Note: Rankings updated Monday, August 26
FanTrax’s self-proclaimed IDP expert Matt De Lima, the No. 3 2023 IDP in-season ranker on FantasyPros, wants to help you make the most of your 2024 fantasy football teams with my IDP defensive linemen rankings.
First, there is no industry IDP standard for the number of players to use or an official IDP scoring system. Any IDP rankings list should include a preferred scoring system as a point of reference, which you can find below.
These are my top 100 fantasy football defensive linemen for the 2024 NFL season.
IDP Defensive Linemen Rankings 2024
Note: Rankings updated Monday, August 26
| Rank | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myles Garrett | CLE |
| 2 | Maxx Crosby | LV |
| 3 | Aidan Hutchinson | DET |
| 4 | T.J. Watt | PIT |
| 5 | Micah Parsons | DAL |
| 6 | Montez Sweat | CHI |
| 7 | Nick Bosa | SF |
| 8 | Danielle Hunter | HOU |
| 9 | Will Anderson Jr. | HOU |
| 10 | Josh Hines-Allen | JAC |
| 11 | Brian Burns | NYG |
| 12 | Alex Highsmith | PIT |
| 13 | DeForest Buckner | IND |
| 14 | Harold Landry III | TEN |
| 15 | Khalil Mack | LAC |
| 16 | Jonathan Greenard | MIN |
| 17 | Jermaine Johnson II | NYJ |
| 18 | Quinnen Williams | NYJ |
| 19 | Matt Judon | ATL |
| 20 | Christian Wilkins | LV |
| 21 | George Karlaftis III | KC |
| 22 | Trey Hendrickson | CIN |
| 23 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | NYG |
| 24 | Haason Reddick | NYJ |
| 25 | Carl Granderson | NO |
| 26 | Jaelan Phillips | MIA |
| 27 | Boye Mafe | SEA |
| 28 | Jeffery Simmons | TEN |
| 29 | Chris Jones | KC |
| 30 | Jonathon Cooper | DEN |
| 31 | Byron Young | LAR |
| 32 | Derrick Brown | CAR |
| 33 | Rashan Gary | GB |
| 34 | Greg Rousseau | BUF |
| 35 | Sam Hubbard | CIN |
| 36 | Andrew Van Ginkel | MIN |
| 37 | Dorance Armstrong Jr. | WAS |
| 38 | Josh Sweat | PHI |
| 39 | Travon Walker | JAC |
| 40 | Cameron Heyward | PIT |
| 41 | Joey Bosa | LAC |
| 42 | Justin Madubuike | BAL |
| 43 | Uchenna Nwosu | SEA |
| 44 | Bradley Chubb | MIA |
| 45 | Jonathan Allen | WAS |
| 46 | Zach Sieler | MIA |
| 47 | Malcolm Koonce | LV |
| 48 | Jalen Carter | PHI |
| 49 | Daron Payne | WAS |
| 50 | Ed Oliver | BUF |
| 51 | Kwity Paye | IND |
| 52 | Yaya Diaby | TB |
| 53 | Jadeveon Clowney | CAR |
| 54 | Kobie Turner | LAR |
| 55 | Javon Hargrave | SF |
| 56 | Laiatu Latu | IND |
| 57 | DeMarcus Lawrence | DAL |
| 58 | Leonard Floyd | SF |
| 59 | Leonard Williams | SEA |
| 60 | Bryce Huff | PHI |
| 61 | Chase Young | NO |
| 62 | Zach Allen | DEN |
| 63 | Dexter Lawrence II | NYG |
| 64 | Christian Barmore | NE |
| 65 | Michael Hoecht | LAR |
| 66 | Harrison Phillips | MIN |
| 67 | Preston Smith | GB |
| 68 | Tuli Tuipulotu | LAC |
| 69 | Jared Verse | LAR |
| 70 | Baron Browning | DEN |
| 71 | D.J. Wonnum | CAR |
| 72 | Odafe Oweh | BAL |
| 73 | Dayo Odeyingbo | IND |
| 74 | Dallas Turner | MIN |
| 75 | Calijah Kancey | TB |
| 76 | Cameron Jordan | NO |
| 77 | Chop Robinson | MIA |
| 78 | Jarran Reed | SEA |
| 79 | Zaven Collins | ARI |
| 80 | Kenny Clark | GB |
| 81 | Za'Darius Smith | CLE |
| 82 | Grady Jarrett | ATL |
| 83 | Mike Danna | KC |
| 84 | Denico Autry | HOU |
| 85 | Arden Key | TEN |
| 86 | Keion White | NE |
| 87 | Kyle Van Noy | BAL |
| 88 | Darius Robinson | ARI |
| 89 | Alim McNeill | DET |
| 90 | Bryan Bresee | NO |
| 91 | David Ojabo | BAL |
| 92 | Osa Odighizuwa | DAL |
| 93 | DeMarcus Walker | CHI |
| 94 | Grover Stewart | IND |
| 95 | Azeez Ojulari | NYG |
| 96 | B.J. Hill | CIN |
| 97 | Lorenzo Carter | ATL |
| 98 | Arnold Ebiketie | ATL |
| 99 | Ogbo Okoronkwo | CLE |
| 100 | Arik Armstead | JAC |
| 101 | Byron Murphy II | SEA |
| 102 | Anfernee Jennings | NE |
IDP Defensive Linemen Rankings Explained
The first talking point has to be about positional eligibility. Some league hosts have guys like T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons or Maxx Crosby listed as linebackers only. Commissioners can’t allow that to happen. I prefer a very broad interpretation of DL/DE eligibility.
All EDGE rushers must have DL/DE eligibility. They should also be playable at LB but don’t score enough to be good plays at LB. Commissioners and league hosts, get that straight.
It’s tempting to reach for your preferred player here. I wouldn’t blame you if you had Watt, Crosby, Parsons, Garrett or N. Bosa as your top DL. There are no wrong answers, and that’s reflected in each guy’s odds to be the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. There is a clear first tier in this year’s IDP defensive linemen rankings. On draft day, I’m fine waiting for the fifth guy.
Tier 2 and Beyond
If you miss out on Tier 1, it’s not a problem, but I believe there are right and wrong options in Tier 2 (DL Nos. 6 to 12). The right plays are the ceiling plays like Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr. I’m satisfied but not happy if I end up with Hunter, Hines-Allen, Sweat or Burns. I refuse to draft Mack, but I can’t pretend that he doesn’t continue to overachieve deep into his future Hall of Fame career.
I’m again focusing on youth and upside in Tier 3 (DL Nos 13 to 20). I prefer Greenard and Phillips from this grouping. Don’t get me wrong: Highsmith, Landry, Buckner, Judon, Hendrickson and Reddick are some of the best defenders out there; I just believe we’ve already seen the heights of what they can accomplish.
Chasing Points, Not Players
This same youth mindset runs through my rankings, so allow me to explain. Every season, defenders emerge and I’m highly aggressive on the IDP waiver wire. I am loyal to points, not players. It’s unwise to drop somebody from the top 30, but beyond that, I’m adding the hot hand every week and churning my roster. In my recent IDP Draft Strategy article, I get into more detail about how I try to play.
With that mindset, you’re going to drop a difference-maker. That’s how it goes. But the upside is you land that season’s breakout player while the rest of your league is typically playing it safe and holding onto mediocrity. So, with a focus on ceiling, I want lottery tickets on my bench.
IDP Defensive Linemen Rankings Are Only a Starting Point
I added Greenard and Bradley Chubb at just the right times last year. Like any rankings, IDP defensive linemen rankings are only as valuable as your ability to deviate from them. Rankings are a starting point in a game that lasts for months.
Last season, I also had DB Camryn Bynum on almost every team. Why? He had one big game. That’s all it should take. It’s vital you follow the points because IDP is not as predictable as offense, which we already know is full of surprises every year.
Fantasy Football IDP League Setup
My recommended IDP league settings:
Defensive Lineup
1 DT, 2 DE, 3 LB, 1 CB, 2 DB, 2 IDP Flex (DL/LB/DB)
IDP Scoring
- 1.5 points per Tackle
- 1 point per Assist
- 4 points per Sack
- 4 points per Forced Fumble
- 2 points per Fumble Recovery
- 4 points per Interception
- 1.5 points per Pass Defended
- 4 points per Safety
- 6 points per Defensive Touchdown
- 1 point per QB Hit
- 1 point per Tackle For Loss
Got more takes on IDP Defensive Linemen Rankings? Drop some knowledge in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.