IDP Rookie Mock Draft: Post-Draft Edition

Photo: USA Today Sports

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.