2022 IDP Redraft Rankings – Linebackers

Tier 1

1. Bobby Wagner LB – LAR (7), +2 vs. ECR (TARGET)
Although he’s long been an LB1 fantasy linebacker, some may be surprised Wagner sits at the top spot in my rankings given his age (32) and the fact he’s entering into his 12th season. However, the move from the Seahawks to the Rams should actually help bolster his production. LA runs a ton of one-LB sets and Cover 2, both factors that have shown to increase tackle efficiency and production. He’s also moving to a more generous/somewhat less assist-heavy home stat crew which is another added bonus. This combination of low risk, increased upside makes Wagner my #1 overall fantasy linebacker in 2022.

2. Roquan Smith LB – CHI (14), -1 vs. ECR 
Over the past two seasons, Smith has averaged around 150 total tackles per year which is the third highest in the league over that time span. The Bears switch to a 4-3 scheme should only benefit Smith. The overall lack of competition within the linebacking core coupled with Chicago’s defense expected to see a ton of field time make Roquan arguably the safest (albeit not the highest upside) pick in 2022 IDP Drafts.

3. Shaquille Leonard LB – IND (14), +11 vs. ECR 
Leonard undoubtedly has the biggest upside of any fantasy linebacker given his ability to contribute top-tier production across a myriad of statistical categories, providing a powerful combination of strong tackle production and big plays. The only thing keeping him out of the top linebacker spot for me is his recent injury issues. He had ankle surgery prior to the start of the 2021 season and although he only missed one game, he admitted his ankle still wasn’t 100% and that it negatively impacted his production at times. Recent reports indicate he will now undergo minor back surgery which is thought to be connected to the ankle and calf injuries he battled through last year. He’s expected back in time for training camp and I have confidence he will work through any lingering injury issues much like he did last year and put up LB1 numbers, but there is ultimately some risk with Leonard.

Tier 2

4. Jordyn Brooks LB – SEA (11), -2 vs. ECR 
Brooks finished neck and neck with teammate Bobby Wagner last year in total fantasy points and was actually second in the league in solo tackles (94) despite playing half of his games with an assist-laden home stat crew. With Wagner now in LA and Seattle projected to have one of the worst NFL offenses, Brooks should be in line for a career year stat-wise. The main thing keeping him out of the top tier of linebackers is his lack of big play production.

5. Foye Oluokun LB – JAC (11), +13 vs. ECR 
With a whopping 179 total tackles and a handful of big plays, Oluokun emerged out of nowhere to become the top fantasy linebacker in a majority of balanced scoring systems. Although I do like Foye as a player, it seems like the scheme and situation in Atlanta definitely helped buoy his stats. However, the same argument could be made about his new team in Jacksonville who has produced several LB1 fantasy linebackers the last few years.

6. Devin White LB – TB (11), -2 vs. ECR (AVOID)
There’s a temptation to draft White higher than this ranking indicates given his gaudy 2020 performance where he posted 140 total tackles and nine sacks. However, sacks are unpredictable and, although White is one of the games best blitzers, chasing sacks from an ILB is a bit too risky in my view. Additionally, he’s graded out quite poorly the last couple seasons with  coverage lapses and poor tackling. This said, I think his 2021 production is closer to his true value versus 2020. I’ll likely be letting others pursue White in this year’s drafts and instead wait and go with more consistent “tackle monger” types like Blake Martinez, De’Vondre Campbell, or Fred Warner a little later in drafts.

7. Blake Martinez LB – NYG (9), +2 vs. ECR (TARGET)
We are likely to get some value with Martinez in this year’s drafts given he missed nearly the full 2020 season due to a torn ACL in Week 3. Prior to that injury, he had essentially four straight 90+solo/50+ assist seasons. The Giants new Defensive Coordinator, Wink Martindale, has traditionally used a lot of 1-LB sets which we’ve seen provide above average tackle opportunity for that every-down linebacker. Martinez looks to already be back to near full-form and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a 150+ total tackle campaign from him in 2022.