X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Ranking the Best and Worst NFL Defenses: NFC West

Defenses matter a lot in fantasy football. If you can draft and matchup the right players against sub-par defenses, you have a recipe for success. It’s not as easy as just looking at the best and worst defenses from 2014 though, and that’s why we’re here to help.

In this eight article series, we’re going to take a look at all the defenses in the NFL. We’ll look at whether or not teams have improved for 2015, and dive into the passing and rushing defensive potential of every NFL team, one division at a time.

Today we are taking a look at the NFC West passing and rushing defenses, and their outlook for the 2015 fantasy football season. When this series is over, you will have a great grasp of which defenses to target for plus matchups.

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for a new, awesome, highly customizable and free option for year-round commissioner & dynasty leagues, something more capable than Yahoo, better looking than CBS, and built from the ground up with fantasy football in mind, play free fantasy football with our friends at Fleaflicker. Sign up your league on Fleaflicker, and get a Full Season Premium Subscription for FREE.

 

NFC West Passing Defense Rankings

Stats listed are: 1) 2014 Pass Defense Ranking per DVOA, 2) Fantasy Points against QBs, 3) Fantasy Points against WRs, per ESPN

 

Arizona Cardinals

2014 Rankings: 14, 22, 17

The Cardinals secondary played better than their ranking last season. Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie both finished the 2014 season as pro bowlers. Jerraud Powers and Peterson were the 11th best cornerback duo in a supporting role and leading role by adjusted success rate, according to Football Outsiders.

2015 Projected Pass Defense Ranking: Middle of Pack

Losing Cromartie and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to the Jets will hurt. Peterson is great, but there isn’t enough support for him on the Cardinals defense.

 

San Fransisco 49ers

2014 Rankings: 4, 6, 15

Strong safety Antoine Bethea was a Pro Bowler and Chris Culliver was the fifth best cornerback in a supporting role by adjusted success rate, according to FBO.

2015 Projected Pass Defense Ranking: Bottom Ten

The 49ers had arguably the worst off-season of any team. They parted ways with their great head coach Jim Harbaugh, and lost five time first-team All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis to retirement. Promising rookie linebacker Chris Borland also shocked the team with an early retirement. The 49ers defense also lost two good cornerbacks, the aforementioned Culliver (to the Redskins) and cornerback Perrish Cox (to the Titans). It doesn't end there, the 49ers then lost two great pass rushers: oft troubled Aldon Smith (who was released recently) and Justin Smith to retirement.

The 49ers signed cornerback Shareece Wright (Chargers), linebacker Phillip Wheeler (Dolphins), and used their second round pick used on Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt. The 49ers pass defense will really struggle this season.

 

St. Louis Rams

2014 Rankings: 20, 10, 25

Janoris Jenkins and rookie E.J. Gaines proved to be a good cornerback duo last season. Gaines was the ninth best cornerback in a leading role, according to FBO, but the rest of the secondary were too young and not yet ready to take the next step.

2015 Projected Pass Defense Ranking: Top Ten

The Rams were set to return all 11 of their defensive starters from last season until E.J. Gaines suffered a season ending injury during week 1 of preseason. However, having 10 returning players and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams entering his second season should alleviate growing pains for the replacement and help bring this very young pass defense to top-ten status.

 

Seattle Seahawks

2014 Rankings: 3, 1, 1

Everyone knows about the Legion of Boom.

2015 Projected Pass Defense Ranking: Top Five

The Seahawks couldn’t pay everyone, so they cut ties with cornerback Byron Maxwell (to the Eagles). The Seahawks replaced him with cornerbacks Cary Williams (from the Eagles) and Will Blackmon (from the Jaguars), who will fit right in to a ready-made scheme alongside Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.

 

NFC West Rushing Defense Rankings

Per DVOA and Fantasy Points Against Running Backs, per ESPN

 

Arizona Cardinals

2014 Ranking: 6, 4

The Cardinals overcame the torn ACL of defensive tackle Darnell Dockett to become a top ten rush defense. Defensive end Calais Campbell gave the team a Pro Bowl effort and nose tackle Dan Williams was the run stuffer the team needed.

2015 Projected Rush Defense Ranking: Top Ten

This offseason the Cardinals lost Williams (to the Raiders) and fellow defensive tackle Dockett (to the 49ers). The team shored up the defensive line this offseason using their second round pick on Missouri defensive end Markus Golden in the second round, who can play the run well. In free agency, the team signed defensive end LaMarr Woodley (from the Raiders), outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (from the Falcons), defensive end Cory Redding (from the Colts), and defensive tackle Corey Peters (from the Falcons). All of these signings will help keep this team a top-ten rush defense yet again.

 

San Fransisco 49ers

2014 Ranking: 10, 7

The defense was always good under the tenure of Harbaugh, but towards the end of the 2014 nfl season everything sputtered out of control.

2015 Projected Rush Defense Ranking: Bottom Ten

In free agency the 49ers signed defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (from the Cardinals), but lost defensive lineman Ray McDonald (to the Bears). With the 17th pick they drafted defensive end Arik Armstead from Oregon, although he won’t be too much of a factor in his rookie year. The losses of Willis and Borland and the mass player turnover will prove costly.

 

St. Louis Rams

2014 Ranking: 4, 6

Arguably the best defensive line in football held their own last season.

2015 Projected Rush Defense Ranking: Top Five

The offseason saw the Rams make minimal moves. They lost defensive tackle Kendall Langford (to the Colts), but signed another very good defensive tackle Nick Fairley (from the Lions). Everyone else is returning to this team; look for reigning defensive rookie of the year Aaron Donald to really take off.

 

Seattle Seahawks

2014 Ranking: 2, 2

Although the Hawks didn’t have the greatest start, they finished really strong. Michael Bennett led the best defense in football with seven sacks.

2015 Projected Rush Defense Ranking: Top Five

The losses of defensive end O’Brien Schofield (to the Falcons) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (to the Raiders) will be forgotten quickly. The team brought in defensive tackle Ahyba Rubin, who was once a good run stuffer, and drafted Michigan defensive end Frank Clark in the second round.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups