“2026 NFL IDP Free Agency will have a dramatic effect on players and their 2026 projected outcome. Here are the linebackers whose stock has risen!”
We have had a very exciting and busy 2026 NFL IDP Free Agency period that will dramatically impact several players’ value. In this edition, we will be looking at the Linebackers who have benefited from either going to a new team or situation, or having a teammate do so. We will look at any LBs that you want to add or drop from your roster. This can be done via waivers or trade. These particular LBs will have their Stock Up for 2026.
1) Devin Lloyd – Carolina Panthers
Lloyd was a first-round pick of the Jaguars four years ago. He posted an average of 100+ tackles per year over those four years. In 2023, he played well over 90% of the defensive snaps and posted 127 tackles (75 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 2 fumble recoveries, and 7 passes defended in 15 games played. His defensive snap percentage decreased over these last two seasons to about 75-80% of the defensive snaps played. Even with those decreased snaps last season, Lloyd still posted career highs in interceptions with seven and QB hits with 10.
The Panthers are a great landing place for Lloyd in 2026. Christian Rozeboom was the leading tackler for the Panthers in 2025. He has left in free agency and signed with the Buccaneers. Lloyd should provide an upgrade to the open LB position in 2026. His defensive snap percentage should increase back to the 90%+ range, which Rozeboom was the leading snap getter with 95% or more in 9 of his 15 games played. Lloyd’s main competition for play time will be third-year LB Claudin Cherelus, who has 60 tackles in two years. Lloyd should hit career highs in multiple categories with this very positive landing spot.
2) Quay Walker – Las Vegas Raiders
Walker has been extremely consistent and productive during his first four seasons with the Packers. His downfall was his availability, as he missed 10 games over the past three seasons. Over the past three seasons, he averaged 8.5 tackles per game, which would have produced 145 tackles if he played 17 games. Also, over the past three seasons, Walker has averaged 8 tackles for loss, 5 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, and 3.5 passes defended per season. He is one of two new projected starting LBs for the Raiders in 2026.
The 2025 starters were Devin White, Elandon Roberts, and Jamal Adams. White was the leader in snaps and production. He played nearly every snap and posted 174 tackles (95 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception. This is a lot of production that has been placed up for grabs for Lloyd. If Lloyd stays healthy, expect a career year in nearly every category possible.
3) Nakobe Dean – Las Vegas Raiders
Dean had all the hype after getting drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Eagles. Bad luck and injuries have derailed that excitement. He has missed 21 games in the past three years. His one good year as an Eagle was in 2024. Dean played 15 games and had a 93% or more defensive snap count in 11 of those games. His production in those 15 games included 128 Tackles (80 solo), 9 tackles for a loss, 6 QB hits, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception. He is the projected starter next to Walker.
As with Walker, if Dean can stay healthy, he will produce career-high numbers in most categories. Roberts played 53% or less of the defensive snaps in 8 of his games and still produced 90 tackles (42 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass defended. Dean will definitely get more snaps, which will lead to more production. Both of the new Raider LBs are worth trying to obtain. They both will be productive.
4) Kaden Elliss – New Orleans Saints
Ellis spent his first four years in the NFL with the Saints, who drafted him in the 7th round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent four years there, but only produced 23 tackles in his first three years combined. His 4th and final year with the Saints had him posting 78 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defended. His 2022 performance got him a 3-year free agent contract with the Falcons. Ellis became a top starting LB while in Atlanta, with his 3-year stats combined of 380 tackles (226 solo), 29 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, 12.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 9 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Ellis did not miss a game in his three years with the Falcons.
The Saints had just one LB post more than 81 tackles in 2025. His name was Demario Davis, and he posted 143 tackles while playing nearly every defensive snap. Davis signed with the Jets during free agency. The returning LB is Pete Werner, who posted 81 tackles last year while playing in all 17 games, starting 15. The other player that could steal some snaps would be Danny Stutsman, their 4th round pick from 2025 out of Oklahoma. Stutsman and Werner pretty much split snaps in the final two games. Ellis should take the Davis role and post a career-high tackle number in 2026.
5) Quincy Williams – Cleveland Browns
Williams has been a starting LB for the Jets over the past five years. His first 4 years were very productive as he posted an average of 118 tackles (79 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2.5 forced fumbles, and 5 passes defended per season. Last year was a bust as the new coaching staff had issues with his effort and play. Williams actually got benched for four games.
The Browns have a young stud, coming into his second year, by the name of Carson Schwesinger. He posted 156 tackles as a rookie. The #2 LB was Devin Bush, who posted 125 tackles in 2025. Bush has since signed with the Bears as a free agent and left that spot for Williams. Other than 2025, Williams has far outplayed Bush in each and every year of comparison. Williams has a great opportunity to meet his career high 2023 numbers with Schwesinger as his sidekick.
Thank you for checking out my NFL IDP Free Agent stock up article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP+ author page. Be sure to follow me on X at @OldMan_FF and @IDP_Plus (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber.
