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- The 2025 IDP Mock Draft | The Best Defensive Rookies You Need to Draft
As the 2024 season winds down and we start dreaming of what to expect next, it’s the perfect time to look ahead with a way-too-early 2025 IDP mock draft for defensive-only players. As IDP becomes increasingly popular, we have created a way to give readers an early edge. We’ve gathered six of the industry’s most respected IDP analysts, each bringing their unique perspective to break down some of the best defensive prospects in next year’s draft class. This preview is an initial roadmap for the defensive playmakers who could severely impact dynasty fantasy rosters in 2025.
Our knowledgeable drafters for this one-round IDP mock draft include Senior Writer and IDP Content Lead Jon Glosser, Senior IDP Nerd Jayson Snyder, Featured IDP ranker and writer for The IDP Show Mike Woellert, host of the PFF IDP Podcast Jon Macri, and two of the brightest IDP minds from footballguys.com, Joseph Haggan and Kyle Belefeuil.
One Round | 2025 IDP Mock Draft | Presented by Dynasty Nerds
Overview | 2025 IDP Mock Draft | 2025 Defensive NFL Rookies
This is a 12-team, start 11, any combination (DL, LB, DB, IDP Flex) IDP-only mock draft. We will have our analysts discuss their reasoning for each pick, and below each piece of video content will be an IDP Nerds unique breakdown by our featured IDP Analyst, Jon Glosser. Please let us know if there are other formats you would like to see!
1.01 | Travis Hunter | DB | Colorado | 6’1” | 185 lbs.
Jayson Snyder | @Spydes78 | No. 1 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
A “cheat code” player for IDP formats, the dual-threat Travis Hunter is seemingly destined to be a Top-5 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. His elite athleticism has allowed him to excel on both sides of the ball as a collegian. Whether the NFL views him as a corner or receiver, he has ample play-making ability to succeed. There’s a distinct possibility that fantasy platforms may cross-list him as both a CB and WR. Are you disguising a wideout with game-changing talent in your defensive back slot? Sign me up!
@Glosser13 | It was a great breakdown of one of the most polarizing players to enter the NFL in some time. Travis Hunter continues to amaze as a two-way player for Colorado and has helped them become bowl-eligible, something they did not accomplish last season. He has been dubbed “the best two-way player ever” and “a once-in-a-lifetime player.” And frankly, it’s hard to dispute. Hunter is Pro Football Focus’ 8th-highest graded wide receiver with an 84.8 offensive grade and the 8th-highest graded cornerback with an 85.9 overall grade. It’s hard to imagine that if Hunter does stick to the defensive side of the ball, he won’t at least earn a few touches on offense for his future NFL team.
1.02 | Harold Perkins | LB | LSU | 6’1” | 220 lbs.
Joseph Haggan | @JoeyTheToothIDP | No. 2 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Harold Perkins is the complete package as a player. He has the coverage ability to handle the slot or safety, the tackling ability to run the middle of the defense, and the power, speed, and polish to be an effective edge rusher. Think of him as Nolan Smith, but much better. He’d be misplaced as an edge rusher due to his skills in containment and proper sideline-to-sideline speed. Perkins will be what everyone thought Isaiah Simmons was going to be.
@Glosser13 | Extremely high praise from one of the best IDP minds—especially when scouting college players. Undoubtedly, Harold Perkins has an elite skill set that NFL teams will be excited about as the 2025 NFL draft gets closer. Unfortunately for the LSU defender, he suffered a torn ACL, which cost him most of this season. Despite just 16 tackles on the season, what Perkins has shown over his first two seasons will be enough to make him one of the most exciting defensive players for IDP managers heading into 2025.
1.03 | Barrett Carter | LB | Clemson | 6’1” | 229 lbs.
Jayson Snyder | @Spydes78 | No. 3 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
In IDP, linebacker is king. Fantasy managers are always in search of the next great 3-down stud. And Clemson’s Barrett Carter has all the makings of being that prospect in 2025. Consider his laundry list of impressive traits: He interprets and attacks quickly, showing top diagnostic abilities. He has top athleticism to flow from sideline to sideline, which translates to excellent coverage capability. And, to top it all off, he’s also tremendous as a pass rusher, repeatedly showing both the motor and skill to disrupt a backfield when called upon to do so. Carter is a prototypical, “green-dot” defensive anchor who should be racking up IDP points in your lineup for years.
@Glosser13 | Barrett Carter is one of the safest players in this year’s draft for IDP fantasy managers. Carter is likely the most ready to step into a significant 3-down role at the linebacker position. The Clemson LB has racked up 135 tackles, 9 sacks, and 3 interceptions over the last 2 seasons. Carter likely had a chance to be a 1st Round pick in last year’s NFL draft but chose to stay at Clemson. IDP managers can look forward to adding the Clemson LB to their dynasty teams in the upcoming draft.
1.04 | Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State | 6’3” | 251 lbs.
Kyle Belefeuil | @KBelff54 | No. 4 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Abdul Carter is another Penn State defender who brings elite athleticism and versatility to a defense. Carter started as an off-ball linebacker before transitioning to a full-time EDGE defender this season, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Teams can get creative with Carter’s skill set as they mold him into a defensive weapon for us IDP gamers.
@Glosser13 | Since 2020, Penn State has had five edge rushers drafted in the 1st or 2nd Round of the NFL draft. Carter is having his second 6-sack season of his collegiate career. These defensive players coming out of Penn State all have one thing in common: freaky athletic. Abdul Carter is a projected top-10 pick and should continue to see his stock rise as he gains more experience. IDP fantasy managers are always searching for depth at the DL position, and Abdul Carter should make an impact in Year 1 for his new team.
1.05 | Jay Higgins | LB | Iowa | 6’2” | 232 lbs.
Mike Woellert | @Mike_Woellert | No. 5 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Jay Higgins is averaging 11.6 tackles per game over the last season and a half and has the make-up of a 3-down LB. The 5th-year senior linebacker ranks 20th all time in school history in tackles. IDP fantasy managers love high-volume tackling linebackers, and that’s what Higgins gives you.
@Glosser13 | Jay Higgins will not blow you away when you watch him play. His athleticism and playmaking ability sometimes leave much to be desired, but he gets the job done statistically. The Iowa LB is just 6 tackles shy of his 2nd-consecutive 100-tackle season. Jay Higgins is the type of player for those IDP managers who thrive on fantasy points per game. He may not offer the most upside, but he continues to produce weekly. This is a safe pick for those IDP managers looking to add more depth at the linebacker position.
1.06 | Mikail Kamara | EDGE | Indiana | 6’1” | 265 lbs.
Mike Woellert | @Mike_Woellert | No. 6 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Indiana is the surprise of the college season, one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the country. Mikail Kamara is producing a 13.5 pressure rate and 24% win rate, leading to 7 sacks and 11 QB hits. Kamara has been one of the most impactful players from the transfer portal this season. He spent his first two seasons with James Madison before transferring to Indiana this season. Mikail Kamara doesn’t quite show the size of the prototypical pass rusher, but he fills out the stat sheet to the best of his ability.
@Glosser13 | Mikail Kamara is the most significant defensive riser of the season. He has the 3rd-most QB pressures (35) this season, and he’s totaled 17 sacks over his last 21 games. This is a beautiful upside pick in the middle of the draft. The Indiana EDGE rusher is coming off one of the best performances of his career; he registered 9 pressures on 28 pass rush snaps, resulting in 2.5 sacks. Kamara is a name that IDP managers should monitor as the college season concludes over the next couple of months.
1.07 | Mason Graham | DL | Michigan | 6’3” | 320 lbs.
Jon Macri | @PFF_Macri | No. 7 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Focusing on positional scarcity at this point in the draft, Graham looks like the potential best player among interior defensive linemen. He’s coming off a 2023 season where he earned a 90.0 PFF grade—the fourth-best mark in the FBS. He’s built on that elite season in 2024, currently ranked 3rd in that regard with an 89.0 grade. He’s also already set a new career-high in sacks (5) and is on pace to set a new career-high in pressures (29).
@Glosser13 | Mason Graham is as good as there is in the interior for college football. He’s already set a career-high in sacks (3.5) and is on pace to do the same in tackles. The Michigan defensive lineman is a force inside and will be a disruptor at the next level. Graham is a projected top-5 pick; he’s the type of player who can add Year 1 value in IDP leagues.
1.08 | Nic Scourton | EDGE | Texas A&M | 6’4” | 280 lbs.
Jon Glosser | @Glosser13 | No. 8 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
After two seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers, Nic Scourton entered the transfer portal in 2023. He led the Big 10 in sacks (10) in 2023 before transferring to Texas A&M for the 2024 season. Nic Scourton is a powerful pass rusher who can convert speed to power with the best of them in this class. He has registered at least 2 pressures in every game this season and has a 13% pass rush win rate (PFF).
@Glosser13 | Nic Scourton is regarded as one of the best EDGE defenders in this class, and his consistent career performance is a big reason for this. He has collected 15 sacks over his last 20 games, and only scratches the surface of how good he can be. IDP fantasy managers looking for help at the DL position will be pleased with the 2025 class, which, at a minimum, should see 4 EDGE players in the top 12 IDPs overall.
1.09 | Danny Stutsman | LB | Oklahoma | 6’4” | 243 lbs.
Jon Macri | @PFF_Macri | No. 9 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman has excelled in run defense, earning an 88.3 run defense grade through the first 8 games of this season. Stutsman has been a starter for three seasons in Oklahoma. He has the size and experience needed to contribute immediately to the NFL, which could provide some early IDP value as an early-down option.
@Glosser13 | Danny Stutsman is another high-volume tackler in the LB position. His size and speed make him an intriguing pick for IDP managers. He’s on pace to record his 3rd-straight 100-tackle season. Stutsman is excellent value late in the draft and a player who can help a contending playoff team looking to add more depth to the defensive side of their roster.
1.10 | Princely Umanmielen | EDGE | Ole Miss | 6’4” | 255 lbs.
Joseph Haggan | @JoeyTheToothIDP | No. 10 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Princely Umanmielen has had a productive SEC career with Florida and Ole Miss. He has 34 career tackles for a loss and 20.5 career sacks, including 5.5 in 7 games this season. Umanmielen packs pop in his hands but could learn how to transfer power better through his body. He has a bendy frame with a twitch and acceleration off the edge. Umanmielen has all the physical traits, an NFL-ready spin move, and SEC production. He just needs a coach to teach him how to be more technical.
@Glosser13 | A very detailed breakdown of one of the more polished EDGE rushers in this draft. Umanmielen is a fun player; he’s done it with multiple SEC teams, so you know he’s highly battle-tested. The Ole Miss EDGE rusher has 14.5 sacks in his last 20 games and can instantly help any NFL team. All of his tools will make him an intriguing pick for IDP managers looking for high-potential players late in their rookie drafts.
1.11 | James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee | 6’5” | 243 lbs.
Jon Glosser | @Glosser13 | No. 11 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
James Pearce Jr. is one of the best players in this draft, with elite traits that make him NFL-ready. The Tennessee EDGE rusher hasn’t had his best statistical season, and many would argue that double-teams and holding calls are why. Pearce led the SEC in sacks (10) and finished 2nd in tackles for loss (15) last season. He has registered at least 5 pressures in 50% of his games this season. Pearce has a 22% pass rush win rate and a 10.6% run-stop rate, ranking in the 75th percentile this season.
@Glosser13 | James Pearce Jr. has the tools to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. His stock will continue to rise as the draft draws closer. He plays fast and physically with a great motor weekly. It will be up to the NFL scouts to determine how much value they put in production based on his impact on the game. As an IDP manager who consistently struggles to find enough depth at the DL position, if I can find a valuable player like this late in the draft, I would be delighted.
1.12 | Jalon Walker | LB | Georgia | 6’2” | 245 lbs.
Kyle Belefeuil | @KBelff54 | No. 12 Selection | 2025 IDP Mock Draft
Jalon Walker had to wait his turn at Georgia, but his draft stock steadily rose during his junior campaign this season. Most recently, Walker was a straight-up problem in Georgia’s big win over Texas, compiling eight solo tackles and three sacks against the Longhorns. Walker’s alluring athleticism and versatility to play in the box and off the edge make him an intriguing incoming IDP asset.
@Glosser13 | Jalon Walker has been a victim of being recruited by the University of Georgia, which often means you must wait your turn. Walker has blazing speed and elite athleticism. He has the playmaking ability to be featured as a sideline-to-sideline LB or an EDGE rusher. The Georgia defender is already projected to be a 1st Round pick in the 2025 NFL draft; it’s just a matter of how high he’s selected.
Shoutout | SuperFlex Mock Draft | 2025 NFL Draft
If you missed our SuperFlex Rookie Mock Draft, please take a few minutes and see what our writers had to say about the top 24 offensive rookies:
Additional Content | 1QB Mock Draft | 2025 NFL Draft
Don’t think we forgot about those Nerds playing in 1QB leagues! Check out our first rookie mock draft of the season that includes great insight from our phenomenal staff and All-22 footage from the Nerds Film Room:
