AFC Coaching Changes: How the 6 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for 2025
Mike Woellert looks at the new DCs, their philosophies, and who to target in IDP drafts.
The NFL truly is the league that never sleeps. Just when you think you can catch your breath after the Super Bowl—yada yada yada—suddenly the Combine is here, free agency is in full swing, and the draft sneaks up on you faster than Kramer sliding through Jerry's apartment door.
Now that the dust has settled on free agency, it's the perfect time to dive into how all these coaching changes (particularly at defensive coordinator) will shake up your IDP leagues heading into the 2025 season.
Let's break down the new DCs, their defensive philosophies, and most importantly, which players you should be targeting in your IDP drafts as a result of these changes.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Al Golden, who replaced Lou Anarumo as Bengals DC, has a strong collegiate background and prior NFL experience as a linebackers coach—including these same Bengals back in 2020-21. He ran a pro-style defense at Notre Dame, where his defenses were respected and highly ranked.
This past season, the Irish allowed just 14.3 PPG and led the FBS in takeaways (29). In the pros, he’s expected to blend the aggressive, flexible schemes he honed at Notre Dame with adjustments for professional speed and talent.
Defensive Philosophy
From a schematic standpoint, I expect a base similar to what they’ve been running recently, but not a 1:1 copy. Golden should bring more flexibility and some elements of their 4-2-5 with more man coverage sprinkled in with an emphasis on “see ball, get ball.” Golden is going to stress fundamentals in all that they do: namely, tackling and gap discipline. I think the Bengals will be less predictable in 2025.
Golden typically deployed a 4-2-5 shell and moved safeties around pre-snap. It will not be a rigid defense.
Defensive Line Unit
Pressure is central, whether through a four-man rush or added blitzers. Golden is going to love Trey Hendrickson, as he matches his pressure-oriented style. He’s coming off a 17.5 sack season while generating a 16.1% pressure rate.
The impact Hendrickson had on their pressure is glaring:
Even if Trey stays on, Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai need to step up.
Golden is going to do his damnedest to squeeze the talent out of Myles Murphy. Murphy is the one I’m interested in here. After a promising rookie year, Murphy failed to record a sack. Golden has a knack for developing raw talent. I like Murphy as a dynasty stash, and chances are, he’s on your dynasty wire right now.
Kris Jenkins should see more snaps in his second season after recording 31 tackles and 3 sacks.
The interior will need to bulk up.
Golden’s defensive lines are aggressive but controlled, aiming to disrupt plays early without sacrificing gap integrity. He stresses fundamentals—hand placement, hip explosion, and footwork—to defeat blocks rather than relying solely on raw athleticism.
Linebacker Unit
Golden returns to coach Logan Wilson, and as of now, Germaine Pratt (who has recently requested a trade). Akeem Davis-Gaither left for Arizona, so there are some depth issues at the moment.
Golden is projected to be nickel-heavy, so I’m assuming a 2-LB defense. The LBs carry some pass-rush upside, as Golden likes to give his off-ball LBs the freedom to blitz. Jack Kiser had a 77.1 pass-rush grade while generating a 23.7% pressure rate, so Wilson could see a similar role in Golden’s defense.
Defensive Back Unit
Golden prefers a 4-2-5 nickel package as his base defense, using two cornerbacks and three safeties in the secondary. Expect him to deploy the third safety in a hybrid linebacker role. I like Jordan Battle’s potential here.
He does emphasize man coverage, disguised blitzes, and a single-high safety. His philosophy blends physicality, adaptability, and empowerment, aiming to fix tackling woes and create turnovers.
Golden favors man coverage, so he’ll need corners who are disruptive. Cam Taylor-Britt had 6 defended passes and was average in coverage. Dax Hill played just 5 games, mostly on the outside.
Golden is going to try and maximize turnovers with his unit.
IDP Targets for 2025
Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt (as of now) will be LB targets, as they should have three-down roles. You’d expect regression from Trey Hendrickson; however, he’ll still be a DL1 target. On draft day, I don’t think I’ll be interested in the DBs until trends appear on usage. In super deep leagues, Myles Murphy is a post-hype breakout candidate. I might take a flier on a Jordan Battle breakout, and potentially their nickel corner, whoever that might be.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts moved on from Gus Bradley, who had been the DC over the last few seasons, and brought on former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo. The hope is that Anarumo helps the team break away from its vanilla defense of the past.
Defensive Philosophy
Anarumo doesn’t have a scheme per se but uses a mixture of different looks to keep opposing offenses guessing. He hides his looks pre-snap to keep the QB questioning what he’s seeing. He stresses late movement and versatile defenders who can handle different roles in different schemes while mixing in pressures and exploiting weaknesses. The goal is to limit the explosive plays that plagued the Colts last season.
Anarumo needs versatile, high IQ players, especially in the secondary and at linebacker and his utilization will emphasize adaptability over rigidity.
Last season, this was Anarumo’s most utilized lineup:
Defensive Line Unit
Anarumo doesn’t blitz often but uses a variety of fronts to confuse the QB. DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye, and Laiatu Latu will anchor their line. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some stunts or disguised pressures. Anarumo’s a fan of QB pressures leading to failed offensive plays, as opposed to strictly counting stats.
Dayo Odeyingbo is off to Chicago, and Paye led the unit in sack rate. Latu is expected to generate consistent pressure in his second year:
Anaruno should use a mix of alignments and pressures tailored to each opponent. He often used a four-down front (typically a 4-3 base) against heavier personnel sets, but he’s not wedded to one look. He’s known for mixing in odd fronts, stunts, and twists to create confusion and free up rushers. Rotation and depth are also central to Anarumo’s deployment strategy. He’s long advocated for keeping linemen fresh by rotating seven or eight players—a luxury he doesn’t have here in Indy.
Linebacker Unit
Although he racked up 174 tackles, Zaire Franklin is going to need to clean up his tackling, and he could end up taking a step back in Anarumo’s scheme. Franklin’s 47.7 coverage grade and his struggle in short ranges will expose the defense. If the Colts bring in an LB with more range, Franklin might lose his three-down role if Anarumo decides to keep him off certain passing situations. Anarumo requires versatility.
Anarumo’s signature is his use of pre-snap deception, often showing blitz with his linebackers only to drop them into coverage or vice versa. In Indianapolis, he’ll likely align Franklin and Carlies to sell pressure. With a defensive line featuring Buckner and Grover Stewart eating blocks, Anarumo’s linebackers are freed to attack downhill against the run.
The Bengals were nickel-heavy, so I’d imagine Anarumo brings that same philosophy and should utilize two off-ball LBs.
Defensive Back Unit
Anarumo’s staple is a dynamic secondary. He’ll mix (Cover-1) and zone (Cover-3, Cover-6) with constant disguises; for example, pre-snap single-high shifting to two-deep. They’ll be asked to press and jam while using one of his safeties and the other as a robber near the LOS.
The addition of Camryn Bynum gives him a dynamic playmaker in the defensive backfield. Bynum has recorded 5 INTs and 19 defended passes over the last two seasons. I could see Bynum being Anarumo’s Jesse Bates.
I think Bynum, Kenny Moore, and Nick Cross should fare well, especially if Anarumo decides to keep Cross in his role. Jaylon Jones received a 72.7 in man coverage, so he should fit in.
IDP Targets for 2025
Buckner should be a DT1 in true position, and Latu is poised for a breakout season under Anarumo’s tutelage. As of now, I’m a bit worried about Franklin and might be a bit lower on his projections for 2025. Carlies appears to be the LB2 and should step into EJ Speed’s role. Cross looks to be a DB1/2 once again, while Bynum has big play potential and provides a decent tackle floor as a DB2.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Anthony Campanile is the second DC in as many seasons for the Jaguars, who hired Liam Coen as the new head coach from Tampa Bay. Campanile has spent the last five seasons as an LB coach with Miami and Green Bay.
Defensive Philosophy
Campanile will bring his own flavor to Duval, but I expect collaboration with Coen. Coen has expressed his desire to be aggressive but adaptable. Coen, however, has been more offensive-focused, so I’d expect Campanile to be able to put his fingerprints on the defense and craft the identity.
I expect a combination of Brian Flores (blitz-focus) and Vic Fangio (two-high coverage) from Miami, while allowing LBs to run downhill against the run. Campanile’s run defense allowed just 4 yards/game and was a top-10 run defense (99.4 yards/game). He stresses violence at the point of attack with multiple fronts.
Defensive Line Unit
Campanile has repeatedly stressed that his defensive line must “take pride in not getting blocked.” He views the ability to shed blocks as the foundation of a tough, fast, physical defense—a mantra he articulated in his February 2025 press conference:
“The violence at the point of attack, the effort, the strain, and the finish… that’s what creates a great defense.”
He wants linemen to attack the ball—stripping, punching, or disrupting QBs—supporting a broader defensive goal of forcing errors.
Campanile will squeeze violence out of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, and I think they benefit the most. I think his scheme will allow them to go get the QB with stunts and movement along the line.
Linebacker Unit
I’m most excited to see what Campanile does with Devin Lloyd, who could be in line for a breakout season. Lloyd’s speed and athleticism could allow him to thrive, and he could be Campanile’s Edgerrin Cooper. Lloyd received an 84.2 run defense grade and an 88 pass-rush grade in 2024. I could see Lloyd being utilized from multiple areas as a pass rusher and should see more coverage snaps in zone drops and covering TEs. Campanile is going to cause confusion for QBs.
Campanile’s 80%+ nickel usage (4-2-5) from Green Bay should carry over. Although Foye Oluokun has been the dot wearer, Campanile may favor Lloyd for the dot.
Defensive Back Unit
Campanile’s system isn’t wedded to one scheme—man or zone—but leans toward two-high safety looks (Cover 2, Cover 4) and prioritizes ball production. He tailors roles to personnel, not philosophy. Campanile’s defensive backs will be physical, versatile, and ball-focused—pressing receivers, disguising intent, and finishing plays—to rebuild Jacksonville’s back end into a strength.
I like Jourdan Lewis’s upside for production as the slot corner.
IDP Targets for 2025
If Campanile can unlock the potential of Hines-Allen, Walker, and Lloyd, we could see top IDP seasons. I’m expecting a big season from Lloyd… like top-10 LB scoring. I’m targeting those three, and I think I’m fading Oluokun in 2024.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Antonio Pierce was fired after one season, and former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll joined the fray but kept Patrick Graham on as defensive coordinator.
Defensive Philosophy
I don’t anticipate much change in the philosophy or scheme. It appears that Carroll might value what’s already in place. Carroll, however, may want to evolve the defense, as opposed to building from scratch. Carroll’s known for his aggressive, player-centric approach, rooted in the Cover 3 scheme he mastered with Seattle.
So there might be more of an emphasis on aggression coupled with multiple fronts and maybe a single-high safety look. The real shift might show up in execution rather than scheme.
This was a typical deployment of Seattle’s defense in 2023:
This was one of the Raiders’ most deployed lineups in 2024:
Defensive Line Unit
Carroll’s influence will likely reinforce a 4-3 alignment as the foundation, while Graham’s adaptability suggests they’ll shift fronts based on down and distance. In passing situations, they might slide Crosby inside or use a “NASCAR” package (four speed rushers) to overwhelm offensive lines, a tactic Carroll employed in Seattle. Against run-heavy teams, they could stack the line with an extra lineman or linebacker, reflecting Graham’s past adjustments.
When you have Maxx Crosby, like the Metallica song, nothing else matters. Their pass rush took a hit with Crosby missing the majority of the season; however, with a new contract in hand, he sounds healthy and ready to go. Christian Wilkins should continue to dominate the inside, and Crosby will be happy to have Malcolm Koonce back after he missed the 2024 season following a breakout 2023. Adam Butler also returns after a big 2024 season with 5 sacks and 5 QB hits.
With Crosby on the shelf, Charles Snowden, Tyree Wilson, and K’Laivon Chaisson did the heavy lifting.
Pressure production post-Crosby (Weeks 15-18). Tyree Wilson was surprisingly productive:
Interior defensive line production:
Linebacker Unit
Pete Carroll and Patrick Graham have a similar philosophy regarding LB deployment. They were in dime for 14% of their snaps, which is right around the percentage of Carroll’s Seattle defense in 2023.
The Raiders’ LB unit is a bit more discombobulated. Gone are Divine Deablo and team captain Robert Spillane. They did add run stopper Elandon Roberts from Pittsburgh. After that? Well, it’ll be a hodge podge of Amari Burney, Luke Masterson, and, well… we have Devin White back in our lives.
This is an LB room ripe for an addition from the draft.
Defensive Back Unit
Carroll’s philosophy typically revolves around a Cover 3-heavy scheme, emphasizing tall, physical, and rangy defensive backs who can press receivers at the line, disrupt routes, and excel in zone coverage. Graham leaned on a 4-3 base but frequently mixed fronts and coverages, including Cover 3, Cover 1, and quarters, depending on personnel and opponent.
Expect a 4-3 under front with a Cover 3 shell as the default, leveraging Jeremy Chinn or Isaiah Pola-Mao as the single-high safety to patrol the deep third. I’m expecting Chinn to be in the box.
IDP Targets for 2025
Maxx Crosby will be a top DL in 2025, and I also like Malcolm Koonce and Christian Wilkins as injury bouncebacks. I also really like Adam Butler in DT-required leagues. As long as the Raiders don’t address LB in the draft, Roberts is one of this season’s Zack Baun candidates. I’m also targeting Chinn from the secondary.
5. New England Patriots
We got another one and done in New England, as Bill Belichick’s hand-picked disciple Jerod Mayo couldn’t answer the question, “What would you say you do here?” The Patriots turned to a familiar face in Mike Vrabel, who in turn brought in Terrell Williams as their new defensive coordinator.
Defensive Philosophy
Expect a front that’s flexible but leans on four-down linemen in passing situations—overloads, wide-nine alignments, and stunts galore. Tennessee under Vrabel loved to mix it up: blitzes from the nickel, dropping ends into coverage, and spinning safeties to disguise intent. Coverage often settled into a single-high Cover 3.
Terrell Williams built a reputation for crafting units that are physical, relentless, and adaptable. His approach isn’t some esoteric chess match; it’s a bar fight. Williams isn’t wedded to one front—he’s flexible, toggling between 3-4 and 4-3 looks depending on personnel and matchup. With Vrabel, he often ran a hybrid that morphed into a 4-3 under in passing downs, overloading one side or looping linemen to confuse protection. He overwhelms with speed and violence.
With Vrabel as head coach, this was Tennessee’s most utilized lineup:
Defensive Line Unit
I’m hoping that Vrabel and Williams can get something out of Keion White, who started off the 2024 season hot with 4 sacks in the first two games but had just 1 sack for the remainder of the year. White’s pressures precipitously dropped after Week 10. So, hopefully, the addition of Milton Williams will help unlock something out of White. The acquisition of Harold Landry brings back a recognizable presence to New England for Vrbael. I could see a rotation form between White and Landry.
Here’s a visual of Keion White’s splits:
Weeks 1-10
Weeks 11-18
I think Vrabel and Williams are going to focus on disruption and making the opposing QBs’ lives a living hell. If Christian Barmore has a clean bill of health, he could be their Jeffrey Simmons. Hopefully, an update is coming soon.
Linebacker Unit
The Patriots released Ju’Whaun Bentley and matched the Raiders’ offer for Christian Elliss. More notably, New England signed Robert Spillane in free agency to presumably be the anchor of the defense. Spillane fits the mold of a Vrabel/Williams LB—a violent, downhill run stopper who can hunt the QB when called on.
With Elliss and Spillane in tow, I think Jahlani Tavai’s value is on life support.
Vrabel used 2-LB packages on 70% of his snaps, so the LB2 was off the field nearly 30% of the time.
Defensive Back Unit
The secondary’s trickier. Vrabel and Williams leaned on safeties like Kevin Byard in Tennessee—box players who tackled like linebackers (90–100 tackles) and snagged picks. Kyle Dugger could thrive here, especially if he’s deployed closer to the line. Cornerbacks, though? Williams’s philosophy doesn’t funnel tackles to corners unless they’re pressing and shedding blocks on sweeps or screens. Instead, he’ll want CBs who can jam receivers, disrupt timing, and force throws into tighter windows where his safeties or blitzing LBs can capitalize.
Christian Gonzalez is a stud, but how many targets will he see? He’ll be dependent on INTs and defended passes. Gonzalez is a tough one to throw against:
IDP Targets in 2025
Keion White’s usage is what’s giving me pause. If Williams plays more of the 3-tech, like in Philadelphia, White should play on the opposite side of Landry, who will be a target in big play formats. Robert Spillane should wear the dot and have a three-down role, and I’m always targeting Kyle Dugger… no matter what.
6. New York Jets
The Jets let go of Robert Saleh at the end of the season and overhauled the coaching staff, raiding the Detroit Lions coaching staff and bringing in Aaron Glenn as head coach. Glenn hired former head coach Steve Wilks as his defensive coordinator.
Defensive Philosophy
Glenn and Wilks share a defensive philosophy rooted in aggression, adaptability, and quarterback disruption, shaped by their extensive experience as players and coaches. Glenn, a former All-Pro cornerback turned defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, emphasizes attacking the quarterback through varied pressures and a strong front while maintaining flexibility to adjust schemes to personnel and opponents.
Glenn has stressed that affecting the quarterback is the cornerstone of any defense, whether through a four-man rush or creative blitzes. Wilks aligns with this, historically ranking high in blitz frequency.
Wilks favors zone schemes (Cover 3, Cover 4) over man, using them roughly 70-80% of the time across his career, while Glenn’s Lions defenses balanced zone and man but thrived on disguising intent, while both prefer nickel packages (4-2-5) as their base.
Glenn and Wilks aim to transform the Jets into an aggressive, turnover-hungry unit that marries Glenn’s quarterback-attacking philosophy with Wilks’ blitz-and-zone structure.
Defensive Line Unit
The Jets’ defensive line was marred with a big injury up front. Jermaine Johnson appeared in just 3 games. Will McDonald enjoyed a breakout year with 10.5 sacks and a 2.5% sack rate.
According to Field Vision Pro, McDonald did most of his damage lined up on the right side, producing a 7.4 havoc/100:
Quinnen Williams is also a centerpiece. Glenn and Wilks will likely deploy him as a versatile disruptor, sliding him across the interior (3-technique to 1-technique) to exploit matchups, much like Glenn used Alim McNeil in Detroit.
Linebacker Unit
The Jets released CJ Mosley and brought back Jamien Sherwood, who should look to anchor the LB group once again with Quincy Williams. Sherwood should wear the dot and rotate between the right and left side with Williams.
Wilks will use them in simulated pressures—showing blitz before dropping into zones—while occasionally sending Sherwood up the A-gap. In Carolina’s defense, he used Luke Kuechly in a similar fashion. Sherwood had 40 pass-rush snaps in 2024.
The Jets will likely operate out of a 4-3 base in early downs against run-heavy teams, transitioning to nickel against spread offenses. Glenn’s defense had 446 snaps in their base defense, even though they were worse against the pass when in base.
Defensive Back Unit
Wilks’ preference for Cover 3 (deep thirds) and Cover 4 (quarters) will dominate, with Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens dropping into zones to bait QBs into mistakes. Glenn’s input might increase Cover 1 (man-free) usage on obvious passing downs, leveraging Gardner’s shutdown ability. Pre-snap disguises will aim to replicate Detroit’s two-minute dominance
Tony Adams is likely pegged as the starting strong safety (SS), thriving in a role where he can play downhill, take on blockers, and clean up runs. Glenn and Wilks will position Andre Cisco to capitalize on his strengths: anticipation and closing speed. He could be the Kerby Joseph of this defense.
IDP Targets for 2025
If Johnson is healthy, he’s an intriguing DL, but I’m targeting McDonald first. Quinnen Williams is a DT2/3 in DT-required leagues. Sherwood is an LB1, and I’d target Quincy Williams as an LB2. I don’t have much interest in the DBs.
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