Top Offseason Storylines Impacting IDP: NFC Edition
Jason King kicks off a team-by-team look at the storylines, roster questions, and speculative IDP moves that will shape the dynasty offseason.
We are at that time of the fantasy season when dynasty-focused roster movement becomes difficult. In the majority of formats, the playoffs have begun, trade deadlines have passed, and in some cases, waivers are locked for teams that have been eliminated. Whether you are in contention or coping with disappointment, it helps to keep a mind’s eye on future seasons. We shouldn’t forget the “dynasty” in the format; the point is to field an annual contender.
With that in mind, in this two-part series, I’ll pose some of the questions and examine the storylines that will define the IDP offseason. I’ll look at each team, starting with the NFC, to get you primed for early and speculative moves to make this offseason.
Credits: Pressures, pass rush win rates, and alignment data are per Pro Football Focus. Contract information is derived from OverTheCap.com.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Launch Kenneth Murray Into the Sun, Please and Thank You
The second EDGE spot and the second off-ball spot have my attention in Big D. At EDGE, rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku has given us no reason not to be thrilled with any shares in our portfolio. And at off-ball, the return of DeMarvion Overshown has been a sight for sore eyes given the pain that has come with watching Kenneth Murray line up for every stinkin’ defensive snap through the first half of the season (prayers have been answered and those days are done). The compliments to Ezeiruaku and Overshown are question marks, though.
At EDGE, I’m hoping for less of a rotation, but not optimistic we will get it even though Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, and Jadeveon Clowney are all free agents. The best-case scenario would be for two of the three to leave, opening the door for more snaps for pass-rush extraordinaire James Houston. As a rookie in 2022, Houston gave us eight sacks on 140 snaps before disappearing for two seasons. He’s re-emerged in Dallas with 5.5 sacks on 236 defensive snaps, and I’d for sure like to see what he could do with a 50% snap share next season.
At off-ball, Murray, Logan Wilson, and Jack Sanborn seem unlikely to be retained, leaving rookie Shemar James as the most intriguing option. Though the play has been brutal at times (don’t watch his Week 9 tape), he’s shown enough that I’m not ready to throw in the towel on the fifth-round pick, and I’m on the hunt for cheap shares this offseason.
New York Giants: Offing Okereke and Off-Ball Opportunity
The real question is whether Big Blue’s next coach can get Abdul Carter’s head screwed on straight. Moronic fake Twitter posts (get a life, people) aside, the rookie apparently needs some better influences in his life, and soon.
For IDP, my mind is circling back to the preseason buzz about the team’s desire to reduce Bobby Okereke’s workload (and not with the intent of extending his career). Injuries to Micah McFadden and Darius Muasau have prevented us from learning whether the Okereke speculation was just talk, but it’s still enough of a concern to drop Okereke a few rungs in dynasty linebacker rankings, especially considering he’s a likely cap casualty this offseason.
With a new coaching staff on the way and McFadden headed to free agency, Muasau is the most intriguing of the existing off-ball options. If you’re looking to acquire him, just don’t overpay—any new coach is probably going to bring in defenders with scheme familiarity (read the Green Bay segment below).
Philadelphia Eagles: Dean Decision Has Big Meaning for Campbell’s Outlook
Jalen Carter’s development justifies some discussion, but for IDP, one of the top offseason storylines involves Nakobe Dean. If the soon-to-be free agent linebacker returns to Philadelphia, we’ll see a massive hit to the dynasty value of rookie Jihaad Campbell. If Dean departs, anyone with Campbell shares can breathe a sigh of relief.
With fifth-year options looming for Carter and Nolan Smith, and a decision on in-season acquisition Jaelan Phillips looming, I’m still betting that Dean finds more money elsewhere. Granted, this is a surface-level transaction, but if you find Campbell managers who are jittery at the notion of Dean’s return, I’d look to trade for the 2025 first-rounder.
Washington Commanders: While Wagner Fights Off Father Time, We Wait for Mr. Magee
It seems old hat at this point, but we’re circling back again to Jordan Magee as the potential successor to Bobby Wagner in Washington. As the Commanders continue to groom Magee for the role—he’s seen his snaps as the No. 3 linebacker hover between 33% to 84% since Week 7—Wagner just keeps playing at an elite level.
The veteran is once again coming up on free agency, and could play elsewhere in 2026, return to the Commanders, or retire—we simply don’t know which way that will go. At this point, Magee represents that high upside speculative addition to your dynasty roster. You’ll have to get ahead of any Wagner announcements in order to get value on a trade.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Wash, Rinse, Repeat on the Optimistic View for Kyler Gordon
Perhaps the wildest IDP storyline for the Bears is that all five safeties who have played defensive snaps (Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jonathan Owens, and Elijah Hicks) are unrestricted free agents. I don’t know how to take any action on that, but I am eyeing one of this season’s disappointing breakout picks, Kyler Gordon.
Hamstring, calf, and groin pulls have derailed the slot defender’s season, but the same reasons for optimism for ‘25 apply to ‘26 and beyond. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has a nice history of providing us with IDP goodness out of the slot spot, and Gordon is indeed already locked up long-term in Chicago (through 2028). Go ahead and grab Gordon off waivers or pick him up as a throw-in on a trade this offseason, and let’s keep fingers crossed he emerges as an Alontae Taylor-level fantasy corner.
Detroit Lions: Barnes Dots a Barren “Front Seven” Landscape Outside of Hutch and Campbell
We’re still waiting for a long-term complementary EDGE to emerge opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and the current roster doesn’t seem to be yielding any options. The same could be said at off-ball, where Jack Campbell has finally established himself as one of the best in the business. Alex Anzalone’s contract is set to void, and Malcolm Rodriguez is hitting unrestricted free agency.
That leaves Campbell and Derrick Barnes, who has never been much of an IDP asset; even this season, he’s no more than an LB4 despite seeing an 86% snap share through 14 weeks. Barnes is safely under contract through 2027, and he is the most logical offseason target with hopes that his role shifts a bit to that of a more traditional off-ball vs. a part-time pass rusher. Should Detroit land a bonafide second EDGE to pair with Hutch, we could see greater tackle totals from Barnes.
Green Bay Packers: “Who’s Coming With Me?” Hafley Likely to Land a Head Coaching Job
Second-year defensive coordinator and former Boston College coach Jeff Hafley is going to be one of the top candidates for job openings and seems likely to be poached from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Given Hafley is from the northern New Jersey/New York City area, the Giants are a natural (speculative) fit, but regardless, we know new coaches like to bring in players who are familiar with their system, as it helps with organizational learning.
Ideally, that’s Isaiah McDuffie, who had an outstanding final collegiate season under Hafley at BC, but the 2021 sixth-round pick is under contract with the Packers through 2026. With Quay Walker due to become a free agent, though, adding McDuffie via trade (most leagues) or waivers (shallow leagues) is the move to make. He seems likely to be starting next to Edgerrin Cooper in Green Bay, or possibly following Hafley to his new destination. In deeper leagues, 2024 pick Ty’Ron Hopper makes for a decent stash simply due to his third-round draft pedigree.
Minnesota Vikings: Change at LB Could Unlock Value for Keys
Blake Cashman will return to the Minnesota linebacker corps in 2026, but will Eric Wilson? The 31-year-old veteran returned last offseason to the team he spent his first four seasons with, and he’s been a fantasy surprise after usurping the second off-ball spot from Ivan Pace Jr. (a restricted free agent).
If Wilson returns to the Vikings, he makes for a decent target for contenders. If he leaves or Minnesota declines to bring back Pace, undrafted rookie Austin Keys becomes an intriguing deep stash. He didn’t have a memorable college career, but there’s always hope he’s a late bloomer from a recognition standpoint, and his quick and physical downhill playstyle allows him to step into a third linebacker role.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Our Deablo Shares Might Get Done Dirty
Despite the Thursday Night Football win over Tampa Bay, Raheem Morris is on shaky ground in his second year as head coach, and optimism among Dirty Birds isn’t good given Michael Penix Jr.’s struggles in his second year.
For IDP, the main storylines are Morris’ status—and thereby that of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich—and Kaden Elliss’ contract. Ulbrich has made Divine Deablo a focal point of his defense, and though the fantasy production has been ho-hum, Deablo has been a full-time off-ball in his 10 healthy games.
Should Morris and Ulbrich get the boot, Deablo might not see another shot at full-time snaps, even though he’s under contract for 2026. And Elliss, an IDP favorite, is entering free agency as he approaches age 31. Coaching turnover is always scary for dynasty since most players are scheme-dependent, and a new staff will be looking to bring in players that fit their preferred scheme.
So I’m mostly just staying away from Atlanta for now, unless you find deals to be had on rookie EDGEs James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker.
Carolina Panthers: Intrigue Abounds at All Three Levels
I have my eye on all three levels of the Panthers defense right now. Let’s start along the defensive line. With D.J. Wonnum’s contract voiding and rookie Princely Umanmielen on a slower development curve than classmate Nic Scourton, I like bounce-back value in 2026 from Pat Jones II, who hasn’t played since Week 6 due to a back injury that required surgery. He had a sack and nine total tackles over 161 defensive snaps in his first season as a Panther.
At off-ball, Christian Rozeboom is scheduled to become a free agent, and his play hasn’t warranted a second contract. Second-year linebacker Trevin Wallace continues to ascend and is shaping up to be the LB1 for the foreseeable future, so he’s a trade target for me if I can get him for reasonable value. I’m thinking the second linebacker here will be coming via free agency or the draft.
On the back end, rookie Lathan Ransom is a natural strong safety and is coming off his first game seeing full-time snaps (11 total tackles on 52 snaps in Week 13 with Tre’Von Moehrig suspended). Nick Scott is entering free agency, hopefully clearing the way for a Ransom-Moehrig ticket in ‘26. If that happens, I won’t be surprised to see Moehrig spend more time roaming deep vs. playing in the box, with Ransom having higher fantasy value.
New Orleans Saints: Chase Young Rises from the Ashes
I’ve written about Danny Stutsman a couple of times already this season, most recently in the NFC mid-season rookie update, and he’s the New Orleans IDP I’m most interested in headed into 2026.
For the sake of variety, though: Chase Young, anyone? Since his season debut in Week 6, he’s given us a DE1 week and four other weeks of DE2 worthiness. His snap shares are trending upward and near 80%, he’s safely under contract for two more seasons, and he’s just 27 entering the 2026 season. Yes, he’s a bust because he can’t live up to the expectations that come along with being the second overall pick (in 2020). But with Cameron Jordan’s career (and contract) coming to a close, Young looks positioned for a heavy workload for 2026 and beyond.
Take advantage of the stench that comes along with a bust label and pick up a low-cost, acceptable EDGE starter this offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Questions on Calijah, Opportunity for Elijah
Sadly, the end has arrived for Lavonte David, whose skills have diminished in his age-35 season. It’s noticeable on the television set, and in his PFF scores (career lows in all but one category, and especially poor in coverage—his former calling card). His contract is expiring and it seems he’ll retire, or be retired. Sadly, the Buccaneers have neglected to add off-ball talent via the draft and are likely looking at pairing SirVocea Dennis (who also can’t cover) with a free agent or a draft pick, because I don’t see an answer on the current roster.
Tampa Bay also has a looming decision this offseason on whether to pick up Calijah Kancey’s fifth-year option, and it’s a bad sign if they decide not to do so. If you’re looking for potential acquisition targets, rookie fifth-rounder Elijah Roberts is establishing himself as a fixture along the defensive line in Kancey’s absence. Since moving into the starting lineup in Week 7, Roberts has logged a sack on 15 pressures and has 24 on the season. He’s more of a fantasy depth piece at defensive tackle, but he should at least come cheaply.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: A Coaching Change May Be in the Cards
Jonathan Gannon certainly seems to be on some shaky ground, and if Arizona enters the market for a new head coach, this defense could look a lot different given that a lot of the personnel was brought in due to familiarity with Gannon’s scheme, or fit within it. For that reason, I’m not actively looking to add current Cardinals right now.
An obvious call and one I’ve written about previously as an acquisition target is Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who hasn’t played since Week 10 due to an ankle injury. The 2024 fourth-rounder should see a big jump in snaps—he was playing less than 50% of defensive snaps prior to the injury—in 2026 with Jalen Thompson’s contract set to void.
Los Angeles Rams: Possible Safety Shakeup Makes McCollough a Low-Cost Stash
Both Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake (until his Week 11 elbow injury) have served as top 10 safety options this season, and both are in their contract walk years. I think there’s a decent chance the Rams retain both, but should one leave, 2024 undrafted free agent Jaylen McCollough stands to benefit the most for fantasy.
McCollough has seen most of his work lined up in the box (172 of 357 defensive snaps) or over the slot (96 snaps)—the two spots most frequently manned by Curl (box) and Lake (slot). The Rams’ third-round pick from 2024, Kamren Kinchens, would also stand to see an increase in snaps and bump in value, though he’s already playing a strong role (74% of defensive snaps). Given McCollough is available through waivers in most formats, he makes for a nice speculative add given the price.
San Francisco 49ers: Return of Injured Starters Opens a “Buy Low” Opportunity on Bethune
Injuries have not been kind to the 49ers in 2025, and entering the offseason, we’ll be following the recoveries of Nick Bosa (torn ACL, Week 3), Fred Warner (ankle dislocation and break, Week 6), and Mykel Williams (torn ACL, Week 9).
Assuming Warner is back to his old self—I’m guessing that will be the case—Tatum Bethune will be slotted on the depth chart as the third off-ball behind Warner and Dee Winters. Given Bethune’s production—60 total tackles over the five games he subbed in for Warner, before going down with a bad ankle injury of his own—the second-year linebacker makes for a high-upside bench stash in 2026 and beyond.
Warner is the heart of the defense and safely under contract through at least 2027, but Winters is entering a contract year. If he were to walk following the 2026 season, a patient play with Bethune would likely pay off handsomely. My IDP play in San Francisco is to seek to acquire Bethune while there’s a dip in his value.
Seattle Seahawks: Mafe’s Next Move Would Help Hall, EDGE Room for IDP Purposes
There are plenty of storylines I’m ready to see play out in Seattle. One is whether Seattle will commit to Drake Thomas as the second off-ball next to Ernest Jones. The third-year breakout will be a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning Seattle could choose to place a second-round tender on him—signalling the team really doesn’t want to lose him—and/or sign him to a longer-term deal.
Whatever happens with Thomas certainly has a big impact on Tyrice Knight, who has seen his value take a massive hit since Thomas passed him in the off-ball pecking order. If you’re in the market for deep league stashes, uber disappointment Chris Paul is hanging out on Seattle’s practice squad, and could eventually get a look if Seattle’s off-ball room thins out enough.
Possibly the bigger story I’m waiting to see play out is whether Boye Mafe finds work elsewhere as a free agent, and whether that means a tighter EDGE rotation in Mike Macdonald’s defense. Through 14 weeks, veterans DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu are leading a four-man rotation, with each seeing 56% of the defensive snaps. Mafe (53%) and Derick Hall (47%) also play big roles, and that means big headaches for IDP managers. We’ve seen some blow-up games, but given volume, none of them are worthy of starting-level trust. Taking Mafe out of the equation and redistributing the majority of available snaps between the remaining three should help from an IDP perspective.
For dynasty, I’m most interested in acquiring the baby of the bunch in Hall, the 2023 second-rounder who leads the Seahawks EDGE group in pass rush win rate (18%) and has a respectable 34 pressures despite just two sacks. Mafe is also interesting as an acquisition target since he’s an athletic freak. Given he just turned 27, I think he’ll be coveted as a free agent despite his current sack production (just one on 32 pressures), and will likely go for more than what Seattle is willing or able to pay to retain him.
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Excellent breakdown!
A great read, much thanks, gents!