If you're looking at these 2021 fantasy defense rankings, you likely still have D/ST as a category in your league. We're not going to complain because we need the page views, but, just between us...why? Don't you know fantasy football is all about offense? Who wants to have a stud WR go against their defense? And who enjoys scouring the waiver wire every weekfor the best matchups and top sleepers? Worse, how frustrating is it to have
Daniel Jones T Shirts multiple roster spots devoted to fantasy's most volatile position?Alright, enough questions. You come here looking for answers, and we'll do our best to provide them. Just know that this position is more matchup-dependent than any other, and whichever D/ST you draft likely won't last the entire season on your team. That's why you shouldn't invest too high of a draft pick in a D/ST, and it's also why it never hurts to draft based on a team's first few games as opposed to their season-long projections.2021 PPR FANTASY RANKINGS: | | | | | The rankings below are based on the full season, but we've highlighted several teams with what look like favorable early-season schedules. Getting what you can from those teams and dumping them before they face a top offense is generally a good strategy. However, we know most owners don't draft that way, instead looking for a D/ST they can set and forget. Most of the usual suspects are near the top, with the Ravens, Buccaneers, Steelers, Patriots, and Rams making up our top five. You'll likely find those five teams near the top of all rankings, but our order is a bit different than the consensus.2021 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS: | | | | | Miami, Indianapolis, and Washington were surprise top-10 fantasy defenses last year, and we
Lawrence Taylor Hoodies Sweatshirts expect them to continue playing well this season. Of course, the likelihood that all of last season's top-10 D/STs will once again finish in the top 10 is slim, but these three teams have the talent to continue putting up solid stats. Conversely, San Francisco, Minnesota, and Denver are all prime bounce-back candidates after disappointing in '20, with a reversal of injury luck being the biggest factor.2021 FANTASY AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR): | | | | | | "Luck" is really the key word when it comes to fantasy defenses, whether it's injury luck, turnover luck, or matchup luck. Heading into the season, you can't really predict these things, which is why we'll once again encourage you to not overdraft a D/ST, no matter how highly we or another fantasy site might have them ranked. Getting offensive depth is still more important, and fooling yourself into thinking you have a "sure thing" at defense is only going to lead to disappointment.2021 FANTASY SLEEPERS: | | | | | Someone has to be the first person to draft a defense in your league, so if everyone's waiting, there's no shame in breaking that seal -- but there's also no reason to reach. Defense can still help win championships, even in fantasy, but chances are, it won't be the defense you draft.2021 FANTASY TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY: | | | |We'll continue to adjust these D/ST rankings and provide further analysis until Week 1, so check back for updates!DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2021 Fantasy Defense RankingsRankings based on Yahoo default scoring settingsRankTeam1Baltimore Ravens.Despite a relatively mediocre 10 INTs (tied for 23rd) and 39 sacks (14th), the Ravens were a top-five fantasy defense in 2020. Not only did Baltimore limit points (second fewest per game) and force fumbles (league-high 22) at elite clips, it also managed to get into the end zone four times on defense and special teams. Those latter two stats don't always translate from season to season, but Baltimore recovered just 12 fumbles last year (54.5 percent recovery rate
Saquon Barkley T Shirts ), which is actually below league average (70.5 percent) according to. Baltimore still boasts a host of playmakers and added some talented defensive players in the draft, including first-round pa s-rusher Jayson Oweh. If DB Tavon Young can stay healthy (just two games played in 2019 and '20 because of neck and knee injuries), the Ravens will have even more big-play potential.2Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Perhaps surprisingly, Tampa brought back virtually all of its key defensive players from last year's Super Bowl squad, and it added first-round pa s-rusher Joe Tryon. Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Lavonte David, and William Gholston will all be on the wrong side of 30 when the season starts, but LB Devin White, DB Carlton Davis, and DB Antoine Winfield Jr. are only getting better. This deep, talented unit is a near lock to finish in the top 10 -- maybe even
Odell Beckham Jr T Shirts top five -- especially playing in a division with Matt Ryan, Sam Darnold, and either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill as the other starting QBs. Last year, Tampa finished ninth in fantasy points despite managing only one D/ST touchdown.3Pittsburgh Steelers.The Steelers are annually one of the best defenses in the NFL, and that usually extends to the fantasy ranks, too. Last season, Pittsburgh led the league in sacks (56) and tied for the lead in INTs (18) while scoring three D/ST touchdowns and allowing the third-fewest points per game. Even with the lo ses of LB Bud Dupree (eight sacks in 11 games) and DB Steven Nelson (two INTs), Pittsburgh has enough stars and a good enough scheme to be among the top-five fantasy defenses once again.4New England Patriots.The return of Dont'a Hightower (Covid
Kayvon Thibodeaux T Shirts opt-out) and signings of LBs Kyle Van Noy and Matt Judon and run-stuffer Davon Godchaux (among others) should have the Patriots D/ST back in the upper tier. Few teams can match New England's secondary when it comes to ability and playmaking, and we all know Bill Belichick can scheme as well as any coach in the NFL. Even in a down year that included a league-low four fumble recoveries and just 24 sacks (tied for sixth fewest), the Pats finished 11th in D/ST fantasy points. It's reasonable to expect noticeable upticks in both categories this year, so even if New England doesn't lead the league in INTs or score four D/ST touchdowns again, it should be a top-10 fantasy unit. The biggest worry for the Pats is the schedule, particularly in the second half, but don't be surprised if they get off to a hot start with games against suspect QBs Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill, and whoever is starting for Houston in the first five weeks.5Los Angeles Rams.The Rams lost some key contributors, including leading tackler John Johnson and big-play specialist Troy Hill (three defensive TDs) from last season's top-ranked fantasy D/ST, but this is still a star-studded unit that will once again challenge for the league lead in sacks and fewest points allowed. L.A. was
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