Every year, fantasy football players want to save their last picks for kickers and for defenses, and for good reason. But as the Chicago Bears proved last season, a defense can win a fantasy matchup any given week. I am not saying to draft a defense in the seventh round, but should a top fantasy defense be available and you are satisfied with the depth of your skill players, picking a defense may not be a bad idea. Here are the top 20 fantasy football defenses for the upcoming season.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The NFC has some very good defenses this year, especially the NFC West. But, the Seahawks are the best of the best. With pass rushers Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin in addition to the most complete secondary in football, the Seahawks will be making a push to be the best defense in the NFL this season.
2. Chicago Bears
Last season, the Chicago Bears completed one of the more historic fantasy seasons for a defense in history. A lot has been made about the loss of Brian Urlacher, but that may actually benefit this defense. With Julius Peppers, Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman, the Bears will force a lot of turnovers. But the most impressive thing about the Bears defense is the amount of depth in the front seven. Expect a similar year to last season, but with a few less touchdowns.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been, and will be the model of excellence on the defensive side of the football. With the best “stunt” tandem in the NFL in Justin Smith and Aldon Smith, the sacks will come in bunches. The only difference between the ‘Niners and the Bears/Seahawks is the interceptions and big plays. San Francisco may have the best defense in the NFL, but they are “only” the third best fantasy defense.
4. Denver Broncos
The loss of Elvis Dumervil and the suspension of Von Miller will hurt early, but the Broncos defense will look to repeat last year’s fantasy success. Expect them to be one of the better defenses in the AFC.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have the ceiling to be the best defense in the NFL, but they need to put it all together. With one of the most talented defensive lines in all of football, the sack numbers could be huge this season. Geno Atkins and Domata Peko will draw so much attention inside that the pass rushers for the Bengals will have every opportunity to get to the quarterback. New acquisition James Harrison will look to accrue double digits sacks, and will be very successful with the amount of talent in the Bengals front seven.
6. Houston Texans
Wade Phillips continues to be one of the better defensive coordinators in the game, and will have plenty of weapons to use this season. J.J. Watt is one of the more dominant forces in the NFL, and with the addition of Ed Reed, the Texans could be poised to be a turnover-forcing machine this season.
7. Green Bay Packers
This is where reality and fantasy will separate. The Packers in recent years have allowed an absurd amount of points, but they also have been able to record good sack numbers and turnovers. Expect the sacks to rise again this year with the emergence of Nick Perry alongside Clay Matthews as pass rushers. The Packers secondary will be the key once again this year, but with Sam Shields and Tramon Williams, the Packers could be one of the better fantasy defenses in the NFL.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Although the Steelers are not what they once were, Dick LeBeau is still the defensive coordinator. As long as he is there, the Steelers will put up sack numbers and play solid defense. Expect a breakout year for Jason Worilds as he will try to fill Harrison’s shoes.
9. St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams may be one of this year’s surprises, as a defense and as a team. The Seahawks and the 49ers will overshadow St. Louis in the NFC West, but that will be an advantage to drafting their fantasy defense. The Rams defensive line includes three first round picks in Chris Long, Michael Brockers, and Robert Quinn, and they will be a force in opposing teams backfields. All the pressure will lead to turnovers in the secondary. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins is a playmaker who will benefit from this Rams defensive line.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the acquisitions of Dashon Goldson and Darrelle Revis, the Bucs secondary will be among the best in football. But the Bucs defensive line is the selling point here, a vastly underrated bunch includes: Gerald McCoy, and Adrian Clayborn.
Rounding out the top 20:
11. New England Patriots
12. New York Giants
13. Dallas Cowboys
14. Miami Dolphins
15. Arizona Cardinals
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. Cleveland Browns
18. Baltimore Ravens
19. Buffalo Bills
20. Minnesota Vikings
Top Tier: Seahawks, Bears, 49ers, Broncos
Second Tier: Bengals, Texans
Low Risk/High Reward: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – As mentioned above, the Bucs could have the best secondary in football, and with a good defensive line, the turnovers will come. Expect the Bucs to be in the top 10 fantasy defenses, but one of the last taken in your draft. This is one of the best value picks in fantasy football this year.