Ideal Landing Spots for 25 Rookie IDPs
After free agency reshaped rosters this past week, Jason King looks at the teams that still have major defensive needs—and which rookie IDP prospects fit them best.
With much of the dust from the fury of NFL free agency seemingly settled, we’re taking a quick break from the defensive positional overviews to talk current team personnel needs and fits from the rookie class.
Granted, at the time of this writing, there are still some potential impact IDPs among the pool of free agents, and the ultimate landing spots for the likes of Bobby Okereke and Bobby Wagner can change things. But for now, it’s nice to have in mind which landing spots make the most sense for our IDP rookie prospects.
Team and draft capital should and will have an impact on how we view this crop of IDPs, and we don’t want to invest heavily in any IDP who won’t see the field for a while due to a quality depth chart ahead of him, or is saddled with the undue burden of being a late Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent.
For each of the position groups, I’m offering prospects from my top 25 defensive fantasy rankings, and pairing them with a needy team that offers a schematic fit and has the realistic draft capital to make the match work.
Note: Pressures and alignment data are courtesy Pro Football Focus.
Top EDGE Prospects
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
David Bailey, Texas Tech
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Zion Young, Missouri
Derrick Moore, Michigan
Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
New York Jets: Arvell Reese
I really don’t mean to insinuate that the Jets are an ideal landing spot for any rookie. Even with the retooling made by Gang Green during the free agency period, this team was such a hot mess last season that it’s hard to see it turning around to the point that Aaron Glenn keeps his job. Still, an impact EDGE is a real need for any team that doesn’t have one, and New York is one of those clubs.
After trading away Jermaine Johnson to shore up the defensive interior with T’Vondre Sweat, the Jets’ viable options are Will McDonald and newcomers Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. The Jets have until May 1 to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year option on McDonald, a 2023 1st-round pick. Still, he’s not under contract for the long-term, and best fits as a No. 2. Ossai, whose three-year deal is in reality likely a two-year pact, is a good rotational piece and ideal No. 3 option. Enagbare (on a one-year deal) is a solid depth option but nothing more.
Enter Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, the odds-on favorite to be New York’s pick at No. 2 overall. While this is indeed a deep EDGE class, the list of impact rushers with elite upside probably stops at Reese and David Bailey. Reese, of course, played more off-ball than on the line of scrimmage, but he has youth (21 when the season kicks off) and athletic tools on his side. He just needs refinement and experience, something he’ll get in year one as he rotates with McDonald, Ossai, and Enagbare.
Miami Dolphins: David Bailey
Miami hit the franchise reset button, and naturally has a lot of holes to fill with a new defensive-minded head coach (Jeff Hafley) in charge. EDGE should be a priority, given the importance of the position and a lack of proven difference-makers in the current position group. Chop Robinson, who showed high-level promise as a rookie, bombed in Year 2 but still represents the best hope at the position given the other current options: Josh Uche and Robert Beal Jr. Both veterans signed one-year deals, and the better of the two (Uche) is at best suited to be a third or fourth option.
The Dolphins would have to trade up from No. 11 overall to get Texas Tech’s David Bailey, but with five picks in the top 90, they could pull it off should Bailey still be available at No. 5. This is an ideal scenario, as Bailey offers elite fantasy upside, and Miami offers the easiest path to snap volume.
Philadelphia Eagles: Rueben Bain Jr.
Philadelphia was one of the teams reported to be “in” on Trey Hendrickson, and you can’t blame them given the advantage that comes along with having an elite pass rusher outside the tackle. After striking out on Hendrickson and losing Jaelan Phillips, it makes sense for the Eagles to look to add a potential future No. 1 to pair with Jalyx Hunt, who broke out in Year 2 with 60 pressures on 360 pass rush snaps. This room also includes former 1st-rounder Nolan Smith and free agent addition Arnold Ebiketie, but both could hit free agency next offseason.
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. would be a swing-for-the-fences pick given his power, quickness, and inside-outside versatility. The sub-31-inch T-Rex arms are a big red flag, but neither the franchise nor the defensive coordinator (Vic Fangio) has ever been deterred by shorter-than-ideal arm length. Granted, Bain is an extreme case, but the flexibility to align at multiple techniques should help Fangio mitigate Bain’s Achilles heel.
Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor
The Lions have arguably the best EDGE in the game with Aidan Hutchinson, and nothing else to speak of outside of hybrid EDGE/off-ball Derrick Barnes. Maybe the plan is to move Barnes to EDGE full-time, but even if that’s the case, Detroit has plenty of snaps to feed a rookie.
Akheem Mesidor (Miami) isn’t without his warts—he’ll be 25 when the season kicks off, hasn’t shown a consistent power element despite his 259 pounds, and may be maxed out from a development perspective—but he’d make a great complement next to Hutchinson given his ability to line up on both the left and right sides, and quick-win ability on pass rush snaps. Hutchinson’s presence helped journeyman Al-Quadin Muhammad look good last season; this would be a plum assignment for any rookie EDGE.
New England Patriots: Cashius Howell
New England isn’t the same level of landing spot as Detroit or Miami given the presence of Harold Landry for another one to two years, as well as free agent addition Dre’Mont Jones. The latter is a bit of a bigger body (6-foot-3, 281 pounds) with some versatility to slide inside though, and Landry is entering his age-30 season. I’d expect the Patriots to explore a rookie outside rusher with juice.
At 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds with an elite 10-yard split, Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) offers that explosion, and his athletic profile is similar to Harold Landry as a prospect. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, of course, was just starting his tenure as Tennessee’s head coach when the Titans drafted Landry in the 2nd round, so there’s some limited history of Vrabel liking this archetype.
The knock on Howell, of course, is the historically short arm length (like Bain, they measured less than 31 inches). That heightens the risk of a bust, which is why Howell is likely to be selected on Day 2, and it’s not hard to imagine him still being on the board when New England turns in the card with pick No. 63.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk
Tampa Bay isn’t an obvious landing spot for an EDGE given the depth chart includes YaYa Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson, and Chris Braswell, plus the intriguing David Walker. Diaby, Muhammad, and Nelson are all playing on one-year deals, however, setting the stage for a rookie to join the room as a rotational option before assuming a much larger role in year two.
This is the type of situation that sets up well for LSU’s Keldric Faulk, who is going to tempt many a front office with his 6-foot-6, 276-pound frame, 34-plus inch arms, explosive Combine jumps, and age (he can’t buy an adult beverage until September). Pass rush productivity is a projection, as Faulk tallied just two sacks and 30 pressures on 556 snaps in his third and final season at Auburn. A part-time role to start combined with a full professional offseason in 2027 should help him refine his strength and repertoire of moves.
Kansas City Chiefs: Zion Young
Kansas City bid adieu to both Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna this offseason, and while rising sophomore Ashton Gillotte showed adequacy over his 485 snaps, the Chiefs need bodies and upside to complement George Karlaftis.
The Chiefs added a second 1st-round pick (No. 29) in the trade that sent Trent McDuffie to the Rams, and also own the 40th overall pick. Either selection is in the projected draft range for Missouri’s Zion Young, who played collegiately just two hours east of Kansas City. Young to the Chiefs would be a crowd-pleaser and a fit, putting a powerful pocket-pusher and solid run defender opposite Karlaftis.
Green Bay Packers: Derrick Moore
The Rashan Gary trade really left Green Bay thin at EDGE considering star Micah Parsons tore his ACL on December 14. Even if your cheesehead believes the Lukas Van Ness breakout is coming in Year 4, the Packers need help in the immediate and the future. Michigan’s Derrick Moore is a solid option given his quickness and power, and he should be on the board when Green Bay’s first pick rolls around at No. 52.
Los Angeles Chargers: Malachi Lawrence
Khalil Mack won’t play forever, will he? With Mack and top backup Bud Dupree both on one-year deals, it’s time for the Chargers to address the long-term need opposite Tui Tuipulotu. Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence offers tantalizing athleticism (a 95th percentile Speed Score and a 97th percentile Burst Score) in a 6-foot-4, 248-pound frame, and he sports a junk drawer full of raw moves. He might be too tempting for Los Angeles to let slide past pick No. 55.
Top IDL Prospects
I’m not going too deep here because, quite frankly, it’s a poor interior draft, especially for fantasy purposes given we aren’t interested in two-gapping nose pluggers.
Peter Woods, Clemson
Caleb Banks, Florida
Minnesota Vikings: Peter Woods
The Vikings took swings on the interior last offseason with veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, both of whom are now on different teams and counting against Minnesota’s dead cap. So what’s left? Nothing, outside of 2023 undrafted free agent Jalen Redmond (who led the group with 35 pressures) and 2024 seventh-rounder Levi Drake-Rodriguez. This team not only needs several veterans to fill out the room. It needs an infusion of young talent.
Clemson’s Peter Woods fits the bill. He’s shown the ability to play at different weights (roughly 300 pounds in 2025 vs. 330 in 2024), and is powerful enough to two-gap. He’s at his best as a 3-tech, though, where he can use his off-the-snap explosion and lateral quickness to penetrate gaps. Minnesota offers the best opportunity for immediate snaps and long-term volume.
Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Banks
Somewhat lost in the storyline of the failed Maxx Crosby trade is the Raiders’ commitment to improving their defense during free agency. With Kwity Paye joining Crosby and Macolm Koonce on the edge, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean at the off-ball spots, and run support slot defender Taron Johnson, Las Vegas is making strides at upgrading a poor unit at stopping the run. The interior line, unfortunately, still looks the same, with 2025 snap leaders Jonah Laulu and Adam Butler—both of whom grade poorly as tacklers and as run defenders, and as below-average pass rushers—anchoring the depth chart.
Florida’s Caleb Banks could change that in time. A “Planet Theory” specimen—few people on Planet Earth possess his size and length (6-foot-6, 35-inch arms, 327 pounds), and quickness and strength—Banks very well may slip to the Raiders’ second pick at No. 36 given recent news that he’ll be sidelined until June by a foot fracture he suffered at the NFL Combine. Las Vegas won’t be pressured to field a winner in Fernando Mendoza’s first year, lessening the pressure on Banks to provide an immediate impact.
Top LB Prospects
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Kyle Louis, Pitt
Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
CJ Allen, Georgia
Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles
A new head coach (former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur) and a new quarterback (TBD) indeed mark a new era for Arizona, but this isn’t as hard a reset as it seems. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis returns, providing some continuity on our preferred side of the line of scrimmage. You can easily argue for the Cardinals to address the offensive line at No. 3 overall, but I’d argue this team needs an upgrade in talent, and there’s arguably no greater talent than Ohio State’s Sonny Styles.
A playmaker with All-Pro upside, Styles would provide Arizona with a succession plan in defensive leadership from Budda Baker, who is entering his age-30 season. And Styles would elevate the second level of the defense from a room led by Mack Wilson (entering the final year of his contract) and rising second-year off-ball Cody Simon. Linebacker may not be a dire need in the desert, but elite-level talent is.
Dallas Cowboys: Jacob Rodriguez
If you’re still suffering from indifference or disdain for the Cowboys’ linebacker corps, it’s understandable. Forgiveness can be hard to grant in this case considering the Cowboys trotted out Kenneth Murray, Logan Wilson, Jack Sanborn, and Maris Liufau for a combined 1,500 snaps in 2025. But other than Liufau, they’re all gone, as is former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. New DC Christian Parker arrives from Philadelphia, and I’m expecting a strong two-linebacker package featuring holdover DeMarvion Overshown with someone not named Shemar James or Liufau.
Jacob Rodriguez would erase any contempt we have for the Dallas off-ball group. He may seem like a reach at No. 20, but it’s not considering the Texas Tech All-American blew the doors off the NFL Combine on the heels of a senior season that saw him post 128 total tackles with 7 forced fumbles and 4 INTs. Dallas fans would love to see this happen given that Rodriguez played high school and college football in Texas. IDP aficionados would be equally thrilled, as Rodriguez could man the middle of the defense and form a fantastic one-two off-ball punch with Overshown, a Texas native.
Denver Broncos: Jake Golday
Denver welcomed back both Alex Singleton (two years) and Justin Strnad (three years), and released the disappointing Dre Greenlaw. Singleton is 32, though, and Strnad’s reported contract pays him like a third linebacker. The team could use a high-pedigree pick both for now and the future.
Jake Golday fits the mold in size, length, and athleticism (6-foot-4, 239 pounds, 32-inch arms, and a 9.73 RAS) of what Vance Joseph has looked for in other recent off-ball draft picks, notably Drew Sanders (2023 3rd round by Denver) and Isaiah Simmons (2020 1st round by Arizona). Neither has lived up to the draft position, but that’s not Golday’s fault and shouldn’t be held against him.
Indianapolis Colts: Kyle Louis
After riding with Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt for most of 2025, Indianapolis has been quiet at the off-ball spot since sending away Franklin in a trade with Green Bay. The two names currently under contract—Jaylon Carlies and Austin Ajiake—both weigh in at less than 230 pounds. I can say with certainty that the Colts are not trotting out two starting off-balls who have little experience and little weight. So expect a veteran (perhaps Pratt) to join this room later this offseason.
But given that both Carlies and Ajiake are on the small side, we have evidence that Indianapolis is OK sacrificing bulk for speed and quickness at off-ball. And any team taking Pitt’s Kyle Louis has to be OK with that, since he’s all of 6-feet, 220 pounds. He’s a smart linebacker with a 96th percentile Burst Score and a 6.97 3-cone to his name, so if the size becomes an issue, Louis can maybe slide to strong safety (which also happens to be a need in Indianapolis).
Kansas City Chiefs: Keyshaun Elliott
The Chiefs don’t have a glaring hole at off-ball even after Leo Chenal’s departure for Washington, but the room definitely thinned. Nick Bolton remains the leader in the clubhouse, and Jeffrey Bassa could possibly develop into a third linebacker. Drue Tranquill is the No. 2 option for 2026, but he’s entering the final year of his contract and his age-31 season. It wouldn’t hurt Kansas City to start grooming a replacement.
Arizona State’s Keyshaun Elliott is a draft favorite of mine and will likely be available for picking early on day three of the NFL Draft. A mature leader who happens to hail from the Kansas City area, Elliott answered some questions about his athleticism at the Combine with an 87th percentile Burst Score. Even if you still question the straight line speed, understanding what’s happening in front of you is the most important trait for an off-ball, and Elliott scores well in that department.
Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Hill Jr.
Like Arizona, Atlanta swapped out its head coach but retained its defensive coordinator, which is a good thing given Jeff Ulbrich is a former NFL linebacker and a strong developer of off-ball talent. The Falcons lost Kaden Elliss, but brought in former Texan Christian Harris to compete for a starting gig next to Divine Deablo. JD Betrandt and Channing Tindall are also here, but neither has long-term starting upside.
Given Harris has never been able to stay healthy long enough to establish himself, and both he and Deablo aren’t contracted past 2026, it makes sense for the Falcons to consider adding a high-end rookie to the room. Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. makes sense in an Ulbrich scheme given ideal size for a modern off-ball, elite athleticism (a 9.83 RAS), ability as a blitzer, and understanding of what he sees in front of him. And he should be attainable on day two, which is good since Atlanta doesn’t have a 1st-round pick.
New York Giants: CJ Allen
After releasing Bobby Okereke, the Giants looked like a prime spot for Sonny Styles at No. 5 overall. But after Big Blue signed former Bear Tremaine Edmunds to a multi-year deal and re-signed Micah McFadden for 2026, the urgency to address the position with prime 1st-round real estate is diminished. That shouldn’t stop the Giants from seeking a long-term upgrade on McFadden, though, and Georgia’s CJ Allen would represent that upgrade. Though somewhat limited in his movement skills, Allen effectively fills run gaps and can serve as an on-the-field general. Plus, after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscus injury in November, a landing spot in the Meadowlands should allow Allen additional time to recover.
Top S and Slot Prospects
Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
AJ Haulcy, LSU
Treydan Stukes, Arizona
Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Kamari Ramsey, Southern Cal
Kansas City Chiefs: Caleb Downs
The Chiefs have bigger needs at wide receiver and outside corner, but given the importance of safety play in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs might be too good to pass up if he falls to No. 9 overall. After losing Justin Reid one year ago and Bryan Cook during this cycle of free agency, the Chiefs are left with Jaden Hicks (coming off a mostly disappointing second season), underwhelming slot defender Chamarri Conner, and former Charger and Raven Alohi Gilman, who signed a multi-year deal earlier this week. A defense in need of a jolt would get it in Downs.
Dallas Cowboys: Dillon Thieneman
After shoring up the EDGE room with a trade for Rashan Gary, Dallas needs second- and third-level help, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys use both of its 1st-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20) to do so. If Rodriguez (above) could be the second-level answer, could Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman bring stability and playmaking ability to the safety spot?
This is not the position of desperation it was a week ago, with Dallas signing Jalen Thompson to a multi-year deal to join Malik Hooker in the starting lineup. (The Cowboys also have holdover Markquese Bell and former Bronco PJ Locke as backups.) But Thompson is perhaps most effective when he can play over the slot, and he and Thieneman can be interchangeable in that role.
Philadelphia Eagles: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Reed Blankenship’s departure left the Eagles with promising second-year safety Andrew Mukuba and Sydney Brown, who is somehow already entering the final year of his rookie contract. Brown is probably best-suited to be a backup safety/slot defender, so a starter could come in the form of Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The Toledo star is a nice combination of rangy speed and physicality, and would pair well with Mukuba for the next few years.
Chicago Bears: AJ Haulcy
No team saw safety room turnover like Chicago, which lost Kevin Byard (New England), Jaquan Brisker (Pittsburgh), CJ Gardner-Johnson (Buffalo), and Jonathan Owens (Indianapolis). The Bears brought over a starting deep safety in Coby Bryant (Seattle), but they need someone who can withstand consistent work close to the line of scrimmage.
At 6-foot, 222 pounds, AJ Haulcy is a big boy who can quickly read what’s in front of him and trigger downhill in a hurry. He also had a knack for creating turnovers, with 10 INTs and 4 forced fumbles over his four-year college career that included stops at New Mexico and Houston.
Miami Dolphins: Treydan Stukes
We know from his time as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator that new Miami coach Jeff Hafley values defensive backs who can be deployed in a variety of positions and understand zone responsibilities. And we know Miami has a big need at safety and over the slot, with the currently under contract options restricted to 2025 rookie Dante Trader Jr. and free agent signee Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Las Vegas). Versatile and capable bodies are wanted, and Arizona’s Treydan Stukes would fit in well as the primary slot defender with the ability to hold down a split or box safety spot if needed.
Indianapolis Colts: Jalon Kilgore
Colts fans were surely sad to see Nick Cross depart for Washington. After a slow start to his career, Cross became one of the strongest run support safeties in the league over the past two seasons. Without him, Indianapolis is left thin at the spot with free safety Camryn Bynum joined by free agent signing Jonathan Owens and holdover Daniel Scott, both signed to one-year deals, and rising second-year safety/linebacker Hunter Wohler.
If those options aren’t exciting enough, can I interest you in South Carolina’s Jalon Kilgore? We know General Manager Chris Ballard loves to draft great athletes, and Kilgore scored a 9.67 RAS at the Combine. He profiles as a downhill box safety with strong tackling skills, a perfect complement for Bynum.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Kamari Ramsey
Jacksonville actually got quality safety play in 2025 from a group led by Antonio Johnson, Eric Murray, and Andrew Wingard. While Johnson (one year remaining on his rookie contract) looks like a long-term keeper, Murray (32) is getting long in the tooth, and Wingard is now wearing Cardinal red.
Southern Cal’s Kamari Ramsey is a smooth operator who can plug in at split safety or over the slot, and provide an upgrade over Murray.
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