Welcome back, IDP Nerds! The NFL Draft is now less than a month away, and dynasty managers are officially on the clock. This time of year, most rookie mock drafts focus on the offensive stars, but the IDP landscape is just as important—and far less predictable. Draft capital, landing spot, and scheme fit can completely reshape a defender’s fantasy outlook overnight, so understanding these factors help you make smarter draft choices.
Now is the perfect time to take an early look at how a two-round IDP rookie draft could shake out. Values have already shifted significantly since my 2026 IDP Rookie Big Board dropped in late October, and more movement is coming. Recognizing how rankings influence your draft strategy can help you identify value and avoid reaching. Let’s dive into these defensive prospects as your league’s rookie drafts quickly approach.
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Round 1 | IDP Mock Draft
No. 1 | Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State | 6’5” | 244 lbs
If you’re looking for one of the biggest risers in this class, it’s Sonny Styles. Recruited to Ohio State Buckeyes football as a safety, Styles showcased early versatility and elite playmaking ability in space before making the full-time transition to linebacker. The pedigree is there—his father played linebacker at Ohio State—and now Styles is carving out his own path as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 class.
He backed it up at the NFL Combine, testing as one of the top linebackers across the board and putting any remaining doubts to rest. Since moving to linebacker in 2024, Styles has totaled 182 tackles, 7 sacks, and an interception—exactly the kind of production IDP managers chase. Look for players with a combination of size, athleticism, versatility, and production like Styles to prioritize in your rookie draft.
No. 2 | David Bailey | DL | Texas Tech | 6’4” | 251 lbs
One of the most dangerous EDGE players in this class, David Bailey, wasted no time dominating after transferring to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He led the NCAA with 14.5 sacks in 2025, matching his total from three seasons at Stanford Cardinal football in just one year. His breakout has skyrocketed his draft stock, with real buzz building around teams potentially moving up to grab him as high as No. 3 overall.
Bailey’s first step is elite, and he lived in the backfield all season. He finished second in the FBS with 81 pressures, consistently winning with burst, bend, and natural pass-rush instincts. He can turn the corner with ease and keeps tackles off balance snap after snap. Bailey is the top pass rusher in this class for me, and he’s the one rookie I’d bet on to lead this group in sacks right away.
No. 3 | Arvell Reese | DL/LB| Ohio State | 6’4” | 241 lbs
Arvell Reese is one of the most polarizing defenders in this class. The Ohio State Buckeyes football standout put together a breakout season with 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. At just 20-years old, he’s still developing, but the athleticism and versatility are already obvious after splitting time between linebacker and EDGE.
The big question for IDP managers is simple: do you fade the positional uncertainty, or bet on the talent? We’ve seen this before with Isaiah Simmons, but Reese feels different. He’s proven he can handle multiple roles in a defense. Reese is a likely top-5 pick, which means he’ll be on the field early and often. My bet is he lands as an off-ball linebacker with pass-rush upside—a role that can unlock serious IDP production. If that happens, you’re looking at a true cheat code-type player for fantasy.
No. 4 | Rueben Bain Jr. | DL | Miami | 6’2” | 263 lbs
The biggest talking point around Rueben Bain has been his arm length and how it might impact him at the next level. The concern is real, but so is the production. The 2025 ACC Defensive Player of the Year led the nation with 83 pressures while adding 9.5 sacks.
Bain may not profile as a true franchise EDGE, but he’s a proven, productive player who consistently wins. He was a key factor in helping the Miami Hurricanes football team reach the National Championship. I’m not big on comps, but Lance Zierlein comparing him to Brandon Graham makes a lot of sense. If you’re getting a player who can give you a 5+ sack floor with steady pressure production, that’s a win for IDP managers.
No. 5 | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas | 6’2” | 238 lbs
In IDP formats, linebacker still drives consistent production—especially when you can find value outside the top tier. Anthony Hill fits that mold. The Texas Longhorns football standout has all the tools to develop into a long-term impact LB at the next level. He’s athletic, instinctive, and consistently in the right spot. Turn on the tape, and he’s almost always around the football making plays as both a blitzing LB and in coverage.
Anthony Hill’s tackle numbers dipped in 2025, but his impact plays are what stand out. Over the past two seasons, he’s totaled 12 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 7 forced fumbles—exactly the kind of production that translates to fantasy upside. This is a deep linebacker class, but Hill is the type of player you want to grab before a run at the position starts.
No. 6 | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson | 6’4” | 263 lbs
This time last year, T.J. Parker was one of the most exciting names for IDP managers after an 11-sack season that included 19.5 tackles for loss and a school-record 6 forced fumbles at Clemson Tigers football. He didn’t follow that up in 2025, finishing with just 5 sacks as offenses adjusted and sent more attention his way, which cooled some of the draft hype.
Once the top tier of EDGE rushers is off the board, you’re betting on upside—and Parker still has plenty of it. The need to develop counter moves is real, but that’s a fixable part of his game. The traits and production are there, and I’m betting on the talent to translate. If his draft capital backs it up, IDP managers are going to feel a lot more comfortable taking the shot here.
No. 7 | CJ Allen | LB | Georgia | 6’1” | 230 lbs
There’s a lot to like about CJ Allen, a young linebacker from the Georgia Bulldogs who is still developing. He’s improved his tackle totals in each of his first three seasons, finishing by leading the defense in tackles last year. While he may not be the fastest LB in the class, he plays fast enough and has the range to work sideline to sideline.
CJ Allen projects as a three-down linebacker at the next level, and that’s what matters for IDP. He’s a strong tackler with a high football IQ and consistent effort snap to snap. For me, Allen closes out the second tier of linebackers in this class. If you’re targeting the position, this is the spot to get your guy before the drop-off hits.
No. 8 | Caleb Downs | DB | Ohio State | 6’0” | 206 lbs
If you’re looking for an alpha in this class, it’s Caleb Downs. The Ohio State Buckeyes football star is the first defensive back off the board, and even with the hype around other DBs, this is an easy call.
Caleb Downs wraps up his three-year career with multiple All-American honors, a National Championship, and over 250 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 2 punt return touchdowns. He also took home the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the Jim Thorpe Award, and the Ronnie Lott Trophy. This is a plug-and-play IDP asset. Downs checks every box and is the type of defensive back who will anchor your roster for years.
No. 9 | Akheem Mesidor | DL | Miami | 6’3” | 259 lbs
The second EDGE from Miami Hurricanes football to crack the top 10, Akheem Mesidor, brings experience and proven production. A six-year player, he finished top five in the NCAA in sacks, pressures, and tackles for loss last season while playing alongside Rueben Bain. Mesidor may be one of the older prospects in the class, but that experience shows up on tape. He’s effective as both a pass rusher and run defender, giving him a path to early snaps at the next level. If you miss out on the top tier of EDGE rushers, Mesidor is a strong fallback with immediate IDP value.
No. 10 | Cashius Howell | DL | Texas A&M | 6’2” | 253 lbs
Size will be a talking point for Cashius Howell, but the production has been off the charts. The 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year put up 11.5 sacks last season. There are concerns about whether he can be a true three-down player at the next level, but we’ve seen situational pass rushers still deliver strong IDP value. If Howell lands in the right role, his sack upside alone makes him worth the investment. You don’t want to be on the outside looking in when it comes to a rookie with this kind of pass-rush ceiling.
No. 11 | Keldrick Faulk | DL | Auburn | 6’6” | 276 lbs
As we get toward the end of the first round, Auburn Tigers EDGE rusher Keldric Faulk becomes an interesting bet. He’s the opposite of many EDGE defenders in this class—size isn’t the concern, production is. Faulk managed just 10 sacks across 37 games at Auburn and doesn’t show the explosive first step you typically want from a high-end pass rusher. That said, the traits are there, and this is where you start betting on projection. If the draft capital and landing spot line up, Faulk is worth the gamble—especially with the defensive line talent starting to thin out after an early run on the position. Don’t be afraid to chase the upside here.
No. 12 | Dillon Thieneman | DB | Oregon | 6’0” | 201 lbs
Outside of Caleb Downs, this first round has leaned heavily toward defensive linemen and linebackers—as expected. We close it out with Dillon Thieneman, a safety who checks a lot of boxes for both NFL teams and IDP managers. Thieneman tested as the most athletic safety at the combine and backed it up with elite production—300 tackles and 8 interceptions across 39 career games.
Dillon Thieneman is exactly what you want at the DB position. We’ve seen rookie safeties produce right away in IDP, and Thieneman has that same upside. His ability to move around the secondary only adds to his value and gives him a strong path to early fantasy production.
Round 2 | IDP Only Rookie Mock Draft
No. 13 | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | DB | Toledo | 6’3” | 201 lbs
The second round opens with a run on defensive backs, with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren going right after Dillon Thieneman. He’s an easy player for IDP managers to get behind—a big, physical safety who delivers hits and thrives near the line of scrimmage. McNeil-Warren profiles as a true box safety, which is exactly what you want for consistent fantasy production. He’s posted 60 tackles in each of the last three seasons while adding 5 interceptions, showing both a solid floor and some playmaking ability.
It’s not often we see three defensive backs come off the board this early, but that’s the case in this class. The early success of rookie DBs in IDP has started to shift how managers approach the position—and McNeil-Warren fits that trend perfectly.
No. 14 | Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Texas Tech | 6’1” | 231 lbs
Jacob Rodriguez is a player whose value could rise quickly with the right landing spot after the 2026 NFL Draft. The Texas Tech Red LB standout has been elite over the past two seasons, posting back-to-back 127-tackle campaigns. He capped off a massive 2025 season by taking home both the Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus awards, while also finishing fifth in Heisman voting.
That said, I’m probably a bit lower on Rodriguez than most IDP managers. He’s already drawing comparisons to Carson Schwesinger, which will likely boost his draft stock, but there are still questions—especially in coverage. The production is undeniable, and he has the tools to be a long-term starter. The key will be whether NFL teams can protect him in coverage and maximize his strengths.
No. 15 | Jake Golday | LB | Cincinnatti | 6’4” | 239 lbs
Jake Golday is one of the more interesting projections in this class. He’s more comfortable as a stand-up EDGE than a true off-ball linebacker, but the size and explosiveness are there to make an impact at the next level. He’s not going to impress anyone in coverage, but he’s disruptive against the run and around the line of scrimmage.
This is the range where IDP managers start drafting for need, and you can never have enough linebacker depth. Golday likely begins his career as a situational pass rusher, but if he flashes early, he has a path to earning consistent snaps.
No. 16 | Peter Woods | DL | Clemson | 6’2” | 298 lbs
It’s not often IDP managers look to interior defensive linemen this early, but Peter Woods is different. Like his teammate at Clemson Tigers football, T.J. Parker, Woods took a big step forward in 2024 before struggling to repeat that form last season.
Woods is a disruptor from the interior, generating over 50 pressures since 2023 while showing the ability to fit in multiple schemes. That kind of consistent interior pressure is hard to find and translates well to IDP production. In DT-premium formats, Woods should absolutely be in play here.
No. 17 | Zion Young | DL | Missouri | 6’6” | 262 lbs
Zion Young brings size, power, and real upside off the edge. When he’s able to play through contact and set the edge, he can be a problem for offensive linemen. The Missouri Tigers football standout led the team and finished second in the SEC in tackles for loss last season. This is the range where IDP managers can still find solid depth along the defensive line. If the draft capital and landing spot align, Young is a player who could see his value rise quickly.
No. 18 | Kyle Louis | LB | Pittsburgh | 6’0” | 220 lbs
Kyle Louis is the type of player who makes IDP drafting tricky. Built more like a safety, he’s been used in a hybrid linebacker role for the Pittsburgh Panthers over the past two seasons. He’s a standout in coverage, but there are real questions about his long-term impact as a run defender. If he were to get a DB designation, his value would jump significantly—but that’s something we’ll have to monitor.
The production is easy to buy into with 10 sacks and 6 interceptions over the last two seasons—and his playstyle pops on tape. This is the type of upside swing IDP managers should be targeting late in drafts.
No. 19 | Josiah Trotter | LB | Missouri | 6’2” | 237 lbs
Football runs in the family for Josiah Trotter, the son of Jeremiah Trotter and brother of Jeremiah Trotter Jr. He’s likely to be the third from the family to hear his name called on draft day. Trotter brings the read-and-react ability you want at linebacker, consistently diagnosing plays and getting to the football. He has coverage limitations and durability being the biggest concern, but the instincts are there. He may need time to carve out a role early in his career, but finding this level of production at linebacker this late in rookie drafts is rare.
No. 20 | Kayden McDonald | DL | Ohio State | 6’2” | 326 lbs
At this point in the draft, you’re targeting players who can develop on your taxi squad and eventually return value. Kayden McDonald fits that profile. The Ohio State interior lineman put up 65 tackles last season, including 9 tackles for loss. Early on, his value will come as a run defender, but if the tackle production carries over, he becomes much more interesting for IDP, especially in DT-required formats.
No. 21 | Gabe Jacas | DL | Illinois | 6’4” | 260 lbs
Gabe Jacas is one of the most physical defenders in this class, and that shows up every snap. The effort and production make him an easy late-round target for IDP managers. Jacas totaled 19 sacks and 6 forced fumbles over the past two seasons, consistently finding ways to impact the game. That kind of production is exactly what you want when taking a swing late. If you’re looking to add depth along the defensive line, Jacas is a strong upside bet at this point in the draft.
No. 22 | Jalon Kilgore | DB | South Carolina | 6’1” | 210 lbs
Jalon Kilgore brings intriguing upside as a potential box safety. The South Carolina DB has shown the versatility to be both a high-volume tackler and a playmaker, leading the SEC with 5 interceptions in 2024. He’s not the greatest in coverage, but if he lands in the right situation—especially alongside a veteran—his value could climb quickly. This is the range where IDP managers can still find value at defensive back, and Kilgore is a strong upside target late in drafts.
No. 23 | A.J. Haulcy | DB | LSU | 6’0” | 215 lbs
I’ll keep targeting late-round defensive backs who can become difference-makers in the right scheme. A.J. Haulcy has produced wherever he’s played, showing consistency across multiple schemes. Haulcy has totaled 8 interceptions over the past two seasons, flashing real playmaking ability. He also brings enough of a tackle floor to give him weekly stability. That combination of floor and upside makes him a strong value this late in the draft.
No. 24 | Keionte Scott | DB | Miami | 5’11” | 193 lbs
We close this draft with a third straight defensive back, this time landing on Keionte Scott. The Miami Hurricanes CB made an immediate impact in his lone season, posting 64 tackles, 5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions—both returned for touchdowns. Scott is a rare profile at the corner, bringing linebacker-like physicality and tackling ability. He projects as a nickel CB who can support the run right away, which is exactly the type of role that can produce sneaky IDP value. For those in CB-required leagues, this is the type of late-round target that can pay off early.
Level Up Your IDP Game
Level Up Your IDP GameDon’t stop here — dive deeper into the world of Individual Defensive Players with our best resources:
- IDP Hub → All of our IDP articles in one place.
- IDP Rankings Tiers → Updated IDP rankings for every position.
- The Glossery → Our Top 500 all-in-one rankings for Superflex, TE Premium, and IDP.
- Dynasty Calendar → Never miss a key date in your dynasty league.
IDP Hub → All of our IDP articles in one place.
IDP Rankings Tiers → Updated IDP rankings for every position.
The Glossery → Our Top 500 all-in-one rankings for Superflex, TE Premium, and IDP.
Dynasty Calendar → Never miss a key date in your dynasty league.
Take control of your defense with Jon Glosser and the Dynasty Nerds team.
