What is IDP in fantasy football?
IDP (Individual Defensive Player) refers to leagues that let you draft and start individual real-life defenders — like linebackers and safeties — instead of a single team defense.
IDP leagues add real defenders to your starting lineup, scoring them on tackles, sacks, interceptions, and other defensive plays.
Instead of starting the 'Cowboys D/ST,' an IDP league might have you start a specific linebacker who racks up tackles every week. Scoring usually rewards tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and turnovers, so high-volume linebackers are the backbone of IDP rosters much like running backs are on offense.
IDP adds depth and realism for managers who want to draft the whole field, but it requires tracking defensive depth charts and snap counts — a meaningfully different research load than standard leagues.