7 IDPs to Target in 2022 Redraft Leagues

ByRyan Sitzmann Posted on Updated on

Listed below are seven IDPs I recommend targeting in drafts as of August 16th (two at DL, three at LB, and two at DB). As you will see, I’ve ranked a lot of these players substantially higher versus other “expert consensus rankings” that are logged into the FantasyPros platform.

These are just a few of the many player excerpts and rankings taken out of my 2022 IDP Fantasy Football Draft Guide which is available for purchase here.

2022 IDP Draft Guide Features:

  • Continually Updated in Real-Time Until Start of the Regular Season (9/8)
  • 290 Defensive Players Ranked in Tiered Fashion – 100 DL, 100 LB, 90 DB
  • Customizable Projections for All Ranked IDPs
  • Detailed Player Descriptions
  • Overall Top 100 IDP Rankings List
  • Sleeper/Target/Avoid Notation
  • Top 50 IDP Rookie Rankings
  • Rankings Comparison to FantasyPros’ Expert Consensus (ECR) Rankings
  • Excel Export Functionality

These target recommendations are based on the balanced IDP scoring system listed below:

Scoring System:
Solo Tackle = 1.5 points
Assist = 0.75 points
Sack = 4 points
Interception = 5 points
Forced Fumble = 4 points
Fumble Recovery = 4 points
Pass Deflection = 1.5 points
Defensive TD = 6 points


DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

DL17 Greg Rousseau  BUF (7), -1 vs. ECR
Rousseau had an impressive rookie campaign despite being stuck behind a heavy rotation of players among the Bills’ defensive line. He was a top 30 DL in terms of points per game and now with veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison gone, he should assume a much heavier role and will have Von Miller as a bookend to keep offenses honest. He’s been drawing the praise of Miller so far in camp and all signs point to a breakout season for last year’s first-round selection.

DL30 Carl Lawson NYJ (10), +46 vs. ECR
Given how strong his underlying pass-rushing metrics were in a part-time role with the Bengals, I was excited to see what Lawson could do with a starting job with the Jets last year. He was having a standout camp before tearing his Achilles in August and ending his season before it even truly began. With a full year of recovery under his belt, Lawson looks fully healthy and eager to prove himself. Double-digit sack totals are within reach – the only thing holding him back is his expected below average tackle production.

LINEBACKERS

LB23 David Long Jr. TEN (6), +23 vs. ECR 
I think the majority of rankers are “missing the boat” when it comes to properly evaluating Long as his current consensus ranking on FantasyPros is LB46. He was a top 20-25 fantasy linebacker prior to his season-ending mid-season injury and was establishing himself as the team’s defensive leader during that time. He’s already drawing rave reviews in training camp and is a player I expect to break out in a fairly big way in 2022. At his current ADP, he’s likely someone you can wait on and snag as your LB3 or LB4 and receive nice returns on when all is said and done.

 

LB27 T.J. Edwards PHI (7), +4 vs. ECR 
I’m not exactly sure why there’s a lack of love for Edwards right now in fantasy drafts. The Eagles’ heavy use of zone coverage among their linebacking crew led to both Alex Singleton and Edwards having the two highest tackle rates in the league in 2021. Although the team brought in Kyzir White via free agency and drafted blue chip prospect Nakobe Dean, Edwards has been drawing significant praise from the coaching staff in training camp and looks to be cemented in as the team’s defensive leader. This said, I’m confident he will see near every-down snaps to start the year and should remain a high efficiency tackle producer. I’m tempted to rank Edwards even higher but, given how late he’s currently going in drafts, there’s likely no need to reach up any grab him any higher. He has LB1 potential.

LB30 Nicholas Morrow CHI (14), +26 vs. ECR 
Morrow was on my sleeper list prior to the news breaking of Roquan Smith’s trade demands. Although I still think there’s a greater than 50% chance Smith sticks in Chicago, the news is good for Morrow regardless. He will be operating in the Darius Leonard role within Matt Eberflus’ & Alan Williams’ new scheme on a defense that will likely have trouble getting off the field. And although he’s not a world-beater talent, he’s good enough to capitalize on the high amount of expected opportunity. He, along with TJ Edwards, should be one of your main LB3/LB4 targets.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

 

DB14 Kamren Curl WAS (14), +4 vs. ECR
When given the chance to play, Curl has been a highly productive player over his first two seasons in the league, ranking #11 and #14 in total tackle frequency in 2020 and 2021 respectively. With Landon Collins now gone, I expect Curl to see more time up in the box much like in 2020. And so far in the preseason that’s exactly what we’ve seen. He’s shaping up to be one of my favorite IDP sleepers in drafts this season.

DB21 Jordan Whitehead NYJ (10), +4 vs. ECR
The Jets run a lot of Cover 3 looks which means their strong safety drops down into the box quite a bit to serve in run support. Head Coach Robert Saleh is a big fan of Whitehead and has the defensive background to maximize his potential. Whitehead has been a top 15 DB throughout his career in tackle efficiency and is well set up for a breakout year with the Jets as he enters into the prime of his career.

Like what you’ve read so far? Looking to dominate your 2021 Fantasy Football draft(s)? For $9.99 you can get complete access to The IDP Guru’s comprehensive and exhaustive 2022 IDP Fantasy Football Draft Guide. OR you can get both my Draft Guide and access to all my In-Season Premium Content by purchasing my 2022 Gold Package for just $17.99. 

Questions, comments, or concerns with any of these recommendations? If so, please let me know by hitting me up on Twitter or emailing me at theidpguru@idpguru.com.