Fantasy Football: Ranking the Top 10 Fantasy Defenses

When it comes to fantasy football, the only thing lower than defenses on the totem pole are kickers. But that doesn't mean they aren't important. Depending on league sizes and rules, a defense can easily be the deciding roster spot in a head-to-head matchup.

The bigger the league, the more valuable a top defense becomes. Weaker talent at skill positions means that getting an edge at D/ST is that much more important. The four key factors to picking a high-scoring defense are turnovers, points allowed, sacks and strength of schedule.

10. Detroit Lions

Could the Detroit Lions really have a top-10 defense? Ndamukong Suh led all defensive tackles last season with 10 sacks, helping to lift the Lions sixth in the NFL. Still, the defense finished the season in the middle of the pack in pass defense and were a lowly 24th in run defense.

The team has bolstered the middle of its imposing defensive line by drafting Nick Fairly and have brought in some help at linebacker in the form of ex-Titan Stephen Tulloch and ex-Jaguar Justin Durant. The Lions are hoping that these additions will help to increase the team's already scary pass rush, while improving the poor run defense.

From Week 1-Week 11, the Lions face only one top-10 offense from last season, The last six weeks look to be treacherous, however, as they face Packers twice, the Saints and the Chargers. With this schedule, Detroit makes for an excellent defense to have for most of the season, but find another team when your league's playoffs roll around.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles thrived on causing turnovers last season, finishing fifth in the NFL with 34. Another thing that must be factored in is punt- and kick-return abilities. Even though the NFL has moved the kickoff point to the 35-yard line, DeSean Jackson poses a serious threat on special teams. 

Let's not forget the team's signings of Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Babin and the trade for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. These additions are expected to help the pass defense by using more man coverage and creating more free players to blitz.

However, through three games, the team's defense has been shaky at times—especially at linebacker. When protecting a lead, the Eagles will be a tough defense to crack.

8. San Diego Chargers

If not for a continuous flurry of huge special teams gaffes throughout the season, the Chargers may have been the top fantasy defense in the league last season. They fielded the NFL's best pass defense, the fourth-best run defense and crushed opposing quarterbacks with 47 sacks.

In the offseason, the team added former Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders along with plenty of promising young prospects through the draft. Barring another impossibly horrendous special teams performance, the Chargers could easily challenge for being the top defensive unit in fantasy football.

7. New York Giants

The Giants led the league in fumble recoveries, 23, last season and ranked seventh in total defense. The team's always-superb pass rush helped the team pick up 46 sacks, good for fifth in the league.

The team is struggling with several injuries to in the secondary, however, which is becoming a significant concern after the team finished 17th for points allowed per game. But the Giants' ability to always reek havoc on opposing quarterbacks and create turnovers is too great to look past. 

Start these guys and don't even worry about it, except maybe for that rough patch from Week 9-Week 13.

6. Chicago Bears

After three rough season defensively, the Bears defense took a turn for the better last season with the signing of Julius Peppers and the signing of Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator. The team finished ninth in total defense and fourth in yards allowed.

The team also finished with a whopping 35 turnovers (tied for third overall) and still have Devin Hester to handle return duties. The team is starting to creep up there in age, however, which is a bit of a risk. Overall, this team looks primed to continue on its upward swing and have top-10 defensive year.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The years keep on slipping by, and the Ravens keep on finishing as a top-10 defense. This year won't be any different. The team simply has too many elite level players on to fail: Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and, of course, Ray Lewis.

The team's pass defense and pass rush was a bit iffy last season, but the team still only allowed 16.9 points against per game. The team's ability to absolutely dominate weaker offenses is a major deciding factor in selecting this defense. 

Baltimore has several favorable matchups, facing nine offenses that finished 20th or worse last season. The players are still here, and eight consecutive top-10 finishes means that this pick is pretty much a sure thing.

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots led the league in interceptions—25—and also finished in the top 10 in points allowed. But they finished in a miserable 25th in total defense, allowing more than 365 yards per game. The team appears to be transitioning to more of a 4-3 defensive scheme and have added Albert Haynesworth to do so.

If Haynesworth plays anywhere near his level of potential, he will be a huge boon for the team's defense. The Patriots don't have many top-5 offenses on the schedule and have plenty of games against teams that finished 20th or later last season.

I think it's almost always good to bet on the side of Bill Belichick. Take the turnovers and the few points allowed to weekly victory. 

3. New York Jets

Head coach Rex Ryan has quickly given this team an elite defense in his two years with the Jets. The team dropped from first in total defense to third last season. Not much has changed defensively, other than through the draft, so there's no real concern for drop-off.

The defense allowed 14 points or less in seven games last year and generated 30 turnovers. Expect Ryan to put a heavier emphasis on getting after the quarterback after the team struggled a bit toward the end of last season. Overall, this defense has no real weaknesses.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers defense is one that has ranked in the top 10 in total defense for 11 consecutive seasons. Last season, Pittsburgh led the NFL in sacks with 48 and was finished tied for fifth in interceptions. Teams were only able to manage a mere 14.5 points per game against them.

This team has arguably been the best defense in the league for more than a decade. As long as defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is there to lead them, this defense remains an impenetrable wall on the gridiron. The main thing for fantasy owners to worry about is the health of Troy Polamalu. When Troy goes down, this defense has to make some drastic changes to its play-calling, leading to some big plays for opponents.

Either way, this team is a top-10 defense no matter. There are the most sure-fire selection for D/ST in the NFL.

1. Green Bay Packers

For the third time in the past four seasons, the Green Bay Packers have fielded an elite-level defense. Last year, the team finished second in points against and seventh in yards allowed. They took a major leap from 2009 to 2010 in sacks, going from 37 to 47 for the year (tied for second place).

Green Bay also showcased their ball-hawking skills with 24 picks, 32 turnovers total and four touchdowns scored. Over the past three years, no other team has been able to match the Packers' 76 interceptions in that time span. The Packers were also able to hold six opponents to seven points or less.

The Packers are capable of racking up points in a number of ways that, to me, slot them just above the incredible Steelers defense. You really can't go wrong with either selection, but the Packers appear to have higher ceiling.