2025 NFL Draft: IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Winners And Losers From The AFC
The NFL Draft is exciting yet nerve-wracking for dynasty fantasy managers. While we’re excited to welcome a fresh wave of talent, there’s always the concern that their landing spots might jeopardize the roles of players already on our rosters.
This article is the first in a two-part series, beginning with the AFC, examining the veteran IDP winners and losers following the 2025 NFL Draft.
Winners
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE LAC
The Chargers called an end to Joey Bosa‘s nine-year career with the Bolts back in March. The injury-plagued veteran missed significant time and played a diminished role when he did suit up, but his departure opened the door for someone to step up.
Despite producing an underwhelming 10.8% pressure rate over the last two years, Tuipulotu was the obvious choice to inherit most of Bosa’s vacated snaps after racking up 8.5 sacks in 2024. However, the Chargers lacked depth at the position, and with a deep class of intriguing edges available in the draft, it would have been no surprise if the team added extra bodies.
The fact that the Bolts waited until the fourth round to add Kyle Kennard is a positive sign that they believe Tuipulotu is ready to take on a more significant role. Joe Horitz may yet add a veteran in free agency, but there are very few difference-makers still available. Tuipulotu’s dynasty value has never been higher.
Data courtesy of DLF’s Dynasty Rankings History Comparison Tool.
Cody Barton, LB TEN
The fact that Cody Barton remains a fantasy-viable option in 2025 defies logic. He’s a reliable tackler and demonstrated significant improvement in run defense last year, but he’s a liability in coverage and should probably not be a starting option. Yet, here we are once again, with the veteran in position to lead his team in snaps at linebacker after signing with the Titans in May.
With more pressing roster needs and a few younger options on the roster, it was no great surprise that Tennessee didn’t prioritize adding another linebacker early in the draft. So, unless the Titans add extra bodies in free agency or are willing to take the gamble on the unproven Cedric Gray or Otis Reese IV, Barton looks to be a solid play for at least one more year.
If you have Barton on your fantasy roster, just remember to flip him for a younger asset with more long-term potential or a future draft pick before the end of the season.
Jaylon Carlies, LB IND
E.J. Speed swapped the Colts for the Houston Texans in free agency, creating a huge void at linebacker next to Zaire Franklin. Jaylon Carlies was tipped for big things after flashing talent in limited action, but his coming-out party could have been spoiled had Indianapolis made moves in free agency or the draft.
It’s too early to suggest that the lack of offseason additions at linebacker means that Carlies is ready for an every-down role, but as things stand, he looks a solid bet to emerge from an uninspiring, inexperienced group of contenders and land what has historically been a very productive role.
Top Takeaways from Chris Ballard’s Press Conference
• CB wants a true 3-down TE who can work over the middle: “You can’t chase a need”
• He talked to Anthony Richardson’s trainer and feels confident his offseason progress is on track
• Colts remain high on Jaylon Carlies— SleeperColts (@SleeperColts) April 21, 2025
Losers
Germaine Pratt, LB CIN
All the signs suggest Pratt’s tenure with the Bengals will come to an end within the next year, if not before. He’s entering a contract year, requested a trade in February, and watched on as his team spent two of their first four picks on off-ball linebackers in the NFL draft – Demetrius Knight Jr in the second round and Barrett Carter in the fourth. A combination of these factors has led to a sharp drop in Pratt’s dynasty value.
Data courtesy of DLF’s Dynasty Rankings History Comparison Tool.
Rookie linebackers typically aren’t handed starting roles out of the gate, so if Pratt is still with the team come August, he’ll probably be the favorite to open the season alongside Logan Wilson in a scheme that we assume will still be a two-full-time operation under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Still, the Bengals defense sorely needs an injection of new talent, and with two exciting rookies nipping at his heels, Pratt must play much better than last year to hold off the challenge of Knight Jr.
Mohamoud Diabate, LB CLE
Diabate was the primary beneficiary of the unfortunate injury to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, playing at least 70% of the linebacker snaps in all but one of the final 10 games of the 2024 season.
Sadly, Diabate didn’t impress enough to suggest he could be ‘the guy’ heading into 2025, and appears to be on the outside looking in after the Browns selected talented rookie Carson Schwesinger – DLF’s No.2 dynasty rookie linebacker. With veteran Jordan Hicks likely to lead the group in snaps, Jerome Baker in the fray, and Schwesinger as the team’s best medium-to-long-term option, Diabate’s future looks dim.
Ja’Quan McMillian, CB DEN
McMillian was the team’s designated slot corner in 2025 and enjoyed a productive year, largely thanks to the presence of lockdown corner and Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain cutting the field in half. Despite finishing 32nd among all corners in snaps, McMillian saw extra opportunities for pass breakups and tackles because he was the third-most targeted.
The arrival of Jahdae Barron could negatively impact McMillian’s opportunities in 2024. Sean Payton has talked about the rookie’s “inside-outside versatility”, indicating that he’ll at least see some snaps in the slot – a role Barron excelled in during his college career.
Chris Harris Jr. is curious to see how Ja'Quan McMillian responds to the Broncos drafting Jahdae Barron.
“I want to see what Ja’Quan McMillian’s going to do, right? Are you going to take that step like me and beat those guys out? Beat out a first rounder and start? Because I had…
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) May 14, 2025
We can’t rule out that Barron may see more time as the outside corner, in which case, Riley Moss is likelier to be the odd man out. However, Moss looked slightly better in his rookie year than McMillian did as a third-year player, suggesting he has more potential to improve further. That point may be the determining factor in which of the two players concedes more snaps in 2025.
The NFL Draft is exciting yet nerve-wracking for dynasty fantasy managers. While we’re excited to welcome a fresh wave of talent, there’s always the concern that their landing spots might jeopardize the roles of players already on our rosters.
This article is the first in a two-part series, beginning with the AFC, examining the veteran IDP winners and losers following the 2025 NFL Draft.
Winners
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE LAC
The Chargers called an end to Joey Bosa‘s nine-year career with the Bolts back in March. The injury-plagued veteran missed significant time and played a diminished role when he did suit up, but his departure opened the door for someone to step up.
Despite producing an underwhelming 10.8% pressure rate over the last two years, Tuipulotu was the obvious choice to inherit most of Bosa’s vacated snaps after racking up 8.5 sacks in 2024. However, the Chargers lacked depth at the position, and with a deep class of intriguing edges available in the draft, it would have been no surprise if the team added extra bodies.
The fact that the Bolts waited until the fourth round to add Kyle Kennard is a positive sign that they believe Tuipulotu is ready to take on a more significant role. Joe Horitz may yet add a veteran in free agency, but there are very few difference-makers still available. Tuipulotu’s dynasty value has never been higher.
Data courtesy of DLF’s Dynasty Rankings History Comparison Tool.
Cody Barton, LB TEN
The fact that Cody Barton remains a fantasy-viable option in 2025 defies logic. He’s a reliable tackler and demonstrated significant improvement in run defense last year, but he’s a liability in coverage and should probably not be a starting option. Yet, here we are once again, with the veteran in position to lead his team in snaps at linebacker after signing with the Titans in May.
With more pressing roster needs and a few younger options on the roster, it was no great surprise that Tennessee didn’t prioritize adding another linebacker early in the draft. So, unless the Titans add extra bodies in free agency or are willing to take the gamble on the unproven Cedric Gray or Otis Reese IV, Barton looks to be a solid play for at least one more year.
If you have Barton on your fantasy roster, just remember to flip him for a younger asset with more long-term potential or a future draft pick before the end of the season.
Jaylon Carlies, LB IND
E.J. Speed swapped the Colts for the Houston Texans in free agency, creating a huge void at linebacker next to Zaire Franklin. Jaylon Carlies was tipped for big things after flashing talent in limited action, but his coming-out party could have been spoiled had Indianapolis made moves in free agency or the draft.
It’s too early to suggest that the lack of offseason additions at linebacker means that Carlies is ready for an every-down role, but as things stand, he looks a solid bet to emerge from an uninspiring, inexperienced group of contenders and land what has historically been a very productive role.
Top Takeaways from Chris Ballard’s Press Conference
• CB wants a true 3-down TE who can work over the middle: “You can’t chase a need”
• He talked to Anthony Richardson’s trainer and feels confident his offseason progress is on track
• Colts remain high on Jaylon Carlies— SleeperColts (@SleeperColts) April 21, 2025
Losers
Germaine Pratt, LB CIN
All the signs suggest Pratt’s tenure with the Bengals will come to an end within the next year, if not before. He’s entering a contract year, requested a trade in February, and watched on as his team spent two of their first four picks on off-ball linebackers in the NFL draft – Demetrius Knight Jr in the second round and Barrett Carter in the fourth. A combination of these factors has led to a sharp drop in Pratt’s dynasty value.
Data courtesy of DLF’s Dynasty Rankings History Comparison Tool.
Rookie linebackers typically aren’t handed starting roles out of the gate, so if Pratt is still with the team come August, he’ll probably be the favorite to open the season alongside Logan Wilson in a scheme that we assume will still be a two-full-time operation under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Still, the Bengals defense sorely needs an injection of new talent, and with two exciting rookies nipping at his heels, Pratt must play much better than last year to hold off the challenge of Knight Jr.
Mohamoud Diabate, LB CLE
Diabate was the primary beneficiary of the unfortunate injury to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, playing at least 70% of the linebacker snaps in all but one of the final 10 games of the 2024 season.
Sadly, Diabate didn’t impress enough to suggest he could be ‘the guy’ heading into 2025, and appears to be on the outside looking in after the Browns selected talented rookie Carson Schwesinger – DLF’s No.2 dynasty rookie linebacker. With veteran Jordan Hicks likely to lead the group in snaps, Jerome Baker in the fray, and Schwesinger as the team’s best medium-to-long-term option, Diabate’s future looks dim.
Ja’Quan McMillian, CB DEN
McMillian was the team’s designated slot corner in 2025 and enjoyed a productive year, largely thanks to the presence of lockdown corner and Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain cutting the field in half. Despite finishing 32nd among all corners in snaps, McMillian saw extra opportunities for pass breakups and tackles because he was the third-most targeted.
The arrival of Jahdae Barron could negatively impact McMillian’s opportunities in 2024. Sean Payton has talked about the rookie’s “inside-outside versatility”, indicating that he’ll at least see some snaps in the slot – a role Barron excelled in during his college career.
Chris Harris Jr. is curious to see how Ja'Quan McMillian responds to the Broncos drafting Jahdae Barron.
“I want to see what Ja’Quan McMillian’s going to do, right? Are you going to take that step like me and beat those guys out? Beat out a first rounder and start? Because I had…
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) May 14, 2025
We can’t rule out that Barron may see more time as the outside corner, in which case, Riley Moss is likelier to be the odd man out. However, Moss looked slightly better in his rookie year than McMillian did as a third-year player, suggesting he has more potential to improve further. That point may be the determining factor in which of the two players concedes more snaps in 2025.
