If you're in an individual defensive players (IDP) fantasy football league, your league definitely isn't a casual one. That guy from accounts receivable who watches three football games per season isn't in this league. In other words, you need to be ready for your draft.
By now you've probably figured out who you're targeting on the offensive side, but what about the defensive side? In most leagues, IDPs aren't as valuable for a few reasons. For example, they usually don't score as much in most leagues and the positional depth is much deeper.
Defensive linemen are probably the least important position in IDP. If they don't get a sack or a big play, they have the lowest floor most weeks. If you want to get a stud early on, that makes some sense to give you an advantage over the competition. On the other hand, IDP owners shouldn't be using their DLs in defensive-flexes or have many on their benches.
Here's what is considered standard scoring for these rankings: solo tackle 1.0 points, assisted tackle 0.5 points, sack 3.0 points, forced fumble 2.0 points, recovered fumble 2.0 points, interception 4.0 points, deflection 1.0 points, touchdown 6.0 points.
1. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans DE
He's really the only non-LB worthy of being the first player off the IDP board. Chances are he probably won't outscore linebackers most weeks or even on the season, but he's just so much better than the rest of the field. This logic is somewhat similar to why running backs come off the board before quarterbacks. Quarterbacks are going to outscore backs, but the top backs are just so much better than the low-end guys.
2. Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams DE
He's probably the clear-cut favorite at No. 2. Quinn did take a step back from a 19-sack season in 2013, but he still had 10.5 sacks, 46 combined tackles and five forced fumbles in 2014. The Rams have potentially the deepest group in their front four and they should really be able to get after the quarterback.
3. Chandler Jones, New England Patriots DE
After a magnificent sophomore season, Jones did slow down a little in his 2014 campaign. He managed just six sacks and 43 combined tackles in 10 games. He comes into camp healthy and the Patriots have a better pass rush with linebacker Jamie Collins likely to add some pressure. That should all help Jones.
4. Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals DE
Earlier in his career, Dunlap was not an every-down lineman. Now, the Bengals look to get him over 1,000 snaps and let him really go after the quarterback. Coach Marvin Lewis said Dunlap's breakout 2014 was overlooked, so he could be a big-time guy in 2015.
5. Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints DE
I'll admit I'm probably higher on Jordan than just about anyone. The Saints could move him around the field as the joker in the defense, which would likely create more sacks and tackles. You can probably grab him as the DL8-9 or so, but he's kind of a must-have guy for me. Jordan looks great in the preseason.
6. Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals, DE
If you're looking for a safe play, Campbell is your guy. The 29-year-old end has at least 48 combined tackles and six sacks in every season since 2009. Plus, the Cardinals have some fantastic corners to create more coverage sacks.
7. Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings, DE
He had a massive breakout in 2014, sacking the quarterback 12 times and earning 55 tackles. The Vikings really have focused on adding talent to their front seven and coach Mike Zimmer is savvy at scheming up some sacks for his ends, too.
8. Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills, DE
Coach Rex Ryan is probably licking his chops with Williams. He's terrorized offenses in the preseason with multiple sacks and a safety. Williams has averaged over 13 sacks per season in his last two years and he's not too old at age 30.
9. Ziggy Ansah, Detroit Lions, DE
You've probably heard that the Lions added defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Perhaps Ansah is the biggest winner because of how often Ngata will command a double-team. You can expect him to improve on his 49 tackles and 7.5 sacks from last season.
10. Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles, DE
The Eagles are going to be playing at a fast tempo and just about every Eagles writer is praising the defensive end. If you want a high ceiling after the top-10 options go off the board, Cox is your guy.
11. Jurrell Casey, Tennessee Titans, DE
If you're in a big-play league, Casey isn't your guy. However, his 68-tackle season in 2014 makes him a solid, high-floor guy on a week-to-week basis.
12. Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, DE
The Jets are not going to have Sheldon Richardson to start the season, so that might hurt Wilkerson a tad. Still, he's playing for a contract and has head coach Todd Bowles ready to use him to get after the passer. Expect him to have several big games with a handful of duds mixed in.
13. Rob Ninkovich, New England Patriots, DE
He's not the raw talent compared to some of these guys, but Ninkovich gets his production. He had 8.0 sacks and 62 tackles last year and was even slightly better than that in 2013.
14. Olivier Vernon, Miami Dolphins, DE
He's really come on since '13 and looks poised for a big season. He is entering his age-24 season and is in a contract year, too. While defensive end Cameron Wake may get double-teamed, Vernon could have a year with 13-plus sacks and over 40 combined tackles.
15. Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins, DE
It's a little hard to believe Wake is 33 years old, but he's really shown up in a big way since his 14-sack season in 2010. He did have 11.5 sacks last year, but his tackles haven't been over 40 in either of his last two seasons. In a standard league, Wake isn't a great target due to lower tackle totals.
16. Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams, DT
The first defensive tackle on this list and it's for good reason. Donald could emerge as the strongest DT in the NFL this season.
17. Jerry Hughes, Buffalo Bills, DE
It won't just be Mario Williams benefiting with the new Buffalo scheme. Hughes should have a chance to get double-digit sacks after registering at least 9.5 of them in each of his last two seasons.
18. Corey Liuget, San Diego Chargers, DE
The 25-year-old pass rusher picked up a massive $51.3 million extension this summer despite never having totaled more than 7.0 sacks in a season.
19. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants, DE
Hey, if you wanna roll the dice, go for it. JPP still doesn't have a return date. He'll give you top-three upside, so feel free to stash him on your bench.
20. Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DT
He's arguably the best pass-rushing tackle in the NFL, but he's certainly capable of getting 40-plus tackles too.