With OTAs in full force and training camps starting soon, it’s time to start thinking about redraft season while also improving your dynasty team. Individual Defense Player (IDP) is a growing way to play fantasy football. These players I’m going to mention have star power at a great value in most fantasy drafts. Depending on your scoring for your league, these are players that can help you have a winning season without sacrificing early draft picks.
Rising IDP Stars
Kaden Ellis: Linebacker – Atlanta Falcons
Kaden Ellis finished last season as the LB4. In his 2024 campaign, he had a total of 150 tackles, leading the Atlanta Falcons. On top of that, he had five sacks and his first career interception. It’s his second year with the Falcons, and he has posted over 100 tackles every season since leaving the New Orleans Saints in 2022. Ellis, coming into this season, is being overlooked. He is ranked outside the top five and, in some cases, outside the top ten. His name doesn’t quite carry the same weight as other veteran linebackers who have been near the top consistently, such as T.J. Watt or Lavonte David. This gives you the chance to grab Ellis later on in the draft, allowing you to hold key positions like wide receiver or running back early on.
Robert Spillane: Linebacker – New England Patriots
The former Las Vegas Raider signed with the New England Patriots during free agency and appears to be thrust into a leadership role. Patriots 2024 leading tackler, Jahlani Tavai, suffered a leg injury during OTAs, which was thought to be serious, and could linger into the season. That allows Robert Spillane in another great spot to provide plenty of tackles for your fantasy team. Depending on where you get your rankings, Spillane is falling anywhere from the LB5 to the most common spot, LB18. In 2024, Spillane finished as the Raiders’ top tackler, finishing with 158 tackles, placing him third in the NFL. He also has had five interceptions in the last two years, something the Patriots need out of their linebackers. I love the spot where you can draft Robert Spillane, and he is a great value for another top IDP performer.
Jamien Sherwood: Linebacker – New York Jets
Jamien Sherwood had his first opportunity as a starter for the New York Jets, and he took advantage of it. He signed a three-year extension with $30 million guaranteed. Also in 2024, he finished with 158 total tackles and two sacks. He finished as LB6 and came out of nowhere. Last season, he was either drafted near the end of most leagues or picked up in free agency. He will now be a bigger name, but continues to be ranked in the middle of the pack. He has been ranked as high as LB15 and as low as LB57 and had double-digit tackle games in 7 out of 17 games, which should increase this year with teams looking to run on the Jets while keeping their lead. Sherwood is a great pick as your LB2 based on ADP, who has LB1 scoring potential.
Kenneth Murray Jr: Linebacker – Dallas Cowboys
Kenneth Murray Jr lands in a great spot after being traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Dallas Cowboys. Now he hasn’t played a full season since 2022, so there are some concerns about injuries. With that said, he becomes the inside linebacker for the Cowboys, where previous veteran Eric Kendricks played, performing an average of 9.2 points per game, putting him near the top linebackers per game. Like Murray, Kendricks dealt with injuries as well, but managed to finish as LB15 in 2024. With the focus on pass rush and improving the run defense, Murray is in a position to be a top tackler for 2025. What makes him a great selection in your redraft league is that he is falling in the LB4 tier with the chance to be a solid LB2 for most teams.
Josey Jewell: Linebacker – Carolina Panthers
Josey Jewell finished his first season with the Carolina Panthers as their second-leading tackler, and that’s after missing the first five games. Another area of Jewell’s game that he doesn’t get enough credit for is that he finished fourth in sacks on the team and has averaged three sacks a season in the last three years. With a healthy season ahead of him, Jewell is set up to be a top fifteen linebacker this season. Jewell is being treated as LB18 or lower on most rankings out there. Another value pick for a player who had averaged over 9 points per game when he was healthy in 2024. Given that the Panthers have improved this off-season, there is still a chance teams are up, making the run a focal point, giving Jewell plenty of opportunities to load up on tackles.
Nick Cross: Defensive Back – Indianapolis Colts
Nick Cross is the definition of a rising star. He had his first season as the starter for the Indianapolis Colts and finished as DB2 in 2024. Cross had a combined 145 total tackles, only behind Budda Baker from the Arizona Cardinals. He also had three interceptions and five pass deflections. Now going into his fourth year with the Colts and second season as the starter, he is still being ranked behind players like Kevin Byard, Derwin James, and Kyle Hamilton. He has skyrocketed in rankings, so he won’t be as valuable as he was last season. Because his name still is not quite holding value like others, he can fall a little further and be a steal for you.
Let us know who YOU think is going to break out over at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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