Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
NFL free agency is right around the corner, so there will be a flurry of signings as players join new teams, potentially greatly affecting the fantasy football IDP landscape along the way. Before that happens, it’s good to have a grasp on which situations are more ideal for fantasy purposes and which teams have the biggest needs.
Below are each team's defensive position rankings, showing how much 2025 usage they are slated to lose at each position in free agency.
Linebackers
This chart highlights the teams with the highest expected percentage of available linebacker snaps from the 2025 season. The chart includes the percentage of vacated snaps and how those pending free-agent snaps were allocated on each team this past season.
Top linebacker landing spots
- The Las Vegas Raiders are the only team potentially losing over two thousand defensive snaps in free agency, as Devin White, Elandon Roberts, and Jamal Adams are slated to hit the open market. Considering the shift in coaching staff as well for the Raiders, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them also bring in new starting linebackers as part of the fresh start.
- The New York Giants recently released Bobby Okereke, which opened up a massive hole to fill for the team’s new coaching staff. New York is likely one of the top destinations now for either a free agent or rookie linebacker to step in and deliver IDP production.
- The Minnesota Vikings are potentially losing both of Blake Cashman’s running mates this offseason with Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. as the team’s secondary linebackers, which could create a decent opportunity for a new LB2 in Brian Flores’ defense.
- Alex Singleton has been a tackling machine for the Denver Broncos, so his production won’t be easily replicated by a replacement, though, depending on Dre Greenlaw’s health and ability to hold down the team’s LB1 spot, there should be an opportunity there for a new linebacker to come in and be IDP-relevant.
- Kaden Elliss potentially departing the Atlanta Falcons could allow for a linebacker to come in and deliver solid IDP production alongside Divine Deablo, as there isn’t an obvious in-house replacement on the roster right now.
- The Dallas Cowboys got a healthy DeMarvion Overshown back late last season, though none of the other options they tried out in a starting role (Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Logan Wilson) seemed to work out, and they’ll all be free agents, making Dallas one of the prime IDP linebacker destinations.
- Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David and Demario Davis are all older pending free agents and have the potential to retire this offseason, leaving significant holes in their respective lineups and potentially allowing a younger generation to move into bigger roles.
- The Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts are all likely to need secondary linebacker options heading into free agency with Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson potentially leaving Buffalo, Devin Lloyd leaving Jacksonville, and Germaine Pratt leaving the Colts.
Edge Defenders
This chart highlights the teams with the highest expected percentage of available edge defender snaps from the 2025 season. The chart includes the percentage of vacated snaps and how those pending free-agent snaps were allocated on each team this past season.
Top edge defender landing spots
- Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders need pass-rush production after relying on Jacob Martin, Von Miller and Preston Smith for well over 200 defensive snaps each – all set to hit free agency this offseason. Dorance Armstrong will return from injury and is likely set to play a ton, though there will still be a significant need for Washington to add at the position this offseason.
- The Tennessee Titans made a trade to add Jermaine Johnson to their edge group, helping the situation at least a little, though they’ll still need help as Robert Saleh looks to bolster his new team’s pass rush and potentially draw a top free agent at the position.
- The Miami Dolphins’ top two edge defenders from this past season are no longer on the team with Bradley Chubb released and Jaelan Phillips traded midseason. There’s going to be a reliance on Chop Robinson in Year 3 and potentially another key name still to be added.
- The Cincinnati Bengals will also have a major need at edge with Trey Hendrickson officially departing the team and a glaring lack of pass rush without him this past season. If they make a splash at the position, then there would certainly be IDP value from that new lead edge spot.
Defensive Tackles
This chart highlights the teams with the highest expected percentage of available defensive tackle snaps from the 2025 season. The chart includes the percentage of vacated snaps and how those pending free-agent snaps were allocated on each team this past season.
Top defensive tackle landing spots
- The Houston Texans are currently on track to lose five interior defensive linemen to free agency who played at least 100 defensive snaps in 2025, including Sheldon Rankins (705), Tim Settle (383) and Denico Autry (240), though there aren’t many high-end DT options available this free agency period.
- Much like with Houston, the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers are set to lose two of their top three snap contributors at the position this past season, creating a significant need heading into free agency.
Safeties
This chart highlights the teams with the highest expected percentage of available safety snaps from the 2025 season. The chart includes the percentage of vacated snaps and how those pending free-agent snaps were allocated on each team this past season.
Top safety landing spots
- Every safety that contributed defensive snaps to the 2025 Chicago Bears is set to hit the open market, creating a massive need for the team at that position, where both starters (Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker) found fantasy success last season.
- Reed Blankenship has occupied the Philadelphia Eagles’ deep safety role for the past three seasons and is now set to depart in free agency. While there’s a need, that role doesn’t guarantee great weekly IDP production.
- Coby Bryant played nearly exclusively deep (78%) for the Seattle Seahawks this past season and is set to depart. Julian Love and Nick Emmanwori’s roles might change slightly from this past season, depending on whether the team brings in another viable starting option.
- Nick Cross played a very IDP-friendly role for the Indianapolis Colts the past two seasons, including playing 50% of his snaps in the box in 2025, which could create a prime IDP landing spot for an experienced strong safety this free agency period.
Cornerbacks
This chart highlights the teams with the highest expected percentage of available cornerback snaps from the 2025 season. The chart includes the percentage of vacated snaps and how those pending free-agent snaps were allocated on each team this past season.
Top cornerback landing spots
- The Detroit Lions relied on Amik Robertson as the team’s primary nickel corner in 2025, and he’s now set to hit free agency, which, depending on who the team adds, could create a nice opening for matchup-based IDP streaming potential.
- The New Orleans Saints have provided significant IDP value from their nickel corner role over the past couple of seasons, and with Alontae Taylor potentially signing elsewhere, Brandon Staley could create a new IDP-relevant corner for us to target in 2026.
- The Denver Broncos relied on Ja’Quan McMillian as the primary slot defender in 2025, though with him set to hit free agency, that role should be overtaken by second-year Round 1 pick Jahdae Barron in 2026.