With the NFL draft behind us, it’s time to prepare for our IDP rookie drafts and get a feel for how this new class of defenders fits together. Just like the pre-draft version, a group of us from the Footballguys IDP staff got together to try and help sort things out in a post-draft IDP-only rookie mock draft. Big shout-out to Sigmund Bloom, Joseph Haggan, Tripp Brebner, Aaron Rudnicki, Gary Davenport, and Matt Montgomery for joining me in this fun exercise.

This IDP-only rookie mock is based on a 14-team true-position format, starting at least two players at each position, plus an additional IDP flex. The positions are all broken out individually in your starting lineup:

• Edge Rusher (EDGE)
• Defensive Tackle (DT)
• Linebacker (LB)
• Cornerback (CB)
• Safety (S)

IDP Rookie Mock Round 1

1.01 - LB Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay

Bloom: Cooper was the first off-ball linebacker taken and projects as a long-term starting ILB for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He also led Texas A&M in sacks last year, so he can be valuable in both tackle-heavy and big-play-scoring IDP leagues.

1.02 - EDGE Jared Verse, LA Rams

Haggan: Verse is my post-draft IDP 1.01 with a great landing spot. I still think Laiatu Latu has the most talent, but Verse lands in a spot where he may be the best pass-rusher on his team. Verse joins a talented and young four-man front, consisting of last year's rookie standouts Kobie Turner and Byron Young, and his Florida State teammate Braden Fiske. This Rams defense is all of a sudden going to be fun to watch.

1.03 - DT Byron Murphy II, Seattle

Brebner: I'll stick to my pre-draft guns and take the potential impact player at the scarcer position.

1.04 - EDGE Dallas Turner, Minnesota

Rudnicki: Turner feels like a value here, so I'll take what I believe to be the best pass rusher in the class, who also has a clear path to a three-down role in Minnesota.

1.05 - LB Junior Colson, LA Chargers

Davenport: There isn't a linebacker in this class with a clearer path to every-down snaps out of the gate than Colson. Is he as talented as say, Cooper? No. But he is talented, and he's been productive. Given his familiarity with Jesse Minter's defense and the talent around him, he could easily open his rookie season as the defensive play-caller.

1.06 - EDGE Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis

Montgomery: I am willing to take a so-called risk here. Latu is not the sixth-best player - he is arguably Top-2 in this class - but the injuries have dampened his flame. If he's on the field, he will be elite.

1.07 - LB Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh

Bellefeuil: The Steelers got a value landing Wilson in the draft’s third round. Injuries might have led to his slide, but there’s no denying Wilson’s talent. I’m not in love with the landing spot in Pittsburgh for IDP, with how they utilize their linebackers. Patrick Queen got paid and will lead the unit, but Wilson could earn a relevant role with Cole Holcomb returning from a brutal injury and Elandon Roberts suspect in coverage. Wilson is built for IDP production, and his talent could be tough to keep on the sidelines if he picks up the playbook quickly.

1.08 - LB Trevin Wallace, Carolina

Bloom: Wallace has elite measurables at off-ball linebacker, but he needs to work on diagnosing plays and being in position. The Panthers taking him in the third round means they think defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's staff can coach him up and turn him into an eventual replacement for Shaq Thompson or Josey Jewell.

1.09 - EDGE/DT Darius Robinson, Arizona

Haggan: Chop Robinson is the more talented choice here, but at the end of the first round, I'm grabbing a guy who should be on the field on all three downs. Darius Robinson has scheme versatility and can slide all over the line. He will have plenty of volume giving him a high floor. The Cardinals are void of any pass-rush outside of an inconsistent B.J. Ojulari. I'm going with the high-floor guy here.

1.10 - EDGE Chop Robinson, Miami

Brebner: The last defender (corners don't count) available in this draft who has opportunities to contribute right away with both incumbent starters recuperating from major injuries. IDP gamers must mark this tier break after 11 defenders in typical dynasty drafts.

1.11 - LB Cedric Gray, Tennessee

Rudnicki: The Titans might have the weakest group of linebackers in the league, which should give a tackling machine like Gray a great opportunity to compete for a three-down role early in his career.

1.12 - S Tyler Nubin, NY Giants

Davenport: What the heck--I'll pop the seal on defensive backs because teams picking at the back of dynasty rookie drafts are looking for immediate contributors. Nubin doesn't have great speed, but he's football-fast, versatile, has good instincts, and isn't afraid to get dirty against the run. He'll start as a rookie.

1.13 - DT T'Vondre Sweat, Tennessee

Montgomery: Arguably the better player on the interior defensive line of Texas, Sweat fell in the NFL draft due to character concerns. While I agree that there could be potential for some rocky times as a pro, no one can say he isn't a dominating player on the football field. The Titans need a playmaker on the defensive line, and I believe they got one in Sweat—although he's a risky draft pick.

1.14 - DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Washington

Bellefeuil: Newton might require some patience initially, as he serves as depth behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Allen will be a free agent after the 2025 season, with Payne having an out in his deal after 2025 as well. Newton brings a pass-rushing presence from the interior and has an intriguing upside in true-position and DT-required IDP formats. When Newton gets his shot, you could be elated he’s sitting on your taxi squad.

IDP Rookie Mock Round 2

2.01 - LB Jordan Magee, Washington

Bloom: Magee was one of the most athletic linebackers at the combine, and he makes a lot of plays in the opponent's backfield. Bobby Wagner is only a short-term solution, and the Commanders declined the fifth-year option on 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis, so Magee could start as soon as next season.

2.02 - EDGE Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay

Haggan: Braswell to the Buccaneers is a great pairing. Todd Bowles likes to mask his defenses, and Braswell gives him this opportunity with his ability to drop in coverage. The Joe Tryon-Shoyinka experiment seems like a bust, and Braswell should, at the very least, be part of a pass-rushing trio with Tryon-Shoyinka and Yaya Diaby.

2.03 - LB Marist Liufau, Dallas

Brebner: The Cowboys have told us that Damone Clark isn't the answer at MIKE and that Liufau will be Eric Kendricks's understudy. He's an injury away from fantasy relevance this year with upside for next.

2.04 - LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Philadelphia

Rudnicki: Trotter may be undersized for the position, but that won't hurt him much in the nickel packages that teams favor these days. He is an intelligent player who reads plays well and will look to follow in his father's All-Pro footsteps.

2.05 - LB Tyrice Knight, Seattle

Davenport: Jerome Baker may be locked in as a starter in the Emerald City, but Tyrel Dodson may not be. Knight has the talent to push for that No. 2 slot and a lot of room to improve as a player.

2.06 - DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Atlanta

Montgomery: Say what you want about Orhorhoro being selected where he was, he has a legitimate opportunity for points in his first year, and will have little to no major competition at his position. There's no reason we can't see him start Week 1 if he has a good offseason program and training camp.

2.07 - EDGE Bralen Trice, Atlanta

Bellefeuil: Trice lands with an Atlanta defense that needs serious help off the edge. Trice was a pressure machine in college, playing the game with relentless effort and noticeable physicality. Given the state of the Falcon edge-rusher group, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Trice made an impact early on as a rookie.

2.08 - S Javon Bullard, Green Bay

Bloom: Bullard should start right away for Green Bay they took him in the second round. He'll line up next to Xavier McKinney but also has the experience to play slot corner and blitz the passer.

2.09 - S Cole Bishop, Buffalo

Haggan: The Bills let veterans Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde walk in free agency this off-season. They signed Taylor Rapp to an extension and signed Mike Edwards while also drafting Bishop in the second round. Bishop is best coming downhill and playing closer to the line of scrimmage — the things we love for IDP. Unfortunately, the Bills play a lot of Cover 2, but hopefully, Bishop has the opportunity to play more in the box. We will see.

2.10 - LB Ty'Ron Hopper, Green Bay

Brebner: Before we assume that Hopper is buried like Chad Muma in Jacksonville, let's consider that Edgerrin Cooper is not a first-rounder and incumbent Quay Walker is halfway through a rookie contract. Walker will play for a new defensive coordinator in 2024. The Packers' use of two Day-2 picks on LBs tells us they still intend to play two full-time off-ball linebackers.

2.11 - EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Dallas

Rudnicki: Micah Parsons will always draw a lot of attention in Dallas, but Kneeland could develop into a #2 DE there before too long. He's already a capable and hard-working run defender and could be in line to replace DeMarcus Lawrence as early as next year.

2.12 - EDGE Jonah Elliss, Denver

Davenport: Elliss is a high-motor, physical edge-rusher who wins as much with want as talent. The Broncos aren't exactly loaded on the edge -- there is potential for some early playing time for the consensus All-American.

2.13 - S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Arizona

Montgomery: This may be my sketchiest pick, but I think he has a great opportunity to learn from one of the best at his position in Budda Baker. Baker has been a stalwart in this defense for years, carrying over into IDP fantasy football. I expect Taylor-Demerson to be a project guy who could see the field later in the season or early if there's an injury.

2.14 - CB Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia

Bellefeuil: DeJean is versatile enough to play safety, outside corner, or in the slot. I like his fit in the slot role for the Eagle defense for both NFL purposes and IDP production. The Eagles brought back Avante Maddox on a one-year deal, but DeJean should quickly surpass him for that nickel spot when they hit the field. DeJean has serious appeal in true-position and CB-required formats. And if you’re league awards points for return yards, DeJean’s value goes up even more, as he’s a weapon in the return game.

IDP Rook Mock Final Thoughts

These IDP-only rookie mock draft exercises were a lot of fun as we navigated through two rounds with thoughtful picks and analysis. This post-draft version will provide helpful insight and aid you in your upcoming rookie drafts. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out; our Footballguys staff is always eager to help. And good luck with your rookie drafts!

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.