I started a series on my experience of being new to IDP leagues. Feel free to check out my last article here. I am going to continue with some new things I am learning about the format.

Stats

Tackles seem to be the main priority. Whereas touchdowns, sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles tend to be less predictable, receptions, carries, yards and tackles tend to be more steady.

Snap percentage is also something to look at. Whereas top offensive players rarely leave the field, defensive players get subbed in and out more often, so you can keep an eye on which players stay on the field the most.

Positions

The league I am in has 3 DL spots, 3 LB spots, 3 DB spots, and 2 IDP flex spots. Some leagues are more general and only have IDP flex spots while other leagues go even more specific with positions like CB and DT.

LBs generally score the most because they get the most tackles. It’s a deep position so you can wait on this group, but there are also a few studs that you can consider targeting early.

DLs do not score as much as they’re often more preoccupied with offensive linemen than who actually has the ball. The elite ones who get sacks and can break away often enough to get many tackles are tough to acquire. Because this position tends to have fewer tackles and more sacks, it’s more volatile. The dropoff at this position can be steep so it can help to not wait too long to fill out this position.

DBs are interesting because the best ones aren’t good for fantasy since QBs tend to avoid sending the ball into their area code. Some safer DBs act like LBs and can get a lot of tackles, which helps get a safer floor. Boom weeks often come from interceptions, which, like sacks, are tough to predict. The position is relatively deep and flat from what I see in past scoring and it’s often the one people wait on the longest to fill.

Wrap-Up

I hope these articles help those who are new to IDP. These first two were more about drafting. The next few will be more about the rest of the game.

If you found this article helpful, check out other Belly Up Fantasy Sports articles at Belly Up Fantasy and you can follow me on Twitter.