As the NFL’s voluntary minicamps kick off, a unique window of opportunity opens up for IDP Nerds to capitalize on shifting values, particularly those of proven veterans. While the spotlight often falls on incoming rookies, seasoned fantasy managers understand that the real value lies in the overlooked and undervalued veterans in IDP leagues. In this article, we identify key targets at the three IDP positions—Defensive Line (DL), Linebacker (LB), and Defensive Back (DB)—spotlighting players who could significantly impact your teams for the 2025 season. Let’s play some Keep Trade Cut IDP-style!
Keep Trade Cut | IDP Edition
Defensive Line
Jaelan Phillips | KEEP
IDP managers are no strangers to the struggles of Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins drafted the former Miami Hurricane 18th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. He quickly became a household name in fantasy football with 15.5 sacks over his first 20 starts. However, adversity would strike for Phillips and IDP managers alike; he has appeared in just 12 games over the past 2 seasons, dealing with back-to-back season-ending injuries.
At this juncture, IDP managers are left with no choice but to hold onto the high upside EDGE rusher, Jaelan Phillips. Despite his recent injury setbacks, the prospect of him reclaiming his top-24 player status is undeniably enticing. Phillips finished as the DL27 in his last entire season, while also achieving career highs in tackles (61) and quarterback hits (25). It’s crucial not to give up on him or sell him for a low price. Currently, Phillips is at the lowest point of his fantasy value in his young career; it’s almost certain to rebound during the 2025 season.
Harold Landry III | KEEP
Harold Landry is one of the most undervalued defensive players at the DL position this offseason. The Tennessee Titans released Harold Landry in early March after the team was unable to find a suitable trade. Landry joined his former Head Coach, Mike Vrabel, signing with the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel is no stranger to bringing down opposing QBs; he registered 57 sacks over his 14-year career. He played a key role in Harold Landry’s development, helping the pass rusher post 22.5 sacks over their last 2 seasons together.
It’s no secret that with extensive cap room, the New England Patriots are attempting to build something unique and compete in the AFC East this season. The Patriots averaged just 1.6 sacks per game in 2024—the fewest in the NFL. Harold Landry gives them their best outside pass rusher since the team traded Matt Judon following the 2023 season. I love the boom potential for Landry, who joins a talented defensive front featuring Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Keion White. IDP managers who have held onto the former Pro Bowl EDGE rusher can see a significant spike in value this season, and we can’t help but be excited to see his performance.
Greg Rousseau | TRADE AWAY
This one pains me as a fan of the Miami Hurricanes; however, as much as you love the player, you have to be realistic as an IDP analyst. Greg Rousseau is a former 1st Round selection by the Buffalo Bills, and he’s been solid for the team, collecting 25 sacks over his first 4 seasons. He was rewarded with a 4-year, $80 million contract in March after finishing as the DL12 in IDP leagues last season. Rousseau has finished with an overall defensive grade of 80.0 or higher in each of the past 3 seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
So why a trade recommendation for what appears to be one of the rising stars at the DL position? Well, in short, it’s the defensive scheme, but mostly it’s Sean McDermott and his style of defensive football. As much as you love the player, you have to be objective. Since being drafted in 2021, only one Buffalo defensive lineman has eclipsed double-digit sacks in a season, and that was veteran Leonard Floyd on a one-year prove-it deal. It’s worth noting Floyd has 8.5 sacks or more in 5-straight seasons with 3 different teams. Rousseau saw a career high in snaps (71%) and tackles (53) last season.
The Buffalo system is typically a rotation-based defensive line with multiple players seeing around 50-60% of the snaps. I like cashing out on the Buffalo EDGE defender after a career year. Before his DL12 finish in 2024, he was the DL62 in each of his past 2 seasons. In 2024, Rousseau’s 8 sacks accounted for 32% of his career production. If you can trade him off for multiple rookies in the 2025 NFL draft, which is deep at the DL position, you could significantly improve your depth at the position. This trade decision is a responsible and prudent one for your team’s future.
Calijah Kancey | TRADE FOR
Let’s approach this from a different angle and look at a player to acquire. Calijah Kancey is a player who has been on my radar since his days at the University of Pittsburgh. He collected 14.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his last 2 college seasons. Kancey brought that production over to the NFL with 11.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in his first 2 seasons.
The Tampa Bay DL also carries DT eligibility, which makes him a must-start in premium scoring formats. Calijah Kancey is a player IDP managers likely don’t have very high on their priority list, especially with a 2025 draft class that includes 8 DL who will likely go in the first four rounds of your rookie drafts, as seen in the Mixed IDP Mock Draft. At this point in the off-season, you won’t have to deplete your roster depth or draft capital to acquire Calijah Kancey.
Arnold Ebiketie | CUT
Arnold Ebiketie has never been a top option in IDP leagues. He has been on deeper rosters because the Atlanta Falcons haven’t offered much at the position in recent years, making this a relatively easy decision for dynasty managers. We need to pay attention to what the NFL teams are telling us, and when you draft two of the top 7 players overall on the IDP Big Board, the writing is on the wall. Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. will be the DL to roster on the Falcons’ defense going forward. Ebiketie has 6 sacks in each of his last 2 seasons but hasn’t finished higher than DL88 in fantasy points per game (FPPG). It’s not worth waiting for a player who has yet to break out in favor of an upside rookie late in your drafts—who could find himself in a favorable landing spot.
Haason Reddick | CUT
As an IDP manager, you need to decide when you’ve had enough. Haason Reddick’s run from 2020 to 2023 won many IDP managers championships. He played for 3 different teams and recorded double-digit sacks in every season, totaling 50.5. He collected 85% of his career total over the course of those 4 years. There are likely to be doubters here, which I would expect, as I could see a bounce-back season for Reddick. It comes down to what you are willing to deal with as a dynasty manager; this is a player who sat out half of last season and returned to have just a single sack. At no point was he a viable option, and if you’re playing in leagues with deep starting rosters, he drastically hurts your chances of competing.
Hasson Reddick has already been absent from voluntary OTAs with his new team, but the beauty of this game we play is that someone out there believes in him. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ depth chart is weak at the EDGE position, and Reddick could be a double-digit sack guy again if he plays the entire season. I’m taking my chances and moving him for reliable production or upside rookie picks to avoid the headache.
Linebacker
Alex Singleton | KEEP
When we start discussing linebackers in IDP leagues, people begin to take notice. This recommendation is a strong one for those teams contending, why else keep a 31-year-old LB right? Well, the simple answer is production. Alex Singleton put together 4 consecutive seasons of 114 tackles or more before missing last season with an injury. The former Montana State product is a tackling machine and a player who is “IDP gold” for dynasty managers.
The Denver Broncos LB collected 30 tackles in just 3 games last season. Singleton was on pace to record his fifth consecutive 100+ tackle season. He’s already been reported to be with the team during OTAs and will likely again be in the middle of one of the NFL’s best defenses. Even those dynasty teams not competing would be doing themselves a disservice trading away a player who brings this type of consistent production this early in the off-season. Singleton is the poster boy for those who play the game with an emphasis on a fantasy points-per-game strategy.
Tyrice Knight | KEEP
Tyrice Knight is a player the IDP dynasty community was far too low on last season. The UTEP product was a 4th Round selection by the Seattle Seahawks and was selected in the 5th round or later of nearly all IDP rookie drafts. The Seattle defense dealt with some injuries at the LB position and traded their top LB in season. That opened up playing time for the rookie, who struggled early but found some success late in the season. After taking over a full-time role after the Week 10 bye, Knight collected 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. The Seattle Seahawks did not attempt to upgrade the position this offseason, which should give IDP managers hope that Tyrice Knight will continue to be the starter. We have seen this Seattle system continue to produce relevant fantasy production at LB, and there’s no reason to think Tyrice Knight can’t be another one of those players.
Patrick Queen | TRADE AWAY
I’m not an advocate for trading away starting linebackers in dynasty leagues, mainly because they are just so difficult to acquire. However, if someone has to make the list, it’s gotta be Patrick Queen. The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker signed a 3-year, $41 million deal with the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason. There’s no sugarcoating that he was terrible, finishing with a 58.5 PFF grade—124th out of 189 qualifying linebackers.
To illustrate the concept, I used a best-ball league from last season. If you could send away Patrick Queen for a package like this, I would be content. Despite his disappointing play, Queen did finish as the LB26 last season, where New Orleans’ Pete Werner was the LB46. Jaden Hicks is a high-potential player who could carve out a starting role entering his second season. Trading for defensive backs isn’t the preferred route, but maximizing what you can get for Queen is the goal here. This particular trade isn’t a ‘needle mover’ for either side, but rather an example of something that could be cost-effective and help a team acquire a starting linebacker. The emergence of Payton Wilson and the poor play of Patrick Queen has many IDP managers nervous, and rightfully so. A trade like this could be considered an underrated move that helps improve your team before the season even starts.
SirVocea Dennis | TRADE FOR
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense makes another appearance this time with third-year LB SirVocea Dennis. The former Pittsburgh Panther will find himself starting alongside one of the true greats of IDP fantasy football, Lavonte David. Dennis collected 22 tackles and a sack in just 4 games last season before missing the remainder of the year with a shoulder injury. He’s a potential breakout player in this defense with Vita Vea and the aforementioned Calijah Kancey playing in front of him.
At this point, savvy dynasty managers might be less likely to give him up with a projected starting role on the horizon. However, with it being rookie draft season, there’s no easier way to acquire him than when you are on the clock in your draft. You could potentially use him as a throw-in piece to move back a round or move out of a round completely. I’m buying the hype on SirVocea Dennis in 2025, and you should, too.
Leo Chenal | CUT
Leo Chenal is one of those players who are a waiver wire find for IDP managers during the season. The biggest issue is that you have no idea when to play him. In a favorable matchup, he can provide value to your IDP roster, but more often than not, he’s likely clogging up a roster spot. The former Wisconsin Badger had 3 tackles or fewer in 9 of his 17 games played last season. He finished the season as LB82 in FPPG. There’s better value late in your rookie drafts than holding onto an inconsistent LB.
Cole Holcomb | CUT
Unfortunately, this is another case of believing the time is up for a player. Although entering his age-28 season, Cole Holcomb has not played a 16-game season since 2021, when he was with the Washington Commanders. Holcomb suffered one of the more brutal injuries, with a dislocated kneecap that cost him half of the 2023 season and all of the 2024 season. Early reports are that he is healthy and looking to return.
The Steelers have a crowded depth chart at the LB position, and there’s reason to believe Holcomb could be the odd man out. The Steelers have paid a significant amount of money to Patrick Queen, have high hopes for second-year player Payton Wilson, and have signed veteran linebacker Malik Harrison to a free-agent deal. Holcomb is a player I’m looking to cut to make room for some of the rookies I’ll be adding to my roster.
Defensive Back
Jaquan Brisker | KEEP
As we get started here at the DB position, we spotlight another player coming off injury to hold heading into the 2025 season. Jaquan Brisker was trending towards a 3rd-consecutive triple-digit tackle season before suffering a concussion in the fifth game of the season. At the time, it didn’t seem like much, but little did IDP managers know it would keep him out for the entire season. A terrifying situation for Brisker and a big disappointment, as he was well on his way to being regarded as one of the most productive young safeties in all of fantasy football.
In his first two seasons, the Chicago safety finished as the DB12 and DB21. There’s zero doubt in any dynasty manager’s mind that when he’s healthy, he is a player you want in your lineup. The topic of health, especially when it relates to head injuries, is of the utmost importance. For that reason alone, I don’t blame those managers who want to move him. However, if he is indeed back to health, we can’t ignore his high level of production, and that would be selling him short. Considering the DB position is the easiest to stream, I still don’t love moving a player who has been highly consistent in scoring fantasy points.
Cooper DeJean | TRADE AWAY
The hype is accurate, and we are just getting started. Cooper DeJean is one of the most talked-about prospects from last year’s rookie draft, and for good reason; he helped propel the Eagles to a Super Bowl in his first season. From the athleticism to the off-season highlight videos of him as a basketball player, all eyes are on him when he steps onto the field. The Iowa product had 51 tackles and a clutch interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
We need to look at fantasy production, and more often than not, the most popular players at the CB position typically don’t put up the numbers to help you win. I never saw a scenario where DeJean played the safety position for the Eagles, and I still believe that to be true, given the team’s selection of Andrew Mukuba in the 2nd round of the NFL draft. DeJean finished as the CB57 last season; he’s in a situation where he’s a far better option for real football than he is for fantasy football. If the opportunity presents itself, consider moving him, as I know from personal experience that many managers are still high on him. Even in CB-required formats, he holds more value than I project him to have long-term, so I don’t have a problem moving him for pieces that can help my roster.
Tyrann Mathieu | CUT
It doesn’t feel right to disrespect one of the best safeties of the past decade with a cut recommendation. Unfortunately, this is the game we play, and everyone’s time comes to an end. The “Honey Badger” has been one of the game’s elite defensive backs over his career, but he has never been that player to push you over the top in terms of fantasy production. He has registered just 3 seasons with over 80 tackles and 2 seasons with 5 or more interceptions.
As much as I’ve enjoyed watching him play the game as a football fan, he enters his 13th season on one of the worst rosters in the NFL. The Saints also brought in veteran DB Justin Reid and drafted rookie Jonas Sanker in the 3rd Round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In a rookie class that features 3 defensive backs in the top 25 overall, it’s an easy decision for IDP managers to move on from Tyrann Mathieu before the season.
Conclusion | Keep Trade Cut
As you’ve noticed, we spent significantly less time on the defensive back position due to the depth at the position and the frequency with which IDP managers will stream it. I enjoyed this fun exercise, and it’s crucial to evaluate your IDP assets when making decisions to keep, trade, or cut a player. It’s extremely easy at this point in the offseason to chase rookie hype. That will lead to us making poor decisions that can impact our current rosters. The best advice I can offer is to be confident in your decision making and remember that every move you make can have a short- or long-term impact on your dynasty team.
