2008 Fantasy Football Defenses
A look at the top Defensive units in Fantasy Football 2008
This week we are looking at Kickers and Team Defenses for the upcoming fantasy season. Be sure to check out our column on Monday covering WR and TE, by our new columnist Andrew Sicard. Also, be sure to check back next Friday for our pre-season NFL predictions on fantasy and more.
Team Defenses are very important in most leagues. Many owners completely overlook the team defense spot on their roster. You must consider team defenses when you are putting together your team, and I would say that you should consider them before your number two WR. Last season, based on ESPN leagues points (which are pretty standard and easily found to compare) the top defense scored more points than the seven highest scoring RB, the same as the twelfth highest scoring QB, and the fifth highest scoring WR.
All that should easily point to the importance of team defense. The argument can be made that top defenses could be looked at after securing your top QB, RB, and WR. I cannot make it any plainer than those above numbers. Now, obviously if your leagues scoring is drastically different than ESPN for defenses then you need to adjust, though they will still be drafted lower than they should be in any league. In my keeper league the fourth highest defense beat the fifth highest QB to give you an idea how similar other leagues will be to ESPN.
Now that we have discussed the importance of focusing on team defenses earlier in the draft we have to look at whom you should take. Team defense can vary quite a bit year to year, obviously based on the moves made by the team itself, so rankings can change. This seasons rankings are not a whole lot different than the point rankings from the end of last season.
One quick note: Do not forget to consider a team’s schedule when looking at a defense, as whom they play will obviously influence their numbers. Also, check out the special teams if your league includes them in any way that provides a good value (obviously leagues that consider special teams points add value to the Bears and Jets TD, because of Devin Hester and Leon Washington).
Top Tier Fantasy Defenses & Special Teams
San Diego Chargers
I know many experts are saying that the Vikings and Cowboys are top tier defenses, and they may very well be exactly that this season. However, I have to acknowledge the clear superiority of last years top defense the Chargers. They were the clear class of team defense last season and should only improve this season (regardless of what happens with Shawn Merriman who missed time last season as well). The Chargers D scored 25 more points (ESPN League) than the second highest scoring defense and with young playmakers like Luis Castillo and Antonio Cromartie they should at worst hold their own.
Second Tier Fantasy Defenses & Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys
This tier is an interesting split between two defenses that have been solid for a few years (Dallas and Jax), and two up and coming D’s (Minnesota and GB). The Vikings made the biggest splash getting Jared Allen this off season, but I actually think GB may take a bigger step this season overall. The Vikings will put pressure on the QB, but if they are unable to do so their secondary is mediocre and aging. Green Bay is young at every position except corner (Woodson and Harris will be fine) and should only improve. Jax is a defense that has been good for a few years, but should actually improve this season with the addition of Derrick Harvey and some maturation of their youngsters. Dallas is a very solid defense that just has to pray Pacman Jones and Tank Williams do not sink a promising ship, their defense could be a bit of a risk (and we all know I hate risks in fantasy football).
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Third Tier Fantasy Defenses & Special Teams
Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens
This tier is all about value. You can get some solid defenses a little later, but you will probably not get elite numbers out of them. The two defenses that have a chance to move up this season are Buffalo and Oakland. They both have very young core players who are talented, made moves to solidify weak spots this off season (Kawika Mitchell and DeAngelo Hall), and have pretty manageable schedules. Other than looking hard at those two, especially in a keeper league, you really cannot go wrong with one of these teams as your defense. Although, I do not like the Eagles for this season, they lost their leader in Jeremiah Trotter and have a lot of turmoil on that side of the ball right now.
Fourth Tier Fantasy Defenses & Special Teams
Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New York Giants, Washington Redskins
These teams are okay as backups but generally you do not want to have to start them week-to-week. Carolina tends to always disappoint despite high talent and expectations. The Cards are okay, but lack to firepower to move up a whole lot. The Giants are aging and without the pass rushers that made them so effective last season off the edge (Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (injured). The Redskins made their usual big splash by getting Jason Taylor, but will feel the loss of Shawn Taylor on the field this season as well as off. That leaves the Jets, who could benefit a bit from the addition of Brett Favre, but probably will benefit more from Eric Mangini’s defense being more to his liking (without Jonathan Vilma). The Jets are young and could have a very solid season, especially if young playmakers like Darrell Revis step up this season. Also, if your league counts special teams points they are a much higher rated team due to Leon Washington.
Everybody Else
Some people like the Browns, Saints, and 49ers to improve, and they may improve. However, not enough to be considered in fantasy yet. Of those three the 49ers are probably the closest to breaking through this season as they have a couple solid playmakers in Patrick Willis and Nate Clements.
By Brian Chmielewski
ProFootball-fans.com Fantasy Football Director of Content