The 2024 NFL season is almost upon and that means it’s time to look at fantasy defenses and special teams. While many underestimate the importance of defense and special teams, they can score huge points and be the difference between winning and losing in close games.
Given some of the mega-scores some defenses put up in 2023, a defense with a good floor and high ceiling is worth drafting, once you have your main pieces in place. With defenses not expected to start coming off boards until around pick No. 200, you can certainly get the defense of your choice if you time it right.
So which defenses are worth drafting and keeping hold of? Let’s take a look:
#5. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns defense put up some good scores in 2023, keeping the team in games when their offense was largely struggling. With Myles Garrett a sack threat on every play, the Browns D recorded 153 fantasy points, which ranked fifth on the season.
Cleveland’s D profiles to be every part as strong in 2024, but could also benefit from the offense playing cleaner football. Losing Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson on offense certainly caused disruptions, the ripples of which were felt by a defense that had to fight to keep games close.
#4. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have some real game-winners on their defense and put on a show in 2023. Scoring 178 fantasy points, the Cowboys had the No. 1 defense on the season and put up some huge scores, recording high notes of 37, 27 and 21 points.
There were, however, some bad weeks too, but with 46 sacks, 26 takeaways and 5 touchdowns on the year, the Cowboys defense is well worth looking at in your fantasy draft.
While they could well lead the league again, the consensus is that Dallas is not as strong as they were last season, with most power rankings placing them between 9-13 in the league. This is expected to translate into their defense, which could see a downturn compared to their 2023 highs.
#3. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are many people’s tip for the NFC, and their defense plays an important part in that thinking. With extreme talent throughout, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa are two of many stars on a defense capable of keeping almost any offense quiet for long periods.
The 49ers D finished 10th in 2023 with 141 fantasy points, but they are being tipped by many for a top-five finish in the upcoming campaign.
Run defense became an issue in the playoffs, and the consensus is that their secondary improved against the run, while the front seven got a bit weaker. SF’s pass rush is also expected to be better, which could translate into fantasy in the form of sacks, fumbles, INTs and defensive touchdowns.
#2. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have a storied history of top defensive units and they are expected by many to be the first defense taken in fantasy drafts. They lost some big names in Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, Geno Stone, Rock Ya-Sin and Ronald Darby, but many think 32-year-old defensive coordinator Zach Orr has the skill set to improve the unit.
Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton and Justin Madubuike are seen as the key men on the Ravens D, and they will look to improve on the team’s 2023 stats. Last season, Baltimore”s defense recorded 174 fantasy points, which ranked at No. 2 in the league. They managed that via more measured and reliable scoring than the Cowboys D, which was a bit more boom and bust.
Baltimore’s D had a 2023 ceiling of 17 points and a floor of 3, hitting at least 6 points in every other game. So if you are after a dependable good floor, the Ravens project to be among the top two options available in 2024.
#1. New York Jets
The New York Jets have arguably the strongest defense in the NFL and that is expected to translate into fantasy. It did last season, and that was with one of the league’s weakest offenses. Presuming Aaron Rodgers can play the season, the Jets profile to be one of the most interesting teams in the AFC and the East could see a new sheriff in town.
Even if he doesn’t, NY feels confident that Tyrod Taylor is an upgrade on their old backup quarterbacks, Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle. The Jets’ defense put up some very good numbers last season, which is impressive considering their division, their schedule, and the amount of time they were on the field.
NY’s D recorded 154 fantasy points, good for fourth in the league, and the franchise has the fourth-easiest strength of schedule in the upcoming season. As such, they are expected by many to be the top-scoring defense in 2024 and it will be interesting to see if that is the case.