2026 IDP Best Ball Rookie ADP: Where Defensive Rookies Are Going in Drafts
See which rookie linebackers, edge rushers, and defensive backs are rising in IDP best ball drafts — plus the best values based on current ADP.
We have completed 17 IDP-ONLY best ball drafts in 2026, including six drafts since the NFL Draft concluded. I’ll continue to crank out drafts throughout the summer as we gear up for…IDP MADNESS!!!!
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Rookie fever is in FULL SWING, so let’s look at where the rookies have been going in our IDP-only best balls on Sleeper. I’m going to order these by where they were drafted since the NFL draft and discuss them in small groups.
Be sure to check out the results from all of our Best Ball Tournaments using our Best Ball ADP tool here.
The Top Linebackers
LB Sonny Styles, Washington Commanders
ADP Overall: 47.3
ADP Rank Overall: 46
ADP since the draft: 36.8
ADP Rank since the draft: 37
LB Arvell Reese, New York Giants
ADP Overall: 57.3
ADP Rank Overall: 54
ADP since the draft: 59.2
ADP Rank since the draft: 55
I love Styles and have him and Reese neck and neck in dynasty leagues, but I would take Reese first in redraft leagues this year. A lot of that is due to Reese having no competition for snaps in New York, while we don’t know for sure how the snaps will play out in Washington with Leo Chenal and Frankie Luvu also there. The ADP for both Luvu and Chenal has gone down since Styles was drafted, and I don’t know that any of them get 100% of snaps consistently throughout the season.
Styles is going before Foyesade Oluokun, Nate Landman, Montez Sweat, Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Kaden Elliss. He shouldn’t be. I like Reese’s potential for tackles as an off-ball linebacker and for big plays when they blitz him. I’m viewing this year as a Zach Baun-lite sort of season. I don’t think this is too far off for Reese.
An Ideal Opportunity Linebacker
LB C.J. Allen, Indianapolis Colts
ADP Overall: 133.2
ADP Rank Overall: 130
ADP Since the draft: 65.7
ADP Rank since the draft: 61
Allen is going to get his own write-up. Just look at the way he rocketed up draft boards after being taken in Round 2 by the Indianapolis Colts. Much of this is due to the absolute barren wasteland that is the Colts’ linebacker group, which includes Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jaylon Carlies, and fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher.
Davis-Gaither has experience in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense, but he has always just been a serviceable player. It’s well documented that Allen has a ton of experience not only as the green dot in Georgia but also in calling the plays. However, because of his experience, I think Davis-Gaither starts the year as the green dot for the Colts, potentially limiting Allen’s snaps somewhat to start the year. I don’t know how long that lasts, and I believe there is a chance Allen takes it over later in the year.
Allen is being drafted a little too early for my taste, partially because I’m not sure of his role to start the year, and partially because I think there are linebackers still available that are just better. I would take Eric Wilson, Robert Spillane, and Payton Wilson over him.
The Top Edge Defenders
ED Rueben Bain Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ADP Overall: 89.4
ADP Rank Overall: 87
ADP Since the draft: 65.8
ADP Rank since the draft: 62
ED David Bailey, New York Jets
ADP Overall: 89.7
ADP Rank Overall: 88
ADP Since the draft: 69.8
ADP Rank since the draft: 68
These two EDGEs have been linked since before the NFL draft, when there was a lot of talk of who would go first. In the end, Bain fell down the draft board on draft day, likely due to his short arms. He has the third-shortest arms for an EDGE in the last 25 years. The other two are Nate Williams and fellow rookie Cashius Howell. However, Bain is very effective at using his strength and hands to avoid getting locked up in blocks. There is a chance he is the outlier of outliers.
Bain was also very effective in run defense, especially given how Miami used him. It was often just Bain and Keionte Scott on one side of the line, daring teams to run that way. Bain doesn’t have a lot of competition for snaps, so he will get his shot to prove the doubters wrong.
Bailey and Will McDonald likely start over Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, and others. Bailey is an elite pass rusher who hasn’t been as good as Bain against the run, so I think his weekly floor is lower than Bain’s, but both should have boom weeks when they get sacks. Because of that, I like that Bain is going before Bailey. However, neither should be drafted over more proven players like Robert Spillane, Payton Wilson, Demario Davis, Yaya Diaby, George Karlaftis, and Leonard Williams.
The Top Safeties
S Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys
ADP Overall: 108.9
ADP Rank Overall: 107
ADP Since the draft: 88.3
ADP Rank since the draft: 85
S Dillon Thieneman, Chicago Bears
ADP Overall: 145.9
ADP Rank Overall: 143
ADP Since the draft: 117
ADP Rank since the draft: 115
Downs and Thieneman were both taken in the first round of the NFL draft. Safeties to be taken in the first round of the last ten years were Kyle Hamilton, Dax Hill, Darnell Savage, Johnathan Abraham, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James, Jamal Adams, Malik Hooker, and Jabril Peppers. That’s a pretty darn good list.
So far, the Cowboys say Downs will play in a nickel role. I assume they will move him around the field when not playing there. He is just too good to take off the field. Getting all of those snaps close to the line of scrimmage is going to be great for his fantasy football value. Picking him in the eighth round may be a little early, especially if you subscribe to the late-round DB principle. However, there are limited bench spots in these best balls, and I don’t hate drafting Downs here. I would still take Budda Baker over him, though, and with other defensive backs available much later in the draft, I’d personally still rather draft the likes of Jonathon Cooper, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe.
Chicago was a fantastic spot for Thieneman to land, especially with Coby Bryant being the other safety there. Bryant has played mostly deep the past two years after playing slot corner in his first two seasons. So, it appears Thieneman will get a role closer to the line of scrimmage, and I love that! If I could only draft one, I would prefer to wait for Thieneman, thirty picks later, rather than draft Downs. However, there are still very good defensive backs on the board who go in the next 10 picks after Thieneman, so I have yet to draft him in a best ball. Those players include Kamren Curl, Marcus Jones, Antoine Winfield, and Devon Witherspoon. Plus, if you still need DL help, Jalyx Hunt and Jermaine Johnson go in the at range too, and Johnson is designated as DL/LB.
Round 2 Linebackers
LB Josiah Trotter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ADP Overall: 163.8
ADP Rank Overall: 162
ADP Since the draft: 128
ADP Rank since the draft: 128
LB Anthony Hill, Jr., Tennessee Titans
ADP Overall: 163.2
ADP Rank Overall: 161
ADP Since the draft: 136.5
ADP Rank since the draft: 135
Trotter and Hill being in the same range makes sense. They both have a shot to start this year as their teams’ second linebacker, and I believe Trotter has the better shot. However, there are still players on the board who are definitely starters on their teams. I’m taking the proven players over the young hopefuls every time in a 12-team league.
If you get into a larger tournament like IDP Madness and think your build could use a potential boom player, I get it, but you won’t see me drafting these two this early until I have more information from camp.
Currently, I’d rather draft Cam Heyward, K’Lavon Chaisson, Kobie Turner, Teddye Buchanan, and Byron Murphy than these two.
High-End Pass Rushers
ED Akheem Mesidor, Los Angeles Chargers
ADP Overall: 199.9
ADP Rank Overall: 213
ADP Since the draft: 151.3
ADP Rank since the draft: 147
ED Cashius Howell, Cincinnati Bengals
ADP Overall: 192.1
ADP Rank Overall: 202
ADP Since the draft: 157.5
ADP Rank since the draft: 153
Both of these players moving up about fifty spots after the draft surprises me. That overall ADP includes these last six drafts, so it is an even bigger difference than seen above. I can only assume Mesidor’s first-round draft capital is responsible for the rocket ship he has been on, but he was drafted to a team that already has two EDGEs. He will be a rotational player behind Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu, and maybe they will move his large frame inside on third down.
Howell has a much better path to snaps, but I’m betting against two short-arm outliers in the same draft class. I’m probably not drafting Howell in dynasty, and I’m definitely not drafting him this early in a redraft league. I would much rather have Xavier McKinney, Mack Wilson, Teddye Buchanan, Zach Sieler, Uchenna Nwosu, Milton Williams, and Ed Oliver than these two players this year.
The Rodfather
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Miami Dolphins
ADP Overall: Was not in Sleeper yet
ADP Rank Overall: N/A
ADP Since the draft: 160.5
ADP Rank since the draft: 157
The Dolphins want to extend Jordyn Brooks contract, but I’m hopeful. Hopeful that the Dolphins either jettison Tyrel Dodson or bench him for Rodriguez. Dodson has been a productive linebacker for fantasy, but Rodriguez is a stud, and I want to see him play.
I can’t bring myself to draft hope over the likes of Uchenna Nwosu, Milton Williams, Ed Oliver, or DBs like Cole Bishop, Chamarri Conner, Mike Sainristil, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. I just can’t do it…not yet.
An Ideal Opportunity Safety
S A.J. Haulcy, Indianapolis Colts
ADP Overall: 187.9
ADP Rank Overall: 194
ADP Since the draft: 165.7
ADP Rank since the draft: 163
Haulcy got a great landing spot, likely playing closer to the line of scrimmage, while Camryn Bynum plays deep. The Colts were considering him in the second round, but were sure he would be available in the third, so they grabbed CJ Allen in Round 2. That sounds like a team that likes him… a lot.
I don’t hate taking Haulcy here because of his likely role. It’s at least in the right range. Depending on my build, I might take Milton Williams or Ed Oliver ahead of him. There are also other good defensive backs available that I would probably take ahead of him, but I do so many drafts that I like to mix it up a little, too. Those backs include Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chamarri Conner, and Mike Sainristil.
One More Pass Rusher
ED Malachi Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
ADP Overall: 187.7
ADP Rank Overall: 193
ADP Since the draft: 178.8
ADP Rank since the draft: 172
I’m usually looking for defensive backs around this time, but grabbing Lawrence here is fine. I think he’s likely a situational pass rusher this year behind Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary, but it’s the fifteenth round, get your guy.
I’m drafting to take DBs here because it gets pretty gross. Those three DBs I keep mentioning (Fitzpatrick, Conner, Sainristil) are still available. You could also grab a starting linebacker (for now) by drafting Cody Barton. Ventrell Miller has a good chance to start in Jacksonville with Devin Lloyd now in Carolina, and is still available.
Late-Round Options
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Cleveland Browns
ADP Overall: 208.4
ADP Rank Overall: 241
ADP Since the draft: 202
ADP Rank since the draft: 194
LB Jake Golday, Minnesota Vikings
ADP Overall: 213.5
ADP Rank Overall: 251
ADP Since the draft: 207.3
ADP Rank since the draft: 200
It’s the seventeenth round, so take your swings. However, I worry about McNeil-Warren’s role in Cleveland this year. I believe he needs to play close to the line to reach his potential in the NFL. They have Grant Delpit there. If I take McNeil-Warren in a redraft, and it is a big if right now, I’m waiting until the last round. There are too many other defensive backs available to take a chance this early (Camryn Bynum, Jalen Thompson, Bryan Cook, Brandon Jones, Amani Hooker).
I love the landing spot for Golday, but not for this year. He has played EDGE and off-ball linebacker in college, and I could see Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores use him like Andrew Van Ginkel or Eric Wilson. He likely backs up both players this year and rotates in on the EDGE if I had to guess. I would take him before McNeil-Warren. I don’t mind drafting Golday here for his potential boom weeks.
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