Take a lesson out of my playbook, defenses can win you fantasy matchups on a consistent basis. Luckily, I made the decision to take the San Francisco 49ers defense in one of my leagues last season. Needless to say, they helped me out a great deal.
When there is a major difference between the top two or three defenses in the NFL and the rest of the pack, you have to take notice.
This season there are two specific units that standout to me. They are ranked atop the list presented to you below. Take notice because this could help you out a great deal.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Statistics: 20.5 PPG, 24 forced turnovers, 50 sacks and seven games of 15 or less points allowed
The Eagles weren't all too good in this category last season. While they were among the best in the league in sacks and did pick it up in terms of points against towards the end, they struggled to stay consistent throughout 2011.
They still do have some of the best returning talent in the league. Jason Babin and Trent Cole make up the best 4-3 defensive end combo in the NFC. Nnamdi Asomugha, despite struggling in his first season with the club, is still an extraordinary talent. It also looks as if Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will play consistently on the outside after the departure of Asante Samuel in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. DRC earned his only Pro Bowl appearance two years ago with the Arizona Cardinals playing that position.
However, the largest additions came in the draft where Philadelphia arguably added four first-round prospects. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox brings a tough presence against both the run and the pass and can play multiple defensive line positions. Vinny Curry was dominating at Marshall and showed us all why he can be an elite pass-rush threat with his hands down in a 4-3. One of my favorite players in the entire 2012 NFL draft was Mychal Kendricks, who Philadelphia nabbed in the second round. The former CAL linebacker has the ability to come in immediately and be a tremendous upgrade over what Philadelphia had last season. Also, don't forget about Brandon Boykin who should win the nickel 'corner job.
All of these additions fit positions of specific need for the much maligned Eagles' defense. This is going to make them one of the best fantasy units in the league moving forward.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Statistics: 20.2 PPG, 22 forced turnovers, 45 sacks and three games of 15 or less points allowed
Much like the Eagles, this Bengals team has done a tremendous job building young talent on defense. Gino Atkins is one of the most unheralded defensive tackles in the entire game and at 24 has a tremendous amount of upside. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 50 tackles last season. Carlos Dunlap has recorded 14 sacks as a pass-rush specialist from the defensive end position since the start of 2010.
Two great additions to the defensive line were Devon Still and Brandon Thompson in the draft. This young defensive tackle tandem is not just going to provide depth at a position considered a strength, they're impact football players out of the gate.
While the Bengals linebacker group might leave something to be desired, they are picked up by what promises to be an improved secondary.
Rookie first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick, despite a recent injury setback, has the tools that a team looks for in a nickel guy. He is physical at the line and plays like a safety over the top. Cincinnati also went out there and signed Jason Allen and Terence Newman as veteran reinforcements. This trio is going to join consensus No. 1 'corner Leon Hall, who is returning from injury. Great young talent on the Bengals defense. Expect them to make tremendous strides in 2012.
3. Chicago Bears
2011 Statistics: 21.3 PPG, 31 forced turnovers, 33 sacks and seven games of 15 or less points allowed
The Bears defense boasts three Pro Bowl performers in the form of Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. They have been quite the trio since Peppers came over from the Carolina Panthers prior to the 2010 season. When you have three impact players like this in the front seven it makes that secondary that much better.
Chicago allowed less than 15 points in nearly half their games last season, despite being called on to play the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers a total of four times. They have both the talent and scheme to repeat this performance in 2012.
2. Seattle Seahawks
2011 Statistics: 19.7 PPG, 31 forced turnovers, 33 sacks and six games of 15 or less points allowed
Widely considered one of the most underrated units in the entire league, Seattle's defense led by Casey Bradley isn't going to fly under the radar heading into the 2012 season. They have arguably the most talented secondary in football with Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Kim Chancellor and Earl Thomas as the starting four.
Seattle added both Jason Jones and Bruce Irvin to the mix along what was already a stud defensive line. Those two are going to be joining Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Chris Clemons and Alan Branch to form one of the deepest front fours in the entire National Football League.
One primary area of concern and probably the sole reason Seattle isn't anywhere near the No.1 team on this list, is their questionable linebacker group. K.J Wright has the looks of a star after standing out as a rookie in 2011. Outside of that there really isn't much to see here.
1. San Francisco 49ers
2011 Statistics: 14.3 PPG, 38 forced turnovers, 42 sacks and seven games of 15 or less points allowed.
Hands down the best fantasy defense in the National Football League and it really isn't even that close. The 49ers return all 11 starters from a unit that absolutely dominated opponents last season. They have Pro Bowl players at every level of the defense and are still extremely young. Justin Smith earned All-Pro honors at two different positions. Don't ask me how that happens because I really won't have an answer. Ray McDonald is one of the best all-around 3-4 defensive ends in the game and Isaac Sopoaga absolutely dominated against the run in the trenches.
Their secondary is filled with talent and experience. Carlos Rogers finally lived up to expectations after a half-dozen mediocre years with the Washington Redskins. Tarell Brown stepped it up big time at the other 'corner position and 2011 third-round pick Chris Culliver is going to be a Pro Bowl player in the near future.
Perhaps one of the most intimidating duos in the entire league is Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson at safety. These two hard-hitting players seem to complement one another a great deal and can scare the collective jockstraps off of opposing offenses. Just ask Pierre Thomas and the multiple running backs (seven by my count) that were knocked out of games in 2011.
Let's be honest. The heart-and-soul of this unit is at linebacker. San Francisco boasts the best overall defensive player in the league in the form of Patrick Willis, who had NaVorro Bowman join him with All-Pro honors in 2011. Thy are the best tandem n the entire league and it isn't close. Aldon Smith, despite playing limited snaps, broke the franchise rookie sack record with 14 last season. He has taken over for Parys Haralson opposite Ahmad Brooks at outside linebacker and will be given a bigger role in 2012.
Simply put, this is one of the most dominating units that we have seen in quite some time around the National Football League. One thing to take into account is the enormous task that faces the 49ers' defense this year. They will be going up against the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. That is a mighty difficult assignment, even for the best overall defense, fantasy or not, in the league.