2023 IDP Redraft Rankings – Defensive Linemen

1. T.J. Watt LB – PIT (6), +4 vs. ECR 
When healthy, no player at this position provides the combination of consistency and upside as Watt. He’s far enough removed from last year’s injury where that shouldn’t be a concern for 2023 and if not for another rising, generational talent in Micah Parsons, he would be in a tier of his own.

2. Micah Parsons LB – DAL (7), +4 vs. ECR 
Parsons was able to build upon a prodigious rookie campaign and be even better in 2022. Training camp reports for this year indicate he seems to have taken yet another step forward in his development and will likely battle T.J. Watt for #1 overall fantasy DL spot.

Tier 2

3. Maxx Crosby DE – LV (13), -1 vs. ECR
Crosby was someone I highlighted as a player to target last year in drafts as, although his surface-level stats weren’t elite, his underlying pressure stats indicated this production was likely to come in 2023. And it did. His constant motor and refined technique have enabled him to become one of the most consistent week-to-week DL1 producers.

4. Myles Garrett DE – CLE (5), -1 vs. ECR 
Garrett launched himself into DL1 status during his 2018 sophomore season and has consistently produced as such since. 35-40 solos and 15-20 assists with 15+ sack upside is a very reasonable projection for the former 1st overall selection. If Za’Darius Smith can stay healthy, he should serve as a better pass-rushing threat than Jadaveon Clowney did the past couple seasons which gives Garrett a bit more potential upside heading into 2023.

5. Nick Bosa DE – SF (9), -4 vs. ECR 
Bosa is coming off a career year in which he compiled a whopping 18.5 sacks and took him DPOY honors. He could easily be drafted as the 3rd DL off the board and managers would be justified in doing so, he’s currently a tad below Crosby and Garrett in my rankings only due to a slight risk of a holdout due to a contract dispute.

6. Haason Reddick DE – PHI (10), +16 vs. ECR 
Although not quite on the same level as Crosby, Garrett, & Bosa, Haason Reddick has proven worthy of being drafted as an elite DL1. He racked up 23 sacks with the Cardinals across the 2020 and 2021 seasons and took his game to a new level with the Eagles last year with 16 sacks. His tackle opps are more limited with Philly though which keeps him out of top 5 consideration for me in balanced and tackle-heavy scoring formats.

Tier 3

7. Danielle Hunter DE – MIN (13), +16 vs. ECR 
When not injured, Hunter has been an elite DL1. He exploded for back-to-back 14 sack seasons in 2018 and 2019. But then missed all of 2020 due an injury which lingered into the next season and limited him to just six sacks. He bounced back last season with 60+ total tackles and 11 sacks. Although the Vikings are installing a new defensive system, that shouldn’t pose an issue for Hunter who has been successful in multiple schemes. He’s playing on a one-year contract so has all the incentive to produce at an elite level, which I’ve confident he can do provided he can stay healthy.

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