Defenses may not always get the same attention as quarterbacks or running backs in fantasy football, but choosing the right unit can swing close matchups and provide weekly consistency. In 2025, several defenses stand out as league-winners, from the pass-rushing dominance of the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles to the takeaway-heavy Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, rising squads like the Lions, Texans, and Vikings are becoming legitimate fantasy options.
We rank all 32 NFL defenses, evaluate their outlooks, and help you decide whether to draft early for an elite group or wait for value in the later rounds.
For more information surrounding the top fantasy options, make sure to check out our recent fantasy outlooks for 150+ players.Â
Which Defense Should You Draft in Fantasy Football?
1) Denver Broncos
2) Philadelphia Eagles
3) Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Baltimore Ravens
5) Minnesota Vikings
6) Kansas City Chiefs
7) Detroit Lions
8) New York Jets
9) Houston Texans
10) Los Angeles Chargers
11) Buffalo Bills
12) Seattle Seahawks
13) Los Angeles Rams
14) Green Bay Packers
15) Dallas Cowboys
16) New York Giants
17) Cleveland Browns
18) San Francisco 49ers
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20) Miami Dolphins
21) Arizona Cardinals
22) Chicago Bears
23) New England Patriots
24) Washington Commanders
25) Cincinnati Bengals
26) Atlanta Falcons
27) New Orleans Saints
28) Indianapolis Colts
29) Las Vegas Raiders
30) Jacksonville Jaguars
31) Tennessee Titans
32) Carolina Panthers
Which Defenses Offer the Best Early-Season Matchups for Fantasy Football 2025?
When I started playing fantasy football, I thought drafting a good defense was the way to go. But after a few seasons, I learned that fantasy points on defense have more to do with bad offenses than good defenses.
Sure, it’s better to have a strong defense than a weak one. But the most important thing is who they’re playing. A bad defense against a weak offense is usually a better fantasy play than a top defense against a potent offense.
We’re usually not great at predicting which defenses will finish at the top. The best ones often come off the waiver wire. That’s why the only thing I focus on when drafting a defense is the early-season schedule.
Ideally, you want multiple matchups against struggling or rookie quarterbacks. Here are the defenses you should be targeting in drafts this year.
1) Denver Broncos
(vs. TEN, at IND)
I almost left the Denver Broncos off this list. The goal here is to avoid paying up for defenses. You should never draft one before the last two rounds of a snake draft or spend more than $1 in an auction.
That said, the Broncos were the No. 1 fantasy defense last year — by a good margin. They averaged 1.2 points per game more than the next-best unit. That’s a big gap in fantasy terms. There’s always someone in your league who overpays for a top defense based on last year’s stats.
Pat Surtain bait & sink on a smash concept out of Tampa 2 pic.twitter.com/4ilFCI9aOg
— Football Digest (@FoootballDigest) July 6, 2025
But if the Broncos fall to you at the right price, they offer the best possible start. They open at home against rookie QB Cam Ward, who will be making his first career start on a Titans team expected to be near the bottom of the league. Then they hit the road to face either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. I expect Denver to be the top fantasy defense heading into Week 3.
2) Miami Dolphins
(at IND, vs. NE)
The Miami Dolphins weren’t a bad defense last year, even if they don’t have the fantasy reputation of a top-tier unit. They finished seventh in total defensive EPA.
This season, they start with the same shaky quarterback combo mentioned above in Indy. Then they face Drake Maye and the Patriots. Maye could be fun to watch, but the Pats still don’t have many weapons on offense.
Looking ahead, if you can stomach a likely dud in Week 3 at Buffalo, Miami becomes a great option again in Weeks 4 and 5 — against the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. They’re usable in four of the first five weeks.
