Welcome to the final installment of my fantasy football IDP (Individual Defensive Player) deep-dive on players ready to leap to the top of the rankings. Today’s subject: defensive linemen.
While not all of the following players are destined for a big leap in 2022, there is a path for all of them to beat their current evaluation. At worst, these are players to buy at a bargain. At best, these are DL2s with top-five upside.
A note on expert consensus rankings (ECR): IDP rankings often take longer to update than offensive player rankings. I’m basing the following players on both the FantasyPros redraft and dynasty IDP rankings, ensuring that all of these players are unquestionably ranked outside of the DL1 category. As we approach the season, we may see the rankings change. I suggest you deal for any or all of these players before their price goes up.
This article is part of an ongoing series. If you’re curious about which players might surprise us all and end up in the top five at other IDP positions, please see this article on LB2s With Top-5 Potential and this article on DB2s With Top-5 Potential.
Let’s begin.
Alex Highsmith (DL, LB – PIT)
I debated whether or not I should include Highsmith on this list for one reason: He’s not listed as a defensive lineman on every fantasy football platform. However, if you’re playing on a platform that does list him as a DL/LB, I really like his chances of elevating his game to the next level in 2022. He’s an edge defender for a Pittsburgh defense that seemingly churns out stud defensive linemen faster than Apple releases new iOS software updates. The Steelers had multiple DL1 players in 2021 with T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. Highsmith will have the luxury of continuing to play with both of them.
Highsmith is entering his third year in the league and has already shown that his trajectory is straight up. From 2020, his rookie season, to 2021, he greatly improved nearly all of his measurable statistics, including tackles (from 26 to 46), tackle assists (from 16 to 28), and sacks (from two to six). If he can continue to improve, he will undoubtedly rise up the rankings at the defensive line position.
Jeffery Simmons (DL – TEN)
Simmons is the only DT (defensive tackle) on this list and for good reason. Aside from Aaron Donald, the DT position simply lacks the sack prowess to rise up the DL rankings. Simmons is on his way to becoming one of the exceptions to that rule. In fact, his value is no mystery to the NFL. He earned 2nd Team All-Pro honors in 2021 and was named to his first Pro Bowl.
The Tennessee Titans drafted Simmons in the first round of the 2019 draft, meaning he’s entering his fourth NFL season. Over his first three seasons, he’s showcased a general dominance at the line of scrimmage, improving his total tackles, pass deflections, and sack total every season. Perhaps most important of all is that he’s becoming indispensable to the Titans. His snap percentage has also increased every season, peaking at 85% in 2021. He’s got room to improve, but he’s already shown that improvement is possible. Hop on the bandwagon now and reap the rewards.
Jaelan Phillips (DL – MIA)
Phillips is entering his second season in the NFL. There’s plenty to be excited about with him, especially since he finished his rookie season by setting a Dolphins franchise record for most sacks by a rookie (8.5). 6.5 of those sacks came in the latter half of the season, as did the majority of his QB hits (10 of 16). In other words, he improved over the course of the season.
Ultimately, he posted a low tackle total in his rookie season, which was disappointing for those who saw the first-round draft pick as an instant star. However, there are many reasons for believing in his talent in 2022. He only played 54% of the defensive snaps for the Dolphins in 2021, which was the 12th-highest mark for the team last season. He doesn’t even need to play that much more to see his overall numbers improve. Additionally, with the offense improving with the addition of Tyreek Hill (and others), the Dolphins may spend more time playing with a lead. That would be a major boon for Phillips, who will provide most of his value when he’s able to pass-rush consistently. I think he’ll easily outperform his numbers from last season and, if he’s lucky, he may find himself smashing into the DL1 Tier.
Khalil Mack (DL, LB – LAC)
An oldie but a goodie. I wanted to tack Mack onto this list for the simple reason that he’s been a beast in the past, but he has suffered in recent years from being listed as an LB. With his trade to the Chargers signifying the end of an era in Chicago, the new era of Khalil Mack may be exactly what IDP managers dream of. If he’s listed as a DL by fantasy football platforms, he will undoubtedly become one of the top linemen in the league.
Mack posted double-digit sacks every season from 2015 to 2018, spending much of that time as a defensive end. He’s a true game-changer, but with the luxury of playing with Joey Bosa, Mack won’t have to do all the work by himself. While in Chicago, Mack was consistently schemed out of the game by offenses. Anyone facing the Chargers in 2022 will face the full wrath of an absolute monster who is no longer triple-teamed on every play. In fact, if he’s listed as a DL in any league that you’re in, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft him far ahead of his expert consensus ranking.
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Tim Metzler is a featured writer at FantasyPros, known for multiple article series’, including 5 Under 25, Expert Consensus Rantings, his in-season Running Diary and for his dynasty IDP rankings. For more from Tim, check out his archive and follow him @Timmy_The_Metz.
