Daily Fantasy Football 2015: Top DST Guaranteed to Score High Points for Week 1

With just days remaining until the dawn of the 2015 NFL regular season, daily fantasy and DraftKings aficionados are already well-versed with the top names at skill positions. But as they say, defense wins championships.

That may not be the entire case in the realm of daily fantasy, but the tempered price tags on defense and special teams (DST) units make them ever-valuable in terms of improving one's lineup. Some of your $50,000 salary can be set aside for the skill positions while still bringing to the table guaranteed points.

Here are five DST units worth snatching for the Week 1 slate.

New York Jets ($2,800)

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An inability to defend the pass didn't drop the Jets defense from fantasy relevance in 2014—in fact, they finished averaging nearly nine DK points per contest over the final four weeks. Include the fact that the team added two stars to the secondary in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, and New York should be loaded for a strong start to 2015.

The Jets' Week 1 opposition is Cleveland, which sets up magnificently. Not only did the Browns score only 23 points over their final three games of 2014, but they return few offensive weapons and have more questions than answers. The Browns' best strength—the running game—also coincides with the Jets' burly defensive front.

Indianapolis Colts ($2,900)

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Even without emerging as one of the top defenses, the Indianapolis Colts' unit has plenty to build off of after 2014. They allowed less than 300 yards in nine contests and less than 200 in three, averaging 12 DK points per game during one stretch of the regular season.

The Week 1 opponent, the Buffalo Bills, struggled generating yardage last season, as they ranked 26th in the league. There's uncertainty regarding LeSean McCoy's availability, per ESPN.com, and his absence could throw everything out of whack for Buffalo's offense.

Carolina Panthers ($3,100)

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Picking a DST with a price tag above $3,000 calls for assurance that points will be put up, and that's just what the Carolina Panthers should guarantee in their Week 1 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The only thing that's more of a mess than the Jags' rushing attack is their passing game, as Blake Bortles is sure to continue struggling to find time to get the ball to receivers. Throw in a havoc-wreaking Panthers defense that finished in the top 10 in yards allowed last season, and Jacksonville should have its hands full.

Miami Dolphins ($3,000)

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Assuming their struggles from late 2014 don't resurface, the Miami Dolphins should turn a corner defensively heading into this season. The arrival of one Ndamukong Suh will do that for you.

Facing a woeful Washington Redskins offense in Week 1 won't exactly hurt things, as the impending dysfunction of the Redskins offense will wear off on a Dolphins squad that forced 25 turnovers a year ago. Suh and company will wreck Washington up front and put up big points in the early going.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($2,800)

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The one unit on this list that may not have the personnel to guarantee fantasy prevalence in Week 1 has the gift of facing the Tennessee Titans and unseasoned quarterback Marcus Mariota. But when you consider the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David plowing their way into the backfield, it's not such a gamble after all.

The Titans put up 15 points per game last season, second to worst in the entire league. It's largely a young core of players on offense trying to pick up the pieces, so expect some early struggles that will benefit the Bucs defense.

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