IDP Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: When To Select Zaire Franklin, Maxx Crosby, And More

It’s getting that time, you are prepped and ready for your fantasy football draft. You have your stats, your rankings, and your trash talking all lined up. Now all you need is a strategy.

Whether this is your first or 51st IDP Draft, there are few things to keep in mind to keep your IDP Strategy on fleek (do the kids still say that)? Anyway, here are a few obvious and not-so-obvious rules to keep in mind.

IDP Fantasy Football Draft Rules To Remember

Rule #1

I cannot stress this enough, and I’m done shouting, but please for all that is sacred to you, know your league’s scoring. Is it tackle-heavy or are you expected to rack up those IDP points with sacks and interceptions? It matters.

Rule #2

It is an IDP Draft, but don’t be that person. This is after all a full-roster fantasy football league we are talking about. That means rounds 1-6ish are dedicated to your offensive players. Depending on your strategy, get your elite running back, or elite wide receiver/quarterback. Maybe even sneak in an elite tight end. They matter.

But what matters most is how you are going to increase your weekly scoring bonanza with your IDP players. This is where the real fun begins.

Rule #3

Now say this with me over and over again: linebackers are the foundation to your success. Last season linebackers dominated the top IDP fantasy scoring positions, taking 21 of the top 25 spots. Safety Budda Baker snuck in the top 5 (he was the fourth-best IDP fantasy scorer, averaging 14 IDP fantasy points). But just for reference, Nakobe Dean missed two games and averaged 14.2 IDP fantasy points.

It isn’t an outlier. Linebackers dominate IDP scoring. Yes, I know what you are thinking, in 2023 safety Antoine Winfield finished third in IDP fantasy scoring, averaging 15.3, and defensive end Danielle Hunter just missed the top 10, averaging 14.4 a game.

And in 2022, safety Jalen Pitre finished sixth with 11.3, while defensive end Maxx Crosby did manage to sneak into the top 10 at No. 9, averaging 13.9 IDP fantasy points per game.

But do you know who also scored in the top of IDP scoring for those three seasons? Yep, linebacker Zaire Franklin. Franklin finished fourth in 2022 (averaging 15.5), 12th in 2023 averaging 15.3. and first in IDP fantasy scoring last season averaging 16.5 points per game.

Stay Steady In Rounds 6-7

Huzzah! It’s time to draft the foundation of your IDP lineups (and if you are feeling a little on edge, I wouldn’t fault you if you started in Round 5).

The only men you should be having eyes for are the linebackers. And our laser focus is going to be on those men who: a) are on the field for a massive amount of snaps (because more field time equals more opportunity); and b) have shown an elite level of consistency.

Top 3 Linebacker Targets:

Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts: This is a no-brainer considering the praise I have heaped upon him earlier regarding his consistency in fantasy scoring. But just in case you need a little more incentive, Franklin was not only first in IDP fantasy points per game (16.5), he was second in solo tackles (94), first in assisted tackles (78), and 10th in sacks (3.5).

Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles: Baun played in every game except Week 18 last season. For his first season in Philadelphia he was on the field for 94% of the defensive snaps. He also collected 151 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and finished as LB2 averaging 16.1 fantasy points.

Now depending on when you draft, these two could very well be off the board, no stress.

Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions: I am hoping the stats bros are sleeping on Campbell. Let them. Some may consider him a reach, grab it. Campbell is not only getting preseason hype from training camp and his head coach, but he is also sporting the all-important green dot.

Last season, when he averaged only 58.7 defensive snaps per game, he finished with 66 solo tackles, 59 assisted tackles, 11 quarterback pressures, and 1.5 sacks.

If he continues to wear the green dot, that assures more field time, which equals more opportunity to bounce up from LB28—where he did average 10.2 IDP fantasy points per game—to top-10 production.

Rounds 8-9: Heavy Hitters

You want to get at least one elite starter on the defensive line. Again you want to focus on who is getting on the field consistently, who is consistently getting to the quarterback, and yes, who is getting those sacks.

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: Last season hands down the best pick was Trey Hendrickson, who was first in sacks (17.5), first in quarterback pressures (70), and second in IDP fantasy points per game (16.3) while being on the field for 72% of the defensive snaps.

Chances are he will be elite whenever he signs—or wherever he lands. I’m just not a fan of uncertainty if the scheme, defensive coordinator, and team are unknown.

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby is a known factor. Although he will be playing with a new head coach, his defensive coordinator remains the same.

Crosby missed five games last season and finished with 7.5 sacks, 52 quarterback pressures. When he played he was on the field for 96% of the defensive snaps. Crosby finished the season as DL22, averaging 11.2 IDP fantasy points per game.

YaYa Diaby, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: YaYa Diaby had an OK 2024, collecting 4.5 sacks, 52 quarterback pressures while giving you a solid tackle floor with 39 solo and 14 assisted tackles. He is also listed as both LB/DL (which is always a nice cheat code). But this is all about the scheme.

According to Next Gen Stats, the Buccaneers generated the most unblocked pressures (64), the fourth-quickest average time to pressure (2.59 sec), the second-highest blitz rate (38.9%), the eighth-highest pressure rate (35.8%), and finished sixth in the NFL with 46 sacks. *whew*

Diaby was on the field for 70.28% of the defensive snaps in 2024, up from his 45.74% in 2023. So the trajectory is going the right way, and should continue to increase even with the acquisition of David Walker.

Rounds 10-12: Safety First

This is where you pick up your defensive back and make it a safety (unless it’s not). Then you are going to finish the rounds with two quality linebackers

Now you should have your inner Bruce Lee manifesting itself. “Be like water making its way through cracks.”

There is a chance that there was a run on defensive backs before you reached Round 10, whether you were part of that run, well trust yourself. And if that were the case, Brian Branch, Baker, and Kyle Hamilton are likely all gone. It’s OK my friend, here is where you show them you ain’t scared.

Jeremy Chinn, Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremy Chinn was 12th in solo tackles (66) and seventh in assisted tackles (40). Even with the defensive backs you want a solid tackling floor. Yes, the interceptions are nice—something Chinn does not excel at—and the pass breakups are a thing of beauty, but beauty fades and consistency wins championships.

Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers: Xavier McKinney allowed only a 56.4 rating in coverage and his 8 interceptions did not hurt. He also recorded 59 solo tackles and 26 assisted tackles.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins: Look for that revenge bounceback that is buoyed by his tackling floor. Last year that floor was 62 solo tackles and 34 assisted tackles for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Rounds 13-18: Get An Edge

Gulp that caffeine and let's get going. Grab you an edge here or another defensive back and make sure you have at least one more linebacker (by my count that is at least four linebackers—good job).

Harold Landry III, New England Patriots: Reunited with Mike Vrabel, which is never a bad thing.

Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars: Had 10.5 sacks and 55 quarterback pressures last season, but we have a new defensive coordinator and new scheme … hmmm.

Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons: Four interceptions last season combined with 62 solo tackles, 40 assisted tackles, and ranked eighth in Pro Football Focus coverage grade.

How does your lineup look? Do you need another edge or maybe one more safety? Remember there is always a waiver wire. Now is the time to celebrate, there is no panic here.

The Travis Hunter Question

In most full IDP league formats, Hunter is listed as a CB/WR. The question then becomes which position can you afford to put Hunter on your roster? This depends on your roster formation, right? If you can play three wide receivers, a flex, and two DBs and a flex, Hunter is more valuable as a WR. Because that leaves you with two elite wide receivers—no disrespect to Hunter, but we don’t know for sure, yet—a running back flex, and on the IDP side a linebacker in your flex, while you are getting IDP points from an offensive player.

So, I wouldn’t be mad at you if in round 10 you drafted Hunter.

You are getting two for one, right? What do you think about the Hunter question? Let me know on X @gladysltyler, my drafts are coming up. All cards on the table, I have 0, Hunter so far this season.

In Conclusion

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Yep, Bruce Lee again.

Remember friends, this is fun. This is IDP Fantasy Football, where you just don’t look at the offense, you get it all. Have fun.

Until next time my friends.