Unless you want to jump in relatively early for a high-end defence, you’re better off saving that spot for your penultimate pick. There difference between the No. 5 and No. 14 DST last season was a mere point per game. It’s also very inconsistent year-to-year, with only four top-10 DSTs from 2017 finishing among 2018’s 10 best.
1. Chicago Bears
277 points allowed, 50 sacks, 27 INTs, 9 fumbles recovered, 6 TDs, 187 points.
Even with the loss of coordinator Vic Fangio, the Bears defence should be a top fantasy option.
2. Minnesota Vikings
311 points allowed, 50 sacks, 12 INTs, 8 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 124 points.
Most of the defensive core is back, which should mean a fifth season in a row as a top-10 fantasy defence.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
310 points allowed, 37 sacks, 11 INTs, 6 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 115 points.
Took a step back in several categories after their dominant 2017, but the core is still here and Josh Allen was added in the draft.
4. Los Angeles Rams
376 points allowed, 41 sacks, 18 INTs, 12 fumbles recovered, 5 TDs, 150 points.
Sack-leader Aaron Donald remains a force and the Rams have been a top-four defence both of the past two seasons.
5. Cleveland Browns
378 points allowed, 37 sacks, 17 INTs, 14 fumbles recovered, 98 points.
Their 31 turnovers created were second best behind only the vaunted Bears.
6. Baltimore Ravens
281 points allowed, 43 sacks, 12 INTs, 5 fumbles recovered, 4 TDs, 132 points.
Was the No. 1 defence yardage-wise, but lost a lot of key contributors in the off-season.
7. Houston Texans
316 points allowed, 43 sacks, 15 INTs, 14 fumbles recovered, 4 TDs, 146 points.
Has potential to be a top-five fantasy defence again, but Jadeveon Clowney’s contract status is concerning.
8. Los Angeles Chargers
317 points allowed, 38 sacks, 13 INTs, 7 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 110 points.
Solid on the defensive line, but injury to safety Derwin James should have a big impact.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
342 points allowed, 44 sacks, 10 INTs, 7 fumbles recovered, 97 points.
Saw a big regression last season, mainly due to failing to come up with a return TD after scoring at least five in each of the previous four years.
10. Denver Broncos
343 points allowed, 44 sacks, 17 INTs, 11 fumbles recovered, 2 TDs, 124 points.
Adding Fangio as head coach could make Miller-Chubb pass rush duo even scarier.
11. Buffalo Bills
344 points allowed, 36 sacks, 16 INTs, 11 fumbles recovered, 107 points.
Sean McDermott-coached defences have finished in the top 10 for turnovers created in each of the past six seasons.
12. New England Patriots
325 points allowed, 30 sacks, 18 INTs, 10 fumbles recovered, 4 TDs, 135 points.
Creating turnovers helped mask a pass rush tied for second-fewest sacks.
13. Indianapolis Colts
318 points allowed, 38 sacks, 15 INTs, 11 fumbles recovered, 116 points.
The addition of Justin Houston gives another boost to a defence that took a huge jump in 2018.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
354 points allowed, 52 sacks, 8 INTs, 7 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 110 points.
Pittsburgh has led the NFL in sacks two seasons in a row, but was 29th in turnovers last year.
15. Green Bay Packers
392 points allowed, 44 sacks, 7 INTs, 8 fumbles recovered, 2 TDs, 93 points.
For once, the Pack splashed some cash in free agency and brought in some solid defenders.
16. New Orleans Saints
347 points allowed, 49 sacks, 12 INTs, 12 fumbles recovered, 1 TD, 108 points.
A solid streaming option thanks to its upside for sacks, the Saints D should be firmly in the mid-pack.
17. Dallas Cowboys
318 points allowed, 39 sacks, 9 INTs, 11 fumbles recovered, 1 TD, 98 points.
Its core of LBs makes the Cowboys a better real-life unit than in fantasy; will be a solid streaming option in the first three weeks.
18. New York Jets
421 points allowed, 39 sacks, 13 INTs, 7 fumbles recovered, 5 TDs, 103 points.
Has the talent to be a sleeper candidate, but the Jets D have finished 20th or worse in five of the past six seasons.
19. Tennessee Titans
295 points allowed, 39 sacks, 11 INTs, 6 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 119 points.
Allowed the third-fewest points, but lost key pieces from an already-mediocre pass rush.
20. Seattle Seahawks
335 points allowed, 43 sacks, 12 INTs, 14 fumbles recovered, 2 TDs, 121 points.
Another year, another couple of key losses (Earl Thomas, Frank Clark) from their defence.
THE NEXT FIVE
21. Detroit Lions
342 points allowed, 43 sacks, 7 INTs, 7 fumbles recovered, 2 TDs, 100 points.
22. Kansas City Chiefs
407 points allowed, 52 sacks, 15 INTs, 12 fumbles recovered, 5 TDs, 130 points.
23. Arizona Cardinals
399 points allowed, 49 sacks, 7 INTs, 9 fumbles recovered, 3 TDs, 103 points.
24. Atlanta Falcons
405 points allowed, 37 sacks, 15 INTs, 4 fumbles recovered, 2 TDs, 79 points.
25. Carolina Panthers
376 points allowed, 35 sacks, 13 INTs, 10 fumbles recovered, 1 TD, 90 points.