As much as it ever is, the NFL is in something of a "Dead Zone." Free agency is a month old and has slowed to a crawl. The 2026 NFL Draft is still over two-plus weeks away. There is no shortage of speculation about (and anonymous trashing of) this year's top rookie prospects, but outside that, things are relatively quiet.
It's a similar situation in Dynasty IDP leagues. Yes, there are some deviants who have their rookie draft before the NFL Draft (Hey, I don't judge), and trade offers are being bandied about. But compared to what they will look like, say, a month ago, dynasty leagues are rather muted as well.
With that said, the NFL never truly sleeps—there's always something going on. And dynasty managers who want to be successful would be well-advised to follow suit. Smart managers are constantly trying to improve their squads. Jockeying for position in this year's rookie draft. Looking for veterans to acquire via trade or the waiver wire.
If you want to win your league, you have to be a big-brained Brett.
Wait. Scratch that. You don't want to be Brett. Things don't end well for Brett.
Still, staying active year-round is important for IDP leagues. Identifying players whose current asking price is lower than their potential value, whether it's because their 2025 campaigns were something of a disappointment or because of the changes that free agency has brought to the fantasy landscape.
Granted, an early-round draft pick or late free-agent signing could still turn these nuggets of gold into iron pyrite. But there are undervalued IDP assets waiting to be scooped up each and every offseason.
You just need to know where to look.
Undervalued Defensive Linemen
EDGE Jonathon Cooper, Denver
The Denver Broncos led the NFL in sacks last year, and Cooper had a decent season—the sixth-year veteran out of Ohio State logged 50 tackles and eight sacks. But less than half of those tackles were of the solo variety, and Cooper finished outside the top 25 edge rushers in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring—numbers that have the 28-year-old ranked well into DL3 territory in the Dynasty IDP Rankings here at Footballguys.
At that modest price point, Cooper is an edge rusher dynasty managers would be wise to target. Denver's defensive line is loaded, with Nik Bonitto on the other end of the line and Zach Allen in the middle. In 2023, Cooper topped 70 total stops, logged 8.5 sacks, and was a top-10 edge rusher. He followed that up with a career-high 10.5 sacks and a DE12 finish in 2024. It won't take that big a spike for Cooper to get right back into at least solid DL2 territory.
EDGE Mike Green, Baltimore
A second-round pick of the Ravens last year, Green was quiet as a rookie, managing just 3.5 sacks. But while speaking to reporters, new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters that he expects a big jump in Year 2, for the 6'3", 250-pounder.
"Just like anybody, I think your first year to your second year is often a big jump and just understanding the level that it takes," Minter said, "the preparation that it takes, and I am so excited about Mike."
It's hardly unprecedented for a first-year pass-rusher to struggle, especially when they are making the massive jump from the MAC to the NFL. But Green will now be playing opposite Trey Hendrickson, which should equate to a whole lot of single teams. And there's a reason why the Ravens took Green on Day 2 last year, at Marshall in 2024, Green led the MAC with 22 tackles for loss and led all of FBS with 17 sacks.
EDGE Chase Young, New Orleans
For a player who has just 32.5 career sacks in six seasons, Young has done all right for himself—over $65 million in career earnings. But after injuries derailed so much of the former second overall pick's career, Young told reporters that he believes he has found a home on his third team.
"I want to be a Saint forever," Young said. "I feel like I have definitely found my home. You feel the love from this organization. This is a real family-oriented vibe. I'm definitely happy where I am."
Young quietly posted a career-high 10 sacks last season, and played his largest snap share since all the way back in 2022. Young is only just now turning 27, and he'll likely be counted on to play an even larger role after finishing fifth in fantasy points per game among edge rushers last year.
