7 IDPs to Target in 2023 Redraft Leagues

Listed below are seven IDPs I recommend targeting in drafts as of August 12th (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 2023 IDP Fantasy Football Draft Guide which is available for purchase here.

2023 IDP Draft Guide Features:

• Continually Updated in Real-Time Until Start of the Regular Season (9/7)
• 300 Defensive Players Ranked in Tiered Fashion – 100 DL, 100 LB, 100 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 Jaelan Phillips MIA (10), +22 vs. ECR 
Phillips is entering into his third season (an often emergent time for edge rushers), and although he’s been solid to date with 15 sacks across 2021 and 2022, I really think a breakout year is coming in 2023. His underlying statistics last year showed he’s getting the pressure required and I’m confident that with a strong supporting cast and arrival of defensive guru Vic Fangio, that he will be able to better convert those pressures in sacks this season.

DL19 Josh Allen – JAC (9), +18 vs. ECR 
Allen has been a solid pass rusher for the Jaguars but has never been able to re-create the magic of his rookie season in which he stacked up an impressive 10.5 sacks. A part of that is he’s not had a viable pass-rushing threat opposite him to keep away the double teams. This said, he’s continued to improve each year from an on-the-field perspective and was actually 7th in the entire league in terms of pressures and top 5 in QB knockdowns and hurries last season. So he definitely has the ability to outperform this ranking if he can convert more of those pressures into sacks in 2023.

LINEBACKERS

LB7 Pete Werner NO (11), +10 vs. ECR 
At first blush, Werner’s overarching 2022 stats aren’t much to write home about; however, a suffered a mid-season ankle injury that essentially shut him down for the remainder of the season. But before being sidelined, he was on pace for 150+ total tackles and a top 10 finish at the position. Although Demario Davis is still a skilled player, he is getting old and has begun to lose a step which leaves the door open for Werner to assume an even larger role in 2023. I expect him to see 90%+ of the defensive snaps this year and be a tackling machine.

LB15 Ernest Jones – LAR (10), +3 vs. ECR 
Jones is one of my top draft targets this year. The Rams play a ton of zone coverage which has proven to be beneficial for linebacker tackle production and Jones will have arguably the least amount of competition playing alongside a relatively no-name defense (outside of Aaron Donald). He was productive on a per snap basis last year and now that he’s slated for a full-time role, we should a significant increase in production and is well set up for a top 15 finish.

DB14 Kamren Curl – WAS (14), -2 vs. ECR 
Although he hasn’t made a lot of big plays to date, Curl is someone I think takes a fairly big step forward in 2023. He graded out as the league’s #2 safety by Pro Football Focus last year and, although his stats don’t stand out as he missed five games, he was on pace to put up 82 solos and 37 assists. With Cole Holcomb gone, I expect even more opportunity to flow to Curl and for him to be among the league leaders in tackles for DBs.

DB21 Jordan Fuller – LAR (10), +3 vs. ECR 
Outside of Aaron Donald, the Rams are fielding one of the most talent-devoid defenses in recent memory. With both Taylor Scott and Nick Scott gone in free agency, Fuller is firmly locked in as the team’s starting strong safety and should have a ton of tackle opportunity heading into a contract year. The only thing holding him back from an even more bullish ranking is a general lack of big play generation throughout his short career. I fully expect him to exceed exceed 70 solo tackles. Although a lot of experts seem to be “on” Fuller, the general public does not as witnessed by his current ADP which has him being taken as a DB4/DB5 in a lot of leagues. So if you play in a more casual league, you can probably get a way with letting Fuller slide and drafting him further down than this ranking suggests.

Like what you’ve read so far? Looking to dominate your 2023 Fantasy Football draft(s)? For $10.99 you can get complete access to The IDP Guru’s comprehensive and exhaustive 2023 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 2023 Gold Package for just $19.99. 

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.