2013

2013 IDP DL Rankings

By Neil Parker

Posted on August 17, 2013

Can’t get enough Fantasy Football? Sign up for an IDP league and add another dimension to your fake football Sundays. We’ve got your 2013 IDP DL Rankings to help you out! I also posted my 2013 Overall IDP rankings earlier this week, so check those out, too.

Just beware that you may get even further conflicted with the outcomes your cheering for and need a calculator close by. Especially when your Tony Romo starts throwing passes to your DeAngelo Hall. Quick, what is 2 subtracted from 6?

Before we get right to our 2013 IDP DL Rankings, lets take a peek at the position.

Defensive Line Position Overview

There are a few considerations outside of a players ability that should be taken into account when your assembling your defensive linemen. First, the scheme that they’re playing in significantly impacts their fake football production.

Defensive Linemen in a 3-4 scheme, generally, have much less fantasy value than the outside ends in a 4-3 scheme. The exceptions are there, obviously former pizza boy J.J. Watt partnered with Darth Vadar heading into 2012 and had an “In a galaxy far, far away” type fantasy season from a 3-4 scheme.

Furthermore, unless you have to start Defensive Tackles, you should be targeting pass rushing Defensive Ends. Finally, if you’re hip to potential positional changes you might be able to snag a DL eligible player who is actually going to play more of a Linebacker role. Currently, Bruce Irvin appears set for this role in Seattle, but he is suspended for 4 games, so don’t target him until Week 4.

Grab Robert Quinn late and ride his 3rd year breakout with the Rams.
(Photo Credit: Dave Kopp)

2013 Defensive Linemen Picks, Sleepers and Busts

Pick: Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills

Year 2 in Buffalo is going to be big for “Super Mario.” Expect new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to turn Williams lose from all over the field and the two-time Pro Bowler to respond in a big way. There is a perfect storm of talent and opportunity here.

Pick: Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers

After a breakout campaign in 2012, many might be looking for a little let down from the Black Cat. Instead, in his contract year expect more of the same from Hardy, whose consistency from week-to-week is also valuable.

Sleeper: Chandler Jones, New England Patriots

The rookie faded down the stretch, but his first half numbers were elite. The potential for a sophomore boom is there and there is no reason that Jones can’t flourish on an underrated defensive unit.

Sleeper: Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams

Sometimes it takes time to fully develop, but the former 1st rounder is a natural sack artist and as athletic as they come. Entering his 3rd season, if Quinn can register a few more tackles he’ll easily slide into the top 20 at his position.

Sleeper: Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks

If your colleagues are sleeping on the Seahawk come Week 4, pounce. Irvin is set to play a Von Miller hybrid role, hopefully increasing his chances of tossing down Quarterbacks. He should also see an uptick in tackling opportunities.

Bust: Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

With Week 1 in question already, the risk associated with the Giant might be a little high for his price tag. A true talent and potential fantasy star, Pierre-Paul may have to play through a lingering injury, or have a setback. Let someone else invest their high pick on him.

Bust: Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears

The Bear hasn’t recorded 40 combined tackles since 2010 and that limits his value, even if he is positing solid sack totals. Further, investing early on a guy past his prime, who boasts limited upside is unnecessary.

Bust: Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Smith is getting long in the tooth and has little upside at this stage in his career. He is a better real player, than fake and the attachment to an elite defensive unit will likely inflate his perceived value. There is value in his consistency though if he falls and falls.