situational and the same may not apply the following season. The Detroit Lions used the 18th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to pick Jack Campbell, a linebacker out of Iowa. Campbell was the highest rated linebacker and the first to be drafted from the 2023 class. The Lions have invested in this pick and will want to see him taking the field as often as possible, likely at the expense of Alex Anzalone.
With schemes, each team operates their own, so it is also wise to consider how particular teams utilize their rosters. This knowledge often comes with time and can differ on a team-by-team basis, as a result of the personnel available to them.
An example of such a scheme includes the defensive linemen in Buffalo. The Bills operate a heavy rotation in their defensive line, meaning that even up and coming star Greg Rousseau, and tough tacklers A.J. Epenesa and Ed Oliver are only on the field for 35-45% of possible snaps.
Step 3 – Contract situation, trade situation and draft impact
Naturally progressing from Step 2 and the topic of team situation, these are other situational topics that can affect a player’s role within a team. Jeff Okudah was recently rostered on the Detroit Lions as a rotational piece, but through the trade to the Atlanta Falcons, Okudah bumps up into a starting position, opposite AJ Terrell, with little competition.
Equally, where players are entering their contract year and notably when negotiations are ongoing, it is more likely that such a player will be cut, traded or isolated, even more so than skill players. Jaylon Smith’s days in Dallas came to a very abrupt end after putting together 121, 142, and 154 tackles in his last three seasons as a Cowboy.
The draft always gives the best indication of the team’s plans for the current season. Now the draft has finished and we have a good idea of how this affect each team’s rosters. Pre-draft this is undoubtedly more difficult to assess and some judgement is needed to be made, based on the team’s roster in the period between post-season and the draft, notably after free agency.
Step 4 – Talent
Now some may consider this as their Step 1 but, I argue that on its own, talent isn’t enough. Established talent is easier to spot as those who have been able to work the league, will likely do it again unless they are caught in the midst of Steps 2 and 3, above. Picking up rookie talent after the draft is always fun, and has its risks but, can carry a lot of upside too. It is somewhat wise to pick players who are going to be tied to a four/five-year contract.
When playing IDP redraft, you should limit the usage of rookie IDPs before June, as a lot can happen between the draft and the start of the season in September, unless they have top round draft capital, and/ or they are walking into a starting position, as per Steps 2 and 3.
When playing IDP dynasty, stock up as many talented guys as you can find and stick them on your taxi squad. The situation might not always be ready for it but, when you know someone has the talent it can be a waiting game.
T.J. Edwards is a good example of this, he was great in college with Wisconsin. I picked lots of his shares after the 2019 draft (based on his talent, even as an undrafted free agent) knowing that when he got to Philadelphia, he was down the pecking order, and his ideal role was occupied by veteran Alex Singleton. Singleton signed a new contract with the Eagles in 2019, which meant Edwards had to wait his turn. When Singleton moved to Denver and the position opened up, Edwards did a great job leading the LBs in Philadelphia and it was worth the stash.
Talent doesn’t always fit with team plans, however. Some talented players in recent years, such as K’Lavon Chaisson, linebacker/EDGE out of LSU, was picked with the 20th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Having recently has his 5th year option rejected and playing under four different managers he is rumored to be traded this offseason and could even be a cut-candidate.
Step 5 – Fantasy vs. Real life
There are some very good footballers out there but, consideration must be given to their ability to score points in fantasy football.
Good examples of this are, Tre’Davious White, Jalen Ramsey and Marshon Lattimore. All three are great defensive backs but don’t score consistently in fantasy football. For defensive backs in particular, quarterbacks tend not to throw their way unless they have full confidence in their receiver(s).
Equally, there are a lot of great defensive linemen who put a lot of work in for teams, but don’t score and such examples include Odafe Oweh at the Ravens, Vita Vea of the Buccaneers, and the aforementioned Bills defensive line, due to their heavy rotation.
IDP 101 Summary
The above may be a lot to digest, but if you pay attention to these five factors, you will gain an advantage on your league opponents.
- Know your league’s scoring
- Know each player’s team fit and competition
- Know each player’s contract situation
- Identify the talented players
- Identify the defensive players that can score a lot of points
It is always important to draft well in IDP as great selection can often help you win your matchups. As the popularity progresses, so to does everyone’s knowledge on IDP players, defensive schemes and IDP strategies in fantasy football.
Unlike for skill players, ADP formulas are a lot harder to track with IDP players as a result of various point scoring systems. Often times you can use this unadjusted ADP to your advantage if you have a good set of rankings or projections that are customized to your league’s settings.
Lastly, remember that fantasy football should be fun. Sometimes this means “reaching” for the guys you like most! We hope you have a fun season and win a championship or two along the way.
Thank you for reading! For any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly on Twitter on @DynastyGuruNFL.
And make sure you check out RPO Football’s 2023 IDP Rankings.