Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
There's a growing trend of advanced fantasy leagues moving to an IDP (individual defensive players) roster format, however the standard Defense and Special Teams position is still very much the majority of most league's lineup format. The goal of fantasy leagues is to score more points than your opponent on a weekly basis or the most points in your league over the course of the season. It is a good idea to produce solid numbers from all positions in your starting lineup, which includes a Defense/ST. You don't have to have the best fantasy defense to win your league title, but consistency is important.
2013 Top 10 Defense/ST - Consensus Ranking
- Seattle - early-June ADP 96
- San Francisco - early-June ADP 99
- Denver - early-June ADP 114
- Chicago- early-June ADP 115
- Houston - early-June ADP 119
- Cincinnati - early-June ADP 132
- New England - early-June ADP 139
- Green Bay - early-June ADP 161
- Pittsburgh - early-June ADP 167
- Baltimore - early-June ADP 169
What statistics are important when choosing a Defense/ST?
Most leagues reward points for the following defensive statistics:
- 1 point per sack
- 1 point per turnover (interception or fumble recovery)
- 2 points per safety
- 6 points per defensive touchdown
- 6 points per special teams touchdown (punt/kick return, blocked FG return for touchdown)
Some leagues, give a higher weight to turnovers, offering two points instead of one for a defensive turnover. It is also common to see a scale of points awarded for yards allowed and/or points allowed. Some defenses may force a lot of turnovers, but are in the bottom ten in points allowed plus yards allowed and may not be the best option for your scoring format. Some Defense/ST formats reward points for two-point conversions. It is definitely wise to know your league's scoring format, before you make your draft selection. For example, San Francisco is considered to be a strong Defense/ST option this year, but if your league does not reward for points allowed and/or yards allowed they should be dropped down in the rankings. After all, that leaves just sacks, turnovers and defensive/ST touchdowns to earn points. Last year San Francisco was 14th in the league in takeaways and they had zero kick/punt returns for a touchdown. They did manage four touchdown returns via interception or fumble. In leagues that did not reward for points and yards allowed, the 49ers finshed as the 18th best fantasy defense. Again, it's important to know your league's scoring format when it comes to Defense/ST point metrics.
Strategies for Drafting a Defense/ST (12-team redraft)
- Choose a Top 5 Defense/ST - These picks can go anywhere from round 8 to round 14, depending on how many rounds your league drafts. If you elect to use this strategy, picking the best available defense in round 14 or later is probably the best angle. Choosing a top rated defense comes at a huge premium. We don't advocate taking the consensus #1 defense, because it's too easy to find undrafted gems later on the waiver wire.
- Defense by committee approach - This strategy involves selecting two defenses outside of the Top 10 that have favorable match ups against bad offenses. The strategy involves playing the defense with the better match up each week. This is explained much further in detail in our annual Defense By Committee article.
- Wait until the later rounds to select the best Defense/ST available - Often a good Defense/ST emerges and can be claimed on the waiver wire in week 2 or 3, if you are not pleased with your draft selection. It is not that difficult to strike gold with a waiver wire defense. In a typical 12 team league, 16-18 defenses might get drafted. That leaves 14-16 that are available on the waiver wire. One of those teams is bound to be a diamond in the rough.
- Rotating Defense/ST - Draft a defense that plays bad teams for the first few weeks of the season, then switch them out for a defense on the waiver wire, based on who the bad teams coming up will be playing. Both Dallas and Philadelphia play two sketchy teams in their first three games this year and therefore warrant a late round draft selection in this strategy.
Myth or Fact - Teams with better offenses have better fantasy defenses
It's not a fact; however there is some advantage to choosing a defense based on the success of the offense. A good offensive team will tend to have a higher point margin, which causes the opposing team to pass more often. An increase in passing plays gives a better chance for sacks, as well as turnovers. A team trailing will tend to take more risks, which often results in an errant or rushed throw that could yield more turnovers. New England is a prime example. Last year, the Patriots put up a league high 557 points and finished 2nd in many leagues in team defense/ST. Denver is another. The Broncos had a point differential of 192 and finished with 52 sacks and six defensive scores. In most league formats, Denver finished in the Top 5. When in doubt, choose a team that will put up points on offense, because chances are their defense will follow suit with takeaways. Teams on the rise in this category in 2013 include Arizona, Detroit, Dallas and Buffalo.
Don't overlook Special Teams
Kick and punt returns for touchdowns play an important role in the scoring format, so they should also play an important role in deciding which Defense/ST to target in the draft. Last year, Tennessee led the league with 4 touchdowns on returns (3 punts, 1 kickoff). Darius Reynaud scored three of the four return touchdowns for Tennessee and remains an underrated threat to dominate in special teams again this year. Baltimore scored three special teams touchdowns in 2012, all by rising wide receiver and return ace, Jacoby Jones. Another team to watch out for from a special teams angle is Buffalo. The Bills had 3 return touchdowns in 2012, two by CB Leodis McKelvin.
2012 Leaders in Special Teams Touchdowns
- 4 Tennessee (3 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 3 Buffalo (2 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 3 Baltimore (1 punt, 2 kickoff)
- 3 Miami (1 punt, 1 kickoff, 1 block)
- 3 Seattle (1 kickoff, 2 blocks)
- 2 Green Bay (1 punt, 1 block)
- 2 Denver (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 2 Minnesota (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 2 Indianapolis (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 2 New England (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 2 San Diego (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- 2 NY Jets (1 punt, 1 kickoff)
- several with 1
Takeaways and sacks
Only three teams finished in the Top 10 in both sacks and takeaways in 2012 - Chicago, Cincinnati and Houston. Over the last three years, three teams averaged a Top 10 finish in those categories - New York Giants, Green Bay and surprisingly, Detroit.
Takeaways
Rank
|
Team
|
3 yr Avg
|
Takeaways 2012
|
Takeaways 2011
|
Takeaways 2010
|
1
|
New England Patriots
|
37.7
|
41
|
34
|
38
|
2
|
Chicago Bears
|
36.7
|
44
|
31
|
35
|
3
|
New York Giants
|
35.0
|
35
|
31
|
39
|
4
|
Green Bay Packers
|
31.0
|
23
|
38
|
32
|
5
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
30.3
|
31
|
29
|
31
|
6
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
28.3
|
25
|
38
|
22
|
7
|
New York Jets
|
28.0
|
23
|
31
|
30
|
8
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
28.0
|
31
|
31
|
22
|
9
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
27.3
|
33
|
19
|
30
|
10
|
Detroit Lions
|
26.7
|
17
|
34
|
29
|
11
|
Washington Redskins
|
26.3
|
31
|
21
|
27
|
12
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
26.0
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
13
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
26.0
|
30
|
22
|
26
|
14
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
26.0
|
26
|
24
|
28
|
15
|
Cleveland Browns
|
25.7
|
29
|
20
|
28
|
16
|
Carolina Panthers
|
25.3
|
23
|
24
|
29
|
17
|
Buffalo Bills
|
24.7
|
21
|
31
|
22
|
18
|
Houston Texans
|
24.7
|
29
|
27
|
18
|
19
|
San Diego Chargers
|
24.0
|
28
|
21
|
23
|
20
|
Tennessee Titans
|
24.0
|
24
|
23
|
25
|
21
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
23.7
|
16
|
25
|
30
|
22
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
23.7
|
22
|
23
|
26
|
23
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
23.7
|
13
|
24
|
34
|
24
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
23.3
|
20
|
15
|
35
|
25
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
23.0
|
23
|
28
|
18
|
26
|
Oakland Raiders
|
23.0
|
19
|
26
|
24
|
27
|
New Orleans Saints
|
22.3
|
26
|
16
|
25
|
28
|
St. Louis Rams
|
21.7
|
21
|
18
|
26
|
29
|
Kansasy City Chiefs
|
20.7
|
13
|
26
|
23
|
30
|
Denver Broncos
|
20.0
|
24
|
18
|
18
|
31
|
Miami Dolphins
|
18.0
|
16
|
19
|
19
|
32
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
17.7
|
15
|
17
|
21
|
Sack Totals
Rank
|
Team
|
3 yr Avg
|
Sacks 2012
|
Sacks 2011
|
Sacks 2010
|
1
|
St. Louis Rams
|
44.7
|
52
|
39
|
43
|
2
|
New York Giants
|
42.3
|
33
|
48
|
46
|
3
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
41.7
|
44
|
50
|
31
|
4
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
41.0
|
51
|
45
|
27
|
5
|
Green Bay Packers
|
41.0
|
47
|
29
|
47
|
6
|
Miami Dolphins
|
40.7
|
42
|
41
|
39
|
7
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
40.0
|
37
|
35
|
48
|
8
|
Detroit Lions
|
39.7
|
34
|
41
|
44
|
9
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
39.7
|
30
|
50
|
39
|
10
|
Houston Texans
|
39.3
|
44
|
44
|
30
|
11
|
San Diego Chargers
|
39.0
|
38
|
32
|
47
|
12
|
Denver Broncos
|
38.7
|
52
|
41
|
23
|
13
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
38.7
|
38
|
42
|
36
|
14
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
37.7
|
38
|
42
|
33
|
15
|
New England Patriots
|
37.7
|
37
|
40
|
36
|
16
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
37.3
|
37
|
48
|
27
|
17
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
37.0
|
34
|
42
|
35
|
18
|
Oakland Raiders
|
37.0
|
25
|
39
|
47
|
19
|
Chicago Bears
|
36.0
|
41
|
33
|
34
|
20
|
Tennessee Titans
|
35.7
|
39
|
28
|
40
|
21
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
35.3
|
36
|
33
|
37
|
22
|
New York Jets
|
35.0
|
30
|
35
|
40
|
23
|
Washington Redskins
|
34.0
|
32
|
41
|
29
|
24
|
Carolina Panthers
|
33.7
|
39
|
31
|
31
|
25
|
Cleveland Browns
|
33.0
|
38
|
23
|
29
|
26
|
New Orleans Saints
|
32.0
|
30
|
33
|
33
|
27
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
31.7
|
27
|
29
|
39
|
28
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
31.0
|
29
|
33
|
31
|
29
|
Buffalo Bills
|
30.7
|
36
|
29
|
27
|
30
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
30.3
|
32
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
25.7
|
20
|
31
|
26
|
32
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
25.3
|
27
|
23
|
26
|
Points Allowed and Yards Allowed
Some leagues reward a scale of points for fewest points and total yards allowed. The trend shows most teams in the Top 10 tend to have good longevity when it comes to points allowed. Seven teams, PIT, SF, SEA, NE, ATL, CHI and MIA finished in the Top 10 in points allowed last year and over the last three years. Eight teams, PIT, SF, SEA, HOU, NYJ, CIN, SD and CHI finished in the Top 10 in yards allowed last year as well as over the last three years.
Points Allowed
Rank
|
Team
|
3 yr Avg
|
PA/G 2012
|
PA/G 2011
|
PA/G 2010
|
1
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
16.1
|
19.6
|
14.2
|
14.5
|
2
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
17.7
|
17.1
|
14.3
|
21.6
|
3
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
18.3
|
21.5
|
16.6
|
16.9
|
4
|
Chicago Bears
|
18.8
|
17.3
|
21.3
|
17.9
|
5
|
Green Bay Packers
|
19.5
|
21.0
|
22.4
|
15.0
|
6
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
19.5
|
18.7
|
21.9
|
18.0
|
7
|
Miami Dolphins
|
20.1
|
19.8
|
19.6
|
20.8
|
8
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
20.1
|
15.3
|
19.7
|
25.4
|
9
|
New England Patriots
|
20.6
|
20.7
|
21.4
|
19.6
|
10
|
Cleveland Browns
|
21.0
|
23.0
|
19.2
|
20.8
|
11
|
Houston Texans
|
21.6
|
20.7
|
17.4
|
26.7
|
12
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
21.6
|
20.0
|
20.2
|
24.7
|
13
|
New York Jets
|
21.7
|
23.4
|
22.7
|
19.0
|
14
|
San Diego Chargers
|
21.9
|
21.9
|
23.6
|
20.1
|
15
|
St. Louis Rams
|
22.6
|
21.8
|
25.4
|
20.5
|
16
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
22.7
|
26.6
|
21.1
|
20.4
|
17
|
New York Giants
|
22.7
|
21.5
|
25.0
|
21.7
|
18
|
New Orleans Saints
|
22.9
|
28.4
|
21.2
|
19.2
|
19
|
Tennessee Titans
|
23.5
|
29.4
|
19.8
|
21.2
|
20
|
Washington Redskins
|
23.6
|
24.3
|
22.9
|
23.6
|
21
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
23.7
|
22.3
|
21.8
|
27.1
|
22
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
23.9
|
21.8
|
28.1
|
21.8
|
23
|
Denver Broncos
|
24.0
|
18.1
|
24.4
|
29.4
|
24
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
24.0
|
27.8
|
20.5
|
23.6
|
25
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
24.7
|
25.0
|
21.7
|
27.3
|
26
|
Detroit Lions
|
24.9
|
27.3
|
24.2
|
23.1
|
27
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
24.9
|
27.8
|
20.6
|
26.2
|
28
|
Carolina Panthers
|
25.0
|
22.7
|
26.8
|
25.5
|
29
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
25.1
|
24.2
|
26.9
|
24.3
|
30
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
25.1
|
24.6
|
30.9
|
19.9
|
31
|
Oakland Raiders
|
26.0
|
27.7
|
27.1
|
23.2
|
32
|
Buffalo Bills
|
27.0
|
27.2
|
27.1
|
26.6
|
Yards Allowed
Rank
|
Team
|
3 yr Avg
|
YA/G 2012
|
YA/G 2011
|
YA/G 2010
|
1
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
274.8
|
275.8
|
271.8
|
276.8
|
2
|
New York Jets
|
309.0
|
323.4
|
312.1
|
291.5
|
3
|
San Francisco 49ers
|
310.1
|
294.4
|
308.2
|
327.8
|
4
|
San Diego Chargers
|
314.9
|
326.4
|
346.6
|
271.6
|
5
|
Baltimore Ravens
|
319.6
|
350.9
|
288.9
|
318.9
|
6
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
322.7
|
319.7
|
316.3
|
332.0
|
7
|
Chicago Bears
|
326.8
|
315.6
|
350.4
|
314.3
|
8
|
Houston Texans
|
328.6
|
323.3
|
285.7
|
376.9
|
9
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
331.8
|
343.2
|
324.9
|
327.2
|
10
|
Seattle Seahawks
|
335.7
|
306.2
|
332.2
|
368.6
|
11
|
Miami Dolphins
|
337.1
|
356.8
|
345.1
|
309.3
|
12
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
340.0
|
356.5
|
333.3
|
330.2
|
13
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
340.3
|
350.0
|
358.2
|
312.6
|
14
|
Atlanta Falcons
|
343.9
|
365.6
|
333.6
|
332.4
|
15
|
St. Louis Rams
|
345.9
|
342.6
|
358.4
|
336.8
|
16
|
Denver Broncos
|
346.5
|
290.8
|
357.8
|
390.8
|
17
|
Cleveland Browns
|
348.8
|
363.8
|
332.4
|
350.1
|
18
|
Carolina Panthers
|
348.9
|
333.1
|
377.6
|
335.9
|
19
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
350.1
|
355.4
|
343.2
|
351.8
|
20
|
Detroit Lions
|
350.8
|
341.1
|
367.6
|
343.6
|
21
|
Green Bay Packers
|
352.5
|
336.8
|
411.6
|
309.1
|
22
|
Oakland Raiders
|
355.0
|
354.5
|
387.6
|
322.8
|
23
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
355.1
|
380.5
|
313.0
|
371.8
|
24
|
Arizona Cardinals
|
355.5
|
337.8
|
355.1
|
373.6
|
25
|
New York Giants
|
357.2
|
383.4
|
376.4
|
311.9
|
26
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
362.3
|
374.3
|
370.9
|
341.6
|
27
|
Buffalo Bills
|
365.2
|
362.9
|
371.1
|
361.6
|
28
|
Tennessee Titans
|
365.9
|
374.9
|
355.1
|
367.7
|
29
|
Washington Redskins
|
368.9
|
377.7
|
339.8
|
389.3
|
30
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
369.0
|
379.9
|
394.4
|
332.7
|
31
|
New Orleans Saints
|
371.6
|
440.1
|
368.4
|
306.3
|
32
|
New England Patriots
|
383.6
|
373.3
|
411.1
|
366.5
|
2013 Defense/ST - Best Values
Arizona - The Cardinals already have a very strong special teams unit thanks to Patrick Peterson, but they also are among the Top 10 in takeaways over the last three years and finished tied for fourth in takeaways last year. They are currently the 12th Defense/ST off the board and possess two key factors that are vital in choosing a defense (return skills and takeaways). Arizona is an excellent Defense/ST target that you can obtain several rounds after the first one is selected.
Cleveland - The Browns impending success is more of a hunch than a direct result of analyzing numbers and data. They made major strides on the defensive side of the ball over the offseason, adding pass rushers Paul Kruger, Desmond Bryant, Quinton Groves and selecting Barkevius Mingo in the draft. Not only that, but Phil Taylor (pectoral) will be fully healthy at nose tackle not to mention the presence of Jabaal Sheard and D'QWell Jackson. The offseason additions, including defensive coordinator Ray Horton (formerly defensive coordinator of the Cardinals), make them a team to watch on defense. The changes made should bolster the pass rush, which will have a positive effect on sack totals and turnovers. Cleveland also has a decent schedule that can yield positive match ups in certain weeks. They currently have an ADP of 240 as the 16th defensive unit selected off the board.
San Diego - Consider the Chargers a sleeper defense in 2013. They very quietly had seven defensive touchdowns in 2012 (five via interception, two via fumble) with 28 takeaways and 38 sacks. It's possible that it was just a fluke year, but they are nearly a forgotten option when it comes to selecting a Defense/ST unit. In many leagues, they finished in the Top 6 among team defensive squads. Their ADP is currently 259 as the 20th defense off the board.
Conclusion
Choosing a Defense/ST for your fantasy team is not a perfect science, because teams and personnel change year to year. Every seaqson one or two teams will rise up the ranks and become a consistent weekly start. If you don't like the team you drafted, you can go with the waiver wire darling and hope the success lasts all year. It's possible to draft a strong unit early, however doing so will keep you from drafting talent at other important positions. The increasingly popular defense by committee approach is another strategy that uses strength of schedule as your guide to choose which defense to start any given week. Whatever strategy you use, be sure you understand your league's scoring format. When in doubt, choose a team that is strong in at least two important facets of the game - takeaways, sacks, special teams and offensive points scored. If all else fails, use the waiver wire and target defenses with good match ups for the next few games and then switch them out in a few weeks for a different team with good match ups against poor teams. Incorporating one of these strategies is a good way to find success when it comes to choosing the right Defense/ST unit.