2026 Pre-Combine IDP Rookie Mock Draft

With the NFL Combine in Indianapolis next week, we put together a 2-round IDP mock draft to see how things stand before the hype rolls in.

With the college season in the rearview and draft season ramping up, it’s time to start building out the defensive side of our rookie boards. To do that, we brought in some help from Kyle Bellefeuil, Jason King, and Eric Harms to help us with an IDP rookie mock draft. This class offers a little bit of everything: high-ceiling hybrid defenders, an S-tier safety prospect (with some late gems), productive tackle machines, and more than a few boom-bust edge rushers who might be worth a late gamble.

Each pick in this two-round mock draft includes individual rationale from the drafter, reflecting how they value upside vs. floor, draft capital vs. production, and short-term usability vs. long-term dynasty appeal. Consider this an early snapshot of how we’re thinking about the 2026 IDP rookie class, with more to come in the weeks ahead.

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1.01: Arvell Reese | LB/EDGE | Ohio St. (Adam)

I went with Arvell Reese at 1.01 because I think he has the highest ceiling in this entire defensive class. If there’s a player in this group who could eventually be worth a first-plus type asset in IDP leagues, it’s him. The expectation is he’ll ultimately land at edge rusher, and teams just don’t draft a player this high to be a traditional off-ball linebacker long-term, even though he’s capable of doing both.

There is definitely risk here, and that’s part of the conversation. He could start out playing more off-ball and grow into a full-time edge role, similar to how some hybrid defenders have developed early in their careers. Because of the weaker offensive class, he may get pushed up into the first round of rookie drafts, and that cost makes him a tougher buy in real leagues. But when we’re ranking pure talent and upside, Reese belongs in that top tier along with Caleb Downs.

1.02: David Bailey | EDGE | Texas Tech (Kyle)

David Bailey’s profile brings an alluring pairing of traits and production. He’s quick off the snap, with the ability to eat up ground in a hurry with his burst and speed. On top of his impressive athleticism, Bailey is a finisher, as his 14.5 sacks in 2025 tied for the most in college football with Nadame Tucker from Western Michigan. Bailey has an array of moves to win, pairing well with his speed-to-power traits and active hands. He can make an impact early on for a pass-rush-needy team at the top of the draft.

1.03: Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State (Bobby)

Caleb Downs was an easy click here because he might end up being the safest IDP asset in this entire class. With some of the linebackers and edge players, you’re debating role: is he off-ball? Is he rushing? With Downs, there just aren’t many question marks. If he’s even close to what people expect post-Combine and draft, there’s a real chance he ends up the first defensive player taken in rookie drafts.

The appeal is deployment. He projects as a box or big nickel defender that we chase in IDP—essentially a linebacker playing safety. If that usage carries over, you’re talking about a long-term cornerstone defensive back, the type of player you plug into your lineup for the next decade and never think twice about.

1.04: Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State (Jason)

A converted safety with great size, Sonny Styles has high-end run recognition, effectively fills gaps, and is a sure tackler. He has the speed to carry WRs downfield in man coverage, too. These are all good things for future fantasy production. He’s not a perfect prospect, and it would help for him to start in a defensive scheme that keeps him clean since he will get locked up when blockers get to him, despite his long arms.

1.05: Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Miami (FL) (Josh)

I went EDGE here and stuck close to consensus with Rueben Bain. He brings a power profile you feel comfortable projecting: heavy hands, leverage, and almost defensive-tackle strength on the outside. The efficiency metrics back it up, too, with a 92.4 pass-rush grade, 83 pressures, and a 23.5% win rate, which paints the picture of a player who’s going to generate disruption even if the sack totals don’t always pop.

That’s really the discussion with Bain: the ceiling might not be elite sack artist, but the weekly usability should be strong. He profiles more like a reliable, pressure-producing edge you can start without overthinking it, rather than a boom-or-bust option. If he continues to develop counters and expand the rush plan, there’s room for growth, but the appeal right now is the stable IDP starter projection.

1.06: C.J. Allen | LB | Georgia (Eric)

C.J. Allen has good speed and instincts. I like that he was the quarterback of the Georgia defense. Playing inside linebacker for Georgia has mostly translated to the NFL well recently with Roquan Smith, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean.

(Let’s not talk about Channing Tindall.)

If you only saw Allen play in the postseason after he tore his meniscus against Texas, go back and look at some tape from before the injury. He was much better before the injury and was obviously playing at less than 100% at the end of the year. He’s a talented linebacker who is likely going to be drafted late first or early second round.

1.07: Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Texas Tech (Adam)

Jacob Rodriguez is a bet on production and role rather than traits. The numbers are absurd: 127 tackles last season, around a 17% tackle rate, and double-digit forced fumbles over the past two years. Plus, he anchored a legitimately good defense as its leader. When a linebacker produces at that level and keeps earning responsibilities, history says he’s got a real shot to find a starting job somewhere.

He likely won’t wow athletically, and the draft capital probably lands in the Day 2/3 range, but that’s the archetype that keeps turning into usable IDPs. Think steady volume rather than splash-play upside. If he gets on the field, the tackle production should follow, making him an easy swing in the middle rounds of rookie drafts.

1.08: Jake Golday | LB | Cincinnati (Kyle)

I’ll keep the linebacker run going here, as I have Jake Golday ranked closely with C.J. Allen and Jacob Rodriguez. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Golday brings a nice combination of size and athleticism. He’s effective operating in space from his role in college at Cincinnati, while also playing the game with a physical edge.

Golday has the game to be effective in all phases, as a run defender, blitzer, and in coverage, ideal for a potential three-down role and IDP purposes.

1.09: Cashius Howell | EDGE | Texas A&M (Bobby)

Cashius Howell is a classic boom-bust EDGE bet. He piled up sacks across a long college career (27 total in 56 games) and wins with movement and pass-rush ability rather than tackle volume. If he hits, it’s because he’s creating pressure weekly, not because he’s padding the tackle column.

That does mean the floor can be low, especially in formats that punish sack-dependence, but late in the 1st round of this mock, I’m swinging for impact. With potential early NFL draft capital and real pass-rush juice, he profiles as the type of EDGE who can spike usable weeks even if the consistency never fully arrives.

1.10: Kyle Louis | LB | Pittsburgh (Jason)

Kyle Louis’ awareness stands out versus the run and in coverage. His movements are instant and he’s quick in all directions. He explodes downhill on anything in front of him and can stick in man coverage. The knock, of course, is he’s short and light for an off-ball at just under 6’0” and 225 pounds, and has to stay clean of blockers to be effective. So again, scheme fit is important.

1.11: Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas (Josh)

Anthony Hill Jr. felt like the classic late-round linebacker swing with the size and production you like, with the hope that his opportunity follows. He put up a massive season at Texas, and for me, once I get this deep into an exercise like this, I’d rather bet on proven production with linebackers than chasing athletic upside.

He fits that Cedric Gray archetype: not a can’t-miss prospect, but can matter quickly if he lands in the right depth chart. For a cheap pick, you’re basically betting that heavy college usage translates into an early role and usable tackle volume.

1.12: Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami (FL) (Eric)

At 25, Akheem Mesidor is an older prospect, which has allowed him to develop a variety of pass-rushing techniques. He had a 92.5 pass rush grade for the Hurricanes in 2025, which was tied for 7th best, just ahead of Rueben Bain. He was also 5th in run defense and 6th in overall defense among EDGEs.

I think he can make an impact on a team in his rookie year, and picking at 12 in this draft means I’m a contender, so he’s more likely to help early than the remaining edges and linebackers. Didn’t want to draft a safety quite yet.

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2.01: Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon (Adam)

Dillon Thieneman feels like the perfect safety value once the top tier is gone. He’s been productive everywhere he’s played and is consistently around the ball. The tackles (7.8 per game) and early interception production stand out, but what really matters is his usage trending toward more box and slot snaps over time.

Dane Brugler said Thieneman reminds him of Justin Reid, and I agree. He’s reliable, smart, and could stick in lineups for a long time. If you miss on Caleb Downs early, don’t panic. Grab Thieneman later; I think you’ll end up with a long-term starter.

2.02: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo (Kyle)

This could be a common theme that carries over through the process, with Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren being tied to each other in drafts. When one goes, the other won’t be far behind. With his size, length, range, and physical temperament, McNeil-Warren is a safety who can come up and set the tone. It’s not just that McNeil-Warren is solid coming up in run support, but he also has a knack for the big play, with 5 interceptions and 9 forced fumbles at Toledo.

McNeil-Warren should get nice draft capital. He was 13th off the board to the Rams in Daniel Jeremiah’s recent mock. In a scheme that lends to his strengths, playing a good chunk of snaps up tight, McNeil-Warren could be an impactful IDP rookie.

2.03: Caleb Banks | DT | Louisville (Bobby)

Caleb Banks is more of a long-term stash than an instant IDP contributor. The size jumps out (6’6”, 335 lbs), and you can see why the NFL will draft him high, but he feels like a developmental defensive tackle coming off an injury-shortened season. You’re probably not getting tackle volume early, but there’s some splash potential with the TFL and sack flashes he showed previously. He’s more of a “know the name now before the breakout later” type than someone you’re starting in Year 1.

2.04: Peter Woods | DT | Clemson (Jason)

Peter Woods is pretty explosive off the snap and shows active hands to keep offensive linemen from gluing their hands onto his chest. He’s laterally quick and dangerous as a puller on stunts or working down the line to chase running backs working through a gap. The fast movements really have me optimistic for his growth as a pass rusher, and he should contribute early as a stout run defender.

2.05: Josiah Trotter | LB | Missouri (Josh)

Josiah Trotter was a bit of a “name” pick for me. He’s another Trotter in the league, and a guy a lot of tape evaluators seem to love (including our own Mike Woellert). The appeal is pretty clear: physical, aggressive against the run with strong instincts and closing ability, plus he’s one of the younger linebackers in the class, so there’s developmental upside. He’s likely a late-round dart throw in rookie drafts, but if he finds a path to snaps, he feels like the type who can outperform his draft cost.

2.06: A.J. Haulcy | S | LSU (Eric)

A.J. Haulcy is a big safety at 6’0” and 222 pounds, capable of playing in the box or deep. He played more in the sweet spot in 2024 than he did in 2025, but he has the size to play in the box in the NFL and the versatility teams will love. He has good instincts and reacts to the ball well, grabbing 8 interceptions over the last 2 years.

2.07: T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson (Adam)

T.J. Parker just feels like a solid bet this late. He’s consistently mocked in the 1st round, and I could easily see him hitting double-digit sacks in a season. The junior production dip doesn’t bother me much since he only played around 548 snaps. He’s not flashy, but he profiles as a dependable EDGE you plug into your lineup and let produce. The Ringer compared him to Jermaine Johnson, and I think that’s apt.

2.08: Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn (Kyle)

Picking behind Adam is fun, as I had T.J. Parker at the top of my queue for this pick. Nonetheless, I’ll pivot and go with Keldric Faulk here. Faulk is a traits-based pick, with his pairing of size (6-foot-6, 285 pounds), athleticism, and length. He’s a first off the bus guy. However, his production is a bit of projection, as he posted just two sacks this past season, after posting seven in 2024.

Faulk’s frame is NFL-ready, and he’s versatile enough to play multiple roles along a defensive front, potentially being a handful when singled up when lined up as a 3-tech. Faulk isn’t my usual cup of tea when picking an edge prospect; however, there’s upside at this point given his projection as a first-round pick.

2.09: Kamari Ramsey | S | USC (Bobby)

I’m not crazy about this pick, but Kamari Ramsey flashed enough production in his college career, especially during 2023 and 2024, when he racked up 100 tackles and 8 sacks across two seasons. The injury last season stalled what could’ve been a bigger breakout year. He feels more like a late dart throw safety who needs the right scheme and playing time rather than someone you force into drafts early. If the deployment hits, though, there’s enough size and versatility to surprise.

2.10: Keyshaun Elliott | LB | Arizona State (Jason)

Keyshaun Elliott has nice size and strength, works well laterally behind the line to track running backs, and is competent dropping into zone. He’ll probably get dinged for a lack of elite speed, but he has adequate speed to the sideline.

He reportedly has a professional mindset and should be able to come in and challenge for snaps if he lands on a linebacker-needy team.

2.11: R Mason Thomas | EDGE | Oklahoma (Josh)

I’ll admit the name drew me in at first (R with no period is a bold choice), but the tape kept him there. Dude just plays with juice. He’s a compact EDGE who wins with burst and energy, and if he tests well at the NFL Combine, I think his stock will jump. At this point, I’m chasing edge rushers with traits and upside. R Mason Thomas is not a finished product, but he could definitely outplay where you have to take him.

2.12: Zion Young | EDGE | Missouri (Eric)

Zion Young plays with energy and power, but I wonder if he has the closing speed to sack the QB consistently in the NFL. His run defense is good and he has the size to be a 3-down EDGE, but he likely needs lots of snaps to end up with a decent sack total.

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