Fantasy: 2017 Defense Primer
Fantasy Primers
Defenses
Drafting a team defense is something a lot of owners do casually once they've filled out the majority of their roster. While it's wise to wait till the later rounds to draft a defense, there's no reason to treat it with any less importance than uncovering the next breakout running back or receiver.
After an offseason full of changes, here's a quick look at where all 32 defenses stand heading into 2017.
It's important to remember that these primers are not intended to be tiers for drafting. You can view our complete team defense rankings here.
Elite squads
Denver Broncos - Led by Von Miller's dominant pass rush, the Broncos boast the league's most complete defense. Denver is one of the only defenses worth considering before the final two rounds.
Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have been in the top five for points allowed in each of the last five seasons. Assuming Earl Thomas is back to full health, they'll once again be a shutdown unit.
Houston Texans - J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus will disrupt any offense they line up against and should make the Texans a fun fantasy defense to own.
New England Patriots - Bill Belichick fielded the sixth-best fantasy defense last season and now adds star corner Stephon Gilmore to the mix.
Rock solid
Kansas City Chiefs - While their roster underwent some transition in the offseason, the core that helped the Chiefs to back-to-back top-four fantasy finishes remains intact.
New York Giants - The Giants were one of the most improved units last year after investing heavily in their defense during free agency. No defense was better for fantasy owners over the second half of 2016.
Arizona Cardinals - The Cardinals added some potential difference-makers in the draft, but they might be without the versatile Deone Bucannon early in the season as he recovers from ankle surgery.
Minnesota Vikings - Mike Zimmer's crew ended the year as the No. 1 overall fantasy defense, but wasn't nearly as effective in the second half of the season once injuries took their toll.
Flawed but dangerous
Carolina Panthers - On paper, the Panthers' front seven looks unstoppable, as long as Luke Kuechly's concussion history doesn't sideline their leader.
Baltimore Ravens - A year after adding Eric Weddle, Baltimore signed another veteran safety, Tony Jefferson, to solidify the center of its secondary. With 34-year-old Terrell Suggs coming off a torn biceps, the real question for the Ravens will be whether they can generate a consistent pass rush.
On the rise
Jacksonville Jaguars - A second straight offseason of significant free-agent spending has given the Jags an incredible amount of talent on their defense. However, they still need to prove they're worthy of being a weekly fantasy starter.
Los Angeles Chargers - The emergence of Joey Bosa paired with a quality secondary gives the Chargers an exciting young collection of talent.
Atlanta Falcons - If they can get over their Super Bowl LI collapse, the Falcons should continue to evolve under Dan Quinn's tutelage.
Los Angeles Rams - Bringing in Wade Phillips was the best move the Rams could have made this offseason. The veteran defensive coordinator will get the most out of Aaron Donald and company.
Winning teams
Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers made great strides in the second half of 2016, posting the sixth-most fantasy points among defenses.
Oakland Raiders - Marshawn Lynch's arrival could be the key to the Raiders' defense taking the next step. Playing with a lead behind a clock-killing running back increases the odds of impact fantasy plays (sacks, interceptions, etc.).
Green Bay Packers - When the Packers are winning, like they were down the stretch last season, their defense becomes fantasy relevant. The group, which finished 17th in fantasy points on the year, was sixth during Green Bay's six-game winning streak from Week 12 to 17.
Underrated units
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - With skilled defenders at every level, the Buccaneers posted a top-two fantasy point total over the final eight games in 2016. It's time for owners to realize the Bucs are a legitimate fantasy defense.
Philadelphia Eagles - Fletcher Cox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NFL. The additions of Chris Long and Timmy Jernigan should help Cox and the Eagles get noticed.
Miami Dolphins - Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake powered the Dolphins to the 10th-most fantasy points last season.
Signs of hope
Buffalo Bills - It's only a matter of time before Sean McDermott molds the Bills' defense into a competitive unit. If that's going to happen right away, he'll need major contributions from their young talent.
Indianapolis Colts - Drafting Malik Hooker and signing Johnathan Hankins could be the catalysts that turn this group into a streaming option against weaker opponents.
Washington Redskins - The Redskins are assembling intriguing pieces, but are likely to spend another season in the middle of the pack.
Don't be fooled
Cincinnati Bengals - For all the names Cincy features on their roster, the fantasy production has begun to drop off. Perhaps the advanced age of many of their stars is part of the problem.
Detroit Lions - The Lions' defense hasn't been a factor in a while and 2017 isn't going to be the year that changes.
Tennessee Titans - Unfortunately, the Titans' defense hasn't come along as quickly as their offense has in recent years.
New York Jets - The Jets still have one of the most intimidating defensive fronts in the NFL, but the rest of their roster is severely lacking. Don't get caught in their tanking plan.
Dallas Cowboys - Despite being a Super Bowl contender, the Cowboys don't have the high-end talent on defense to entice fantasy owners.
Stay away
New Orleans Saints - After several poor seasons, the Saints are going to have to convince fantasy owners of their value before anyone is willing to roster them.
Chicago Bears - We're over three decades removed from the '85 Bears. It's going to be a long season in Chicago.
San Francisco 49ers - Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are ushering in a new era of 49ers football, but the solution isn't coming overnight. San Francisco allowed a league-worst 30 points per game last season.
Cleveland Browns - The front office is finally making moves that will help the Browns claw their way back into the win column, but they are still a year or two away from entering the fantasy conversation.
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