NFC Coaching Changes: How the 5 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for 2026
Mike Woellert looks at the new NFC DCs, their philosophies, and who to target in IDP drafts.
We are a few weeks out from the NFL Draft and team workouts are beginning soon. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a close look at the defensive coordinator changes across the league and what they mean for your IDP leagues in 2026.
Two weeks ago, I broke down the new defensive coordinators in the AFC. This week, I’m taking a look at the new defensive coordinators in the NFC, their defensive schemes, and the specific players worth targeting as a result.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were one of the worst defensive units in the NFL, and they decided to move on from Matt Eberflus. They were able to steal from a division rival and snag Christian Parker from the Eagles—a Vic Fangio disciple.
Defensive Philosophy
Parker will carry over a similar philosophy and principles from Fangio’s defense in Philadelphia. He’s going to fit the scheme around the players and adapt it to what they do well. As of now, we’re not quite sure what they do well. We do know a core tenet of the defense will be to stop the run and impact the QB.
He’ll bring his 34 base but sprinkle in 43 principles. I’m sure there will be plenty of nickel (4-2-5), but this won’t be a Fangio copy/paste. Like most of the modern NFL defenses, he’ll stress multiplicity. Expect to see simulated/exotic pressures and 5-man fronts. They want to force the QB into mistakes and bad throws.
Defensive Line/EDGE Unit
Parker’s defense will be built up front and there are some solid pieces on the line. This is one of the stronger units, and they can control the pocket. During the offseason, they traded one of their higher upside pieces in Osa Odighizuwa.
They still have Quinnen Williams, who they acquired during the season, to go along with Kenny Clark. They also signed Jonathan Bullard as a depth piece.
To shore up the EDGE unit, they traded for veteran Rashan Gary. They will also be hoping for a significant jump in Year 2 from Donovan Ezeiruaku. Parker is also converting off-ball LB Marist Liufau to EDGE to remain flexible.
Linebacker Unit
The linebacker unit was one of the worst in the league. That’s what happens when Kenneth Murray is your anchor. Due to injuries, they also had to rely on rookie Shemar James. Parker and new LB coach Scott Symons are going to stress physicality. They want to be dominant against the run and physical in their run fits.
DeMarvion Overshown, who’s suffered two significant injuries already, looks to be the LB1. However, he’s played 19 games in his first three seasons, with 2023 being a lost season. However, if he plays like he did in 2024, we could be looking at a big 2026. I am expecting Dallas to address the LB position in the 2026 draft.
Defensive Back Unit
Parker’s scheme is going to put pressure on the defensive backs. They are going to be tasked with playing single-high, deep halves, and being physical in the box and in coverage. I think the nickel will be a key component here.
As of now, it looks like Reddy Steward will be their nickel, so he’s going to be that Swiss Army knife, functioning as a corner, safety, and blitzer. Parker has a decent track record of developing these guys, most recently, Cooper DeJean.
The safety battle will be one to watch. IDP managers should watch the draft carefully. Guys like Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Dillon Thienemann have been mocked to Dallas, which would impact the depth chart. Parker will run single-high, so we’ll see if he has a true box safety, or if Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker will rotate around.
I would expect a safety to be added in the draft.
IDP Targets in 2026
In DT-required leagues, I think Quinnen Williams will benefit in Parker’s defense. I also think Donovan Ezeiruaku can make that second-year leap as a DL3. Rashan Gary is also a DL3 target. I’m not sure what to make of the LBs, but DeMarvion Overshown is the only one I’m remotely interested in. I don’t think you need to reach for any of the DBs, but Reddy Steward is a sleeper in CB-required leagues.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay lost its defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, as he traded the cheese and frozen tundra for the beaches of Miami as the Dolphins’ new head coach. After three years with the Cardinals, Jonathan Gannon moves back to a coordinator role, becoming the DC for the Packers.
Defensive Philosophy
Gannon’s core philosophy is adaptability ahead of scheme. Gannon believes he needs to figure out what his players can do and put them in a position to succeed. He wants a swarming defense that triggers to the ball, out-hits the opposition, and takes the ball away. Turnovers will be key.
As a disciple of the Fangio-tree, he’ll implement a split-safety/two-high shell. He doesn’t necessarily believe in a scheme, but will sacrifice yards to prevent the explosives. In Arizona, he used disguised pressures and changed his defensive identity on a weekly basis. He’s going to rely on his front four to generate pressure. I do think Green Bay will use a 34 base, but live in nickel/multiple fronts.
Defensive Line/EDGE Unit
Gannon inherits a decent defense with key pieces at each unit in place.
I am expecting five-man fronts. Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt, and Javon Hargrave are going to be key pieces. I am expecting Hargrave to be more of a 3-tech (head-up on tackle) and control gaps.
Gannon is going to love Micah Parsons, and though he’s coming off an ACL, I’m expecting to continue his edge rush prowess. As a 34 OLB, I’m expecting some clean looks at the QB. Gannon is going to need Brenton Cox and Barryn Sorrell to step up, and Lukas Van Ness will be battling for snaps in the edge rush rotation.
Linebacker Unit
The Packers allowed their long-time defensive captain, Quay Walker, to walk in free agency. I am expecting more nickel/2-LB looks as the shift from 43 to 34 will only have two off-ball LBs on the field.
Gannon’s linebackers need to cover, which is why I was surprised they acquired Zaire Franklin. He struggled mightily in coverage (and overall) in 2025. They need to carry TEs, carry seams, and close windows underneath—all things Franklin had issues with last season. Edgerrin Cooper is going to be asked to carry the group with his athleticism and should be unleashed in Gannon’s system.
Defensive Back Unit
I think you’ll see safeties lining up 10-12 yards deep and playing some quarters. I think you could also see some three-safety looks. He ran cover-4 more than any team in the NFL. You should also see creative alignments and rotations that the QB won’t recognize.
Gannon is going to get creative with Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard, and I think his scheme fits all three of their skill sets. I think Bullard plays the nickel role, and McKinney will rotate deep and near the box.
The corners will play with a cushion and read the release, rewarding patience and discipline. I think Keisean Nixon will play more on the boundary, but could rotate with Bullard for nickel snaps.
IDP Targets in 2026
The targets in Green Bay are simple: Parsons, Cooper, McKinney, and Bullard. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach on the LB2, as I don’t trust Franklin’s declining play.
New York Giants
The Giants overhauled their coaching staff after the 2025 season and landed the big fish, John Harbaugh, as their head coach. Harbaugh tabbed Dennard Wilson to replace Shane Bowen as his new defensive coordinator.
Defensive Philosophy
Wilson spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans and will be tasked with improving the 28th-ranked defense. His core philosophy is to attack. He wants violence and an attacking unit that never lets up. He’s physical up front and in coverage. He demands his corners to be aggressive and challenge receivers at the line, eliminating any free throws and disrupting rhythm.
I’m also expecting a zone-heavy defense with Cover-4 as his security blanket.
Defensive Line/EDGE Unit
I would expect to see a six-man front and light boxes. The defensive line should rely on simulated pressures, showing blitz, but only rushing four. He’s selective with his blitzing, as the Titans had a 22.4% blitz rate, so I’m expecting something similar with the Giants, although it might get a tick higher with guys like Brian Burns and Abdul Carter.
Dexter Lawrence (who just requested a trade, so keep an eye on that) should see a lot of attention up the middle, which will open up lanes for Burns, Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. I’m expecting Wilson to deploy Lawrence in advantageous positions to contribute and produce IDP-friendly stats.
Linebacker Unit
The Giants should be in nickel, so I think you should see two off-ball LBs on the field. He wants his guys to set the tone physically and flow to the ball with speed and violence. They need to win at the line and fill gaps. He also needs his linebackers to blow up blocks.
As of now, Tremaine Edmunds and Micah McFadden are atop the depth chart as the off-ball LBs, and I’m projecting Edmunds to wear the dot. One of Edmunds’s traits is processing, which is key in Wilson’s defense.
Defensive Back Unit
Wilson’s defensive backs are aggressive in press coverage. He wants to eliminate the free access throws, and he protects his corners with two-high safeties.
He has two solid corners with Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome on the boundary, with Dru Phillips as his nickel. They can be aggressive on short routes.
I think whoever gets the line of scrimmage role will be the IDP beneficiary. I think Tyler Nubin gets the first crack, as he played 55% of his snaps on the line last season. Jevon Holland played more of the deep role, so I think he remains one of the deep guys, and Wilson utilizes his ball hawk ability.
IDP Targets in 2026
I’m targeting Lawrence as a DT2 in true position/DT-required leagues. Carter led the team in pressures as a rookie, so I’m excited about his breakout potential in Year 2. Burns is coming off a career-high in sacks and will be a DL1/2 target.
As of now, I’m only targeting Edmunds at LB and waiting for the draft to see if they address the position. I don’t mind Nubin as a high upside DB3, and Phillips has tackle upside as their nickel corner.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are going on their fifth defensive coordinator in five years. It’s been quite the turnstile at the position. Robert Saleh left San Francisco to pursue another head coaching opportunity with the Titans. Kyle Shanahan scooped up Raheem Morris after he was fired from the Atlanta Falcons.
Defensive Philosophy
Morris brings a diverse defense, schematically, and he’s going to mix up fronts, and things will look different than years past. He stresses versatility over scheme, but I’m expecting a shift to a 34 base, but it will be multiple with 5+ man fronts.
Expect blitzing. Morris blitzed his guys at a 36% rate (second in the NFL), which resulted in 57 sacks. He wants to get to the QB as early as and as often as possible.
Defensive Line Unit
Although John Lynch has said we’re a four-man front team, Morris will be given the freedom to change things up. You’ll probably see the defensive tackles in a 4i, and the nose over center. They want to be stout against the run.
CJ Collins and Osa Odighizuwa to play that 4i technique, but Mykel Williams could see snaps there, as well.
Nick Bosa has primarily been a hand-in-dirt player, so there might be some adjustment playing at a two-point stance; essentially, a stand-up edge rusher. I think Morris could adapt and allow Bosa the freedom to play how he’s comfortable. Williams and Bosa are both recovering from ACL injuries, so keep an eye on their status throughout the off-season.
Linebacker Unit
Morris likes hybrid-type linebackers. Versatile enough to blitz and cover while playing multiple alignments. One of Morris’s concepts is walking a linebacker to the edge. In Atlanta, he had Kaden Elliss. In Los Angeles, he had Ernest Jones.
I would expect Fred Warner to be that guy. The 49ers defense looked completely different without Warner last year. Warner is a smart, aggressive off-ball LB who can do anything.
It will be interesting to see how Morris uses Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters. Winters fits the profile of the “walking” linebacker, as he had 92 snaps on the edge in 2025; however, he earned a 56.4 PFF pass rush grade.
Defensive Back Unit
I think Morris continues to be zone-heavy, as the Falcons were in zone nearly 77% of the time. He did use man around 19% of his snaps, and he inherits a few guys who can play man when needed.
Morris also uses a deep safety to patrol the field, so we’ll see who that ends up being. I think it could be Malik Mustapha, as he spent most of his snaps deep (460). However, he does want versatile players who can play all over the field. I think he uses Upton Stout as a movable piece. He plays the run effectively and can get to the QB.
IDP Targets in 2026
As long as Bosa is healthy, I’m targeting him as a DL2. I still want to see how he’s used, but I still think he’s used a hand-in-the-dirt edge. I’m hoping the ACL injury hasn’t sapped his burst. Warner was almost ready for the playoffs, so I have no doubt he’ll be ready for the season. I do like Stout’s upside as a sneaky DB3/4, and I might even target him as a high upside CB2 in true position/CB-required.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders retained Dan Quinn as their head coach, but moved on from their defensive coordinator. Quinn tabbed Daronte Jones as his new coordinator. He spent the last four seasons as the Minnesota Vikings DB coach and pass game coordinator. Before the Minnesota job, he spent a year as coordinator for LSU.
Defensive Philosophy
Jones is coming from Brian Flores’ aggressive system and will bring that mentality to the Commanders. I think he’ll be scheme agnostic and isn’t going to let the offense dictate the flow of the game. Quinn is giving Jones full reign and I expect the defense to be multiple and come close to Minnesota’s 46.3% blitz rate. Aggressive pressure packages and disguised coverages will be the identity.
Defensive Line/EDGE Unit
The base might be a 34, but I’m expecting multiple fronts and nickel packages to create opportunities for his linebackers and edge rushers. They will rely on the blitz and disguising pressure while executing stunts. You might see the edge rushers drop into coverage a bit more often.
Washington addressed the edge with Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency. They will also have Dorance Armstrong coming back from injury.
Linebacker Unit
The linebackers must be able to do everything: run stop, blitz, and cover. They need to close space quickly, strike with violence, and carry TEs/shifty backs out of the backfield and down the seam.
Leo Chenal is expected to fit that role and can do everything Jones is asking. He played that role with the Chiefs, albeit part-time, but is a linebacker who can align anywhere asked. Frankie Luvu is still the vet and is an off-ball LB who can get to the QB. It’ll be interesting to see if Jones plays him strictly off-ball.
Jones did call out Kain Medrano and Jordan Magee, but the Chenal addition might cap their snaps.
Defensive Back Unit
The DBs are Jones’ specialty as a DB coach. He’ll be asked to strengthen their coverage schemes while improving communication and discipline. He wants the explosives on his end of the field; turnovers and defended passes. He’s going to expect all of his backs to be able to read and react, and execute multiple roles.
Second-year corner Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil look like scheme fits. Jones is going to rely on a two-high structure and send his DBs on blitzes. They’ll need to play multiple alignments, without tipping off the offense.
Nick Cross is expected to come right in to provide that versatility.
IDP Targets in 2026
I like Oweh on the edge. At linebacker, I’m excited about the prospect of Chenal with a full-time role. Cross has a chance to put up DB1 numbers in Jones’s defense.
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Great info, Mike.
Excellent work, as always