The 9 Best IDP Free Agent Landing Spots (and the 4 Worst)
Through the first week of NFL free agency, Mike Woellert looks at the best (and worst) spots for IDP fantasy football value
NFL free agency rarely moves slowly, and this year was no exception. Big contracts, surprise destinations, and a few head-scratching overpays reshaped the IDP landscape before the league year even officially opened. Some players landed in situations that should maximize their production: full-time roles, scheme fits, and thin depth charts ahead of them. Others signed deals that look good on paper but could limit their fantasy upside in ways the price tag doesn’t reflect.
Here are some of the best and worst landing spots from an IDP perspective, along with what each move means for your IDP rosters heading into 2026.
BEST: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, New York Giants
When Bobby Okereke was released, the Giants immediately became a premier destination for an off-ball LB. Over 1,100 snaps and the green dot were up for grabs.
That spot was claimed pretty quickly—Tremaine Edmunds signed a three-year contract worth $36 million and immediately became one of the best off-ball LBs on the roster before even playing a down. Edmunds has been relatively durable during his career, missing a few games here and there, but not suffering any major, season-ending injuries.
Since entering the league, Edmunds hasn’t had fewer than 100 tackles with a career 12.5% tackle rate. He was on his way to a career-year in 2025 before an injury caused him to miss 4 games. Edmunds produced a 13.8% tackle rate and was on pace for 146 tackles. He’s not going to overwhelm you with big plays, but he’ll provide the occasional INT and defended passes, which gives you a safe LB3 weekly floor.
Dennard Wilson’s defenses are designed around linebackers who can hold up against the run and in coverage. He’s best when he plays downhill with vision and uses his length to disrupt the QB. He’s likely to start and wear the dot, which, at volume alone, puts him in the LB2 conversation in redraft leagues.
BEST: Devin Bush, LB, Chicago Bears
As a Browns fan, I don’t like this. Selfishly, I wanted Devin Bush to stick around; however, I can’t blame him for cashing in on his career year.
All signs were pointing up for Bush after his rookie year, when he tallied 109 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 2 INTs. A torn ACL in 2020 ended his season after 5 games and he never really found his footing or a full-time role since that injury. He’d play 71% of the snaps over his next two seasons with the Steelers before landing with the Seahawks in 2023. He appeared in 13 games, but played just 27% of the snaps.
He found his way in Cleveland, and while he played 49% of the snaps in 2024, an injury to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah opened a full-time role for him in 2025. He appeared in 871 snaps and produced a 14.5% tackle rate, resulting in 125 tackles. Bush also produced 3 INTs, 8 defended passes, and 7 TFLs.
Bush should fit well in Dennis Allen’s scheme as a run and hit WILL/RILB, who can scrape, blitz, and carry opposing TE/RB in space. Allen should allow him to trigger downhill and run through lanes. With Tremaine Edmunds gone, Bush has the potential to slide in opposite TJ Edwards in their nickel-heavy defense, which features two off-ball LBs.
In most scoring formats, Bush finished as the LB17, so I think he can be drafted as an LB2/3 in most formats.
WORST: Jalen Thompson, S, Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Thompson has been a decent IDP option at DB over the last several seasons with the Cardinals, especially playing alongside Budda Baker. He’s recorded 95+ tackles over four of his last five seasons, and while he’s gone two straight years without an INT, he has 9 career picks and 37 defended passes (including 9 over the last two seasons). He has a career 10% tackle rate and a 2:1 solo-to-assist ratio.
So, why am I hating on the landing spot?
The Dallas Cowboys’ safeties haven’t had the reputation for being IDP producers. Last season, Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker combined for 123 tackles and just 2 INTs. In 2024, Wilson and Hooker each recorded over 80 tackles, but only managed 3 INTs between them. Since 2020, only safety has gone for over 100 tackles (Wilson in 2022). Historically, Dallas’ defenses don’t rely on their safeties to make tackles.
I don’t think Christian Parker’s addition as DC is going to change anything. Parker stresses interchangeability among safeties and two-high/split structures, so they won’t be locked into one role/alignment. Thompson is a solid run defender who can also match underneath routes. The split safety might cap his upside, especially as a box safety. He’s a versatile safety, but I’m not expecting the high tackle volumes from his Arizona days.
BEST: Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Baltimore Ravens
What a wild saga this one turned out to be! It looked like Baltimore traded for Las Vegas EDGE Maxx Crosby. But fate is not without its sense of irony—the Ravens backed out of the deal, presumably due to a failed physical.
So, like Sonny Weaver, the Ravens and Eric DeCosta get their draft picks back. Then, about an hour later, they inked Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal.
The Ravens, uncharacteristically, were one of the worst teams in terms of pressure rate (28.4%) and sacks recorded (30) in 2025. Hendrickson should provide a boost to that number. During his tenure with the Bengals, he amassed 61 sacks, including three seasons of 14+. He also created havoc at the line of scrimmage with 56 TFLs.
Although the Ravens, in the past, have run a 34 base, they’ve always used multiple fronts and nickel looks. They have also fit the scheme to the player, as opposed to the player into the scheme. Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver will probably implement the same multiple fronts with some disguised pressures.
Their defense should allow Hendrickson to focus on rushing the passer and not force him into off-ball or coverage duties. He’ll be used as a stand-up/hand-in-the-dirt, while protecting him in run situations, as he had an average 54.7 PFF run defense grade. I’d consider him a borderline DL1, but might pair him as a DL2 with a top edge.
BEST: Nick Cross, S, Washington Commanders
Nick Cross enjoyed two highly productive IDP seasons with the Colts, recording 266 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4 INTs. He left the Colts for the Washington Commanders, who signed him to a team-friendly deal: 2 years/$14 million for the 24-year-old. Quan Martin is likely to be the casualty here, as Cross should slot into a starting role in the back end of their defense.
Cross brings solid IDP metrics to the table, as he’s produced an 11.7% tackle rate over the two seasons he was a full-time starter, playing the friendly line of scrimmage role. He played 75% of his snaps in 2025 near the line and had a 50% box rate.
Like the modern defenses, Jones will not force him into a static spot; however, if you want to maximize Cross, it’s best to keep him near the line of scrimmage and use him as a physical safety who can fit gaps, play in the alleys, and clean up the perimeter. Pre-snap, he might look deep, but he will creep up. However, he’s versatile enough to handle slot duties. In coverage, as a slot, that’s where he produced his INT and allowed a 46.8 QB rating when targeted.
We know there’s variance involved with the DB position, but Cross is likely to be a DB1 once again in Washington’s system.
WORST: Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee Titans
Alontae Taylor has been a solid IDP producer over the last few seasons with the Saints. Last season, he played 54% of his snaps in the slot and finished with 83 tackles, 2 INTs, and 11 defended passes. He also had an impact near the line of scrimmage (LOS) with 2 sacks and 7 TFLs.
In 2024, Taylor was more of an outside corner, but played 36% of his snaps in the slot. 2024 was a career year with 89 tackles while contributing 4 sacks and 7 TFLs.
This versatility is probably why Tennessee offered him a three-year deal and threw him $42 million guaranteed. With a bag like that secured, what makes it a bad landing spot?
I think the Titans have their nickel in Kevin Winston and he should slide back into his LOS role heading into his second season and see more time in the box. This is going to move Taylor back to the boundary as an outside corner, which lowers his IDP floor. If you look at his 2022 season, he played 575 snaps outside. The result was 49 tackles and 11 defended passes.
Without those potential slot snaps, I think he loses his IDP appeal and is more of a target in CB-required leagues, as opposed to DB-general leagues.
BEST: Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Washington Commanders
Odafe Oweh was toiling in Baltimore until a mid-season trade to the Chargers seemed to unlock his potential under then defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter. Through 4 games with the Ravens, Oweh managed just 12 total pressures and 0 sacks. Over 12 games with the Chargers, he produced 35 pressures, resulting in a 15.2% pressure rate and an 18.4% win rate, and he finished with 7.5 sacks.
His trajectory is on the upswing after landing in the perfect spot with the Commanders. Washington was bereft of any pass-rush talent outside of Dorance Armstrong and Von Miller in 2025, and once Armstrong went down, that void became even more apparent. Armstrong appeared in just 6 games, and was still 2nd on the team in sacks at 5.5. Shockingly, the Commanders weren’t last in sacks.
However, they do need help in the pass rush. That’s what they got with Oweh. He fits as an athletic EDGE in Daronte Jones’s pressure-oriented defense. He’ll disguise pressures and scheme his guys free. That should maximize Oweh’s speed and athleticism. Jones has said he wants to deploy speed and aggression and fit the player with the scheme, which is in Oweh’s wheelhouse. If Oweh sees close to a full-time role and cleaner rush paths, he has double-digit sack upside in 2026.
BEST: Devin Lloyd, LB, Carolina Panthers
Although Devin Lloyd failed to reach 100 tackles in 2025, he did look comfortable in Anthony Campanile’s defense. He turned his 2025 season into a three-year deal worth $45 million with the Panthers. This is a win-win, as Lloyd gets the bag and the Panthers address the off-ball position with a solid player.
Lloyd produced his best PFF coverage grade (78.9), which resulted in a career-high in INTs (5) while adding 7 defended passes. Although it was his first season failing to reach 100 tackles, it was his coverage that stood out, and it will be a major upgrade for Carolina.
Ejiro Evero should utilize Lloyd in a similar way, as he improved their defense considerably in 2025. Although they’re listed as a 34 base, they played more nickel. Carolina called out their need to improve in coverage over the middle. They also want to play faster.
Lloyd’s traits and instincts should translate to Evero’s defense, and he looks to have a path to a three-down role, and possibly the green dot. Lloyd has a career 12.5% tackle rate, so I look at him as a strong LB2 just based on the potential volume.
WORST: Jaylinn Hawkins, S, Baltimore Ravens
Jaylinn Hawkins had a really good season with the Patriots, notching his second-highest tackle total since 2022 (71), while adding a career-high 4 INTs and 6 defended passes. So, after two seasons, Hawkins was set to test the free agent market.
Unfortunately, he lands with the Baltimore Ravens, who already have a safety with Hawkins’ archetype in Malaki Starks, the 1st round pick from 2025 who is entering his second year with some promise after playing in 94% of the Ravens’ snaps as a rookie.
Starks played 618 snaps as the deep safety, which is just under the amount Hawkins played at 682. So, they are playing similar roles. Most likely, Hawkins comes in as a 3rd safety and deep rotational safety.
Although Baltimore plays three-safety looks, I think Hawkins’ IDP floor is pretty low, especially if Hawkins is going to be more of a rotational safety and depth piece. He’ll have a weekly role, but I don’t see him playing 90% of the snaps.
BEST: Leo Chenal, LB, Washington Commanders
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: another solid landing spot in Washington. The Commanders are having a solid free agency, adding and upgrading some key spots.
Leo Chenal has been trapped in Kansas City’s defense since being drafted and has been primarily used in their base packages. Over his first three seasons, he never played more than 41% of the snaps, while in 2025, he saw 53% of the snaps; however, it only resulted in 441 snaps.
Chenal has been a solid overall defender. In 2025, over 14 games, he produced a 13.2% tackle rate, 2 sacks, and an INT. He’s a good run defender (76.2) and dependable in coverage (72.6). He won’t miss tackles either, as he has a career 8% missed tackle rate.
As long as the Commanders don’t bring back Bobby Wagner, it appears Chenal will finally have a full-time role. Jones will bring some of Brian Flores’ elements and philosophy, and Chenal could be his Eric Wilson. Chenal’s big plays from 2025 came from the WILL/RILB spot and given downhill spots.
He may not get the dot, but he should see a starting role (85% snap rate) where his tackling and instincts will be deployed. I like Chenal as an LB2 in Washington.
BEST: Quay Walker, LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Quay Walker had a productive four-year run with the Packers. Although he battled some injuries here and there, he never played in fewer than 13 games.
Eyebrows were raised when Green Bay didn’t pick up Walker’s fifth-year option, as he was the defensive captain. The writing was on the wall when they traded for Zaire Franklin, who is a similar player to Walker (albeit older and slower).
Over his four seasons, Walker was a dependable IDP producer, as he recorded a 14% tackle rate, while adding 29 TFLs, 9 sacks, and 17 defended passes, averaging 117 tackles per season.
So Walker joins the Raiders, a team bereft of any LB talent, as Devin White and Elandon Roberts are both free agents. Plus, they also added Nakobe Dean, with Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg (who I really liked) currently on the roster.
Las Vegas might be running more of a 34 look and is building the defense around the linebackers, so he projects as one of the off-ball inside linebackers. Leonard will utilize his speed and blitz ability. Walker has 5 career pressures over 301 rush snaps, resulting in an 18.3% pressure rate. He has looked his best when he can be a stopper, scrape, and attack.
There is a bit of caution with the addition of Dean; however, Walker received the higher free agent contract, so he could have a leg up on the green dot and three-down role.
WORST: Dane Belton, S, New York Jets
Dane Belton is coming off an out-of-nowhere career year. He more than doubled his tackle output from 2024 to 2025 with 120 tackles, and added 2 sacks and an INT. The production was due in part to the increase in snaps: 705 snaps in 2025.
He played 56% of his snaps split between the slot and box, which is a role currently held by Malachi Moore on the Jets. Moore had his rookie struggles, but there is some upside waiting to be realized heading into Year 2.
Now, the question will be if Belton retains his role or if he plays a more split role with Moore in New York’s scheme. Aaron Glenn will use his safeties interchangeably and Belton is a physical DB. Belton might be best used as a third safety, big nickel type, but I fear his tackle floor might be lowered with this landing spot.
BEST: Alex Anzalone, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Alex Anzalone had been a staple of Detroit’s defense since signing in 2021. He’d averaged a 93.4% snap rate and was the green dot of the defense up until last season.
Then, Jack Campbell took over the playcalling duties, and Anzalone was vocal about the decision. He still appeared in over 1,000 snaps, but his tackle efficiency was below his previous averages at just 9.5%. It seemed clear that a change of scenery was necessary.
Anzalone signed with Tampa Bay on a two-year deal with $17 million. He brings leadership and production to the Tampa Bay linebacker room, while being a decent all-around player who can cover and rush the passer.
Conspicuous by his absence is Lavonte David, who, as of this writing, has yet to sign or even make a decision on his NFL future. We’re making the assumption that David doesn’t return. Anzalone is a clear upgrade over SirVocea Dennis, who finished with a 49.1 overall defense grade and 30.5 coverage grade.
Anzalone looks to be a nice scheme fit. Todd Bowles asks his linebackers to do a lot of everything: maintain their run fits, drop in coverage, mirror TEs and RBs, and blitz the gaps. Tampa Bay also runs zone over 73% of the time, which is typically an IDP-friendly coverage scheme.
Anzalone is currently shaping up to be a three-down player with a path to be a strong LB2 tackle volume if he wins the green dot.
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Great stuff, thanks!
Solid insight as always from an IDP Guru…now just to figure out how to drop Alontae from my BB3 draft🙃