The Complete Guide to Dominating IDP, Part 2: Basic Draft Strategy

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By now, you have committed to dominating your IDP league in 2023. In making your league-mates cry. You have reviewed the first part of this guide and have determined both the type of IDP league you play in (Tackle-Heavy, Big-Play Heavy, or Balanced) and how that scoring affects IDP valuation—both from defensive player to defensive player and defensive player to offensive player. Now that you have familiarized yourself with your league's scoring, the next step is obvious.

Cold fusion! Cheap, sustainable energy that will change the world!

Um, no. Again, IDP isn't nearly as complicated as some would have you believe. The next step is getting a basic feel for IDP draft strategy. For how you should look to construct the defensive roster. On the right points in the draft to approach each position.

Now, the strategies espoused in this part of the Complete Guide to Dominating IDP are just that—basic. As we get farther into this series and address each position, we'll get deeper into what kind of players you want to attack (and avoid) at the different defensive positions. We might even point some players to target (and fade). But here, we're just going to stick to the bare bones of how a typical IDP draft will play out.

Now, to do that, we need to establish what a typical IDP league is. A fairly straightforward IDP setup features two starters on the defensive line, two or three starters at linebacker, two starters at defensive back, and maybe a flex spot. Seven or eight defensive starters overall. Odds are the scoring will be tackle-heavy. We'll assume a standard offensive setup—one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, a tight end, and a flex. Maybe even a (shudder) kicker.

Now, differing formats will require different tactics. If your league only starts a couple of IDPs, you can treat them like team defenses and wait until the draft's final rounds. If your league has 11 IDP starters and requires defensive tackles and cornerbacks, a more aggressive strategy of IDP acquisition will be required—especially in the middle rounds. Big-Play Heavy will push edge rushers and ball-hawking defensive backs up the board. So on and so forth.

There are more variables that can affect draft strategy than bad Nicolas Cage movies. But this is about basic strategy, so we'll go with a basic format—one that many novice IDP managers might find themselves in.

And that brings us to IDP's $64 question—the one I get asked more than any other by newcomers to the format.

When Should I Start Drafting IDPs?

When asked this question, IDP managers are invariably upset at the answer—because there is no set answer.

I have played in industry leagues where the top defensive players started coming off the board in Round 3. And played in others where the managers played IDP Chicken and watched no defensive players were taken in the first six rounds. You don't need me to tell you that no two drafts are the same.

Now, the longer into a draft it gets without an IDP being taken, the more attractive the notion of taking the first (or second) IDP becomes—of landing a stud linebacker like Baltimore's Roquan Smith to anchor your defense. But here's the thing—and this is important.

You don't have to set the pace of defense to have a successful IDP draft.

Generally speaking, the elite IDPs like Smith and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt will come off the board starting in the fourth or fifth round. Over the next round or so, a few more big names will trickle off the board. And then it will happen. It might be Round 6. It might be Round 8. But the first big IDP run will happen—possibly with a round where more IDPs are drafted than offensive guys.

That's when things get real—and you want to be in on that run.

Once that happens, and you have drafted your first IDP, all it takes is three easy steps to have a good draft.

Guru Tip: Keep in mind, especially if it is a new league with managers that are young in their IDP careers, everyone else is wondering when they should take IDPs too. As Gary mentioned, it usually starts with a trickle, then suddenly, the floodgates open. If those first two or three stud defenders are gone and you're up near the turn of the round, don't hesitate to prod the guys behind you. When they see that fourth or fifth linebacker go, they will often jump on the bandwagon. If that happens, you are sitting pretty with one of the top linebackers, and the offensive guys you want are falling because everyone else is chasing the linebacker run.

Step 1: Attack the Linebackers and Add an Anchor DL

In most IDP leagues, your team will go exactly as far as your linebackers take you. In most scoring systems, they are both the highest-scoring and most consistent IDPs. Having a strong cadre of players at the position is an absolute must.

In my Redraft Linebacker Rankings here at Footballguys, there are eight linebackers in my top two tiers. Long story short, you want one of those linebackers. It doesn't have to be a Tier 1 monster like Jacksonville's Foyesade Oluokun, but you'll want an LB1 you can build the rest of the defensive roster around.

There are 18 linebackers in my top three tiers. Again, you want to add a second one before that tier runs out. You want linebackers who don't leave the field in passing subpackages. Linebackers who will post solid numbers each and every week.

The advent of True Position and the depth it has added along the defensive line has lessened the pressure somewhat at that position. And if you are confident in your ability to find viable starters on the DL a bit later, you can punt drafting a DL1 here and add yet another linebacker—three ranked inside the top 20 could afford you a sizable edge at the position.

But for most inexperienced IDP managers, taking a top 8-10 defensive lineman who you can roll out every week with confidence in this first stage of the defensive plan is an advisable course of action. If you play in a league that requires defensive tackles and want an elite beefeater like Aaron Donald of the Rams or Quinnen Williams of the Jets, it will have to be here as well.

In a nutshell, at least two of your first three defensive picks should be linebackers.

Guru Tip: If you do your homework and know who the high-upside defensive guys are, it becomes a huge advantage in the middle rounds. Once you have one or two linebackers, one lineman, and a safety, you can concentrate on the offensive side of your roster for the next several rounds, then come back and fill out the rest of your defense after Round 20. So long as you have those four studs as your foundation, it is much easier to build a defense off the waiver wire in September.

Step 2: Flesh Out the Linebackers and Defensive Linemen

This second step of “Operation: IDP” is exactly as simple as it sounds. The plan here is to finish sorting out the linebackers and defensive linemen.

In what order that gets done depends largely on how managers approach Step 1. If you have already rostered three linebackers but no defensive linemen, then targeting an upside DL2 like Harold Landry of the Titans or Kayvon Thibodeaux of the Giants becomes a priority. If you have already secured a high-end lineman, then adding a third top-25 linebacker like Nakobe Dean of the Eagles moves to the top of the to-do list.

This is where the real impact of True Position comes in. The added depth along the defensive line makes it much easier than in years past to procure a solid second starter on the defensive line (or a decent weekly option at defensive tackle in leagues that require them). Take advantage of that depth. Use it to be more aggressive in adding dependable linebackers or offensive assets.

Right now, many of you are probably wondering, “What about defensive backs?”

Here's another important tip.