X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Top 5 Fantasy Football IDP Rookies: 2025 NFL Draft Prospects Outlooks

Abdul Carter - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Justin's top 5 IDP rookie fantasy football sleepers for 2025 (individual defensive players). His top 2025 NFL draft IDP prospects for fantasy football leagues.

Fantasy football discussions tend to focus on offense. That makes sense because the vast majority of fantasy leagues are offense-only leagues. However, let's not forget about the defense. Individual Defensive Players (IDP) leagues can be a lot of fun. In fact, our RotoBaller dynasty league is an IDP league. Having to think about defensive stats adds another dimension to fantasy.

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, let's talk about some of the top defensive prospects in the class. This list tends toward players with sack upside, which means it's an edge-heavy group.

Below are the top five IDP prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as some discussion on a player who may or may not belong on the list.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Let's Talk About Travis Hunter

I'm going to separate Travis Hunter from the top five here for a few reasons. One is that we don't know yet if he'll even be an IDP prospect.

Hunter played both sides of the ball at Colorado and was good enough to be considered a top prospect at cornerback and wide receiver. It's a near certainty that he'll spend some time on offense and defense in the NFL, but what will be his primary position?

So far, teams seem split. Hunter is listed as a defensive back as far as the NFL Combine goes, but that doesn't mean he's locked into the position. In fact, Browns GM Andrew Berry suggested that if Hunter winds up in Cleveland, the team would view him as a wide receiver.

That's one reason he's not ranked here. The other is that I imagine the fact that he's expected to still get offensive snaps even if he primarily plays defense is going to lead to fantasy platforms giving Hunter wide receiver eligibility. In that case, he wouldn't really be a true IDP prospect, right?

Hunter's a very exciting prospect though. We haven't seen a player with his unique skillset in a long time. If I were to rank him in this top-five list, he'd go into the third spot.

 

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

When it comes to IDP value, edge players have an advantage because they're rushing the quarterback so much, giving them better chances to record sacks. Scoring values differ across the IDP landscape, but universally sacks are worth more than normal tackles.

But if you're looking for a player who is more of a traditional linebacker who can rack up fantasy points in the NFL, you should check out Alabama's Jihaad Campbell.

Campbell can rush the passer when needed as shown by his five sacks this season, but he's going to make his living on his ability to defend the middle of the field. Campbell needs to improve a bit against the run, but he excels in pass defense and will have a lot of opportunities to make tackles at the second level.

 

Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Mykel Williams is the first of two Georgia players on this list because the Bulldogs are always really good at producing good defensive prospects.

Williams isn't necessarily going to produce huge sack numbers, partly because he's such a well-rounded player that whatever team he winds up playing for will have numerous uses for him. He can stand up and rush the passer, but he can also play on the line because of how good he is at defending the run.

The other reason he won't produce big sack numbers is that he isn't necessarily great at getting to the quarterback at this point. He's got the tools to get to that level but has to put everything together a little more consistently. Still, he's a high-motor player who will get some coverage sacks and add in a lot of tackles at the line of scrimmage.

 

James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

After leading the SEC in sacks in 2023 with 10, James Pearce Jr. saw a slight drop off in 2024, down to 7.5 sacks. Still, 7.5 sacks is really good, and Pearce has the makings of a very good NFL player.

Pearce is a gifted athlete who can get after the passer with ease thanks to his ability to beat offensive linemen off the ball. The problem right now is that his game is fairly one-dimensional. Can Pearce slow things down against the run and find ways to beat more athletic offensive linemen?

We'll see, but Pearce certainly has a chance to be a destructive force in the NFL. He's worth betting on in IDP leagues.

 

Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

And here's the second Georgia player: edge rusher Jalon Walker. Walker recorded 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024 for the Bulldogs.

Walker saw a major jump in playing time this past season, moving from a reserve role into a starting spot for Georgia. That his track record is fairly short should be of some concern, but what he showed in 2024 is very encouraging.

Walker moves well and has the versatility to rush the passer or also drop back into coverage. Really, this all comes down to whether or not he can go from very good at everything to very good at everything while also being excellent at one or two things. If he can, Walker will be a stud in the NFL.

 

Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Who's the best IDP prospect in this class? Well, there's a clear answer and it's Penn State's Abdul Carter. Not only is Carter the best prospect when talking about fantasy football defensive players, but he's also arguably the top prospect overall.

In fact, Carter's good enough that Mel Kiper has the Titans passing on both top quarterbacks and taking him No. 1 overall in his most recent ESPN mock draft.

I won't go that far, but Carter is a game-changer wherever he winds up in the NFL. The 6-foot-3 defender moved from linebacker to edge last season for the Nittany Lions and ended up leading the FBS in tackles for loss with 24 while collecting 12 sacks in the process.

That Carter did that in his first year after changing roles should be enough to show why he's the top defensive prospect. This is someone who instantly dominated in this new spot and still has plenty of room to get even better at the next level.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Leads Commanders in Catches, Scores Touchdown Again
Tucker Kraft

Posts Huge Performance on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Lack of Joe Mixon Injury Updates Sparking Concern for Fantasy Managers?
Jayden Reed

Fractures Collarbone, Headed for Injured Reserve
Austin Ekeler

Commanders Fear Austin Ekeler Tore his Achilles
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Austin Ekeler

Injured, Carried Off Field with Non-Contact Injury
Jayden Reed

Ruled Out with Shoulder Injury
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Insider Expects NFL to "Come Down Heavy" on a Quinshon Judkins Suspension
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Return on TNF With Shoulder Injury
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
Tyreek Hill

Chiefs, Steelers Eyeing a Trade for Tyreek Hill?
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Chris Godwin

to Be Limited in His Return Thursday
Brock Purdy

Out 2-5 Weeks With Turf Toe
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Kyle Monangai

to See More Carries Going Forward?
Quinshon Judkins

Plans to Practice Thursday
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Will Smith

Scratched With Hand Soreness on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

has Foot Contusion, Expected to Play Friday
Christian McCaffrey

Absent from Wednesday's Practice
Shohei Ohtani

Won't Pitch This Weekend
MacKenzie Gore

to Start on Thursday
Ketel Marte

Exits Early on Wednesday
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Aaron Rodgers

Dealing With Back Tightness
Dallas Goedert

Questionable for Week 2 at Chiefs
Anthony Rizzo

Retires
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Jadeveon Clowney

Visiting With the Cowboys on Wednesday
Masyn Winn

Will Require Offseason Knee Surgery
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 12, Earns 12th Win on Tuesday
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Christian Watson

Agrees to One-Year Contract Extension
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Will Smith

Returns to Dodgers Lineup on Tuesday
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
Kyle Stowers

Dealing With Strained Side
Kyle Tucker

Placed on Injured List With Calf Strain
Jauan Jennings

Considered Day-to-Day, has a Chance to Play in Week 2
Bo Bichette

Goes on Injured List With Knee Sprain
Garrett Crochet

Shuts Out the Athletics
Royce Lewis

Launches Two Homers Monday Night
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
Tyler Glasnow

Fans 11 in Seven No-Hit Innings Monday
Slade Cecconi

Takes No-Hitter Into Eighth Inning Monday
Max Muncy

Batting Cleanup in Return to Dodgers
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Chase Burns

to be Activated on Friday
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Rhys McKee

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Axel Sola

Successful In His UFC Debut
Robert Ruchała

Robert Ruchala Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
William Gomis

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway
AJ Allmendinger

Could Be a Sleeper Again at Gateway
Tyler Reddick

Southern 500 Near-Miss Makes Tyler Reddick a Stronger Option for Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Likely Gateway Contender
Alex Bowman

a Long Shot to Advance in Playoffs
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing Looks Slower at Gateway, Which Will Hurt Austin Dillon
Shane Van Gisbergen

Starts 18th in Gateway Debut
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP