Quality fantasy defenses are getting harder and harder to find. Thanks to high octane offenses and rules that favor offenses, defenses are at a disadvantage.
That is why you are better off waiting on defenses until the later rounds because the difference between the top ranked defense and the tenth ranked defense is not that great.
This is why when you are picking a defense, you should shop for bargains. Here are five value defenses for 2018.
5. Cleveland Browns: The Browns improved dramatically on defense last season. The additions cornerbacks Damarius Randall and rookie Denzel Ward should help bolster one of the league’s best defensive lines. An improved offense that will score more points and posses the ball more will also help this group. There is a lot of value here.
4. Tennessee Titans: New Head coach Mike Vrabel believes strongly in running the football and playing good defense. Vrabel along with veteran defensive coordinator Dean Pees will build a defense based on the principles of Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Tennessee will feature multiple fronts, coverages and pressures. They will be more aggressive than the Patriots and in some ways resemble the Baltimore Ravens of the past few seasons. The additions of cornerback Malcolm Butler and linebackers Rashaad Evans and Harold Landry make this a formidable unit. If you are willing to wait on a defense, this is definitely a group you want to target.
3. Tampa Bay Bucs: The additions of Beau Allen, Vita Vea, Jason Pierre Paul and Vinnie Curry to go along with Gerald McCoy and linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David gives Tampa Bay as good a front seven as any in the league. Tampa will get pressure on the quarterback. The question is, can they cover consistently? The Bucs had a lot of issues defending the deep ball last season. If they can limit big plays, this defense has the potential to be elite.
2. Denver Broncos: The addition of rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb to go along with Von Miller gives the Broncos two legit edge rushers who can get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Losing Aqib Talib hurts but the Broncos have enough talent and depth in the secondary to make up for his loss. The Broncos defense is poised for a bounce back season after a tough 2017.
1. Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers boasted arguably the most underrated defense in the NFL last season. That is why I think they are primed for a breakout season. There is talent all over the place. They can rush the passer and cover. The secondary might be the deepest and most talented group in the NFL. The Chargers should go among the first five defenses in most leagues.