Fantasy Football: Pre-draft defense rankings
By Shaun Evans
Fantasy Football – Pre-Draft Defense Rankings
10. Seattle Seahawks
2018 Stats: 26 Passing TDs Allowed | 9 Rushing TDs Allowed | 21.7 PPG
When you think of a team that stacks up during the NFL Draft you would think of the New England Patriots but this year it was the Seattle Seahawks. They had a total of 11 draft picks in this years draft and 6 of those were defensive players.
While the Legion of Boom was dismantled and shipped out throughout the league, the Seahawks are looking to get back to the threatening defense they once were. They allowed 240.1 passing yards and 113.2 rushing yards per game. They were able to keep running backs out of the end zone and they hope they can do that once again plus keep receivers out also.
9. New Orleans Saints
2018 Stats: 30 Passing TDs Allowed | 12 Rushing TDs Allowed | 22.1 PPG
The New Orleans Saints were one of the best last year when it came to stopping the run but when it came to the pass defense they were lacking. Last season they allowed 268.9 passing yards per game which had them ranked 29th in the NFL.
They were able to contain the run though which they only allowed 80.2 rushing yards per game. The Saints did use a late-round pick and added safety Saquon Hampton out of Rutgers. They’ll be looking to get their passing defense on par with their run game as they look to get back to the top of the NFC once again.
8. Houston Texans
2018 Stats: 28 Passing TDS Allowed | 8 Rushing TDs Allowed | 19.8 PPG
While allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game, the Houston Texans had a defense in 2018 that kept opposing offenses from scoring more than 20 points per game. They gave up a total of 343 yards per game total while giving up just 82.7 rushing yards and 260.4 passing yards.
The Texans are already going the young core route which has been paying off well for them and they split their draft up between the offense and defense this off-season. J.J. Watt is still the leader of this defense and as long as he stays healthy, the Texans will be keeping the pressure on opposing offenses easily.
7. Cleveland Browns
2018 Stats: 21 Passings TDs Allowed | 20 Rushing TDs Allowed | 24.5 PPG
The Cleveland Browns already have a pretty good young core on the offensive side of things and decided to add some young pieces on defense through the draft. They added five defensive pieces through the draft with seven of their picks.
The Browns are hoping some young players can help boost their defense as they allowed 393 yards total per game, ranking 30th in the NFL. They gave up 135 yards rushing and 257 yards passing per game last season so they’ll be looking to improve.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
2018 Stats: 23 Passing TDs | 11 Rushing TDs Allowed | 20.6 PPG
The Chargers have re-lit their spark as they finished 12-4 last season and their defense was a huge part of it. They allowed the 9th fewest passing and rushing yards with 227.9 passing yards and 105.8 rushing yards per game.
Basically, they ranked 9th across the board by only allowing 333.7 total yards per game. The Chargers also went strictly defense in the draft as they drafted six defensive players with seven of their draft picks. They’ll be looking to continue the well-rounded play on defense and offense once again this season.