Fantasy football defensive player points calculator — Individual Defensive Player (IDP)

How it works

IDP scoring is a straight weighted sum: points = Σ (stat × per-stat value) for whichever format you pick. There are no brackets or tiers on the player side — every tackle, sack, and turnover pays a flat rate, and the rates are what vary between leagues. Worked example under Standard: a linebacker with 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 sack, 1 INT, and 2 passes defended scores 5×1 + 3×0.5 + 1×2 + 1×2 + 2×1 = 12.5 points. The same line is 19.75 in IDP-heavy and 17.5 in Big-play — the format changes the answer more than the stat line does, which is exactly why the calculator shows the delta vs. Standard in the result panel.

The three formats

IDP leagues sit on a spectrum. We picked three points on it that cover the vast majority of league settings:

• Standard — tackles are worth 1, sacks 2, INTs 2. Heavy on tackle-volume LBs.
• IDP-heavy — tackles upweighted to 1.5, sacks to 4, INTs to 3. LBs and safeties dominate; DBs gain.
• Big-play — tackles still 1, but big plays (sacks, INTs, FFs) weighted heavily. Edge rushers and ballhawks shine.

Every per-stat value we use is printed under the calculator — these are our house defaults, not universal truths. Platforms let commissioners change any of them, so check your league's settings page before you trust a decimal.

Things this doesn't cover

We don't yet have inputs for tackles for loss (TFL), QB hits, fumble-recovery TDs as a separate category, sack yards, or special-teams tackles. If your league scores any of those and you want a toggle, let us know at mike@fantasytools.ai.

Related tools

Scoring a whole unit instead of one player? Use the DST fantasy points calculator — team defense scoring works on tiered points-allowed brackets, a different animal entirely. For the offensive side of your lineup, the fantasy points calculator handles Standard, Half-PPR, and PPR. And if you're bidding on a defensive streamer off waivers, the FAAB bid calculator prices the claim.