2026 Deep IDP Rookie Sleepers
Mike Woellert breaks down some of his favorite deep linebacker sleepers from the 2026 rookie class for IDP leagues.
When it comes to the IDP rookies, anyone can tell you to draft Jacob Rodriguez, David Bailey, or Sonny Styles. But, in the late rounds of your rookie draft, those guys are long gone, and you’re left asking, “Okay, now who should I target?”
What happens when those mid-round gems are snatched up?
The late rounds are when you find those diamonds in the rough that draw the ire of your league, “How did you know about that guy?!?!?!?!”
Now that the draft is over and the landing spots have been determined, here are a few late-round sleepers who could bear some fruit.
In the words of Lt. Gamble from The Other Guys, “they can’t all be first round picks, okay?”
So, we’re diving deep for the sleepers. Andy Bernard is at the skating rink and is requesting the deep tracks. No hits.
LB Parker Hughes, Jacksonville Jaguars
I have a feeling I’m one of the few who’ll be banging the drum for Parker Hughes.
He could be one of those 7th-rounders who pay off. The Jacksonville Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency, which left their LB room incredibly thin.
Hughes was drafted 240th overall, which doesn’t scream immediate impact. However, the tape showed a decent football player.
I loved this stop from Hughes here. He hits the gap and gets the stuff:
He’s a reliable tackler and cut down his missed tackle rate to just 6.5% in 2025. Hughes finished with a solid 12.6% tackle rate and added two interceptions. He can rush the passer when called on, but his run defense is a big asset. His straight-line speed shows up, and his 4.39 40-yard dash time backed that up, while displaying incredible sideline-to-sideline range.
Hughes is a quick and physical striker who displays the quick trigger you like to see from an off-ball linebacker. He was also the green dot at Middle Tennessee, where he showcased his ability to communicate and quickly process what he sees. As a 7th-round pick, he undoubtedly has an uphill battle, but there isn’t much competition ahead of him.
Foyesade Oluokun hits free agency at the end of 2027, with an out at the end of 2026. Hughes could also battle Ventrell Miller for the weak-side/RILB spot. Miller hasn’t exactly taken advantage of the opportunities handed to him.
LB Kendal Daniels, Atlanta Falcons
Kendal Daniels got on my radar during the draft process. Even though he didn’t have the production profile I look for from an off-ball LB, he has a presence when on the field.
He’s one of these hybrid linebackers who can play off-ball, but also play the slot, and play the STAR linebacker as an overhang (in between the slot/box). Similar to Jake Golday.
He has a good frame and displays body control and coordination when changing direction. He also has violent hands to discard running backs and tight ends. He has good eyes, disguises what he does pre-snap, and triggers quickly to the ball in the run and in coverage. He earned a 79.2 PFF coverage grade and also produced a 27.5% pressure rate in 2025. Daniels is a well-rounded player.
This was one of my favorite plays of his. He gets the jump off the snaps and explodes through the tackle:
Jeff Ulbrich likes the Divine Deablo types, and that’s what he sees in Daniels. Ulbrich has coached and developed guys like Deion Jones and Foyesade Oluokun.
Daniels is a monster at 6’5” and 240lbs. He received higher draft capital than I expected, and with Ulbrich’s emphasis on multiplicity in his defensive schemes, Daniels fits that mold and should be comfortable in Atlanta.
He has a short path to snaps, behind Channing Tindall, JD Bertrand, and Troy Andersen. Not exactly a murderer’s row of linebacker competition.
LB Justin Jefferson, Cleveland Browns
We have another JJ in the NFL. The Browns took Justin Jefferson in the 5th round, and I think Andrew Berry liked his versatility.
Jefferson strung together two productive seasons at Alabama and finished with a 12.6% tackle rate during the regular season. Jefferson had an impressive outing in the College Football Playoff first-round game against Oklahoma, recording 9 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
I really liked this rep from Jefferson. He gets a good jump off the snap, scrapes along the line, and avoids any traffic to get the stop:
Jefferson was solid in coverage, earning a 73.9 PFF grade during the 2025 season. He had some issues with tackling, but was a reliable tackler overall with just 10 misses and a 79.1 tackling grade.
He’s a bit undersized, but fits the mold of a weak-side linebacker. He utilizes his instincts well and is quick off the snap.
If Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) are your thing, he’s an athletic off-ball linebacker and tested very well, which matched the tape. The vertical and broad matched some of the explosiveness I saw.
His height and weight stick out like the Kenny Rogers’ Roasters sign from Kramer’s apartment.
However, the Browns’ front four should keep him clean and allow him to make tackles. He does need to do better at slipping and shedding blocks. He does, however, have well-above-average change-of-direction and chase-down speed.
I admire the kid’s confidence. He said he’s looking forward to competing with Carson Schwesinger and thinks he’s a better linebacker. As George Costanza said to the beached whale in the Marine Biologist episode, “Eeeeasy, big fella!!!”
Berry loves his draft picks, and he’s going to get the opportunity to contribute at some point. I’d imagine he starts as a special-teams ace. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is already out for the year, and Quincy Williams will probably be the LB2 in the defense. Jefferson could see snaps as an LB3 in 2026, with the opportunity to contribute significantly in 2027.
LB Keyshaun Elliott, Chicago Bears
Keyshaun Elliott was one of my favorite linebackers during the draft process. Not one of my favorite landing spots.
Elliott got on my radar when I initially read Dane Brugler’s top-100. The tackle production jumped out, and the tape was even more impressive.
Eliott was all over the field, and it seemed wherever the ball was, you would find #44. The vision and athleticism were on the film, and his RAS confirmed what I saw.
Elliott is a “see-ball-go-get-ball” off-ball LB:
I think his trigger and sideline-to-sideline range are his best traits. He also plays physically, is willing to take on contact, and fights through traffic. I did see too many reps where he gets locked in by blockers. However, he has the temperament of an off-ball linebacker.
Now, the landing spot. He’s drafted to a crowded linebacker room. Even though they lost Tremaine Edmunds, they re-added Jack Sanborn and still have Noah Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, and Ruben Hyppolite. If the depth chart holds up, he’s behind Sewell and T.J. Edwards for the MIKE.
Edwards is 30 and coming off a fractured leg in the playoffs. If Elliott can’t unseat Sewell in the next season or two, that will be telling. I think Elliott is worth a taxi stash, as the tape showed a capable off-ball LB.
Check out more IDP rookie sleepers here, and in Scott Soltis’ Degenerate’s Draft Guide.
Be sure to subscribe to The IDP Show on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.
You can follow us on all our social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
 | A guest post by
|