After a chaotic opening week of NFL free agency that saw big names on the move early and often on offense, let’s take a minute to flip to the defensive side of the ball to see how those free-agent signings stack up for the 2025 season. This aspect of the game is often undervalued as it won’t matter in most leagues, but for IDP managers, it can be the most important aspect of their season. This series will not look at each player as we did for the offensive signings; rather, it will be divided into three positional breakdowns. This time, we will discuss the winners and losers of the defensive linemen signings. Check out the defensive back and linebacker editions.
Winners of the Defensive Linemen Signings
Grady Jarrett: DL, Chicago Bears (3 years/$43.5M)
Grady Jarrett‘s signing with the Chicago Bears elevates his fantasy football value in IDP leagues due to his ideal fit in their defensive scheme.
Jarrett will likely play as a three-technique defensive tackle in Dennis Allen’s defense. This role focuses on penetrating gaps, disrupting plays in the backfield, and generating interior pressure. Jarrett excels in this position, using his quickness and power to collapse pockets and force mistakes.
He could rack up stats like sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits—essential for IDP scoring. His presence will also force offenses to commit double teams, which can lead to assisted tackles and shared sacks. Additionally, Jarrett’s ability to disrupt plays could result in forced fumbles or tipped passes, adding more fantasy value.
In this scheme, Jarrett won’t just plug gaps; he’ll attack them. The Bears’ solid defensive line ensures that offenses can’t focus solely on him, giving Jarrett more one-on-one matchups and better chances to produce big plays.
Josh Sweat: DL, Arizona Cardinals (4 years/$76.4M)
Josh Sweat‘s signing with the Arizona Cardinals boosts his fantasy football value in IDP leagues by placing him in an aggressive defensive scheme that maximizes his pass-rushing skills.
Sweat fits perfectly into head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense, where he previously thrived with the Philadelphia Eagles. He will likely play as an edge rusher in Arizona’s 4-3 scheme, focusing on pressuring quarterbacks and setting the edge against the run. Gannon’s system emphasizes creating disruption, which aligns with Sweat’s strengths.
Key stats that could elevate Sweat’s fantasy value include sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and forced fumbles. Arizona’s defense struggled with pressure last season, giving Sweat plenty of opportunities to shine. His consistent sack production—33 over the past four seasons—suggests he can deliver solid IDP numbers.
Sweat’s presence will also demand attention from blockers, leading to opportunities for assisted tackles and shared sacks. Plus, playing alongside rising talents will help free him up for more one-on-one matchups, increasing his chances to rack up impact plays.
Milton Williams: DL, New England Patriots (4 years/$104M)
Milton Williams‘s signing with the New England Patriots significantly boosts his fantasy football value in IDP leagues. His new role in the Patriots’ defense offers increased playing time and opportunities for impactful stats.
Under head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, the Patriots are shifting towards a more aggressive, attacking defensive style. Williams, known for his interior pass-rushing skills, aligns perfectly with this approach. In Philadelphia, he was part of a rotation and played less than 50% of defensive snaps. In New England, he is expected to take on a starting role, especially with uncertainties surrounding other defensive tackles.
With increased playing time, Williams has the potential to accumulate higher numbers in key IDP statistical categories. His pass-rushing abilities could lead to a rise in sack totals. An aggressive scheme may provide more chances to disrupt plays in the backfield. Consistent pressure can result in additional quarterback hits.
These statistics are crucial in IDP leagues and can significantly enhance a player’s fantasy value which is what we care about most for the defensive linemen signings.
Williams’ move to the Patriots positions him for a breakout season in IDP fantasy football, thanks to a more prominent role and a defensive scheme that leverages his strengths.
Losers of the Defensive Linemen Signings
DeMarcus Lawrence: DL, Seattle Seahawks (3 years/$42M)
DeMarcus Lawrence’s move to the Seattle Seahawks may negatively impact his fantasy football value in IDP leagues. In Seattle’s defense, Lawrence will likely serve as a mentor to younger players like Boye Mafe and Derrick Hall. His role may emphasize run defense over pass rushing, aligning with the team’s strategic needs.
This shift in role could impact him in several ways. Focusing more on run defense may limit his pass-rushing opportunities, reducing sack totals. A role centered on containment rather than aggression could result in fewer tackles behind the line of scrimmage. With less emphasis on pressuring the quarterback, the number of quarterback hits may decline.
Additionally, Lawrence’s recent injury history, including a Lisfranc foot injury that limited him to four games in 2024, raises concerns about his durability and ability to produce consistently.
Lawrence’s new role in Seattle’s defensive scheme, combined with his injury history, could lead to a reduction in the statistics that drive fantasy value in IDP leagues.
Khalil Mack: DL, Los Angeles Chargers (1 year/$18M)
Khalil Mack‘s re-signing with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal could negatively impact his fantasy football value in IDP leagues. At 34, Mack remains a key component of the Chargers’ defense. However, his role may evolve to accommodate his experience and the team’s strategic adjustments. The Chargers’ defense has been hit-and-miss at best, which has contributed to Mack’s reduced snap count.
With a reduced snap count, opportunities for tackles behind the line of scrimmage may decrease. A diminished pass-rushing role could result in fewer quarterback pressures and hits.
Fantasy managers should anticipate a potential decline in Mack’s production. While his leadership and experience remain invaluable to the Chargers, these attributes don’t directly translate to fantasy points. Monitoring his snap counts and role in the defense will be crucial for assessing his week-to-week fantasy viability.
Mack’s re-signing with the Chargers suggests a possible shift toward a more specialized role, which could lead to a decrease in key defensive statistics essential for fantasy success in IDP leagues.
Let us know who YOU think are the biggest defensive linemen signings winners and losers over at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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