When to Start Drafting DBs

Photo: Jake Roth, USA Today Sports

The IDP Roundtable Series

This summer, the Footballguys staff will discuss various topics to help you in your IDP leagues.

What is your approach to drafting defensive backs? How important is it to roster an elite player at the position? Explain your strategy.

Kyle Bellefeuil

I’m a fade defensive backs drafter. The position is deep, and you can find good value later in drafts by targeting lesser talked about safeties who play a good amount in the IDP sweet spot (slot, box, and defensive line). As for cornerbacks, I generally stream the position. Streaming corners is one of my favorite things to do in IDP as you can find favorable matchups to exploit and possibly gain a weekly advantage.

Joseph Haggan

My draft strategy for defensive backs is to wait as long as possible. Even before the league became pass-happy, it was the easiest position to stream, with each team generally starting four or five defensive backs per game. Now that the league has become more accustomed to throwing the football, base defenses are turning into Nickel and Dime packages, putting even more defensive backs on the field. I will only add an elite defensive back if he easily outweighs the value of any other available player on the board. Generally, I bulk up at defensive lineman and linebacker before I draft a defensive back, so I will draft my LB2 and DE2 before I draft a DB1.