Top 40 IDP Free Agents of 2024

In his debut article, Mike Woellert ranks the top IDPs in this free agent class.

The cog that is the NFL machine never sleeps. Although we’re a few weeks removed from the Super Bowl, it’s time to start thinking about the 2024 season. Free agency is around the corner and the franchise tag period has commenced.

It’s time to start keeping tabs on the notable IDP free agents and their landing spots. In advance of free agency officially kicking off, here are my top 40 rankings for this year’s class. For the full list of IDP free agents, click here.

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1. Lavonte David, LB

An IDP staple, David has accumulated 258 tackles and a 12.7% tackle rate over the last two seasons. He set a career-high in pressures, but that’s not something to count on. He's entering his age 34 season, so while he’s not a dynasty target, he is a dynasty hold and redraft target until the wheels fall off.   

Ideal Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals

2. Bobby Wagner, LB

Wagner finds himself a free agent once again after returning to Seattle in 2023 and he’s 100% committed to playing in 2024. He might have lost a step in coverage, but is still a tackle machine and Terminator-like in his pursuit of the ball. The ageless one led the NFL in tackles (183) and hasn’t recorded fewer than 133 stops since 2015. I’ll continue to target him in redraft as a top LB until the wheels fall off.

Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders

3. Patrick Queen, LB

Patrick Queen has been a solid run stopper and improved his coverage over the last two seasons–not coincidentally when Roquan Smith came on board. Queen has recorded an 11.6% tackle rate over the last two seasons. He’s also added three INTs and 8.5 sacks. After appearing in just 76% of the snaps in 2021, he’s been a full-time LB in consecutive seasons. With Baltimore giving Smith big money and Trenton Simpson on a rookie deal, Queen could hit free agency.

Ideal Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos

4. Frankie Luvu, LB

After three subpar seasons with the Jets where he accumulated 59 tackles in three seasons, Luvu produced consecutive 100-tackle campaigns while adding pass-rush upside. Luvu has produced 43 pressures and 12.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Carolina has some decisions to make with both Luvu and Brian Burns.

Ideal Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers

5. Antoine Winfield, Jr., S

Winfield enjoyed a break-out campaign in 2023, setting career-highs in tackles (122), interceptions (3), and forced fumbles (6). Winfield produced an elite tackle rate (11.1%) and appeared in 1,100 snaps. He’s a versatile safety who can play in the box, slot, or be that ball-hawking safety valve.

Ideal Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Update 03/05/2024: Antoine Winfield was franchise tagged by Tampa. They still have time to work on a long-term deal. Unless something major happens, Winfield will remain in Tampa for the 2024 season.

6. Danielle Hunter, EDGE

Hunter thrived under Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme. He generated a 13.1% pressure rate and a 25% win rate, resulting in 80 total QB pressures and a career-high 16.5 sacks. He also added four forced fumbles. The sacks were great, but he also recorded an 8.3% tackle rate which led to 83 tackles. He’s put behind his injury-riddled 2021 and has appeared in 900+ snaps in consecutive seasons.

Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars

7. Josh Allen, EDGE

After setting a career-high in pressures in 2022, he broke his own record in 2023 with 90, resulting in a 17.5% pressure rate. Allen recorded 17.5 sacks while adding 17 QB hits.

Ideal Landing Spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers

Update 03/05/2024: Josh Allen has received the franchise tag and will remain in Jacksonville for the 2024 season.

8. Azeez Al-Shaair, LB

The Titans struck gold with Al-Shaair. He played in a career-high 1,101 snaps and called the plays on defense. He generated a 14.8% tackle rate, resulting in 163 tackles. I think Al-Shaair is one of those guys Tennessee can’t lose.

Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans

9. Justin Madubuike, IDL

Could Baltimore allow Madubuike to walk? The franchise tag is a possibility. After recording 8.5 sacks in his first three seasons, Madubuike dominated with 13 sacks and a 13.4% pressure rate. He also added 56 tackles and 12 TFLs.

Ideal Landing Spots: Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans

Update 03/05/2024: The Ravens placed the franchise tag on Madubuike. The two sides will continue to work on a long-term deal.

10. Kamren Curl, S

Although he’s been an underrated NFL defender, he hasn’t been in IDP circles. Curl was a tackle machine in 2023 and produced a 10.6% tackle rate, resulting in 115 tackles. Curl played 61% of his snaps up on the line of scrimmage and had a 39% box rate. He’s got great instincts and can play anywhere on the field, but let’s hope he lands with a team that’ll utilize him like the Commanders.

Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills

11. Kyle Dugger, S

Another versatile safety who could hit the market. The Patriots hit the lottery with Dugger, who was a perfect hybrid in Bill Belichick’s scheme. He can play the run and isn’t a burden in coverage. Dugger has produced a career 14.2% play-on-ball rate, resulting in 9 INTs and 20 defended passes. He also recorded a career-high 109 tackles.

Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots, Washington Commanders

12. Jonathan Greenard, EDGE

Greenard enjoyed a career year under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. Greenard recorded 12.5 sacks and a 12% pressure rate. He’s a beast against the run thanks to his quick get-off and sets the edge.

Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts

13. Chris Jones, IDL

If it weren’t for Aaron Donald, Jones would probably be talked up as the best interior defender in the NFL. He’s recorded nine or more sacks in five of his last six seasons, including double-digit takedowns in consecutive seasons. Jones has accumulated 198 pressures over the last two seasons, resulting in a 14.4% pressure rate (an elite rate for an interior defender).

Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs

14. Devin White, LB

White has been a polarizing figure in IDP circles thanks in part to his 9-sack 2020 season. Since then? He has 11.5 sacks in his last three seasons but produced a 12.6% tackle rate, resulting in 392 tackles. White battled injuries in 2023 and lost the green dot to Lavonte David. He’ll probably end up signing a one-year prove-it deal to show 2023 wasn’t a fluke.

Ideal Landing Spot: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns

15. Brian Burns, EDGE

Burns had a rough finish to the 2023 season after recording five sacks in the first eight games. Was he bothered by injuries? Hard to say. His pressures were down by 41% from 2022. He did finish the season on a high note with two sacks.

Ideal Landing Spot: Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens

16. Xavier McKinney, S

McKinney has been a solid defender and IDP producer. He missed most of the 2022 season, but in his healthy 2021/2023 seasons, he recorded a 9.2% tackle rate, resulting in 209 tackles. McKinney played 59% of his snaps on the line of scrimmage (LOS) in 2023 and has missed on just 21 tackles in four seasons.

Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders

17. Jordyn Brooks, LB

The fact he was able to suit for the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL at the end of 2022 was remarkable. He played in 16 games, appeared in 802 snaps, and produced a 13.8% tackle rate while adding 4.5 sacks.

Ideal Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles

18. Chase Young, EDGE

Young spent the last two seasons recovering from a torn ACL. Between the Commanders and 49ers, Young appeared in 735 snaps over 16 games. Young produced a career-high in pressures (74), resulting in a 12.9% pressure rate.

Ideal Landing Spot: Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles

19. Josey Jewell, LB

Jewell has battled various injuries over the last few seasons, but has that linebacker mentality and is capable of wearing the dot. He lost that responsibility last season to Alex Singleton. He’s produced a highly efficient 14.5% tackle rate over the last two seasons and gets his nose into traffic. He’s produced four forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and seven defended passes over 2022/2023 seasons.

Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles

20. Christian Wilkins, IDL

Although Wilkins’s tackle numbers were down, he made up for it in pressure. He doubled his career-high in pressures (61) and generated a 10% pressure rate, resulting in 9 sacks. Don’t get me wrong, the 65 tackles are a solid number for an IDL. He’s produced a 9.8% tackle rate over the last three seasons and is still a solid IDP producer.

Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers

21. Jeremy Chinn, S

Chinn was an afterthought in 2023 but could become relevant with the right spot. Chinn appeared in just 39% of the snaps last season over 12 games. 

Ideal Landing Spot: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns

22. Blake Cashman, LB

DeMeco Ryans resurrected Cashman’s career in 2023 and I think it makes the most sense for him to stay. He called the plays at times and appeared in a career-high 657 snaps after seeing 612 total snaps over his first four seasons. He produced a 16.1% tackle rate which led to 106 tackles. He should be cheap, but can he play 900+ snaps without getting injured?

Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans

23. Jordan Hicks, LB

With the emergence of Ivan Pace, Hicks might be testing the FA market. He suffered a freak leg injury that caused him to miss four games but still managed to produce his fifth straight 100-tackle season. He’s a tone-setter and can lead a defense. If he stays with Minnesota, he will help the defense maintain some stability.

Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins

24. Bryce Huff, EDGE

Huff has been an efficient edge rusher who just hasn’t received the snaps. Over his four-year career, he hasn’t appeared in more than 51% of the snaps and saw just 42% of the snaps in 2023. He hit double-digit sacks (10) and generated a 20.1% pressure rate. The concern is will more snaps lower the efficiency? No matter the landing spot, he’ll carry big play upside.

Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers

25. CJ Gardner-Johnson, S

CGJ spent most of the 2023 season on the bench with a torn pec. He returned in Week 18 for the Lions’ playoff push. He’d record 12 tackles and an INT during the postseason. Over six games, he played 47% of his snaps on the LOS.

Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers

26. Julian Blackmon, S

Blackmon appeared in 15 games and 986 snaps. He’d finish with a respectable 8.9% tackle rate. This was his first season where he played primarily in the box and finished with a 47% box rate. He played better near the LOS where he was able to make more plays compared to playing deep.

Ideal Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins

27. Leonard Williams, IDL

Williams earned the highest pass-rush grade of his career (76.2) and generated a 10.8% pressure rate. He’s also recorded more than 60 tackles in two of the last three seasons. Let’s hope his next team utilizes his pass-rush prowess.

Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens

28. Jordan Whitehead, S

The Jets voided his contract and he finds himself on the FA market. Whitehead appeared in over 1,000 snaps in consecutive seasons and notched 186 tackles and six INTs. He’s got good ball skills and gets his nose dirty in the box. Whitehead played 53% of his snaps up on the LOS, so he’s a versatile safety who can play anywhere on the field, primarily in single-high looks.

Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots

29. Za’Dairus Smith, EDGE

Smith landed in a solid spot opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland. He recorded just 5.5 sacks but generated a 15.2% pressure rate and 23% win rate. He can still explode off the snap.

Ideal Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers

30. Andrew Van Ginkel, EDGE

Van Ginkel stepped up in Jaelan Phillips’s absence and earned his highest pass-rush grade from PFF by far (90.6). From Week 12 on, AVG produced a 19.7% pressure rate. While he’s not a three-down player, he plays enough snaps to be useful in IDP leagues.

Ideal Landing Spot: Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams

31. Kendall Fuller, CB

Fuller has finished as a top-15 CB in two of the last three seasons and has produced an 18% play-on-ball rate, resulting in six INTs and 38 defended passes. He’s been a decent source of tackles, recording 77 or more in two of his last three seasons. He’s been heavily targeted: 245 total since 2021. That trend should continue no matter where he lands in free agency. He can play in the slot and safety, so his versatility should also be attractive.

Ideal Landing Spot: Detroit Lions

32. L’Jarius Sneed, CB

Sneed has the rare trait of being a solid cover corner and IDP producer. Sneed has finished as a top-15 CB in three straight seasons and a top-10 in consecutive seasons. He finished with 78 tackles and produced a 16% play-on-ball rate with two picks and 14 defended passes. His tackles took a dip because his slot duties were drastically reduced.

Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs

33. Kenny Moore, CB

After finishing as CB1 in 2021, injuries derailed Moore’s 2022, but he came back to reclaim his crown in 2023 and finished as the CB1 in most tackle-heavy formats. He’s been Indy’s primary slot corner, and if that’s his role with a new team, he should remain productive. I think his best bet is to stay with Indy.

Ideal Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts

34. Willie Gay, LB

Will Willie Gay land on a team that’ll give him snaps? Gay has mostly been a base LB, so he’ll have to earn his way to a full-time role. Over the last two seasons, Gay has recorded an 11.9% tackle rate in a part-time role. He can move laterally and can play a spy against athletic QBs.

Ideal Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

35. Drue Tranquill, LB

After a productive contract year for the Chargers, Drue Tranquill’s phone barely rang in free agency. He settled for a 1-year deal with the Chiefs which resulted in a different type of ring. Tranquill filled in admirably for Nick Bolton. When Tranquill played in more than 80% of the snaps, he produced a 14.6% tackle rate, resulting in 59 tackles. He can wear the dot and play a full-time role in any defense.

Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns

36. Jonathan Owens, S

After a career year in Houston, Owens’ production came down to earth, but he still managed 84 tackles in 17 games, resulting in a 10.8% tackle rate. Owens saw just 70% of the snaps which explains the slight dip in production. He played 54% of his snaps up on the LOS, so his role allowed for solid tackle efficiency.

Ideal Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants

37. Jordan Fuller, S

Fuller has been an underrated IDP producer over the last few seasons. Injuries ended a promising 2022 season but he rebounded in 2023. Fuller produced an 8.9% tackle rate and appeared in over 1,000 snaps. Fuller can even wear the dot if called upon.

Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams

38. Dorance Armstrong, EDGE

Armstrong has been trapped behind a loaded defensive line, so he gets to test free agency in his age-26 season. He can play inside and in the wide-9. Last season, he generated a 12.1% pressure rate and produced 7.5 sacks.

Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

39. Denico Autry, EDGE

A solid edge rusher and defender who can shed blocks and get through double teams. He’s entering his age-34 season but looks like he has a few more seasons in him. Over the last three seasons, he’s generated a 12.1% pressure rate and has converted 17% of his pressures to sacks (27.5).

Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns

40. DeShon Elliott, S

Elliott enters his age-27 season after two solid seasons with the Lions and Dolphins. Elliott appeared in nearly 1,800 snaps over the 2022/2023 seasons and produced a 10% tackle rate. Elliott does play deep but can play in the slot and box.

Ideal Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, New York Jets

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