IDP Fantasy Football Breakouts, Sleepers, and Busts (2025)

Chris Gregory identifies the fantasy football IDP sleepers, busts, and breakout candidates for 2025. His IDP analysis and expert tips for 2025 fantasy football.

We are so close to real football that you can smell it. That means peak fantasy draft time is upon us. Data shows that a vast number of fantasy leagues wait to select their teams until the final two weeks before kickoff. That means the next two weeks will be busy, and those in IDP leagues will be looking for help.

In this column, we will address IDP Breakouts, Sleepers, and Busts. For clarity, we will define a breakout as a player who we expect to outperform their past production or current ADP vastly. This could include rookies who are being under-drafted. Meanwhile, sleepers will be players who have not yet done much in the NFL but will. Finally, busts are largely self-explanatory.

The final thing worth noting is that this column is meant to address ALL sorts of IDP formats. There is a wide variety of IDP leagues and scoring formats. A majority of IDP leagues start just four defenders and use my standard IDP scoring, which I detail in many other articles. Others go much deeper and hand out more points. The hope is that this article has something for everyone.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Fantasy Football IDP Breakouts

Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Green Bay Packers

Cooper didn’t see his first start with Green Bay until Week 8, and he missed part or all of four games after that point. Despite his injury and inconsistent playing time, Cooper averaged a whopping 10.5 fantasy points per game over that span. Were he to have sustained that pace over a full season, he would have finished as LB4 overall last year.

More reason for optimism on this sophomore is the fact that, once he was back and healthy, he played over 90% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps to close the season. One of the biggest concerns with Cooper is his inconsistent playing time, but his late-season surge and 100% snap rate in a playoff loss to Philadelphia are encouraging.

There is obviously a risk with Cooper. After all, his spike in snaps last year could have been circumstances rather than preference, too. If he returns to his early-season role from 2024, then he could be a bust. However, his ADP is LB27 overall, and the Texas A&M product did nothing to earn fewer snaps late in 2024, so he’s a bargain at his cost.

Nik Bonitto, DL/LB, Denver Broncos

Bonitto already experienced somewhat of a breakout in 2024, after he registered a career-high 13.5 sacks and finished as the DL4 in fantasy points per game. However, the hype on Bonitto isn't what you would expect after such a productive run last year. This is likely due to his lack of tackle production and his inconsistent playing time.

Nik Bonitto is a top ___ OLB in the NFL.
pic.twitter.com/iSXaP7ISdV

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 20, 2025

For our part, Bonitto has regularly placed in our preseason and in-season sleeper columns since he was drafted out of Oklahoma. He has always had the speed, bend, and instincts on the edge to become a superstar. Thus, it comes as no surprise that, once Denver finally started using him as a primary edge, his sack totals spiked last year.

Bonitto’s current ADP is DL30 overall, which is low enough to be a breakout. IDP managers have yet to value him as a true DL1, which is odd considering his performance in 2024 and the fact that Denver has openly said they view him as a cornerstone player they want to extend. Expect Bonitto to outperform his current ADP significantly in 2025.

Cooper DeJean, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

One of our favorite defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, DeJean was also a popular sleeper as a rookie due to his potential to contribute both as a kick returner and defensive starter. Unfortunately, the Eagles brought DeJean along slowly, as some of us anticipated.

DeJean’s gradual integration into the starting lineup led to him finishing as DB159 overall in fantasy ppg and as DB122 in overall Standard IDP Scoring points. Thankfully, DeJean's playing time spiked mid-season, and he became a regular starter by Week 7. By the time Philly was making a Super Bowl run, the rookie was their primary slot corner.

A key reason to expect a 2025 spike from DeJean is the fact that the team reportedly played him all over the formation in camp, moving him between corner and safety. If that continues, DeJean could end up with a Brian Branch-type role on an elite Eagles defense. That role allowed Branch to jump atop the DB position in his sophomore season.

Fantasy Football IDP Sleepers

Jalon Walker, DL/LB, Atlanta Falcons

As the 15th overall pick in the NFL Draft, Jalon Walker may not seem like a sleeper. However, his current struggles with injuries have driven his fantasy cost down into sleeper territory. The rookie’s current ADP is DL60 overall, which is far lower than his upside merits.

While Walker could struggle through an injury-mired rookie season, his current cost already bakes that risk in. What his ADP doesn’t reflect is the immense upside the former Bulldog has as a former interior linebacker who can play the run and rush the passer. His combination of character, skill, and motor should never leave the field if healthy.

Given reports that Atlanta’s plan for Walker is exactly what we hoped in the spring, the rookie is worth taking late in your IDP redraft drafts. Do not discount his ability to register 100 tackles, eight sacks, and multiple forced turnovers when he is healthy.

Jack Sanborn, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Eric Kendricks is currently a free agent, while DeMarvion Overshown is still recovering from a catastrophic knee injury in which he tore his ACL, PCL, and MCL. That means that two starting spots in Dallas’ linebacker room are up for grabs, at least until Overshown is fully recovered.

The only significant move the Cowboys made to address these holes was signing Jack Sanborn. The former Bear has played over 60% of the snaps in just eight NFL games. However, he notched double-digit tackles in half those games, while averaging 10.7 Standard IDP points.

Sanborn is currently LB68 overall in ADP, and he carries noteworthy risk, especially if Overshown can recover as quickly as he claims he will. However, his current cost and the potential role he could have early on Dallas' defense make him a bargain in redrafts.

Renardo Green, DB, San Francisco 49ers

Green is a physical corner who is currently projected to fill the hole left on San Francisco’s defense by Charvarius Ward’s free agency exit. Remember that Ward was regularly near the top of NFL rankings in pass deflections with the 49ers, and Green has the skillset to do the same.

He put Malik Nabers in PRISON 🔐😳

I present to you the most most underrated CB in the NFL Draft:

Renardo Green 🚀

Green when guarding Nabers:
• 1 interception
• 0 TDs allowed
• 1 PBU
• 5 targets
• 2 catches for 20 yards allowedpic.twitter.com/qsnMoinPf2

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 27, 2024

The Florida State alum doesn’t have the speed or ball skills that scare opposing passers, meaning he should be targeted more than your typical top corner. Green does come through as a tackler and does knock down enough passes to make an impact as a key starting CB in fantasy, though.

Fantasy Football IDP Deep Sleepers & Dynasty Stashes

Marques Sigle, DB, San Francisco 49ers

An underrated prospect out of Kansas State, Sigle flashed the range and size to play a versatile role on the backend in college. Camp reports have been glowing as well, with multiple reports indicating the 49ers are considering starting the rookie in a secondary decimated with injuries and inconsistency.

It is worth remembering that other late-round safeties have put up quality fantasy numbers in San Francisco's secondary the past few years. Talanoa Hufanga was a top-5 DB during his prime with the 49ers, while Malik Mustapha flashed intriguing fantasy potential last year. Since Sigle is currently free, he’s a deep league sleeper.

Mike Green, DL/LB, Baltimore Ravens

Drafted in just 1.5% of IDP leagues, Green is being undervalued by IDP managers just as he was by NFL GMs during this year's draft. Green was a first-round talent in this rookie class, yet character concerns pushed him into the late second round. Luckily for IDP managers, Baltimore’s scheme is the perfect fit for Green.

A true standup edge, Green was dominant against Ohio State last year. He should immediately become one of the most talented pass rushers that the Ravens have. Consider that Baltimore’s defense is always viewed as an elite unit, but its top pass rushers the past two seasons have been over the age of 30. There is a real opportunity for the talented Green.

Dee Winters, LB, San Francisco 49ers

A lot of 49ers make this list, but that’s because San Francisco's defense has lost a lot of starters due to cap issues, and injuries are forcing additional turnover. In other words, there are a lot of opportunities for relatively unknown defenders to earn significant playing time in a fantasy-friendly scheme.

All reports are that Dee Winters is outplaying rookie Nick Martin, making him the likely name to replace Dre Greenlaw in the 49ers’ scheme. Winters and Greenlaw share many of the same traits, including size and quality coverage skills. Considering he isn’t being drafted right now, Winters qualifies as a sleeper in deep IDP formats.

Jack Kiser, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Kiser currently projects as the fourth linebacker on Jacksonville's defense, so he isn't a must-add in redraft leagues. However, he is someone to watch on waivers in case of injury, and he's definitely worth stashing in dynasty.

Preseason sack for former Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser. Shot out of a cannon. pic.twitter.com/9z5DDfH9Ov

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) August 24, 2025

Few rookie defenders have risen in the ranks as much as Kiser has this preseason. The Notre Dame product has flashed as both a pass rusher and in support during games that don’t count. With Foyesade Oluokun now in his 30s and Devin Lloyd a generally disappointing first-round pick, Kiser could earn a starting role by 2026.

Fantasy Football IDP Busts

DaRon Bland, DB, Dallas Cowboys

Bland is currently being drafted as DB21 overall, despite starting just seven games and registering zero interceptions in 2024. That means Bland is being drafted near his ceiling, without considering his floor or the fact that interceptions are generally a wildly unpredictable stat year-to-year.

Remember that Bland's peak came when he led the NFL in Interceptions, an out-of-nowhere performance that always seemed irreplicable. Also, remember that Bland and his teammates have regularly benefitted from the pressure Micah Parsons generates, but Parsons is currently holding out with no sight of a new contract on the horizon.

Given the likelihood that Dallas's linebacker corps could be worse than usual, and Parsons could disappoint after a lengthy holdout, counting on Bland is a risky fantasy prospect. Players who should go ahead of Bland but aren't right now include DeJean, Tyler Nubin, and Deommodore Lenoir.

Bradley Chubb, DL/LB, Miami Dolphins

Despite not playing any real football since December of 2023 due to a knee injury, Chubb is currently being drafted as DL14 overall. That ADP is an extreme overreach, as people are clearly expecting Chubb to replicate his career 2023 season without any rust from his 19 months off from football.

First drive of the game and Bradley Chubb was already making an impact defending the run pic.twitter.com/5W6YRL4GQg

— Jake (@FinsCentral) August 24, 2025

Injuries aside, Chubb’s inconsistent resume is also cause for concern. The former Bronco has just two double-digit sack campaigns in his career. He also has four seasons in which he failed to crack that total, including a run from 2019 to 2021 when he totaled just 8.5 sacks in 25 starts. Worse, Chubb has just two seasons with more than 41 total tackles.

While Chubb may return to complete form in 2025, despite playing zero games in nearly two years, it’s unlikely. The more likely outcome is that Chubb will show signs of rust early in the season, while flashing in several games but disappointing overall. His disappointing totals from 2019-2021 are more likely than his 2023 peak.

Nakobe Dean, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

Dean put together a tremendous 2024 season, finishing as LB9 overall in fantasy ppg. In a vacuum, that would be good news since Dean has been a favorite sleeper of ours since he was drafted out of Georgia.

Unfortunately, Dean started camp on the PUP list. Worse, the Eagles used a first-round pick on Jihaad Campbell and handed out a big contract to Zack Baun this offseason. That means they’ve committed significant resources to two linebackers this year, neither of them being Dean.

While Dean should eventually earn a real role on an NFL defense once he recovers from injury, it's unclear if that will happen this season or in Philly. That risk means Dean is being overdrafted as LB29 overall in current IDP drafts.

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