The 2021 NFL season is nearly upon us, and here are our fantasy IDP rankings to help you dominate Week 1. IDP leagues have become more popular among fantasy football enthusiasts. The addition of individual defensive players has taken the place of team defenses in some leagues. These fantasy IDP player rankings include linebackers, defensive backs, and defensive linemen.
Fantasy IDP rankings for Week 1 | 1-10
1) Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Seahawks)
2) Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears (vs. Rams)
3) Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cowboys)
4) Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Colts)
5) Blake Martinez, LB, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)
6) Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Titans)
7) Zach Cunningham, LB, Houston Texans (vs. Jaguars)
8) Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Colts)
9) Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Lions)
10) Joe Schobert, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
Leonard has emerged as the fantasy LB1 after only three seasons in the NFL. The only other IDP players who averaged more fantasy points than Leonard last season were T.J. Watt and Devin White. Leonard should continue to compile tackles playing alongside the Colts’ stout defensive line.
Fantasy IDP rankings for Week 1 | 11-20
11) Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Buccaneers)
12) Eric Kendricks, LB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Bengals)
13) Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Raiders)
14) Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cowboys)
15) Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills (vs. Steelers)
16) T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
17) Deion Jones, LB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Eagles)
18) Jayon Brown, LB, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cardinals)
19) Jeremy Chinn, S, Carolina Panthers (vs. Jets)
20) Derwin James Jr., S, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Washington)
Jaylon Smith is in a position with the Cowboys to have another masterful season. He finished second in the NFL with 154 combined tackles in 2020. With Dan Quinn in place as the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, Smith could set career highs in multiple statistical areas.
Fantasy IDP rankings for Week 1 | 21-30
21) John Johnson III, S, Cleveland Browns (vs. Chiefs)
22) Devin Bush Jr., LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
23) Jordan Poyer, S, Buffalo Bills (vs. Steelers)
24) Jessie Bates III, S, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Vikings)
25) Jabrill Peppers, S, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)
26) Demario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints (vs. Packers)
27) Isaiah Simmons, LB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Titans)
28) Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos (vs. Giants)
29) Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Texans)
30) Jerome Baker, LB, Miami Dolphins (vs. Patriots)
Jordan Poyer continues to be undervalued despite three consecutive top-15 defensive back finishes. Last season, he set a career-high in tackles (134).
Fantasy IDP rankings for Week 1 | 31-40
31) Landon Collins, S, Washington Football Team (vs. Chargers)
32) Kenneth Murray Jr., LB, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Washington)
33) Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Bears)
34) Darnell Savage, S, Green Bay Packers (vs. Saints)
35) Kevin Byard, S, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cardinals)
36) Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Bengals)
37) Foyesade Oluokun, LB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Eagles)
38) Matt Milano, LB, Buffalo Bills (vs. Steelers)
39) Cory Littleton, LB, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Ravens)
40) Vonn Bell, S, Cinncinati Bengals (vs. Vikings)
Cory Littleton burned many IDP enthusiasts last year after signing a monster contract with the Raiders. As a reminder, he had back-to-back LB1 seasons with the Rams before moving to Las Vegas. Littleton is in a great position to bounce back this season with new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Fantasy IDP rankings for Week 1 | 41-50
41) Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
42) Jordan Hicks, LB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Titans)
43) Taylor Rapp, S, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Bears)
44) Shaq Thompson, LB, Carolina Panthers (vs. Jets)
45) Keanu Neal, S, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Buccaneers)
46) Tracy Walker, S, Detroit Lions (vs. 49ers)
47) Jamin Davis, LB, Washington Football Team (vs. Chargers)
48) Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Buccaneers)
49) Kamren Curl, S, Washington Football Team (vs. Chargers)
50) Rashaan Evans, LB, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cardinals)
Parsons was considered the top linebacker in this year’s draft class. He’s had a solid training camp and preseason with the Cowboys. Parsons will open the season as an every-down player and is projected to see ample opportunities to accumulate tackles.
51-60
51) Alex Singleton, LB, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Falcons)
52) Johnathan Abram, S, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Ravens)
53) Jamie Collins Sr., LB, Detroit Lions (vs. 49ers)
54) Shaquil Barrett, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cowboys)
55) Alexander Johnson, LB, Denver Broncos (vs. Giants)
56) Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Colts)
57) Khalil Mack, LB, Chicago Bears (vs. Rams)
58) Christian Kirksey, LB, Houston Texans (vs. Jaguars)
59) Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cowboys)
60) Tyrann Mathieu, S, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Browns)
Christian Kirksey is expected to call the defensive plays for the Texans in 2021. He should also play a high number of snaps. The biggest risk with Kirksey is if he can stay on the field. If he can, then Kirksey should accumulate a generous amount of tackles.
61-70
61) Danny Trevathan, LB, Chicago Bears (vs. Rams)
62) Zaven Collins, LB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Titans)
63) Malcolm Jenkins, S, New Orleans Saints (vs. Packers)
64) Bradley Chubb, LB, Denver Broncos (vs. Giants)
65) Adrian Amos, S, Green Bay Packers (vs. Saints)
66) Kwon Alexander, LB, New Orleans Saints (vs. Packers)
67) Justin Reid, S, Houston Texans (vs. Jaguars)
68) Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Buccaneers)
69) Chandler Jones, LB, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Titans)
70) Benardrick McKinney, LB, Free Agent
Zaven Collins is excellent in pass coverage and is a very capable run stopper. The Cardinals have publicly stated that he will replace Jordan Hicks on the inside. This opens the door for Collins to become an every-down player in 2021.
71-80
71) Terrell Edmunds, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
72) Chuck Clark, S, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Raiders)
73) Khari Willis, S, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Seahawks)
74) Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Cleveland Browns (vs. Chiefs)
75) Cale Garrett, LB, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)
76) DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Seahawks)
77) Willie Gay Jr., LB, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Browns)
78) Za’Darius Smith, LB, Green Bay Packers (vs. Saints)
79) Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Raiders)
80) Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Lions)
Some may hesitate to buy into DeForest Buckner this season since he’s with a new team. This is a mistake. Buckner has a history of being one of the rare defensive tackles to pressure the quarterback and stockpile tackles consistently. Last season was a down year for him with only 58 tackles. Did you know that 2020 was his first NFL season with less than 60 tackles? Buckner should pick up where he left off in San Francisco.
81-90
81) Logan Wilson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Vikings)
82) K.J. Wright, LB, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Ravens)
83) Avery Williamson, LB, Free Agent
84) Logan Ryan, CB, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)
85) Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans (vs. Cardinals)
86) Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Browns)
87) Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Ravens)
88) Cameron Heyward, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bills)
89) Leonard Williams, DE, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)
90) Marcus Maye, S, New York Jets (vs. Panthers)
91-99
91) Micah Kiser, LB, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Bears)
92) Bobby Okereke, LB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Seahawks)
93) Anthony Hitchens, LB, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Browns)
94) Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Cleveland Browns (vs. Chiefs)
95) Kenny Moore II, CB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Seahawks)
96) Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos (vs. Giants)
97) Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets (vs. Panthers)
98) Ronnie Harrison Jr., S, Cleveland Browns (vs. Chiefs)
99) Xavier McKinney, S, New York Giants (vs. Broncos)