Jun 13, 2026, 12:10 PM ET

Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger burst onto the NFL scene in 2025, racking up more than 150 tackles on his way to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Less than five years after arriving at UCLA as a zero-star walk-on, Schwesinger proved himself a true three-down linebacker with outstanding instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, and the skill set to challenge for the overall LB1 spot in IDP formats. As if his talent alone weren't enough, his environment may continue to work in his favor. An easy-to-overlook element of IDP scoring is the subjectivity of defensive statkeeping, with local crews determining how solo tackles and assists are awarded, and in 2025, only Minnesota's home stat crew accounted for more fantasy points per tackle opportunity than Cleveland's. Schwesinger could also benefit from an increase in tackle opportunities following the departure of Myles Garrett. While Garrett's impact as a pass rusher rightfully draws most of the attention, he has also been one of the league's premier run defenders. Earning PFF's third-highest run-defense grade among edge defenders in 2025 and finishing inside the top 12 in that category in each of the past three seasons, his loss could lead to more sustained drives against Cleveland's defense. Still just 23 years old, with room for further physical development, Schwesinger is RotoBaller's LB5 and one of the safest picks in the first round of IDP-only drafts.--Patrick McGrath