2015 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

The beauty about Fantasy Football defenses is that different scoring systems can make a case for about two-thirds of the NFL teams to be viewed as possible starting defenses in Fantasy play.

A prospective owner could be in a league that greatly rewards Fantasy points for sacks, but downplays turnovers or special teams play.

Make sure you do the appropriate amount of research surrounding your league’s Fantasy scoring, in order to understand which defense/special teams are more valuable in your league, compared to others.

Does your league give a ton of points for defenses that don’t allow a lot of points scored each game, or yardage gained? If so, then last year’s Lions defense would be much more valuable to your league than in most other leagues.

That Lions defensive unit gave up the second-fewest total yards, and the third-fewest points, but they were just above-average in sacks and forced turnovers, with just two defensive touchdowns. One should target defenses with strong pass rushers and ball-hawking cornerbacks that turn soft passes into turnovers.

Some defensive players on the move that you should be aware of include LB Akeem Ayers (St. Louis), CB Antonio Cromartie (N.Y. Jets), DE Darnell Dockett (San Francisco), DT Nick Fairley (St. Louis), DE Greg Hardy (Dallas), LB A.J. Hawk (Cincinnati), DE George Johnson (Tampa Bay), CB Byron Maxwell (Philadelphia), DE Pernell McPhee (Chicago), LB Brian Orakpo (Tennessee), CB Darrelle Revis (N.Y. Jets), DT Ndamukong Suh (Miami) and CB Tramon Williams (Cleveland).

2015 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

These DSTs are ranked for standard Fantasy scoring setups, with points for sacks, turnovers, yards allowed and points allowed. Defensive touchdowns and special teams touchdowns are also included.

Check out my other sets of 2015 Fantasy Football rankings:

• Top 30 Quarterbacks
• Top 70 Running Backs
• Top 70 Wide Receivers
• Top 30 Tight Ends
• Top 20 Kickers

With 2015 Fantasy Draft Day closing in on us, we’ll be updating these rankings as the NFL Preseason wears on, so check back often.

Let me know @DavidGonos if there are some defense/special teams you’d move up or down these 2015 Fantasy Football defense rankings.