John Laub, the Gridiron Scholar, takes a break from his College Fantasy Football analysis to unleash his IDP Rankings for 2022 Fantasy Football!
I have played fantasy football for 33 seasons, and in the Nineties, I commissioned a league for six years with only newspaper box scores, pencils, and calculators. I really did begin playing fantasy football in the dark ages of our hobby.
Like most fanatics, our league used only team defense for scoring and never even thought about defensive players. Around the turn of the century, I first heard of IDP formats but did not join one until 2006. Ever since I have managed at least one IDP league each season. And I really enjoy the format.
Do not be intimidated by IDP leagues or the format, just jump into one this season. I would recommend playing with six IDP players in the starting lineup: 2 defensive linemen, 2 linebackers, and two defensive backs. It is a manageable lineup and plenty of action on the waiver wire each week.
Scholar’s IDP Guys
- DT Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins
- EDGE Hassan Riddick, Philadelphia Eagles
- LB C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
- LB Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals
- S Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
- S Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
If you want to join a hardcore IDP league like myself, I play in a giant 12-team, 11-starter IDP league. We must start one defensive tackle, one defensive end, one defensive lineman, four linebackers, two cornerbacks, and two safeties. It is also a Dynasty league, and we draft rookies every year to add to our rosters.
There are so many great ways to engage in the IDP format that you do not have to become a fantasy football diehard like myself to kick off your obsession. Take it slow if you want to get your feet wet this season.
I have outlined the basic IDP scoring rules for beginners below and ranked over 150 defensive players by position: defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs for IDP fanatics, and first-timers, jumping into a league.
Enjoy my friends!
IDP Scoring:
Tackles = 1 point
Assisted Tackles = ½ point
Fumbles Recovered = 2 points
Sacks = 2 points
Passes Defended = 1 point
Interceptions = 4 points
Touchdowns = 6 points
2022 IDP Rankings
Here are my initial IDP Rankings. Remember to keep an eye on injuries and other news as NFL training camps kick into gear.
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darius Leonard | IND |
| 2 | Roquan Smith | CHI |
| 3 | Devin White | TB |
| 4 | Jordyn Brooks | SEA |
| 5 | Micah Parsons | DAL |
| 6 | Aaron Donald | LAR |
| 7 | Derwin James Jr. | LAC |
| 8 | Jeremy Chinn | CAR |
| 9 | De'Vondre Campbell | GB |
| 10 | Bobby Wagner | LAR |
| 11 | Fred Warner | SF |
| 12 | Myles Garrett | CLE |
| 13 | Jordan Poyer | BUF |
| 14 | C.J. Mosley | NYJ |
| 15 | Blake Martinez | NYG |
| 16 | Jamal Adams | SEA |
| 17 | Chase Young | WAS |
| 18 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | TB |
| 19 | Denzel Perryman | LV |
| 20 | Nick Bosa | SF |
| 21 | T.J. Watt | PIT |
| 22 | Budda Baker | ARI |
| 23 | Kevin Byard | TEN |
| 24 | Foyesade Oluokun | JAC |
| 25 | Harrison Smith | MIN |
| 26 | Kyle Dugger | NE |
| 27 | Logan Wilson | CIN |
| 28 | Bobby Okereke | IND |
| 29 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | PIT |
| 30 | Tremaine Edmunds | BUF |
| 31 | Joey Bosa | LAC |
| 32 | Christian Wilkins | MIA |
| 33 | Jessie Bates III | CIN |
| 34 | Lavonte David | TB |
| 35 | Danielle Hunter | MIN |
| 36 | Cole Holcomb | WAS |
| 37 | Kenny Moore II | IND |
| 38 | Haason Reddick | PHI |
| 39 | Maxx Crosby | LV |
| 40 | Isaiah Simmons | ARI |
| 41 | Justin Simmons | DEN |
| 42 | Vonn Bell | CIN |
| 43 | Cameron Heyward | PIT |
| 44 | Leonard Williams | NYG |
| 45 | Demario Davis | NO |
| 46 | Eric Kendricks | MIN |
| 47 | Xavier McKinney | NYG |
| 48 | Patrick Queen | BAL |
| 49 | Jerome Baker | MIA |
| 50 | Logan Ryan | TB |
| 51 | Myles Jack | PIT |
| 52 | Johnathan Abram | LV |
| 53 | Chris Jones | KC |
| 54 | Jayron Kearse | DAL |
| 55 | Jalen Thompson | ARI |
| 56 | Cameron Jordan | NO |
| 57 | Jeffery Simmons | TEN |
| 58 | Tracy Walker III | DET |
| 59 | Shaq Thompson | CAR |
| 60 | Nick Bolton | KC |
| 61 | Haason Reddick | PHI |
| 62 | J. Owusu-Koramoah | CLE |
| 63 | Kamren Curl | WAS |
| 64 | Taylor Rapp | LAR |
| 65 | Zach Cunningham | TEN |
| 66 | Trey Hendrickson | CIN |
| 67 | David Long Jr. | TEN |
| 68 | Jamin Davis | WAS |
| 69 | Jordan Fuller | LAR |
| 70 | Kyzir White | PHI |
| 71 | Tyrann Mathieu | NO |
| 72 | Devin Lloyd | JAC |
| 73 | Deion Jones | ATL |
| 74 | Chandler Jones | LV |
| 75 | Brian Burns | CAR |
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Donald | LAR |
| 2 | Myles Garrett | CLE |
| 3 | Chase Young | WAS |
| 4 | Nick Bosa | SF |
| 5 | T.J. Watt | PIT |
| 6 | Joey Bosa | LAC |
| 7 | Christian Wilkins | MIA |
| 8 | Danielle Hunter | MIN |
| 9 | Haason Reddick | PHI |
| 10 | Maxx Crosby | LV |
| 11 | Cameron Heyward | PIT |
| 12 | Leonard Williams | NYG |
| 13 | Chris Jones | KC |
| 14 | Cameron Jordan | NO |
| 15 | Jeffery Simmons | TEN |
| 16 | Trey Hendrickson | CIN |
| 17 | Chandler Jones | LV |
| 18 | Brian Burns | CAR |
| 19 | DeForest Buckner | IND |
| 20 | Jonathan Allen | WAS |
| 21 | Josh Allen | JAC |
| 22 | Quinnen Williams | NYJ |
| 23 | Robert Quinn | CHI |
| 24 | DeMarcus Lawrence | DAL |
| 25 | Montez Sweat | WAS |
| 26 | Sam Hubbard | CIN |
| 27 | Emmanuel Ogbah | MIA |
| 28 | Marcus Davenport | NO |
| 29 | Randy Gregory | DEN |
| 30 | Yannick Ngakoue | IND |
| 31 | Jonathan Greenard | HOU |
| 32 | Greg Rousseau | BUF |
| 33 | Aidan Hutchinson | DET |
| 34 | Kwity Paye | IND |
| 35 | Brandon Graham | PHI |
| 36 | Arik Armstead | SF |
| 37 | Carl Lawson | NYJ |
| 38 | Khalil Mack | LAC |
| 39 | Jermaine Johnson II | NYJ |
| 40 | Ed Oliver | BUF |
| 41 | Bradley Chubb | DEN |
| 42 | Travon Walker | JAX |
| 43 | Charles Harris | DET |
| 44 | Josh Sweat | PHI |
| 45 | Jadeveon Clowney | CLE |
| 46 | Javon Hargrave | PHI |
| 47 | Grady Jarrett | ATL |
| 48 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | NYG |
| 49 | George Karlaftis | KCC |
| 50 | Daron Payne | WAS |
| 51 | Yetur Gross-Matos | CAR |
| 52 | Zach Allen | ARI |
| 53 | Frank Clark | KCC |
| 54 | Stephon Tuitt | PIT |
| 55 | Boye Mafe | SEA |
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darius Leonard | IND |
| 2 | Roquan Smith | CHI |
| 3 | Devin White | TB |
| 4 | Jordyn Brooks | SEA |
| 5 | Micah Parsons | DAL |
| 6 | De'Vondre Campbell | GB |
| 7 | Bobby Wagner | LAR |
| 8 | Fred Warner | SF |
| 9 | C.J. Mosley | NYJ |
| 10 | Blake Martinez | NYG |
| 11 | Denzel Perryman | LV |
| 12 | Foyesade Oluokun | JAC |
| 13 | Logan Wilson | CIN |
| 14 | T.J. Watt | PIT |
| 15 | Bobby Okereke | IND |
| 16 | Tremaine Edmunds | BUF |
| 17 | Lavonte David | TB |
| 18 | Cole Holcomb | WAS |
| 19 | Isaiah Simmons | ARI |
| 20 | Demario Davis | NO |
| 21 | Eric Kendricks | MIN |
| 22 | Patrick Queen | BAL |
| 23 | Jerome Baker | MIA |
| 24 | Myles Jack | PIT |
| 25 | Shaq Thompson | CAR |
| 26 | Nick Bolton | KC |
| 27 | Haason Reddick | PHI |
| 28 | J. Owusu-Koramoah | CLE |
| 29 | Zach Cunningham | TEN |
| 30 | David Long Jr. | TEN |
| 31 | Jamin Davis | WAS |
| 32 | Kyzir White | PHI |
| 33 | Devin Lloyd | JAC |
| 34 | Deion Jones | ATL |
| 35 | Devin Bush Jr. | PIT |
| 36 | Alex Singleton | DEN |
| 37 | Josh Allen | JAC |
| 38 | Zaven Collins | ARI |
| 39 | Jordan Hicks | MIN |
| 40 | Nakobe Dean | PHI |
| 41 | Shaquil Barrett | TB |
| 42 | Troy Anderson | ATL |
| 43 | Anthony Walker Jr. | CLE |
| 44 | Christian Kirksey | HOU |
| 45 | Quincy Williams | NYJ |
| 46 | Khalil Mack | LAC |
| 47 | Quay Walker | GB |
| 48 | Alex Anzalone | DET |
| 49 | Von Miller | BUF |
| 50 | Jayon Brown | LVR |
| 52 | Matt Milano | BUF |
| 53 | Azeez Al-Shaair | SF |
| 54 | Harold Landry | TEN |
| 55 | Matt Judon | NE |
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derwin James Jr. | LAC |
| 2 | Jeremy Chinn | CAR |
| 3 | Jordan Poyer | BUF |
| 4 | Jamal Adams | SEA |
| 5 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | TB |
| 6 | Budda Baker | ARI |
| 7 | Kevin Byard | TEN |
| 8 | Harrison Smith | MIN |
| 9 | Kyle Dugger | NE |
| 10 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | PIT |
| 11 | Jessie Bates III | CIN |
| 12 | Kenny Moore II | IND |
| 13 | Justin Simmons | DEN |
| 14 | Vonn Bell | CIN |
| 15 | Xavier McKinney | NYG |
| 16 | Logan Ryan | TB |
| 17 | Johnathan Abram | LV |
| 18 | Jayron Kearse | DAL |
| 19 | Jalen Thompson | ARI |
| 20 | Tracy Walker III | DET |
| 21 | Kamren Curl | WAS |
| 22 | Taylor Rapp | LAR |
| 23 | Jordan Fuller | LAR |
| 24 | Tyrann Mathieu | NO |
| 25 | Xavier Woods | CAR |
| 26 | Trevon Diggs | DAL |
| 27 | Kyle Hamilton | BAL |
| 28 | Jordan Whitehead | NYJ |
| 29 | Marlon Humphrey | BAL |
| 30 | Marcus Maye | NO |
| 31 | Justin Simmons | DEN |
| 32 | Adrian Amos | GB |
| 33 | Tracy Walker | DET |
| 34 | Jalen Ramsey | LAR |
| 35 | Julian Love | NYG |
| 36 | Justin Reid | KC |
| 37 | Jabrill Peppers | NE |
| 38 | Kareem Jackson | DEN |
| 39 | J.C. Jackson | LAC |
| 40 | Quandre Diggs | SEA |
| 41 | Adrian Philips | NEP |
| 42 | Kendall Fuller | WAS |
| 43 | Micah Hyde | BUF |
| 44 | Brandon Jones | MIA |
| 45 | Pat Surtain | DEN |
| 46 | L'Jarius Sneed | KC |
| 47 | Brandon Jones | MIA |
| 48 | Grant Delpit | CLE |
| 49 | Chuck Clark | BAL |
| 50 | Darnell Savage Jr. | GB |
| 51 | John Johnson III | CLE |
| 52 | Jaquan Brisker | CHI |
| 53 | Jalen Pitre | HOU |
| 54 | Eddie Jackson | CHI |
| 55 | Rasul Douglas | GBP |
Got a hot take on John’s IDP Rankings? Share it in the comments below and then head on over to check out our full 2022 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
Haason Reddick is listed twice (38,61).