The NFL Draft is in the rearview, and you are inevitably starting up your rookie drafts soon (if you haven’t already). I’m here to help you with the best IDP UDFA landing spots, and point out which ones you should look to stash on your Dynasty rosters!
Best IDP UDFA Landing Spots – NFC
Mike Jones Jr & Ikenna Enechukwu signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and the Falcons only made three defensive selections in the NFL Draft, so there could be potential for both these players to find a way onto the roster (probably more so as weak-side linebackers but still). It’s important to note which players got more guaranteed money, as teams probably have a better chance of keeping them around. The Carolina Panthers have their starting linebackers set as of today but a guy like Bumper Pool from Arkansas could potentially fight his way onto the back end of this group. The Panthers are a team with new leadership and looking to bring in their guys, so Pool, who was a tackle machine next to Drew Sanders at Arkansas could make a name for himself.
Arguably the best IDP landing spot would be Minnesota signing Army’s Andre Carter II, who also got $340,000 guaranteed (most in this class). The Vikings are a team that has multiple defenders getting near the end of their careers (potentially), and Carter’s ability to rush the passer could get him playing time sooner, rather than later. They also landed Ivan Pace Jr out of Cincinnati, whom I was surprised went undrafted, to be honest.
D’Anthony Jones signing to Chicago is intriguing, as he really only has Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson ahead of him on the depth chart. Jones is a guy that brings high effort and could develop in time, fits that defense really well! I know the Detroit Lions have what appears to be a stockpile of safeties but Brandon Joseph out of Notre Dame was a guy I liked a lot pre-draft.
If you’re in leagues that start cornerbacks, I’d tell you to just rotate guys in based on matchups BUT, if you want a guy to stash the Rams signed Timarcus Davis as a free agent, and he could see time as he’s probably their backup Nickelback. The Rams actually have a couple of UDFAs that could make the roster and develop, such as Linebackers Jaiden Woodbey and Ryan Smenda Jr.
The Saints landed a couple of linebackers I loved with Nick Anderson out of Tulane, and Anfernee Orji out of Vanderbilt. Both were leaders in their respective defenses, and a lot of the Saint’s depth is undrafted guys, so the opportunities are there! I know here on RotoHeat, new Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren was ranked and someone we had an interest in, so keep an eye on him as well!
The last team to land some IDPs I’m interested in is Tampa Bay, which landed former Volunteer linebacker Jeremy Banks, as well as Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather. This is a team that is in some major transition and these two players could work their way onto the 53-man with a good offseason of work!
Best IDP UDFA Landing Spots – AFC
Shaka Heyward and Jaylen Moody signing with Cincinnati were interesting signings, depending on what happens with Pratt, Wilson and Davis-Gaither long term. Both players come from programs that have been known to produce solid NFL linebackers, and Cinci has a need for some depth with potential.
Ronnie Hickman going to Cleveland is definitely intriguing, as he’s another one I liked pre-draft.
The Broncos added a couple of players from the Midwest in Thomas Incoom and Devon Matthews that could be depth guys that develop into starters in time. Incoom brings a nice size-speed combination that has the tools to develop but is just a raw prospect currently. Matthews comes in as a solid run defender but like Incoom, needs some time to develop the rest of his game.
Houston signing LSU’s Ali Gaye could be one of the more impactful UDFA IDP signings this season. Gaye and 4th rounder Dylan Horton could wind up being a major part of the teams rotation in years to come, and Gaye does a good job of shedding lineman and being a solid pass rusher potentially.
I liked Indiana’s linebacker Cam Jones pre-draft, and landing with Kansas City isn’t a terrible spot. The team has solid young starters atop the depth chart but jones could wind up making a name for himself, as he’s a high-charter, hard-working player on defense. Miami taking a shot on Jackson State’s Aubrey Miller Jr is a good choice as well, he’s a player I outlined last fall as a strong prospect for the NFL.
Thank you for reading Best IDP UDFA Landing Spots!
Who are some of your favorites? If you want to see our full IDP Rankings, check them out here. If you want to keep the conversation going, jump into our Discord server or hit me up over on Twitter!
