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Welcome, IDP Nerds! As promised, it’s the perfect time to dive into the first installment of my 2025 Dynasty IDP Rankings. This allows IDP managers to gain a clear, tiered view of the top defensive assets, which can give them a serious edge. This is the first installment of a season-long series that will be updated as player values change. Our rankings will be based on Dynasty Nerds’ preferred IDP scoring, which you can find here. This list will feature the three leading positions (DL, LB, DB) and factor in age, production, and position value for IDP dynasty fantasy football.

Dynasty IDP Rankings | Top 200+ Players

Tier 1

Rank	Name	Position	Age	Team	Position Rank	Tier
1	Travis Hunter	WR/DB	22	JAX	WR16/DB1	1
2	Aidan Hutchinson	DL	24	DET	DL1	1
3	Nick Bosa	DL	27	SF	DL2	1
4	Maxx Crosby	DL	27	LV	DL3	1
5	Micah Parsons	DL	26	DAL	DL4	1

The top tier consists of Travis Hunter, the “game changer” of IDP dynasty fantasy football and one of the most special athletes ever to enter the NFL Draft. Hunter enters his rookie season after winning the Heisman Trophy, Chuck Bednarik, and Fred Biletnikoff awards last season. Early reports suggest him playing 80% of the offensive snaps. Still, as we’ve been talking about during the draft season, as long as he carries a defensive designation, he is a massive advantage for IDP managers.

The rest of the top tier features the most critical position in our preferred IDP scoring settings—EDGE defenders. All four of these players are still young and are elite fantasy producers. They all averaged over 17 fantasy points per game (FPPG) last season. For reference, that puts them on pace with RB17, WR14, and TE5 in FPPG for the 2024 season.

Aidan Hutchinson was on pace for one of the best IDP seasons before his injury. His 25 FPPG was the 6th highest of any player last season. Pro Football Focus said his 95 pass-rush grade was the best in the league last season. Nick Bosa has been as consistent as it gets for IDP dynasty managers with at least 50 tackles and 9 sacks in 4 straight seasons. He remains a top option at the DL position, and there’s no reason to think that will change anytime soon.

Maxx Crosby dealt with injuries last season, but that’s no reason to doubt his impact. The Raiders EDGE defender has collected 224 tackles, 34.5 sacks, and 62 tackles for loss (TFL) in his last 3 seasons. He recently locked up a long-term contract, and his dynasty value is solidified.

Micah Parsons closes out the top tier of dynasty IDP rankings. Despite his issues with his contract and the Dallas Cowboys front office, he’s still one of the most productive players for fantasy football. The Penn State product has collected 52.5 sacks in his first 4 seasons. On average, in the Dynasty Nerds preferred IDP scoring, Parsons is scoring 65 points a season on just sacks alone. He is as good as the rest of the players in this tier.

Tier 2

6	Roquan Smith	LB	28	BAL	LB1	2
7	T.J. Watt	DL	30	PIT	DL5	2
8	Myles Garrett	DL	29	CLE	DL6	2
9	Jared Verse	DL	24	LAR	DL7	2
10	Zack Baun	LB	28	PHI	LB2	2
11	Zaire Franklin	LB	29	IND	LB3	2
12	Will Anderson Jr.	DL	23	HOU	DL8	2

A very talented tier with two sure-fire Hall of Fame players in T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett, who have delivered elite fantasy production over their careers. A highly productive DL in dynasty fantasy football is crucial to team success. IDP dynasty managers should be looking to roster one of the top 8 DL if they want fewer headaches during the season. Two players on the verge of the top tier are Jared Verse and Will Anderson Jr. Both are coming off excellent seasons and have age on their side. The young EDGE rushers finished in the top 20 at their position last season, and they both project to be the top pass rushers on their teams for years to come.

The top trio of linebackers make their way in this tier. Roquan Smith has been as consistent as you can ask for 7 consecutive 100+ tackle seasons, and he always finds himself in the conversation for the best LB in the NFL. Zack Baun is the biggest gamble in this tier as he’s coming off a career breakout season. However, that season helped many IDP dynasty managers bring home championships in 2024.

Zaire Franklin has just continued to rack up tackles with 519 stops in his last 3 seasons. All three top linebackers in this tier are approaching the age decline in dynasty fantasy football. However, there’s hope for us when we consider players like Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David still producing at age 35+.

Tier 3

13	Jamien Sherwood	LB	25	NYJ	LB4	3
14	Fred Warner	LB	28	SF	LB5	3
15	Edgerrin Cooper	LB	23	GB	LB6	3
16	Abdul Carter	DL	21	NYG	DL9	3
17	Brian Branch	DB	23	DET	DB2	3
18	Kyle Hamilton	DB	24	BAL	DB3	3
19	Josh Hines-Allen	DL	27	JAX	DL10	3
20	Greg Rousseau	DL	25	BUF	DL11	3
21	Daiyan Henley	LB	25	LAC	LB7	3

Jamien Sherwood and Edgerrin Cooper are exciting young linebackers who offer massive upside for IDP managers. Both players had breakout seasons in 2024 and look to continue improving their dynasty value. It’s common for managers who favor youth to draft these players over the top tier of linebackers listed above. Fred Warner will always be one of the best linebackers in IDP fantasy football; I can’t say enough good things about him.

Brian Branch and Kyle Hamilton are the only 2 defensive backs in the top 30 of my IDP dynasty rankings, and for good reason. They both are elite players who finished in the top 8 of FPPG last season. Streaming the DB position is one of the most common strategies in IDP fantasy football, but when you get to roster one of these two consistently producing guys, you must take it. Their elite status can bring a sense of excitement about the potential of your team.

Tier 3 offers many highly productive young players like Greg Rousseau and Daiyan Henley. These players have immense potential and could be valuable assets in the long run. I believe in top rookie EDGE rusher Abdul Carter and his upside as a fantasy contributor. At this point, you may favor the youth and upside over veteran players with a more consistent floor for fantasy scoring.

Tier 4

22	Nick Bolton	LB	25	KC	LB8	4
23	Foyesade Oluokun	LB	30	JAX	LB9	4
24	Ernest Jones	LB	25	SEA	LB10	4
25	Andrew Van Ginkel	DL	30	MIN	DL12	4
26	Brian Burns	DL	27	NYG	DL13	4
27	Terrel Bernard	LB	26	BUF	LB11	4
28	Danielle Hunter	DL	30	HOU	DL14	4
29	Jack Campbell	LB	24	DET	LB12	4
30	Derwin James	DB	28	LAC	DB4	4

This heavy LB tier with five players can improve your roster. All these players are the top IDP dynasty options for their respective teams. At this point in the tier, most managers prefer younger players at LB rather than investing in aging defensive linemen who have competition for playing time with the way their teams have drafted. Ernest Jones and Terrel Bernard are two of the most intriguing options at LB, and they can see their stocks rise by the end of the season.

Andrew Van Ginkel and Foyesade Oluokun represent the biggest gambles for IDP managers in this tier. There is consistent production, but something about that age 30 number always makes you concerned that one injury could significantly impact their value. These players effectively become the Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans of IDP. You feel you know what you’ll get, but the fear that they could lose their value is there.

Tier 5

31	Laiatu Latu	DL	24	IND	DL15	5
32	Antoine Winfield Jr.	DB	26	TB	DB5	5
33	Nik Bonitto	DL	25	DEN	DL16	5
34	Carson Schwesinger	LB	22	CLE	LB13	5
35	Nick Cross	DB	23	IND	DB6	5
36	Budda Baker	DB	29	ARZ	DB7	5
37	Quay Walker	LB	25	GB	LB14	5
38	Logan Wilson	LB	29	CIN	LB15	5
39	Jihaad Campbell	LB	21	PHI	LB16	5
40	Jordyn Brooks	LB	27	MIA	LB17	5
41	T.J. Edwards	LB	28	CHI	LB18	5
42	Frankie Luvu	LB	28	WAS	LB19	5
43	Jonathan Greenard	DL	28	MIN	DL17	5
44	Robert Spillane	LB	29	NE	LB20	5
45	Chop Robinson	DL	22	MIA	DL18	5
46	Travon Walker	DL	24	JAX	DL19	5
47	Alex Highsmith	DL	27	PIT	DL20	5
48	Zach Allen	DL	27	DEN	DL21	5

This is the last tier where IDP dynasty managers can find some reliable players. If you faded defense in your startup draft, you still have some hope with players in this tier. The standouts in this tier are 2025 rookie linebackers Carson Schwesinger and Jihaad Campbell, who end up in favorable situations for their long-term dynasty value. The veteran linebackers are also top options in this tier. Robert Spillane, Jordyn Brooks, and T.J. Edwards all finished in the top 20 of FPPG for linebackers last season.

Assuming you didn’t invest in the DL position early, you have a great chance to stack a few players who can make you feel better about your draft strategy. Jonathan Greenard, Nik Bonitto, and Travon Walker all finished as top 15 DL last season. All three players have competition for sacks on their teams, but we can’t argue with production, and they all are coming off big seasons. The young guns in Laiatu Latu and Chop Robinson offer intriguing upside, and managers can’t help but draft them like we do with young wide receivers on the offensive side.

Tier 6

49	Azeez Al-Shaair	LB	27	HOU	LB21	6
50	Tyler Nubin	DB	24	NYG	DB8	6
51	Jaelan Phillips	DL	25	MIA	DL22	6
52	Jalen Carter	DL	23	PHI	DL23	6
53	Blake Cashman	LB	29	MIN	LB22	6
54	Jeffery Simmons	DL	27	TEN	DL24	6
55	Bobby Okereke	LB	28	NYG	LB23	6
56	DeForest Buckner	DL	31	IND	DL25	6
57	Alex Singelton	LB	31	DEN	LB24	6
58	Harold Landry III	DL	29	NE	DL26	6
59	Kaden Ellis	LB	30	ATL	LB25	6
60	Quincy Williams	LB	28	NYJ	LB26	6
61	Payton Wilson	LB	25	PIT	LB27	6
62	Kayvon Thibodeaux	DL	24	NYG	DL27	6
63	Dexter Lawrence	DL	27	NYG	DL28	6
64	Devin Lloyd	LB	26	JAX	LB28	6
65	Quinnen Williams	DL	27	NYJ	DL29	6
66	Xavier McKinney	DB	26	GB	DB9	6
67	Julian Love	DB	27	SEA	DB10	6
68	Montez Sweat	DL	28	CHI	DL30	6
69	Jessie Bates III	DB	28	ATL	DB11	6

Jaelan Phillips and Alex Singleton are two players I’m expecting to move up from this tier in our rankings, as both players are returning from injury this season. They have both been elite fantasy producers in their careers, and we hope to see them get back there. Tyler Nubin headlines a deep DB tier; his rookie season was special. His 16.08 FPPG was suitable for DB15 last season. Kayvon Thibodeaux has become an afterthought in the IDP dynasty community. He’s likely playing for his next contract on a new team. His health will be crucial to improving his dynasty value going forward.

Tier 7

70	Tuli Tuipulotu	DL	23	LAC	DL31	7
71	Jaquan Brisker	DB	26	CHI	DB12	7
72	Josh Metellus	DB	27	MIN	DB13	7
73	Cody Barton	LB	28	TEN	LB29	7
74	Jonathan Cooper	DL	27	DEN	DL32	7
75	Leonard Williams	DL	31	SEA	DL33	7
76	Josh Sweat	DL	28	ARZ	DL34	7
77	Grant Delpit	DB	26	CLE	DB13	7
78	Dallas Turner	DL	22	MIN	DL35	7
79	Tyrice Knight	LB	24	SEA	LB30	7
80	Will McDonald	DL	26	NYJ	DL36	7
81	Kevin Byard	DB	31	CHI	DB14	7
82	Dre Greenlaw	LB	28	DEN	LB31	7
83	Calijah Kancey	DL	24	TB	DL37	7
84	Brandon Jones	DB	27	DEN	DB15	7
85	Tremaine Edmunds	LB	27	CHI	LB32	7
86	Yaya Diaby	DL	25	TB	DL38	7
87	Junior Colson	LB	22	LAC	LB33	7
88	Nnamdi Madubuike	DL	27	BAL	DL39	7
89	Demetrius Knight	LB	24	CIN	LB34	7
90	Ivan Pace Jr.	LB	24	MIN	LB35	7
91	Tre’von Moehrig	DB	26	CAR	DB16	7
92	Patrick Queen	LB	25	PIT	LB37	7
93	Byron Young	DL	27	LAR	DL40	7
94	Derrick Brown	DL	27	CAR	DL41	7
95	Kobie Turner	DL	26	LAR	DL42	7
96	Rashan Gary	DL	27	GB	DL43	7
97	Devon Witherspoon	DB	24	SEA	DB17	7
98	Jalen Pitre	DB	26	HOU	DB18	7
99	Nick Emmanwori	DB	21	SEA	DB19	7
100	Chris Jones	DL	30	KC	DL44	7

Tier 8

101	Bobby Wagner	LB	35	WAS	LB38	8
102	Kyle Dugger	DB	29	NE	DB20	8
103	Nolan Smith	DL	24	PHI	DL45	8
104	Jevon Holland	DB	25	NYG	DB21	8
105	George Karlaftis	DL	23	KC	DL46	8
106	Kerby Joseph	DB	24	DET	DB22	8
107	Reed Blankenship	DB	26	PHI	DB23	8
108	Nakobe Dean	LB	24	PHI	LB39	8
109	Josh Metellus	DB	27	MIN	DB24	8
110	Tykee Smith	DB	24	TB	DB25	8
111	Kenneth Murray	LB	26	DAL	LB40	8
112	Javon Bullard	DB	22	GB	DB26	8
113	Carl Granderson	DL	28	NO	DL47	8
114	Odafe Oweh	DL	26	BAL	DL48	8
115	Talanoa Hufanga	DB	25	DEN	DB27	8
116	Ed Oliver	DL	27	BUF	DL49	8
117	Jermaine Johnson	DL	26	NYJ	DL50	8
118	Mykel Williams	DL	21	SF	DL51	8
119	Malaki Starks	DB	21	BAL	DB28	8
120	Jalon Walker	DL	21	ATL	DL52	8
121	Lavonte David	LB	34	TB	LB41	8
122	Cole Bishop	DB	22	BUF	DB29	8

Tier 9

123	Zach Sieler	DL	29	MIA	DL54	9
124	Henry To’oTo’o	LB	24	HOU	LB42	9
125	Keion White	DL	26	NE	DL54	9
126	Alex Anzalone	LB	30	DET	LB43	9
127	Micah McFadden	LB	25	NYG	LB44	9
128	Matt Milano	LB	31	BUF	LB45	9
129	James Pearce	DL	21	ATL	DL55	9
130	Kam Curl	DB	26	LAR	DB30	9
131	Quentin Lake	DB	26	LAR	DB31	9
132	Minkah Fitzpatrick	DB	28	MIA	DB32	9
133	Jaden Hicks	DB	22	KC	DB33	9
134	Chase Young	DL	30	NO	DL56	9
135	Zaven Collins	DL	26	ARZ	DL57	9
136	Joey Bosa	DL	30	BUF	DL58	9
137	Jalen Thompson	DB	27	ARZ	DB34	9
138	Dante Fowler Jr.	DL	30	DAL	DL59	9
139	Taron Johnson	DB	28	BUF	DB35	9
140	Nate Landman	LB	26	LAR	LB46	9
141	Kenny Moore II	DB	31	IND	DB36	9
142	Bradley Chubb	DL	29	MIA	DL60	9
143	Khalil Mack	DL	34	LAC	DL61	9

Tier 10

144	Trevin Wallace	LB	22	CAR	LB47	10
145	Pete Werner	LB	26	NO	LB48	10
146	Justin Reid	DB	28	NO	DB37	10
147	Jordan Battle	DB	24	CIN	DB38	10
148	Kwity Paye	DL	26	IND	DL62	10
149	Jaylon Carlies	LB	23	IND	LB49	10
150	Alontae Taylor	DB	26	NO	DB39	10
151	Troy Andersen	LB	26	ATL	LB50	10
152	Jack Sanborn	LB	24	DAL	LB51	10
153	Trenton Simpson	LB	24	BAL	LB52	10
154	Cam Bynum	DB	27	IND	DB40	10
155	C.J. Gardner-Johnson	DB	27	HOU	DB41	10
156	Nick Martin	LB	22	SF	LB53	10
157	Mike Green	DL	21	BAL	DL63	10
158	DeShon Elliott	DB	27	PIT	DB42	10
159	Anfernee Jennings	DL	28	NE	DL64	10
160	Jeremy Chinn	DB	27	LV	DB43	10
161	Haason Reddick	DL	30	TB	DL65	10
162	Riley Moss	DB	25	DEN	DB44	10
163	Boye Mafe	DL	26	SEA	DL66	10
164	Mike Sainristill	DB	24	WAS	DB45	10
165	Christian Rozeboom	LB	28	CAR	LB54	10
166	E.J. Speed	LB	30	HOU	LB55	10
167	Dax Hill	DB	24	CIN	DB46	10
168	Milton Williams	DL	26	NE	DL67	10
169	Lukas Van Ness	DL	24	GB	DL68	10
170	Tyrel Dodson	LB	27	MIA	LB56	10
171	Nic Scourton	DL	20	CAR	DL69	10
172	Cooper DeJean	DB	22	PHI	DB47	10
173	DeMarvion Overshown	LB	24	DAL	LB57	10
174	Omar Speights	LB	24	LAR	LB58	10
175	Myles Murphy	DL	23	CIN	DL70	10
176	Christian Harris	LB	24	HOU	LB59	10
177	Amani Hooker	DB	27	TEN	DB48	10
178	Demario Davis	LB	36	NO	LB60	10
179	Uchenna Nwosu	DL	28	SEA	DL71	10
180	Cedric Grey	LB	22	TEN	LB61	10
181	SirVocea Dennis	LB	25	TB	LB62	10
182	Cole Holcomb	LB	28	PIT	LB63	10
183	Bryan Bresee	DL	23	NO	DL72	10
184	Azeez Ojulari	DL	25	PHI	DL73	10
185	Akeem Davis Gaither	LB	27	ARZ	LB64	10
186	Cameron Heyward	DL	36	PIT	DL74	10
187	Christian Wilkins	DL	29	LV	DL75	10
188	Taylor Rapp	DB	27	BUF	DB49	10
189	Richie Grant	DB	27	SF	DB50	10
190	Keisean Nixon	DB	27	GB	DB51	10
191	Malcolm Koonce	DL	27	LV	DL76	10
192	Mason Graham	DL	21	CLV	DL77	10
193	Dorance Armstrong	DL	28	WAS	DL78	10
194	Demani Richardson	DB	24	CAR	DB52	10
195	Ji’Ayir Brown	DB	24	SF	DB53	10
196	Shemar Stewart	DL	21	CIN	DL79	10
197	Byron Murphy II	DL	22	SEA	DL80	10
198	Donovan Ezeiruaku	DL	21	DAL	DL81	10
199	Nick Herbig	DL	23	PIT	DL82	10
200	Devin Bush	LB	27	CLV	LB65	10
201	Cody Simon	LB	23	ARZ	LB66	10
202	Christian Barmore	DL	25	NE	DL83	10
203	Dee Winters	LB	24	SF	LB67	10
204	Vita Vea	DL	30	TB	DL84	10
205	Harrison Smith	DB	36	MIN	DB54	10
206	Joe Tryon-Shoyinka	DL	26	CLE	DL85	10
207	Dorian Williams	LB	24	BUF	LB68	10
208	Dru Tranquill	LB	29	KC	LB69	10
209	Leonard Flloyd	DL	32	ATL	DL86	10
210	DJ Wonnum	DL	27	CAR	DL87	10
211	Divine Deablo	LB	26	ATL	LB70	10
212	Marlon Humphrey	DB	29	BAL	DB55	10
213	Osa Odighizuwa	DL	26	DAL	DL88	10
214	Deommodore Lenoir	DB	25	SF	DB56	10
215	Josey Jewell	LB	30	FA	LB71	10

Final Thoughts | IDP Player Tiers

That wraps up our initial IDP Rankings with tiers. As always, these IDP rankings are a great resource and will be updated regularly as depth charts shift, camp battles play out, and we get more clarity heading into the season. I’d love to hear your thoughts—disagreements on players you think I’m too high or low on—so don’t hesitate to reach out. You can find me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13, and I’m always happy to talk IDP or offer personalized advice for your squad.

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What To Look For

Attention IDP Nerds! Next week, I’ll release my blended rankings that incorporate SuperFlex, TE Premium, and IDP formats, helping you dominate even the deepest and most complex league setups. These rankings will also be live updated and released throughout the season, so bookmark it as a resource for your waiver wire, trades, and weekly lineup decisions.