The fantasy landscape changes yearly, and individual defensive player (IDP) leagues get more popular every season. However, for the vast majority of fantasy managers, Team Defense is still included in their starting lineups. In fact, it is usually one of 10 starting spots and can be just as crucial as your tight end when it comes to securing weekly wins.
RELATED: See Kicker Tiers here >>>
With that in mind, here is a tiered breakdown for every Team Defense in fantasy football based on the Footballguys Consensus Rankings.
Pro Tip
This pointer will sound familiar if you've read this article in years past, but the facts still hold: If your league rules allow it, do not draft a Team Defense. Yes, starting the right defense every week is essential, but that every week part is why you shouldn't waste a high pick. While the top defenses score more fantasy points when looking at end-of-year totals, you should view Team Defense as a weekly game.
Last year's top Team Defense, the Baltimore Ravens, scored about three points more per game than the 12th-best team. But more importantly, they scored eight or fewer fantasy points in eight games. The 12th-best defense last year averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game. That means the Ravens were average or worse in 50% of the fantasy-relevant matchups. The Colts Team Defense was ranked 13th but had similar sack and takeaway numbers to Baltimore. They hit eight or more fantasy points in seven of their matchups.
There is almost no fundamental difference between the 13th-ranked defense and the best. It's all about the weekly matchups. There are usually 17-20 teams on your league's waivers to select from, so why waste the pick? Instead, load up on running backs and wide receivers and wait out injuries until Week 1. Then, pick up the defense with the best Week 1 matchup off waivers after you drop or trade away the assets you accumulated in your draft.
PS: You should do the same with Kickers!
Tier 1: Defenses to Target
While I do not advocate drafting a defense, most of the teams in Tier 1 will require a pick. If you are determined to draft a defense earlier than you should, these teams are good and have excellent opening schedules.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys were one of the best fantasy defenses last season and led the league in DEF/ST touchdowns. They open against an injury-riddled Cleveland team and follow that up with New Orleans. In their first five matchups, only the Ravens and Lions look tough, and both are home games.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are a perennial powerhouse in fantasy defense, and 2024 should be no different. Looking at the schedule, Dallas is the only great offense in their first eight games. They face some teams on the rise, like Atlanta in Week 1, but for the most part, there are still questions about every team on their schedule for the first two months.
San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco is another team that usually finishes near the top of fantasy rankings. With opening games against the Jets, Vikings, Rams, Patriots, Cardinals, and Seahawks, you can probably start them confidently until they face the Chiefs in Week 7.
New York Jets: The Jets' defense has improved immensely over the last two seasons and is regarded as one of the best in the league for 2024. While the Week 1 matchup against San Francisco is far from ideal, if Trent Williams isn't in uniform, there could be plenty of pressure on Brock Purdy. After that, they get Tennessee, New England, Denver, and Minnesota.
Houston Texans: The Texans looked great in their first year under DeMeco Ryans and did a lot to improve heading into this season. They face unproven quarterbacks in their first three games and might be good enough to keep starting against the Jaguars and Bills before a very favorable Week 6 matchup with New England.
Tier 2: Good Defense, Bad Schedule
The teams in Tier 2 are some of Footballguys' highest-rated defenses, but the schedule does not do them any favors. If you are patient and wait on defense, most of these teams will be gone by the time you hit the last two rounds. Good. Let others waste their draft picks. The teams in Tier 3 have better matchups anyway.
Baltimore Ravens: While the Ravens are the defending top defense and are highly talented, the schedule makes them feel like a trap. They will cost you a high pick, probably as the first defense off the board, but will you even feel comfortable starting them in Week 1 against Kansas City? They get a reprieve in Week 2 with the Raiders but then play Dallas, Buffalo, and Cincinnati. Let them be someone else's headache.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns have a great defense, but the schedule and maybe their own offense will be working against them.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills were the third-best defense in fantasy this year but are dealing with injuries on that side of the ball. They open with Arizona, which might be a good matchup, but it only gets tougher afterward. Like the Ravens, there are too many questions to spend what they will cost in your draft.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles were one of the best defenses in fantasy in 2022 but took a step back last year. They should improve in 2024, but you won't want to play them against Green Bay in Week 1.
Miami Dolphins: They were great for fantasy last year, but you probably won't want to start them until Week 3.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are not a bad fantasy defense, but they open against Baltimore and Cincinnati. They are another team you'll want to save until Week 3.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts were a top-10 defense last season, but there was some turnover in personnel. With additional questions surrounding their offense, they should be on your bench or on waivers until Week 3 against Chicago.
Tier 3: The Streaming Starter Pack
Do you like to gamble? These are not great defenses, but their Week 1 schedules are intriguing. You'll probably cut them and move to a better matchup in Week 2. Such is the nature of streaming. I won't comment on every team here. Instead, I'll list their favorable opening schedule.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Week 1 vs. Raiders, Week 2 @ Panthers, Week 3 @ Steelers.
- New York Giants: Week 1 vs. Vikings, Week 2 @ Commanders, Week 3 @ Browns.
- Seattle Seahawks: Week 1 vs Broncos, Week 2 @ Patriots.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Week 1 @ Chargers, Week 3 vs. Panthers, Week 4 vs. Browns, Week 5 @ Broncos, Week 6 vs. Steelers.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Week 1 vs. Patriots, Week 3 vs. Commanders, Week 4 @ Panthers.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 1 vs. Commanders, Week 3 vs. Broncos
- Chicago Bears: Week 1 vs. Titans, Week 3 @ Colts.
- New Orleans Saints: Week 1 vs. Panthers.
- Minnesota Vikings: Week 1 @ Giants.
- Atlanta Falcons: Week 1 vs. Steelers.
Tier 4: Defenses to Avoid (until the right matchup)
There are no unplayable defenses in fantasy. It's all about the matchups. However, the teams in this tier have a challenging opening schedule or a terrible defense. Sometimes, it's both.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Detroit Lions
- New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos
- Green Bay Packers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Tennessee Titans
- Carolina Panthers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Washington Commanders
Be sure to follow Ryan Weisse and Footballguys on X to stay up-to-date on fantasy football news this summer.
_png)
Rachel Tootsiepop
