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 If you’re smart – and I trust you are, since you’re enjoying this column – you’ll draft defense in the first, second and third rounds of your 2008 fantasy draft. Why? Because it’s great to be misunderstood. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that, and he won six straight Concord fantasy football titles back in the 1840s, so there’s that.
If you’re smart – and I trust you are, since you’re enjoying this column – you’ll draft defense in the first, second and third rounds of your 2008 fantasy draft. Why? Because it’s great to be misunderstood. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that, and he won six straight Concord fantasy football titles back in the 1840s, so there’s that.
Starting with # 32, we’re going to count down the 32 best defenses to own in 2008. If you pick any team outside of these 32, well, that’s on you. Note: Special teams were not considered in constructing these projections, so if you’re wondering why the Bears aren’t ranked higher, it’s because no one cares about Devin Hester – not until your league commissioner adjusts your scoring parameters, that is.
32) Bengals. They had so many injuries at linebacker last season that opponents felt sorry for them, at least during warm-ups. After that it was open season on the 27th-ranked defense. Not surprisingly, the Bengals spent their first-round pick on USC linebacker Keith Rivers, who should contribute after completing his seminary training. Still, it’s hard to imagine this unit is much better overall, even with healthy linebackers, considering the loss of DE Justin Smith to free agency. New DE Antwan Odom will be relied upon to offset Smith’s betrayal. My Projections: 420 PA, 21 INTs, 20 Sacks, 0 Safeties, 2 Blocked FGs
31) Lions. Ya know why Detroit has never won a Super Bowl? Because their logo is a freaking blue lion. “Oooh, please don’t hurt me, Mr. Blue Lion.” In the annals of swishy logos, this is just a tick below the orange buccaneer, which Tampa abandoned before winning a Super Bowl. Coincidence? Yes, it actually was. Wait, what was I talking about? Right, LSD. Don’t do it. My Projections: 417 PA, 15 INTs, 30 Sacks, 0 Safeties, 0 Blocked FGs
30) Rams. Now that Chris Long has signed his contract, the rookie defensive end figures to push past James Hall on the depth chart. Playing alongside Leonard Little and 2007 first-round pick Adam Carriker, Long should bolster the d-line. If your league counts special team touchdowns, the Rams have one of the best threats in recent memory, Dante Hall, who’s special when he’s not trying to act like a wide receiver. My Projections: 405 PA, 16 INTs, 30 Sacks, 1 Safety, 0 Blocked FGs
29) Falcons. Considering the coward Bobby Petrino took his coward act to Arkansas, the Falcons’ defense figures to be less cowardly in 2008. They lost DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders, and they’ll have open auditions at both starting cornerback positions during training camp, but the team still has courageous playmakers, including DE John Abraham and LB Keith Brooking. New coach Mike Smith always put together good-to-great defenses while coaching in Jacksonville. Then again, he had Marcus Stroud and John Henderson clogging the middle, so I really have no point. My Projections: 402 PA, 18 INTs, 30 Sacks, 1 Safety, 0 Blocked FGs
28) Broncos. Did you know Champ Bailey has a brother named Boss? And did you know the Broncos added Boss to their line-backing corps for this season, so that Denver’s defense now includes players named Champ AND Boss? What offense could possibly withstand that kind of intimidation? If the Baileys stay healthy, the Broncos will go undefeated. What, they lost John Lynch? Forget it, they’re screwed. My Projections: 400 PA, 18 INTs, 28 Sacks, 1 Safety, 0 Blocked FGs
27) Dolphins. Like every squad ranked between 21 and 32 on our list of the 32 best defenses in the NFL, the Dolphins basically suck. It all starts at the top with Bill Parcells, who’s a tuna man, i.e., not a fan of mammals. Parcells felt the Phins’ defense, which was terrible last year, would be less terrible by trading the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Jason Taylor, to the Redskins for twenty-four trinkets and a smallpox-infected blanket. One-hundred percent of the Dolphins’ current defense will be dead or released within three years, Parcells will move back to the broadcast booth, and Miami will win the Super Bowl the very next season. In other words, you’ll want to dump a first-round pick on their fantasy defense in 2011. My Projections: 385 PA, 19 INTs, 30 Sacks, 0 Safeties, 0 Blocked FGs
26) Saints. Last year the team defense took a major step back, dropping from 11th to 26th overall. The kickoff game – a 41-10 throttling at the hands of the Colts – was a sign of things to come. Hoping to reverse course, New Orleans obtained a smattering of proven vets, including former Jet Jonathan Vilma. They also went defense with their first three draft picks, including USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. If they jell quickly, the squad could return to mediocrity in quick order. My Projections: 372 PA, 19 INTs, 30 Sacks, 0 Safeties, 0 Blocked FGs
25) Niners. Bryant Young’s wheelchair is back for a 19th season, but Merton Hanks’ magically flexible neck gave way at the end of last season, so San Francisco has no one you can name on defense. Well, except Patrick Willis. And Ahmed Plummer. Come to think of it, the Niners might be the 32st best defense in the NFL. I’m gonna move them down in my rankings. There, now they’re actually above your line of sight. Seriously, go check. My Projections: 372 PA, 20 INTs, 31 Sacks, 1 Safety, 1 Blocked FGs
24) Jets. Gone are LB Jonathan Vilma and DT Dewayne Robertson, replaced by linebacker Calvin Pace and DE Vernon Gholston, their first-round pick. The Jets’ run defense was 29th in the NFL last year, so they also traded for gap eater Kris Jenkins, formerly of the Panthers. Provided the unit stays healthy, they should be improved over last year, but not enough to merit serious fantasy attention in the draft. Put them on your Watch List and then hire a Jets fan to watch them, because god knows you won’t want to. My Projections: 365 PA, 21 INTs, 33 Sacks, 1 Safety, 1 Blocked FGs
23) Chiefs. How did Brandon Flowers fall all the way to the third round in the draft? The former Virginia Tech cornerback was one of 12 draft picks nabbed by the Chiefs in April, a windfall from the trade of Jared Allen to the Minnesota Sex Boats. Allen led KC to third in the NFL in sacks last season, and it’ll be tough to replace his disdain for opposing quarterbacks. LSU monster Glenn Dorsey will help, but the Chiefs will need good-to-great seasons from Tamba Hali (15 ½ sacks the last two seasons) to replicate the team’s sack production from last season, when Allen led the NFL with 15 ½ himself. Moreover, the Chiefs’ offense figures to smell this season, so the defense will be on the field a lot. Sure, that could mean more opportunities for turnovers, but depending on your league parameters, it could mean lots of yardage allowed. My Projections: 355 PA, 17 INTs, 35 Sacks, 2 Safeties, 0 Blocked FGs
22) Texans. DT Amobi Okoyo, 21, is now allowed to drink legally, so expect a spike in his drinking this season. Meanwhile the second-year player is expected to improve on his 5 ½ sacks from last season. If Mario Williams can maintain his level of play (14 sacks in 2007) and former Pat Rosie Colvin can be the edge rusher they expect, the Texans’ unit could crack the top 20 in 2008! My Projections: 350 PA, 14 INTs, 40 Sacks, 0 Safeties, 0 Blocked FGs
21) Cardinals. Arizona dropped its first two picks on defensive players, DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and DL Calais Campbell, hoping to bolster a squad that finished 10th in interceptions and 13th in sacks last year. Considering the team also finished fifth in defensive touchdowns, I’d expect the Cardinals to be a great sleeper prospect in 2008. Seriously. My Projections: 351 PA, 15 INTs, 33 Sacks, 1 Safety, 2 Blocked FGs
Tags: Defense Rankings Cheat Sheets Bengals Lions Rams Falcons Broncos Dolphins Saints 49ers Jets Chiefs Texans Cardinals
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I have nothing against the guy Lenny, but he flat takes away from your show. You have votes on all sorts of things...put a poll up about limiting Tony's comments to the written word.