Fantasy Football: Pre-draft defense rankings
By Shaun Evans
Fantasy Football – Pre-Draft Defense Rankings
15. Dallas Cowboys
2018 Stats: 22 Passing TDs Allowed | 12 Rushing TDs Allowed | 20.2 PPG
The Dallas Cowboys have a pretty young team moving forward as they are still building through the draft. They have now beefed up their defensive line depth with first-round pick defensive tackle Trysten Hill and also adding Mike Jackson Sr., Joe Jackson, Donovan Wilson, and Jalen Jelks.
They ranked 5th in rushing yards allowed with 94.6 yards per game and they also ranked 13th in passing defense 234 passing yards per game.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
2018 Stats: 22 Passing TDs Allowed | 14 Rushing TDs Allowed | 21.8 PPG
The Philadelphia Eagles were pretty good at stopping the run last year but lacked hugely in the passing defense game. They ranked 30th in passing defense allowing 269 yards per game while ranking 7th in run defense by allowing just 96.9 rushing yards per game.
The Eagles may have been seen as missing the right picks in their draft as they only selected one defensive player which was defensive end Shareef Miller. If the Eagles can get their pass defense up with their run defense, they’ll be a team to fear in NFC.
13. Buffalo Bills
2018 Stats: 22 Passing TDs Allowed | 17 Rushing TDs Allowed | 23.4 PPG
There is a lot of debate with the Buffalo Bills and what they have on defense as they rank at the top in pass defense but fall somewhat short in run defense. They are the complete opposite of the Philadelphia Eagles as they rank first in pass defense, allowing just 179.2 yards per game and 114.9 rushing yards, ranking them 16th.
The Bills added some young guns to their defensive line with defensive tackle Ed Oliver and defensive end Darryl Johnson. Hoping to bring some spark to their defensive line, the Bills hope to improve on their run defense.
12. Denver Broncos
2018 Stats: 26 Passing TDs Allowed | 11 Rushing TDs Allowed | 21.8 PPG
The Denver Broncos are looking to improve on the defensive side of things and this is the year for them to do it. Last season they were ranked pretty horribly as they allowed 245.6 passing yards per game and 119.6 rushing yards per game.
Now they didn’t go big on defense in the draft as they only used two of their six picks on defensive players. They added defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and edge rusher Justin Hollins.
11. New England Patriots
2018 Stats: 29 Passing TDs Allowed | 7 Rushing TDs Allowed | 20.3 PPG
The Superbowl Champions seem to do everything correctly even though their team never seems to be that good on paper. Last season the Patriots ranked 11th in rush defense as they allowed 112.7 rushing yards per game and ranked 22nd in passing defense allowing 246.4 yards per game. Bill Bellichick knows how to build through the draft and he did it once again this year.
The Patriots added Joejuan Williams, the defensive back out of Vanderbilt and defensive end Chase Winovich out of Michigan. Even though the stats don’t look good on paper, this New England Patriots coaching staff knows how to get them into the playoffs and contending every season for a Superbowl.