Updated October 6th ~ Find most current team defense rankings here.
Updated: Sep. 8, 2009. See updated Team Defense Rankings here.
Even the most savvy owners in fantasy football are so busy focusing on offense, and who got traded where, that they fail to recognize who's moving around the NFL on defense. As an example this year, Albert Haynesworth made the move from Nashville to Washington, thus lowering the Titan's defensive prowess, and making the Redskin's defense more staunch. So while you're sitting down to do your offense research, spend some time on defense too. A solid defense/special teams unit can perform as well as a top RB or wide receiver most weeks. The trick is finding value. We'll look at the top half of the league, and simply rank the rest.
- Pittsburgh Steelers ~ Not much of a surprise here. The new era steel curtain was second in sacks and tied for sixth in interceptions, and they just keep adding talent. Look for rookie defensive end Evander "Ziggy" Hood to make an immediate impact in 2009. With guys like James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Lawrence Timmons, Lamar Woodley and James Farrior it's hard to even consider any other defense at number one. Bye Week 8.
- New York Giants ~ The Giant's D just keeps getting better. I've seen a few sites this year (Yahoo for one) who seem to think they should be at number one. They see the return of Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka this year, and they added linebacker Michael Boley, a 100 tackle monster. While it's hard to imagine anyone besting the Steelers D, NYG has a shot. Bye Week 10.
- Minnesota Vikings ~ Many expect to see the Titans or Ravens here, but Minnesota's consistency raises their value. They have been first against the run for three seasons straight. Last year they were also 2nd in forced fumbles which may explain why they average about six touchdowns a season for their fantasy teams. As long as the brothers Williams (Kevin and Pat) can stay on the field and out of Roger Goodell's doghouse they should finish in the top 5 at D. Oh and did I mention 100+ tackle monster E.J. Henderson is back this season to join top DE Jared Allen and top DB's Cedric Griffen and Antoine Winfield? Bye Week 9.
- New York Jets ~ This pick may raise some eyebrows. Don't the Ravens belong here? Yes and no. New Jets coach Rex Ryan left Baltimore and took his skills to New York. He also took a few of his old Ravens with him. The team also added Bart Scott (former Steeler), Jim Leonhard, and Lito Sheppard to a team that already has one of the best DB tandems in Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes. Expect bigger and better from the Jets D this season. Let us not forget the team also sports special teams fiend, Leon Washington, who has something to prove this year. The Jets will go later than the fourth defense off the board, so they make a nice sleeper pick. Bye Week 9.
- Baltimore Ravens ~ Despite rotating players in and out of their line-up, the Ravens are always a top performing defensive unit. The loss of the defensive genius Rex Ryan and the fact that some of these guys are getting long in the tooth, like defensive jaggernaut, Ray Lewis, is the only reason they are not in my top three this season. Sooner or later they have to start slipping. Defensive ends Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs have their work cut out for them in 2009. Bye Week 7.
- Dallas Cowboys ~ This ranking may be another eyebrow raiser, but the Cowboys led the league last season with 59 sacks in 2008. Their interception totals were low, but I expect an improvement there in 2009 with Gerald Sensabaugh replacing the oft injured Terence Newman. With guys like Demarcus Ware (20 sacks), Bradie James (over 100 tackles) and the addition of veteran Keith Brooking, this is another great sleeper D for 2009 who you can get later than the 6th defense off the board. Bye Week 6.
- Philadelphia Eagles ~ The Eagles are an unpredictable group on defense; up and down, never consistent, and now they've lost Stewart Bradley for the season. Yet, there is hope for a solid fantasy campaign in 2009. They have Asante Samuel, and Quintin Mikell as a solid DB tandem, top defensive end Trent Cole. But what really bodes well for fantasy owners is the talent on special teams. The Eagles now have two prime return specialists in Quentin Demps and Ellis Hobbs, and who knows if rookies LeSean McCoy or Jerry Maclin will get in on the fun as well. I think we might see a lot of special teams points from this '09 squad. Bye Week 4.
- San Diego Chargers ~ The Chargers defense were fantasy studs in 2007 and fantasy duds in 2008. Much of that can be attributed to the loss of Shawne Merriman to injury. He is to the Chargers what Ray Lewis is to the Ravens. He is back in '09 with his team that already includes top linebacker Stephen Cooper and top DBs Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle, the tackle monster. Oh, and let us not forget special teams demon, Darren Sproles. I expect a renaissance year for the Chargers D. Bye Week 5.
- Chicago Bears ~ Da Bears have relied more on their defensive history the last few years than actual production, but a lot of that has been injury related, and there's been (to my thinking anyway) an overall malaise that comes from being on the field all the time because your offense simply sucks. This season the team starts out healthier and there is a refreshing optimism courtesy of instant offensive viability thanks to the trade for Jay Cutler. The big names are still there; Urlacher, Briggs, Ogunleye, Payne and Tillman. It should be a solid fantasy productive year for the Bears D. Bye Week 5.
- New England Patriots ~ The Patriots just died on defense last year, and almost all of it can be attributed to a rash of injuries that plagued the team all season. But there were shining reminders of their defensive viability. Rookie Jerod Mayo had 100 tackles, and will only improve in his second season. Brandon Merriweather looked excellent, and he'll be joined this season by IDP sleeper rookie, Patrick Chung. And let us not forget veterans Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess, Tedy Bruschi and Richard Seymour. I see a big defensive rebound in 2009 for fantasy teams. Bye Week 8.
- Tennessee Titans ~ The Titans had a great year from a fantasy defensive perspective in 2008, but the loss of DE Albert Haynesworth leaves a big hole, figuratively and literally. I expect their defense will struggle this year to achieve the production they had last season. They still have Cortland Finnegan, Kyle Vandenbosch, Nick Harper and Keith Bullock, but the team also has to get used to a new defensive coordinator in Chuck Cecil. Bye Week 7.
- Miami Dolphins ~ Miami was a surprise on both sides of the ball last season. While I doubt their offense will shine as brightly, I do expect similar production from their defense. They were 8th last season in fantasy production, and while that doesn't bring your fantasy house down, it certainly won't hurt you as a low end option. DE Jason Taylor returns to the fold which now has LB Channing Crowder top 5 DB's Gibril Wilson and Yeremiah Bell. Bye Week 6.
- Carolina Panthers ~ The Panthers defense was off their game in 2008, but they should rebound nicely in 2009 to make them a low end #1 option. Julius Peppers has stopped squawking about a trade. With Jon Beason, Thomas Davis (who should both be healthy by the regular season), Richard Marshall and Chris Harris, the team can be formidable. Bye Week 4.
- Green Bay Packers ~ The value of the Packer's fantasy defense in 2009 rests squarely on the shoulders of Aaron Kampman who will move from defensive end to outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Dom Caper's 3-4 scheme. This switch in schemes will have a positive trickle effect on guys like AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett. Atari Bigby is a top safety. Rookie BJ Raji should be an immediate impact player against the run. Tramon Williams is there to help aging CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris, and Will Blackmon is always a threat on special teams. Bye Week 5.
- Washington Redskins ~ The Titans loss is the Redskins gain, and Albert Haynesworth's addition makes them instantly credible as a fantasy defensive option in 2009. London Fletcher is still a consistent high-end 100 tackle linebacker. Rookie Brian Orakpo looks like the real thing. There are some questions in their secondary with LaRon Landry and Andre Carter, but the 'skins should be a definite sleeper pick as a low end starting fantasy defense. Bye Week 8.
- Houston Texans ~ The Texans make a big jump in my book on defense this season, breaking into the top half of the league. DE's Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye lead the team. Stud linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Zach Diles are another year improved. Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing should provide immediate value, along with the addition of DE Antonio Smith from Arizona. Bye Week 10.
- Indianapolis Colts ~ Bye Week 6.
- Seattle Seahawks ~ Bye Week 8.
- Arizona Cardinals ~ Bye Week 4.
- Buffalo Bills ~ Bye Week 9.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ~ Bye Week 8.
- Atlanta Falcons ~ Bye Week 4.
- San Francisco 49ers ~ Bye Week 6.
- Oakland Raiders ~ Bye Week 9.
- St. Louis Rams ~ Bye Week 9.
- Jacksonville Jaguars ~ Bye Week 7.
- Cleveland Browns ~ Bye Week 9.
- New Orleans Saints ~ Bye Week 5.
- Detroit Lions ~ Bye Week 7.
- Cincinnati Bengals ~ Bye Week 8.
- Denver Broncos ~ Bye Week 7.
- Kansas City Chiefs ~ Bye Week 7.
