The defensive line is the most rotated position in football, which makes it the thinnest position for Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues. There were 38 defensive backs and linebackers apiece who had over 1,000 snaps in 2024, while only 19 defensive linemen recorded 800 snaps (none reached 1,000). Linebackers who are on the field that much are almost guaranteed for floor production, and most defensive backs would receive that, too, with the exception being shutdown cornerbacks, who don’t get thrown at.
Players on the defensive line are not gifted with the same production. While EDGE rushers usually have decent production, defensive tackles are all over the place. The studs among the defensive line get sacks and tackles, but there are also run-stopping EDGE players, pass-rush specialists and space-clogging defensive tackles. Defensive line is the same as tight end in terms of the snaps not adding up to production for every player, as they are asked to do specific things.
The defensive line is the most rotated position in football, which makes it the thinnest position for Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues. There were 38 defensive backs and linebackers apiece who had over 1,000 snaps in 2024, while only 19 defensive linemen recorded 800 snaps (none reached 1,000). Linebackers who are on the field that much are almost guaranteed for floor production, and most defensive backs would receive that, too, with the exception being shutdown cornerbacks, who don’t get thrown at.
Players on the defensive line are not gifted with the same production. While EDGE rushers usually have decent production, defensive tackles are all over the place. The studs among the defensive line get sacks and tackles, but there are also run-stopping EDGE players, pass-rush specialists and space-clogging defensive tackles. Defensive line is the same as tight end in terms of the snaps not adding up to production for every player, as they are asked to do specific things.
IDP Fantasy Football Primer: Defensive Linemen
The specificity and lack of snaps push the value of elite defensive linemen up because they are not replaceable on the waiver wire. Replacement-level Linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties don’t have to be good players to produce, as tackles can be made or assisted simply because the play comes to them. Replacing a high-snap defensive lineman for an NFL team more often comes from the aggregate, with a few players rotating, than from a ‘plug and play’ linebacker/defensive back.
In 2024, 219 defensive linemen played at least 150 snaps in pass-rush situations. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Aidan Hutchinson was the only player with a 30% win rate in those situations (38.3%). There were only four other players at the position with a win rate over 20% (Myles Garrett, Michah Parsons, Nick Bosa, Trey Hendrickson), and only 21 more at 15% or better. Sacks are tough to come by.
Only Trey Hendrickson had over 15, while just 16 more recorded 10+ sacks. Chasing sacks can be profitable, albeit also inconsistent. However, it’s better to chase sacks than tackles at the defensive line position in IDP fantasy football leagues. Banking on tackle totals might be a little more consistent, but the position doesn’t typically allow for high tackle opportunities. Blake Cashman had 112, but in some formats, he only qualifies as a linebacker.
High-tackle defensive linemen typically provide us with a little bit of a floor. However, some space cloggers, such as Davon Godchaux, B.J. Hill or Harrison Phillips, will accumulate decent tackle numbers but don’t consistently get enough sacks to roster. Chasing tackles works for linebackers and defensive backs, but stick to high sack totals when it comes to defensive linemen.
Fantasy Football IDP Defensive Linemen Rankings & Tiers
Here are my rankings and tiers for 2025 fantasy football defensive linemen.
Tier 1
- T.J. Watt (DL/LB – PIT)
- Myles Garrett (DE – CLE)
- Aidan Hutchinson (DE – DET)
- Micah Parsons (DE/LB – DAL)
- Maxx Crosby (DE – LV)
- Nick Bosa (DE – SF)
- Will Anderson Jr. (DE – HOU)
This tier is made up of players who could lead the league in sacks and fantasy points. The order can be anyway you like it in this group, with a few nitpicks.
T.J. Watt is currently holding out for a new contract. Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a major injury. I’m a Steelers fan, and Watt tends to get more turnovers than Myles Garrett. Below is a comparison of their career stats:
- Watt: 33 Forced Fumbles, 12 Fumble Recoveries, 7 Interceptions
- Garrett: 20 Forced Fumbles, 6 Fumble Recoveries, 0 Interceptions
That’s why I have Watt at the top of the tier. Hutchinson was way ahead of everyone in points per game pre-injury. Micah Parsons got some help on the defensive line. Maxx Crosby and his teammates are coming back healthy, too.
Tier 2
- Andrew Van Ginkel (DE/LB – MIN)
- Jonathan Greenard (DE – MIN)
- Gregory Rousseau (DE – BUF)
- Alex Highsmith (DE/LB – PIT)
- Brian Burns (DE – NYG)
- Jared Verse (DE – LAR)
- Josh Hines-Allen (DE – JAX)
- Danielle Hunter (DE – HOU)
- Nik Bonitto (DE/LB – DEN)
Andrew Van Ginkel doesn’t qualify in every format, but he took a considerable step forward joining Minnesota’s blitz-heavy scheme last season, paired with Jonathan Greenard.
Jared Verse was outstanding in his 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign and looks to build upon it. Gregory Rousseau and Nik Bonitto had their best statistical seasons last year. Alex Highsmith, Brian Burns, Josh Hines-Allen and Danielle Hunter are vets that are always borderline DL1/DL2 with extremely high ceilings and floors.
Tier 3
- Trey Hendrickson (DE – CIN)
- Dexter Lawrence (DT – NYG)
- Leonard Williams (DE/DT – SEA)
- Travon Walker (DE – JAX)
- Abdul Carter (DE – NYG)
- Zach Allen (DE – DEN)
- Harold Landry (DE/LB – NE)
- Jeffery Simmons (DT – TEN)
- DeForest Buckner (DT – IND)
- George Karlaftis (DE – KC)
- Zach Sieler (DT – MIA)
- Cameron Heyward (DT – PIT)
Trey Hendrickson is deserving of a higher ranking, but he is currently in an ugly contract dispute with the Bengals. Should he sign before the season, I would put him in the Tier 1 group.
Dexter Lawrence is the best defensive tackle in the NFL and is followed by high-tackle defensive tackles who are also very strong pass-rushers in Leonard Williams, Jeffrey Simmons, DeForest Buckner, Zach Sieler and Cameron Heyward. Harold Landry, Travon Walker and Zach Allen are solid contributors with upside to be in the top tiers by the end of the season if things break right.
Rookie Abdul Carter from Penn State and George Karlaftis are the upside plays in this group. Carter was the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and will line up alongside Lawrence and Burns. Karlaftis had seven games with 10+ points and nine games with fewer than five; a little more consistency will go a long way.
Tier 4
- Christian Wilkins (DT – LVR)
- Jalen Carter (DT – PHI)
- Josh Sweat (DE – ARI)
- Laiatu Latu (DE – IND)
- Chris Jones (DT – KC)
- Chop Robinson (DE – MIA)
- James Pearce (DE – ATL)
- Quinnen Williams (DT – NYJ)
- Kobie Turner (DT – LAR)
- Khalil Mack (DE/LB – LAC)
- Kyle Van Noy (DE/LB – BAL)
- Montez Sweat (DE – WSH)
This tier consists of premier defensive tackles coupled with EDGE swing rushers. Christian Wilkins, Jalen Carter, Chris Jones, Quinnen Williams and Kobie Turner combine decent tackle totals with the ability to chip in with an occasional sack.
Josh Sweat may lose a little production by moving to Arizona, but Montez Sweat could gain production if the Bears’ offense takes a leap. Kyle Van Noy has been great with the Ravens, but he might only qualify at linebacker in some leagues. Laiatu Latu and Chop Robinson both had over 500 snaps as rookies and are looking to take the leap in their second seasons, so I would make sure they are my DL3 if I decide to invest.
The Falcons traded back into the first round to draft James Pearce. The draft capital, coupled with a lack of talent on the Falcons’ defensive line, makes him a worthy risk.
Tier 5
- Will McDonald IV (DE/LB -NYJ): Had games with fewer than one point, but five games with 12+ points. Will McDonald is a pure upside start.
- Yaya Diaby (DE – TB): Was 13th in points per game during the final six weeks of last season. Hoping Yaya Diaby builds on that for a breakout season.
- Boye Mafe (DE – SEA): Was a top-10 scorer the first three weeks after his knee injury; averaged 5.1 points per game. The Colts also added depth along the defensive line with the addition of DeMarcus Lawrence.
- Nnamdi Madubuike (DT – BAL): Dropped from a DL2 in 2023 to a DL5 in 2024 when his sack total was cut in half.
- Derrick Brown (DT – CAR): Is coming off a meniscus tear in Week 1 that caused him to miss the season. Has only eight career sacks, but did record over 100 tackles in 2023 and finished as a top-15 scorer.
- Calijah Kancey (DT – TB): Was a DL2 in points per game last season. Had three more sacks in his second season in two fewer games.
- Jonathon Cooper (DT/LB – DEN): Has been a DL2 the past two seasons. I fear a dip with Bonitto playing so well and Jonah Elliss in his second season. The team drafting Que Robinson might mean a dip in Jonathon Cooper’s top-20 snap total at EDGE.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE – NYG): His snaps will for sure take a hit with Abdul Carter in New York. Kayvon Thibodeaux is still dangerous and a potential trade piece before the season.
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE – DAL): The rookie from Boston College has the potential to beat out vets Payton Turner, Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams for snaps in the Cowboys’ rotation.
- Tuli Tuipulotu (DE/LB – LAC): Sack production went up in 2024, but he missed 10% more tackles. Tuli Tuipulotu is in line for more snaps, but production is inconsistent
- Nolan Smith Jr. (DE/LB – PHI): Had a breakout season in 2024 but is currently working back from triceps surgery after tearing his in the Super Bowl. There are lots of open snaps with the roster turnover along the Philly defensive line.
- Byron Young (DE/LB – LAR): Has been top-10 in snaps in his first two seasons in the NFL and finished as a DL3 in both seasons. Josaiah Stewart was drafted to give the Rams snaps on run downs that will take some away from Byron Young.
- Rashan Gary (DE/LB – GB): A whopping 46% of his point production came from two games of massive production in 2023. Rashan Gary spread out his scoring more in 2024, but never surpassed 14 fantasy points in any game.
- Odafe Owen (DE – BAL): Even with an enormous jump from 13 sacks in his first three pro seasons to 10 in 2024, Odafe Owen was still only a DL4 in points per game.
- Keion White (DE – NE): The good news is that the Patriots added so much help to the D-Line that Keion White’s job is much easier now. The bad news is that his snaps will take a nosedive with Landry, K’Lavon Chaisson and Bradyn Swinson now in the rotation.
- Joey Bosa (DE/LB – BUF): The injuries are mounting for Joey Bosa. He hasn’t recorded 500 snaps in a season since 2021. Maybe Buffalo will find a better way to keep him healthy because this might be a very good landing spot for production.
- Carl Granderson (DE – NO): Has a decent floor, but he dropped from a DL1 to a DL3 last season. The high snap count keeps Carl Granderson’s floor up, but he still had six games with fewer than five points last season and only five over 10. I would rather take a higher upside swing.
- Kwity Paye (DE – IND): Had a decent floor in his snap totals, but Kwity Paye’s tackle rate took a dip last season. The Colts added defensive end JT Tuimoloau in the second round of the draft. Paye is another decent floor player who is more of an injury replacement than an upside play
- DeMarcus Lawrence (DE – SEA): DeMarcus Lawrence is a crusty old vet who missed all but four games with a foot injury in 2024. He hasn’t had more than 6.5 sacks since 2018. The talent on the Seahawks’ defensive line could help him get home more, but it is more likely to limit his snap counts.
- Dallas Turner (DE/LB – MIN): Dallas Turner is still stuck behind Greenard and Van Ginkel (second and third in total snaps at EDGE last season) for pass-rushing snaps, but with Pat Jones leaving for Carolina, his snaps should double. The Vikings blitzed more than any team in the league, and Turner is an injury away from an enormous workload.
Deep League Options
- Dante Fowler (DE – DAL)
- Mason Graham (DT – CLE)
- Princely Umanmielen (DE – CAR)
- Nic Scourton (DE – CIN)
- Derrick Harmon (FT – PIT)
- Dorance Armstrong (DE – WSH)
- Azeez Ojulari (DE – PHI)
- Matt Judon (DE/LB – FA)
- Mike Green (DE – BAL)
- Uchenna Nwosu (DE – SEA)
- Ed Oliver (DT – BUF)
- Haason Reddick (DE/LB – TB)
- Jalyx Hunt (DE – PHI)
- Nick Herbig (DE/LB – PIT)
- Bradley Chubb (DE – MIA)
- Joseph Ossai (DE/CIN)
- Braden Fiske (DT – LAR)
- D.J. Wonnum (DE – CAR)
- Anfernee Jennings (DE/LB – NE)
- A’Shawn Robinson (DE/DT – CAR)
Injured Players to Monitor
Jermaine Johnson is coming off an Achilles tear, but is expected to be ready for camp. I’ll add him to the rankings once we receive confirmation he is ready to start the season. An Achilles tear is extremely impactful and not easy to recover from
Jaelan Phillips is the reason I’m leery of Jermaine Johnson. He tore his Achilles in late 2023, returned in Week 1 of 2024, but then tore his ACL in Week 4. Phillips came back a bit too early from the Achilles. I’m just not sure if he is the same caliber player after two major injuries.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
