Real IDP Hunter Podcast

USA Today's Mase Rinney breaks down IDP fantasy football, this is where it starts. We’re breaking down every NFC defense through the lens that actually matters: coaching schemes, draft needs, and depth chart usage—so you know exactly where the production is coming from.Which teams are running linebacker-friendly systems?Where will pass rushers spike in value?And which depth chart battles will create this year’s breakout IDP stars?We dig into:NFC coaching tendencies and how they impact IDP scoringKey draft needs that could reshape defensive roles overnightDepth chart analysis to identify volume, opportunity, and sleepersEarly breakout candidates and players to avoid

Get ahead of your league before the draft even begins. Join @caliking49er17 and @IDPPelton for this episode, we break down the most important pre-draft depth charts across the NFL and explain what they really mean for your IDP strategy. From linebacker battles that will decide tackle volume, to edge rusher rotations that could cap upside, and sneaky defensive back situations that create breakout opportunities—we’re digging into the details that most managers overlook.We highlight key position battles, evolving defensive schemes, and coaching tendencies that directly impact snap counts and production. Whether it’s a rookie pushing for a starting role or a veteran quietly losing snaps, knowing these depth chart shifts can give you a serious edge on draft day.If you want to draft smarter, avoid landmines, and uncover hidden IDP value before the rest of your league catches on, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.0:00 Intro0:58 Why OurLads is the best Depth Chart for accuracy1:18 AFC East1:19 Bills1:56 Dolphins2:09 Cultivation of a turnover: Why Bad Offense Makes For Great IDP Defense3:21 Dante Trader – Interesting Name3:38 Why Nickelback Is Concerning For This Team4:08 Patriots5:38 Flag Plant: Why Mase's Flag Plant is Robert Spillane, potential Top-25 LB in 20266:23 Jets7:18 Why Pelton's Flag Plant is Malachi Moore in 20268:56 AFC North8:57 Ravens10:48 Bengals10:57 Demetrius Knight or Barrett Carter for IDP?11:30 Why the Bengals Draft Capital May Cause a Rebound for D/ST13:03 Browns13:04 Could The Browns Be A Defensive Staple in IDP for 2026?13:52 The Case For Alex Wright in 202616:02 Pittsburgh Steelers18:00 AFC South18:01 Texans20:45 Colts23:20 Jaguars23:36 Why Antonio Johnson is a sneaky name to add24:28 Why You Should hold Travis Hunter24:50 Titans28:04 AFC West28:04 Broncos29:04 Chiefs31:15 Raiders36:18 Where you could find them

We all know who the top ten players are by now in IDP. This Rookie class is loaded, and one of the ways to win your draft is by knowing what players will excel in the right landing spots.Join USA Today @caliking49er17 and @realIDPHunter as we explore this unique conversation. In most combined rookie drafts (especially 12-team superflex around Rounds 4-5, depending on league depth and scoring (tackle-heavy vs. big-play).For 5th-round LBs (mid-tier or sleeper types from expert top-10/15 lists who could massively outperform ADP):Focus on prospects projected as Day 3 NFL picks (Rounds 4-5 or later) with paths to early snaps, green-dot potential, or high tackle volume.Strong sleeper/mid-tier candidates with league-changing upside if landing spot hits right: Josiah Trotter (Missouri), Deonte Lawson (Alabama), Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh), or deeper names like Bryce Boettcher These guys often get undervalued pre-draft but can jump to weekly starter production (or better) with the right scheme/opportunity — exactly the "outperform draft position" profile.The 2026 LB class is deep, so late-round darts have real juice compared to weaker years.If you record this, lean into your Real IDP Hunter style: film notes, projected NFL draft capital, dynasty rookie ADP vs. actual value, and Combine measurables/riser talk.0:00 Intro0:26 Why Late-Round Players Matter More (And Why You Can't Flinch in These Drafts)1:02 Fantasy In Frames Article by Mase Riney2:12 What Platforms to Trade Your 2026 Picks for 2027 Draft Picks3:05 Quick Refresher! Analysis of the Three Round 12 SF/TEP League Drafts (Offense + IDP)4:43 Is the End of the First Round Too Spicy for IDP? (Offense + IDP)5:19 The Dead Zone of Rookie Drafts7:01 The RB2-4 Conundrum: Three Guys Clogging the Board9:10 The Great LB Run After 2.06 – Expect 7 Potential LBs (Note: Jacob Rodriguez, Kyle Louis, Kaleb Elarms-Orr Not on Sleeper Yet)11:37 Why the Third Round Is a Mixed Bag – Take Your Guys12:46 Be Careful of This Potential Bust (Someone Will Reach)13:15 Late-Round Hits You Need to Know About13:17 The Three Strategies I'm Using in 2026 Rookie Drafts13:50 The Incredible Secret Behind the Fourth Round14:16 Edge Position Landscape14:18 The One Player I Want at 4.01 (Sleeper Alert)15:12 The Stat You Want to Hear16:32 The Sleeper Edge Who Is a First-Round Talent But Will Go Later17:21 Mase's Edge1 Is the Sleeper Take of the Offseason (Must Listen)18:24 Why the Fourth Round Is the Best Round for the Edge Run19:43 The Five Edges You Could Get Here19:46 A 20% Pass Rush Rate No One Is Talking About21:13 Wide-9 Defender With an 80-Inch Wingspan21:49 The Viral Moment He Bull-Rushed a 6'9" Offensive Lineman22:13 The Top Prospect From Last Year's Draft Who Fell Off and Is Lurking Here23:36 Defensive Tackle Landscape + The One Sleeper You Want26:40 Linebacker Landscape26:47 Mase's Aidan Fisher Take28:05 The Red Murdock Question28:44 The Linebacker That Surprised Me29:12 A Smaller Linebacker Prospect Cracks the Top-5 Analytics29:38 The DL/LB Hybrid Who Should Convert to LB (Potential Top-10 LB)30:10 The Forgotten Box Linebacker30:51 The Senior Bowl Standout Who Proved He's a Green Dot Prospect (Great Tape)31:39 Deep Flyers at Linebacker (7th-Round Range)32:45 The 6'7" Linebacker Prospect (7th-Round Range)33:47 What Is a Plugger Linebacker? (Seriously, Just Ask Me)35:11 Jimmy Rolder35:33 The ADP Fluctuation on Kendal Daniels37:02 Cornerback Landscape37:45 My Top Slot Cornerback in This Class... Who Doesn't Actually Play Slot (I'll Explain)39:21 Safety Landscape40:30 A DB Who Often Gets Left Out of Top-16 Rankings41:33 The Bud Clark Stat You Need to Know42:14 Secret Player (Deep Cut)43:32 Jason Kilgore Analytics: 9.97 Out of a Perfect 1043:38 Sneaky Good Combine Performances44:40 Two 7th-Round DB Deep Shots From Mase48:41 Where to Follow Us47:40 Historical Late Round Picks hit in IDP49:14 Roster IQ (Promo Code: RealIDPHunter)

Join @RealIDPHunter and Mase Riney (USA Today) as they talk about the top 50 Dynasty Linebackers. Deliver sharp analysis, tackle-volume projections, and big-play upside takes tailored for 1-2-3 (Big 3) scoring and beyond.Whether you're building a contender, rebuilding for the future, or hunting for league-winning sleepers, this show combines real scouting insights, data-driven rankings, and no-BS discussion to help you stack wins for years to come. Expect deep dives on every-down LBs, green-dot play-callers, athletic freaks, and the next wave of IDP studs.About Your Co-Host – Mase RineyWriter & film analyst for Bucs Wire (USA Today Network), focusing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a scout’s eye.Well-respected FantasyPros IDP ranker and analyst.Frequent guest and collaborator on IDP content (including rookie LB breakdowns, dynasty mocks, and podcasts)Known for his balanced, film-backed takes on linebacker and defensive production.0:00 Intro0:38 Dynasty Age Cliffs For Linebackers0:40 F6P Article, Utilizing Age Cliffs To Determine Peak Value1:30 Landscape of Linebackers IDP2:00 Savy Managers: How they evaluate the Position2:37 Why it's smarter to build with Edges first in Dynasty instead of Linebacker4:08 Evaluation of Linebackers5:41 Criteria You Look For at Linebacker in Tackle Premium Leagues 7:34 Nine Different Player Types At LinebackerLB1 9:16Why You Wait And Forecast At Position 12:06LB2 12:26LB3 15:22LB4: 19:40LB5 23:53LB6 28:46LB7 31:57LB8 35:4627:51 LB 1-8 RecapLB9 38:1640:57 LB10-15 45:10 What Happened to Daiyan HenleyLB16 50:18 Leo Chenal Forecasting52:48 Who Would you Rather: Quay Walker or Nakobe Dean?55:17 Recap LB1- LB1856:08 LB 1957:17 What Happened to Terrel Bernard?1:00:17 Rising Stars Massive Upside Tier, LB21- LB231:02:39 A Massive Tier Of Veterans LB24-LB371:05:33 LB3/4s with LB2 Upside 1:12:03 Full List RecapHonorable Mentions LB-50-LB56 (Yes! We just did that) 1:14:331:00:02 Rising Stars: Massive Upside LB21-23

Discover the top 38 defensive backs for 2026 Dynasty IDP leagues! We break down the best box safeties, slot position, or top players' sleepers you NEED on your roster. Perfect for fantasy managers looking to dominate their draft or trade strategy. Follow IDP Hunter on Twitter if this is helpful.*My account got hacked in the offseason, so follow my new account @realidphunterJoin Co-host JT BREW @jtorange, as he discusses his recent Fantasy In Frames articles, DB& LB Values, and top DB Freeagents. JT Works for Fantasy In frames and Dynasty League Football, so join us as we sort through rankings. Check those articles out here. https://www.fantasyinframes.com/💥 Inside this video:Complete Top 38 Defensive Back Rankings for 2026Breakout candidates & sleepers to watchRationale on the Scoring ProcessIn-Depth article: Understanding Age Cliffs with ChartsPass-rush vs. tackle-focused defendersDynasty IDP strategy tips0:00 – Intro0:00 – IDP Dynasty Age Cliffs: Using Utilization Age to Determine Peak Value in IDP1:32 – Check out JT Brew’s latest Fantasy In Frames articles, including his DB Values and Free Agency coverage1:58 – Q: I notice you rank Defensive Backs (DBs) higher than the consensus. Is that your personal strategy, or are you just taking the best player available?2:16 – Q: What round do you typically target Defensive Backs in drafts? Or do you prefer to intentionally create a run on DBs?5:37 – What inspired your work in this space? Do any of the Defensive Backs in your article crack the top-25 overall? What about the top-10?6:52 – Cornerback Rookie Draft Strategy8:56 – Accolades I Look For in a Top-23 Safety9:00 – Explanation of the Tier List10:08 – Why Scoring Platforms Matter and How They Change DB Rankings12:15 – DB115:04 – DB218:30 – DB323:04 – DB428:17 – DB531:40 – DB636:00 – Recap of the Top Six Defensive Backs37:31 – Who Would You Rather: Tykee Smith or Antoine Winfield Jr.?39:16 – DB9: The First Cornerback Selected in Dynasty Leagues42:43 – DB10: Being Drafted as a DB5?44:32 – DB11: Underrated and Buried in Sleeper Drafts46:50 – DB12: Placeholder – Value Predicated on Team Deployment50:54 – DB13: A Position Change Makes Him a DB254:31 – DB14: Led All DBs in Scoring (2023–2024) Across Two Different Teams58:12 – DB15: A Sleeper Who Might Benefit from the New Coaching Scheme1:03:00 – Top 15 Defensive Backs Recap1:03:15 – DB16: A Breakout Player Still Waiting to Break Out1:08:15 – DB17–25: Solid Floor, No Ceiling1:14:36 – DB26–DB38: Honorable Mentions1:21:40 WIl Hulse Tweet (Secret Player)1:22:25 Recap DB 1-38

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:06 @HooHames Made This Intro! Special Thank You!
• 1:37 Jamie's Intro
• 2:28 How long have you been playing Fantasy Football
• 2:55 What made you get into Best Ball
• 3:53 What's more important in Best Ball: Roster Construction or Best Players?
• 5:15 Hoo Hames YouTube Channel
• 6:41 What do you think the biggest mistake people make when transitioning from Redraft to Best Ball IDP DRAFTS
• 7:45 Breaking Down IDP Scoring (What's preferred in Best Balls)
• 8:53 What casual fans need to know here: Sacks + QB Hits + TFL + Sack Yards add up
• 9:30 Fun Fact: Most Big Play Exotic Formats give you THREE Points for TFL, so factor that in with your points total if that's the case
• 9:48 If your scoring is 5 pt Sack:1 Tackle, you are in a big play format; if it's 7:1 or over, you are in an extremely favorable Sack Heavy League
• 10:03 Knowing Your Scoring: How Should You Attack This – Five Priorities of Work
• 10:07 Priority One: Get An Elite Defender! They are rare and don't grow on Trees
• 10:20 Priority Two: When is it okay to grab an Elite Linebacker?
• 10:23 Priority Three: Get a pass blitzer and why DL/LB Hybrid code is key on Sleeper Drafts
• 10:40 Priority Four: The Next Tier DL2 with Tier1 upside
• 10:45 Priority Five: Late Round LBs or three-down plays to diversify a balanced portfolio
• 11:17 Historical Data of Fast Draft is Useful: How to Exploit That
• 12:18 IDP Best Ball Draft and Applying the Formula
• 12:23 1st Round Best Ball Analysis
• 12:45 What to do after the top five DLs come off the board
• 13:14 Who Would You Rather: TJ Watt or Brian Burns
• 14:07 The Rookie That is Destined to Breakout (look at pressures and sacks end of last season)
• 14:37 The One Player That people forget is elite DL (take him earlier)
• 15:22 2nd Round Analysis
• 15:42 Why Jared Verse is Scoring Format Dependent
• 16:00 Is Trey Hendrickson the potential steal of the draft?
• 16:13 When is it okay to cut off DL and start the LB run in Best Ball Drafts?
• 16:40 3rd Round Analysis
• 16:44 Who are the DL2 that could emerge as DL1 in 2026?
• 17:09 Sleeper in the third?: The Player who emerged under pressure once traded last season
• 17:25 A Defensive Tackle Run
• 17:45 Is Chase Young a DL25 worthy in your best ball Drafts?
• 18:12 Fourth Round Analysis: What players do you like to diversify your portfolio? Find Three-Down Players so you don't end up with Zeros for the week
• 19:00 The Only Rookie I am taking in Bestball Drafts
• 19:06 The Last Pick Dart Throw: Older Veteran Needing a Landing Spot
• 20:16 Reexplaining the Priorities, Scoring Format, and Execution on How to Attack it – OFFENSE
• 21:50 Underdog Draft board (provided by Underdog)
• 23:15 How Important Is Roster Construction
• 25:47 Round One Offensive Analysis
• 27:14 The Curious Case of Justin Jefferson
• 29:04 Second Round Analysis
• 29:39 Fade Derrick Henry?
• 32:03 What's Winning Drafts Now: Zero, Hero, or Rebuttal Strategy?
• 34:16 What is something you have changed in Bestball recently
• 34:36 Where is the market wrong
• 36:48 Third and Fourth Round Analysis
• 40:14 The case of Rashee Rice
• 42:25 Who Would You Rather: Tee Higgins or A.J. Brown
• 44:16 QB Draft Strategy
• 44:28 Is Round Seven The Round of the QB?
• 56:00 Where the Audience can find them

Somebody had to do this. Dive into the future of your dynasty leagues with this action-packed 3-round combo rookie mock draft! We're blending top incoming offensive talents (RBs, WRs, TEs, QBs) with high-upside IDP rookies (LBs, EDGE/DL, DBs) in one unified board just like real combo/hybrid leagues demand.Special Guest Michael Pelton @IDPelton, writer from the Sports Affiliation, who has two unique articles he writes, including IDPendant, which is a weekly matchup-based article unique for IDP. https://thesportsaffiliation.wordpress.com/2025/10/16/idpendant-matchups/writer of the IDP Dynasty Roadmap, a unique look at building Dynasty leagues https://thesportsaffiliation.wordpress.com/2025/11/21/idp-dynasty-rebuild-or-reload/Hosted by Steve Hungarter (@RealIDPHunter | Real IDP Hunter Podcast |) Top-3 FantasyPros Accurate IDP Ranker), we break down every pick, value falls, sleepers, and strategy tips for 1-2-3 scoring or big-play IDP formats. Whether you're in a shallow rookie draft or going deep into devy prospects, this mock shows where the class stands post-Combine/early offseason buzz.0:00 Intro1:10 The articles of Michael Pelton: The inspiration behind them2:31 Where you could find his work, Sports Affiliation3:20 What got you into IDP4:35 Gaining an Audience5:40 What do you hope your audience gains when they read your work?8:44 The Sports Affiliation Discord10:02 IDP Free AgencyRound 1 20:00Round 2 36:28Round 3 1:09:151:11:18 Promotion Roster IQ1:14:42 Find IDPelton's work

Join us on the Real IDP Hunter Podcast, as we dive into our very first 2026 NFL Mock Draft! Fresh off the NFL Scouting Combine, we go round-by-round (or top picks focus) and make OUR picks for every team—who rises, who falls, bold trades, shocking reaches, and perfect fits. Special Guest: U.S Army/ IDP Center Writer AJ Veal @thebabycows1In this episode:- We debate the QB1 spot: Does Fernando Mendoza go No. 1 overall?- Risers like Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., and Caleb Downs shake up the board post-Combine.- Our group hot takes, steals, and dream picks for teams like the Raiders, Browns, Giants, and more.

Timestamps:0:00 - Intro & Combine Aftermath1:08 First Round Picks (all 32 Teams) Landscapes3:21 Wounded Warrior Fantasy Football League (Share Initiative)5:00 Raiders7:39 Jets11:30 Cardinals13:07 The Sean Payton Theory13:36 Titans15:39 Giants17:46 Browns21:08 Commanders23:08 Saints25:34 Chiefs (Two-Headed RB Monster About to Emerge?)27:12 Bengals28:40 Dolphins31:17 Cowboys33:30 Rams36:50 Ravens38:01 Buccaneers39:35 Jets42:08 Lions44:00 Vikings47:37 Panthers51:46 Cowboys52:55 Steelers55:06 Chargers55:42 Eagles55:48 Browns56:42 Bears58:53 Bills1:00:00 49ers1:00:49 Texans1:00:59 Rams1:01:22 Broncos1:03:20 Patriots1:03:54 Seahawks1:05:26 Check out our work on Fantasy In Frames and Fantasy Six Pack!

Yes, you heard this right, a 4-round IDP spectacle! Join me (@RealIDPHunter) for this bold 2026 four-round IDP rookie mock draft, which is special co-host DarrylWinstead @HollywoodTitan from IDP Nation, one of the sharpest voices in fantasy football IDP profiling and devy content. We break down the biggest winners, sleepers, risers, and shocks from the 2026 NFL Combine to build our dynasty IDP rookie drafts.In this episode, we go round-by-round with our takes on the top IDP prospects (linebackers, edge rushers, defensive backs, and more), with some help in the first round by our friends.Wishing you the best in this fantasy 2026 IDP Season, and if you like this content, please subscribe to the channel. Info that could dominate fantasy leagues in 2026 and beyond. Expect controversial picks, hidden gems, and dynasty strategy to help you dominate your FFIDP leagues!Timestamps:0:00 - Intro2:30 - Fantasy In Frames Rookie Content: Out on the Shelf Now!3:08 - Why are Draft Profiles so horrible (lol)3:33 - What is IDP Nation?3:42 - Subscribe to Draft Dreamer: The best Free Draft IDP Content4:23 - An IDP All-Star Draft5:55 - Check out IDP Nation, the Discord, and the Patreon6:42 - 1.01 Pick Breakdown8:00 - Rookie Landscape: Why the scoring (1-2-3 or Big Play) favors this draft class8:42 - 1.02 Pick11:36 - 1.03 Pick13:01 - Greg Kellogg Tweet: Gary Davenport Makes Rage Clicks Ensue. LOL15:08 - 1.04 Pick17:51 - Fantasy In Frames New Article Shoutout19:13 - 1.05 Pick21:15 - 1.06 Pick24:00 - Carnac The Magnificent predicts 1.0726:25 - 1.08 (Be Careful)28:14 - 1.09 Pick29:50 - 1.10 Pick32:26 - 1.11 Pick32:01 - The Combine's New Bench Press Discussion (rules, records, & what it means for prospects)39:15 - Round Two Analysis48:31 - Run Stop Explained = Measure within three yards of the first down or line of scrimmage49:47 - Third Round Analysis55:00 - Round Four Analysis

Join Co-host Mase Riney @Thecaliking49er17 from USA Today, and AJ Veal @thebabycow1, former U.S Army sportswriter/ Content producer IDP Center, as we preview the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine drills, which are in the books—here's a breakdown of the top defensive standouts who boosted their stock (risers) and those who underwhelmed or saw their draft capital drop (fallers). From edge rushers and linebackers to safeties and defensive tackles, these IDP prospects could shape your dynasty and redraft strategies.

0:00 Intro

0:27 Fastest times "SINCE 2003"

1:57 Combine Reactions: What Grinds Your Gears?

2:25 No love for Offensive Lineman

2:46 Opting Out Of Combine Drills versus Combine Snubs

4:22 Six Dropped Passes By Cornerbacks

5:10 The Tight End Battle Sendiq vs Stowers

7:10 THE COMBINE NEW BENCH PRESS

9:15 The Future evolution of Combine (Is it trending towards Pro Bowl?)

11:08 Former NFL- QB Kyle Trask spotted throwing passes at the Combine

Defensive Tackles (8)

11:44 Let's talk Defensive Tackles: 8 DT You Need To Know About

12:12 The Fourth Fast Defensive Tackle Time Ever 4.75!

15:02 The Curious Case of Lee Hunter

Edge 16:29 (10)

16:40 Arvell Reese Announces He wants to play Edge

17:30 Edge The Ten Names You Need To Know

18:46 The Truth about Dani Dennis-Sutton

21:26 Who's Harry Crumb Starring John Candy

22:46 Linebackers (12)

22:48 Twelve Linebackers You Want to Know About

23:50 The Heat Seeking Sleeper You Need To Know about: Stats

25:15 The Kyle Louis Story

25:59 Jacob Rodriguez had himself a Day

31:09 A Dozen Defensive Backs That Excelled The Combine (12)

21:34 Dillon Thieneman Case Study

32:06 VJ Payne Cast Study

32:37 Genesis Smith Case Study

32:50 Robert Spears-Jennings Case Study

33:44 Is Lorenzo Style a Dart Throw Outside of DB20 now?

36:33 Where You Could FInd AJ and Mase