Welcome back IDP nerds, the 2024 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up. I wouldn’t leave you hanging on instant dynasty reactions from our IDP rookies. If you look at dynasty rookie drafts, some of the best and most efficient IDPs are coming out of the third day of the draft. In a league where offense still rules, it’s important to know the good and bad of some of the landing spots for your defensive players.
Let’s dive into the back half of the 2024 NFL draft and break down some of these IDPs and their respective landing spots.
Arizona Cardinals
Round 4, Pick 4
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, DB
The Texas Tech DB was not talked about much in the pre-draft process by IDP analysts. DTD is a three-year starter in college. He had the sixth best athleticism score among safeties at the combine. Taylor-Demerson brings versatility to the Cardinals’ secondary who will likely move on from Budda Baker after the 2024 season. DTD already has a high football IQ, and the chance to learn from an experienced DB will only benefit him in the future. We can expect DTD to be a sleeper for defensive back-needy dynasty teams in rookie drafts.
Tennessee Titans
Round 4, Pick 6
Cedric Gray, LB
Cedric Gray was an early day three pick at 106th overall to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans signed Kenneth Murray this off-season but need more depth behind him. The UNC linebacker posted the best production score among LBs who attended the scouting combine. Gray is at his best when he is playing aggressively, which he should have an opportunity to do with a very talented defensive line in Tennessee. IDP managers have to be thrilled with this landing spot. Gray could be a tackle machine and add instant fantasy value. If you’re interested in more details check out my pre-draft profile on Cedric Gray.
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 4, Pick 33
Jaden Hicks, DB
It was painful watching Jaden Hicks fall to the end of the fourth round. He was a player that was easy to fall in love with during the pre-draft process. Hicks joins a young Kansas City secondary that is coming off back-to-back Super Bowl championships. He has versatility, talent, and instincts that should make him a valuable IDP under Steve Spagnuolo. Justin Reid is also set to be a free agent after this season. Although he fell in the NFL draft, IDP managers shouldn’t expect the same in their rookie drafts. Hicks still should be one of the top two safeties off the board in IDP rookie drafts. Check out my IDP rookie profile on Jaden Hicks.
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 5, Pick 20
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB
Trotter was never going to be the first-round pick that many thought he would be a few years ago. He’s a very productive player and finds himself a familiar home in Philadelphia. The son of the Philadelphia Eagles legendary LB will now have the chance to continue his family’s legacy. Trotter will join Nakobe Dean and Devin White to add some much-needed depth to the Eagles linebacker room. The Eagles linebackers have struggled with production and health over their careers. Trotter could see some rotational snaps earlier than expected despite being a fifth-round pick. Find out everything you need to know with my IDP rookie profile on Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Buffalo Bills
Round 5, Pick 25
Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB
The Buffalo Bills have continued to find success in the late rounds of the NFL draft at the LB position. The Bills selected Edefuan Ulofoshio at 160th overall to add to their depth at LB. He’s dealt with injuries over his college career, but he brings NFL speed and youth to a veteran defense. Ulofoshio posted a 90.4 coverage grade on 326 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Washington LB checks all the boxes to fit in as a weapon in coverage to stop some of the NFL’s best tight ends. The Buffalo LB position is locked in for a few years but Ulofoshio is worth a late add in rookie drafts, it’s worth noting the Bills had very little depth after injuries hit them hard last season.
Honorable Mention
Mohamed Kamara, EDGE
Kamara was selected in the fifth round at 158th overall. He put IDP managers on notice last season when he dominated in primetime against Colorado. The Colorado State EDGE rusher was the 2023 MWC Defensive Player of the Year. Kamara adds to a very talented group of pass rushers for the Dolphins. As an IDP manager, you can never have too many defensive linemen on your roster, this is more of a long-term play but Kamara is a name to keep an eye on as you enter the last round of your rookie draft.
Tyrice Knight, LB
Knight is a small school LB who comes off the board at 118th overall to the Seattle Seahawks. The young LB joins a very inconsistent group of linebackers for the revamped Seahawks defense. Knight projects as a two-down linebacker due to his limitations in coverage. Dynasty managers should keep an eye on Knight if they are looking for LB depth, especially for teams who can afford to wait on his development.
Tommy Eichenberg, LB
The Las Vegas Raiders added another LB in their first draft under new Head Coach Antonio Pierce. Eichenberg is likely a special teams player who adds some deep depth to the Raiders’ physical defense. The former Ohio State product can bring some value as a tackle-dependent LB but he’s likely a player that goes undrafted in your rookie drafts. IDP managers might want to target him in deep roster leagues.
James Williams, DB
The Titans add some much-needed depth at the DB position at 242nd overall in Miami DB James Williams. He has massive potential and upside but might experiment with various roles before he finds a true position. Williams is more effective as a box safety; Tennessee might have found a potential starter in the seventh round of this draft.
Nathaniel Watson, LB
The Cleveland Browns LB situation is always frustrating for IDP managers. The Cleveland defense adds a late-round LB in Watson, who has upside. He led the SEC in tackles last season, but his drop in the draft was related to some off-the-field issues. Outside of JOK, there’s very little to be excited about amongst the Cleveland Browns linebackers. Watson is worthy of a late add in rookie drafts as a potential boom-bust player.
The NFL Draft is officially over, and all of the prospects we have been hyping up or fading over the past year have new homes. Dynasty managers don’t have much time to assess their pre-draft process, as rookie drafts will be starting before you know it.
Make sure you check out all the tools and resources available to you at DynastyNerds.com. The DynastyGM!! Tool has Rankings, a trade calculator, a league analyzer, and much more. As always, keep building your dynasty powerhouses to bring home another dynasty fantasy football championship next season.
