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Sleeper Defenses for the 2018 Fantasy Football Season

Fantasy football sleeper picks for defense/special teams units. Bill Dubiel identifies five defensive draft values or free agent streamers for 2018 fantasy football.

Fantasy DST production is one of the most difficult things to predict on a yearly basis, with preseason favorites often not even registering in the top 12 come season's end. Remember the "juggernaut" Broncos last year? Didn't even finish in the top 15.

While there is almost always some joker willing to pony up for the Jaguars or Rams in the 8th round in every league, you should make sure you aren't one of those people. DST success can be had by streaming, but if you're looking for those DSTs that nobody else is going to identify, we're here to help.

Below are five defenses you should consider if you've waited on DST or plan on streaming throughout the season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Defensive Sleepers for Fantasy Football

Tennessee Titans 

The Titans defense is actually much better than it gets credit for. They're a classic case of real-life defensive success not translating to fantasy points, and it's entirely based on their lack of big plays. They had just 12 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries across 16 games, and most importantly they managed just one defensive touchdown.

New Titans first-year head coach Mike Vrabel is a former linebacker and certainly understands the importance of defensive prowess, and him bringing in former Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees emphasizes exactly that. The Titans invested significant draft capital in their defense, trading up to get linebackers Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry. Landry will join Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo as one of the most feared pass-rushing complements in the league, and they should help the Titans rack up sacks alongside legitimate star Jurrell Casey and the returning DaQuan Jones. They also added to the secondary by bringing in former Patriot Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler to join Logan Ryan and Adoree Jackson. The secondary should take be able to take a huge step forward this year, and that should lead to more turnovers.

The Titans are a terrific Week 1 option against the Dolphins, but then they have a rough patch against the Texans, Jaguars and Eagles before becoming a top option again versus the Bills and Ravens.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns defense was middling last season despite having a decent amount of talent on the roster. Their young studs were inconsistent throughout the entire season, with both Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers alternating between flashing the brilliance that made them draft stars and the shoddy play expected of rookies. Both of them need to take steps forward for this defense to take another leap, but I think they're capable of it.

The secondary should be much-improved in 2018 given the additions of first-round rookie Denzel Ward, Damarious Randall and E.J. Gaines. On paper that level of talent should be able to force more mistakes and earn more interceptions, which is obviously a big factor in fantasy DST success. Their linebacking corps, led by last year's tackle leader Joe Schobert, is one of the best in the AFC and is returning at full strength.

The Browns start the season off pretty roughly, with the Steelers and Saints first up on their schedule. Right after that they draw the Jets, Raiders and Ravens, and there is certainly some fantasy potential in those matchups.

Atlanta Falcons

Not unlike the Titans, the Falcons' decent defensive season was overlooked due to a striking lack of turnovers. They ranked in the bottom three in the NFL in interceptions (8) and managed just two defensive touchdowns all season.

While losing Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn in the offseason wasn't ideal, there isn't as much need for concern as one would think. Freak athlete Takk McKinley will step right into the hole left in the pass rush, and he should be able to improve upon his six rookie sacks alongside 2016 sack leader Vic Beasley (who is transitioning exclusively back to edge rushing after a year mixing in coverage). Grady Jarrett is a legitimate stopper in the middle of the d-line, and he'll be joined by rookie Deadrin Senat to seal up the interior. The secondary is led by Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones, and there are no real holes there thanks to the presence of Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal.

The Falcons get a couple tough draws early on in the season, opening up against the Eagles, Panthers and Saints, but things get significantly easier after that with the Bengals, Buccaneers and Giants in three of the next four weeks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers were atrocious last year, ranking last in both sacks and yardage allowed. They did somehow manage a respectable 26 turnovers and four defensive touchdowns, so the fantasy production was there on occasion.

Gerald McCoy has been on an island of talent for most of his career, but he's finally got some support on the defensive side of the ball. The Bucs signed both Beau Allen and Vinny Curry in the offseason, which is huge for the defensive line and should lead to a much better run-stopping unit. They drafted stud DT Vita Vea in the first round of the draft and he should make an immediate impact in the trenches alongside underrated the Noah Spence. Finally, they traded for Jason Pierre-Paul who is still a bona fide pass rush monster, 10 fingers or otherwise. The secondary isn't anything to write home about, but Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves are veterans with play-making ability.

The Bucs might not be a valid option early in the season given the gauntlet they have to run through--Saints, Eagles, Steelers and Falcons are four of their first five opponents. After that they get the Browns and Bengals, and should start being considered as a fantasy option right around there.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers defense has only had one top-ten finish in the last seven seasons, and that was certainly a factor in the release of Dom Capers in the offseason. In his place is Mike Pettine, who saw success with both the Bills and Jets in recent years. This team disappointed in 2017 with just 21 total turnovers and two defensive touchdowns.

Pettine's scheme isn't overly complex, but it remains to be seen if the personnel can execute it as well as they'll need to. The addition of Muhammad Wilkerson and Dean Lowry should significantly help the defensive line take a step forward, and the Packers certainly still have a capable enough pass rush. The big question is whether or not Clay Matthews and Nick Perry can stay on the field for 16 games. The Packers spent significant draft capital on beefing up their secondary, selecting Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson to help supplement the contingent of Tramon Williams, Davon House and potential star Kevin King. With Morgan Burnett gone, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix will need to have a major bounce-back. Ultimately this team has a load of defensive fantasy potential, but it remains to be seen if they can capitalize on that.

The Packers carry some immediate fantasy intrigue in a Week 1 Sunday night matchup against the Bears, but then a couple of avoids against the Vikings and Redskins before a sexy Week 4 matchup against the Bills.

 

More Draft Prep and Analysis


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!


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.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
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Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
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Returns To The Win Column
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' Week 3 Status in Doubt
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Wins His Second UFC Fight
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Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
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Gets Back In The Win Column
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Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
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Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
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Chase Briscoe

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Alperen Sengün

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Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
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DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
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John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
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Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
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Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
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Corey Perry

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Kyle Busch

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr

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Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

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NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
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Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

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CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
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A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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