Defense wins championships, and choosing the right player(s) for your fantasy team could help you do just that. Here are the players you should be looking to draft in 2026 IDP leagues
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Does your league only have one IDP spot? If so, take a linebacker (or Travis Hunter if his offensive stats will count as well). The top 14 scorers last season were linebackers. Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 and only finished 15th in IDP scoring.
If you want to know which players to draft for your IDP spot, start with the league’s leading tacklers.
If you play in a full IDP league with different starting roster positions to fill in (2 DL, 2 LBs, and 2 DBs is the most common setup), you should target these players in your draft.
6 Players to Draft in 2026 IDP Leagues
* All stats/rankings according to ESPN’s standard scoring for IDP
Linebackers
Jacob Rodriguez, Dolphins
Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson finished 13th among linebackers in points last season, but he was cut by Miami’s new regime. Rodriguez, the team’s 2nd-round rookie out of Texas Tech, steps into his place. Rodriguez is a tackling machine. He led the FBS in tackles last season with 128 after leading the nation in solo tackles (77) the year before.
Rodriguez could have a rookie season similar to Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who was taken in the 2nd round of the 2025 NFL Draft, finished 11th in IDP scoring, and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. The only hesitation I have with drafting Rodriguez is that his new teammate in Miami, Jordyn Brooks, led the NFL in tackles last season (183) and finished 2nd overall in IDP scoring.
Tremaine Edmunds, Giants
Bobby Okereke finished 10th in the league in tackles last season, manning the middle of the field for the Giants, and 9th overall in points. He was released in March and only recently found a new home in Carolina. Edmunds should step right in and rack up tackles for a run defense that was the worst in the league last season. In IDP, we don’t care if the run defense is bad. In fact, a bad defense stays on the field longer and gives your players more opportunities to make plays.
Keep an eye out for Giants rookie LB Arvell Reese, who they drafted with the 5th overall pick out of Ohio State. Not only can he stop the run, but he has the skill set to get after the passer.
Defensive Linemen
Jeffrey Simmons, Titans
If your league has a DT position, then you should target Simmons in the 1st round because the gap between him and the #2 DT last season was nearly 34 points, or 2 points per week. That is a massive positional edge. Simmons’ production was highlighted by his career-high 11 sacks, which is a total that will likely regress to the mean. Even so, new HC Robert Saleh will surely make the most of the best defensive player on his roster.
Alex Highsmith, Steelers
Check which position he’s listed at first, because he’s only worth a roster spot if you can play him at DL. Highsmith had 9.5 sacks last year in just 13 games. Plus, he made 50 total tackles, which raises his floor. He’s not the flashiest name, but he’s productive, reliable, and someone who can stabilize your DL.
Defensive Backs
Tre’von Moehrig, Panthers
The former 2nd-round pick out of TCU thrived in his first year in Carolina. He made more than 100 tackles and was a difference-maker behind the line of scrimmage. Moehrig’s 14 tackles for loss led all safeties and was good for 11th among all defensive players. With the addition of free agents Jaelan Phillips on the edge and Devin Lloyd in the middle, the Panthers’ defense should be an improved unit overall. Expect defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to continue to utilize Moehrig as a game-wrecker in the run game and as a blitzer.
Cooper DeJean, Eagles
The third-year slot corner does it all for one of the best defenses in the NFL. He finished 10th in passes defended (16), amassed 93 total tackles, picked off two passes, and forced a fumble. DeJean is poised for a breakout season, and his versatility makes him a player you should draft in IDP leagues.
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