​We’re delving into fantasy football content this offseason to attract football fans to Bucs Wire, and we’ll cover all angles beyond the usual offensive stars. While running backs and wide receivers typically grab most of the fantasy spotlight, IDP leagues continue to grow in popularity, offering fans another way to enjoy the gridiron. Our plan begins with rookie profiles and how these newcomers fit into the teams that drafted them. Next up is Indianapolis Colts safety AJ Haulcy.
Haulcy’s path to the NFL was unconventional. He began his college career at New Mexico, transferred to Houston, and ultimately finished at LSU. Across four collegiate seasons, he established himself as one of college football’s most productive safeties, compiling 277 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 19 pass breakups. His knack for zone coverage, combined with physical play against the run, helped him earn a third-round selection by the Colts, where he’s already shaping up as the starting strong safety.
Projections from Mase Riney of Fantasy In Frames place Haulcy at the center of attention for rookie IDP managers. The early numbers show a promising starts to a potential fantasy breakout: 72 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 0 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, and 122 fantasy points. Haulcy’s opportunity bumps him into a favorable position as a high-impact rookie in IDP formats.
Unlike many rookie safeties who must bide their time behind veteran presences, Haulcy enters training camp with a legitimate chance to lock down a starting role. The Colts currently list him as the starting strong safety, which gives him one of the clearest early paths to playing time among rookie defensive backs. His skill set aligns with the defensive philosophy under coordinator Lou Anarumo. Haulcy excels when downhill, reading quarterbacks in zone schemes, and stepping up to support the run. At about 222 pounds, he brings the necessary size to handle box work while maintaining the instincts to spark turnovers when quarterbacks test the intermediate zones.
The surrounding cast should amplify his prospects. Camryn Bynum supplies a dependable veteran presence alongside him, while Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward create one of the league’s stronger cornerback tandems. Up front, Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, and Grover Stewart regularly command attention from blockers, freeing Haulcy to attack downhill and make plays near the line of scrimmage.
Haulcy is already one of the more compelling rookie defensive backs for IDP managers. He may not have the elite range of the top safety prospects, but his proximity to the line of scrimmage and his role in a bustling defense give him a pathway to immediate tackle production. While occasional missed tackles from college linger as something to clean up, the upside is significant given his starting gig and the aggressive defensive system backing him. For fantasy purposes, Haulcy offers weekly relevance from day one in deeper IDP formats, with potential for more as he grows into the role.
Looking ahead to 2026, Haulcy projects as a solid DB3 with DB2 upside in deeper IDP leagues, making him one of the standout rookie safeties to target in redraft formats. If he staves off early misses and continues to develop his angles and tackling consistency, his fantasy stock could rise quickly as Indianapolis leverages his downhill play and coverage instincts within a robust defensive unit. This makes Haulcy a notable name to monitor as the offseason progresses and training camps commence.