“The 2026 NFL IDP Rookie Draft will be full of high-ceiling prospects. Here are the IDPs that you will want to draft for your IDP team!”
We just had a very exciting 2026 NFL Rookie Draft that will dramatically impact several players’ value. In this edition, we will look at the IDP Rookies who just got drafted in the NFL Rookie Draft. The players below will be players you will want to find room for on your IDP rosters.
1) Safety – Caleb Downs – Dallas Cowboys Pick 1.11
Caleb Downs played three years in FBS. During his Freshman year, he was with Alabama. For his Sophomore and Junior years at Ohio State. He was a stud all three years, which included 44 games played. In those 44 games combined, Downs posted 257 tackles (164 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 12 passes defensed, and 6 interceptions. To be able to consistently produce from his freshman season to present, and at two of the highest standards in FBS, says he will be very successful at the NFL level.
The Cowboys had one of the worst-ranked defenses in the 2025 season. Donovan Wilson has still not been signed as a free agent, and Malik Hooker should be relegated to backup status. The Cowboys signed Jalen Thompson from the Arizona Cardinals, and he will be a great partner with Downs. It should bring on memories of Thompson and Budda Baker in Arizona, as they were dominant. Downs will most likely get drafted in your Rookie Drafts in the backend of the 1st or top of the 2nd.
2) Safety – Dillon Thieneman – Chicago Bears Pick 1.25
The Bears lost both of their 2025 Safeties to Free Agency this offseason. Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard combined for 186 tackles in 2025. Brisker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Byard signed with the New England Patriots. The door is wide open for Thieneman to produce 100 tackles in 2026. He will get 100% of the defensive snaps and line up in multiple different positions in each game. It is said that DBs are a dime a dozen, but not Thieneman. He deserves ro be drafted in your Rookie Draft somewhere in the middle rounds.
3) Safety – Treydan Stukes – Las Vegas Raiders Pick 2.06
Stukes played six seasons with the Arizona Wildcats. Two of them were red shirt seasons. One of those red-shirt seasons was as a freshman; the other was as a senior. He improved and posted better stats in each season he played. Stukes played 22 games in his Junior and Senior years combined, not including his red-shirt senior year. In those games combined, Stukes produced 107 tackles (55 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 15 passes defensed, and 5 interceptions. He played both safety and cornerback during his time in Arizona. His athleticism is elite. Stukes posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and a 10’10” broad jump, which was tied for best among safeties.
With Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn returning to the Raiders this season, Stukes should get an opportunity to play a slot corner and safety combo. His defensive snap percentage should grow as the season goes on. The three Cornerbacks from 2025 had a combined 14 passes defensed. Stukes should do that by himself and add 50+ tackles. You will be able to draft him towards the end of your rookie drafts.
4) Safety – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – Cleveland Browns Pick 2.26
McNeil-Warren played all four years in the MAC with the Toledo Rockets. His sophomore, junior, and senior years were all very similar. In those three years combined, he posted 207 tackles (103 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 8 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 13 passes defensed, 5 interceptions, and 1 touchdown. This was all done in just 35 games. His NFL combine numbers were impressive for his size of 6’3 1/2″ and 201 lbs. He posted a 4.52 second 40-yard dash, 35.5″ vertical jump, and a 10’2″ broad jump.
5) Safety – Bud Clark – Seattle Seahawks – 2.32
Clark played 23 games over his final two seasons and produced a combined 123 tackles (74 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 10 passes defensed, 7 interceptions, and 1 touchdown. He was a ball hawk and played all over the field. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 190 lbs, Clark is very athletic. His NFL combine numbers included a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, 38′ vertical jump, and a 10’7″ broad jump.
Here are other DBs that should be available at the end of your IDP Rookie Drafts that belong on your league’s rosters.
CB-Mansoor Delane-1.06 Kansas City Chiefs (Rookie CBs are easily startable if they are on the field, as they get targeted at a very high rate), CB-Chris Johnson-Miami Dolphins, S-A.J. Haulcy-3.14 Indianapolis Colts, and S-Jakobe Thomas-3.34 Minnesota Vikings.
Thank you for checking out my NFL IDP Rookie Must Draft 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.
