Welcome back, IDP Nerds! This time of year, we’re all chasing the next breakout player. Whether you’re gearing up for a dynasty startup draft or looking to make a few trades before the season kicks off, identifying the next wave of IDP stars before everyone else is one of the biggest advantages you can create. Every season, players go from being roster depth to weekly lineup locks, and once that happens, their dynasty value takes off. The managers who consistently compete for championships aren’t the ones reacting to those breakouts; they’re the ones investing before the rest of the league catches on.
In this article, I’m highlighting 15 IDP dynasty breakout candidates who I believe are best positioned to take the next step in 2026. To help separate these players, I’m introducing the IDP Nerds Breakout Meter, a confidence scale based on talent, opportunity, projected role, and long-term dynasty value. This isn’t about predicting the next overall LB1 or DL1. It’s about identifying the players I’d target right now before their prices climb and their buying window closes. Let’s dive into the next group of IDP difference-makers.
IDP Nerds Breakout Meter
Not every breakout candidate is created equal. The IDP Nerds Breakout Meter reflects my confidence that each player will outperform his current dynasty value in 2026. Every grade is based on four key factors: talent, opportunity, projected role, and long-term dynasty outlook.
| Grade | What It Means | Dynasty Advice |
| A+ | Future cornerstone | Trade for immediately |
| A | Strong breakout candidate | Buy before Week 1 |
| A- | Ascending starter | Great startup value |
| B+ | Sleeper | Buy if the price is right |
| B | Deep stash | Taxi squad or watchlist |
Defensive Line Breakouts
| Rank | Player | Why Now? | Breakout Meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chop Robinson | Clear path to a full-time role after Miami’s offseason departures at EDGE. | A+ |
| 2 | Myles Murphy | Becomes Cincinnati’s top returning pass rusher with a massive opportunity. | A |
| 3 | Donovan Ezeiruaku | Year 2 breakout candidate with elite pressure upside. | A |
| 4 | Austin Booker | Expected starter in Dennis Allen’s aggressive defensive scheme. | B+ |
| 5 | Alex Wright | Projected starter opposite Jared Verse with expanded snaps available. | B |
Chop Robinson | Miami Dolphins
There may not be a more popular defensive line breakout candidate heading into 2026 than Chop Robinson. The former Penn State standout flashed as a rookie with six sacks while playing just 53% of Miami’s defensive snaps, but he took a step back in 2025, finishing with four sacks and falling outside the fantasy radar. That dip in production has created the perfect buy-low opportunity for dynasty managers.
Everything is lining up for Robinson to take the next step this season. New head coach Jeff Hafley brings a defensive system that generated consistent production from its pass rushers in Green Bay, and Miami no longer has Bradley Chubb or Jaelan Phillips competing for EDGE snaps. Robinson enters his third NFL season as the Dolphins’ top pass-rushing option with a clear path to the largest workload of his career.
We’ve seen plenty of young EDGE rushers break out in Year 3 once opportunity catches up to talent, and Robinson has all the tools to be next. If the price is reasonable, he’s one of my favorite buy-low targets at defensive line. The upside is that he can develop into a weekly fantasy starter while seeing his dynasty value climb throughout the 2026 season.
Myles Murphy | Cincinnati Bengals
The departure of Trey Hendrickson has created one of the biggest opportunities for a young defensive lineman heading into 2026. That player is Myles Murphy, who is coming off the best season of his career after setting personal highs in starts (10), tackles (52), sacks (5.5), and quarterback hits (10). While those numbers won’t jump off the page, Murphy showed steady growth throughout the season and now enters the year as Cincinnati’s top returning pass rusher.
The Bengals’ defense remains one of the youngest in the NFL and will enter its second season under defensive coordinator Al Golden. Murphy, a former first-round pick, is entering a pivotal fourth season with every opportunity to establish himself as the leader of Cincinnati’s defensive front. Volume and opportunity are two of the biggest ingredients for a breakout, and Murphy has both working in his favor heading into 2026.
That said, I’m not ready to overpay. Murphy is a player I’ll be monitoring closely throughout training camp before making an aggressive move. We’ve seen plenty of young pass rushers take time to develop, and while the upside is undeniable, dynasty managers shouldn’t assume a breakout simply because he’s a former first-round pick. If positive reports continue to build this summer and the price remains reasonable, he’s a player I’d be comfortable targeting before Week 1.
Donovan Ezeiruaku | Dallas Cowboys
One of my favorite players from the 2025 NFL Draft class, Donovan Ezeiruaku quietly put together an encouraging rookie season despite finishing outside the top tier of fantasy producers. He averaged just under 10 fantasy points per game while recording 40 tackles and 12 quarterback hits, the third-most on the Cowboys. The sack numbers didn’t fully match the pressure he generated, but that’s exactly why I’m buying now rather than waiting for the breakout.
No one expected Ezeiruaku to replace Micah Parsons overnight, but the flashes were there throughout his rookie season. As he enters Year 2, I expect him to take another step forward as both a pass rusher and an every-down contributor. If he starts converting more of those pressures into sacks, his fantasy production could climb in a hurry.
He’s currently my DL34 in the July edition of my 2026 Dynasty IDP Rankings, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that ranking looks too low by the time Week 1 arrives. Ezeiruaku has all the ingredients I look for in a breakout candidate: talent, opportunity, and a clear path to increased production. He’s someone I’ll be targeting in every startup this summer.
Austin Booker | Chicago Bears
If you’ve followed my weekly Start/Sit column over the past year, you already know how high I’ve been on Austin Booker. He’s been one of my favorite young defensive linemen to stash because he consistently made the most of his opportunities. Injuries delayed the start of his second season, but once Booker returned in Week 9, he flashed the upside that made him one of my biggest risers throughout the year.
Booker finished the 2025 season with more than 140 fantasy points and closed the year on a high note, posting at least 14 fantasy points in each of his final four games, including a 30-point performance during the fantasy playoffs. That late-season surge wasn’t a fluke. He showed the ability to get after the quarterback while making enough tackles to give IDP managers a solid weekly floor.
Heading into 2026, Booker is expected to start opposite Montez Sweat in Dennis Allen’s aggressive defensive scheme. Allen’s defenses have consistently produced high-end fantasy seasons from defensive linemen, and Booker has the talent to be the next player to benefit. He’s not someone I’m overpaying to acquire, but if you’re working on a larger trade, Booker is exactly the type of player I’d try to include as a throw-in before his dynasty value climbs. He’s one of the quieter breakout candidates on this list, but don’t be surprised if he’s a much more expensive player to acquire by this time next year.
Alex Wright | Cleveland Browns
The Browns moved on from Myles Garrett, which opened the door for several young defenders, but the player I’m keeping a close eye on is Alex Wright. He quietly put together the best season of his career in 2025, setting new personal highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. While it’s fair to wonder how much Garrett’s presence helped create opportunities, Wright made the most of his snaps and showed enough growth to put himself firmly on the dynasty radar.
Heading into 2026, Wright is projected to start opposite Jared Verse, giving Cleveland a young pass-rushing duo with plenty of upside. Verse will naturally draw most of the attention, which could create favorable one-on-one opportunities for Wright to continue building on last year’s production. He isn’t a flashy name, and that’s exactly why dynasty managers should be paying attention now instead of after a breakout.
I’m not making Wright a priority trade target, but he’s exactly the type of player I’d look to add as a throw-in during a larger deal or stash at the end of my roster. If he takes another step forward early in the season, his dynasty value could rise quickly, making him one of the better low-cost investments at defensive line.
Linebacker Breakouts
| Rank | Player | Why Now? | Breakout Meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Simon | Projected three-down WILL linebacker with little competition. | A+ |
| 2 | CJ Allen | Rookie projected to anchor Lou Anarumo’s linebacker room. | A+ |
| 3 | Barrett Carter | Coming off a 100+ tackle rookie season with room to grow. | A- |
| 4 | Josiah Trotter | Opportunity to replace Lavonte David in Todd Bowles’ defense. | A- |
| 5 | Ventrell Miller | Devin Lloyd’s departure creates an opportunity for increased snaps. | B+ |
Cody Simon | Arizona Cardinals
I’ve been a fan of Cody Simon since his days at Ohio State, and nothing changed after watching his rookie season in Arizona. Fresh off helping lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship, Simon earned nine starts as a rookie despite not entering the starting lineup until Week 10. Once he got his opportunity, he looked every bit like a future three-down linebacker, scoring double-digit fantasy points in two-thirds of his games to close out the season.
The biggest reason I’m buying is opportunity. Simon played just 53% of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps in 2025 but still finished with 76 total tackles. Arizona did very little to address the linebacker position in free agency or the NFL Draft, which suggests the coaching staff believes Simon is ready for a much larger role heading into Year 2. If he locks down the starting WILL linebacker job for a full season, the production should follow.
Linebacker is still the most valuable position in IDP fantasy football, and Simon checks every box I look for in a breakout candidate. He’s young, productive, and has a clear path to increased playing time. Right now, dynasty managers can still acquire him before his value catches up to his opportunity. I fully expect Cody Simon to be one of the leaders of the next wave of IDP difference-makers in 2026, and he’s a player whose buying window won’t stay open long.
CJ Allen | Indianapolis Colts
Opportunity doesn’t get much better than this. The first rookie to make my breakout list is CJ Allen, and I couldn’t be more excited about his dynasty outlook. The former Georgia linebacker lands in an ideal situation with the Colts, where he projects to be the centerpiece of Lou Anarumo’s defense. If you’ve followed Anarumo’s defenses over the years, you know they’ve consistently produced productive fantasy linebackers. Even last season, Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt both finished as top-36 options at the position.
I understand some managers will hesitate to call a rookie who hasn’t played an NFL snap a breakout candidate, but that’s exactly how dynasty championships are won. You’re investing in talent and opportunity before the rest of your league catches on. Allen has both. He has the instincts, range, and football IQ to make an immediate impact, and I have very few concerns about his ability to adjust to the speed of the NFL game.
I already view Allen as a top-10 dynasty linebacker, and I fully expect his value to rise once training camp gets underway and even more after he takes the field in Week 1. If you’re looking to acquire him, now is the time. His current rookie draft price in the middle of the second or early third round won’t last much longer. By this time next year, I expect Allen to be firmly established as one of the top young linebackers in dynasty and a cornerstone of the next wave of IDP difference-makers.
Barrett Carter | Cincinnati Bengals
After highlighting a pair of “Trade for Immediately” linebackers, it’s time to pump the brakes just a bit. Barrett Carter isn’t quite in that tier, but he’s still one of my favorite value targets heading into 2026. I was higher on Carter than most throughout the draft process, even after a disappointing finish to his college career and less-than-ideal draft capital. As we’ve seen so many times before, talent has a way of winning out, and Carter earned a starting role as a rookie on one of the NFL’s youngest defenses.
Carter made the most of his opportunity, finishing his rookie season with more than 100 tackles while playing 73% of the Bengals’ defensive snaps. That’s an impressive foundation to build on, especially for a young linebacker who should continue to grow within Al Golden’s defense. The Bengals also haven’t done much to challenge him for playing time, giving me confidence that he’ll have every opportunity to build on last year’s production.
There are still questions about his long-term ceiling, which is why I’m not putting him in the same category as Cody Simon or CJ Allen. But volume drives production in IDP, and Carter has already shown he can produce when he’s on the field. If he continues to see an expanded workload in Year 2, his dynasty value is only going to climb.
I’m not overpaying to acquire Barrett Carter, but he’s exactly the type of player I’d target before Week 1 while his value is still affordable. If he picks up where he left off as a rookie, you’ll be happy you took the risk on him.
Josiah Trotter | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Replacing Lavonte David is no easy task, but Josiah Trotter lands in one of the best situations a rookie linebacker could ask for. Tampa Bay will be looking for a new leader in the middle of its defense for the first time since 2012, and Trotter has every opportunity to establish himself as a long-term answer in Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive scheme.
Trotter arrives with an impressive tackling résumé after recording 176 total tackles over his final two seasons in college. The son of former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, he brings the instincts, toughness, and football IQ that should translate well to the next level. Tampa Bay also has questions at linebacker beyond Trotter, with SirVocea Dennis struggling to stay healthy and lock down a consistent role. That creates a clear path to meaningful snaps much sooner than many dynasty managers expected.
The best part is the price. While CJ Allen is already climbing rookie draft boards, Trotter can still be found in the fourth round of many rookie drafts. That’s outstanding value for a player with a legitimate chance to earn a starting role as a rookie. We all know linebacker is still the premium position in IDP fantasy football, and young players projected for this type of workload don’t stay affordable for long. If you’re looking for one of my favorite value buys in this rookie class, Josiah Trotter checks every box.
Ventrell Miller | Jacksonville Jaguars
Not every breakout linebacker is going to be the flashy young prospect with first-round draft capital. Ventrell Miller is the type of player dynasty managers often overlook, but he’s quietly made the most of every opportunity he’s received. The former Florida Gator’s standout has spent much of his career working his way up the depth chart, bouncing between reserve and spot-starting roles before finally earning a chance to compete for a full-time job in 2026.
Miller, still just 27 years old, has started just 11 games over the past two seasons, but he’s been productive whenever his number has been called, totaling 118 tackles during that span. With Devin Lloyd departing in free agency, Miller now has a clear path to a starting role and the opportunity to prove he can produce over a full season. Volume has always been the biggest driver of fantasy success at linebacker, and that’s exactly what makes Miller an intriguing sleeper.
He isn’t the player I’m aggressively trading for, and that’s okay. Miller is the type of low-cost target I’d rather monitor throughout training camp or throw into a larger trade if the opportunity presents itself. If he wins the starting job and secures an every-down role, he’ll quickly go from waiver wire option to a reliable fantasy starter. Those are exactly the types of players I like to stash before the rest of the league catches on.
Defensive Back Breakouts
| Rank | Player | Why Now? | Breakout Meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cole Bishop | Locked into a starting role with top-12 dynasty DB upside. | A |
| 2 | A.J. Haulcy | Nick Cross’ departure opens immediate opportunity in Indianapolis. | A- |
| 3 | Kamren Kinchens | Bigger role and steadily increasing tackle production. | B+ |
| 4 | Jonas Sanker | Versatility and an every-down role create sneaky value. | B |
| 5 | Malachi Moore | Productive rookie with a chance to earn a larger role in camp. | B+ |
Cole Bishop | Buffalo Bills
If you’ve read any of my IDP content over the years, you know I’m usually the first person to tell dynasty managers to wait on defensive backs. Cole Bishop is one of the rare exceptions. The young Bills safety enters 2026 locked into a full-time starting role and has all the tools to develop into one of the next difference-makers at the position.
Bishop made an immediate impact in his first season as a starter, finishing with 85 tackles and three interceptions. Now he’ll take the field under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, whose defense helped Talanoa Hufanga finish as the overall DB5 last season. That combination of scheme, opportunity, and talent gives Bishop one of the highest ceilings among young defensive backs entering the year.
I still believe defensive back is the deepest and most replaceable position in IDP fantasy football, which is why I rarely recommend paying up for one. Bishop is the exception to that rule. I already view him as a future top-12 dynasty defensive back, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he reaches that level sooner rather than later.
If you’re going to invest in a young defensive back this off-season, make it Cole Bishop. He’s the only player at the position on this list I’d aggressively target before Week 1, and I expect his dynasty value to continue climbing throughout the 2026 season.
A.J. Haulcy | Indianapolis Colts
I might have to challenge the dynasty community to see if anyone has more A.J. Haulcy shares than I do. The former LSU defensive back has been one of my favorite rookie targets all off-season, and it’s easy to see why. He checks nearly every box I look for in a young IDP and lands in an ideal situation with a clear path to immediate playing time.
The Colts created a massive opportunity when they allowed Nick Cross to leave in free agency. Cross totaled 266 tackles over the last two seasons, leaving behind one of the most productive safety roles in fantasy football. I’m not expecting Haulcy to step in and replicate that production right away. Still, if he comes anywhere close, he’ll quickly establish himself as a long-term starter and a valuable dynasty asset.
As much as I like Haulcy, I’m not overpaying to get him. If you can grab him in the later rounds of a rookie or startup draft, I’m all in. If that window has already closed, I’d stay patient. Roster cuts at the end of the preseason often create buying opportunities, and there’s a good chance a less patient dynasty manager decides he’s expendable before he ever takes a regular-season snap. That’s the type of value I’m always looking to capitalize on.
Kamren Kinchens | Los Angeles Rams
If you’ve been following my IDP content this off-season, you already know I’m a fan of Kamren Kinchens. The former Miami Hurricane has quietly made the most of his opportunities through his first two NFL seasons, consistently flashing the playmaking ability that made him one of the top safeties in college football.
Kinchens enters 2026 with a chance to take another step forward as the Rams’ projected starting deep safety alongside Kam Curl. Los Angeles has consistently devalued the linebacker position over the past few seasons, putting even more responsibility on its safeties to clean up plays in the middle of the field. We’ve already seen that translate to fantasy production, as Kinchens increased his tackle total from 57 as a rookie to 84 in his second season while continuing to make impact plays.
Defensive back is still a position where I’m comfortable waiting because of the depth available across the league, but Kinchens is the type of young player I’m happy to add if the price is right. I’m not making aggressive trade offers to acquire him, but if you can work him into a larger deal or grab him at a fair value, I’d be more than comfortable doing so. He has the talent and opportunity to develop into a reliable weekly starter while continuing to climb the dynasty defensive back rankings.
Jonas Sanker | New Orleans Saints
Jonas Sanker quietly put together a solid rookie season that probably flew under the radar for most dynasty managers. He played 89% of the Saints’ defensive snaps, finishing with 80 tackles and a DB60 finish. While those numbers won’t grab headlines, they provide a strong foundation for a young defensive back entering his second NFL season.
Sanker is expected to handle the nickel role but also has the versatility to slide to safety if injuries strike. That positional flexibility is something I always look for in dynasty defensive backs because it keeps players on the field and creates more opportunities to produce fantasy points. The Saints’ secondary has quietly been one of the better fantasy environments for defensive backs in recent years, with Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry both finishing as top-36 options last season.
I’m not making Sanker a priority trade target, and I certainly wouldn’t overpay to acquire him. Defensive back remains one of the deepest positions in IDP, which means patience is usually rewarded. That said, Sanker is firmly on my watchlist heading into 2026. If he continues to see an every-down role and builds on an encouraging rookie season, he has the talent and opportunity to develop into a reliable weekly starter while remaining one of the better values at the position.
Malachi Moore | New York Jets
We wrap up my 15 IDP Dynasty Breakout Candidates with one of my favorite deep sleepers, Malachi Moore. He may not have a locked-in starting role as we head into training camp, but his rookie season showed enough to put him firmly on my dynasty radar. Moore made the most of his opportunities, playing 84% of the Jets’ defensive snaps while recording 100 tackles and finishing as the DB36 in IDP scoring.
That’s exactly what I want to see from a young defensive back. Production earns playing time, and Moore proved he can be productive when he’s on the field. The Jets’ depth chart is still fluid entering the preseason, giving him every chance to carve out a larger role as the season unfolds. Even if he opens the year as a rotational player, his versatility and tackling ability make him someone worth keeping a close eye on.
I’m not making aggressive trade offers for Moore, but I also think this is the cheapest he’ll be for quite some time. There’s a realistic chance he’s available on waivers or becomes a preseason roster cut in shallower dynasty leagues. If that happens, don’t hesitate to add him. At the very least, he’s a player every IDP manager should have on their watchlist, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a much more popular dynasty asset by the end of the 2026 season.
My Favorite Overall Breakout
If I had to put my money on one player from this list becoming the next true IDP difference-maker, it’s CJ Allen. Everything lines up for him to make an immediate impact. He lands in an ideal situation with a coaching staff that has consistently produced productive fantasy linebackers, and he has the talent to take advantage of that opportunity from Day 1.
I’ve been high on Allen throughout the entire draft process, and nothing has changed since he landed in Indianapolis. Linebacker is still the premium position in IDP fantasy football, and young three-down linebackers are some of the most valuable assets you can build around in dynasty. Allen checks every box I’m looking for: talent, opportunity, scheme fit, and long-term upside. If you’re looking for one player from this article to target before the rest of your league catches on, CJ Allen is my guy.
Biggest Boom-or-Bust Candidate
If there’s one player on this list with the widest range of outcomes, it’s Myles Murphy. The opportunity has never been better. With Trey Hendrickson no longer in Cincinnati, Murphy enters 2026 as the Bengals’ top returning pass rusher and finally has a chance to prove he can be more than just a complementary piece.
The reason he’s my biggest boom-or-bust candidate is consistency. We’ve seen flashes throughout his career, and last season was a step in the right direction, but he still hasn’t put together the type of season dynasty managers expected from a former first-round pick. The talent is there, and the path to a breakout couldn’t be much clearer, but he’s also the player on this list with the most to prove.
That’s what makes Murphy such an intriguing dynasty investment. If he takes advantage of the increased workload, he has the upside to become one of the biggest risers at defensive line this season. If he doesn’t, dynasty managers could be left wondering if we’ve already seen his ceiling. I still like the upside enough to take the chance, but I’d be much more comfortable buying at the right price than paying a premium based on potential alone.
Final Thoughts
Finding breakout players before the rest of your league is one of the biggest advantages you can create in dynasty fantasy football. Not every player on this list will become an elite fantasy producer, but history tells us the next wave of IDP difference-makers is already in the league. The key is identifying those players before their opportunity turns into production and their dynasty value becomes too expensive to acquire.
Whether you’re rebuilding your roster or chasing a championship, I hope this list helps you stay one step ahead of your league mates as the 2026 season approaches. Trust your process, don’t be afraid to invest in talent before the breakout happens, and remember that today’s sleeper could be tomorrow’s cornerstone. As always, you can find me on X @Glosser13 if you want to talk about IDP or dynasty strategy. Good luck this season, IDP Nerds!
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