Fantasy Football: With Defenses, Play the Waiting Game
The middle to late rounds are the time to select your fantasy defensive unit.
With offense ruling the day in the NFL, it can sometimes be difficult to find that fantasy defensive unit that will help your team. This is why it is always best to wait until the middle to later rounds to draft a unit.
When you consider a fantasy defense, your best bet is to look at sack production, because that usually will be consistent. This is particularly true when a team keeps a top pass rushing duo together, but those teams who have an elite pass rusher are usually good fantasy options.
You can consider the quality of offenses within the division, but be careful here. Not every team who plays in a division with lower-quality offenses will have a defense that generates a lot of fantasy production.
If you are looking at turnovers, you want to focus more on interceptions than fumble recoveries. Interceptions are more likely to happen because of skill, while fumble recoveries are more about luck. You can consider fumbles if your league scores for forced fumbles, but don't depend too much on fumble recoveries.
Here are my picks for certain fantasy categories:
Boom: Pittsburgh
Buyer beware: New England
Value pick: Indianapolis
Sleeper: Cleveland
And now for my top fantasy defensive units.
1. Pittsburgh
The Steelers led all defenses last year with 56 sacks and tied with three other defenses with 18 interceptions, the most in the NFL. Though they did lose Bud Dupree in free agency, he missed time with injuries, and the Steelers return TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and several others top players. They will face three divisional rivals with quality offenses, but the Steelers' production in other defensive categories should make up for that.
2. LA Rams
The Rams were second in the NFL with 53 sacks and will return Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, though they did lose Michael Brockers in free agency. The Rams had 14 interceptions last year and the defense was pretty good at stopping opponents from scoring touchdowns. Division rivals Seattle and Arizona have productive offenses, but the Niners offense is a work in progress, so the Rams are a good choice for a fantasy defensive unit.
3. Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers had 48 sacks, tying them for fourth among all defenses, and had 15 interceptions. On top of that, the Bucs retained most of their key defensive players. Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul form a good pass rushing duo and we saw what the presence of Vita Vea did for the Bucs in their playoff run. And with three divisional rivals whose offenses could be in question, there's plenty to like from the Bucs in fantasy leagues.
4. Washington
The Washington Football Team is loaded with young talent on defense -- Chase Young, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat are all quality pass rushers, and they were among the playmakers who contributed to the team's 47 sacks in 2020. Washington also had 16 interceptions, despite a few injuries to the secondary. While it's likely that the Cowboys will be a better offensive team, the Eagles and Giants are still in question. Washington's defense is well worth drafting.
5. Miami
The Dolphins were among the four teams to lead the league in interceptions with 18, plus they had 41 sacks. Their secondary features Byron Jones and Xavien Howard (though the latter has requested a trade) and they could see improved production from pass rushers Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah. The Bills are the only divisional rival with a strong offense, while the Patriots are a work in progress and the Jets are likely to struggle. If the Dolphins can get more pass rushing production, they could have the best fantasy defensive unit overall.
6. New Orleans
The Saints, despite cap issues, managed to keep the core of their defense together -- a defense that tied for the league lead with 18 interceptions and tallied 45 sacks. The secondary of Patrick Robinson, Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Williams and Marshon Lattimore remains intact, and Cameron Jordan is one of the better pass rushers in the game. They do have to contend with the Buccaneers, but the Panthers and Falcons have offenses that are in question, so the Saints should still be one of the better fantasy defenses in 2021.
7. Arizona
The Cardinals had 48 sacks, fourth among team defenses in 2020, and have added JJ Watt to the lineup. Watt will form a quality pass rushing duo with Chandler Jones. The addition of Zaven Collins hold some intrigue as well. One consideration is that the Cardinals don't generate a lot of interceptions (11 in 2020). You might also want to consider that the Cardinals will face a good Seahawks offense and that the Rams offense should be improved. But Watt's addition could offset that and keep the Cardinals among the better fantasy defensive units.
8. Philadelphia
The Eagles finished third in sacks in 2020 with 49 and have kept their most productive pass rushers together. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett all return. The Eagles added Anthony Harris to the secondary and we'll find out if his presence helps improve their turnover rate -- the Eagles had just eight interceptions last year. While the Eagles shouldn't go off fantasy boards too early, they are worth a selection after the better units are taken. Keep in mind that division rivals Washington and the Giants will have some questions to answer on offense.
9. Denver
Despite losing Von Miller to injuries, the Broncos still finished with 42 sacks, getting a lot of production from Bradley Chubb and Shelby Harris. The Broncos had just 10 interceptions last year, but loaded up the secondary with Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Patrick Surtain II. If the Broncos can keep everybody healthy, they could be one of the best defensive units in fantasy football, even if they play in a division with strong offenses. Feel free to roll the dice on the Broncos in the later rounds.
10. Indianapolis
The Colts finished with 40 sacks in 2020 and got a lot of production out of DeForest Buckner. Then they drafted Kwity Paye, whose presence could make the Colts' pass rush that much better. They had 15 interceptions last year, but will have a revamped secondary this year. They also face division rivals such as Jacksonville and Houston who will need to figure things out on offense. Here's another fantasy defense on which you can roll the dice in the later rounds.
11. Seattle
The Seahawks finished with 46 sacks in 2020 but will have some new faces on the defensive front -- though Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams will return. The Seahawks are pretty good at generating turnovers, getting 14 interceptions last season. They will face a good Arizona offense, plus the Rams offense should be better than last year. You do want to consider the changes to the defense and not take the Seahawks too early, but they still have the potential to be a top fantasy unit.
12. Buffalo
The main reason for taking the Bills defense is the interceptions -- they had 15 last year and have a very good secondary featuring Tre'Davious White, Micah Hyde and Taron Johnson. The pass rush is a bit lacking -- the Bills had just 38 sacks last season -- but perhaps they will improve there if AJ Epenesa or Gregory Rousseau can improve. Division rivals New England and the Jets have offenses with question marks, so the Bills could be a top fantasy defensive unit if they can find a way to generate more sacks.
13. Green Bay
The Packers finished 2020 with 41 sacks and 11 interceptions. hey will have the likes of Kenny Clark, Za'Darius Smith and Rashan Gary providing the pass rush, and they have a quality young secondary that includes Jaire Alexander and Darnell Savage Jr. Division rivals Chicago and Detroit need to get things sorted on offense, so the potential for the Packers to be a top fantasy defensive unit is there. Just don't reach for this unit.
14. Baltimore
The Ravens usually have one of the better defensive units in the NFL, though perhaps they didn't generate as much as expected in 2020, when they had 39 sacks and 10 interceptions. They definitely have a good cornerback duo in Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, though they are relying on older players in the pass rush, such as Pernell McPhee, Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe. Because the Ravens play in a division with strong offenses, you shouldn't look to the Ravens as a starting fantasy defense except in deeper leagues.
15. Kansas City
The Chiefs had 16 interceptions last season, but they had just 32 sacks. Chris Jones is a quality pass rusher, but Frank Clark could miss time, depending on how the NFL rules on his recent arrest. Tyrann Mathieu is good at getting interceptions, but will Mike Hughes help improve the secondary? Though the Chiefs don't face a lot of strong offenses in the AFC West, their lack of sack production means they aren't a starting defensive unit going into the season. Those in deeper leagues may have to consider this unit, though, given the interceptions the Chiefs get.
16. NY Giants
The Giants finished with 40 sacks in 2020 and retained top pass rusher Leonard Williams. They added Azeez Ojulari in the draft and he could help the pass rush, too. Adoree Jackson was added to a secondary that includes James Bradberry and Logan Ryan, the latter who moved from cornerback to safety, and this secondary did get 11 interceptions last season. Washington and the Eagles still have things to sort out on offense, so the Giants might be able to help you in fantasy leagues. Just don't consider them a fantasy starting unit at this time.
17. San Francisco
The Niners lost Nick Bosa to a season-ending injury in 2020 and finished with just 30 sacks. Trading away DeForest Buckner didn't help, though it's possible Bosa's return will get that production up, along with helping Arik Armstead get back on track. San Francisco had 12 interceptions last season, a respectable total. However, the Niners are likely to face some good offenses, and George Saleh's departure could have an impact. There is a chance the Niners could be a top fantasy defensive unit, but don't start the unit just yet.
18. Cleveland
The Browns had 38 sacks in 2020 and, now, Myles Garrett will have Jadeveon Clowney opposite him. The secondary came away with 11 interceptions last season and has a lot of young talent -- the addition of John Johnson III, the drafting of Greg Newsome, and the presence of a healthy Grant Delpit could all help. The downside is the Browns face three division rivals likely to have top offenses. While not a fantasy starting unit at this time, the sleeper potential is there.
19. Dallas
The Cowboys revamped their secondary in the offseason, signing Malik Hooker and drafting Kelvin Joseph, and are hoping that Trevon Diggs can improve in 2021. The pass rush is led by DeMarcus Lawrence, but could use somebody to complement him. Still, the Cowboys finished with 31 sacks and 10 interceptions last year, and they do face a couple of division rivals (Washington and Philadelphia) who need to figure things out on offense. You don't want to start this unit, but there is sleeper potential here.
20. New England
Another unit that finished with 18 interceptions in 2020, the Patriots have kept the secondary mostly intact, with JC Jackson, Stephon Gilmore and Devin McCourty returning to the lineup. The problem here is that the Patriots had just 24 sacks in 2020 and it's hard to say that they did enough to improve there in the offseason. Maybe the return of Kyle Van Noy will help. But the fact the Patriots don't generate sacks is the main reason why you don't want to make this unit a fantasy starter. It's best to think of the Patriots as a bye week fill-in.
Other notes around the NFL as they pertain to fantasy football:
* Aaron Rodgers is back with the Packers, so you can safely take him as a fantasy starter in your leagues. He shouldn't be the first quarterback off the board, but a case can be made that he should be in the top five.
* Davante Adams is safe to draft as a fantasy No. 1 wide receiver, and he has a good case for being the first receiver off the board now that Rodgers is back.
* DeShaun Watson reported to training camp, but it doesn't appear he's going to be the starter. You need to avoid drafting him until you know more about his situation.
* Cam Akers was lost for the season because of a torn Achilles tendon. Darrell Henderson is the next man up on the depth chart, with Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais likely competing for carries. Henderson is your best fantasy draft option and may be best viewed as a No. 3 fantasy back.
* Carson Wentz may miss a few games because of a foot injury, but fantasy owners shouldn't have planned on drafting him as a starter, regardless. Continue to view him as a low-end fantasy backup, but because of his foot injury, make sure you don't pair him with a QB who has an early bye week.