Like every year, the opening night of the draft was exciting and had its surprises. For the sake of this article, we are taking a look at some of the IDP fantasy ramifications from what went down in the first round Thursday night. Who were some players who saw a boost in value? Who potentially took a hit? Let's dive in!
Fantasy Football Winners
Laiatu Latu (EDGE-IND)
After a massive run of offensive players, the Colts broke the seal for the defenders, drafting Laiatu Latu at fifteenth overall. Latu has an NFL-ready game, as he features a developed pass-rush plan and is a tactician with his hands. The biggest question surrounding Latu was his injury history, as a neck injury forced him to take time away from football early in his collegiate career. However, with him being the first defender off the board, it seems certain Indianapolis is comfortable with his medicals.
The Colts seemingly have a crowded edge-rusher group with Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Dayo Odeyingbo all on the roster. However, Latu is easily the most talented of the group. Paye and Odeyingbo are also in the final year of their rookie deals. Latu will have a bit of a fight for snaps in year one but should make a noticeable impact as a rookie when he hits the field. For dynasty purposes, Latu has a serious IDP appeal, as he has double-digit sack capability as soon as he gets the snap volume he deserves.
Dallas Turner (EDGE-MIN)
Leading up to the draft, numerous mocks had Dallas Turner going as high as eighth overall to Atlanta—who opted for Micheal Penix Jr. Anyway, Minnesota made the move to come up from 23 to 17 to grab the young, talented pass rusher out of Alabama. Turner checks plenty of boxes to be an impact player off the edge for the long haul with his length, twitch, burst, and blazing speed—he logged a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 1.61 10-yard split at the combine.
The Vikings lost Danielle Hunter via free agency but brought in the talents of Jonathan Greenard (four years and $76 million) and Andrew Van Ginkel (two years and $20 million). Turner will likely be in a rotational role as a rookie, but the future is bright with patience. At 21 years old, Turner has intriguing dynasty appeal as he develops and blossoms in Brian Flores' aggressive defensive scheme.
Jared Verse (EDGE-LAR)
The Rams needed help off the edge and got themselves a good one by landing Jared Verse with pick No. 19. Verse's speed-to-power traits are easy to see on tape, as he's quick off the snap, and his bull rush is a problem for opposing offensive lineman. Verse is also a high-effort player who features a powerful, crafty set of hands.
Verse landed in a prime spot for immediate IDP production as a rookie, should he prove ready. Byron Young was a pleasant surprise as a third-round rookie last season and will hold down a starting spot on the edge again. However, Young's counterpart from last year, Michael Hoecht, is far from a steep hill to climb talent-wise. Verse has a chance to see solid snap volume as a rookie, as he and Young make for an exciting young duo. Verse has an alluring IDP dynasty appeal with his paring of talent, daft capital, and situation/opportunity.
Chop Robinson (EDGE-MIA)
With Jaelen Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) suffering devastating injuries last season, Miami chose to add to their edge-rusher room, landing Chop Robinson with pick No. 21. Robinson has the best first step of the rookie edge-rushers, as he's electric off the ball, eating up ground in a flash. While he possesses all the athletic traits we look for, Robinson is still developing as a pass-rusher and run-defender.
It is currently unknown if Phillips and Chubb will be ready when the season gets here. There are potential edge snaps to be had on the Miami defense. Robinson could get some meaningful run early in the season opposite of veteran Shaquil Barrett. However, when the group is fully healthy, Robinson will likely serve as a situational pass rusher—a role he's best suited for early on. Dynasty-wise, Robinson may require some patience, as Phillips and Chubb roadblock his volume while both are healthy and under contract. However, that patience could pay off down the road if his overall development catches up to his athletic traits.
Byron Murphy II (DT-SEA)
Byron Murphy II was a hot name among the rookie defenders leading up to the draft, and Seattle landed his talents with pick No. 16 Thursday night. Murphy is an explosive gap penetrator with a quick first step and noticeable twitch and burst. New defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald got a weapon to deploy along the interior, as Murphy is disruptive against both the run and pass.
The Seahawks' interior is a bit crowded, with Leonard Williams, Dre'Mont Jones, Jarran Reed, and Johnathan Hankins all on the roster. Snaps may be a little tough to come by early on for Murphy, but his talent will be hard to keep off the field as time goes on. Plus, Reed and Hankins are both in the last year of their deals.
While I'm not comparing the two, we saw Justin Madubuike flourish in Macdonald's system in Baltimore last season. Year one may require some patience for Murphy, but his dynasty potential and outlook in true-position and DT-required leagues are bright.
Fantasy Football Losers
Kwity Paye (EDGE-IND), Dayo Odeyingbo (EDGE-IND)
With the Colts drafting Laiatu Latu with pick No. 15, Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo's days could be numbered in Indianapolis. As I said earlier, both players are in the final year of their rookie deals. The Colts do have a decision to make on Paye's fifth-year option, but he hasn't quite lived up to his first-round selection from the 2021 draft. While both players have flashed at times, Latu is the superior talent and will eat into their workload.
Andrew Van Ginkel (EDGE-MIN)
While Andrew Van Ginkel should still be a productive and viable IDP edge asset this season, the Dallas Turner selection dings his outlook at least a little. His outlook for the 2025 season, Van Ginkel's final year under contract, could look even bleaker if Turner is the player many think he can be. Van Ginkel still makes for a nice late-round pick for redraft and best ball leagues this season, but his dynasty value takes a ding.
Michael Hoecht (EDGE-LAR)
Michael Hoecht was a production-by-volume edge for us IDP gamers last season. Hoecht played 962 snaps in 2023, compiling 81 tackles (45 solos), seven tackles for loss, and six sacks. Hoecht doesn't have near the talent of newly drafted rookie Jared Verse, and his snap volume and production are destined to take a hit.
Jarran Reed (DT-SEA), Dre'Mont Jones (DT-SEA), Jonathan Hankins (DT-SEA)
The Seahawks added a fresh talent to its interior after drafting Byron Murphy II. Leonard Williams is under contract for the next two seasons and will get his snaps. I mentioned earlier that Reed and Hankins are both in the final year of their respective deals and will likely cede snaps to the rookie. Jones was paid well last year by Seattle but could lose snaps, and they could also look at his deal as a place to cut some cash. The new explosive rookie out of Texas poses a threat to the role of all three listed above.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.