Daily Fantasy D/ST: AFC Season Preview
With the NFL season rapidly approaching, it’s time to get caught up on everything that went on this summer. Defense and special teams are often overlooked by daily fantasy players, but we’ve got you covered with a rundown of the major changes to every defense and special teams unit this offseason.
This is the first in a four-part series looking at both offenses and defenses across the league to help get you geared up for Week 1 of the NFL season. So let’s take a look at the defenses in the NFC and consider how they’ve changed, and which ones we should be rostering to start off this new year of daily fantasy NFL.
AFC East
New England Patriots
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 8th, Total Defense: 13th, Pass Defense: 17th, Rush Defense: 9th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 40, Interceptions: 16, Fumble Recoveries: 9, Defensive TDs: 2, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 1
2014 DK Points Per Game: 7.8
Key Defensive Additions: OLB Jabaal Sheard, CB Bradley Fletcher, CB Robert McClain, DT Malcolm Brown
Key Defensive Losses: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, CB Kyle Arrington, CB Alfonzo Dennard, DT Vince Wilfork, OLB Akeem Ayers
The Pats experienced a lot of turnover this offseason after their Super Bowl win. Their best signing this offseason was Jabaal Sheard. Sheard is coming off a pretty good season and should provide them with edge rushing. Malcolm Brown was a good value in the draft, and he should help replace Vince Wilfork immediately. The biggest losses occurred in the secondary where the Pats lost their top 3 CB’s from last year and a guy who was their #2 CB the previous season. Replacing Revis, Browner, and Arrington with Fletcher and McClain is a massive downgrade. It’s hard to argue the Patriots defense got worse this offseason, and they think they may struggle a lot this season, especially on pass defense.
Miami Dolphins
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 20th, Total Defense: 12th, Pass Defense: 6th, Rush Defense: 24th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 39, Interceptions: 14, Fumble Recoveries: 11, Defensive TDs: 3, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 8.1
Key Defensive Additions: DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Zac Bowman, CB Brice McCain
Key Defensive Losses: DT Jared Odrick, DT Randy Starks, OLB Philip Wheeler, MLB Dannell Ellerbe, CB Cortland Finnegan
The Dolphins spent very big on one player this offseason, Ndamukong Suh. Suh is an absolute monster up the middle and one of the best defensive linemen in football. He will have an immediate impact, despite the large price they paid to get him. The Dolphins did have some key losses this offseason, especially at LB with losing Ellerbe and Wheeler. They also will need someone to step up to replace Finnegan at the #2 CB spot. Overall, it’s a matter of whether their very good front four can make up for their weaknesses at LB and in the secondary, where they may also struggle other than their #1 CB, and one of their best defensive players, Brent Grimes.
New York Jets
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 24th, Total Defense: 6th, Pass Defense: 14th, Rush Defense: 5th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 45, Interceptions: 6, Fumble Recoveries: 7, Defensive TDs: 0, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 4.7
Key Defensive Additions: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Buster Skrine, SS Marcus Gilchrist, DL Leonard Williams
Key Defensive Losses: DE Kendrick Ellis, SS Dawan Landry
The Jets were certainly one of the more active teams this offseason in free agency, and also had a very good draft. The biggest signing was the return of Darrelle Revis, who is one of the best CB’s in the NFL. They also brought back Cromartie as the #2 CB, who should be helped by playing opposite Revis. Skrine is a capable slot corner and Gilchrist is a very good strong safety. Their secondary was a weakness last season, but now it has become a strength. Their front 7 was already very good, and adding Williams just makes it better. Overall, this defense is very good and could be one of the best in the NFL. I think they will be a team to target, especially in the right matchups, this season.
Buffalo Bills
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 4th, Total Defense: 4th, Pass Defense: 3rd, Rush Defense: 11th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 54, Interceptions: 19, Fumble Recoveries: 11, Defensive TDs: 1, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 2
2014 DK Points Per Game: 10.9
Key Defensive Additions: None
Key Defensive Losses: MLB Kiko Alonso, MLB Brandon Spikes, SS Da’Norris Searcy
The Bills had a very quiet offseason on the defensive side of the ball, but that makes sense when they had a top 5 defense last season. They did lose Kiko Alonso in the Lesean McCoy trade, but this isn’t a loss from last year as Kiko Alonso was out for the season. They did also lose Spikes and Searcy, but have the depth on defense to replace them. The defense should be just as dominant as it was last year, especially the front seven, which led the NFL in sacks last season. I think you can continue to safely deploy the Bills defense this season in both cash games and GPP’s.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 18th, Total Defense: 18th, Pass Defense: 27th, Rush Defense: 6th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 33, Interceptions: 11, Fumble Recoveries: 10, Defensive TDs: 5, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 1
2014 DK Points Per Game: 7.1
Key Defensive Additions: OLB Bud Dupree, CB Brandon Boykin
Key Defensive Losses: DE Brett Keisel, OLB Jason Worilds, CB Brice McClain, CB Ike Taylor, SS Troy Polamalu
The Steelers did not do a lot this offseason in terms of improving their defense. I think Bud Dupree was a very good value pick in the draft, but he is very raw, and it would be surprised if he made much of an impact this season. They did acquire Brandon Boykin in a trade and he should help their secondary either on the outside as the #2 CB or in the slot as he played for the Eagles. The Steelers did lose a lot of experience on defense, but Worilds may be the only player that was much of a loss of talent. He was a very good and athletic LB. Overall, I expect this Steelers defense to struggle mightily, especially early in the season until some of their younger players develop in first year DC Keith Butler’s defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 12th, Total Defense: 22nd, Pass Defense: 20th, Rush Defense: 20th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 20, Interceptions: 20, Fumble Recoveries: 6, Defensive TDs: 1, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 6.4
Key Defensive Additions: DE Charles Johnson, ILB A.J. Hawk, DT Pat Sims
Key Defensive Losses: CB Terrance Newman
The biggest offseason addition for the Bengals was the return of Charles Johnson. He did struggle last year in Tampa, but was very good his first four seasons in Cincinnati. The Bengals are hoping he can return to that form. Sims will add depth along the defense line and Hawk adds depth at middle LB. The only player the Bengals lost was CB Terrance Newman. Newman has talent but struggled last year with injuries. The Bengals also are strong and deep at CB with Hall, Kilpatrick, A.Jones, and Dennard. Overall, I think this defense can be very good this season. They should be stout against the run with a strong defensive line and good LB’s, to go along with their strength at CB.
Baltimore Ravens
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 6th, Total Defense: 8th, Pass Defense: 23rd, Rush Defense: 4th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 49, Interceptions: 11, Fumble Recoveries: 11, Defensive TDs: 1, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 1
2014 DK Points Per Game: 8.8
Key Defensive Additions: FS Kendrick Lewis
Key Defensive Losses: DT Haloti Ngata, LB Parnell McPhee, FS Darien Stewart
The Ravens did not do much this offseason and some of their losses lead me to believe they could be slightly worse defensively this year. Kendrick Lewis was a quality signing to replace Stewart at FS. The biggest loss this offseason was DT Haloti Ngata. It’s hard to replace Ngata, but Brandon Williams is very good and Timmy Jernigan has upside if he can stay healthy. McPhee was another loss, but the Ravens should be deep enough at pass rusher to make up for it. Overall, I don’t expect this defense to take a huge step back as they should be very good at stopping the run and rushing the passer. Their weakness will continue to be in the secondary where they aren’t likely to have improved from last season.
Cleveland Browns
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 9th, Total Defense: 23rd, Pass Defense: 8th, Rush Defense: 32nd
2014 Stats: Sacks: 31, Interceptions: 21, Fumble Recoveries: 8, Defensive TDs: 3, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 8.2
Key Defensive Additions: DL Randy Starks, CB Tramon Williams, DT Danny Shelton
Key Defensive Losses: OLB Jabaal Sheard, DT Ahtyba Rubin, CB Buster Skrine
I think Cleveland did do a nice job of addressing having the worst run defense in the NFL last year by signing Randy Starks and drafting Danny Shelton. Starks is a very good defensive lineman, and I think getting Shelton at 12th overall was a steal. He should be in the defensive line rotation immediately. Tramon Williams should start opposite Joe Haden, and will give Justin Gilbert more time to develop. Overall, I think the Browns defense could be pretty good this season. They improved their run defense and have a very solid front seven overall. Joe Haden is an elite CB and the secondary should be strong again this season. The only thing holding the Browns defense back is their offense.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 19th, Total Defense: 11th, Pass Defense: 12th, Rush Defense: 18th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 41, Interceptions: 12, Fumble Recoveries: 14, Defensive TDs: 2, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 7.7
Key Defensive Additions: DT Kendall Langford, OlB Trent Cole, FS Dwight Lowery, MLB Nate Irving
Key Defensive Losses: DE Cory Redding, FS Sergio Brown
The Colts defense is the only thing holding them back from being an elite team and they really did not do much to improve the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Kendall Langford will start at DE, but I do not think he will make enough impact to improve a weak run defense. Cole is an aging player but will likely start at OLB. Lowery will start but is a similar skill level to the guy he is replacing, Sergio Brown. Cory Redding will likely be the biggest loss. Despite his age, he had a very productive 2014 season. The timetable on Robert Mathis’ return looms large for the Colts defense. Overall, the Colts have a lot of holes on defense outside of Vontae Davis and maybe Mathis, if he can return healthy.
Houston Texans
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 7th, Total Defense: 16th, Pass Defense: 21st, Rush Defense: 10th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 38, Interceptions: 20, Fumble Recoveries: 14, Defensive TDs: 5, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 10.9
Key Defensive Additions: DT Vince Wilfork, FS Rahim Moore, CB Kevin Johnson, LB Benardrick McKinney
Key Defensive Losses: OLB Brooks Reed, FS Kendrick Lewis
The Texans had an average defense last season, but I do think they improved this offseason. Wilfork, despite his age, should give them a big presence in the middle. Rahim Moore is a good player and should be an upgrade on Kendrick Lewis at FS. They also invested their first two draft picks on defense and took Johnson and McKinney. Johnson won’t start but should get significant snaps as a nickel corner. McKinney was a great pick where they got him and should start next to Brian Cushing. The Texans also get the #1 overall pick from last year back in Jadaveon Clowney, who they hope can have a good comeback season. Overall, any defense with JJ Watt is a fantasy consideration every week, but this defense could be very good this season if everything comes together, and Clowney is healthy.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 26th, Total Defense: 26th, Pass Defense: 22nd, Rush Defense: 27th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 45, Interceptions: 6, Fumble Recoveries: 14, Defensive TDs: 3, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 6.9
Key Defensive Additions: DL Jared Odrick, CB Davon House, FS Sergio Brown
Key Defensive Losses: OLB J.T. Thomas, CB Will Blackmon
The Jaguars made some solid signings this offseason starting with Jared Odrick. Odrick played very well in Miami last year and will improve the Jags defensive line. House was another good signing and is a solid option at CB. Finally, Sergio Brown isn’t a great player, but should still be an upgrade at FS. The biggest loss for the Jaguars wasn’t a player they lost to another team, but the injury to #3 overall pick Dante Fowler. Fowler would have likely started right away and provided an immediate impact. Overall, I think the front seven should be better this year, at least not as bad as their 27th ranked rushing defense was last season. I worry about their secondary though outside of Jonathan Crypien and maybe House if he develops as a starting CB this season.
Tennessee Titans
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 30th, Total Defense: 27th, Pass Defense: 15th, Rush Defense: 31st
2014 Stats: Sacks: 39, Interceptions: 12, Fumble Recoveries: 4, Defensive TDs: 2, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 5.1
Key Defensive Additions: OLB Brian Orakpo, CB Perrish Cox, SS Da’Norris Searcy
Key Defensive Losses: None
I think the Titans certainly improved in defense this offseason by adding three players that should start and not losing any key players off their defense from last year. Orakpo will be a key player if he can come back from injury and get back close to the player he was early in his career. Perrish Cox had a pretty good year in San Francisco last season and should start opposite Devin McCourty as CB. Searcy is coming off a strong year in Buffalo and should also help solidify the secondary. Overall, a bad defense did get better, especially in the secondary. That being said, they are still far from being a good defense. I continue to worry about their rush defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 16th, Total Defense: 3rd, Pass Defense: 9th, Rush Defense: 2nd
2014 Stats: Sacks: 41, Interceptions: 18, Fumble Recoveries: 7, Defensive TDs: 3, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 7.4
Key Defensive Additions: FS Darian Stewart, DT Antonio Smith, OLB Shane Ray
Key Defensive Losses: DT Terrance Knighton, FS Rahim Moore, ILB Nate Irving
The Broncos had a very good defense last season but do go through some small changes this offseason. The biggest loss may be Terrance Knighton. It is tough to replace his presence, although Sylvester Williams is very good. I also think the Broncos downgraded at free safety replacing Rahim Moore with Darian Stewart. The Broncos traded up in the draft to take Shane Ray. Opinions on him are all over the map, but he will likely just be a sub-package player this season behind Von Miller and Demarcus Ware. Overall, the Broncos defense should be very good again. Miller and Ware are an extremely dangerous pass rushing duo, and behind them they may have the best CB duo in the NFL in Talib and Harris Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 3rd, Total Defense: 7th, Pass Defense: 2nd, Rush Defense: 28th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 46, Interceptions: 6, Fumble Recoveries: 7, Defensive TDs: 2, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 2
2014 DK Points Per Game: 7.5
Key Defensive Additions: CB Marcus Peters, SS Tyvon Branch
Key Defensive Losses: CB Kurt Coleman
The Chiefs did not make a lot of changes to their defense this offseason, but they did spend their 1st round pick (18th overall) on CB Marcus Peters. He has huge upside and will start immediately. His play will go a long way in determining how good the Chiefs defense will be although I think he is definitely an upgrade from Kurt Coleman. Overall, the Chiefs defense should be very good again. As long as Dontari Poe returns early in the season, he is a force in the middle. The Chiefs have an excellent group of LB’s. Justin Houston and Tambi Hali rival Miller and Ware as maybe the best pass rushing combo in the NFL. The secondary should be good but not great, and would be helped a lot if they have a healthy Eric Berry. The Chiefs also pose a threat in the return game with Knile Davis and De’Anthony Thomas.
San Diego Chargers
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 13th, Total Defense: 9th, Pass Defense: 4th, Rush Defense: 26th
2014 Stats: Sacks: 26, Interceptions: 7, Fumble Recoveries: 11, Defensive TDs: 3, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 6.4
Key Defensive Additions: CB Patrick Robinson, ILB Denzel Perryman, KR/PR Jacoby Jones
Key Defensive Losses: SS Marcus Gilchrist
The Chargers defense did not go through a lot of changes this offseason. Patrick Robinson will likely play in sub-packages and provide depth at CB. Perryman provides depth at LB. Jacoby Jones should be a nice addition on special teams as an experienced kick and punt returner. Their one loss this offseason was Marcus Gilchrist, which may hurt the secondary some, although Jahleel Addae is solid and a decent option to replace him. The Chargers were an average to above average defense last season and I expect much of the same this season. Corey Liuget is a monster in the middle and the LB’s are very good with Donald Butler, Manti Te’o, and Melvin Ingram. The secondary should be very good as well with strong corners in Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett, and good safeties in Eric Weddle and Addae.
Oakland Raiders
2014 Rankings: Points Allowed: 32nd, Total Defense: 21st, Pass Defense: 16th, Rush Defense: 22nd
2014 Stats: Sacks: 22, Interceptions: 9, Fumble Recoveries: 5, Defensive TDs: 1, Kick/Punt Return TDs: 0
2014 DK Points Per Game: 3.8
Key Defensive Additions: NT Dan Williams, ILB Curtis Lofton, OLB Malcolm Smith, SS Nate Allen, DE Mario Edwards Jr.
Key Defensive Losses: DT Pat Sims, DT Antonio Smith, LB LaMarr Woodley, SS Tyvon Branch
The Raiders defense was bad last season and they made a lot of changes in the offseason. Dan Williams should be an upgrade over Pat Sims at NT and he should help the run defense immediately. Curtis Lofton is a solid LB who should be an improvement there, and someone who can provide leadership on defense. Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith will get a chance to start and try to prove he belongs in that role. Nate Allen will replace Tyvon Branch at SS, and I think that is pretty much a wash. Overall, the Raiders front seven should be better with the offseason additions they made added to a talent like Khalil Mack. The problem area is in the secondary where their CB’s and safeties are not very good.