Fantasy Football IDP Draft Strategy, Rankings & Tiers: LBs (2025)

While linebacker is deep at first glance, we have to treat it like we do wide receivers on the offensive side and stay above water in the ‘arms race’ of starters. We saw 31 linebackers last season average 60+ snaps, and 24 more averaged between 50 and 60 snaps. That number drops to only 16 between 40-50 snaps. Snap counts automatically tier the linebacker position for the most part, so looking more granularly shows us the production gap. Let’s dive into our fantasy football IDP draft primer for linebackers.

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IDP Fantasy Football Primer: Linebackers

The reason we don’t play the defensive linemen qualified players at the linebacker position is that the floor for all traditional middle linebackers is so much higher weekly. Linebackers are more easily replaced due to their ‘plug and play’ nature, making the defensive line the thinnest position by a wide margin.

Just the defensive line designation doesn’t help the linebacker position in depth. The linebacker qualification for some defensive linemen is nice for emergency injury replacement and general roster construction, but we are almost always playing anyone who qualifies at defensive line in the defensive line spot. When we strip away the crossover eligible defensive linemen (that are being drafted as defensive linemen and not linebackers), we only have 21 ‘linebackers only’ in the first four tiers.

Tier 5 and Tier 6 have 18 ‘linebackers only’ to round out what I would call the ‘real starters’ group. So while we do have depth at the position, I want my three starters to come out of this pool of 39 players (assuming three starting linebackers) in a standard 12-team league.

If we add a Flex spot, we can take that out of defensive backs, but linebackers offer higher floors, and the belt tightens on this group a little bit. Defensive line stays the priority because of the rotating nature of the position, but linebacker is way ahead of defensive backs in the pecking order and turns somewhat thin in deeper leagues.

Snaps plus skill is the name of the game at the position, but like defensive backs, it isn’t a precise one-for-one translation. Zack Baun was the No. 1 linebacker in Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade among the 64 linebackers with 500+ snaps and the No. 2 scorer in points per game (PPG).

Zaire Franklin led in fantasy PPG, tackles and was 39th in PFF grade. Franklin also happened to be the snap leader at the linebacker position, while Baun was only 24th. Skilled linebackers aren’t stunted like the best cornerbacks; the highest skilled players are around the ball more and position themselves to make a big play, but snaps remain king.

E.J. Speed is a good example of this. He had over 1,000 snaps, but was 53rd out of 64 graded linebackers (at least 500 snaps) and still averaged 13.8 PPG, while ranking 12th in tackles. E.J. Speed was such a big piece of the IDP picture in 2024, and now he is injury insurance for Christian Harris in Houston.

Luckily, we don’t have to worry about this near the top of the position. Franklin isn’t as skilled as the players in his tier, Germain Pratt is probably not as good as his tier and a few other guys like Josey Jewell (eighth in PPG), Patrick Queen (26th in total oints), and Terrel Bernard (32nd in PPG) are coming off some rough seasons but shouldn’t lose snaps immediately.

Fantasy Football IDP Linebackers Rankings & Tiers

Tier 1

1. T.J. Watt (DE, LB – PIT)
2. Micah Parsons (DE, LB – DAL)

I have these guys ahead of any other linebacker because they qualify at defensive line, but in some formats, they might only qualify at linebacker. If that is the case, I would drop these guys (and all other defensive linemen who only qualify at linebacker) fairly significantly.

They would probably end up where I have the next group of players, which would push them down the line a bit as well. T.J. Watt and Michah Parsons are some of the best defensive players in the NFL, but if they only qualify at linebacker, they don’t average enough points to go out on a limb for.

The lack of tackles and spike weeks with sack production would make them more like LB2s, and they should be paired with high-floor traditional linebackers to offset the down weeks of production.

Tier 2

1. Zack Baun (LB – PHI) 
2. Roquan Smith (LB – BAL)
3. Zaire Franklin (LB – IND)
4. Fred Warner (LB – SF)
5. Robert Spillane (LB – NE)
6. T.J. Edwards (LB – CHI)
7. Frankie Luvu (LB – WSH)

Zack Baun had 274 more snaps in Philadelphia last season than he did in his previous four seasons combined in New Orleans, and what a difference it was! Baun was more of a tweener in New Orleans but flourished as a more traditional middle linebacker in Philadelphia. He should remain near the top of the mountain in production with the Eagles.

The rest of this group is the tip of the sphere at the linebacker position. Robert Spillane is moving to New England but is likely to continue his impressive production and is behind a much-improved defensive line. Roquan Smith, Fred Warner and T.J. Edwards are three of the best linebackers in the NFL and offer what I would consider the safest floors of any linebackers.

Frankie Luvu is my one swing player. I like that he offers a high-tackle floor with the ability to blitz (most pass-rush snaps in 2024) and is going into his second season in Dan Quinn’s system. Drafting Luvu does come with the need to grab high-floor production at the other linebacker spots on your roster.

Tier 3

1. Andrew Van Ginke (DE, LB – MIN)
2. Jamien Sherwood (LB – NYJ)
3. Foyesade Oluokun (LB – JAX)
4. Blake Cashman (LB – MIN)
5. Jonathan Greenard (DE, LB – MIN)
6. Alex Highsmith (DE, LB – PIT)
7. Brian Burns (DE, LB – NYG)
8. Jared Verse (DE, LB – LAR)
9. Josh Hines-Allen (DE, LB – JAX)
10. Danielle Hunter (DE, LB – HOU)
11. Nik Bonitto (DE, LB – DEN

The majority of this group is defensive linemen-qualified players who were discussed in the defensive linemen primer. Andrew Van Ginkel is the one primary defensive lineman who wouldn’t move down if he only had linebacker eligibility. Van Ginkel had a career year in Minnesota with 80 tackles and 11.5 sacks last season.

Jamien Sherwood took his first opportunity to start and turned it into the second-most solo tackles in the NFL. Foyesade Oluokun is still one of the best linebackers in the league, but he suffered a foot injury in Week 3, and that seemed to slow him down a bit. Blake Cashman is the same steady presence in Minnesota that he was in Houston, and has a very high floor.

Tier 4

1. Kaden Elliss (LB – ATL) 
2. Carson Schwesinger (LB – CLE) 
3. Alex Singleton (LB – DEN)
4. Quincy Williams (LB – NYJ) 
5. Jack Campbell (LB – DET) 
6. Bobby Wagner (LB – WSH) 
7. Josey Jewell (LB – DEN) 
8. Jalon Walker (DE, LB – ATL)
9. Quay Walker (LB – GB) 
10. Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)
11. Lavonte David (LB – TB) 
12. Germaine Prat (LB – LV)
13. Travon Walker (DE, LB – JAX) 
14. Abdul Carter (DE, LB – NYG) 
15. Harold Landry III (DE, LB – NE) 

Kaden Elliss, Carson Schwesinger, Alex Singleton, Jack Campbell, Bobby Wagner, Josey Jewell, Lavonte David and Germaine Pratt should all continue to lead their teams in tackles. Schwesinger is a rookie and very raw, but being the frist pick in the second round and the fact that Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out for the season puts him in prime position to lead the Browns’ defense in snaps at linebacker with Jordan Hicks.

Singleton is coming off ACL surgery, but he was able to participate in organized team activities (OTAs) and is expected to be ready for Week 1. Jalon Walker and Edgerrin Cooper offer the most upside in this group. Walker should play more at EDGE, but he has a chance to chip in at inside linebacker, too, if the Falcons want to move him around.

Edgerrin Cooper was a rookie last season, but he graded out as the best linebacker and should see way more snaps this season. Cooper is the reason I didn’t include Quay Walker to be a lock to lead his team in tackles, although his total should still be very high.

Tier 5

1. Jordyn Brooks (LB – MIA)
2. Daiyan Henley (LB – LAC)
3. Ernest Jones IV (LB – LAR)
4. Terrel Bernard (LB – BUF)
5. Josh Sweat (DE, LB – ARI)
6. Tyrel Dodson (LB – MIA)
7. Nakobe Dean (LB – PHI)
8. Logan Wilson (LB – CIN)
9. Bobby Okereke (LB – NYG)
10. Azeez Al-Shaair (LB – HOU)
11. Nick Bolton (LB – KC)
12. Patrick Queen (LB – PIT)
13. Cody Barton (LB – TEN)

This tier is full of players who should lead their team in tackles like Jordyn Brooks, Daiyan Henley, Terrel Bernard, Ernest Jones IV, Logan Wilson, Bobby Okereke, Azeez Al-Shaair and Cody Barton.

Nakobe Dean was so good in his first year as a starter, but is still working his way back from a torn patellar tendon in the Wild Card Round, and ‘won’t be back for a while,’ according to Vic Fangio. Patrick Queen was so bad in his first season in Pittsburgh that I wouldn’t count out Payton Wilson leading the team in snaps if Queen doesn’t rapidly improve.

Barton might be low because he is the only experienced inside linebacker in Tennessee, but he has never finished higher than an LB3 in total fantasy points or PPG.

Tier 6

1. Chop Robinson (DE, LB – MIA)
2. James Pearce Jr. (DE, LB – ATL)
3. Khalil Mack (DE, LB – LAC)
4. Ivan Pace Jr. (LB – MIN)
5. Devin Lloyd (LB – JAX)
6. Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB – DAL)
7. Demario Davis (LB – NO)
8. Alex Anzalone (LB – DET)
9. Tremaine Edmunds (LB – CHI)
10. Dre Greenlaw (LB – DEN)
11. Kyle Van Noy (DE, LB – BAL)

Tier 6 is made up of high-floor linebackers that will have a ton of tackles but might not have a ton of upside beyond that. Devin Lloyd, Tremaine Edmunds and Dre Greenlaw have tackle machines in Olukon, Edwards and Singleton playing next to them and are capped because of that, but would easily lead their team if anything happens to slow those guys down.

Ivan Pace Jr. and Alex Anzalone both were strong last season but suffered injuries that cost them time. Kenneth Murray Jr. and Demario Davis should lead the Cowboys and Saints in tackles, but Murray doesn’t seem to have a ton of upside and Davis is 36 years old and ducking Father Time.

Tier 7

1. Yaya Diaby (DE, LB – TB)
2. Boye Mafe (DE, LB – SEA)
3. Jonathon Cooper (DE, LB – DEN)
4. Christian Harris (LB – HOU)
5. Drue Tranquill (LB – KC)
6. Tyrice Knight (LB – SEA)
7. Micah McFadden (LB – NYG)
8. Jordan Hicks (LB – CLE)
9. Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, LB – NYG)
10. Troy Andersen (LB – ATL)
11. Payton Wilson (LB – PIT)
12. Matt Milano (LB – BUF)
13. Demetrius Knight Jr. (LB – CIN)
14. Tuli Tuipulotu (DE, LB – LAC)
15. Nolan Smith Jr. (DE, LB – PHI)
16. Byron Young (DE, LB – LAR)
17. Rashan Gary (DE, LB – GB)
18. Odafe Oweh (DE, LB – BAL)
19. Keion White (DE, LB – NE)
20. Joey Bosa (DE, LB – LAC)

Here we have some upside plays, starting with Christian Harris in Houston. Harris missed all but three games in 2024 with a calf injury and wasn’t able to participate in OTAs, but is expected back for camp.

Henry To’oTo’o is currently listed as a starter, but E.J. Speed or Harris could easily push him to the bench. Harris had over 100 tackles in 2023, is still only 24 years old and has a chance to earn some money going into free agency.

Payton Wilson had some strong performances down the stretch for Pittsburgh, and Queen was fairly miserable in his first season there. Tyrice Knight was boosted when the Bengals traded Germaine Pratt to the Raiders and should drop right in and get a ton of snaps as long as he beats out veteran Oren Burks and fellow rookie Barrett Carter for snaps.

Drue Tranquill (Leo Chenal), Troy Andersen (Divine Deablo) and Matt Milano (Dorian Williams) should all be No. 2 on their squads in tackles and offer a decent floor but could be pushed by teammates for playing time. Tyrice Knight, Micah McFadden and Jordan Hicks are less likely to lose their job but don’t have a ton of upside.

Tier 8

1. Mack Wilson Sr. (LB – ARI)
2. Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB – ARI)
3. Jaylon Carlies (LB, S – IND)
4. Leo Chenal (LB – KC)
5. Junior Colson (LB – LAC)
6. Jihaad Campbell (LB – PHI)
7. Dallas Turner (DE, LB – MIN)
8. Christian Rozeboom (LB – CAR)
9. Nate Landman (LB – LAR)
10. SirVocea Dennis (LB – TB)
11. Trevin Wallace (LB – CAR)
12. Jack Sanborn (LB – DAL0
13. Shaq Thompson (LB – BUF)
14. Henry To’oTo’o (LB – HOU)
15. Devin White (LB – LV)
16. Nick Martin (LB – SF)
17. Dee Winters (LB – SF)
18. E.J. Speed (LB – HOU)
19. Pete Werner (LB – NO)
20. Troy Reeder (LB – LAR)
21. Elandon Roberts (LB – LV)
22. Chris Paul (LB – LAR)
23. Nick Herbig (DE, LB – PIT)
24. Haason Reddick (DE, LB – TB)
25. Christian Elliss (LB – NE)
26. Denzel Perryman (LB – LAC)
27. Derrick Barnes (LB – DET)

There are a lot of upside plays to throw darts on in this tier. Jaylon Carlies, Leo Chenand and/or Junior Colson should all see career highs in snaps and can push for a lot of playing time. Jihaad Campbell is dealing with a labrum tear and is a very risky investment, but Zack Baun showed us what playing behind the Eagles’ defensive line can do for production.

Mack Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither both will get snaps for the Cardinals, but rookie Cody Simon should push one eventually. SirVocea Dennis and Jack Sanborn are some of my favorite picks lately because their teams love them. The Bucs decided not to draft a linebacker and leave the job open for Dennis to beat out veteran Anthony Walker for snaps.

Jack Sanborn followed Matt Eberflus from Chicago to Dallas and is likely to start next to Kenneth Murray while DeMarvion Overshown recovers from his brutal knee injury in mid-December. Nate Landman (Troy Reeder, Chris Paul), Trevin Wallace (Christian Rozeboom) and Dee Winters (Nick Martin) are expected to be the starters in Week 1, but all of them have competition for snaps and are fairly unproven.

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