Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA Today Sports

The big day is almost here as the NFL draft steadily approaches. For us IDP gamers, we have yet another exciting class to evaluate and debate. To shed some light on the talent featured in this class, a group of us from the Footballguys staff got together for a pre-draft IDP-only rookie mock draft. Big shout-out to Sigmund Bloom, Joseph Haggan, Tripp Brebner, Aaron Rudnicki, and Matt Montgomery for joining me in this fun exercise.

This IDP-only rookie mock is based on a 12-team true-position format where the positions are all broken out individually in your starting lineup:

• Edge Rusher (EDGE)
• Defensive Tackle (DT)
• Linebacker (LB)
• Cornerback (CB)
• Safety (S)

This is the pre-draft version, and we plan to get back together for a post-draft version to see how things have changed. With landing spots and draft capital figured in, expect a shakeup. Alright, let’s get to it!

Round 1

1.01 - Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

Rudnicki: Sanders may not be an obvious #1 IDP in this class, but he presents the most upside among off-ball linebackers. He has room to grow but should be a Day 1 starter and has top-five fantasy linebacker potential if he lands in the right situation. Sanders has the range and athleticism to stay on the field for all three downs and shows natural pass-rush instincts that will make him a strong all-around player.

1.02 - Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

Bloom: The IDP world moving en masse to true position takes the guesswork out of drafting edge defenders. This helps make the case for Anderson, who might not have NFL 4-3 size. After having success in the SEC, he's likely to be a Sunday Sackmaster. With a hotter running motor and better hand fighting, he'll be the most valuable IDP from this class.

1.03 - Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Bellefeuil: Myles Murphy checks all the boxes as an edge rusher prospect who can play all three downs. Profile-wise, Murphy offers an exciting pairing of size (6-foot-5 and 268 pounds) and athleticism with his speed and burst off the snap. Skill-wise, Murphy is both a disruptive pass rusher and an effective run defender. Murphy has a chance to make an impact early on and has all the makings of a productive long-term dynasty EDGE asset.

1.04 - Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Brebner: In a fantasy draft before the real thing, I prioritize traits. Even if the player selected slides on Thursday night, the premium athleticism as a pass rusher makes this guy worth the roster spot as a stash. As a prospective top-10 pick, Wilson has a chance to start and be fantasy-relevant right away.

1.05 - Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Montgomery: Getting the fifth pick made me feel as though I needed to take a player with a higher upside rather than take someone with a safe floor. Van Ness fits the bill. He is the type of player that can heavily impact the play at any given moment but still can develop into a more rounded player.

1.06 - Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

Haggan: Jack Campbell is not only the safest linebacker in the draft, but he also has immense potential upside. He packs incredible instincts and technique with athleticism to move sideline-to-sideline. To be able to land him at this stage of an IDP-only draft is a smash draft choice. Whatever team drafts Campbell is probably drafting him early with the idea that he will be a large part of their defense.

1.07 - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Rudnicki: Last of the top-three linebacker options this year. As an undersized linebacker, Simpson fits best as a weakside player, where his speed will allow him to chase down plays all over the field. Simpson may need some time to develop but has clear 3-down potential.

1.08 - Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Bloom: Campbell or Simpson would have been slam-dunk picks here. With both taken right before me, it's time for the boom/bust pick of Carter, who should be a top-five fantasy defensive tackle if he can put the last few months behind him and concentrate on football. He'll destroy guards with his first step quickness and knows how to finish.

1.09 - Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

Bellefeuil: At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Nolan Smith has a tweener build for the edge rusher position. However, his ceiling is undeniable after showcasing his elite athleticism at the NFL combine. While smaller in stature, Smith plays with a physical edge, and it shows up in his game as a run defender. As a pass rusher, Smith doesn't leave Georgia with eye-popping numbers. Although, a pectoral injury cut his 2022 season short. However, that's where his ceiling comes into play, as the potential exists for more. As a prospective top-20 pick, Smith has intriguing IDP potential with his athleticism and versatility, but his scheme fit will be one to monitor.

1.10 - Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Brebner: In a fantasy draft before the real thing, I prioritize traits. Even if the player selected slides on Thursday night, the premium athleticism as a pass rusher makes this guy worth the roster spot as a stash. A true-position format typically requires two starters at each position. Bresee has the upside to develop into a perennial DT1, of which there are precious few in the NFL.

1.11 - Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

Montgomery: Pick 11 means getting a player who can either be a depth fill or potentially reach at a less critical position. Since there were only two interior linemen taken, selecting Kancey here for the immediate impact he may have at the pro level. He wowed people at the combine, finishing #1 in athleticism and #2 overall. At first glance, this may be viewed as a reach, but getting him as the 11th player off the board feels like a steal.

1.12 - Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Haggan: Taking Branch here is chasing potential upside a bit. We have seen defensive backs that can play multiple positions in the secondary thrive recently playing the slot, IE, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kenny Moore II, and L'Jarius Sneed. All were huge producers as slot corners that were also strong box defenders and blitzers. Branch fits this role, and if he gets drafted to start in the nickel corner spot, he could have a huge fantasy upside.

Round 2

2.01 - B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, LSU

Rudnicki: This is a deep class for edge players, and Olujari has significant upside as a pass rusher. Ojulari needs improvement against the run, so he may start as a pass-rush specialist, but he has the traits to become a good all-around starter in time.

2.02 - Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech

Bloom: White oozes potential and has the motor and athleticism to make an instant impact. If he learns more pass rush variety and strategy, he could end up being one of the premier defenders from this class. White is also scheme diverse and can generate pressure as an inside or outside pass rusher.

2.03 - Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

Bellefeuil: This makes three edge-rusher prospects in a row for me—it’s a fun class. McDonald is a pass rusher with legit juice and length and 34-7/8'' arms. Although, he lacks the desired bulk to consistently anchor against the run game. However, with his athleticism and fierce spin move, McDonald could make an impact early on with the right fit. McDonald has a chance to land solid draft capital with an EDGE-needy team; sign me up.

2.04 - Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

Brebner: It's back to the well for more upside at edge rusher. Even though the odds of hitting get lower as the draft gets deeper, the lack of depth in this class at linebacker means there's more value insulation in a pass rusher that would take time to develop anyway.

2.05 - Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

Montgomery: I doubled down with defensive tackle on back-to-back picks, but I just couldn't help it, given the value of getting Smith here. His athleticism score at the combine was second, and he finished as the third highest graded at his position, so he comes in as a decent prospect. Getting him as player 18 feels like a good move considering all of the big names have been taken.

2.06 - Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

Haggan: Isaiah Foskey is my DE7 right now, so landing him in the middle of the second round makes me happy. He likely is not a three-down player to start his career, but he has tremendous athletic upside. If he could add some lower body strength to his frame and sure up his run defense, he could be an impact player. This late in an all-IDP draft, you should be shooting for potential upside, and Foskey has it.

2.07 - Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

Rudnicki: Johnson has the size to play up near the line of scrimmage in a strong safety role, which should translate to strong fantasy production if he lands in the right situation. He has enough speed to hold up in coverage if asked, but he fits best as a box safety and could compete for a starting job early on.

2.08 - Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

Bloom: Henley is a project who only became a linebacker in 2020, but he's fast, tough, and an excellent tackler. If his instincts get sharper, he can be a three-down backer with effective blitzing and the ability to drop into coverage and locate the ball with his former QB/WR fluid athleticism. We'll need to be patient, but his ceiling is as high as any off-ball linebacker in the class.

2.09 - Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

Bellefeuil: This is a traits-based pick with a few contingencies. The first is Adebawore landing the defensive tackl tag, which aids his appeal in true-position formats. The second is him going to a team/scheme that views him primarily as an interior player. Adebawore tested off the charts at the combine but doesn't have ideal edge-rusher size at 6-foot-2 and 282 pounds. With his power and explosiveness, Adebawore would be a handful as a 3-tech and an intriguing defensive tackle option in IDP true-position leagues.

2.10 - JL Skinner III, S, Boise State

Brebner: I have a linebacker and an edge rusher I like here, and I would hope they go in the third round and land in a good spot. Instead, I'll stay on-brand and choose the 6-foot-4 and 215-pound safety and cross my fingers. Hey, Jayron Kearse eventually broke out!

2.11 - Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane

Montgomery: In what may be my favorite pick in the draft, getting Williams here feels like I'm getting a starter deep in the draft. Williams has all the tools necessary to be a potential starter in an inside linebacker role. Simply put, this dude gets tackles! That's the name of the game in IDP, so sign me up for the potential!

2.12 - Jordan Battle, S, Alabama

Haggan: Jordan Battle is a jack of all trades, though master of none. There is not one thing on the field that jumps out, but there also is not one that you would call a glaring weakness. What he does provide is sound tackling technique, a strong box presence, a high-level football IQ, and leadership. His ability to get players in the right spot on defense should land him a role on defense as a rookie. He is a first-year player with a decent ceiling but an incredible floor. For a safety, that is a good combination.

Final Thoughts

This exercise was a lot of fun, and hopefully, you enjoyed the picks and analysis that went behind them. Tune back in for the post-draft version shortly after the NFL draft concludes. Draft capital and landing spot are huge pieces to the rookie puzzle; expect things to look differently. Thanks for following along; bring on the draft!

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.