IDP Prospects Flying Under The Radar
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In the television show, "American Pickers," we have learned that one man's garbage is another one's treasure and that one person's forgotten item sitting in an old barn can become a prized possession.
Early in the offseason, IDP managers become treasure hunters.
The obvious IDP studs are already in plain sight: a couple of All-Pros, a sack leader and a few green-dot linebackers. Everyone thinks they know value. Everyone wants them. With that said, championships are rarely won by collecting the most recognizable names.
Here are five undervalued players in line with IDP:
Undervalued Player #1
DL Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Did you know the top eight elite players at the top of their defensive line position last year in pass-rush win rate were as follows: Will Anderson (25.3%), Myle Garrett (24.6%), Aidan Hutchinson (22.9%), Micah Parsons (22.6%), Nick Bosa (20%) Trey Hendrickson (20%) and Josh Hines-Allen (19%). Yet, Hines-Allen will go a round or two later than any of these names in most drafts. Even more interesting is if you break this down to true pass-rush sets (a stat designed to take away screens, play action, RPOs and double teams), Allen finished as the third-best defensive lineman - trailing Garrett and Anderson.
IDP Fun Fact: Hines-Allen was second in pressures last season and owns a 15.8% pressure rate over the last three seasons.
While it is true he only had eight sacks last year, impact "splash" plays are fluky. One player is being drafted as a DL2 with DL1 upside that no one is talking about. Hines-Allen is that player.
Undervalued Player #2
DL Josh Uche, Miami Dolphins
Remember that true pass-rush stat I mentioned earlier? Well, Uche is one of the better pure pass rushers in the league. What is really surprising is that you can get him almost everywhere off waivers.
IDP Fun Fact: Uche was fifth in true pass-rush win rate only behind Garrett, Anderson, Hines-Allen and Hutchinson. Now that is good company.
Why is he not owned in almost every league then? He is more of a journeyman at this point, as he has only logged more than 250 snaps in a season twice. One of those years was in 2022 when he posted 11.5 sacks with the Patriots.
As for this season, he will line up opposite Chop Robinson for the Dolphins and should see plenty of opportunity with the Miami offense expected to be one of the worst in the league. He is essentially a free player that no one is thinking about in 2026. Consider him free candy.
Undervalued Player #3
LB Barrett Carter, Cincinnati Bengals
Continuing with the theme of buried ADP prospects, one of the latest round draft picks you could make is on Carter. Usually, green-dot defenders are not handed out this early in the offseason. That is not the case here.
Not only did the Bengals announce Carter as their green-dot, but they also did not add anyone in the offseason to contend with him or fellow linebacker Demetrius Knight. As a rookie, Carter finished third amongst rookies in total tackles and 41st overall with 106 tackles (53 solo).
As logic dictates, it should only get better from here. Carter is a player you could get in the latest of deep leagues. Best of all, he is cheap.
Undervalued Player #4
LB Kaden Elliss, New Orleans Saints
Elliss returns to the team he started his career with after finishing LB23 in Atlanta under 1-2-3 IDP scoring last season. He is the direct replacement for Demario Davis, who finished as the LB27 in the same system last season. This is a simple math problem: one hand replaces the other. The math is simple: one linebacker's volume leaves, another linebacker's volume steps in. Sometimes, IDP analysis really isn't fantasy algebra; it comes with fewer pencils and more missed tackles.
Undervalued Player #5
DB DeShon Elliott, Pittsburgh Steelers
I think IDP folks are getting this one wrong, and the market is in dire need of a reset. Twitter streets are talking about the arrival of Jaquan Brisker, but he plays more of a free-zone role. It won't affect Elliott. They also talk about Jalen Ramsey, who again is assigned the nickel role and occasional safety snaps. Neither of these players/roles affect Elliott. Before anyone starts talking about Joey Porter Jr., he plays outside corner. Elliott's box role should remain intact and the preseason will show us his value soon enough.
As a reminder, Elliott produced 38 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception in five games before an injury ended his season in 2025. In 2024, he converted 108 out of a possible 111 tackle opportunities (97.3%). It is not just the 108 tackles that have me interested, but also the 61 solo stops. Very few players can play a unique box role like that and produce at that level in consecutive seasons. Elliott is going to destroy his current ADP; he is another steal to grab in drafts.
Honorable Mention
S Kevin Winston Jr., Tennessee Titans
Winston is a player I have mentioned a few times this offseason. He only missed one career tackle in college (Penn State). He delivered mixed results last season. With that said, new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley loves playing single-high safety and his role is better suited as a box defender. He is an elite box defender while being a liability in coverage. This is a deep stash but one worth making.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: IDP Prospects Flying Under The Radar