Fantasy football rankings, IDP: Top 20 rankings for defensive backs

If you’re in an individual defensive players (IDP) league, your league definitely isn’t a casual one. That guy from accounting 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 for 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 backs are probably the second-most important position in IDP. They can turn in some big lines here and there, but your best DBs are ones who consistently get tackles. Ideally, those players are safeties on bad teams. Because team’s offenses stay on the field, that usually means the defensive guys get more snaps. What’s more, strong safeties tend to lead DBs in tackles most weeks.

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, deflections 1.0 points, touchdowns 6.0 points:

He was suspended for the first four games of 2014, but that didn’t stop him from accumulating 80 tackles, three interceptions and one sack. The Dolphins aren’t very talented at the second level with their linebackers, so Jones should have plenty of chances to be in there for tackles in the run game. The 27-year-old stud plays every down and led all safeties in snaps in 2013.

He led defensive backs in tackles not only last season, but also did in 2012 -- he missed three games in 2013 and had only 96 tackles. Most leagues will have Burnett coming off the board first, and that’s obviously justified. I have him lower than No. 1 because of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix being around.

If you play in a big-play league, Smith is your No. 1 guy. He had three sacks, five picks and one touchdown last year while racking up 93 tackles. The Notre Dame product is just 26 years old, too.

Perhaps no DB is as consistent as Weddle. He’s coming off two seasons with at least 114 tackles and hasn’t missed a game since 2009. Weddle is 30 years old, but he might be the safest bet for 100 tackles among every DB.

He might be my personal favorite. The Rams are going to destroy the quarterback with their front four, which means their DBs should be making plays. McDonald is also a fantastic tackler with 105 last season and he’s poised for a featured role in the secondary.

He still isn’t healthy right now with a hand fracture, but the sense around the team is that he’ll be ready to go to start the season. Cyprien had 114 tackles last season and 104 in his rookie campaign, so you can pencil him in for 100 more this year. Of course, he didn’t have a sack or a pick last year, so he’s not a great option in big-play leagues.

The 49ers have lost so much talent on their defense that Bethea should be able to tally a ton of tackles at the third level. He’s past his prime at age 31, but he’s played 16 games in every season since 2008. Money in the bank.

He’s a rookie, but the Giants traded up to get him to play safety on every down. Collins has the upside to be the top DB in fantasy right off the bat.

The first-round pick in 2014 didn’t hesitate to show he was worthy of the 21st pick. Clinton-Dix had 94 tackles despite playing next to one of the best-tackling safeties in the NFL. His floor is as high as just about anyone with a sky-high ceiling in his second season.

The 2014 season didn’t go well for Church after he was on the brink of being the top safety in fantasy after 2013. Sure his 97 tackles from 2014 doesn’t even touch his DB-leading 135 in 2013, but things are really looking up for the 27-year-old. Plus, the Cowboys losing cornerback Orlando Scandrick will likely lead to more tackles in the passing game for Church.

The Bills didn’t play him every down, but now the Titans locked him up to a long-term deal and should have him play strong safety for three downs. He can help in coverage and is adept at making a big play. Due to how he wasn’t playing all the time, you can probably sneak Searcy after DB20 comes off the board.

He was routinely flirting with 100 tackles and cleared 96 in three of his last four seasons with the Giants. The Bears are a little bit thin in the secondary and their linebacking corps isn’t great either, so Rolle should put up big numbers from free safety.

The former Heisman winner is 38 years old and is apparently a descendent of Ponce de Leon. Woodson’s transition to safety has been as seamless as it gets, coming off a 113-tackle season in 2014. He’s one of a kind.

Upside here. If you play in a big-play league, the Honey Badger could be a top-five player. He does have some injury risk and he probably won’t be racking up many tackles.

He’s coming off a 106-tackle season in his first year with the Browns. The 30-year-old Whitner offers a solid floor and has a defensive-minded coach in Mike Pettine.

He’s still holding out, but it would be a shock to see him not suit up. Chancellor is arguably the most talented strong safety in the league, but he doesn’t really have the stats. He has seen his numbers slide recently with only 78 tackles in 14 games last year. He’s still a very solid DB2.

The Digga exploded with the Ravens back in 2013 with 101 tackles, but he took a step back with the Lions with 71 tackles in 13 games. The 31-year-old hard-hitter is still a very safe play as a DB2 and offers an attractive ceiling.

He’s the best story in IDP. Berry overcame cancer and was back in camp for August. He is a play-making corner, but Berry did rack up 89 tackles per season in his first two campaigns.

Chances are someone in your league is going to reach on Thomas. He’s a supreme talent, but the numbers aren’t really there because he doesn’t have to do as much in the secondary. He has a shoulder injury, but that’s now why he’s so low.

He was just slapped with a one-game suspension on Thursday, but that shouldn’t affect his value beyond that. The Broncos have a pretty solid run defense, so teams looking to pass should help buoy Ward’s upside.