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Draft These Top IDP Rookies Before Someone Smarter Does

There's More Than Just Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter is going to be a pain. The only question is who he’ll bother the most.

Will he actually handle big roles on both sides of the ball? If so, then he might disrupt opponents as much as any player in recent memory – or ever.

Even if he settles primarily on offense or defense, Hunter looks like he’ll be a problem for the enemy in either area.

But how do we treat him among the top IDP rookies?

Hunter Has Already Changed Draft Sharks

Jacksonville’s newest toy is already agitating rankings systems.

Hunter is the first player we’ve had to project on both sides of the ball, and that's meant coding-level changes.

What that means for you depends on your host site, and likely on your league’s specific settings.

If Hunter’s set to get offensive and defensive points in your league, and you can start him at CB, then he’ll be a unique fantasy weapon. In that case, you should probably just plan to start him as a CB/DB for the foreseeable future.

If you have to choose between the sides, though, then he’s more likely to be a WR. That’s where the bigger fantasy scores will come.

Either way, Hunter’s about to make an impact. And that’s why we’re opening this list by treating him separately.

The “unicorn” moniker gets tossed around too freely these days, treating players as unique when they’re actually just really good.

But this guy’s a unicorn.

Now let’s sort through the zebras and horses.

Top IDP Rookies for 2025

This class doesn’t look loaded with immediate fantasy starters, even though we saw 14 individual defensive players (plus Hunter) drafted in Round 1.

That crew included 4-5 DT types and two CBs, positions that carry limited value for most IDP leagues. Even the edge group included several guys I have questions about.

But that doesn’t mean the class lacks upside. Here are some guys to consider in your rookie drafts, startup drafts, and waiver runs.

• Carson Schwesinger
• Abdul Carter
• Nick Emmanwori
• Jihaad Campbell
• Donovan Ezeiruaku
• Mike Green
• Demetrius Knight
• Malaki Starks
• Derrick Harmon
• Chris Paul

Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns

You were expecting Day 2 of the draft to begin with the Browns taking Shedeur Sanders. Instead, they announced some guy who sounds like a create-a-player from the Midwest.

Well, Schwesinger grew up in California, played at UCLA, and dominated his lone starting season there. The MLB delivered an FBS-leading 90 solo tackles in 12 games. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, those 7.5 solos per game were the FBS’ most since 2020

Schwesinger also tallied:

• 136 total tackles
• 9 tackles for loss
• 4 sacks
• 3 passes defensed
• 2 INTs

He earned first-team All-America honors, and Cleveland’s early selection (33rd overall) says the team wants him to start right away.

Combine that expected opportunity with proven cross-category scoring ability, and Schwesinger could deliver LB1-level scoring immediately.

Abdul Carter, Edge, New York Giants

Carter’s 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a 2022 true freshman at Penn State look pretty good. They look tremendous when you realize he wasn’t even an edge player yet.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Nittany Lions lined Carter up on the D-line for just 38 of his 514 defensive snaps that season. Carter actually spent the same number of snaps at cornerback that year: 35 in the slot, plus three outside.

Carter delivered 20 pressures on just 85 pass-rushing opportunities that year. Naturally, Penn State increased his pass-rushing role each of the next two seasons. But he didn’t fully blossom until 2024.

There’s No Telling How High His Ceiling Goes

Actually, “fully blossom” isn't fair. Carter was awesome as a junior, finally spending the majority of his time on the front line. And finally rushing the passer more than he dropped into coverage.

Carter finished the year with an FBS-high 24 tackles for loss (in 16 games), with 12 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 68 total tackles.

He tied for second in overall PFF grade among all FBS edge players and second by himself in pass-rushing grade. The only two players to match Carter in total pressures each got at least 56 more pass-rushing reps. (Carter still dropped into coverage 62 times among 734 total snaps.)

And that’s why we probably can’t say he has fully blossomed yet.

What's the Giants' Vision?

So Carter arrives as the No. 3 overall pick; a 250-pounder who successfully transitioned from off-ball LB to edge terror across three college seasons.

He’s plenty talented enough to have multiple double-digit sack seasons in his NFL future. The one question: Will the Giants view him as more of a unique piece they can move around the defense? If so, that could be an arrangement that helps the defense while hindering Carter’s fantasy production.

Of course, that’s more question than reason to consider passing on Carter in your IDP draft. He very well might be the top IDP target for your format. And I wouldn’t expect him to let you down.

Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks

If you’ve been listening to our podcast, then you might have already heard me and Shane talk about this second-round pick on any of these three episodes. (And if you haven’t been listening, maybe take a tiny break from the murder pods or Joe Rogan and check us out.)

The case for Emmanwori is not difficult, and it starts with him being hyper-athletic.

That explosive speed and jumping ability would deliver upside on its own. Put that in a 6’3, 220-pound defensive back, and we’re talking about a combo that should probably be illegal.

Despite being just a three-star recruit, Emmanwori started right away at South Carolina and led that 2022 team in tackles. He did the same thing for last year’s squad, at the back of a defense that also had four other players drafted inside the first four rounds.

Emmanwori added 4 INTs, returning two of those for TDs.

Don’t worry about how he fits into a Seattle D that returns both safety starters. Worry about the points this monster might provide for another team in your dynasty league if you pass on him.

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

This one might take patience. Campbell’s coming off post-season shoulder surgery that’s not expected to allow him to practice in full until August.

If that comes to fruition, it’ll be tough for Campbell to gain full-time duty by the start of his rookie season. There’s also the challenge of incumbent LB Nakobe Dean, though he’s coming off a patellar tendon tear that casts doubt on his timeline.

So Campbell’s a bet on long-term upside over near-term assistance. But there’s plenty of the former.

Campbell Can Score in a Bunch of Ways

DC Vic Fangio has said the Eagles are teaching their first-round pick the off-ball LB position first because it’s more complicated. But “starting” Campbell there points to the rookie’s potential to also contribute from the edge.

Campbell ranked 30th among FBS LBs in pass rushes last year (tied for 32nd in total snaps), according to PFF. His 20 pressures tied for just 37th, so don’t expect loads of time on the edge in the pros. But Campbell’s 5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as an Alabama junior showed his ability to make plays coming forward.

He arrived in Tuscaloosa as an edge, so Campbell’s still developing as a standup LB. That’s encouraging for his future production. It’s also encouraging that the Eagles spent a first-round pick at a position they haven’t traditionally valued that highly under GM Howie Roseman, especially in the same offseason that saw them commit big money to LB Zack Baun. (So they didn’t need Campbell.)

Expect the rookie to find full-time duty by 2026.

Jalon Walker, Edge, Atlanta Falcons

I’ll be honest: I’m not totally sure what to make of Walker’s fantasy outlook.

Why the skepticism? Walker’s lone year of true starter duty at Georgia included just 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. That did tie him for the sack lead and put him atop the team in TFLs. And Walker saw just the seventh-most pass rushes on the team, while splitting time between edge and off-ball positions. So the unexciting production seems more due to role than any talent deficiency.

But that’s kinda the thing. If Walker was a positional ‘tweener in college, is he going to be the same against bigger, faster competition in the pros? And even if he does that extremely well, can Walker rack up enough tackles and/or big plays to make a large fantasy impact?

I don’t know. And that uncertainty makes me hesitant to draft him.

On the other hand, evaluators universally touted Walker as a clear first-rounder, and the Falcons drafted him 15th overall. So I hesitate to steer totally away from such a well-regarded 21-year-old, who clearly has plenty of room left to develop further.

The more your format favors big-play scoring – and especially if you get points for TFLs – the more it makes sense to take a shot on Walker approaching Von Miller-type upside.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Dallas Cowboys

Ezeiruaku enters the league with size questions similar to Jalon Walker’s.

His 6’2 (and a half!), 248-pound frame at the Combine rated just 19th percentile for height and 11th for weight among edge players historically. But that’s almost certainly why he slipped to 44th overall instead of going in Round 1.

The college production screamed upside.

Ezeiruaku contributed all four years at Boston College, with starter-level snaps each of the past three seasons. His 47 career tackles for loss and 30 sacks included 21 and 16.5, respectively, in 2024. Each number led the conference. Only five FBS edge players tallied more total pressures last season, according to PFF.

And Ezeiruaku played the run at least as well as he rushed that passer. That helped him play the third-most snaps at the position last year, without the benefit of playoff games.

Here’s Why You Should Believe

We’ll see whether Ezeiruaku can carry over that strong playing time to the pros. But his displayed ability vs. both the run and pass should certainly motivate the Cowboys to see how much work he can handle. And despite the diminutive size, there’s plenty of physical upside.

Ezeiruaku combats the height deficiency with an 85th-percentile wingspan. He also delivered a 91st-percentile three-cone time and a 92nd-percentile short shuttle. That all means Ezeiraku brings elite reach and short-area agility.

The three-cone time, in particular, has historically correlated with success for smaller pass rushers. Makes sense. If you can’t outmuscle that man-wall in front of you, then elite athleticism is crucial.

Ezeiruaku might need to play in a rotation early, but he could also quickly climb the depth chart. His second-round draft status should also push him later in your dynasty drafts, likely behind first-rounders Mykel Williams and James Pearce.

Gimme Ezeiruaku straight up over both.

Mike Green, Edge, Baltimore Ravens

We can’t really know just how high Green’s profile would have gotten him drafted, because his off-field baggage reportedly kept many teams from considering him at all.

Green was accused of sexual assault in high school and at University of Virginia. He has denied both allegations. Marshall took him on after both allegations. The Ravens say they investigated the allegations before picking him.

This isn’t the space to sort out what Green did or didn’t do, though. He’s a Raven now, so we’ll focus on the football side.

Enticing Talent with One Key Question

Green led FBS with 17 sacks last year and led his draft class with 23 tackles for loss. He tied for ninth among all edge players in total pressures while ranking just 27th among that group in pass-rush opportunities, according to PFF.

Green earned the position’s top overall PFF grade for the position and even ranked No. 2 in run-defense grade. He backed all that up with an elite speed score (115.1) in pre-draft testing.

The one question: Why didn’t he deliver sooner?

Part of the issue, of course, was Green getting booted from Virginia. But even in 2023 at Marshall – his third college year – Green played a part-time role.

Here’s why I’m not concerned about him the way I am Demetrius Knight, though: Green entered college as an “athlete.” He played WR, TE, and LB in high school and spent college transitioning to the edge. On top of that, Green turns 22 at the end of July.

So he’s still young, he’s still developing, and he already flashed big stat upside. Put that in a Baltimore system that has done well at developing defenders, and it’s easy to get excited.

Demetrius Knight, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Let’s play a little game called “Does It Matter What I Think?”

I don’t like Knight as a prospect. He arrives with good enough size and encouraging speed (81st-percentile speed score at 6’2, 235). And if you look at just his late-college production, then you might wonder what my problem is.

Here’s My Problem

That production didn’t come until his age-23 and age-24 seasons, in his fifth and sixth years. That’s a freakin’ adult playing against college kids.

If you’re good enough to start in the NFL, then why would it take you five years and a transfer (to Charlotte) to do so in college.

But Now the 'Does It Matter' Part

Cincinnati drafted Knight in Round 2 and then released LB starter Germaine Pratt. That sequence says the Bengals believe Knight can take over Pratt’s spot. And if he does land the starting gig, then Knight doesn’t actually need to be “good” to present fantasy value.

So feel free to draft him if you want. I remain wary of his long-term potential, though.

Shane and I talked Knight and other IDP rookies in this video ...

Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore Ravens

Starks spent all three of his college seasons starting for a strong Georgia defense. He tallied 6 INTs and 17 passes defensed while moving all around the formation. The production led the All-America nods in each of his three seasons.

The intelligence also made Starks a defensive leader, the kind of player who could get teammates into the right position.

The whole package made him the only safety to go in Round 1 of the draft. So why doesn’t he sit ahead of Emmanwori on this list?

At 6’1 and 197 pounds, Starks looks more like a deep safety in the pros than a guy who will spend lots of time in the box. He’s bound to present value to Baltimore – and almost definitely start right away – but Starks might be hard-pressed to deliver regularly useful fantasy points.

In the three seasons since S Kyle Hamilton arrived as a first-round pick, the second Ravens safety (statistically) hasn’t topped 64 total tackles. That “No. 2” guy was Hamilton in 2022, but then Marcus Williams and Ar’Darius Washington the past two years.

Starks looks more likely to collect his stats in the Williams/Washington way than to fight Hamilton for the position’s tackle lead. So keep in mind how that fits your scoring system.

Derrick Harmon, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers grabbed Harmon 21st overall and present a clear path for his future: Cameron Heyward replacement.

The incumbent remained effective and didn’t miss a game in 2024. But he also turned 36 in May. The end has to be approaching. (Right?) Even if Heyward continues to defy nature, though, there appears to already be room.

“He goes out there with the 1s,” DL coach Karl Dunbar said in early June, at the team’s first minicamp. “He’s our left starting defensive tackle. You can write that.”

We’ll see exactly what that means for Harmon’s playing time. But he’s clearly already a defensive key.

Does Harmon Present Stat Upside?

The D-lineman delivered nice numbers in his lone season at Oregon (14 games):

• 45 tackles
• 27 solos
• 11 tackles for loss
• 5 sacks
• 4 passes defensed
• 2 forced fumbles
• 2 fumble recoveries
• 11 more pressures than any other interior DL, according to PFF

He spent the previous three years posting weaker stat lines at Michigan State, though. Harmon totaled just 3.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss over that span.

A stronger finish and first-round draft capital make it easier to bet on Harmon’s upside than to worry about the start. And he gains value if he carries a DT designation in leagues that require you to start that position.

Chris Paul, LB, Los Angeles Rams

Want a truly sneaky play for the end of your dynasty draft (or waivers)? Grab this guy.

Paul’s a tiny, fifth-round pick. Just check out these measurements from the Combine …

That’s:

• 18th percentile height for the position
• Third-percentile weight
• First-percentile arm length

Exciting, right?!?

So What’s the Upside Case Here?

The reason L.A. drafted a tiny LB at all is because Paul delivered on the field across three years as an SEC starter.

After redshirting in 2021, he earned freshman All-America honors in 2022 at Arkansas. Paul closed things out with a third-team All-America nod in 2024 while leading Ole Miss in tackles for his lone season there.

Among 443 LBs who played at least 200 snaps, Paul ranked:

• Sixth in PFF grade
• 23rd in run-defense grade
• 15th in pass-rushing grade
• 26th in coverage grade.

According to Wyatt Miller of the Rams website, Paul led all 19 drafted LBs in stop rate (“a tackle constituting an unsuccessful play for the offense”) and missed tackle rate (meaning he missed tackles at the lowest rate).

Landing Spot Boosts Upside

Paul now goes to a defense that could use the tackle help. The Rams elected not to re-sign 2024 LB leader Christian Rozeboom. That makes Omar Speights the top incumbent at the position, an undrafted free agent in 2024 who stands just 6’1 and 228 pounds. (The Rams have a type.)

Career fill-in Troy Reeder (31 in September) and low-cost free agent Nate Landman add depth with little upside.

So there’s room for Paul to compete for snaps right away. Even if he has to wait a year, starting for the Rams would mean playing behind a good, young D-line.

An intriguing stat ceiling at low cost make Paul an all-upside bet among the top IDP rookies of 2025.

Now let’s hit some other IDP rookies worth knowing …

Top IDP Rookies at DT

These early picks might fit your team in a DT-required league.

Mason Graham and Walter Nolen

We already hit Derrick Harmon, who may or may not qualify at DT in your league. Both Graham and Nolen certainly should, and each first-round pick brings plenty of upside.

Nolen closed out his three college seasons with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his lone Ole Miss campaign, earning consensus All-American status. That upside’s worth chasing over the question of why a five-star recruit didn’t break out over his two seasons at Texas A&M.

Graham’s numbers (18 TFLs, 9.0 sacks over three seasons) don’t reveal the upside. But he improved his run defense every season and delivered pressures on 10.7% of his pass rushes over the past two years – despite a 2024 talent decline around him.

Top IDP Rookie at CB

Just two corners went in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. The first looks like the better IDP bet.

Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos

If we don’t count Travis Hunter among the “true” CBs here, then Barron looks like the best bet for fantasy production.

Barron played inside and outside across three starting seasons at Texas. But at 5’11, 194 pounds, he seems best suited for slot duty in Denver. That’s also where he’ll find immediate opportunity, with Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss manning the outside spots.

Barron showed well as a tackler, including 21 career TFLs. And he displayed big-play upside with 8 INTs and 20 passes defensed over his three starting seasons.

Maxwell Hairston’s likely pegged for a starting outside spot in Buffalo after the Bills drafted him 30th overall. His value will rely heavily on big plays, though. Hairston snagged 6 INTs and returned three of them for TDs among 20 starts over the past two seasons. (He lost five games to a shoulder injury.)

Hairston also now faces sexual-assault allegations stemming from a 2021 incident.

Five More IDP Rookies to Stash

• JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Colts. The Ohio State alum joins a crowded Colts edge group but looked like a complete player and strong producer in college. He’ll face plenty of competition, but the group runs light on proven pros.
• Nic Scourton, Edge, Panthers. Scourton went six picks after Tuimoloau in Round 2 but lands in a better spot for immediate opportunity. The Panthers return basically nothing beyond D.J. Wonnum at edge. Scourton racked up 29 TFLs and 15 sacks over his final two college seasons.
• Nick Martin, LB, 49ers. Martin lands in a spot similar to Scourton’s. The 49ers lost LB Dre Greenlaw in free agency, despite a last-second push to keep him. That gives Martin a chance to compete with third-year player Dee Winters for the No. 2 role next to Fred Warner. Martin racked up 140 tackles, 16 TFLs, 6 sacks, and 2 INTs in his lone full starting season at Oklahoma State. (A knee injury limited him to five appearances last year.) San Francisco drafted Martin in Round 3, three rounds earlier than Winters (in 2023).
• Teddye Buchanan, LB, Ravens. Buchanan might wind up merely a backup and special-teamer in the pros. He spent four years playing well but not dominating at FCS-level Cal-Davis. Buchanan delivered a terrific stat line in his lone season at Cal, though, tallying 114 tackles, 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles. He should get a chance to quickly compete for the No. 2 LB job. Trenton Simpson opened 2024 in that role but saw his playing time dwindle amid a disappointing sophomore campaign.
• Andrew Mukuba, S, Eagles. Philly grabbed Mukuba in the second round, as the third safety off the board. He spent three inconsistent years at Clemson before breaking out at Texas in 2024. Mukuba racked up 5 INTs and 11 passes defensed to go with a solid 69 tackles and 4 TFLs. He’ll compete for a 2025 starting role next to Reed Blankenship after the Eagles shed C.J. Gardner-Johnson for the second time in three years.

Who Should You Pick in Your IDP Rookie Draft?

Your top IDP rookies probably won’t look just like this … and that’s a good thing.

No two dynasty leagues are exactly the same. So why should they follow the same set of rankings?

Sync your league to make sure your Dynasty Draft War Room fits your league.

This short video tells you how 3D Value+ will guide the whole system.

Next Up

Video: New IDP Dynasty Top 5s

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Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.