Sept. 1 (UPI) — When it comes to fantasy football drafts, the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens are two of the four defense/special teams units that are being underrated.
Your league competitors might follow the rankings blindly and pick the top defenses available, but that may not always be the best strategy. Some of those defenses require higher investment based on their draft position, and they may also face tough matchups early in the season, making them risky choices to start with.
That’s why it’s important to consider a group of underrated defenses that can provide value: the Saints, Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons.
In my annual Top 200 overall rankings, the San Francisco 49ers are ranked as the top defense/special teams unit. You can also find my individual rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends to help you with your preparations. These rankings will be regularly updated to account for injuries and other developments.
Saints
The Saints had an impressive defense last season, allowing the fifth-fewest yards and ninth-fewest points in the NFL. With star cornerback Marshon Lattimore healthy and a favorable schedule against lackluster quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill, Baker Mayfield, Jordan Love, Mac Jones, and rookies Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, the Saints defense should not be underestimated. They have the potential to be a Top 10 defense at the start of the season. Their first game at home against the Titans, who had one of the lowest point totals and yardage totals in 2022, sets them up for a strong performance.
Ravens
The Ravens had an impressive defensive performance last season, allowing the third-fewest points and ninth-fewest yards. However, they are often being overlooked in fantasy drafts. In Week 1, they face rookie quarterback Stroud and the struggling Houston Texans offense, which had the second-lowest yardage and third-lowest point total last season. The Ravens have a strong rushing attack led by J.K. Dobbins and Lamar Jackson, and they should have plenty of opportunities to dominate time of possession and limit the Texans’ offensive possessions. While Week 2 might be a challenging matchup against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens can be relied upon for most of the season against weaker offenses.
Bengals
The Bengals start their season with a road game against the Cleveland Browns. Although the Browns’ offense struggled last season, they are expected to improve with quarterback Deshaun Watson leading the way in 2023. However, this improvement may not come immediately, giving the Bengals defense an opportunity to take advantage and force turnovers. The Bengals have made improvements to their offensive line and have a talented group of wide receivers, which could give them an early lead and force the Browns into throwing situations. The Bengals’ early season schedule also includes matchups against the Los Angeles Rams, Titans, and Arizona Cardinals, making them a must-start defense during that stretch.
Falcons
The Falcons may not be a top-tier defense, but they have winnable home matchups against the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers to start the season. The Panthers will have rookie quarterback Young making his NFL debut, which could lead to offensive struggles and potential turnovers. Additionally, the Falcons have a strong rushing offense and have made improvements to their offensive line, which should help control time of possession and limit the opportunities for their opponents. While the Falcons’ defense struggled last season, they have the potential to find more success after Week 4 when they face teams like the Texans, Washington Commanders, Buccaneers, and Texans again. Keep them in mind for future streaming options.
Defenses to avoid: Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Jets
