What Is IDP in Fantasy Football? Individual Defensive Players Explained
Fantasy Football Glossary · By Elliot — Founder, Dynasty Dealer · Published 2026-10-02
IDP stands for individual defensive players: a fantasy football format where you draft and start real defenders (linebackers, defensive linemen and defensive backs) instead of, or alongside, a single team defense. Each IDP player scores for his own stats, such as tackles, sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles, which adds a second side of the ball to your drafts, waivers and trades.
How IDP scoring works
Every league sets its own scoring. A typical setup pays around 1 point per solo tackle, half a point per assisted tackle, 2 to 4 points per sack, 3 to 6 per interception, a few points per forced fumble or fumble recovery, and 6 for a defensive touchdown. Leagues that weight tackles make linebackers the safest starters; leagues that weight big plays lift pass rushers and ball-hawking defensive backs.
Why linebackers lead most IDP drafts
Linebackers who stay on the field for every down make the most tackles, and tackles come every week, so they are the steadiest IDP scorers. Pass rushers depend on sacks, which swing from week to week. Safeties who play close to the line can score like linebackers, which makes them the usual value picks.
Running an IDP roster
IDP leagues start several defenders (often three to six, or more with an IDP flex), so rosters run deeper and the waiver wire stays busy, because defensive production is spread across many players. In dynasty, defenders trade like any other asset: Dynasty Dealer publishes IDP rankings so you can price them before you deal.
What positions are in IDP leagues?
Defensive linemen (DL, sometimes split into tackles and edge rushers), linebackers (LB) and defensive backs (DB: cornerbacks and safeties). Many leagues also add an IDP flex that accepts any defender.
Is IDP better than a team defense?
It is more involved: you manage individual players instead of one unit, which rewards research. Many dynasty leagues add IDP for deeper rosters and more trades.
Who should I draft first in IDP?
In tackle-heavy scoring, every-down linebackers. In big-play scoring, elite pass rushers move up. Check your league’s scoring before you draft.