2020 IDP Rankings Breakdown: Defensive Line

May 14, 2020

Harry How/Getty Images

Our initial IDP rankings have been released for the 2020 season! Rankings for IDPs can be a bit subjective, so that's why we like to break them out into tiers, as well.

This is our first run and they'll change throughout the offseason as we react to news, injuries, training camp battles and roster cuts. These rankings should establish a baseline for early drafters.

Other IDP rankings Breakdowns: Linebackers | Defensive Backs

Podcast: 2020 IDP Rankings Breakdown

The defensive line position is deep, but not as deep as linebacker when it comes to elite players. It's best to target a DL in that 1st/2nd tier in order to secure a 10+ sack talent. I think there are 15 DL who fit in that mold. Most defensive linemen are in rotations, so while you still want to target those players who'll be on the field the majority of the snaps, it's not as critical as the linebacker position.

If you miss out on the top-four DLs, target the second tier to draft your first. So, without further ado, our ranks are broken into tiers with our favorite targets in each tier.

Tier 1

Below is a table showing the defensive linemen who comprise the top tier this season.

Tier 1 Defensive Linemen
Rank	Player	Team
1	Danielle Hunter	Vikings
2	Myles Garrett	Browns
3	Nick Bosa`	49ers
4	Joey Bosa	Chargers

I do believe there’s a consensus on the top DL this season - Danielle Hunter. He has consecutive seasons of 14 or more sacks and is a consistent disruptor in the offensive backfield. Last season, he generated a 15.7% pressure rate, and since 2015, he’s getting pressure on the QB on 13.6% of his pass-rush snaps. Hunter is solid in the run, recording at least 55 or more tackles in consecutive seasons and 0.20 points per snap. Hunter is your DL1 this season.

If it weren’t for the helmet swing heard ‘round the world, who knows how many sacks Myles Garrett would’ve finished with. He was averaging one sack/gm and 0.17 points per snap before a suspension ended his season. Through 10 games, Garrett had been generating a 15.1% pressure rate, and since his 2017 rookie season, he has been producing a 12.5% pressure rate. Garrett’s suspension has been lifted, and could be playing with a larger chip on his shoulder. We have no problem targeting Garrett as the second DL behind Hunter.

Rounding out this tier are the Bosa brothers - Joey and Nick. It’s remarkable just how advanced in his game Nick is heading into his second year and finished as the DL17 in his rookie year, but we see a big leap in his production heading into 2020, especially with DeForest Buckner being shipped off to Indianapolis. In his rookie year, Nick generated a 16.3% pressure rate and just missed double-digit sacks. We’re projecting double-digit sacks for Nick this season and a leap to the elite.

Joey finished as the DL4 in most scoring formats, finishing with 11.5 sacks and 0.19 points per snap. He also contributes a healthy amount of tackles (66) to be useful in all scoring formats. Since entering the league in 2016, Joey has generated a 14.6% pressure rate, while producing double-digit sacks in three of his four seasons.

Tier 2

If you miss out on the elite, you can grab a DL1 from this group. The DL in this tier all carry double-digit sack upside and can anchor the DL position on your roster.