4 Breakout Defensive Backs to Target in IDP Leagues in 2024

Aug 16, 2024

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to draft day, it's important to be patient with defensive backs. It's best to focus on drafting defensive linemen and linebackers early on and then fill out your starting lineup with defensive backs in the later rounds. If the defensive backs you pick turn out to be successful, you'll have a regular starter at a lower cost. If they don't perform well, you can find other options on the waiver wire.

If your league breaks up cornerbacks and safeties, I'd advise waiting on cornerback until the tail end of your draft if you aren't able to get one of the few difference-makers near the top. Otherwise, target a cornerback who plays in the slot because that alignment near the line of scrimmage leads to more tackle opportunities, and that's the most bankable way to get fantasy points. If the positions are grouped together as defensive back, then I'd be looking to get one of the top-tier safeties with a high rate of box snaps.

More IDP Breakouts: Breakout Linebackers | Breakout Defensive Linemen

It's true that some players have shown they can be relatively reliable weekly producers over multiple seasons, but it's a short list. Big names can fall short of expectations, and defensive backs can emerge from nowhere to post top 10 numbers every year.

The increase in sub-packages like dime and nickel changes the calculus of how many defensive backs play early-down snaps, which makes it easier to find viable options late at the position. Some units use defensive backs to play hybrid roles for their teams that often put them closer to the line of scrimmage, which increases their opportunities for tackles and overall disruption, which leads to fantasy points. Projecting some of the other stats that tend to be more defensive back-focused, like interceptions and touchdowns, is fruitless labor year-to-year, which is why you see so much turnover in defensive back rankings from one year to the next.

As I've asked in the previous breakout articles, what constitutes a breakout? Can you break out again if you've already broken out previously? I'm not sure what the rules are.

For this exercise, I think what serves you, the audience, best is a look at defensive linemen who I believe are currently undervalued based on ADP. For the most part, this is a list of young guys who I think can emerge and way outperform expectations. As mentioned earlier, I'm willing to swing for the fences at defensive back because the opportunity cost for missing is so low relative to defensive line and linebacker.

Breakout Defensive Backs

Ifeatu Melifonwu

Like his Swiss Army Knife teammate Brian Branch, I'm not exactly sure where Ifeatu Melifonwu will play the majority of his snaps this season, but I know he's going to be on the field, likely near the line of scrimmage, and he's going to make plays. Melifonwu was an absolute menace last season when he was on the field, though he didn't start seeing meaningful snaps until Week 14.

During that late-season stretch and into the playoffs, Melifonwu ranked second among defensive backs in pressures, first in sacks, sixth in run stops, and ninth in overall PFF grade. His alignment is what we're looking for as well, with 49.75% of his snaps coming in the box or in the slot. If Branch moves into a more traditional strong safety role, it could lead to Melifonwu playing more in the slot.

Update (8/21): It pains me to say this, but the Lions' second preseason game was not encouraging for Melifonwu's 2024 outlook. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph were ahead of Melifonwu, who didn't pick up slot snaps in a positional swap with Branch as I anticipated. For now, we need to temper our expectations until the situation changes. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have an impactful role this season, but he doesn't need to be a draft-day target as of now.