2024 Post-Draft IDP Rookie Mock
The dust has settled on the NFL Draft and we are all still reeling from a fantastic weekend where the incoming class impacted the fate of NFL franchises. The main talking point may be the Atlanta Falcons’ pick of Michael Penix, but for IDP purposes, only nine defensive players were selected on night one of the draft.
Bringing together our intrepid crew of IDP dynasty players, we went through a two-round mock based again on a 12-team league, using five positions comprising DT, DE, LB, S, and CB. We assumed a tackle-heavy system and DT-premium scoring.
A recap of our pre-draft thoughts can be found here.
So, let’s get into how things have changed, now that we know what situations these IDP players landed in.
Round 1
1.01 Dallas Turner, DE MIN
No surprise from the resident Vikings fan here, but homerism aside, he’s the best rookie defender in this class. 6’4″ 245 lbs, 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 9.49 RAS, and long arms. He’s going to be a game wrecker at the next level.
(Damien Lyon)
1.02 Laiatu Latu, DE IND
I said in the pre-draft mock that the UCLA Edge prospect was the guy I wanted despite the medical concerns and the NFL agreed. The Indianapolis Colts made him the first defensive player taken at pick 15. The age gap may give Turner the casting vote as the 1.01 but I’d expect Latu to out-produce him in his early career. Watch him get after the QB, and get home with double-digit sacks.
(Eric Flynn)
1.03 Jared Verse, DE LAR
Verse is short for Versatility.
Power moves, check. Hand moves, check. Speed jumps off the tape, check.
Verse does not take any plays off. I am most excited about how draft capital and landing spot only reinforce his dynasty value as he should get snaps immediately. His upside is SKY HIGH because he has only played defense for four years. He has all the tools to be special. Opposite Byron Young, he will get chances to go one-on-one and get after the QB.
(Josh Ofahulu)
1.04 Byron Murphy II, DT SEA
The top defensive tackle. He’s a wrecking ball in the middle, powerful against the run but explosive enough to be a high-pressure/sack DT also. In what is a decent landing spot, he should probably see rotational usage this year and a full-time starting job next year.
(Seth Melton)
1.05 Chop Robinson, DE MIA
Robinson is probably a pass-rush specialist at this level, but he’s very good at it and we regularly see that sort of player finish as FF-relevant edges. His lightning speed, fuelled by an elite first step, should lead to plenty of sacks. Just don’t expect tackle volume to go with it.
(Tom Kislingbury)
1.06 Edgerrin Cooper, LB GBP
I was torn between Cooper and Junior Colson. I slightly prefer Colson’s landing spot but feel reasonably confident Cooper’s intensity, athleticism, and ability to be a three-down LB will lead to significant snaps in year one.
(Jase Abbey)
1.07 Junior Colson, LB LAC
Colson was my LB1 coming into this draft. Going to the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round is a great landing spot. He knows what Coach Jim Harbaugh wants on defense. Colson has a legitimate chance to wear the green dot as a rookie.
(Justin Taylor)
1.08 Jer’Zhan Newton, DT WAS
Undersized, but quick hands and quick feet help him beat blockers.
(Declan Cassidy)
1.09 Marshawn Kneeland, DE DAL
A pre-draft favorite of mine. Kneeland plays with such power from the edge and has great hands. He may be a smaller school recruit, but Dallas taking him in round two should tell you how dominant they think he could be. He adds dynamic speed to that group. Displays high energy and high motor.
(Shane Mannion)
1.10 Payton Wilson, LB PIT
This is a true risk/reward pick. Injury history aside (bear in mind he was healthy enough to play the past two full seasons at NC State), Wilson is a darn good prospect in a good spot for a productive role by 2025.
(Jason King)
1.11 Tyler Nubin, S NYG
Nubin was one of the best safeties in this class. He was productive with over 50 tackles and 12 interceptions in the last three years. He steps into a spot to start right away.
(Brandon Haye)
1.12 Chris Braswell, DE TBB
Braswell didn’t play all that much in Alabama until his final year, but he has great athleticism and is a solid lottery ticket. There’s potential for lots of playtime in Tampa.
(Adam Tzikas)
Round 2
2.01 Trevin Wallace, LB CAR
The Panthers drafted themselves a true athletic freak, a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, and was a state champion in the long jump, Wallace is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who should bring a mean streak to the Panthers’ LB corps.
(Damien Lyon)
2.02 Bralen Trice, DE ATL
So, here’s the part of the draft where you are really picking in the “hope” category of players. Trice, fell to the third round of the NFL Draft (Pick #74 to the Atlanta Falcons), could do with adding a few pounds, and needs to show improvement against the run. But, he should certainly disrupt play, and if he can turn those pressures into sack numbers, he can turn into a fantasy-viable player. There isn’t stellar competition for snaps ahead of him in the Falcons’ locker room.
(Eric Flynn)
2.03 Cole Bishop, S BUF
The Buffalo Bills lost both Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this off-season. They have backfilled, but Bishop will be a key piece in putting together a strong secondary, as he is their joker piece, who can be moved around the defense. Bills’ GM Brandon Beane shared that they considered moving up to get him and were surprised that he was still there at their pick. In college, he was regularly matched up against Dalton Kincaid, which has helped him get better at tackling, reading defenses, and most importantly leveling up his coverage skills. He has the draft pedigree and versatility to get on the field and see snaps early to be an IDP contributor.
(Josh Ofahulu)
2.04 Darius Robinson, DE/DT ARI
First-round draft pedigree, and there’s plenty of opportunity on the Cardinals’ defensive line. Robinson has positional flexibility with his inside-outside experience. He should be filling the stat sheets during his rookie season.
(Seth Melton)
2.05 Cedric Gray, LB TEN
Gray is big (230 lbs doesn’t sound huge, but recent LB trends mean he’s bigger than average) and fast, which is great. But, he also faces a tough depth chart to crack with former first-round pick, Kenneth Murray, and Jack Gibbens (over 600 snaps last season) to get past. Hopefully Gray can make an impact on special teams, while he waits for opportunities at LB.
(Tom Kislingbury)
2.06 Braden Fiske, DT LAR
Fiske lacks discipline in the run game but has the athleticism, first step, and tenacity to suggest he could become an impact pass rusher. I love this landing spot, where Kobie Turner is the only established player at the DT spot.
(Jase Abbey)
2.07 Cooper DeJean, CB/S PHI
DeJean is a great athlete who can play all over the secondary. He has the ability to play safety, corner, or slot corner. There is also the added bonus of special team points from kick and punt returns.
(Justin Taylor)
2.08 Adisa Isaac, LB/DE BAL
Good pass rusher, who if he can refine his run defense, will be a steal this late in drafts.
(Declan Cassidy)
2.09 Jonah Elliss, DE DEN
Strong family pedigree, and brings lots of pressure and power from the edge. I think he will fit the scheme in Denver quite well. He has a big motor, a lot of energy is needed there and he will bring it.
(Shane Mannion)
2.10 Javon Bullard, S, GBP
Bullard gives off strong Antoine Winfield Jr vibes with his ability to quickly diagnose what’s in front of him, and explode downhill. Bullard can play all safety alignments plus slot defender.
(Jason King)
2.11 Mike Sainristil, CB WAS
He has only been on the defensive side two years, is a ball hawk with six interceptions in 2023, and is a great tackler. He should move into the nickelback role right away.
(Brandon Haye)
2.12 Evan Williams, S GB
Excellent box safety with versatility to stay on the field.
(Adam Tzikas)
Dynasty Football is an international game, and there’s no doubt how Irish he is, as you’re sure to find. #PureCork
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