Award-Winning IDP Rankings for 2023: Linebackers, Defensive Linemen and Defensive Backs for your IDP Drafts
Every championship starts with a good draft and every good draft starts with great IDP Rankings. RPO Football has you covered with the #1 IDP Rankings according to FantasyPros. So if you are looking to dominate your IDP leagues, make sure you check out our award-winning rankings of linebackers, defensive linemen and defensive backs.
Defensive Linemen
1.) Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys
Parsons is an amazing athlete and tough to stop as he bursts off the edge at 4.39 speed in the 40-yard dash. In his 2021 rookie season he split time between linebacker and edge rusher, but he transitioned to full-time edge rusher in 2022. If you are looking to gain an advantage at DL, you would be wise to start by drafting Parsons.
2.) T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt missed seven games in 2022 and disappointed in the stat column after returning from injury. Once fully healthy, I expect Watt’s tackle and sack numbers to return to normal.
3.) Maxx Crosby – Las Vegas Raiders
Crosby was the top scoring defensive lineman this past season as he finished with 88 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Crosby was not found in the Top 5 IDP Rankings last year, but made up a big jump up the 2023 list with his performance this past season and his ability to turn the quarterback pressures into sacks.
4.) Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
Garrett has faced a lot of double-teams but still managed 16 sacks this past season. The Browns have a new defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who will look to strengthen a defensive line around Garrett. DE Za’Darius Smith and DT Dalvin Tomlinson are new additions that will help take some of the pressure off Garrett.
5.) Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers
Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks in 2022 and he rounds out tier 1 of DL. There is a drop off from the top 5 defensive linemen, so it would be wise to draft one of these five players. You could make an argument for any of these as the top defensive lineman, but I rank Bosa a little lower since his tackle production isn’t as high as the other four on the list. Bosa is currently holding out as he seeks a new contract, but I anticipate he will be back on the field prior to week 1.
Click on this Link for a Complete List of our 2023 DL Rankings.
Linebackers
1.) Foyesade Oluokun – Jacksonville Jaguars
Foyesade Oluokun is the top defensive player in our IDP Rankings after leading all IDP in scoring the past two seasons. Switching from the Falcons to the Jaguars could not slow him down as he managed to finish with 184 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss in 2022. Don’t be surprised if Oluokun pulls off an unprecedented three-peat of the IDP scoring title.
2.) Roquan Smith – Baltimore Ravens
There was some concern that Smith’s scoring would drop once he was traded from the Bears to the Ravens but being paired with Patrick Queen did not cut into his production. Smith finished the 2022 season with 171 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions while leading the Ravens to the playoffs.
3.) Nick Bolton – Kansas City Chiefs
In his second season in the league, the Chiefs gave Nick Bolton an every-down linebacker role and he rewarded them with an impressive 179 tackles. In addition, Bolton made a crucial fumble return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl to help lead the Chiefs to victory.
4.) Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks
After one season with the Rams, Wagner is back with his old team. The Seahawks signed him after he was released by Los Angeles, and he fills a major team need after Jordyn Brooks suffered a torn ACL in Week 17. Wagner has finished as a top 10 scoring linebacker in the past seven seasons and has amassed over 100 tackles in all 11 seasons.
5.) C.J. Mosley – New York Jets
Mosley is another player that has finished amongst the top 10 linebackers the past two seasons. In 2022, he finished as LB9 with 159 tackles.
Check out RPO’s 2023 Linebacker Rankings.
Defensive Backs (IDP Rankings)
1.) Derwin James – Los Angeles Chargers
James has been in the top 2 of DB scoring average the past two seasons. He is also very versatile and can be lined up all over the field. Whether he is lined up in the slot, the box, or even deep, James can make plays. This is the second straight year that you will find Derwin James at the top of our IDP Rankings for Defensive Backs.
2.) Jalen Pitre – Houston Texans
Pitre led all defensive backs in scoring this past season. He impressed in his rookie season with 148 tackles and five interceptions. There is still room for improvement as Pitre missed 36 tackles and was benched a few times. The Texans brought in a new defensive-minded coach, DeMeco Ryans, who will look to fix the defense.
3.) Budda Baker – Arizona Cardinals
In April, Baker requested a trade from the Cardinals as he seeks a contract extension that will raise his salary. The Cardinals have a new defensive coordinator, Nick Rallis, who came over from Philadelphia. Rallis will look to build a recreate the Eagles’ dominant defense with Baker and company.
4.) Jaquan Brisker – Chicago Bears
Brisker had instant success as a rookie in Chicago. He recorded 103 tackles and four sacks and finished as DB11 even though he missed two games with a concussion.
5.) Minkah Fitzpatrick – Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a playmaker, plain and simple. Even though his tackle production decreased in 2022, he made up for it with six interceptions and a touchdown. Fitzpatrick will be paired with Keanu Neal and Demontae Kazee.
Here is our entire list of DB Rankings for 2023.
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