IDP 101 – double the football mind boggle

By - Jeff Mertes

Since its inception, the realm of fantasy football has been offensive.  Not in the “okay, who floated the air biscuit” sense, mind you, but because individual defensive players were ignored as if grid contests were just so much shadow boxing.  Seemingly suddenly discovered like a peroxide starlet on a soda fountain barstool, individual defensive players, IDP if you will, are being incorporated into the scoring schemes of an increasing number of fantasy gridiron leagues.

The trend of including IDPs has created a dilemma for rookie and veteran fantasy football players alike.  You may be one of those grizzled vets with a number of seasons vested in a league that had previously been primarily offensive, or had thrown in a defensive bone by only including NFL teams in total.  Until this year, perhaps, when the bulb has been lit to rightfully recognize the flipside of the ball and you’ve realized that the job of adequately preparing for the draft has more or less doubled.  All we have to say, “Welcome to defensive training camp, Rookie!”

There are certainly basics that need to be adhered to when considering individual defensive players.  First of all, make sure you understand the weighting and impact of your league’s defensive scoring template.  Essentially, does it assign points for tackles, as well as interceptions and sacks (TIS), or does it only concentrate on interceptions and sacks (IS)?  Many systems also award points for touchdowns, fumbles recovered, fumbles caused, safeties, butts patted…well, you get the idea…categories more related to isolated happenstance than consistent performance and therefore tend to be essentially meaningless when trying to project production to make defensive drafting decisions.

If tackles are included in scoring, linebackers are top producers, especially those on the inside.  If tackles aren’t a part of the template, then inside backers and defensive tackles are downplayed with pass rushing defensive ends rising to prominence.

When considering a defensive player, be aware of the defensive scheme that his NFL team utilizes.  Basically, most teams run a 4-3 while a handful favor 3-4.

In a 4-3, with four down linemen and three linebackers, pass pressure is applied by defensive ends and outside linebackers.  They are the players that get most of the sacks with ends typically most productive as quarterback planters and the one on the right side (a qb’s back or blindside) usually best as a pass rusher.  Generally, defensive ends in a 4-3 generate fewer tackles than linebackers with the middle backer getting a massive number of running back hits.

The second scheme, 3-4, is linebacker oriented with an emphasis on speed.  Four backers dominate action with those on the outside often functioning like pass rushing defensive ends in throwing situations.  Inside linebackers are tackling machines in this scheme designed to funnel runners into their grasps.  Because backers often drop back into pass coverage, they tend to be in position to pick off more passes than their brethren in a 4-3.

Okay, so now that you have the basics of alignment down, don’t forget that specific positions vary dramatically in fantasy point production.  Some leagues breakdown positions by grouping into defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs requiring certain numbers of players in each category.  Others are more specific to varying degrees.  Again, keep your league’s requirements in mind when making IDP decisions.

Here’s what to expect from defensive positions –

Defensive End – Most productive in a 4-3, often functions more like a defensive tackle in a 3-4.  In the NFL, a team’s quickest, most dominant pass rusher usually operates from the right side of the defensive line to crush right-handed quarterbacks from the backside.  Consequently, a right side defensive end often faces the biggest, baddest pass blockers and if a sacker is really good, gets double-teamed.  This is a position that opens up opportunities for a rookie stud on the left side if balanced against a star pass rusher on the right. Ends are top defensive picks in IS scoring schemes.  If your league lumps defensive linemen together, consider defensive ends ahead of defensive tackles.

Defensive Tackle – No matter the scheme, few defensive tackles are very productive in a fantasy football sense. They function primarily to plug holes in the trenches so linebackers can come in for the smuck.  Because of the sumo nature of the position, defensive tackles are often platooned.  For the most part, if you don’t have to draft them, then don’t.

Outside Linebacker - This is one of the most versatile positions on a gridiron.  In a 3-4, they often function similarly to defensive ends as pass rushers, while in a 4-3 they tend to get more tackles.  If your league uses IS, then they are generally better bets than inside linebackers.  With a TIS scoring template, inside linebackers get the edge.

Middle/Inside Linebacker - In any league that recognizes tackles (TIS) as a part of its scoring scheme, then middle/inside backer is usually most productive of any among the slobber knocking set.  However, middle linebackers in 4-3 defenses don’t typically generate many fantasy stats if your league is IS so look to the outside for backers.

Cornerback – This is a contrary position from a fantasy football standpoint.  Once corners are recognized as being stars, attacks tend to avoid throwing towards them until later in their careers or when they’ve slowed a step or two due to injury.  So, it is often prudent to consider cornerbacks on the opposite side of the field from top pass defenders.  This is a position where rookies are often productive because offensive coordinators tend to focus on forcing them to prove themselves.  In both IS and TIS scoring schemes, corners are usually less productive than safeties.  So, if your league lumps corners and safeties into a broader defensive back category, deep defenders are generally better bets.

Safeties – Think of safety as being two positions (a lot like linebacker) – strong or free.  Strong safeties are basically mini-linebackers with run support duties mixed in with pass defense.  Consequently, they usually produce more tackles than free safeties who concern themselves with ballhawking.  Whether strong or free, safeties are generally the most productive and predictable defensive backs in fantasy football.  Unlike cornerbacks, safeties can’t be avoided – so, established stars continue to get the job done.  In IS schemes, free safeties tend to get the nod because of a propensity to pick-off more passes while strong safeties often post numbers equal to linebackers in TIS templates.

So, where should IDPs be taken in the draft?  It all depends on your individual league’s scoring.  For the most part, top defensive players tend to begin being tabbed in the middle part of the draft.  In IS schemes, defensive ends, outside linebackers and safeties usually lead the way while middle/inside linebackers, strong safeties and outside backers pace TIS draft picks.

Now that you’ve completed IDP 101, and begin to appreciate that the fantasy grid game has become double the mind boggle compared to one-dimensional offensive alternatives, it is also double the fun with bell-ringing stoppers included in the scoring mix.  And if it’s your first time, keep the acetaminophen within grasp and, don’t worry, be happy knowing the game is greater than ever before.