The fantasy landscape changes yearly, and individual defensive player (IDP) leagues get more popular every season. However, for the vast majority of fantasy managers, Team Defense is still included in their starting lineups. In fact, it is usually one of 10 starting spots and can be just as crucial as your tight end when it comes to securing weekly wins.
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With that in mind, here is a tiered breakdown for every Team Defense in fantasy football based on the Footballguys Consensus Rankings.
Pro Tip
This pointer will sound familiar if you've read this article in years past, but the facts still hold: If your league rules allow it, do not draft a Team Defense. Yes, starting the right defense every week is essential, but that every week part is why you shouldn't waste a high pick. While the top defenses score more fantasy points when looking at end-of-year totals, you should view Team Defense as a weekly game.
Last year's top Team Defense, the Baltimore Ravens, scored about three points more per game than the 12th-best team. But more importantly, they scored eight or fewer fantasy points in eight games. The 12th-best defense last year averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game. That means the Ravens were average or worse in 50% of the fantasy-relevant matchups. The Colts Team Defense was ranked 13th but had similar sack and takeaway numbers to Baltimore. They hit eight or more fantasy points in seven of their matchups.
There is almost no fundamental difference between the 13th-ranked defense and the best. It's all about the weekly matchups. There are usually 17-20 teams on your league's waivers to select from, so why waste the pick? Instead, load up on running backs and wide receivers and wait out injuries until Week 1. Then, pick up the defense with the best Week 1 matchup off waivers after you drop or trade away the assets you accumulated in your draft.
PS: You should do the same with Kickers!
Tier 1: Defenses to Target
While I do not advocate drafting a defense, most of the teams in Tier 1 will require a pick. If you are determined to draft a defense earlier than you should, these teams are good and have excellent opening schedules.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys were one of the best fantasy defenses last season and led the league in DEF/ST touchdowns. They open against an injury-riddled Cleveland team and follow that up with New Orleans. In their first five matchups, only the Ravens and Lions look tough, and both are home games.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are a perennial powerhouse in fantasy defense, and 2024 should be no different. Looking at the schedule, Dallas is the only great offense in their first eight games. They face some teams on the rise, like Atlanta in Week 1, but for the most part, there are still questions about every team on their schedule for the first two months.
San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco is another team that usually finishes near the top of fantasy rankings. With opening games against the Jets, Vikings, Rams, Patriots, Cardinals, and Seahawks, you can probably start them confidently until they face the Chiefs in Week 7.
New York Jets: The Jets' defense has improved immensely over the last two seasons and is regarded as one of the best in the league for 2024. While the Week 1 matchup against San Francisco is far from ideal, if Trent Williams isn't in uniform, there could be plenty of pressure on Brock Purdy. After that, they get Tennessee, New England, Denver, and Minnesota.
Houston Texans: The Texans looked great in their first year under DeMeco Ryans and did a lot to improve heading into this season. They face unproven quarterbacks in their first three games and might be good enough to keep starting against the Jaguars and Bills before a very favorable Week 6 matchup with New England.
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