2025 IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookies: Top Landing Spots For Defensive Backs
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the focus shifts from evaluating college talent to projecting their best team fits. While talent remains a critical component, a player’s landing spot plays a key role in determining whether they will have the chance to contribute early in their NFL career.
This article will identify the ideal landing spots for the top defensive backs in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter CB/WR, Colorado
Ideal landing spot: Tennessee Titans
Hunter was phenomenal in 2024. He posted 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver and produced 35 tackles, 11 passes defended, and four interceptions at cornerback. He won the Heisman Trophy as the best overall player in college football, the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defender, and the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best wide receiver.
The 21-year-old has elite athleticism, ball skills, and playmaking instincts. He excels in press coverage, has excellent footwork, and demonstrated the kind of toughness rarely seen in players with such a narrow frame.
#Colorado CB Travis Hunter
6-foot, 188.
Premium ball skills/playmaking ability. Sudden mover — with closing speed. Can cover the deep part of the field + take the air out underneath. Route ID in man/zone to get a jump on the throw. Willing tackler on the edges. pic.twitter.com/E6e1m3xWDg
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 25, 2025
Hyperbole is far too prevalent in prospect analysis, but in Hunter’s case, the suggestion that he could become an elite IDP is not far-fetched. It’s unrealistic to expect the two-way star to play full-time on offense and defense, but that’s not necessary for him to emerge as an IDP star. If Hunter is drafted by a team that envisages him as a full-time cornerback, he would need minimal production as a receiver to become a stellar fantasy CB.
The Tennessee Titans seem destined to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. Still, Tennessee would make an ideal landing spot for Hunter. Brian Callahan is one of the few head coaches who has publicly stated that he thinks Carter “starts at corner” while suggesting that he would also see time at wide receiver.
https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/1894410746970148875
The Titans’ depth at wide receiver suggests Hunter could easily work his way into a part-time role on offense. Van Jefferson joined the team recently, but Nick Westbrook-Ikhine departed to join the Miami Dolphins, and Tyler Boyd was allowed to become a free agent.
Malaki Starks S, Georgia
Ideal landing spot: Jacksonville Jaguars
Starks produced three excellent seasons at Georgia, exhibiting excellent play recognition, impressive football IQ, and sound fundamentals as a tackler. He showcased the versatility NFL teams covet, producing at a high level, whether aligned as a box, slot, or deep safety.
https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/1829956468872802346
A disappointing performance at the Combine shouldn’t harm Starks’ stock among IDP managers, assuming his draft capital is not adversely affected. Many college safeties who looked good on tape have produced poor relative athletic scores and gone on to produce at an elite level in the NFL, including Brian Branch, Xavier McKinney, and Budda Baker.
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1895684999749517520
DLF’s top-ranked rookie safety would immediately have an opportunity to challenge for a starting role in Jacksonville. The Jaguars’ safety group, comprising Darnell Savage, Eric Murray, Andrew Wingard, and Antonio Johnson, is one of the weakest in the league.
The production and performance of the Jaguars’ safeties has been disappointing in recent years, but the introduction of a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Campanile bodes well. Time will tell if his presence benefits Jacksonville’s safety group, but in this instance, any change from 2024 would be an improvement.
Nick Emmanwori, S South Carolina
Ideal landing spot: Washington Commanders
Emmanwori is one of the fastest defensive back risers, thanks to his incredible performance at the NFL Combine. At 6’3” and 220 lbs, the 21-year-old left evaluators awestruck in Indianapolis.
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1895602413878591808
Far from being solely a workout warrior, the 2024 first-team All-American acquitted himself well on the field, especially during his junior year, showcasing the talent to suggest he could become a solid contributor as an NFL player and IDP asset.
https://twitter.com/RAanalytics/status/1896981797231358145
Emmanwori’s range is sensational and he tackles with a violent demeanor without compromising sound fundamentals. While justifiably criticised for a lack of urgency at times, it’s exciting to wonder what his ceiling could be, considering the positive impact he still made against the run and pass when seemingly expending less than 100% effort.
The Commanders parted ways with Jeremy Chinn in free agency, vacating almost 600 snaps at or close to the line of scrimmage. Will Harris joined the team on a two-year deal, but the former Detroit Lions’ safety is mediocre at best. Nobody else on the roster compares with the physicality and athleticism Emmanwori offers.
Xavier Watts, S Notre Dame
Ideal landing spot: Miami Dolphins
Watt’s successful conversion from wide receiver to dominant safety will whet the appetite of NFL evaluators and IDP managers. His 13 interceptions in the last two years affirm his status as a playmaker deserving of DLF’s third-ranked rookie safety.
Not often we see a Safety prospect who has as much ball production as Xavier Watts (13 INTS last 2 seasons) AND is able to diagnose plays + work downhill the way he does.
Feels like every time we see a high ball production Safety they have a major flaw, often seems to be… pic.twitter.com/sJg0JediQB— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) March 27, 2025
The 23-year-old may lack the athletic prowess of others in the class, but his instincts and pre-snap recognition are second to none. Starks was lined up in multiple positions at Notre Dame but truly excelled as a deep safety in 2024. Occupying a similar role in the NFL may not lead to elite production, but it’s Stark’s clearest path to significant snaps.
The Miami Dolphins’ safety room has been overhauled ahead of 2025, as neither Jevon Holland nor Jordan Poyer remains with the team. Ifeatu Melifonwu joined on a one-year deal and will presumably occupy one starting role, but the other spot is up for grabs. Watts has more potential than any other safety currently on the roster, including new arrival Ashtyn Davis.
