“2026 NFL IDP Free Agency will have a dramatic effect on players and their 2026 projected outcome. Here are the defensive backs 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 Defensive Backs who have benefited from either going to a new team or situation, or having a teammate do so. We will look at any DBs that you want to add to your roster. This can be done via waivers or trade. These particular DBs will have their Stock Up for 2026.
1) Jalen Thompson – Dallas Cowboys
Thompson has missed two games in each of his last three seasons. He did not miss a game in either season of 2021 and 2022. He has averaged over 100 tackles per season over the past five seasons combined. His career-best season was in 2021, when he posted 121 tackles (79 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, 7 passes defended, and 3 interceptions. He has played next to one of the league’s best, Budda Baker, over the past seven seasons, and the tandem has been one of the best since 2019. In 2023, Thompson played three games with Baker out and posted a six-tackle-per-game average. In 2022, Thompson averaged nine tackles per game with Baker out for two games.
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year, according to the statistics. Donovan Wilson had 71 tackles in 15 games. Malik Hooker had 52 tackles in 12 games. Thompson is moving into a prime statistical opportunity where his career-high tackles can be set. Thompson will line up next to Hooker, as Wilson is a free agent and not signed by anyone yet. This is a great upgrade for the Cowboys and will also be for your IDP squad. Make the move now, before the price moves way up.
2) Reed Blankenship – Houston Texans
Blankenship has missed just five games in his last three seasons as the Eagles’ starting safety. His best year was 2023, when he posted 113 tackles (79 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 1 fumble recovery, 11 passes defended, and 3 interceptions. In his last two seasons, Blankenship has averaged 81 tackles, with 53 of them being solo tackles. He has always been a top, consistent defensive back and made most of the must-start lists every week over the past three seasons.
Blankenship will most likely move into the starting strong safety position for the Texans. He signed a 3-year, $24.75 million contract with $16.5 million in guarantees. He will line up next to third-year safety Calen Bullock. Jalen Pitre will move to the nickel cornerback and make the Texans’ defensive backfield one of the best in the NFL. Playing strong safety for the Texans means Blankenship will have a ton of tackle opportunities and could beat his career high of 113 tackles. The Texans play their safeties nearly every defensive snap, so expect Blankenship to not leave the field in 2026 without injury.
3) Nick Cross – Washington Commanders
Cross has not missed a game and has played nearly 100% of the snaps over the past three seasons. His last two have him posting a combined 266 tackles. He has been a very productive warrior for the Colts, and the reasoning for not re-signing him is not really clear. Cross finished 2024 as the second-ranked scoring safety in IDP fantasy football. He finished the 2025 season as the third-ranked safety. His talents will be a huge asset for the Commanders in 2026. Cross signed a two-year, $13 million contract with over $6 million guaranteed.
The Commander safeties for 2025 were Quan Martin and Jeremy Reaves. They both had 90+ tackles in 2025. Martin should be the free safety, with Cross filling the strong safety. Cross should line up in the box frequently and have a very generous amount of tackle opportunities each game. The Commander offense should score a lot more points in 2026, which will keep their opponents on the offensive to score points also. Put Cross at the top of your wish list if you are looking for defensive back help on your 2026 IDP fantasy football roster.
4) Jaquan Brisker – Pittsburgh Steelers
Brisker played 100% of the defensive snaps for the Bears in 2025. He produced 93 tackles (52 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 3 QB hits, 1 sack, 8 passes defended, and 1 interception. Those stats were good enough to have him as the 30th-ranked safety in scoring for IDP fantasy football. Brisker had a much better first 2 years in the league with a combined 209 tackles (139 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 7 QB hits, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, 11 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. It seems that the coaching change and the defensive philosophy change had a direct effect on Brisker in 2025.
The Steelers had a very lackluster year from the safety position in 2025. After trading Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins, that left them with DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark. Realizing their shortcomings at the position, they traded for Kyle Dugger from the Patriots. Clark and Elliott combined for 89 tackles over 20 games played between them. Dugger added another 42 tackles in his nine games played. Cross will be a direct fit for this team as he takes over the leadership and brings the Steeler defense back to relevance. He will no doubt keep delivering his incredible tackle numbers and may even set new career highs in this opportunity.
5) Coby Bryant – Chicago Bears
Bryant played nearly every defensive snap of the 2025 season with the Seahawks in games in which he played. He missed the final two and a half games of the regular season due to a right knee injury. He came back in the playoffs to play nearly every snap of the Super Bowl-winning run. Over these last two seasons, Bryant averaged 70 tackles (44 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 7 passes defended, and 4 interceptions per season.
The Bears lost both of their starting safeties from 2025 in Brisker and Kevin Byard. They both had 93 tackles each in 2025, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson adding an additional 51 tackles. That is a lot of tackle opportunities available for Bryant. Bryant signed a contract that says he will play, and play a lot with very high expectations. The contract is 3-years, $40 million, with $25.75 million guaranteed. This will be a breakout year for Bryant as he posts 100+ tackles for the first time in his career.
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.
