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RotoBaller's updated 2025 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings for redraft leagues. These are updated DEF rankings for fantasy football drafts in 2025.
Whether you like to ride with an elite defense all season or stream a stop unit each week, identifying a defense with favorable early-season matchups is key. Ahead of your fantasy draft, we're here to help with our updated 2025 fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings for redraft leagues. Below, check out where key fantasy defenses like the Broncos, Steelers, Vikings, Chiefs, Bills, Packers, and Jets stand, among all 32 D/STs.
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RotoBaller's lead NFL analyst Nick Mariano has put together these updated 2025 rankings, which will, of course, be updated regularly throughout the NFL offseason. As injuries happen and depth charts shake up, be sure to check back in.
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2025 Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) Rankings
| D/ST Tier | D/ST Rank | D/ST Name | Position |
| 1 | 1 | Denver Broncos | DST |
| 1 | 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers | DST |
| 1 | 3 | Baltimore Ravens | DST |
| 1 | 4 | Philadelphia Eagles | DST |
| 2 | 5 | Minnesota Vikings | DST |
| 2 | 6 | Kansas City Chiefs | DST |
| 3 | 7 | Los Angeles Chargers | DST |
| 3 | 8 | Detroit Lions | DST |
| 3 | 9 | Buffalo Bills | DST |
| 3 | 10 | Houston Texans | DST |
| 4 | 11 | Seattle Seahawks | DST |
| 4 | 12 | Green Bay Packers | DST |
| 4 | 13 | New York Jets | DST |
| 4 | 14 | Los Angeles Rams | DST |
| 4 | 15 | Cleveland Browns | DST |
| 5 | 16 | San Francisco 49ers | DST |
| 5 | 17 | Dallas Cowboys | DST |
| 5 | 18 | New England Patriots | DST |
| 5 | 19 | Chicago Bears | DST |
| 5 | 20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DST |
| 5 | 21 | New York Giants | DST |
| 5 | 22 | Atlanta Falcons | DST |
| 6 | 23 | Arizona Cardinals | DST |
| 6 | 24 | Miami Dolphins | DST |
| 6 | 25 | Washington Commanders | DST |
| 6 | 26 | Carolina Panthers | DST |
| 6 | 27 | New Orleans Saints | DST |
| 7 | 28 | Indianapolis Colts | DST |
| 7 | 29 | Jacksonville Jaguars | DST |
| 7 | 30 | Las Vegas Raiders | DST |
| 7 | 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | DST |
| 7 | 32 | Tennessee Titans | DST |
Recent Fantasy Football Defense (D/ST) News
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker T.J. Watt aren't close to resolving the ongoing contract dispute. The team wants to keep him. However, there are still some glaring issues regarding a new deal, specifically, length and guaranteed money.
The 30-year-old is still a top defensive option despite closing in on a decade of service in the National Football League, most recently finishing the 2024 campaign with 11.5 sacks while totaling 61 tackles. With training camp commencing in a few weeks, there is a greater sense of urgency for a deal to get done. If Watt isn't on the field come Week 1, it won't be an ideal scenario for a Steelers defense that is projected to be one of the most potent fantasy units in 2025.
Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons already had a handshake deal months ago on a new contract extension, but the length of the pending extension is where the current hangup is. The Cowboys and Jones have always favored locking up their stars on long-term deals for five or six years, but the trend in the league of late has been shorter contract extensions.
Parsons, who is 26 years old, might prefer a shorter contract extension that would allow him another bite at the apple as he nears the end of his career. Both quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb negotiated four-year deals recently, so perhaps that's what Parsons is trying to do as well. Contract talks aside, Parsons has at least 12 sacks in four straight seasons and will remain a high-end IDP fantasy target going into 2025 drafts.
Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, according to NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. The seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection has been rumored to be on the way out of Miami all offseason, and this situation is finally concluding. Ramsey's adjusted contract includes a $1.5 million raise in 2025, and he will earn $26.6 million this year. The former No. 5 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Florida State is set to join forces with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay Jr. in Mike Tomlin's defense.
The 30-year-old might not be in his prime anymore, but he's still an effective defensive back who brings an attitude to a stop unit. In 135 career games with the Jaguars, Rams, and Dolphins, Ramsey has tallied 534 tackles (432 solo), 24 interceptions, 108 pass deflections, 25.5 run stuffs, three sacks, and seven forced fumbles.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Heading Back to Miami
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is being traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ramsey trade was announced just before it was known that Fitzpatrick was part of the deal.
The 28-year-old was originally selected by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama, but he was dealt to Pittsburgh after just one season with the organization. Overall, the three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection has tallied 608 tackles (400 solo), 20 interceptions, 54 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and four defensive touchdowns in 106 career games.
Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
According to USA Today's Tyler Dragon, the Cincinnati Bengals and rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart have had recent contract discussions. Unfortunately, nothing came from the talks, with Dragon adding that "a resolution doesn't appear to be in sight." Both sides remain at a stalemate regarding "language" in Stewart's contract, which is reportedly different from Cincinnati's selections in previous years. The 2025 No. 17 overall pick refused to participate in mandatory minicamp.
It also seems he isn't a lock to show up at training camp. The Bengals made moves to bolster the offense by giving new deals to Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Mike Gesicki. However, the franchise has pumped the brakes on prioritizing contracts on the defensive side of the ball, considering defensive end Trey Hendrickson is also seeking a new deal of his own. With that said, Cincinnati has one of the best offenses in the National Football League. On the other hand, the defense needs work, although things may not improve if Stewart continues to miss out on valuable practice time.
Dolphins Interested in Asante Samuel Jr.
The Miami Dolphins have reached out to free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., according to the Miami Herald. The organization dealt All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for All-Pro and former Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick last week, so they are in the market for a veteran corner. Samuel was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida State by the Los Angeles Chargers. In 50 career games, he tallied 176 tackles (148 solo), 37 pass deflections, six interceptions, and one fumble recovery. A significant shoulder injury limited the 25-year-old to just four games in 2024.
Maxwell Hairston Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been named in a civil lawsuit related to an alleged incident that happened in 2021, according to WKBW.com. Bryant Law Center and Meyers & Flowers filed the Lawsuit on Tuesday, and a woman is accusing Hairston of sexual assault while he was a student at the University of Kentucky. Hairston was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 30 overall) after a stellar career for the Wildcats. In 32 games, he compiled 87 tackles, six interceptions, and 10 pass deflections. This is a situation worth monitoring as he heads into his first NFL training camp.
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