12 Breakouts for IDP Fantasy Football in 2026

In Fantasy Football, the acronym “IDP” stands for Individual Defensive Player. So in these leagues, instead of drafting an entire team’s defense, you roster individual players. The scoring, starting roster spots, and format of these leagues greatly differ, but they take Fantasy Football to a whole other level. I personally play in a home league where we have nine offensive and nine defensive starting players, and it might just be my favorite league I am in.

I have 12 breakout IDP players for 2026, who either are geared up to have their best season to date or will open up their rookie season, instantly dominating. You can apply these names to both Dynasty and Redraft as guys you want to have rostered on your squads that will be true IDP Fantasy Football impacts in 2026. Let’s get it!

12 Breakouts for IDP Fantasy Football in 2026

1. Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Packers)

Former 2024 second-round draft pick Edgerrin Cooper concluded a quality sophomore season in 2025. Cooper finished the year with 118 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes deflected. Cooper finished five weeks with double-digit tackles in 2025. Cooper capped his 2025 season off with a strong performance in the Packers’ Wild Card Loss, recording eight tackles in that game. Cooper recorded 3.5 sacks as a rookie in 2024 through 14 games, so this is a category he can improve on in 2026 from what he did in 2025. Cooper took a serious step forward in 2025 and can continue to be one of the focal points of the Green Bay defense.

2. Dallas Turner (LB/DL, Vikings)

Dallas Turner was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Turner took a substantial leap in 2025 as a sophomore, jumping to 66 tackles from 20 in his rookie season, eight sacks from three, four forced fumbles from zero, and three passes deflected from one. Turner finished seven games with five or more tackles and two games with a pair of sacks in 2025. The dual LB/DL eligibility is a massive boost for managers, and Turner can continue trending upward in year three for both tackles and sacks.

3. Jared Verse (DL, Browns)

Jared Verse was sent to the Cleveland Browns this offseason with a 2027 first -round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a conditional 2029 third-round pick for Myles Garrett. Verse was a former first-round selection by the Browns in 2024, who has produced 124 total tackles, 12 sacks, and five forced fumbles through 34 games so far in his career. Verse finished four weeks with six tackles in 2025, and his jump from 4.5 sacks as a rookie to 7.5 could be foreshadowing more to come in 2026. Verse may have a chip on his shoulder from being dealt away, and the game script for the Browns may favor him being on the field plenty this coming season.

4. Demetrius Knight (LB, Bengals)

Demetrius Knight Jr. was a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2025 and impressed as a rookie. Knight surpassed 100 tackles with 106, finished with three sacks, intercepted two passes, and deflected seven passes as a rookie. Knight finished three weeks with double-digit tackles and tied for second on the roster in the category. Progression in year two could mean a true Fantasy Football breakout, especially if he leaps the tackles department. Knight could be the future focal piece of the Bengals’ defense, which has had some additions this offseason.

5. Cody Simon (LB, Cardinals)

Cody Simon was a fourth-round selection by the Cardinals in 2025, who played around even games as a starter for Arizona. When given the opportunity, Simon was a tackling machine, evident by weeks of 12 (Week 11) and 15 (Week 17) total tackle games. Simon played a much more significant role following the Cardinals’ Week 8 BYE, finishing with seven or more tackles in six of his final eight games played. A full-time starting role in 2026 could mean a much bigger year.

6. Devin Bush (LB, Bears)

Devin Bush was selected by the Steelers as a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie in 2019, Bush finished with 109 total tackles, which looked like a great start to his career. Unfortunately, 109 tackles would be his highest total for the next five seasons after that, which raised fears of him being a let-down. Bush played for Pittsburgh, then Seattle in 2023, then the last two years in Cleveland. Bush flipped the switch in 2025, finishing with a career-high 125 tackles, making a true statement. The Bears ended up signing Bush as a Free Agent this offseason to a three-year, $30 million contract. Bush will take on the Tremaine Edmunds vacated role for Chicago, and while many will think this is an odd addition as a veteran linebacker, Bush could have his best season to date in 2026.

7. Craig Woodson (SAF, Patriots)

Craig Woodson was a fourth-round selection by the Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft and ended up being a solid contributor to a Super Bowl-appearing squad. Woodson finished the year with 79 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three passes deflected. What stands out the most about Woodson is that he heated up the most when it mattered the most – in the NFL Playoffs:

• AFC Wild Card: 11 total tackles
• AFC Divisional: Five total tackles, a fumble recovery, and three passes deflected
• AFC Championship: Four total tackles and a pass deflection
• Super Bowl: 10 total tackles and two pass deflections

Woodson was rock solid for the Patriots in the NFL Playoffs, which resulted just short of a Super Bowl. The safety can carry that Playoff momentum into 2026, and have a huge sophomore leap in Fantasy production.

8. Nick Emmanwori (SAF, Seahawks)

The Seahawks selected Nick Emmanwori in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he became very important to a Super Bowl Championship at safety for them. Emmanwori finished the year with 81 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and 11 deflected passes. Emmanwori finished three games with nine or more tackles in the regular season, totaled 10 tackles in his final two NFL Playoff games, and had three games with multiple deflected passes. Emmanwori can build on a solid rookie campaign as a sophomore in 2026, on what should be a still very solid Seahawks defense.

9. Sonny Styles (LB, Commanders)

Ohio State: 53 games, 244 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, one interception, nine passes deflected, one fumble recovery, three forced fumbles

Sony Styles had an elite NFL Combine, posting 43.5 inches on the vertical jump, 4.46 on the 40-yard dash, 11’2″ on the broad jump, and a 1.56-second 10-yard split. Styles is a former safety turned linebacker who has progressed in reading the game and obviously can be lined up in multiple positions. The heavy athleticism, progression in his game, and dynamic traits could be a huge translation to IDP Fantasy Football. The Commanders selected Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

10. Caleb Downs (SAF, Cowboys)

Ohio State: 44 games, 257 total tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions, 12 passes deflected, one fumble recovery, three forced fumbles

Caleb Downs had an instant breakout at Alabama as a freshman, before finishing his next two seasons at Ohio State. As a three-year starter, Downs has been consistently productive and brings high energy and effort into every snap. Downs reads plays well and routinely is disruptive to offenses in various ways. The Cowboys selected Downs with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

11. Arvell Reese (DL/LB, Giants)

Ohio State: 36 games, 112 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two pass deflections

Arvell Reese is still just 20 years old and can turn into an IDP Fantasy Football cheat-code with dual-threat DL/LB eligibility. Reese is versatile in his alignment and how he is implemented into a defense, and he has plenty of room to grow. Reese is fast in pursuing the ball carrier and can grow even more into a tackle machine. The combination of traits Reese already has and the high ceiling should translate big for IDP Fantasy Football. The Giants selected Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

12. Dillon Thieneman (SAF, Bears)

Oregon: 39 games, 306 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, two sacks, eight interceptions, 14 passes deflected, two forced fumbles

Dillon Thieneman posted elite athletic numbers at this year’s NFL Combine (4.35 – 40 and 41-inch vertical), which could mean being a riser on many draft boards. Thieneman has multiple years of starting experience, big-time athleticism, versatility, instincts, and is great in pursuit. This is a dynamic playmaker who is going to check many boxes in coverage. The Bears selected Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.