Top 50 IDP Rookies for Dynasty Drafts

Play in a dynasty league with IDPs? Here are the top 50 defensive prospects for your 2013 rookie draft.

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Tue, May 23 2023 5:27 PM UTC

Welcome to the year of the rookie safety.

Sure, there are plenty of LBs near the top of the board, but safeties look like the sure things in IDP rookie drafts this year. Vaccaro might have been about as safe a bet as anyone in April's NFL draft. He also might be outdone in immediate impact by Jonathan Cyprien and Matt Elam. Those 2 each face clearer paths to 2013 starting jobs.

And beyond the names that everyone knows ...

-- Phillip Thomas could push for early duty in Washington,
-- Shawn Williams looks like the SS favorite in Cincinnati this fall,
-- Shamarko Thomas could start in Pittsburgh by 2014, with Ryan Clark in the final year of his contract and Troy Polamalu facing 1 more year at $8.25 million and
-- D.J. Swearinger will get extra summer reps while Ed Reed gets over hip surgery

And that doesn't even get into the deeper options.

DE presents some upside plays, though all of the "boom" hopefuls there carry bust potential as well. You'll find CBs bunched together in the 2nd half of this list, because it's not a fun position to draft. If you play in a league that requires CBs, then move those guys up your list.

Of course, league settings vary even more for IDP play than they do on offense. Feel free to hit our IDP guy Matt Schauf (Schauf@DraftSharks.com) with any specific questions -- or even just to tell him which rookie he put in the wrong place on this list.

TIER 1.
Arthur Brown, LB, Ravens
2. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Saints
3. Jonathan Cyprien, S, Jaguars
4. Matt Elam, S, Ravens
5. Alec Ogletree, LB, Rams
6. Dion Jordan, DE, Dolphins
7. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Lions

TIER 2.
8. Jon Bostic, LB, Bears
9. Sio Moore, LB, Raiders
10. Kiko Alonso, LB, Bills
11. Jarvis Jones, LB, Steelers
12. Manti Te'o, LB, Chargers
13. Eric Reid, S, 49ers
14. Khaseem Greene, LB, Bears
15. Phillip Thomas, S, Washington

TIER 3
16. Barkevious Mingo, LB, Browns
17. Damontre Moore, DE, Giants
18. Quanterus Smith, DE, Broncos
19. Sheldon Richardson, DL, Jets
20. Shamarko Thomas, S, Steelers
21. Shawn Williams, S, Bengals
22. Kevin Minter, LB, Cardinals
23. Nico Johnson, LB, Chiefs
24. Star Lotulelei, DT, Panthers
25. D.J. Swearinger, S, Texans
26. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Vikings
27. Tank Carradine, DE/LB, 49ers

TIER 4
28. Bacarri Rambo, S, Washington
29. Datone Jones, DE, Packers
30. T.J. McDonald, S, Rams
31. Dee Milliner, CB, Jets
32. D.J. Hayden, CB, Raiders
33. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Cardinals
34. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Vikings
35. Earl Wolff, S, Eagles
36. Johnthan Banks, CB, Buccaneers
37. Leon McFadden, CB, Browns
38. Desmond Trufant, CB, Falcons
39. Vince Williams, LB, Steelers
40. Kevin Reddick, LB, Saints
41. J.J. Wilcox, S, Cowboys
42. Jelani Jenkins, LB, Dolphins
43. Gerald Hodges, LB, Vikings

TIER 5
44. Keith Pough, LB, Bills
45. Alex Okafor, DE, Cardinals
46. Jamar Taylor, CB, Dolphins
47. Trevardo Williams, LB, Texans
48. A.J. Klein, LB, Panthers
49. Devin Taylor, DE, Lions
50. Chase Thomas, LB, Saints

JUST MISSED
William Gholston, DE, Buccaneers
David Amerson, CB, Washington
Dwayne Gratz, CB, Jaguars
Duke Williams, S, Bills
Sylvester Williams, DT, Broncos
Kawann Short, DT, Panthers
Corey Lemonier, LB, 49ers
Sam Montgomery, LB, Texans
Michael Mauti, LB, Vikings