2025 Fantasy Football IDP Rookie Rankings (Pre-NFL Draft) -Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and more

February 18, 2025

RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy football IDP rookie rankings for 2025 NFL rookies by Matt Donnelly. These early IDP rookie rankings are from before the NFL Draft and include edge, safety, linebacker, and cornerbacks.

We are only a few days removed from the Super Bowl, but rookie drafts are already underway, and the fantasy football landscape is, once again, being reshaped.

As we get closer to the NFL Draft in Green Bay, understand that the market will change several times. It'll change after the combine, during free agency, and after the draft once we see how all the pieces fit.

With that in mind, it is always better to stay one step ahead of your league mates rather than fall behind, so here are the top 10 IDP prospects for fantasy drafts.

NFL Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football (Pre-Draft)

Rookie rankings are from before the NFL Scouting Combine and before the NFL Draft

Pre-Draft Top 10 Fantasy IDP Picks

10. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Nick Emmanwori is a physical specimen; there are no other words to describe him. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, it wouldn't surprise anyone if the former Gamecock played both safety and linebacker this upcoming season.

One debate we’ve talked about on First Draft that I think will take place more as we get closer to the draft is whether South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori could be the first safety off the board.

A rare blend of size (6-foot-3, 227) and athleticism. Capable in coverage, team… pic.twitter.com/XJDBHdpUlB

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 22, 2025

If a defensive coordinator chooses to use Emmanwori's rare blend of size and speed at linebacker, that will increase the opportunity for fantasy production. This will not only give fantasy managers flexibility with their lineups but also a positional advantage at the defensive back position.

9. Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

The 2025 draft is a strong one for defensive line play, particularly edge defenders. Nic Scourton would likely be much higher on this list in any other draft.

As a sophomore, Scourton led the Big Ten in sacks in 2023. After transferring to Texas A&M, his production dipped as he raced after the quarterback with the other A&M defenders. Scourton, who doesn't turn 21 until August, is a work in progress.

He has shown an ability to play inside and out while demonstrating a need for double teams, which should allow his future defensive coordinator to scheme up some big plays for him moving forward.

Watching the A&M edge rushers this morning. Still can't get over this rep by Will Campbell (LT). The torque/power throws 285-pound Nic Scourton right out of the gap. Scourton is a projected first-rounder. pic.twitter.com/ptmZ6UPuzS

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 10, 2025

8. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

As a prospect, Malaki Starks is tough to gauge. Starks is the type of prospect that could be as high as four on one team's big board and as low as 28 on another team's board. Luckily, we are talking about fantasy here, not necessarily about which team falls in love with which player.

There is not much to dislike about Starks's game. The Georgia product is a big play threat on every dropback. As a junior, Starks would finish the campaign with six interceptions.

Oh my goodness. This is why Malaki Starks is a blue chip prospect pic.twitter.com/NqkR9qS3G9

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 31, 2024

That nose or the ball doesn't end in coverage either, as he isn't afraid to come downhill and defend the run, as his 77 tackles a season ago suggest. If not for Travis Hunter's dual-threat possibilities, Starks would be the top defensive back prospect for fantasy managers.

7. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

In tackle-heavy scoring, you need some solid play at the linebacker position. Jihaad Campbell is one of those linebackers who produced at the college level. In 2024, the Alabama product was responsible for 117 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. That adds up in a hurry when we are talking fantasy.

Campbell will endure himself to future fantasy managers with his downhill style of play, which, in turn, could endure to whichever defensive coordinator ends up working with him. He may be the most NFL-ready linebacker in this draft.

Jihaad Campbell: Discipline, Vision, Instincts 🐘

➖A rangy, powerful, and explosive LB who plays with a sense of toughness/versatility

20th ranked prospect on the Big Board right now … pic.twitter.com/y9gqiQF6iQ

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) February 6, 2025

6. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Not many prospects saw their value increase at the Senior Bowl the way Mike Green saw his. In my mock draft 1.0, which came out ahead of the Senior Bowl, I had Green penciled into the Detroit Lions at pick 28, which would complement Aidan Hutchinson for years to come.

Marshall edge Mike Green - who had the practice field buzzing after this rep earlier today in 1-on-1’s - has opted to withdraw from the rest of the Senior Bowl week and head home to continue with his draft prep.

He led the FBS with 17.0 sacks this season. pic.twitter.com/vpdw45vosm

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 30, 2025

Since the Senior Bowl, the FBS leader in sacks may have played himself into top-15 consideration, as the Panthers and Falcons could use his services.

Last season, Green posted 85 tackles, 17 sacks, and  23 tackles for loss. While he is considered a raw prospect, that is too much production and upside not to take a chance on for fantasy managers.

5. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Travis Hunter certainly has all the tools needed to move up this list. The problem IDP managers will be facing is one: Where will he be lining up? Will he be primarily used as a cornerback or as a wide receiver?

For that answer, we must see where he lands at the draft. Second, if his primary position is as a corner, how often will he be targeted? Usually, I avoid corners in IDP leagues, but the receiving upside is intriguing.

Travis Hunter with the awareness, closing speed, and ball skills to intercept a late throw to the flat pic.twitter.com/CcIT2KrijQ

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) February 11, 2025

Hunter can as easily be the 1.02 in rookie drafts as a wide receiver, considering his 96 receptions and 15 touchdown grabs led the Big Ten. Dual eligibility in fantasy means Hunter can easily rise to the top of this list.

Note: Hunter will attend the NFL Combine as a cornerback. What this means for fantasy managers is that early indications are that he will be a corner first with some offensive packages, which in turn will boost his fantasy value if the teams that end up selecting him view him as a dual threat.

4. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

James Pearce Jr. took a step back in 2024. After accumulating 10 sacks as a sophomore, Pearce only produced 7.5 sacks during his final season in Tennessee. While he seemingly disappeared on film in games against Georgia and Vanderbilt, there is no questioning his talent.

James Pearce Jr. is a monster 😳
pic.twitter.com/qI3XzU5B2R

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) February 7, 2025

At 6-foot-5, Pearce offers the desirable length to be a dominant edge rusher. In the games in which he did have success, his explosiveness was on full display, mixing power, raw instincts, and impressive spin moves to keep defenders guessing. If Pearce can develop a little more bend and add some weight to his frame, he will be a problem at the next level.

3. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Mykel Williams would be higher on this list if the production last season weren't so disappointing. Last season, Williams had just 21 tackles( nine for loss) and five sacks. In three seasons at Georgia, Williams only produced 67 total tackles and 14 career sacks, not exactly numbers that scream fantasy production.

Like most prospects, Williams's production depends on where he lands in the draft. The Georgia edge rusher is projected to be a top-15 selection not because of his stats but because of his traits.

Mykel Williams is this year’s FREAKISH athlete at edge rusher (6’5”, 270lbs, 35” arms).

He flashed his upside with dominance in both games against Texas, totaling 4 sacks. pic.twitter.com/fj7Nr25KWF

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 20, 2024

Williams showed some versatility last season, lining up inside and attacking from the edge, but it's his length and athleticism that have pushed him up both the NFL Draft and fantasy draft boards. Williams still needs to develop, and managers should be cautioned that he is still a couple of years away from making an impact in their lineups.

2. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Jalon Walker was this year's recipient of The Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. In 2024, Walker recorded 60 tackles, 11 of which resulted in negative yardage, thanks partly to his 6.5 sacks. While Walker primarily anchored the inside of that Bulldog's defense, he also had a very respectable 34 quarterback pressures.

While some may view Walker as an edge prospect, at 6-feet-2 inches and 245 pounds, he is better suited as an off-the-ball linebacker if he can prove himself as a three-down player and develop his skill set in coverage.

Fantasy managers should be excited with Walker's potential to not only rack up tackles but also the dynamic upside he adds as a pass rusher. Walker looks very much like Nolan Smith Jr. if you are looking for a player comparison.

Jalon Walker is really starting to emerge as a “my guy” early on.

*You are getting both: *
1️⃣ Old school off-ball linebacker who the athleticism to fly around & help in traffic.

2️⃣ A skilled pass-rusher with high-sack upside.

A DC’s dream pick… 👀

pic.twitter.com/LIT3gqUYUN

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 4, 2025

1. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The term "Generational Talent" is thrown around too loosely these days. Regarding Abdul Carter, "generational" may be short-selling the edge defenders talent.

The last player coming out of College Station repping the number turned out to be pretty good, and Carter can have a similar impact on his future team as Micah Parsons had when selected by the Dallas Cowboys. As a senior, Carter finished with 12 sacks, 68 tackles, and 24 tackles for loss, earning both Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Amecian honors.

Every sack from Abdul Carter's 2024 season.

This is not normal for a guy playing full-time EDGE for the first time. pic.twitter.com/bfBYMYKP45

— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 28, 2025

Carter's motor never stops. Even with a bad shoulder, in that loss to the Irish, Carter still managed to get to Riley Leonard. His power and speed will be on full display at the combine and should solidify his spot as the top defensive prospect in this year's draft class.

Just Missing: Danny Stutsman, Shemar Stewart, Barrett Carter, Xavier Watts

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