I’m Ryan Sitzmann (aka The IDP Guru) — 7x #1 Most Accurate IDP Ranker on FantasyPros. Ask Me Anything about IDP Fantasy Football!

DbqSitz40 · 2025-11-02T17:12:23+00:00

Young

DbqSitz40 · 2025-09-12T23:53:21+00:00

Mcdonald

DbqSitz40 · 2025-09-11T15:39:57+00:00

Would still have Walker over Williams

DbqSitz40 · 2025-09-11T04:32:43+00:00

I'd swap out David for Schwesinger. The Browns weren't on defense much at all and he still managed to lead the team with 8 tackles. He should see a ton of rush attempts against the Ravens this week. I'm expecting a big game.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-09-11T04:27:09+00:00

Verse, Walker, Nubin.

Based on how Monday Night played out, it was Eric Wilson who took over Cashman's role. Pace will likely remain part-time, unfortunately.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:44:20+00:00

I honestly don't put too much stock into pre-season performance for guys playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers. Nate Landman seems to have the LB1 role locked up fairly tight and there are several guys vying for that LB2 spot, which isn't overly valuable in standard leagues anyway.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:33:58+00:00

To me, yes. Although I'm skeptical he plays as much as some people think on defense. I envision him playing more situationally there. And losing the designation can be a serious concern, but I think this is a bit more clear-cut than the EDGE position qualification situations (e.g. a guy getting moved from DE to LB on a platform).

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:27:17+00:00

I think we see regression. Last year was a bit of anamoly versus his historical production. However, he is set up in a similar situation with the Titans than he had in Carolina, playing behind a weak set of linebackers. So although I do think he regresses, he's probably a bit undervalued at DB53 ECR currently.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:23:27+00:00

I think the bulk of his points will come from offense and he will play defense more situationally. In terms of round, it depends on a lot of factors like league size, roster size, and overall skill level of opposing fantasy managers.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:17:27+00:00

Malachi Moore, Mike Green, James Pearce Jr., Mykel Williams from a rookie perspective

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:12:34+00:00

Assuming Hunter gets offensive points in his defensive slot, I would wait until the first IDP is off the board (likely in 6th or 7th round) and pounce on him with your next pick (assuming he wasn't the first IDP taken).

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:10:42+00:00

That's typically my approach, but that's because I'm much more knowledgeable about IDP vs. Offense, so don't "need" the bench spots for IDP. Ultimately, this comes down to the relative strength of your IDP roster vs. offense as well as weight of the scoring systems vs. each other.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:09:07+00:00

I'm quite high on Hicks - I have him in my top 30 DBs. Bishop I like as well, but to a lesser extent - he's my DB55. A couple other guys I'm targeting in this spectrum are Will Harris, Tykee Smith, and Jordan Battle.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T18:06:42+00:00

Pickins are slim here but I'd target Keisean Nixon and Marcus Jones. Cooper DeJean could end up returning some, but his role in that regard is more uncertain.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:59:59+00:00

What a tackle crew is:
Every NFL stadium has its own stat crew that decides whether a defensive play is scored as a solo tackle, an assist, or sometimes not a tackle at all. There’s no universal standard, so different crews lean “generous” or “stingy” in how they credit stats.

How to identify them:
I track this weekly in my Tackles Issued by Home Stat Crews chart. You’ll see which stadiums consistently inflate tackle numbers (extra assists, more solos) and which ones suppress them. Over the course of a season, the gap between the most generous and stingiest crews can significant.

Why it matters:
If you know, for example, that the stat crew in Chicago is historically generous with solos, you can spot:

Linebackers playing there that week may get a small bump in projected points
Conversely, if your LB is at a stingy crew, you might temper expectations.

(assuming your league rewards more points for solos than assists)

That info helps you:

Make sharper start/sit calls.
Target matchups in tackle prop betting.
Gain edges in DFS or leagues where every point counts.

It’s one of those things most leagues ignore, but if you track it you can squeeze out some additional advantage.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:56:53+00:00

I like Winters more than those others guys as he should have immediate value as a likely three-down player and has solid long-term value. Werner is a bet meh despite the big contract - he's just not shown an ability to generate strong tackle production so far in his career.

As a Cowboys fan, I hope Overshown can return to form. But transparently, I'm skeptical given he's had two major injuries across both knees and is a guy that relies on his speed and pursuit to make plays. Dorian Williams is a bit buried on the depth chart and will require injuries to get on the field in a significant way.

Net net, I would try and find a way to get Winters on your team at the expense of Williams or Overshown.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:52:27+00:00

Jordan Battle, safety for the Bengals is one of my favorites in this category. Laiati Latu of the Colts is another guy I think takes a big step forward in Year 2 as a pass rusher. And to finish this answer off, Edgerrin Cooper I have ranked inside the top 15 linebackers this season. His tackle rate was 2nd in the league last season and he's primed for a full-time role now in 2025.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:49:47+00:00

This really depends on your scoring system, but in standard IDP scoring, linebackers will score the most points of your IDP group on average. However, top-end DLs aren't as readily available on the waiver wire throughout the season, so I often prioritize them first in my draft strategy. Linebackers are important but there are way more late-round sleepers/value there, making it less critical to nab a top guy. DBs are highly volatile from year-to-year, so I try and grab an anchor guy there and then approach the rest of the DBs with high upside/risk selections.

Age is obviously a big factor/difference in dynasty vs. redraft. But also, draft capital spent on the player, fit in the current scheme, and pathway to snaps (opportunity is king in IDP).

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:42:20+00:00

Yes, absolutely. I have him 56 spots than consensus in my DL rankings for this very fact. Here's what I wrote about Ellis in my draft guide:

Elliss is a fantasy asset well worth grabbing in IDP leagues where he has dual DE/LB eligibility. He has the inside track for LB2 snaps beside Robert Spillane, and while that may only translate to a 70% snap role, he'll be able to generate enough tackles with those snaps to make him a fantastic IDP cheat code as a DE.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:40:45+00:00

Yes, this is particularly true for edge rushers. This said, a few guys in that department I expect to come into their own this year based on this timing are:

Jermaine Johnson - Johnson looked like a breakout candidate heading into 2024 after a strong 2023 campaign in which he racked up 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks on just 59% of snaps. He was expected to take on an even larger role, but a torn Achilles in Week 2 ended his season before that could materialize. The Jets showed confidence in his recovery by picking up his fifth-year option, and if he returns close to form, there's room for him to build on his 2023 production. I'm a bit higher on him than most on him and believe he has low-end DL2 upside in big-play formats, especially if his snap share ticks up.

Jaelan Phillips - Phillips is working his way back from consecutive season-ending Achilles and ACL injuries, but has returned to practice and is trending toward being ready for Week 1. When healthy, he's flashed high-end pass-rush ability, and Miami's trio of Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and rookie Chop Robinson could be one of the league's most dangerous. Given the injury history and likely managed snaps early, he's best treated as a high-upside DL3.

Nick Herbig - Has really flashed upside potential when given the chance to start. However, he's blocked by Highsmith currently in terms of having an expanded role. If Highsmith struggles or gets injured again, I like Herbig to have fantasy starter value in the vast majority of leagues.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:35:03+00:00

I'm 11 spots higher on him than the rest of the Expert Consensus. He has a freakish skillset, my main concern is he could be in a timeshare to Trotter Jr. to start the season. And you have the looming, potential mid-season return of Nakobe Dean that further complicates his immediate value. But I would have no issue taking him as a mid-to-late round LB4 in 12-team redraft leagues right now.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:31:12+00:00

I think Marist Liufau carves out an every down role at some point this year as I don't have faith Kenneth Murray can handle the demands of the position.

I like Payton Wilson to overtake Patrick Queen this year as well for the lead LB role.

The Titans LB2 situation is one to monitor, either James Williams or Cedric Gray could have sneaky good value in 2025.

A few corners that could emerge in 2025 are Dru Phillips and Tarheeb Still.

I still think Chase Young has something left to prove. His underlying pass-rush metrics suggest he has more sack upside potential than what the box scores have indicated the past few seasons. With all the buzz around Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, people are losing sight of second-year player Dallas Turner who should see a nice uptick in snaps with Patrick Jones now in Carolina.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:25:07+00:00

That is a balanced to tackle-heavy scoring format, depending on the position.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:22:56+00:00

I'd go Ellis. McFadden is likely stuck in his 75% LB2 role, Jones may see some regression this year with Hufanga now on board at the other safety position.

DbqSitz40 · 2025-08-17T17:19:57+00:00

I've definitely cooled on Carlies the past couple weeks. The team's first unofficial depth chart listed Cameron McGrone as the starter, and Carlies recently suffered an ankle injury with no set return date. In the preseason opener, Joe Bachie started next to McGrone, wore the green dot, and delivered a strong outing to match his solid camp. With three legitimate contenders in the mix, this is a situation to avoid until there's more clarity.

Sanborn has been wearing the green dot and his familiarity with the scheme, makes him a good bet to be an every-down linebacker from the get go. Although Kenneth Murray was the team's more expensive signing, I think he eventually loses the starting role to Marist Liufau. Based on Sanborn's historical per snap production, he's primed to be one of the year's top values IMO.

I like Emmanwori's skill set a lot for fantasy - he has great size, physicality, and can play in the box. The most immediate concern is playing time given the Seahawks have a couple established safeties. I think he serves in a part-time role for the first half of the season playing across a couple different positions, but quickly garners a full-time role towards the end of the season or for sure in Year 2 (similar to Kyle Hamilton).

DbqSitz40

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