Defense/special teams is the most fickle and unpredictable position in fantasy football. But that doesn't mean you should ignore it in leagues where it is a weekly starting spot in your lineups.
Depending on your league's scoring format, the defenses that deliver in real NFL performances on the field, don't often translate to being top fantasy units. Points allowed still come into play in most leagues, but most have done away with yardage allowed.
Two keys to consistency are the two biggest statistical defensive plays: sacks and takeaways. A prolific pass-rushing team whose pressure helps the back end produce is ideal.
Talent at every level helps, but takeaways created is a major variable for every team, every year. Then comes a bit of randomness in how the turnovers are turned into touchdowns. The additional layer comes in whether there is extra scoring potential from the return game.
Some schemes and styles of personnel are more conducive to stuffing the stat sheet and making a defense a fantasy football force. Considering all that, here are Sporting News' D/ST rankings for the 2024 season.
2024 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Football Defense Rankings 2024: Best D/STs, top sleepers
| RANK | Team | BYE |
| 1 | New York Jets | 12 |
| 2 | Baltimore Ravens | 14 |
| 3 | San Francisco 49ers | 9 |
| 4 | Cleveland Browns | 10 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9 |
| 6 | Dallas Cowboys | 7 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills | 12 |
| 8 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6 |
| 9 | Houston Texans | 14 |
| 10 | Minnesota Vikings | 6 |
| 11 | New Orleans Saints | 12 |
| 12 | Indianapolis Colts | 14 |
| 13 | Chicago Bears | 7 |
| 14 | Detroit Lions | 5 |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders | 10 |
| 16 | Cincinnati Bengals | 12 |
| 17 | Philadelphia Eagles | 5 |
| 18 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12 |
| 19 | Miami Dolphins | 6 |
| 20 | New York Giants | 11 |
| 21 | Green Bay Packers | 10 |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | 5 |
| 23 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11 |
| 24 | New England Patriots | 14 |
| 25 | Los Angeles Rams | 6 |
| 26 | Denver Broncos | 14 |
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | 10 |
| 28 | Tennessee Titans | 5 |
| 29 | Washington Commanders | 14 |
| 30 | Carolina Panthers | 11 |
| 31 | Atlanta Falcons | 12 |
| 32 | Arizona Cardinals | 11 |
Three best sleepers
Detroit Lions: The Lions added some depth to complement Aidan Hutchinson in the pass rush, and their new cornerback duo of Carlton Davis and rookie Terrion Arnold upgrade their playmakers outside.
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter are bringing the Michigan mentality to L.A., and there are some pieces on every level who can jell better and more quickly than they did under Brandon Staley.
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams are building their defense well with Kobie Turner and Byron Young and now have added Braden Fiske, Jared Verse and Kamren Curl to raise the playmaking quotient.
Three breakouts to watch
Minnesota Vikings: Adding Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman in free agency are nice upgrades in an active scheme under Brian Flores.
Chicago Bears: Montez Sweat was a late-season catalyst for Matt Eberflus, and re-signing Jaylen Johnson was huge for helping to provide bigger impact.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles took a big playmaking hit minus Jonathan Gannon and their personnel transition last season, but adding Bryce Huff and then getting much more of Georgia stars Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith will be a boost. The secondary also has more pop with defensive backs rookie Quinyon Mitchell and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who is returning after a year in Detroit.
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