Defense and special teams is a tough position to nail in your draft because the results can often be fluke. Nobody predicted that the Dallas Cowboys would have the No. 1 D/ST last season, but because Trevon Diggs sold out on every pass play for interceptions — and it worked — they were the top unit by 30 points.
Chasing that type of success can be hit or miss, so the best strategy is to draft teams with the highest floors, the ones that keep scores low and avoid leaving you with negative points. That could be because their offense simply holds on to the ball for long periods, or because the players on the defensive side are just that damn good.
These are the top 25 D/ST units to draft.
1
Buffalo Bills
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.9 (4th)
2021 Stats: 42 sacks, 19 int, 11 fr
Buffalo has the highest floor of any team simply because of its league-best scoring defense. A few more takeaways, and it could easily be No. 1.
2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.3 (6th)
2021 Stats: 47 sacks, 17 int, 12 fr
With its ability to shut down the run, Tampa’s defense gains an advantage in long third-down scenarios.
3
New Orleans Saints
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.5 (5th)
2021 Stats: 46 sacks, 18 int, 7 fr
The addition of the Honey Badger makes a potent defense even more dangerous.
4
Indianapolis Colts
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.1 (7th)
2021 Stats: 33 sacks, 19 int, 14 fr
Bolstering the secondary with an All-Pro like Stephon Gilmore should help buy the Colts’ rushers time to get to the quarterback.
5
Green Bay Packers
2021 Fantasy PPG: 6.9 (15th)
2021 Stats: 39 sacks, 18 int, 8 fr
It’s hard to spot a weakness on this defensive unit.
6
Dallas Cowboys
2021 Fantasy PPG: 10.9 (1st)
2021 Stats: 41 sacks, 26 int, 8 fr
There should be some regression, but Dallas’ aggressive defense will still be able to generate turnovers.
7
Los Angeles Rams
2021 Fantasy PPG: 7.1 (12th)
2021 Stats: 50 sacks, 19 int, 6 fr
No Von Miller, but Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are still around. This defense can still be really good.
8
Baltimore Ravens
2021 Fantasy PPG: 5.0 (26th)
2021 Stats: 34 sacks, 9 int, 6 fr
As long as the injured players from a year ago are fully recovered, this Ravens defense should bounce back just fine.
9
San Francisco 49ers
2021 Fantasy PPG: 6.9 (14th)
2021 Stats: 48 sacks, 9 int, 11 fr
This unit is simply solid. They might not force many turnovers, but they won’t give up a lot of points either.
10
Miami Dolphins
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.1 (3rd)
2021 Stats: 48 sacks, 14 int, 13 fr
As long as the offense holds up its end of the deal and this defense isn’t put in bad situations, Miami will be really good.
11
Next 15
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Tennessee Titans
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Cleveland Browns
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
16. Minnesota Vikings
17. Denver Broncos
18. Cincinnati Bengals
19. New England Patriots
20. Washington Commanders
21. New York Giants
22. Las Vegas Raiders
23. Kansas City Chiefs
24. Arizona Cardinals
25. Jacksonville Jaguars