Fantasy Football: Top 10 Defensive Players and Teams Worth Drafting Early

When it comes to fantasy football, there are 2 primary rules for any draft or auction: defenses and kickers go last. This is because both of those slots tend to be somewhat random, in terms of point production, so it makes no sense to waste a high pick on them. 

Unless, of course, you're playing in a league where you draft individual defensive players on top of team defenses. Then, perhaps it's more forgivable to take a defense or a defender early in the draft. 

Here is a list of the 10 defenses and 10 defensive players you could consider taking before the draft's final rounds. 

We're going to use standard IDP scoring for this (tackles=1 point, sacks, fumble forces and recoveries worth 2, interceptions worth 3). That's why there are so few defensive linemen and so many linebackers. 

Team 10. New Orleans Saints D/ST

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Jonathan Vilma #51 of the New Orleans Saints talks with the defence against the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Your classic ball-hawking defense, the Saints love to force turnovers via fumbles and interceptions. They're a blitz heavy team, which means they generate a lot of sacks, as well. But they can get torched by good passing teams, and their run defense is suspect. But, if you can handle the occasional howler, they're definitely worth the risk. 

Player 10. Robert Mathis, DL, Indianapolis Colts

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Robert Mathis #98 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after a play against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Image

Mathis doesn't get the pub of his counterpart in Indy, Dwight Freeney, and with good reason. Freeney's a transcendant pass rusher, who offensive lines across the league must account for. That leave MAthis to quietly be the better individual defensive lineman for fantasy purposes. Mathis can get to the quarterback, but he can also play the run and make tackles. In a point-per-tackle format, that makes Mathis as valuable a defensive lineman as you'll find. 

Team 9. Indianapolis Colts D/ST

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts moves on the field during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Don't laugh; a healthy Bob Sanders makes the Colts a formidable defensive unit. Why? He strikes fear into opponents. When he's there, Indianapolis is free to ball hawk all day long.  Even if he's not, this is a better unit than you think it is, and merits a late round pick. 

Player 9. Jared Allen, DL, Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Defensive end Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his sack against Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 20

The man with the mystical mullet is a sack master. He gets some tackles here and there, but his primary fantasy value is getting to the passer and forcing fumbles. For a defensive lineman, Allen is pretty adept at getting you points. 

Team 8. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Linebacker Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-17.

Make no mistake: Last season's lackluster performance was an aberration, not a sign of what's to come. With Troy Polamalu back, and the secondary looking sharp, the Steelers should be back to their dominant selves. Their linebacking corps is still formidable, and if the defensive line pans out, this could be a top-2 unit by the end of the year. 

Player 8. Bernard Pollard, S, Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - DECEMBER 13: Strong safety Bernard Pollard #31 of the Houston Texans runs back and interception 70 yards for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Pollard is the first defensive back on this list. In point-per-tackle formats, it's better to have a safety who gets tackles and the occasional pick than a corner who gets 8-10 picks, but 35 tackles in a season. Pollard is the prototype for guys like that. He's not the best, but he'll get you production every week. 

Team 7. Dallas Cowboys D/ST

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IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 20: DeMarcus Ware #94 of the Dallas Cowboys lines up on the right side of the defense during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Texas Stadium on December 20, 2008 in Irving, Texas. The Ravens defeated the Cowboys 33-24.

There are those who really like the Cowboys defense, but I'm not one of those. Are they talented? Yes; DeMarcus Ware and the linebacking corps are excellent. But the line and secondary aren't impenetrable, which poses a problem for a team who blitzes as much as Dallas.

Player 7. Yeremiah Bell, S, Miami Dolphins

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 13: Zach Miller #86 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to catch a pass against Yeremiah Bell #37 of the Miami Dolphins during the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Dol

Bell is a safety in the Pollard mold: Decent cover defender, strong tackler, good pass rusher. He's also a consistent point producer, which makes him invaluable in most leagues. 

Team 6. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans passes the football as defensive end Michael Johnson #93 of the Cincinnati Bengals jumps in the air as he attempts to block the pass at Paul Brown Stadium on October 18, 2009 in

Head coach Marvin Lewis has finally honed the Bengals defense into the formidable unit people expected when he arrived in Cincinnati. There aren't really any holes in this defense; no huge stars, but no scrubs either. They force turnovers, but not many. I think they'll have a big year in 2010. 

Player 6. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos makes a reception and it stopped by Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 9, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Steelers def

Everyone's favorite Samoan warrior falls in at number six. He's a great cover safety, who hits harder than almost anyone in the league. His value is pretty obvious. 

Team 5. Minnesota Vikings D/ST

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Brady Quinn #9 of the Denver Broncos passes the ball as Nate Triplett #58 of the Minnesota Vikings defends during an NFL preseason game at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minn

The Vikings are run stoppers extraordinaire. Their defensive tackles, Pat and Kevin Williams, clog up pretty much the entire line. Against the pass, well, if they get to the quarterback, they're effective, but their secondary isn't great. You'll get good games with them, but you'll probably have bad ones too. 

Player 5. Dashon Goldson, S, San Fransisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 14: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals goes up for a catch as it is broken up by Dashon Goldson #38 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Candlestick Park on December 14, 2009 in San Francisco,

Goldson is a talented coverage safety, who makes plenty of tackles. He gets picks, sacks and tackles, and should see his numbers improve this year with more experience under his belt. 

Team 4. Baltimore Ravens D/ST

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: (L-R) Ed Reed #20 and Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warm up against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Ro

Even in a down year like this, the Ravens defense is a force to be reckoned with. If safety Ed Reed is healthy, rest assured this team will still be among the league's best this season. If not, top-5 is still within reach. 

Player 4. Barrett Ruud, MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers scores a fourth quarter touchdown as defenders Barrett Ruud #51 and Sabby Piscatelli #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers deliver a hit during the game at Raymond James Stadium on

Ruud is the first of the most valuable defensive players. He's a tackle machine, who gets occasional sacks. His value comes from quantity, not quality, though. 

Team 3. San Fransisco 49ers D/ST

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SAN FRANCISC0 - AUGUST 16: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by defensive lineman Walter Curry #60 of the San Francisco 49ers during a preseason game at Candlestick Park on August 16, 2008 in San Francisco, California. (Ph

Surprised? By season's end, you won't be. The Niners have constructed a talented young defensive unit capable of locking down just about anyone. They ball-hawk, they rush the passer, and they return kickoffs and punts for touchdowns. They quietly appeared on the scene last year, expect them to have their coming out party in 2010. 

Player 3. Stuart Bradley, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 07: Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on December 7, 2008 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Bradley's another Barrett Ruud-like player; regardless of how his defense is doing as a whole, he's going to get his tackles. Play him with confidence.

Team 2. Green Bay Packers D/ST

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 7: Cullen Jenkins #77 and Nick Barnett #56 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate a defensive play in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Danie

The Packers were quietly one of the elite defenses of the 2009 season. For 2010? They've lost nothing, and may have even improved. Their linebackers are excellent, their defensive line is strong, and their corners and safeties have improved markedly. 

Player 2. James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-17. (P

Harrison is one of the outside linebackers who gain value from their skills as a pass rusher and a tackler. He's a veteran who relies more on positioning and smarts than athletic ability at this point, but he still manages to get a significant number of tackles. 

Team 1. New York Jets D/ST

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TORONTO - DECEMBER 3: Darrelle Revis #24, Shaun Ellis #92 and Calvin Pace #97 of the New York Jets gets set on defense against the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on December 3, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. The Jets won 19-16. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima

The consensus top defense in the NFL heading into 2010. They have no real weaknesses; they blitz, stop the run, shut down the pass and force turnovers. You'll have to use an earlier pick on them than any of the others, but they could definitely make it worth your while. 

Player 1. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Fransisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 27: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers eyes quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions before a play during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobso

In just 4 years in the NFL, Willis has become a force to be reckoned with. He had 152 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. That is beastly for a middle linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He's far and away the most valuable defensive player in fantasy football, and you'll pay to get him.