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 gathered to help sort things out in a post-draft IDP-only rookie mock draft. A 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)

Round 1

1.01 - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Jacksonville

Haggan: Hunter comes in with dual position designations at wide receiver and defensive back. The Jaguars traded up to land him and have called him a weapon for Trevor Lawrence. This tells me that not only will he have a role on offense, but a rather large one. Add WR2-type numbers to a defensive back, and he instantly becomes a first-round IDP talent.

1.02 - Abdul Carter, EDGE, NY Giants

Bloom: Carter went to Penn State to follow in the footsteps of Micah Parsons, and he's well on his way to being a Parsons-level force in IDP leagues. He has experience as an off-ball linebacker to raise the weekly and season-long floor to go along with a sky-high sack artist ceiling. Offensive coordinators should be sweating when they face the Giants' pass rush of Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

1.03 - Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland

Davenport: This was an easy call. Schewsinger was arguably the best true off-ball LB prospect in the class, and he landed in a near-ideal situation in Cleveland. I don't know that we'll ever see Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah between the lines again, which leaves Jerome Baker and Jordan Hicks as the only things standing between Schwesinger and "green dot" duties as a rookie. He'll lead all rookie linebackers in fantasy points this season. Book it.

1.04 - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia

Bellefeuil: Campbell is a versatile player who can affect the game as an off-ball linebacker and out on the edge. Philadelphia’s praise of him as an edge rusher has created some uncertainty about his role. However, I’m bullish on Campbell being an LB first, while flexing out on the edge in certain looks. Zack Baun was paid and is cemented in his role. Nakobe Dean, on the other hand, is in the final year of his rookie deal, and there is uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline from his knee injury suffered in January. Even if Campbell sees sporadic snaps in year one, he and Baun could be the future linebacker duo in Philadelphia. 

1.05 - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Cincinnati

Montgomery: Stewart arguably has the highest boom-bust potential in the draft. His freak athleticism can be a weapon on any given Sunday. The risk is his lack of production in college despite the athleticism mentioned. The Bengals' defensive line is a mystery, and Stewart himself is a mysterious player. I believe that in a draft that lacks depth, you need to draft traits early, and Stewart has all the athletic traits you could want in an edge rusher.

1.06 - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Atlanta

Rudnicki: Atlanta figures to start him out as an edge rusher to boost their pass rush, but Walker has the potential to be a multi-dimensional player who can be used in a lot of different ways. There is clear upside to generate above-average tackle production from the position, which makes him an appealing pick in most IDP leagues.

1.07 - Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, Cincinnati

Brebner: Incumbent starting linebacker Germaine Pratt isn't likely on the opening day roster. Demetrius Knight Jr. has the inside track on his job alongside Logan Wilson. In true position, linebacker is to running back as defensive end is to wide receiver. Knight is one of three, maybe four, linebackers who will play enough to reward fantasy drafters in Year 1.

1.08 - Mykel Williams, EDGE, San Francisco

Haggan: I had plenty of reservations about Williams's lack of polish and pass-rush plan. Alas, he landed on my favorite team. Williams has all the physical tools to be successful; he just needs coaching. Luckily, he landed with Robert Saleh in San Francisco with a clear path to starter snaps.

1.09 - Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle

Bloom: Emmanwori has a classic box safety skillset and could end up being the most valuable safety in IDP leagues in short order. He can make big plays as a ball thief and pass rusher to go along with a presence against the run that will remind Seattle fans of Kam Chancellor.

1.10 - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Atlanta

Davenport: Sig broke my heart with the Emmanwori pick (love his prospects as a rookie), but Pearce isn't a terrible consolation prize. The Falcons thought enough of Pearce to spend next year's first-rounder to move up for him, and while it often takes rookie edge rushers some time to acclimate to the NFL, Pearce is a wildly athletic prospect playing for a team in the Falcons that needs someone to get after the quarterback in the worst way imaginable.

1.11 - Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland

Bellefeuil: Cleveland receives a much-needed upgrade to the interior of their defensive line by selecting Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick. Graham is disruptive off the snap and should contribute immediately against the run. There is also some untapped potential in his game as a pass rusher. Graham should be a steady defensive tackle asset for the long haul in true-position IDP dynasty formats. 

1.12 - Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore

Montgomery: The Ravens always seem to come out ahead of people with late-round gems. Starks is the latest player to fit this mold for them. Playing alongside Kyle Hamilton makes this an intriguing position group as a whole. Hamilton is a playmaker who will likely dominate the headlines, but getting an immediate starter at the 1.12 regardless of position has value. I believe these two safeties in Baltimore can coexist and elevate each other's game by taking some of the responsibilities off each other, and because of this, Starks will play early and often.

1.13 - Nick Martin, LB, San Francisco

Rudnicki: Martin is projected to replace Dre Greenlaw at weakside linebacker for the 49ers, which gives him a clear path to playing time right away. He missed a lot of time in 2024 due to a knee injury, but he has the athletic traits teams look for in a three-down linebacker who can chase down plays and pile up tackles in bunches.

1.14 - Mike Green, EDGE, Baltimore

Brebner: The mock draft broke perfectly, affording me the last DE with Round-1 talent. The discount at 1.14 reflects his NFL draft capital and off-field concerns. Given the time it takes for a pass rusher to develop, waiting for off-field issues to clear up is of little consequence.

Round 2

2.01 - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Dallas

Haggan: Ezeiruaku was one of the most productive edge rushers in all of college football in 2024. He has plenty of pass-rush moves with a clear plan, though he lacks athletic measurables. He had an explosive 3-cone, which is important for edge rushers, and landed second-round draft capital with the Cowboys. He will contend with Dante Fowler Jr and Sam Williams for snaps right away.

2.02 - Cody Simon, LB, Arizona

Bloom: Simon's competition for a long-term spot at ILB for Arizona are journeymen. Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mack Wilson Sr. shouldn't be obstacles to playing time in the future unless Simon is a bust. He might not be a three-down linebacker, but he has the potential to be one, and that's good value this late in the rookie draft.

2.03 - Chris Paul Jr., LB, LA Rams

Davenport: Paul was a Day 2 prospect in the eyes of some pundits; he has the range to stay on the field in sub-packages, and he joins a Rams LB room that includes Omar Speights, Nate Landman, and Troy Reeder. A Murderer's Row of Elite linebacker talents, that ain't.

2.04 - Danny Stutsman, LB, New Orleans

Bellefeuil: Stutsman is the type of late-round linebacker I look for as a taxi squad stash. He’s big, athletic, and his aggression and play style give him appeal as an IDP-producer. However, he needs some refinement to his game, particularly in coverage. The opportunity to learn from a savvy veteran like Demario Davis could aid his development. Stutsman will require patience, but there is a chance it could pay off in year two if Davis, who is 36 years old and in the final year of his contract, calls it a career or isn’t restructured or retained. 

2.05 - T.J. Sanders, DT, Buffalo

Montgomery: I know we don't look at interior defensive linemen as sexy, but when Buffalo utilizes high draft capital on a player, I am here to observe why. Sanders scored in the top 10 in every category for interior defensive lineman. When you pair that with the versatility to play all three downs, you get a good player in a great opportunity spot. Buffalo still has a defensive coach, so when they take defensive talent with a quality draft pick, we are safe to assume they have immediate plans for implementing them into their scheme.

2.06 - Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, Tennessee  

Rudnicki: The Titans are going through a rebuild, and there isn't a whole lot in place to prevent Oladejo from emerging as one of their top pass rushers if he's up to the task. His late conversion from linebacker to edge rusher should warrant a patient approach, but Oladejo may surprise with some continued development.

2.07 - Walter Nolen, DT, Arizona

Brebner: The prototypical fantasy defensive tackle resembles Aaron Donald, a disruptive penetrator with high upside as a pass rusher. In 2025, NFL teams seek defensive tackles who can control blockers, hold the point of attack, and get upfield. Walter Nolen, the former top overall recruit out of high school, most closely fits the bill in the 2025 draft class as a player who can pile up statistics in the run and pass game. His boom/bust profile is fantastic value after 20 defenders are off the board in formats that require two starters at tackle.

2.08 - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Carolina

Haggan: The Panthers were completely devoid of any pass-rushing semblance in 2024 after they traded Brian Burns. They addressed that in the draft. Currently, D.J. Wonnum and Jadeveon Clowney sit at the top of the depth chart. With how young this team is, the Panthers may unleash Scourton sooner rather than later. He has a thick NFL-ready body, strong hands, and a nice pass-rush arsenal. He is a nice stash with potential year-one impact.

2.09 - Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver

Bloom: When in doubt late in IDP rookie drafts, take a first-round corner. The Broncos clearly see Barron as a corner who can start outside, and as the corner opposite Patrick Surtain II, he will be tested early and often.

2.10 - Andrew Mukuba, S, Philadelphia

Davenport: The defending Super Bowl champions thought enough of Mukuba to use a second-round pick on him, and the Eagles have a hole at safety next to Reed Blankenship. With a solid summer, Mukuba could be a Week 1 starter in Philadelphia.

2.11 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Pittsburgh

Bellefeuil: Harmon landing in Pittsburgh is one of my favorite rookie defensive tackle situations, as the fit and player intrigue me. Harmon features an exciting combination of size, length, athleticism, and versatility to be shifted along the Pittsburgh front and create havoc. It also never hurts to get a chance to be mentored by a player like Cameron Heyward. Harmon is a prime target at a likely nice value, if you’re looking to boost your defensive tackle unit in true-position or DT-required leagues.

2.12 - Jordan Burch, EDGE, Arizona

Montgomery: I took Burch here because when you're this deep into the talent pool, you need to see players with the least resistance to playing time. Right now, Arizona doesn't have a very effective pass rush or a presence that makes opposing teams fearful. Burch wasn't a headline grabber in college or the combine, but he is an effective player, with good skills that he could potentially hone and make great. He's more of a speed guy than power, and on a team with little to no defensive stars, who's to say that we can't see Burch emerge here if given an opportunity?

2.13 - Landon Jackson, EDGE, Buffalo

Rudnicki: The Bills needed to upgrade their pass rush and may have landed a potential starter in the third round with Jackson. What he may lack in athleticism, he makes up for with power and motor, and he could be ready to take off after learning behind Joey Bosa for a year.

2.14 - Kenneth Grant, DT, Miami

Brebner: The knock on Kenneth Grant is that he profiles as a space-eater. The teams that drafted Derrick Brown and Dexter Lawrence II in the first round heard similar criticisms, but each player has proven valuable to fantasy gamers. By drafting Grant 13th overall, Miami is betting he's a three-down player in the Dolphins' thin DL room. For fantasy gamers, Grant is as good a bet as edge defenders selected in the NFL draft's third round.