2023 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings
2023 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Although they’ve been phased out of many formats, plenty of leagues still employ a DST. Because of that rarity, finding reliable defense rankings is difficult. Here are my 2023 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings to consider for the fantasy football playoffs. Also, the 2023 FullTime Fantasy Football Draft Kit is absolutely LOADED with EXCLUSIVE sleepers, fades, breakouts, customized cheat sheets, and tons of valuable content to help you DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT DAY! 1. Philadelphia Eagles The first two levels of the Eagles’ defense have star power, depth, and upside. They need a couple of young players to emerge to help their off-season losses. Their pass rush helps close the passing window for their talented cornerbacks. Philadelphia has questions at safety and potentially one linebacking spot. In the fantasy market, their defense ranks second behind the 49ers. If they can repeat this pass rush, the Eagles’ defense could be even better in 2023. 2. San Francisco 49ers The defensive line sets the tone for the 49ers, highlighted by the play of Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave. They also have a top player at the second and third levels of their defense. I expect a bump in sacks while holding offenses to low points. The 49ers are the top-ranked defense in the fantasy market in mid-August. 3. Dallas Cowboys The secondary of this defense should create plenty of turnovers in 2023 if Dallas continues to fire on all cylinders in the pass rush. Micah Parsons sets the tone at the line of scrimmage, while the Cowboys have other players who will get after the quarterback. If Dallas slows down the run and their linebacking corps develops, they will be one of the better defenses in the league. 4. New England Patriots Last year, New England pressured the quarterback (54 sacks) and created interceptions (19). However, their defense did give up passing yards (3,681 – 17th) and passing touchdowns (28). The Patriots gain their edge at the second and third levels, highlighted by the play of LB Matthew Judon (28 sacks over 34 with NE). They face three potent offenses over six games in the AFC East, inviting some questionable starts. New England had the top fantasy defense in 2022 (third in 2021). 5. New York Jets The Jets’ defense significantly improved last season, thanks to some career seasons and coaching. In addition, the Jets added the complementary pieces needed to achieve a higher outcome. New York hopes DE Jermaine Johnson improves in his second season after getting drafted 26th overall in 2022 while also adding LB Will McDonald in the first round (15th) this season. As a result, I expect the Jets to have a top-five fantasy defense in 2023. 6. Washington Commanders If DE Chase Young can reach his potential, Washington will continue to show growth on the defensive side of the ball. Their defensive line is loaded with talent, with an improving secondary. The second level of the defense only needs to fill the run lanes and add some value to the pass rush. In the high-stakes fantasy market in June, the Commanders’ defense ranks 14th. I see a top-10 fantasy defense with playable value in multiple games in 2023. 7. Kansas City Chiefs The fantasy focus will be on the mighty Chiefs’ offense. But they have done an excellent job rebuilding their defense over the past two seasons. Kansas City will play from the lead in almost every game, giving their pass rush a chance to attack on many plays. They will let offenses grind out yards on the ground when the game score favors a faster-moving clock. Their defense will create more turnover in 2023 while allowing fewer points. The Chiefs’ defense ranks 11th in August, which I view as a buying opportunity. 8. Miami Dolphins Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they already lost CB Jalen Ramsey for a good portion of 2023 with a left knee injury that required surgery. Miami added CB Eli Apple in late July to help bridge the gap. I expect a better pass rush, thanks to the addition of DE Bradley Chubb and the development of LB Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins improved vs. the run last year while allowing 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Their lower ranking (27th) in passing yards allowed (3,992) came from facing the second-most in pass attempts (624). 9. Baltimore Ravens The improvement in the pass rush last year and a high floor in run support bodes well for Baltimore having a top-10 fantasy defense this season. Offenses with stud wideouts will create coverage problems if their pass rush can’t close the passing window. In the early draft season in the high-stakes market, the Ravens are the eighth defense selected. 10. Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers’ defense has an impact player at all three levels. Closing the passing window will be crucial to their secondary slowing down top wideouts. Pittsburgh needs Benton to emerge and Highsmith to repeat his breakthrough success to push higher up the defensive rankings. They will be drafted as a top-10 fantasy defense while needing to be micromanaged throughout the season. 11. Buffalo Bills Over the past three seasons, the Bills’ defense finished 7th, 7th, and 5th in fantasy points while ranking highly each year in pass coverage. I sense regression in their play while losing LB Tremaine Edmunds in the offseason. I question the value of their defensive line vs. the run, and their starting safeties are getting older. Buffalo appears to have the worst defense in their division heading into 2023. 12. New Orleans Saints New Orleans played well defensively over the past three seasons, and they have the talent to continue on the same path. There are some questions at linebacker, but the Saints make up for that would strength at the defensive end position and in their secondary. They ranked 12th in the fantasy market in 2023 after finishing eighth in fantasy scoring in 2022. 13. Jacksonville Jaguars Their defensive line lacks edge players, limiting their pass rush and