The fantasy landscape evolves each year, and individual defensive player (IDP) leagues are gaining popularity every season. However, for most fantasy managers, Team Defense still occupies a spot in their starting lineups. It is one of ten starting positions and can be just as crucial as your tight end when it comes to securing victories each week. With this in mind, here is a tiered breakdown of every Team Defense in fantasy football based on the Footballguys Consensus Rankings.
Pro Tip
This advice may sound familiar if you've read this article in previous years, but it still holds: If your league rules permit it, avoid drafting a Team Defense.
While it's important to start the correct defense each week, that weekly aspect is precisely why you shouldn't spend a high draft pick on one. Although the top defenses tend to score significantly more fantasy points by the end of the year, it's crucial to approach Team Defense as a weekly game.
While Team Defense scoring can vary significantly, the trends remain consistent. For this argument, I will use ESPN standard scoring. Last year's top Team Defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers, scored less than two points more per game than the 12th-best team. The 12th-best team averaged about six points per game. The Steelers scored fewer than six points in four of their games, and eight or fewer in nine of their games. The best defense in fantasy was average or worse in more than half their games.
It's all about the weekly matchups. There are usually 17-20 defenses on your league's waiver wire to select from, so why waste the draft pick? Instead, load up on running backs and wide receivers and wait out injuries until Week 1. Then, pick up a defense with a great 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
I do not recommend drafting a defense too early, but if you are set on doing so, consider targeting the teams in Tier 1. They are strong defenses with favorable opening schedules, making them worthwhile choices if you choose to pick a defense earlier than you should.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos were one of the best defenses in the league last year, got better in the offseason, and have a wonderful opening schedule. They start the year at home against the Titans. Mile High Stadium is a notoriously tough place to play for rookies, let alone Cam Ward making his first-ever start. Then, Denver faces Daniel Jones in Week 2. It gets a little tougher after that, but Week 6 and 7 matchups with the Jets and Giants should make for a nice rebound.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers were the best fantasy defense in many scoring systems last year and open the year with questionable offenses through to Week 7. Their Week 5 bye complicates matters, but they should be a top-5 play throughout September.
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings were better than you remember for fantasy purposes last season and get Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland over their first five games. Only their Week 3 tilt with Cincinnati is concerning.
Tier 2: Good Defense, Bad Schedule
The teams in Tier 2 are among the highest-rated defenses according to Footballguys, but their schedule isn't particularly favorable. If one of these teams is available, it's worth considering them based on talent. However, if you decide to wait on selecting a defense, keep in mind that most of these teams will likely be gone by the time you reach the last two rounds. That's fine; let others spend early draft picks on them. The teams in Tier 3 have better matchups anyway.
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