10 IDP Rookies to Draft (2024 Fantasy Football)

Known as an NFL draft guy, it was easy for me to dive deep into the rankings of rookie defenders for fantasy football. With so many moving parts across the league, there are a lot of new faces in the league. Some of these players could take the league by storm and others could take years to develop, if they develop at all. That said, here are 10 rookies to draft in your Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues.

IDP Rookie Targets

Laiatu Latu (EDGE – IND)

Labeled as the best pure pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s hard not to see a path for Laiatu Latu to play early and often for the Colts. While he’ll compete with Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye for snaps, Latu plays the game much differently than those two players. Latu has a toolbox full of moves and is a season removed from 13 sacks at UCLA.

Dallas Turner (EDGE – MIN)

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Dallas Turner was my top-ranked defensive prospect. He was close to being number one on this list. He had 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season. He’s a freak athlete with great length for the position. Pairing him with Jonathan Greenard should give the Vikings one of the better young pass-rushing duos in football. Add in the fact Turner gets to play for Brian Flores and it’s easy to have him at or near the top of IDP rankings.

Jared Verse (EDGE – LAR)

You could make a case for any of these pass-rushers near the top of your IDP rankings. With Verse, I’ve got him placed here simply because he has more power than speed as a pass-rusher. I still love his game and most importantly, opportunity, in the Rams’ defense. The defensive line grouping of Verse, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner could be the best young defensive line in football.

Byron Murphy II (iDL – SEA)

One of the most athletic and dynamic defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft was Byron Murphy out of Texas. Last season he led all interior defensive linemen with a 12.7% pressure rate. It led to 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. His lateral movement skills are impressive and he gets to play in a system that already features Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones. Add in the fact Mike Macdonald is his coach and I think Murphy could be an immediate impact player for the Seahawks.

Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Edgerrin Cooper was one of my favorite players in the entire process. Meanwhile, he was my top-ranked linebacker so I may be a bit biased. That said, there’s a huge opportunity for Cooper to play early and often in the Packers’ defense. His ability to blitz doesn’t just help him stop the run but it also contributes to rushing the passer. After all, he had 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season. While he’ll need to work on his pad level, I do love the way he changes direction and can play anywhere in the box.

The best tape of any LB I’ve scouted for the 2024 NFL Draft came from Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper against Alabama. Was tasked with being the QB spy on Jalen Milroe and he did just that and more! pic.twitter.com/uqIVEohRNr

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) February 24, 2024

Junior Colson (LB – LAC)

We all knew Jim Harbaugh was going to draft at least one Michigan player when he took over as head coach of the Chargers. That player was Junior Colson, which could say a lot about how quickly he sees the field for the Chargers. Keep in mind defensive coordinator Jesse Minter followed Harbaugh to the Chargers. Projected as a starting linebacker, Colson enters the NFL with 36 college starts under his belt. He’s compiled over 190 tackles the last two seasons and he should transition nicely for the Chargers’ defense.

Braden Fiske (iDL – LAR)

Trading up for Braden Fiske in the second round was a bold move for the Rams. However, it could pay off with the immediate need for interior defensive line help after the retirement of Aaron Donald. With Fiske, he’s an energizer bunny that just keeps going. Despite having shorter arms, he plays with good violence and can generate pressure consistently with fast hands and pursuit.

Chris Braswell (EDGE – TB)

I love the power and speed Chris Braswell plays off the edge and I think the landing spot in Tampa Bay is great for him. He’ll compete with Yaya Diaby for a role opposite Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. With Braswell, there’s a potential Shaquil Barrett-like role for him in the Bucs’ defense.

Alabama EDGE 41 Chris Braswell is easily becoming one of my favorite players for the 2024 NFL Draft.

+ Wins consistently with long-arm technique & ability to dip his shoulder
+ Has very good blend of power & speed
+ Bulldozer mentality with fluidity needed in space#RollTide pic.twitter.com/oFaUxsDeMm

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) January 17, 2024

Tyler Nubin (SAF – NYG)

During the 2024 NFL Draft, I had Tyler Nubin listed as my top-ranked safety. Much of that was due to his consistency as a player. Ultimately, the improved ball production over the last three seasons is encouraging. I expect the Giants to be one of the bottom-five teams in the league this year and with the chances of their defense consistently being on the field, Nubin should get plenty of playing time. With Xavier McKinney off to the Packers, the door is open for Nubin to be a productive rookie who can tackle and force turnovers.

Terrion Arnold (CB – DET)

It’s hard for me to picture the Lions’ defense without Terrion Arnold on the field. While he’ll play opposite Carlton Davis, I think offensive coordinators and quarterbacks are going to look at Arnold as a potential weak spot. However, his physicality and athletic profile are very encouraging, even as a rookie in the NFL. Arnold is exactly what the Lions’ secondary needs on the perimeter and he feels different from cornerbacks they’ve had in the past. Look for Arnold to force turnovers and get physical with the opposition.

I’m very excited about CB Terrion Arnold in Detroit. 6’0″ and 189 lbs with 4.5 speed and a 37″ vertical. Arnold excels in man coverage and is tremendous on the perimeter in run support.

He plays physical and loves contact and competition from the opposition. His aggressiveness… pic.twitter.com/QGM8lsYK0v

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) May 2, 2024

Fantasy Draft Advice IDP NFL Laiatu Latu Samson Ebukam Kwity Paye Dallas Turner Jonathan Greenard Jared Verse Byron Young Braden Fiske Kobie Turner Byron Murphy II Leonard Williams Jarran Reed Dre’Mont Jones Edgerrin Cooper Junior Colson Chris Braswell Yaya Diaby Tyler Nubin Xavier McKinney Terrion Arnold Carlton Davis