11 IDP Must-Haves (2026 Fantasy Football)

What is a must-have in IDP? For the purposes of this article, we will need to define what qualifies as a must-have, because, of course, we could make a case for every single top-25 player at each position to be a must-have for one reason or another. We could also just rehash our favorite sleepers. A must-have will be players worthy of building your core around but are still available at a relative bargain, ADP-wise. Let’s dig in.

• 2026 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings
• Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
• Best Fantasy Football Rankings

11 IDP Must-Haves (2026 Fantasy Football)

YR = Yahoo! rank

Carson Schwesinger (LB – CLE): YR: 4

The only linebacker I would reach for, and when I say reach, I mean draft close to their ADP, is Carson Schwesinger. The Browns linebacker bullied his way into the LB1 conversation as a rookie and is now an LB1 overall candidate in both redraft and dynasty. Gamescript should be kind to the Browns linebackers as far as IDP is concerned, putting Carson in the mix to be a top five producer week in and week out. Tap Schwesinger when the rest of your league starts targeting other names at the position.

Cedric Gray (LB – TEN): YR: 27

Cedric Gray was one of the breakout stars in the IDP realm last season, finishing as the LB5 in fantasy points. He was even better from Week 4 to Week 17, where he was the LB2 in fppg. Despite his stellar play, he is hidden down the Yahoo! ranks, currently sitting as the LB27 on their pre-draft rankings. Gray was already someone I planned to target due to his lack of name equity compared to some other LB1 types, but now that his name is buried beneath 25 others, he becomes a must-have value target. I will be attempting to leave all of my fantasy drafts with Cedric Gray on my roster.

Jihaad Campbell (LB – PHI): YR: 45

Jihaad Campbell made his way into the weekly LB2/3 discussion despite playing just 63 percent of the snaps for the Eagles last season. Now set for a full-time role due to Nakobe Dean now being in Las Vegas, Campbell seems destined for a breakout campaign. He should provide LB2 numbers at worst and should push for the weekly top-15 discussion once he gets a sack or two on his ledger. Campbell is an ideal LB2 target at an LB4 draft day ADP.

Tykee Smith (S – TB): YR: 14

The DB1 in fppg and DB4 in total fantasy points, Tykee is another name who is hidden down the Yahoo! ranks far enough that he becomes an absolute must-have value if he really lasts past the first few DBs going off the board. Tykee is in a prime position to contend for DB1 overall and in fppg again this season. His draft cost would likely be prohibitive if he was a little farther up the Yahoo! ranks, but as the DB14 in their pre-draft ranks, he is going to fall enough in some draft rooms to become an absolute steal.

Talanoa Hufanga (S – DEN): YR: 16

Talanoa Hufanga was excellent in 2025, finishing tied as the DB4 in total fantasy points. For some casual IDP players, Hufanga is not a name that comes to mind when they discuss DB1 options, but Talanoa has been a stud when he has been healthy, dating back to his time with the 49ers. His Yahoo! rank creates an additional opportunity, as you may even be able to net him as your DB2 due to some casual gamers potentially believing there are actually 15 better options than the Broncos safety. The value proposition is impossible to ignore here, making him a must-have target, regardless of whether it’s as a DB1 or DB2 for your roster.

Kam Curl (S – LAR): YR: 20

Another name comically buried on the Yahoo! pre-ranks is Kam Curl. Curl was the DB1 in total fantasy points last season, but has 19 other names hiding him in Yahoo! draft rooms. Again, this presents a tremendous value opportunity to land him as your DB2, or to wait on IDP and net him as your DB1. There will of course be some draft rooms with sharper fantasy managers where he goes off the board as one of the first five names at the position, but for those of us lucky enough to land in one where he doesn’t, he becomes a must-have due to screaming ADP value.

Jeremy Chinn (S – LV): YR: 24

Quietly the DB12 in fantasy points per game last season, Jeremy Chinn should thrive once again for the Raiders and fantasy managers alike this season. Fourth in the league with 114 combined tackles despite playing in just 15 games, Chinn has a realistic shot to lead the position this season if he can stay healthy for all 17 games. Chinn is a DB1 waiting to happen but can be had at a DB2/3 draft day ADP, making him a must-have for those of us who like to wait on IDP.

Will Anderson (DE – HOU): YR: 10 DE

Will Anderson is both the present and the future of the position in IDP. The DL4 in fantasy points per game last season, the sky is the limit for the young Texans pass rusher. The All-Pro recorded at least one sack in 11 of his 17 games played and could be even more consistent this season. His Yahoo! rank makes him a standout value, positioning him firmly in must-have territory.

Abdul Carter (DE – NYG): YR: 21 DE

Abdul Carter is set to have a breakout season. The New York Giants moved Brian Burns to the blindside to allow Carter to feast on right tackles. Carter had just four sacks last season, but managed 66 pressures. His 48 quick pressures led the NFL, while his 21 percent pass rush win rate tied him for fifth in the league with Myles Garrett. Carter is already knocking on the DL1 door, making him an absolute steal if he is drafted anywhere close to his Yahoo! rank as the 21st DE.

Nnamdi Madubuike (DT – BAL): YR: 59 DT

Nnamdi Madubuike has become something of a forgotten man in IDP and especially when it comes to Yahoo! Pre-draft rankings. Currently the 59th player with DT eligibility, Nnamdi is no longer viewed as the player who had 13 sacks in the middle for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Injuries almost derailed his career, but he is healthy enough that he avoided the PUP list, with beat writers noting that his traditional explosiveness remains a part of his game. Madubuike is essentially a free lottery ticket who can produce as your DL2 at a waiver wire or final rounds price. Add Nnamdi to your squad where possible.

Jalen Redmond (DT – MIN): YR: 16 DT (12 true DT)

Jalen Redmond is the best IDP fantasy player most IDP fantasy managers haven’t even heard of yet. Playing an often overlooked position at defensive tackle, Redmond was quietly the DL16 overall last season. Despite this, there are 15 defensive tackle eligible players listed ahead of him in Yahoo! draft rooms. There are 11 other defensive tackles listed ahead of him. Redmond’s activity against the run, to go with a promising six sacks and 12 tackles for loss, makes him an easy DL2 play that you can net at the very end of your fantasy draft. You may not know the name, but you have to respect his game, as the only other players in the entire NFL to record at least 60 tackles, six sacks, and five passes defended last season were Maxx Crosby and Brian Burns. Redmond is a must-have target whether you want to add him as a DL3 with DL2 upside, your DT1, or DL bench depth.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.