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RotoBaller Bill Dubiel breaks down the top 10 NFL defenses for the 2014 fantasy football season. If you're preparing for your drafts, read up on these defenses.
We're getting closer to opening kickoff, and it's about time we take a look at one of the not-so-sexy positions. Exciting or not, you need a solid defense in fantasy football, and if you pick the right one it can be a difference-maker. Below are the top 10 ranked NFL defenses for fantasy football purposes. Let's get to it!
1. Seattle Seahawks
Don’t get cute, don’t get clever. This is the unquestioned number one defense going into the 2014 season. While many think the modern NFL is offense-oriented, the Seahawks’ punch-you-in-the-mouth style of play hearkens back to the old-school intimidators. Let’s do it by the numbers.
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273.6—the average yards allowed per game. Not passing—total.
14.1—the average points allowed per game.
28—total number of interceptions.
44—total number of sacks
Scary, huh? They embarrassed one of the best offenses in history in the Super Bowl, and it wasn’t a fluke. Scarier still, they didn’t lose anyone integral during the offseason, and they even added in some potential studs in the draft. I wouldn’t expect anything from the rookies this year, but the pieces that are still in place aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Love him or hate him, Richard Sherman’s picture is in the dictionary next to “ballhawk”, and he leads a juggernaut secondary that also includes Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Byron Maxwell. Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin lead a terrifying linebacking crew, and Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are still hungry for quarterback flesh up front.
As I said, this is the number one defense, and don’t you forget it.
2. Carolina Panthers
As intimidating as the Seahawks are, the Panthers’ defensive numbers were just as threatening to opposing offenses in 2013. They led the NFL with a jaw-dropping 60 sacks, and were second only to the Seahawks in fewest points and total yards allowed. They boast one of the best 1-2 punches in the game in defensive POY Luke Kuechly and the emergent Greg Hardy (who is currently dealing with some off-field issues—unfortunately domestic violence is the “in” crime this offseason).
Carolina bolstered the secondary with the additions of Roman Harper, Thomas DeCoud and Antoine Cason, which should help provide even more stability over the top. The only real loss was Mike Mitchell, but I don’t think they’ll miss him with those additions.
The Panthers are the beasts in the east, and it is not out of the realm of possibility for this young and talented unit to challenge the Seahawks for total supremacy in the NFL.
3. Denver Broncos
They’re okay on offense, I guess. If you’re into that sort of thing. Since they weren’t losing any big pieces there, the Broncos spent the offseason beefing up the defense. They were well-rounded as far as free agency went, signing quality veterans to make an immediate impact. Sack-master DeMarcus Ware, mouthy yet effective cornerback Aqib Talib and consistently solid safety TJ Ward should all fit in nicely and produce immediate results for John Fox’s defense.
Let’s not forget about Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton, who specializes in shutting down the run and creating outstanding inside pressure. After a season lost to injury, the ultra-talented Von Miller will be back to terrorize quarterbacks opposite DeMarcus Ware. He’s apparently slimmed down, making him that much quicker and more agile. Chris Harris should also be back, making that new secondary all the more imposing.
The Denver D has a new look and it’s impressive. I think they’ll be an absolute force in 2014.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
A changing of the guard in Cincinnati does not necessarily mean there will be any decline. Former beloved defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is now in Minnesota, and former Bengals linebacker coach Paul Guenther is now in charge of one of the most consistent defenses in the last three years. The Bengals finished behind only the Seahawks and Panthers in total yards allowed per game last year (305.5 YPG), and they’re bringing back almost all of the pieces that made that defense a monster.
Vontaze Burfict, the undrafted Pro Bowler will lead the charge in 2014, as the Bengals lost defensive end Michael Johnson to free agency. Wallace Gilberry and Carlos Dunlap are still poised to be forces in the pass rush, and there is major hype around one Margus Hunt. The Estonian-born Hunt was drafted out of Southern Methodist in 2013 based on potential, and the word is he is living up to that potential. Look for him to be a pleasant surprise for the Bengals this year. Geno Atkins was also just activated off the PUP list, and we all know how big an impact he can have on a defense.
Assuming their health, the secondary will comprise of Dre Kirkpatrick, Pacman Jones, Robert Geathers, Leon Hall and Terence Newman. That’s a solid core, and there’s no reason to believe they’ll be anything but spectacular this year.
The Bengals have been a top 7 defense each of the last three years, and 2014 will be no different.
5. San Francisco 49ers
This defense has also been consistently threatening over the last few years, but with the 2014 season come a few hurdles to overcome. Two of the cogs in this defensive machine are probably not going to be on the field for Opening Kickoff, as Aldon Smith could be facing a possible suspension due to his off-field troubles, and NaVorro Bowman will most likely be on the sidelines until midseason with a knee injury. However, the 49ers will remain an elite defense thanks to the players that WILL be on the field.
Patrick Willis will of course be back to create all sorts of trouble for his opponents, along with Ahmad Brooks and Michael Wilhoite. After several key losses in the secondary, San Francisco added Antoine Bethea, Chris Cook and Perrish Cox. Rookie Jimmie Ward also looks as though he will figure in as well, as he has been thoroughly impressing so far at training camp.
Despite the losses, this defense remains solid. I don’t see them cracking the top 3, but they’re still in the top tier.
6. New England Patriots
As if the Patriots needed any help in the AFC East, they beefed up their defense this offseason. You know who the main players are on offense, but the Patriots will look pretty different on the other side of the ball.
Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are a considerable improvement from…well, anyone in the secondary, and Logan Ryan will complete the talented trifecta. Up front, Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo and Chandler Jones will all return to wreak havoc. Wilfork is the unquestioned leader of the defense, and his veteran presence will only make the young talent that much better.
Honestly, there isn’t a whole lot to say here. This unit is going to be strong and well-rounded. I fear for the AFC East.
7. St. Louis Rams
Have you paid attention to the Rams in the last few drafts? If you have, you’ll recall that they’ve spent four of their last six first-round picks on defensive linemen. Predictably, this has yielded a REALLY GOOD defensive line. The defensively-minded Jeff Fisher has his team’s trust and loyalty, and when that much talent is unified, you’ve got something special.
Chris Long and Robert Quinn are bona fide studs when it comes to pass-rushing, and they lead a talented overall group. The Rams added DT Aaron Donald via free agency, which bolsters the pass rush even further. The real key to this team though is depth. There are two or three legitimate players at every position, and that’s what is going to keep this defense in the top 10.
The secondary is going to be very similar to what we saw last year, and it’s certainly not weak. Jenoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson will be the starting corners, and TJ McDonald and Rodney McLeod will start at safety. Not a spectacular list of names, but these guys aren’t slouches.
Bold prediction: the Rams will have 60 sacks this year. Don’t sleep on St. Louis.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Oh hey, the NFC West again. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they play in what many (myself included) believe is the best division in football. However, they have just as good a shot as any of them to make a playoff run if their defense lives up to expectations.
It was recently decided that Patrick Peterson would be relegated solely to the cornerback position versus him seeing playing time on offense and special teams in addition to defense. He and Antonio Cromartie make a very solid tandem in the secondary, and have a solid supporting cast around them. Tyrann Mathieu could be back as early as October, and he would provide a huge boost to the already solid secondary.
As for the pass rush, it’d be lovely if the NFL’s active sacks leader John Abraham was in training camp. However, he was arrested in June on suspicion of DUI, and whether or not there is disciplinary action in his future is unknown. Daryl Washington has been suspended for the season, and the departure of Karlos Dansby hurts the pass rush even further. However, this last year’s second-round pick Kevin Minter will get a chance to start alongside Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell, once Washington returns quarterbacks will need to watch out.
Overall a solid defense, with potential to be great later in the season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
They were the highest-scoring defense in 2013, but don’t expect anywhere near those numbers in 2014. Seven defensive touchdowns and four kick return touchdowns—it ain’t happening again. That being said, there is a very formidable defense in Kansas City.
In my opinion, the Chiefs boast the best linebacking core in the NFL with Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. You aren’t coming across the middle on them. First-round pick Dee Ford may even make a splash at some point in the season. The defensive line has some real potential as well, as Dontari Poe and Vance Walker will lead a talented core of young pass-rushers. They’re not going to produce a huge number of sacks, but they aren’t going to be at the bottom of the pile either.
The secondary is significantly less imposing. Safety Eric Berry is probably the most talented player, and he’ll provide a consistently solid presence out deep. The team’s dismissal of Brandon Flowers, while understandable, left a large hole at the cornerback position. With a handful of middling replacements, the Chiefs secondary may get burned again in 2014 as they did for most of the second half of 2013.
Still enough talent here for a top 10 defense, but just barely.
10. Buffalo Bills
Die-hard Bills fan here, but hear me out. There is no bias to this ranking. The biggest offseason news for the Buffalo defense was, unfortunately, the loss of Kiko Alonso. This is of course a huge blow, but it’s not one that the Bills can’t recover from.
I doubt that many of you noticed, but while the Bills struggled their way to another losing season, they were actually second in the NFL in sacks with 57. They signed Brandon Spikes in March, and he should definitely help replace Kiko Alonso, although I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can match his intensity. Mario Williams led a fearsome pass rush that will, for the most part, return with a vengeance. Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes also registered double-digit sacks in 2013, and will be back for more. Marcell Dareus has an outside shot at being relevant this season, but with his off-field troubles and the fact that he’s out of shape, I wouldn’t bet on it.
The anticipated loss of Jairus Byrd leaves a hole in the secondary, but there is some talent to help fill the void. Leodis McKelvin has always showed potential, and the talented Stephon Gilmore could be poised for a breakout season in the other cornerback position. Aaron Williams and Da’Norris Searcy occupy the safety spots, and they both have potential to be playmakers.
This team is trending in the right direction, and their defense is already rising through the ranks. Plus, nobody circles the wagons like the BUFFALO BILLS!
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