2024 IDP Rookie Review: Off-Ball Linebackers, Part Two
Welcome to Part II of the 2024 rookie linebacker class. In Part I, I placed one rookie – Edgerrin Cooper – in a tier above all others. Pre-NFL Draft I think six others should be viewed as current or future NFL starters: Payton Wilson, Junior Colson, Tyrice Knight, Trevin Wallace, Jaylon Carlies, and Omar Speights.
Here in Part II, I dug into 19 other rising sophomores who merited a good look. Why is it important to go 26 deep at one position for one class? As we approach our IDP dynasty rookie drafts, we have to figure out who we’re booting from our rosters to make way for the rookies. And with many dynasty leagues employing taxi squads that allow for just first- and second-year players, the previous year’s crop of rookies are often going to receive the highest scrutiny since they’re potentially clogging taxi seats that could go to incoming rookies.
It’s really important to note that after one season, the book is not written on these players – and that’s even more true for those who received limited snaps. We only have part of the story with any of them, and we have a much better indication after year two of how they’ll shape up in future seasons. So if a critique sounds overly harsh, take it for the early critique it is.
About the Series and Statistics
If you missed the first two articles in this series, part one focused on interior defensive linemen, and part two examined the edge rushers. The next and final article will hit on the defensive backs of consequence.
Before getting into the rankings and brief reviews, credit goes to Pro Football Reference (PFR) for all statistics except for pressures, which come via Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Tier Three: Worthy of a Roster Spot
There are enough reasons to like each of these linebackers that I’d deem them worthy of a roster spot in all-but-shallow league formats. And given the appetite for linebackers in typical IDP leagues, I’m casting a pretty wide net in this tier right now. Ideally, I’d like to see how they improve with a full NFL off-season, or where they stand on their respective linebacker depth charts, before making a dynasty determination. So once we get through free agency and the draft, a few of these linebackers could fall into the watch list tier.
8. James Williams, TEN
- Drafted: seventh round, No. 242 overall pick (Miami, Fla.)
- Listed height and weight: 6-4, 231
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 22
Stats to know:
- played in 13 games; 111 defensive snaps (14 percent snap share)
- 17 solo tackles, nine assists; zero tackles for loss; two missed tackles (7.1 percent missed tackle rate)
- five completions on seven targets (71.4 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- three blitzes; zero pressures; zero sacks; zero quarterback hits
- zero forced fumbles; one fumble recovery
Nothing about Williams’ year-one statistics stands out, but the safety convert could eventually be a dude. He saw relatively heavy defensive usage in three of Tennessee’s final four games – and granted, it was a stretch that cemented the Titans in the No. 1 overall draft spot. But he flashed with play recognition and awareness of his assignments, physicality, and play speed.
He’s got some clean-up work to do, namely leaving his feet on tackles. But he’s an effortless mover, covering chunks of ground even though he doesn’t look to be trying hard to do it. He looks adept at getting into coverage in the flat. And Tennessee used him off the edge as a stand-up pass rusher, and he showed the ability to get past tackles and into the backfield. Plus, he’s young, and has more time to grow into work along the line and second level.
I’m pretty interested to see how he looks after a full off-season of training to play off-ball. My fantasy advice is to low-key pick him up on the cheap right now and stash him on your taxi squads.
The Titans may eventually have a dude in James Williams. Massive college safety converting to NFL LB.
— Jason King (@dynastyidp.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 6:30 AM
9. Jordan Magee, WAS
We saw very little of the fifth-rounder from Temple after Magee underwent surgery for a meniscus repair prior to the season. He made his debut on week eight but didn’t see work on the defense until week 15, and played 12 of his 15 snaps in a week 16 win over the Eagles. I’m still optimistic given he moves really well with good burst and speed, and keeps himself relatively free working laterally at the second level. He could stand to strengthen up in order to better withstand contact with linemen and maintain balance and control.
Magee will sit and learn for another season while the great Bobby Wagner and the versatile Frankie Luvu eat up most of the linebacker snaps, and it’s not a terrible thing for Magee that the Commanders brought back Wagner instead of opting for longer-term signing. He really needs to stay healthy and hold down third linebacker duties in order to set himself up for year three value. I’m also noting that he was on the older side for a rookie, so his window for opportunity is smaller than younger prospects.
10. Jeremiah Trotter Jr, PHI
- Drafted: fifth round, No. 155 overall pick (Clemson)
- Listed height and weight: 6-0, 225
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 22
Stats to know:
- played in all 17 games; 104 defensive snaps (10 percent snap share)
- nine solo tackles, 16 assists; one tackle for loss; two missed tackles (7.4 percent missed tackle rate)
- five completions on seven targets (71.4 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
- four blitzes; one pressure; half-a-sack; one quarterback hit
Trotter saw the vast majority of his defensive snaps over the final two weeks of the season. The lack of length is a knock and can be limiting as a coverage player and as a tackler, and that’s certainly a big reason he dropped to the fifth round. Watching him in week 18 (two solos and nine assists on 53 snaps), I noticed a sound player with gap assignments and coverage drops. But he is also a below-average mover in space, and downhill he doesn’t have much margin for error with his tackle radius.
So far, Trotter has the look of an NFL backup. Still, there’s an open spot in two-linebacker sets with Nakobe Dean recovering from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in the wild-card round, and Trotter looks like he’ll fill the role barring the Eagles using a day one or two draft pick at the position. While I like some of the players listed below him a little better, I’m ranking him here due to early season opportunity. And if I had any shares, I’d certainly be open to moving him in trades.
11. Tatum Bethune, SF
The 49ers’ linebacker unit looks interesting for fantasy following Dre Greenlaw’s departure in free agency. San Francisco seems likely to add a veteran to the mix at some point, but for now Bethune is in the mix for snaps next to stud Fred Warner.
Week 18 offered us a good look at both Bethune (39 of his 51 defensive snaps on the season) and Dee Winters, the likely current frontrunner to replace Greenlaw in two-linebacker sets. Bethune, a seventh-rounder out of Florida State, showed adequate coverage ability on a play where he picked up Trey McBride on a deep crosser that resulted in an incompletion (see below). His run-and-chase speed is decent, and he does a pretty good job of keeping himself clean for tackles.
Watching some rising 2nd year LBs. Tatum Bethune has an opportunity in SF following Greenlaw’s departure. Here, he picks up Trey McBride on a deep crosser that results in an incompletion.
— Jason King (@dynastyidp.bsky.social) March 29, 2025 at 7:34 AM
12. Cedric Gray, TEN
We didn’t see much of the fourth-rounder during his rookie campaign – Gray was on injured reserve with a shoulder injury for Tennessee’s first seven games, didn’t see the field until week 12, and didn’t play a snap on defense until week 15 – but what we did see wasn’t good. He finished the season with just 48 snaps on defense, and 35 of those came in week 16 against the Colts. While Gray was productive in that game with 15 total tackles, keep in mind Indy ran the ball 50 times for 335 yards and four touchdowns.
While I don’t want to rush to judgement based on first look, Gray seemingly struggled to disengage offensive lineman, and was a beat slow to react off the snap. He also had a very bad look when he pulled up his pursuit on an early Josh Downs touchdown catch-and-run – a teammate missed what looked to be a sure tackle and Gray would have been positioned to knock Downs out of bounds had he continued running toward the play. That’s a teachable moment but certainly not one that endeared him to the coaching staff.
The good news for Gray is Tennessee’s current linebacker unit lacks any proven options outside of Cody Bartin, a free agent signee who the Titans will likely look to run the defense for the next couple of years. I remain hopeful and Gray is certainly worth a seat on your taxi squad, but there’s decent bust potential based on year one.
13. Joe Andreessen, BUF
- Undrafted (Buffalo via Bryant)
- Listed height and weight: 6-1, 232
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 25
Stats to know:
- played in 13 games; 114 defensive snaps (14 percent snap share)
- 12 solo tackles, 14 assists; one tackle for loss; one missed tackle (3.7 percent missed tackle rate)
- eight completions on ten targets (80 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- five blitzes; one pressure; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
Andreessen gained a cult-like following after his 12-tackle showing in week two of the pre-season. Even with Terrel Bernard missing four games and Matt Milano playing in just four, we didn’t see much of Andreessen until a meaningless week 18 game when he played every defensive snap. He made a couple of mistakes, including a blown coverage assignment on a running back leaking into the flat, but what stood out is Andreesen’s constant flow to the ball. He’s good at staying or getting free of second-level blocks, he’s quick to drop into coverage, and he typically closes quickly on the ball.
Andreessen’s path to real snaps is of course blocked by Bernard, the starting MIKE who just signed a contract extension that safely keeps him in Buffalo for at least the next three seasons. In addition, Baylon Spector – Buffalo’s preferred backup to Bernard in 2024 – remains with the team. If Andreessen is in line for starting snaps, I think he’s a must-start in fantasy. The path to get there is pretty well clogged up.
Nice agility here in open space by #44 Joe Andreessen to take down Joe Milton. #ffidp
— Jason King (@dynastyidp.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
14. Marist Liufau, DAL
- Drafted: third round, No. 87 overall pick (Notre Dame)
- Listed height and weight: 6-2, 239
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 24
Stats to know:
- played in all 17 games; 521 defensive snaps (47 percent snap share)
- 30 solo tackles, 20 assists; four tackles for loss; one missed tackles (2.0 percent missed tackle rate)
- 15 completions on 19 targets (78.9 percent completion percentage); three passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 43 blitzes; 12 pressures; one-and-a-half sacks; two quarterback hits
- two forced fumbles; one fumble recovery
Despite sub-par play as a rookie, Liufau was looking good for fantasy just after the season ended. Big D had invested day two draft capital in former Golden Domer, Eric Kendricks was due to hit free agency, and of course Demarvion Overshown’s career-altering knee injury in week 14 was deemed likely to keep the breakout linebacker out until the 2026 season. The Cowboys threw mud on that plan though with a trade for Kenneth Murray, who just keeps getting chances to hold down full-time linebacker work. Dallas also added Chicago cast-off Jack Sanborn, possibly pushing Liufau down to third in the off-ball pecking order.
Overall from his rookie season, there are positive takeaways. He’s pretty good coming downhill on blitzes. And while his sideline-to-sideline speed is nothing special, it’s adequate. Too often he fails to disengage blockers, however, despite longer 34–plus-inch arm length, and/or gets washed out of gaps. If you own shares I wouldn’t bail on him, but ultimately I don’t see a ceiling that’s higher than a rotational player. Then again, teams like Dallas are still willing to give Murray full-time work.
#Cowboys Marist Liufau among 23 rookie linebackers per PFF:
– 281 snaps (5th)
– 18 tackles (6th)
– 7 pressures (1st)
– 2 sacks (2nd)
– 5 hurries (1st)Replacing DeMarvion Overshown is a tough task, but Liufau has shown a similar skill set.
Let’s see what he’s got in 4 games. pic.twitter.com/AXHrBq6xGf
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 12, 2024
15. Tommy Eichenberg, LV
Eichenberg truthers – and truth be told, I was one – don’t have much of a leg to stand on after 2024. He didn’t play much on defense outside of week five, when he saw more than 70 percent of the snaps. And he didn’t produce much, with just a solo and an assist, and had a hard time getting off blocks. And, the regime that drafted him is gone.
On the bright side, he was a special teams regular, and opportunity abounds in year two for the fifth-rounder. The Raiders lost both Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo to free agency, and to this point have brought in just Elandon Roberts. As a prospect, Eichenberg tested great in the agility drills – both the short shuttle and the three-cone – so I’d still be willing to give him some benefit of the doubt if I had the roster space.
Couple of rough looks here against the run from Tommy Eichenberg, from week 5. He played 43 of his 78 defensive snaps in this game and he didn’t leave a good impression.
— Jason King (@dynastyidp.bsky.social) March 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
16. JD Bertrand, ATL
- Drafted: fifth round, No. 143 overall pick (Notre Dame)
- Listed height and weight: 6-1, 233
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 25
Stats to know:
- played in 12 games; 157 defensive snaps (19 percent snap share)
- 16 solo tackles, seven assists; one tackle for loss; one missed tackle (4.2 percent missed tackle rate)
- nine completions on ten targets (90 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- six blitzes; four pressures; one sack; one quarterback hit
Physical limitations – a lack of length at 6-foot-1 with arms that measure at less than 31 inches, and slow lateral movements – were the biggest knock on Bertrand as a prospect, and it translated to the pros. He’s aware as a zone coverage linebacker, but slow as molasses with his sideline-to-sideline movements. That’s of course why he went in the fifth round, because otherwise there’s a good bit to like.
His best trait is as a downhill mover, and he utilizes it well as a blitzer. In that case, he makes for a good backup for Kaden Elliss. The Atlanta star is a much more agile off-ball though, so I don’t think this is a case of the Falcons simply preparing for a post-Elliss future, which could come as early as 2026 with Elliss entering the final year of his contract and his age 30 season.
If you’re looking for additional positives, there’s change in the coaching ranks on the defensive side of the ball in Atlanta. Jeff Ulbrich returns as defensive coordinator, with Mike Rutenberg also making his way over from the Jets as the Falcons’ new defensive pass game coordinator. Both coaches helped to develop Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood – and that on the surface looks promising for the development of younger off-balls like Bertrand and Troy Andersen.
With Andersen or free agent signee Divine Deablo set to battle for the Sherwood role in Atlanta, Bertrand indeed profiles as a third linebacker or Elliss’ backup. And unless he somehow discovers newfound athleticism as a lateral mover, that role appears to be his lot in life.
17. Edefuan Ulofoshio, BUF
The fifth-round pick didn’t see a snap until week 18, when Buffalo had nothing to play for. Like his fellow rookie Bill linebacker Andreessen, Ulofoshio also played every snap (64). He showed a good ability to transition quickly into man coverage, and in general did a good job of reading where the ball was going. He did have a tendency to waste steps, so flattening his route to the ball is something to improve upon. Ulofoshio figures to serve as a fifth or sixth linebacker in year two, with a path to potential snaps as an outside 4-3 ‘backer if injuries befall Milano and/or Dorian Williams.
Tier Four: Watch List
If you’re in a 16-team league, or a league with a lot of roster spots and/or oversized taxi squads, you could consider rostering linebackers in this tier based on draft capital or brief flashes in their rookie seasons. You’re best served just leaving these linebackers on waivers though, and keeping an eye on developments around them.
18. Darius Muasau, NYG
- Drafted: sixth round, No. 183 overall pick (UCLA via Hawaii)
- Listed height and weight: 6-0, 234
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 24
Stats to know:
- played in 15 games; 435 defensive snaps (45 percent snap share)
- 26 solo tackles, 29 assists; three tackles for loss; six missed tackles (9.8 percent missed tackle rate)
- 12 completions on 15 targets (80 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; one interception
- 13 blitzes; three pressures; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
Muasau played a lot as a rookie due to injuries to starters Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden – and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s already hit his career high in seasonal defensive snaps. That’s not as much a knock as it sounds – Muasau is a good physical linebacker who is decent enough to be a backup. He’s slow to change direction though, and the lack of athleticism really limits his upside. Muasau looks like a guy to keep on your radar should injuries beset the Giants’ starters again in 2025.
19. Nathaniel Watson, CLE
Watson is an above average mover with good size and a tackle-heavy resume, and I was a big fan of him pre-draft after what I saw in the Senior Bowl. He slipped to the sixth round though, making him a long-shot to ever have sustained fantasy value. He played 33 of his 55 defensive snaps as a rookie in week 18 against Baltimore, and it was evident in that game why his draft stock was low: he falls for just about everything, from play-action handoffs to the quarterback moving him with his eyes. For a soon-to-be 25-year-old with 39 collegiate starts, it’s a concern.
20. Maema Njongmeta, CIN
The undrafted Wisconsin Badger got tons of run (125 snaps) and production (28 total tackles) in the preseason, but saw limited work (30 snaps, mostly in mop-up duty) in the regular season. A capable tackler and a bit of a fan favorite already, Njongmeta is thick but at six feet, lacks ideal height. The bad news is he lacks starting-caliber speed.
Logan Wilson of course currently leads the Bengals’ linebacker corps, with free agent signee Oren Burks and – for now – Germaine Pratt holding the second and third spots. I think we’re looking at Njongmeta as a team’s third off-ball or top backup, and for fantasy he can be productive if put in a position to get volume. For that reason keep an eye on him as an in-season waiver wire add.
21. Jaylan Ford, NO
The fifth-rounder from Texas was a special teams regular but didn’t see a single snap on defense as a rookie. A broken leg suffered late in week 17 set Ford up for a less-than-ideal off-season from a development standpoint, but the injury shouldn’t impact his ability to be on the field to start the 2025 season. A productive leader for the Longhorns, Ford’s not the fastest off-ball you’ll find, but he’s a heady, physical leader. Whenever the Saints enter the post-Demario Davis era (maybe 2026?) Ford is worth monitoring as a low-odds potential starter next to the underwhelming Pete Werner.
22. Ty’Ron Hopper, GB
Inexplicably drafted seven picks ahead of Payton Wilson, the Packers saw something in Hopper that no one else did. Through one season, it appears everyone else was right.
He played just 18 defensive snaps, and if he was drafted with the thought of succeeding Isaiah McDuffie as the third linebacker, he’ll have to wait another season or two after McDuffie re-upped with the Pack as a free agent.
As a prospect, Hopper at least showcased the requisite speed needed to become a nice run-and-chase linebacker. But agility testing matters for off-balls, and Hopper was a downright poor tester in both the short shuttle and the three-cone. Other than draft capital, there’s not a lot to cling to for Hopper truthers.
Ty’Ron Hopper is a LB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 7.42 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 745 out of 2889 LB from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/DRhUu87rLM pic.twitter.com/5NT3127bhp
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 22, 2024
23. Winston Reid, CLE
- Undrafted (Weber State)
- Listed height and weight: 6-0, 225
- Age prior to kickoff of 2025 season: 26
Stats to know:
- played in 16 games; 144 defensive snaps (14 percent snap share)
- 15 solo tackles, eight assists; one tackle for loss; three missed tackles (11.5 percent missed tackle rate)
- one completion on two targets; two passes defensed; zero interceptions
- four blitzes; four pressures; half-a-sack; one quarterback hit
That Reid, a former walk-on as a cornerback who eventually became an FCS All-American as a linebacker, even reached the NFL makes for a pretty cool story. He’s. He’ll also turn 26 before the season starts, and is small for an off-ball as a 225-pounder. He is quick though, and was fairly productive in limited action. He played a ton on special teams, so he’s got a decent shot to make the Browns’ roster as a back-end linebacker. There’s a good bit of competition for the spot though, even with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being a big unknown due to his neck issue. Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Jerome Baker and Nathaniel Watson are also in the picture. Fantasy relevance seems distant, but not unattainable.
Tier Five: Not Worth Watching
There’s nothing to see here for fantasy but I took a look to be sure.
24. Jacoby Windmon, CAR
For a 250-pound linebacker, he’s not a physical player and gets out of position on run fits, over-pursues the gap and gets walled off on cutbacks, and too easily gets taken out of plays by trying to sidestep contact. I also noticed below-average closing speed. Despite heavy usage and fantasy-relevant production in weeks 16-17 (119 snaps, 18 total tackles), this is a practice squad-level player.
25. Jamal Hill, HOU
Hill converted to off-ball from nickel safety as a fifth-year senior at Oregon, and bulked up to stick at the position as a pro. Even with the added weight, he’s reportedly still checking in at around 225, and that’s certainly on the smaller side. The sixth-rounder brings nice speed and could eventually see a role on defense; he was a special teams regular as a rookie but didn’t see a defensive snap. In the short-term he’s at best Houston’s fifth off-ball behind Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’o To’o and E.J. Speed, but he’s also in danger of losing a spot on the NFL roster with Jake Hansen and Nick Niemann also in the picture.
26. Curtis Jacobs, TEN
Jacobs was purged by New England after a rookie season that ended with four combined tackles on 23 defensive snaps. The undrafted Penn State product didn’t see a snap – even on special teams – after week 11. Jacobs was claimed off waivers by Tennessee in late March, and from an opportunity perspective that’s a good thing since the Titans are light behind off-season acquisition Cody Barton. Still, Jacobs already has three strikes against him (undrafted, not much work as a rookie, and already on his second team).
- 2025 NFL Draft: Dynasty IDP Day Three Review - April 27, 2025
- 2025 NFL Draft: Dynasty IDP Day Two Review - April 26, 2025
- 2025 NFL Draft: Dynasty IDP Day One Review - April 25, 2025
