Here is a primer for the linebackers to get you prepped for your IDP drafts.

LB Primer

This is where you will get most of your points in standard tackle-heavy leagues. Unlike defensive linemen, linebackers don’t have to be good to put up good numbers in IDP; they just need to be on the field. A tackle 9 yards downfield gets us the same 1.5 points it does at the line of scrimmage. However, the good LBs are the ones that stay on the field the most and are usually around the ball.

Pass-rushing LBs

Some pass-rushing specialist types of LBs earn their points mainly through sacks. T.J. Watt is the epitome of this style of LB, with guys like Barrett, Landry, and Reddick in the same boat. I’m not the biggest fan of these guys in tackle-heavy leagues because they tend to be boom or bust, but they can be helpful with the right matchups.

Upside Plays

Upside plays can hurt in deeper leagues from the LB position because if they don’t pan out, they usually aren’t on the field enough to be in your starting lineup. However, when they payout, it’s like hitting a progressive jackpot. There are fewer examples this season than most, but guys like JOK, Barton, Bolton, and Werner are guys that can way outplay their ranking and ADP.

Tier 1

Jordyn Brooks, Darius Leonard, Foye Oluokun, Roquan Smith, Bobby Wagner

This year the #1 overall spot is up in the air. Leonard has been #1 overall. Roquan projects to be on the field A LOT. Oluokun led last year, and the combo of Wagner and Brooks away from each other could have them fighting for the league lead in tackles.

Tier 1 target – Jordyn Brooks

Brooks is my number 1. Seattle cut Bobby Wagner, and the offense took a nose dive with Russel Wilson being traded to Denver. The Seattle defense was already on the field more than any other team in 2021 by two minutes, and it doesn’t look like it will get any better.

Riskiest Tier 1 investment – Darius Leonard

Leonard is one of the best LBs in the league and led in scoring in 2018 and 2019, but he has also missed at least one game every season. He recently said he is still dealing with soreness in his ankle and is having back surgery soon (or recently, as you’re reading).

Tier 2

De’Vondre Campbell, Eric Kendricks, Blake Martinez, C.J. Mosley, Micah Parsons, Fred Warner, T.J. Watt, Devin White

This group could all lead in points scored, and Martinez did in 2020 but only lasted three games before tearing his ACL in 21. Kendricks was 2nd in PPG last season but will have Jordan Hicks next to him. Campbell, Warner, White, and Mosley should be 90% or better snap percentage players and lead their teams in tackles. T.J. Watt is the reigning DPOY, and Micah Parsons has that type of upside.

Tier 2 target – De’Vondre Campbell

Campbell has been a solid LB for a while but found a great fit in Green Bay and ended up 7th in the league in tackles. He’ll have a rookie in Quay Walker learning the ropes next to him, so I see him as an excellent high-floor play.

Riskiest Tier 2 investment – T.J. Watt

Watt is my favorite player on my favorite team, but after matching the single-season sack record, there isn’t much room for growth.

Tier 3

Cody Barton, Zaven Collins, Lavonte David, Dre Greenlaw, Cole Holcomb, Devin Lloyd, David Long, Bobby Okereke, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Shaq Thompson, Logan Wilson

This is a tier of high-end LBs who make their money wracking up many tackles. I’m rolling the dice on some younger guys like a first-year starter (if he earns the job), Cody Barton, rookie Devin Lloyd, and second-year man JOK to make their way into this group, but everyone else is proven.

Tier 3 target – Lavonte David

David is getting a bit long in the tooth, but he’s averaged at least 8.8 PPG the last five straight seasons.

Riskiest Tier 3 investment – Cody Barton

Barton has the potential to be an excellent MLB that has the potential to average double-digits, but he has to earn the job in camp and the preseason.

Tier 4

Jerome Baker, Nick Bolton, Jayon Brown, Demario Davis, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jordan Hicks, Isaiah Simmons, Alex Singleton, Anthony Walker, Pete Werner

We have a mixed bag here. The upside plays like Bolton, Simmons and Werner have the upside to move beyond this group but also have a lower floor than anyone else. The other LBs in this tier are high ceiling low-floor options that are best suited next to top-tier LBs.

Tier 4 target – Nick Bolton

Bolton had some ups and downs during his rookie season, but he finished off the season on a high note, and I expect him to get much better in his second season.

Riskiest Tier 4 Investment – Pete Werner

Werner has so much upside, but the Saints signed three safeties this season, and the 2nd LB could get fewer snaps as Mathieu will move all around the field.

Tier 5

Shaq Barrett, Tae Crowder, Zach Cunningham, Nakobe Dean, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Myles Jack, Josey Jewell, Christian Kirksey, Harold Landry, Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman, Patrick Queen, Kyzir White, Quincy Williams, Damien Wilson

This tier sees some pure pass-rushers mixed in like Barrett, Harold Landry, and Khalil Mack. They have the same profile as a defensive lineman and will count on sack totals making them boom or bust plays from week to week. The others rely on their tackle totals to keep them on fantasy radars.

Tier 5 target – Kamu Grugier-Hill

I am excited to see how Lovie Smith implements Gruguer-Hill because he was quite the weapon for Houston last year and is one of the few bright spots on Houston’s defense.

Riskiest Tier 5 investment – Nakobe Dean, Dean slipped in the draft because of a chest injury that was thought to need surgery, but the Eagles cleared him. I’m more concerned about him regularly beating veterans T.J. Edwards or Kyzir White for snaps.

Deep targets to take a shot on

Devin Bush – Bush wasn’t a great LB last year, but he will be in the middle of the Steelers’ defense getting tackles even if they are downfield.

Quay Walker – Walker is the only other rookie outside of Devin Lloyd that is guaranteed playing time this year. Walker has incredible speed, and if he can be reigned in, he could be a better pro than a collegiate player; he was excellent at Georgia.

Rashaan Evans – Evans is considered a ‘boring’ player, and while most will want to see what 2nd round pick Troy Andersen looks like on the field, Evans will likely keep the job the entire season. Deion Jones will miss the whole off-season with a shoulder injury, and he could start the year on the PUP if he has any type of setback. Evans looks to be needed as a veteran presence for a defense that will spend a lot of time on the field this year.

Von Miller – Miller would be a high-end defensive lineman if he qualified, but he’s stuck as an LB only. I am excited to see what he can do in Buffalo, and he could eventually end up with DL eligibility.

Alex Anzalone – Like Devin Bush, he isn’t a great LB but the Lions like him, and he should lead them in tackles for a team that will spend a lot of time on the field.

2022 IDP Linebacker Rankings

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