FanHouse's crack squad of savvy fantasy football personnel put our five heads together and amassed consensus rankings for non-keeper, standard scoring leagues. We'll update as the season gets closer, but this is our "incredibly early yet still fun" version. In 2007, the Steelers and Ravens were awful fantasy defenses while the Chargers and Seahawks soared. In 2008, the reverse was true.
While there are always a few constants, predicting fantasy defenses is a fickle business. Thus, you needn't be drafting any before you have all the starting skill positions -- everything but kicker -- filled on your fantasy team. It's the easiest way to safeguard against a wasted pick.
| Team |
| 1. Pittsburgh Steelers |
| The defending champs do with defense in the regular season with stars like James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu -- but also depth. They added more via draft in run-stopper Evander Hood and a couple corners. |
| 2008: 51 sacks, 29 takeaways, 3 TD, 1 safety, 12.9 PAPG |
| 2. Minnesota Vikings |
| They'll likely be without the Williams duo for four weeks, but Jared Allen's pass-rushing the play-making of the secondary will remain. |
| 2008: 45 sacks, 25 takeaways, 4 TD, 3 safeties, 19.9 PAPG |
| 3. Tennessee Titans |
| The loss of Albert Haynesworth hurts, but Jeff Fisher always finds a way to re-load with his defense. Cortland Finnegan, Michael Griffin and Chris Hope combined for 16 picks last season and the front still brings plenty to the table. |
| 2008: 44 sacks, 31 takeaways, 4 TD, 14.6 PAPG |
| 4. Baltimore Ravens |
| The losses of defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott hurt, but there is plenty here to love -- like, um, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce. |
| 2008: 35 sacks, 34 takeaways, 6 TD, 3 safeties, 14.1 PAPG |
| 5. New York Giants |
| Osi Umenyiora is coming back, so the pressure on the quarterback will increase. That obviously results directly in more sacks, but hurried passers are also more prone to turning the ball over. |
| 2008: 43 sacks, 22 takeaways, 3 TD, 3 safeties, 17.6 PAPG |
| 6. New England Patriots |
| There's been decent turnover on this unit, who greatly disappointed last season. Don't doubt Bill Belichick's ability to mold the youth and newcomers -- Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden -- into a formidable bunch once again. |
| 2008: 30 sacks, 22 takeaways, 1 TD, 19.3 PAPG |
| 7. New York Jets |
| Rex Ryan will bring out the best in Vernon Gholston, Leon Washington anchors an outstanding return game and Bart Scott joins a defense that was already a very solid fantasy scorer last season. |
| 2008: 40 sacks, 30 takeaways, 6 TD, 20 PAPG |
| 8. San Diego Chargers |
| Much like we said with the Giants, the trickle-down effect of adding Shawne Merriman back to this defense will return them to prominence. Larry English -- a rookie pass-rusher -- was also added to the fray and Darren Sproles adds a dynamic return man to the bunch. |
| 2008: 27 sacks, 24 takeaways, 4 TD, 1 safety, 20.6 PAPG |
| 9. Dallas Cowboys |
| There's no reason to expect a dip in the sack production, especially as DeMarcus Ware continues to improve. The secondary will benefit from a full season of Terrance Newman. |
| 2008: 59 sacks, 22 takeaways, 2 TD, 1 safeties, 21.2 PAPG |
| 10. Philadelphia Eagles |
| The departures of Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins will be felt much more in the locker room the hearts of Eagles fans than they will in terms of fantasy production. This is still a strong pick. |
| 2008: 48 sacks, 29 takeaways, 7 TD, 1 safeties, 17.2 PAPG |
| 11. Chicago Bears |
| Better health, depth and philosophy are all present this time around in Halas Hall. The defense is seriously motivated to return to elite status and the addition to Jay Cutler to the offense will give them more rest. |
| 2008: 28 sacks, 32 takeaways, 6 TD, 1 safety, 21.1 PAPG |
| 12. Carolina Panthers |
| It appears that Julius Peppers is going to stick around after all. Before drafting, make sure to check the latest Peppers news, though, because he makes a huge difference. Without them they'd plunge down about 5 spots, if not more. |
| 2008: 37 sacks, 25 takeaways, 2 TD, 20.2 PAPG |
| 13. Miami Dolphins |
| Sleeper here. The Dolphins added safety help, corner depth and a supposedly rejuvenated Jason Taylor to a defense that turned some heads last season. |
| 2008: 41 sacks, 30 takeaways, 2 TD, 1 safety, 18.9 PAPG |
| 14. Washington Redskins |
| Adding Haynesworth to the middle and Brian Orakpo to the outside will galvanize the pass rush and free others to get into the backfield more. |
| 2008: 24 sacks, 18 takeaways, 1 TD, 17.8 PAPG |
| 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| A very solid fantasy defense last season underwent major changes this offseason. They have several good players, but seem to be in rebuilding mode. |
| 2008: 29 sacks, 30 takeaways, 7 TD, 19.1 PAPG |
| 16. Seattle Seahawks |
| A colossal bust for the 2008 season, the 'Hawks are back on their way. They should have a healthy Patrick Kerney back in the mix, they've brought Ken Lucas back, and selected the best defensive player in the draft (Aaron Curry). |
| 2008: 35 sacks, 20 takeaways, 4 TD, 24.1 PAPG |
| 17. Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Rashean Mathis is a playmaker, but overall the Jags have been a much better real defense than fantasy unit because they don't take many chances. It's possible a new defensive coordinator changes things, but let's view them as a possible waiver-wire add right now. |
| 2008: 29 sacks, 17 takeaways, 3 TD, 1 safety, 22.2. PAPG |
| 18. Arizona Cardinals |
| Here's another sleeper. Losing Antonio Smith hurts the Cards, but they added Bryant McFadden and play in a pretty awful division. Expect Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to continue development as well. |
| 2008: 31 sacks, 30 takeaways, 6 TD, 26.3 PAPG |
| 19. Green Bay Packers |
| You can't expect 7 defensive touchdowns again, and they are changing schemes -- which means some players will need an adjustment period. The draft additions of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews bode well for the future, though. |
| 2008: 27 sacks, 28 takeaways, 9 TD, 23 PAPG |
| 20. Indianapolis Colts |
| Nearly the entire coaching staff is new. Expect them to take a few more chances -- rather than just sitting in the cover-two -- but they're still a risky pick. |
| 2008: 31 sacks, 26 takeaways, 4 TD, 17 PAPG |
| 21. Houston Texans |
| The franchise continues moving in the right direction. As far as on defense, they added Cato June, Brian Cushing, Antonio Smith and others via free agency and the draft. Team them with talent like Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans -- this is a team with a shot to move up quickly. |
| 2008: 25 sacks, 22 takeaways, 3 TD, 23.8 PAPG |
| 22. Buffalo Bills |
| Pretty unexciting option here, especially if their two corners continue to ail. |
| 2008: 24 sacks, 23 takeaways, 5 TD, 20.5 PAPG |
| 23. Atlanta Falcons |
| Here's another much better real defense than fantasy. They face some really good offensive teams this year, too, so it's a gamble. |
| 2008: 34 sacks, 18 takeaways, 3 TD, 1 safety, 19.9 PAPG |
| 24. San Francisco 49ers |
| IDP star Patrick Willis can only do so much. |
| 2008: 30 sacks, 36 takeaways, 4 TD, 22.4 PAPG |
| 25. Oakland Raiders |
| Nnamdi Asomugha is too good at his job for fantasy dividends. He only had 1 interception last season because no one throws his way anymore. |
| 2008: 31 sacks, 24 takeaways, 5 TD, 2 safeties, 23.8 PAPG |
| 26. New Orleans Saints |
| Gregg Williams as coordinator should help a bit, but they aren't useful yet. |
| 2008: 28 sacks, 22 takeaways, 3 TD, 1 safety, 23.3 PAPG |
| 27. Denver Broncos |
| Wholesale changes to what was a pathetic defense last season. They'll be better, but that's not saying much. |
| 2008: 25 sacks, 13 takeaways, 2 TD, 27.1 PAPG |
| 28. Cincinnati Bengals |
| Gained some good depth in the draft, but it's not enough just yet. |
| 2008: 17 sacks, 24 takeaways, 3 TD, 22 PAPG |
| 29. Cleveland Browns |
| You'd have to be pretty desperate to grab these guys. |
| 2008: 18 sacks, 31 takeaways, 3 TD, 19.6 PAPG |
| 30. Detroit Lions |
| This was a historically bad defense in 2008, but they've made really solid improvements. Still not good enough, but there's hope. |
| 2008: 31 sacks, 20 takeaways, 1 TD, 1 safety, 30.3 PAPG |
| 31. Kansas City Chiefs |
| With Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey and a new scheme, they'll get better in the future. Just not yet. |
| 2008: 10 sacks, 29 takeaways, 3 TD, 26.8 PAPG |
| 32. St. Louis Rams |
| Steve Spagnuolo is reshaping the defense, but it's not a one-year project. Give them time. |
| 2008: 30 sacks, 26 takeaways, 1 TD, 26.4 PAPG |
PAPG = Points allowed per game. This does not include points allowed by the offense -- a interception returned against the Steelers offense, for example, shouldn't hurt your Steelers D/ST in fantasy -- just the defense and special teams.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2009 @ 9:45PM
montie_87 said...
i think the steelers will b a great team this year but my team are the cowboys with the decisions they have made i dont know how much potential they can surface
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6-20-2009 @ 6:33PM
BigBlue56 said...
Let me get this straight.
Steelers as #1? I agree.
The Vikings lose two starting tackles for a 1/4 of the season but will be 2nd in defense? Without the two Williams, Allen is going to be double-teamed like heck.
The Titans lose the best nose tackle in the game but will be fine because Fisher will find a way? Those DBs got INTs b/c of Haynesworth's pressure on the QB. He also had the most sacks on the team, which is a crazy stat for a nose tackle. Those other linemen can't cut it without him.
The Ravens are good but Bart Scott had the 2nd most tackles on the team. Also, against the top teams, that defense gave up 353 yards to the Giants, 391 yards to Tenn. in the playoffs (lucky win), and 311 yards to the Steelers and rightfully lost, like they should've against the Titans. Sorry but good numbers against subpar competition doesn't prove anything. It's about facing top teams and while the Ravens were opportunistic against them, they were not consistent.
The Giants, my team, should be #2. First off, Osi Umenyiora is back and completely healthy. They also added Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty, and Michael Boley. So while the other 3 teams lose players, the Giants added 1 Pro Bowler and 3 solid players. Next, the two starting DTs and Justin Tuck were injured last year. One DT had surgery and the other had bone spurs. Tuck had a virus and bone spurs. Even with the injuries and Osi gone, they were still in the top 5 in defense. How can a reasonable person, with the Giants' additions and the other teams losses, not rank them higher. Absolute lunacy.
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