Can you believe it's August already?
It's actually quite easy to believe that it's August. You see, there's this thing called the Gregorian Calendar, which is split into months. There's one called June that has 30 days. It is followed by July, which has 31 days. Then comes—voila!—August.
But people love to say, "Can you believe it's whatever already?" And the Godfather of IDP is a man of the people.
August, of course, means that IDP draft season is about to kick into high gear. If they aren't already, IDP managers will soon be gathering to draft their teams for the season to come. Now, it's time for wise drafters to get their learn on. To research potential values in 2026. To identify busts that must be avoided. Search out a few late-round "sleeper" targets.
It's time to make like Schoolhouse Rock and get educated.
If you don't know what that is, you missed out.
The thing is, as IDP managers do that research, they annually come across players they just gotta have. The fantasy upside is just too high. The price is too low. The player has kind eyes. Whatever.
Well, The Godfather has guys. There's Bentnose Benny, who helps me work out disagreements on draft day. There's Crowbar Charlie, who ensures all league dues (plus interest) are collected in a timely manner. And then there's Stinky. He just has some hygiene issues.
Wait. Wrong guys. Sorry Stinky.
I have guys on draft day too. Favorite targets. My baes.
The Godfather's Guys
EDGE Byron Young, LA Rams
After solid (if unspectacular) stats in his first two NFL seasons, Young threw down the gauntlet in Year 3—82 total tackles, 12 sacks and top-five fantasy numbers among edge-rushers. Now, Young will play opposite reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and Garrett told reporters he plans to make Young's fourth NFL season his best.
"I've really taken a notice into his game last year when he started off so hot and him and Jared Verse were working so well and really complemented each other," Garrett said. "That's when I really started to watch his tape, and since then I just continue to watch. Getting the chance to play with him, it's like, how can I help elevate and play off him and take his game to another level?"
With Garrett drawing approximately all the offensive attention ever, Young is going to be facing single-teams with regularity. In the recent King's Classic Dick Butkus Division Draft, I was able to get Young at DE12. He's not as undervalued as he was in 2025, but people appear to be snoozing on Young again this year.
Wake. Them. Up.
EDGE Abdul Carter, NY Giants
Carter's rookie season started with all the momentum of a sloth on heroin—after half a sack in the opener, the third overall pick in last year's draft didn't log another one until Week 13. But the lightbulb appeared to come on down the stretch last year, and while speaking to reporters, Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas said that Carter has been a handful on the practice field this summer.
"He can work edges really well," Thomas said. "Part of that is that he's not a super tall rusher. He's bending down with good ankle flexion. He's really low to the ground, but he also has a good change of direction, so you can't just anticipate which way he's going to go, because he can cut off both feet. He's stringing his moves together better. He's using his power more, and you can tell he just has a better understanding for different types of blocks, different types of attacks, recognizing play schemes."
Carter had 3.5 sacks from Week 13 on a year ago, and over the last month of the 2025 fantasy campaign he was eighth among edge-rushers in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. He also led the NFL in quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) last year per NFL Next Gen Stats.
A breakout is coming. Get on board.
LB Zaire Franklin, Green Bay
Over eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Franklin started 82 games. He has logged at least 125 total tackles in each of the past four seasons. In the long-ago days of 2024, Franklin led the league in tackles and made the Pro Bowl. And while addressing the media, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said he expects Franklin to be a big part of Green Bay's defense in 2026.
"Z has played a ton of football, and I think you can feel his presence and his veteran leadership, not only in the linebacker room or on defense, but amongst the whole team," LaFleur said. "I think he'll be a great guy for everybody in that room to kind of lean on in terms of his experience and what he's seen in this league."
Franklin's 2025 season admittedly wasn't his best—he had more assists than solos for the first time since his rookie season. He's also 30 years old. But Franklin will wear the Packers' "green dot" helmet communicator and remains an excellent veteran linebacker.
Who's up for a bounceback? This guy. That's who.
LB CJ Allen, Indianapolis
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