Defense/special teams is a tricky and fickle fantasy football starting position. But it's still a valuable component in weekly lineups to help decide some head-to-head matchups.
How much should you invest in a D/ST in a given season in a redraft league? Before answering that, there are some other key questions to consider.
First, what's your league scoring format for defenses? How much do points and yardage allowed matter? Or are sacks and takeaways the most important difference-makers? And what's the reward for return touchdowns? Beyond that, is there a popular twist, such as crediting three-and-outs and fourth-down stops?
Once you know how your fantasy football league scores defense, then you can start to focus on the teams best suited to produce with their personnel and scheme.
Then ask yourself another couple of questions. Are you looking for a D/ST that you can start most weeks when that team doesn't have a bye? Or do you prefer streaming several defenses over the course of a season based on upcoming matchups against weaker, mistake-prone offenses? Whatever scoring format and strategy you employ, here's help to address the position well again.
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Fantasy Defense Tiers 2025: Who are the best D/STs?
TIER 1
1. Denver Broncos
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Houston Texans
The Broncos are a prime example of how rising personnel flipped a D/ST19 the previous year into D/ST1, as Pat Surtain II and the rest of Denver's playmakers clicked with Vance Joseph's scheme in Year 2. They are loaded and also added former 49ers playmakers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga.
The Steelers already were near the top with their sacks and pressure, raising their takeaway production, and now add Jalen Ramsey lurking in coverage.
The Vikings have been awesome on every level with Brian Flores, with pass rushers from every angle, and a hope that healthy Jonathan Allen can add a little more up front.
The Eagles did take some personnel hits, but were also a revelation under Vic Fangio last season. Cooper DeJean and the young playmakers can keep them close to the elite.
The Ravens are always a popular pick, even though they dropped a little last year. They have a high floor for sacks, and Jaire Alexander is an added potential difference-maker.
The Texans are feeling it, too, with Danielle Hunter through a good secondary responding well for DeMeco Ryans. That side of the ball is looking like their strength.
FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT TIERS: QB
Fantasy D/ST strategy 2025: When to draft a defense?
TIER 2
7. Buffalo Bills
8. Los Angeles Chargers
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. Los Angeles Rams
11. Detroit Lions
12. Green Bay Packers
If you don't want to invest a high pick on a defense, then you shouldn't. Because only a handful will be playable every non-bye week, regardless of matchup. Based on overall ranking, a defense should not be going until the 14th or 15th round of a 12-team, 17-round draft. At the earliest, based on average draft position for the Broncos or Steelers, target a defense in the 12th round at the absolute earliest.
This is a pretty stocked second tier. This allows you to wait as late as the 16th round and still land one of these as your starting unit.
PPR RANKINGS: Top 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | PK
NON-PPR RANKINGS: TOP 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Defense Rankings: Sleepers & breakouts
Nick Bosa
TIER 3
13. San Francisco 49ers
14. Kansas City Chiefs
15. Chicago Bears
16. New York Jets
17. New England Patriots
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. New York Giants
20. Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers stand out here as a strong rebound candidate with Robert Saleh once again calling plays for the defense for Nick Bosa & Co.
The Patriots are led by defensive-minded Mike Vrabel, who should bring back some of the Bill Belichick era's level of playmaking, which was missing with Jerod Mayo.
The Giants had some great pass-rush pop last season and added Abdul Carter to the disruptive mix, and got a much-needed new secondary star in Jevon Holland.
WARNING: Avoid these fantasy draft busts
TIER 4
21. Cleveland Browns
22. Washington Commanders
23. Miami Dolphins
24. Indianapolis Colts
25. Atlanta Falcons
26. Cincinnati Bengals
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28. New Orleans Saints
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
30. Las Vegas Raiders
31. Tennessee Titans
32. Carolina Panthers
The Commanders added Von Miller to their pass rush and get a full season of Marshon Lattimore's coverage in Dan Quinn's scheme.
The Colts have promise with rookie pass rusher J.T. Tuimoloau and cornerback Charvarius Ward causing some pressure and coverage upgrades.
The Jaguars have a lot of young talent who have disappointed as a group but that can change with their new rising star coordinator, former Packers assistant Anthony Campanile.
EXPLOIT LEAGUE APPS: Yahoo, ESPN rankings can reveal sleepers, busts