“Staying ahead in dynasty isn’t about taking a blue-chip star in the first round. It’s about finding contributors and breakouts in the later round of rookie drafts, the guys no one felt confident enough to pick earlier.”
Every year, there are late-round gems, and that holds doubly true for IDPs given the tougher IDP fantasy trajectory compared to their offensive counterparts.
Here’s who to queue up late in your IDP rookie drafts.
Barrett Carter, LB, Bengals
- The fourth-round pick brings elite athleticism and speed to a linebacker room that was often exploited in 2024. Carter also hails from a Clemson defense that asks more from its linebackers in terms of coverage than the average college unit.
- Landing in Cincinnati’s 3-4 system is a perfect fit, not unlike how many viewed Trenton Simpson’s landing spot with the Ravens. It doesn’t hurt to land in a division notorious for running the ball, with Roquan Smith/Patrick Queen/Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah all boasting top-tier production at times.
- The landing spot is more than just ideal, though, with lots of question marks behind a soon-to-be 29-year-old Logan Wilson. Germaine Pratt was a favorite of prior defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, but the linebacker enters a contract year and could be a cap casualty or trade candidate. LB3 Akeem Davis-Gaither also left in the offseason for Arizona.
- Regardless, Pratt won’t be a Bengal in 2026, and Wilson’s durability is always a question mark. Even without those contingencies, Carter has a high ceiling given his size and athletic profile and shouldn’t be overlooked due to Day 3 capital.
Honorable mention: Cody Simon, LB, Cardinals
The Ohio State standout and fourth-round pick has a route to a three-down role by 2026 in a Cardinals defense. And one that has yet to find its green-dot hero after muddling by with Kyzir White.
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