The 2025 NFL season is here, and with it comes the trials and tribulations of fantasy football. With the football calendar heating up, our rankings team has compiled its complete rankings to help you make informed decisions.
Top Teams To Target in PFSN’s 2025 Redraft Fantasy Football Defense Rankings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When evaluating defensive units, managers must choose between talented groups facing tough opponents or mediocre defenses with favorable schedules. Neither approach guarantees success. The decision depends on your roster construction and risk tolerance.
Tampa Bay falls into the latter category as the DEF16 overall or DEF12 by weekly average, but their remaining schedule looks exceptional. Their upcoming opponents include Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, Bryce Young, and Tua Tagovailoa. Each contest takes place outdoors with potential weather impacts that could benefit the defense.
The return of Jamel Dean would significantly bolster this unit. If the offense can escape their recent struggles and put opponents in difficult situations, Tampa Bay becomes a much more dangerous fantasy option.
Per Ian Hartitz on X, the Buccaneers continue generating havoc for opposing offenses, which directly translates to fantasy scoring opportunities.
New Orleans Saints
Remaining in the NFC South, New Orleans represents another middle-tier unit benefiting from an ideal playoff schedule. Their postseason matchups feature weaker offenses: the Panthers, Jets, and Titans. This makes them an excellent stash option both to deny opponents and to pair with a stronger defense during a bad matchup week.
The Saints have posted solid performances against the Falcons and Panthers over their last two games with Tyler Shough starting at quarterback. The opportunity exists for them to extend that success given the favorable remaining schedule. While far from elite, an average defense facing weak offenses provides a safe floor for the playoffs.
How Are PFSN’s Redraft Fantasy Rankings Calculated?
These fantasy football rankings are a consensus of our Fantasy Analysts. Each ranks the player individually, and then, using the average, we create a consensus, offering you multiple options to consider. No matter how you have started your season, there is plenty of time to change things, but the only way to do that is with smart decisions and exploiting opportunities. Our rankings team has over 30 years of fantasy football experience, and as a result, you get a wide breadth and depth of knowledge in our rankings.
FAQ
Should You Stream Defenses Weekly in Fantasy Football?
Streaming defenses weekly is a smart strategy in fantasy football, especially if you miss out on the top-tier defenses in your draft. By picking up and starting defenses with favorable matchups each week, you can maximize point potential and often outperform managers who stick with one unit all season. Streaming allows you to use late-round draft capital elsewhere and adapt to the unpredictable nature of D/ST scoring, although it requires some weekly research and active management. If you’re willing to put in the effort to target weak opposing offenses, streaming can offer excellent value and help you build a top-performing team throughout the season.