As the NFL draft approaches, a group of us from the Footballguys staff gathered to talk some defense. We participated in a two-round, pre-draft, IDP-only mock draft, highlighting some of the emerging IDP talent in this year's rookie class. A big shout-out to Sigmund Bloom, Joseph Haggan, Tripp Brebner, Aaron Rudnicki, Gary Davenport and Matt Montgomery for joining me in this fun exercise.

This IDP-only rookie mock is based on a 14-team true-position format, starting at least two players at each position, plus an additional IDP flex. 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 meet again for a post-draft version to evaluate how things have changed. With landing spots and draft capital taken into account, expect a shakeup. Alright, let's get to it!

Round 1

1.01 - Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

Haggan: Travis Hunter is a polarising prospect since he has the potential to play both sides of the football. I felt Hunter was a lockdown corner with upside as a receiver from first viewing him. Upon watching more of him on offense, it became clear to me that he is one of the best receivers in this draft as well. He has speed, stick 'em-type hands, and natural instincts at both positions. The fact that Hunter could potentially see significant snaps on offense and defense makes him the top choice.

1.02 - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Bloom: Carter is a premier prospect with the speed rush and bend to rival T.J. Watt in sack/forced fumble production, but the motor to also be one of the top tackling EDGE defenders. He's more valuable than any off-ball linebacker in this class despite the relative scarcity of the position compared to EDGE since IDP leagues switched to true position as a default.

1.03 - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Davenport: Campbell may not be the top-ranked off-ball linebacker on everyone's pre-draft rankings, but the 6-foot-3, 236-pounder tops the Godfather's list at the position. Campbell has great size, the range to be a three-down player and he has demonstrated plus ability in coverage. Linebacker remains IDP's most valuable position—getting my top guy at 1.03 is a solid start to this exercise.

1.04 - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Bellefeuil: Mike Green erupted this season, posting an impressive 84 tackles (38 solos), 23 tackles for loss, and an FBS-leading 17 sacks. We didn't see Green do much at the combine, but he made waves when he was down in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Green's pass-rush repertoire and aggressive, physical playstyle should help him find success early on if he lands with a team in need of pass-rush reinforcement. 

1.05 - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Montgomery: Arguably the best player at his position in the draft, Graham is the type of player who can be a foundational piece on the interior of any defensive line. When drafting in the Top 5, I like to take high-ceiling guys, and Graham has as high a ceiling in this draft as anyone.

1.06 - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

Rudnicki: Walker is a versatile athlete who seems well-suited to play as an off-ball linebacker on early downs with some contributions as an edge rusher in nickel packages. He might need some time to develop, but his upside is among the best in this class.

1.07 - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Brebner: Stewart is a high-upside prospect with a chance to come off the board early on Thursday night. He's an elite athlete at a position where athleticism correlates with pro success; however, his final season at Texas A&M disappointed. After Travon Walker, Tyree Wilson, and Odafe Oweh, IDP gamers have tired of traits-based drafting. That makes Stewart a reasonable value as the seventh defender available.

1.08 - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Haggan: At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Emmanwori absolutely blew up the combine with a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score. He has the speed and ball-hawking ability to play in a single-high safety role, the strength and size to play off-ball linebacker, and the strength and natural mirror ability to cover tight ends in the slot. He comes into the NFL with a skillset to thrive in multiple positions. Whether it is deep safety, slot corner, strong safety, or linebacker, Emmanwori's athletic testing, skillset, and positional versatility should make him an instant contributor. That is all you can ask for from a rookie IDP defensive back.

1.09 - Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Bloom: Schwesinger has exactly the profile we look for in IDP leagues. He's an instinctive run defender whose nose for the ball enabled him to lead FBS in solo tackles last year, but he also has coverage and athleticism to not leave the field on passing downs and add to the stat sheet with sacks, interceptions, and pass breakups.

1.10 - James Pearce Jr.., EDGE, Tennessee

Davenport: At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, some view Pearce as a little light for an NFL EDGE. But he's the same weight as Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys—albeit two inches taller. Pearce is also ridiculously athletic, peeling off a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and 1.56-second 10-yard split at the combine. Pearce has all the tools to be an impact player in the pros—here's hoping he lands somewhere favorable at the end of April.

1.11 - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Bellefeuil: Donovan Ezeiruaku had a breakout 2024 campaign, as his 16.5 sacks ranked second in the nation to Mike Green's 17. At 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is on the smaller side for an edge rusher. However, his length (34'' arms) and fluid athleticism make him tough to contend with as he can make first contact and counter off of it. This kid is a baller, and I'm eager to see who his new team will be.

1.12 - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Montgomery: An explosive playmaker at the position, Nolen has the ability to be an immediate contributor to his team in year one. He graded second at his position at the NFL Combine. While athletically, he sits near the average mark, his on-field experience, factored with his natural ability to beat defenders, is a deadly combo that can work immediately in the NFL.

1.13 - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Rudnicki: Starks is an intelligent, athletic, and versatile player who can stabilize any secondary. While he's probably not going to see heavy snaps in the box as a run defender, he has a good chance to emerge as a nickel back right away, and that should keep him active most weeks.

1.14 - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Brebner: Like Stewart, Williams is 6-foot-5 and at least 260 pounds and is a projected first-round NFL draft pick. Georgia football fans expected a breakout from the junior that never quite happened. Williams is believed to be a solid athlete, but his lack of participation in the NFL Combine and his slow 40-yard dash at his pro day in Athens raise questions. Fourteenth among defenders feels like a good landing spot for his slide.

Round 2

2.01 - Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

Haggan: Umanmielen is my pre-draft EDGE4. He showed great athletic acumen during the combine, though he only checked in at 244 pounds. His slightly thinner physique should not scare you away. He has all the tools to be an effective edge rusher. Umanmielen has an NFL-ready inside counter-spin move that he has perfected and has great length. He should see the field as a rookie, likely as a situational pass-rusher, though with a little coaching, he could become an every-down player.

2.02 - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Bloom: Scourton should be a value pick in a stacked edge class. He isn't an elite prospect because of a lack of top-end power or speed, but he is a very advanced pass rusher with a variety of moves and strategies who got a lot of respect from competition on Saturdays. He also makes hustle tackles against the run and should be able to pad his production to make up for not being a true sack artist.

2.03 - Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

Davenport: Knight is one of the older prospects in this year's draft—at 25, he'll likely slide into Day 2 despite being PFF's No. 3 off-ball linebacker prospect. A hard-nosed run-defender who has enough athleticism to hold his own in coverage, Knight has the potential to be a three-down linebacker at the NFL level—but where he lands on April 25 could have a sizable impact on his short-term IDP prospects.

2.04 - Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

Bellefeuil: At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Stutsman has a solid build for the linebacker position. He also comes with loads of experience and production, posting three consecutive 100+ tackle seasons and 35 tackles for loss over his last three seasons at Oklahoma. Stutsman also answered any speed concerns after running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the combine. If his eyes and coverage chops develop, he has the potential to be an asset for us IDP gamers.

2.05 - Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

Montgomery: This pick is more of a long-term hold. Jackson is an athletic marvel who ran a 1.65 10-yard split while running the 40-yard dash. He paired this with a 40" vertical leap. The explosivity shows that if he can continue to refine his skills he can be one of the most athletic at his position and more and more we are seeing the NFL draft traits or production.

2.06 - Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss

Rudnicki: Paul may be undersized for some teams, but he has the quickness to chase down plays all over the field as a weakside linebacker. Coverage skills are also a strength, which should allow him to stay on the field in passing situations and potentially develop into a three-down starter.

2.07 - Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson

Brebner: Isaiah Simmons' lack of NFL success has put a stink on Clemson linebackers. Unlike Simmons, Carter played a stack-and-shed LB role in college. The question mark he has coming in is the athleticism necessary to run with tight ends and running backs. This mock selection of Carter at 2.07 assumes he's in the mix as a real-life Round-3 pick. 

2.08 - JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Haggan: Tuimoloau is a luxury pick here in the middle of the second round. He is currently my sixth-rated rookie edge rusher but has better production than a lot of the other edge-rusher draft prospects. Tuimoloau does not have the pursuit speed as some of the other prospects, but his strength is constantly on display with body-jarring jabs and a grip and rip that could land Goliath on his behind. Tuimoloau also showed dominance against the best teams in college football. In the four games he played in the playoffs this past season, he posted 20 pressures, 10 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. He is one of the more NFL-ready prospects.

2.09 - Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia

Bloom: Mondon has the athleticism and three-down skillset to be one of the best off-ball linebackers in this class, but his instincts are behind some of the better prospects in the class. If he can become more natural at reading and reacting or get in a class see-ball, seek-and-destroy weakside role, he will be a great value later in rookie drafts.

2.10 - Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Davenport: The good news is that Watts may well be the best ball-hawk of the Class of 2025 at safety. The bad news is that Watts' issues as a tackler at Notre Dame can't be ignored. This is a speculative pick, but the gamble is that the 6-foot-0, 203-pounder can be coached up in the NFL, and he'll improve as a tackler while maintaining his outstanding ball skills.

2.11 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Bellefeuil: Derrick Harmon transferred to Oregon for his final collegiate season, and it proved to be a wise decision. He recorded career-best figures in tackles (45), tackles for loss (11), and sacks (5), while his 55 pressures, per Pro Football Focus, topped all FBS defensive tackles last season. Harmon is solidly in the first-round conversation and an interior disruptor who could be a valuable addition for IDP gamers participating in true-position or DT-required formats.

2.12 - Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU

Montgomery: There is something to be said about players who always find themselves in the backfield or around the ball. Swinson is one of those guys with a feel for the game, and while he may be a late bloomer as far as hype, he has shown an ability to disrupt the backfield. Natural ability is one thing, but putting in the work to improve your game and hone your skills is another. Swinson will need to continually improve if he wants to stand out in the NFL, but given the right coaching, honing his skills should be a formality.

2.13 - Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Rudnicki: Sawyer may not be one of the most exciting edge players in this draft, but he's built to hold up against the run and proved he can get after the quarterback with his play in the college playoffs last year. He could be a nice value pick this late, given many expect him to be taken late in the first round.

2.14 - Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon

Brebner: Bassa is another big-program linebacker hoping to hear his name called on Friday night. Stockpiling linebackers who could be an injury away from meaningful playing time on Sunday is this drafter's preferred strategy over eschewing offense for the top linebacker in fantasy drafts. 

Final Thoughts

This exercise was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoyed the selections and the analysis behind them. Stay tuned for the post-draft version soon after the NFL draft concludes. Draft capital and landing spots are important pieces of the rookie puzzle; anticipate changes. Thank you for following along; let's bring on the draft!