IDP Risers and Fallers: 2025 Preseason Edition

With the NFL preseason behind us, let's look at which IDPs saw their stock rise and fall the most.

The NFL preseason is over, the 2025 regular season is set to kick off in just 10 days, and fantasy drafts are reaching a fever pitch. With that in mind, let’s take a moment to recap what we learned across three weeks of preseason action (plus training camp).

These contests might not be filled with starters, but they did help us sort out some key positional battles—and not always in the way we expected. Whose stock is rising as we approach the regular season, and whose stock is falling? Here are some IDPs you should have in your draft queue, and those who should never see it.

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RISER: Jack Sanborn, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Jack Sanborn has been picking up steam as the preseason rolls along. Familiar with Matt Eberflus’ defense, Sanborn was seen with the green dot throughout OTAs and minicamp. In Week 2 of the preseason, he was out with the starters and wore the dot. Now, is it possible that Kenneth Murray wears the dot? It’s possible.

But even if Murray is given the dot, Sanborn has a three-down role in the defense. In just 19 snaps, he recorded a 15.8% tackle rate, which is no surprise given that he was an efficient tackler in Chicago.

Sanborn finished the preseason with a 79.2 PFF grade and, more importantly, a 76.3 coverage grade. Those are the types of grades that keep you on the field.

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FALLER: Elandon Roberts, LB, Las Vegas Raiders

I feel like the rug was pulled out from under us in Las Vegas. Throughout the offseason, Elandon Roberts was seen with the dot, Pete Carroll talked him up as a communicator, and Roberts said how important it was that he wore the dot and took responsibility for it.

Then, in walks Devin White.

Week 1 of the preseason. White is wearing the dot, with Roberts coming off on nickel packages. OK, no need to panic. Maybe it was just cross-training?

Week 2. White still has the dot. Roberts has now become the pig roast that Lisa Simpson tried to get rid of: “It’s just a little dirty, it’s still good, it’s still good!”

Week 3. White still has the dot. In the words of Bart Simpson in that scene, “It’s gone.”

That’s how I feel about Roberts’ IDP value, unless this White dot stuff was just a preseason thing and Roberts will man the middle during the regular season. But that seems unlikely at this point—Roberts played just 14 snaps with the starters and consistently came off in nickel packages.

So, White looks to be the target here as long as he continues to have the dot. Even that’s shaky. Thanks Raiders.

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RISER: Cedric Gray, LB, Tennessee Titans

There was a legitimate competition between Cedric Gray and James Williams this offseason, with both Tennessee Titans LBs entering the preseason neck and neck for the LB2 role opposite Cody Barton.

In Week 1, James Williams got the start with Barton and the first team. Once Barton left, Williams and Gray were on the field together. But over the next two weeks of the preseason, things flipped. Gray got the start alongside Barton with the 1s.

Gray led the Titans in tackles (19) and added a half-sack and had an INT nullified by a penalty, but it looked smooth on the All-22.

Gray’s draft capital has probably given him the leg up over Williams, as well the Titans probably want to truly see what they have in their investment. Gray has IDP value as long as he has a full-time role, but it wouldn’t be a bad move to shop him if he gets off to a good start.

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FALLER: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Arizona Cardinals

Although he was given the “starter” treatment in Week 3 of the preseason, Akeem Davis-Gaither’s grasp on a full-time role is far from secure.

Davis-Gaither graded as the third-worst defender in coverage (32.9) and consistently looked out of place and displayed poor technique. These are the types of plays that get you benched:

The only thing in Davis-Gaither’s favor is that Owen Pappoe has been even worse, and Cody Simon is a rookie who’s still learning. At this point, I’m fading Davis-Gaither as his LB2 snaps opposite Mack Wilson are shaky at best.

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RISER: Gabriel Murphy, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings

Dallas Turner probably has the leg up as the EDGE3 in the Vikings’ edge rotation, but objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. That object is Gabriel Murphy.

Murphy turned in a solid preseason with a 74.9 pass rush grade while generating a 19.5% pressure rate and 21.1% win rate. The results were 1.5 sacks and 8 QB hits over 41 pass rush snaps.

Turner might have the draft capital, but he had better not rest on his laurels. Brian Flores will use his best players, and Turner needs to get off to a fast start.

Murphy’s stock has definitely risen during the preseason, and he has improved as a pass rusher. He should be on your radar as the season begins.

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FALLER: Calen Bullock, S, Houston Texans

This is more about Calen Bullock’s IDP value than his football acumen. Bullock has been praised by his teammates and coaches for his play and development through the offseason.

He had a bit of a rough outing in his lone game, where he appeared in 13 snaps and was charted with a missed tackle. That didn’t do any wonders for his grading, as he finished with a 23.7 tackle grade.

Coupled with the fact that all 13 of his snaps came deep, he may not have the line of scrimmage role, which is going to cap not only his IDP upside, but also lower his floor.

Bullock’s IDP value is definitely on the downside as we head into Week 1.

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RISER: RJ Mickens, S, Los Angeles Chargers

This might be more of a riser in dynasty, but RJ Mickens could have some redraft value. Mickens is projected to be the fifth safety in Los Angeles, but he had an impressive preseason, finishing with a 91 PFF grade and 82.9 tackling grade.

Although he played deep, his best game was Week 2 when he played up in the box. He had 18 box snaps in that game, and not coincidentally, it was his highest graded game (93.0). He’s active and does a good job of playing around the line, filling in gaps, and making physical tackles. He’s a sound, fundamental tackler.

Derwin James is 29 and still has a few years left on his current deal, but carries just a $7.1 million dead cap hit in 2026. Granted, it would probably be an unpopular move to cut James. Tony Jefferson is 33.

Mickens is a dynasty stash, and I do think his stock is rising.

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FALLER: Jaden Hicks, S, Kansas City Chiefs

Jaden Hicks was tabbed to be a potential breakout at the DB position, including by yours truly. The preseason is starting to paint a different picture, so we might need to tread carefully.

Hicks has appeared in 81 snaps but has primarily been an early-down safety. He played 63 total snaps on 1st and 2nd down, but when it came to the all-important 3rd down, he was on for just 13 snaps, mostly short/mid-yardage situations. He also appeared to be off the field in obvious passing situations.

For example, this 2nd and 14:

It looks like Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner are playing safety. As we say, snaps equal opportunities, but if Hicks is going to be off the field in certain situations, those opportunities are capped.

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RISER: Lathan Ransom, S, Carolina Panthers

Lathan Ransom took advantage of the snaps he got this preaseason and finished with an 83.9 overall grade. His competition, Nick Scott, has always been a slightly above replacement-level defensive back. He’s serviceable, but certainly not a game-changer. Scott finished with a 63.6 grade, and more importantly, Ransom had the better coverage grade (76.9) than Scott (61.0). When you look at Scott’s grades over the last four seasons (49.6 average), you can see why the Panthers drafted Ransom.

Ransom finished the preseason strong with 5 solos and an INT in Week 3, and he’s a threat for snaps early on in the season. His Ohio State tape is translating to the NFL, and I can envision him being a Week 3 or 4 waiver addition.

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FALLER: Bobby Okereke, LB, New York Giants

Bobby Okereke is an orange flag heading into 2025. There’s speculation he could lose the dot to Micah McFadden or Darius Muasau, or a combination of both.

Week 2 began to fuel that speculation with Okereke’s usage. Here’s an excerpt from my green dot article:

Week 2 Preseason: Some interesting developments with Giants’ LB deployment. In the first series, Bobby Okereke played all 7 snaps, and Micah McFadden saw 5 snaps, coming off the field for 2 dime. On the second series, Okereke came off and McFadden had the dot for one snap. On the third series, Darius Mausau and McFadden were on the field. When Okereke and Mausau were on the field together, Okereke did NOT have the dot. I am not going to make changes, yet, but this is going to be something to monitor when the season starts.

This is not great timing for IDP managers. Giants beat writer Dan Duggan is pretty sure Okereke isn’t going to have his usual three-down role. Okereke was dealing with a back injury, so maybe they don’t want to subject him to the rigors and are confident in McFadden and Muasau running the defense.

Either way, Okereke’s IDP value is in decline heading into the season. I’d fade him for other reliable options at this point if you have drafts coming up.

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RISER: Joe Bachie, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Jaylon Carlies has been the darling of the IDP community this offseason, not only for his potential snap volume heading into his second year, but his dual-position eligibility on certain platforms. But a funny thing happened on the way to the 2025 season: injuries piled up at the wrong time.

That opened the door for journeyman Joe Bachie, who has familiarity with new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense from their time together in Cincinnati.

Bachie graded as Indianapolis’ best defensive player this preseason (91.2) grade and recorded 4 tackles, a QB hit, and an INT over 43 snaps. The tackle rate is less than ideal, but he’s in a tackle-friendly scheme.

The Colts look to be a nickel-heavy/2-LB defense, so if Carlies is going to miss extended time, or if he’s lost the LB2 job outright at this point, Bachie will have LB2 potential, and you can still get him on the cheap.

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FALLER: Junior Colson, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

It’s been nothing but bad news this offseason for Junior Colson. In the games he played, he didn’t look good. Over 70 defensive snaps, he was washed out of plays due to blocking and not being able to shed, and in coverage, he showed poor technique.

A late injury kept him out of preseason Week 3 at a time when he really needed to demonstrate his worth. At this point, he’s projected to land on IR to begin the season. Will he be designated to return? At this point, it’s unclear, but even if he does return, he’s at best the LB4 behind Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye. Then, if Marlowe Wax continues to develop, Colson may not return at all.

If you’ve drafted Colson in redraft, feel free to cut and move on.

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RISER: Jordan Burch, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals

Jordan Burch looked like the best Cardinals’ defender this preseason. The 3rd round pick was a disruptor all over the field. He finished the preseason as the highest graded defender (90.8) and generated a 12.5% pressure rate and an impressive 27.3% win rate. He also added 4 tackles and 2 TFLs. He looks light years ahead of his development and should be in the pass rush rotation with Josh Sweat and Darius Robinson.

Robinson has had health issues, so that’s always something to keep in mind. Burch has more than earned the playing time this preseason, and his stock is trending up in redraft and dynasty leagues.

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