Who's the #1 Fantasy Defense?
I can't remember a season when the number one spots for kickers and defense was so up for grabs. Since we can all agree that kickers are best left for the final two rounds, let's head into the long weekend arguing about who is the top team defense for this season. And just as importantly, how early would draft them?
One season after the Bears and Ravens dominated the early picks (with poor returns), fantasy owners may be hesitant to take a defense early. Since there will be so much disagreement over who is the best, I know I'll be waiting until the last few rounds. There still has to be a top team, and here are my five top candidates, in no particular order.
Chargers: Deep roster, a lot of turnovers last year, and a schedule that includes some ugly offenses. I'm guessing they will wind up with the highest ADP.
Bears: Despite the down year, the Tampa 2 defense is usually a good one in fantasy leagues for it's combination of sacks and turnovers (see Bucs, Colts). Special teams touchdowns don't count in all leagues, but they help the Bears.
Vikings: Jared Allen joining a high-scoring unit from a year ago will get people excited. Too bad they can't play the Vikings.
Patriots: Great schedule, some new blood at linebacker, and one of the few teams that rank high each season.
Cowboys:Wade Phillips quietly knew just how to use the players Bill Parcells drafted for him.
Even cutting this list off at five was very difficult. You could easily make a case for the following teams to be mentioned as a potential first defense chosen: Steelers, Seahawks, Titans, Bucs, Colts, Packers, Giants, and Ravens.
So who are you taking first, and when would you take the first defense? Let's say it's a 15-round draft.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Comments
I would select the Chargers first in round 10.
Posted by: Gunter | May 23, 2008 06:18 PM
If Pacman gets reinstated, then the Cowboys. They already had a great front 7, with their two OLBs combining for over 25 sacks. Throw in Pacman and Jenkins, and they should create a lot of turnovers.
If Pacman doesn't get reinstated, I'd go Chargers.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2008 06:35 PM
If Pacman gets reinstated, then the Cowboys. They already had a great front 7, with their two OLBs combining for over 25 sacks. Throw in Pacman and Jenkins, and they should create a lot of turnovers.
That said, I don't see a huge difference in the top 7-10 D's, so I would probably wait until round 13 to pick up my first D.
Posted by: Andrew | May 23, 2008 06:36 PM
I generally like to draft a D late that has a nice early schedule and then work the WW for matchups as the season goes along. I look primarily for matchups against bad and/or newer QBs.
The D I've been getting most often, as the 10th-14th off the board, is IND. They are ranked low because turnovers weren't high in 2007, but they did lead the league in points against, and I expect the turnover factor to change this year.
They start the season at home vs CHI (Grossman/Orton) then at MIN (T Jackson). After JAC and a bye, they face HOU, BAL, GB, TEN the next four weeks, all with young or turnover-prone QBs.
PIT is overrated I think in 2008. They face a brutal schedule filled with good opponents. I just don't see them near the league lead in fantasy defense with so many games against teams that will play well against them.
Posted by: Bruce | May 23, 2008 08:00 PM
I'll mention another D I've been drafting a lot because of its nice early schedule.
Tampa Bay starts out at NO (not a good matchup), but then faces ATL (rookie or journeyman QB, CHI (Grossman/Orton), GB (1st year starter Rodgers). Also, if you hold on to them, their fantasy playoff week 15 matchup is ATL and week 17 is OAK.
Posted by: Bruce aka Couch Potato | May 23, 2008 08:16 PM
What about Philadelphia. Their young unit was starting to come on at the end of the year.
They signed and drafted a bunch of pass rushing DE's, got Asante Samuel, could potentially still have Lito Sheppard (ok probably not). Gaither is moving back to the weak side.
As far as special teams touchdowns go, that's what DeSean Jackson was drafted for.
I'm biased as an Eagles fan, but I think that D could be a terror this year. They've got the personnel in the secondary to allow Jim Johnson blitz more, and they have some DE's that should be able to get to the QB without a blitz.
Posted by: Fredex | May 23, 2008 10:02 PM
Do not forget that with defense usually comes special teams, which is why you must consider San Diego (for Cromartie), Chicago (for Hester), and perhaps the Cowboys (for Pacman & F. Jones) if reinstated. I'd personally wait for the Cowboys later in the draft, round 12 and hopefully beyond.
You should also consider the Jacksonville defense. They're still good too.
Posted by: matt. | May 24, 2008 07:40 PM