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2025 Team Defense & Defense by Committee Thread (18 Viewers)

Any Steelers homers want to clue me in on how you feel about their defense this year? I know they’ve added some talent, but the offense stalling sort of scares me a bit.

Really want to smash start Cinci vs NE in week 1, but I’d have to drop the Steelers to do so.

And the Steelers seemingly on paper have a pretty juicy schedule until their bye. Though I’m very aware that things change quickly in the NFL… this feels like a nice set and forget schedule.

@ ATL
@ Den
LAC
@ IND
DAL
@ LV
NYJ
NYG
BYE
 
They're probably going to see the field a ton, so counting stats should be high.

They'll get plenty of sacks. Herbig looks like he's rounded nicely into that "reliable third rusher" they've lacked since trading Gordon. Watt/Highsmith are both still ace. Potential is there for turnovers too.

Until I see the starters prove otherwise, they're going to likely get run all over (especially if Heyward or Watt miss time), and will be middling in points against because a lot of games they'll be gassed.

I dont have faith the Artie Smith O an sustain drives with their OL/QBs. Gonna be games where that Steeler D is out there a looong time.

That all said, they should be "fine" as a set/forget if youre into that. They still have TJ Watt. That can cure a lot of ills.
 
Made the mistake of doing absolutely zero DST prep before my first draft the other night. In a panic, I pulled up the Week 1 schedule and grabbed Minny because they're facing the Giants. I guess that's OK, although I'm wondering if I should have gone with Cinci (vs NE) instead.

So now it's time to do that research before my next drafts. Here are my general rules with respect to DSTs. The candidates listed below are provisional and definitely subject to change as I dig in a little further. Feel free to tell me I'm full of it.
  1. Don't pay up for the premium Ds. IMO it's never worth taking a D before the next-to-last round (maybe one round earlier if you're picking at the beginning of that round and don't want to be at the end of a run).
    • 2024 candidates: NYJ, Pitt, SF
  2. Beware of the "Legacy Ds" that aren't as good as they used to be but are overdrafted based on reputation
    • 2024 candidates: SF, Dallas, Ravens
  3. Identify the defenses poised to make a leap. One good sign is if they just hired a DC with a strong track record, a la Cleveland last year with Schwartz and, historically, any team that just hired Wade Phillips
    • 2024 candidates: Philly, Seattle
  4. If all else fails, look for strong Week 1 streaming candidates. But don't overthink it. I remember back in 2015 I was deciding between two Ds I thought would improve, and went with Miami because I thought they had a better Week 1 match-up. The team I passed on? Denver in their historic season
    • 2024 candidates: Minnesota (@NYG), Cinci (vs NE), LAC (vs LV), TB (vs WAS), SEA (vs Den), Chi (vs Tenn)
 
Grabbed Cincy for week 1. Looking at LAC for week 2 against Car. Will play it by ear until I find a keeper team.
 
Drafted KC and planning on dropping them cause they face the Ravens week 1.

Lookin at LAC as an option. Should be improved under Harbaugh and they have a good 3 week schedule to open the season (LV, @CAR, @PIT).

Other options SEA vs DEN, NO vs CAR, MIN @ NYG, LV @ LAC.

Who are y’all rolling with?
 
Starting the Saints in the Dome v CAR with medium confidence - probably drop them after Wk 1

Also have the Steelers, will stream if/when I don’t like the matchup (rosters are 18 + 2 IR)

First third of their season doesn’t have a lot of + matchups for DST but I like Detroit as a much improved defense IRL. We’ll see how that translates IRL. Decent at creating turnovers but Hutch has been a one-man gang, hopefully Davenport or James Houston can Robin to his Batman.
 
Want a real roll of the dice streamer that could boom, from way off the radar?

Atlanta Week 1 opens the Cousins era at home, with a retooled D that has recently added some additional quality players, in their dome, vs one of the worst Steelers offenses, including the O-Line, I've seen in decades, and the Aiyuk trade didn't go down.

Most basic D scoring systems are built on sacks, if I'm not mistaken.

I like the Steelers plenty, as a Team and an organization. Being 55+ will do that to you.

...but I'd bet dollars to donuts that it's gonna be a long day in Atlanta in Week 1, for Wilson, Fields and everyone else.
 
This is always a good read(for early SOS), Not sure if it was mentioned.

www.rotoballer.com

Fantasy Football D/ST Matchups - Strength of Schedule Analysis (2024)

Scott looks at 2024 fantasy football strength of schedules and the best D/ST matchups for the early season. Target these fantasy football team defenses in 2024 drafts.
www.rotoballer.com www.rotoballer.com

I already mentioned SEA is my 1st 2 week hold.
Aside from that I am eyeing the LV Raiders as a possible streaming/anchor DST for week 3 on(I might grab em now in case they blow up on Chargers...). They seem to have a good stretch and that D line is gonna be great for sacks. Again we know nothing about true SOS so I'm just mulling it over.
 
More I think about it, the more I think I may drop Minny for Seattle. They have a good matchup in Week 1 (Den), a great one in Week 2 (NE), and there is at least a chance that with MacDonald they become this year's "make the leap" DST (although tbf, even if they dominate the first two weeks you're going to need someone else for Weeks 3-4, when they face Mia/Det)
 
ignatiusjreilly said:
More I think about it, the more I think I may drop Minny for Seattle. They have a good matchup in Week 1 (Den), a great one in Week 2 (NE), and there is at least a chance that with MacDonald they become this year's "make the leap" DST (although tbf, even if they dominate the first two weeks you're going to need someone else for Weeks 3-4, when they face Mia/Det)
Click to expand...
I agree about SEA, they have some decent pieces and I think MacDonald will get the most out of them.
 
My only hesitation is my long-held anecdotal belief that rookie QBs aren't good targets their first few games. My unsubstantiated, unresearched, and unconfirmed feeling is that 1) they won't be given anything too risky or difficult to handle in their first pro games, and 2) opponents won't have enough "tape" on them to figure out what looks give them the most trouble. So it depends on your league scoring... if low yardage and low points are enough, then Nix could be a target, but if you also need stuff like turnovers and sacks to be competitive, he might not be in panic mode just yet. A game of boring, low risk, ball control type of game script full of dump-offs and screens could be in the cards, and I'd expect extra blocking help as well.

But that's just me, I haven't bothered to dig up every rookie QB's first games and rank by how much preseason tape exists on them.
 
Last edited:
Runkle said:
My only hesitation is my long-held anecdotal belief that rookie QBs aren't good targets their first few games. My unsubstantiated, unresearched, and unconfirmed feeling is that 1) they won't be given anything to risky or difficult to handle in their first pro games, and 2) opponents won't have enough "tape" on them to figure out what looks give them the most trouble. So it depends on your league scoring... if low yardage and low points are enough, then Nix could be a target, but if you also need stuff like turnovers and sacks to be competitive, he might not be in panic mode just yet. A game of boring, low risk, ball control type of game script full of dump-offs and screens could be in the cards, and I'd expect extra blocking help as well.

But that's just me, I haven't bothered to dig up every rookie QB's first games and rank by how much preseason tape exists on them.
Click to expand...
I know that overall rookie QBs have a terrible win/loss record but this also makes sense. Coaches obviously prepare for these scenarios.
 
Seattle or Pittsburgh is my big dillemma.

Seattle probably a better 2 week play, but Pitt a better 8 week play if I don’t want to stream.
 
Loris said:
Took Seattle. Goal is to go 2-0 and they have 2 great games to help you. They could get hot later so just research a good streamer with them for weeks 3 & 4.
Click to expand...
Dropped Pitt for them tonight for the same reason.

Pitt’s 8 game stretch looks better… but I’m with you on optimizing fantasy team’s chances on starting 2-0 rather than worrying about weeks 3-8.
 
VikingFrog said:
Any Steelers homers want to clue me in on how you feel about their defense this year? I know they’ve added some talent, but the offense stalling sort of scares me a bit.

Really want to smash start Cinci vs NE in week 1, but I’d have to drop the Steelers to do so.

And the Steelers seemingly on paper have a pretty juicy schedule until their bye. Though I’m very aware that things change quickly in the NFL… this feels like a nice set and forget schedule.

@ ATL
@ Den
LAC
@ IND
DAL
@ LV
NYJ
NYG
BYE
Click to expand...
Steelers are my early season team until they falter. Love the pass rushing talent and think they have some special teams upside if you get TDs for that. Not really scared away by ATL in W1, but Vegas has that line at a level that usually worries me about road defenses. Understand the desire to pivot to the Bengles at home.
 
VikingFrog said:
Seattle or Pittsburgh is my big dillemma.

Seattle probably a better 2 week play, but Pitt a better 8 week play if I don’t want to stream.
Click to expand...

Have Saints [in] over Steelers in rn but contemplating swapping them out for the Seahawks bc of the opening schedules.
  • Saints: CAR, at DAL, PHI
  • Seahawks (WW): DEN, at NE, MIA
  • Steelers: at ATL, at DEN, LAC
OK, typing that out is enough to convince to drop NO and pickup SEA lol
 
Last edited:
Doubles said:
The Seahawks defense had 6 of the Top 26 coverage players (LB, S, CB) in the NFL in Week 1.
Click to expand...
Dropped Pittsburgh for Seahawks last minute. Which was fine last week (Pitt outscored them by 3 but can’t complain)… and Seahawks have NE next…

But Pitts opening schedule is just so juicy up until their bye and they were bringing the heat all game… so I’m a little upset I drafted them and may couple them with Seattle if I can get them back and drop an unproductive WR.
 
Thanks to those in here who suggested the Seahawks before week 1.

Are you all dropping them if you can get the Chargers tonight off waivers? Or holding the Seahawks for one more week?

Will be interesting to see where to pivot when the Seahawks play Miami in week 3.
 
Pietaster2 said:
Thanks to those in here who suggested the Seahawks before week 1.

Are you all dropping them if you can get the Chargers tonight off waivers? Or holding the Seahawks for one more week?

Will be interesting to see where to pivot when the Seahawks play Miami in week 3.
Click to expand...
I dropped Pitt for Seahawks. Oops.

Not sure it’s worth a waiver to add Pitt but they look great. And have a great schedule.
 
Picked up Texans for the week. Wasn't a great showing in week 1 but the potential is there and their offense is really good. So they should control the clock.

Really wanted Chargers but was outbid for them.
 
Pietaster2 said:
Thanks to those in here who suggested the Seahawks before week 1.

Are you all dropping them if you can get the Chargers tonight off waivers? Or holding the Seahawks for one more week?

Will be interesting to see where to pivot when the Seahawks play Miami in week 3.
Click to expand...
I’m in the same boat. Was always planning on dropping SEA prior to the MIA game - Chargers made it through waivers unclaimed last night. Easy pickup here?

Are the Panthers really as horrible as they seem?
 
Ray Barboni said:
Pietaster2 said:
Thanks to those in here who suggested the Seahawks before week 1.

Are you all dropping them if you can get the Chargers tonight off waivers? Or holding the Seahawks for one more week?

Will be interesting to see where to pivot when the Seahawks play Miami in week 3.
Click to expand...
I’m in the same boat. Was always planning on dropping SEA prior to the MIA game - Chargers made it through waivers unclaimed last night. Easy pickup here?

Are the Panthers really as horrible as they seem?
Click to expand...
I dropped Seattle for the Chargers this morning in both of my leagues.

Would love to get the Raiders onto my bench if I had the space, but I won't hold two DSTs this early in the season.
 
Missed out on LAC so picked up JAX. Watson looks like one of the worst QBs in the league and with past/present allegations against him, it’s easy to root against him.

However, IND and HOU are also available. Not sure if I can go wrong with either three, tbh.
 
Krilons Resa said:
Missed out on LAC so picked up JAX. Watson looks like one of the worst QBs in the league and with past/present allegations against him, it’s easy to root against him.

However, IND and HOU are also available. Not sure if I can go wrong with either three, tbh.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at the same 3 as all are available. I have to admit IND is really tempting (did you see Willis play last year??), but I think Jax is a fine choice, as is Hou.

I had picked up the Bears and played them week 1, and I tend to be more of a streamer. But it's hard to bench/drop the #1 D from the prior week (even against Hou)!! So I am still thinking about it, if I drop them, I will certainly lose them, and they have a really attractive schedule the first half of the season (wk 3 @Ind, wk 5 Car, wk 6 Jax, wk 8 @Was, wk 10 NE), but I hate carrying 2 D's at the expense of that extra backup RB! Bah!
 
Judge Smails said:
jets D or Browns D long term?
Click to expand...

If I had to, I would probably pick the Jets right now due to the potential Watson effect destroying their season and the D falling off, but it's probably a toss up after only one week. Looking at their schedules though, they are really complimentary, only having bad matchups (for now ofc) at the same time week 6 and, unfortunately, weeks 16/17. I'm not much for keeping 2 D's, but I'd consider it in this case both for the potential switching between 2 D's and the keepaway effect of keeping an opponent from having a (potential) top 5 D, at least for now. You can always change your mind and drop one later.
 
I could be wrong. Went with Browns over Jets D. Understand Jets have a better offense. But listening to locals they have severe doubt they can stop the run, and I saw zero pass rush. Browns at least always have a ferocious pass rush with Garrett and get sacks/turnovers. Watson will give the other team points though.
 
Pietaster2 said:
Thanks to those in here who suggested the Seahawks before week 1.

Are you all dropping them if you can get the Chargers tonight off waivers? Or holding the Seahawks for one more week?

Will be interesting to see where to pivot when the Seahawks play Miami in week 3.
Click to expand...
I'm on board for the first two weeks. Don't have room to store an extra, so will re-evaluate Tuesday

Forget is it was posted here or reddit, but the 'hawks had 5 of the top 10 rated coverage guys week 1. (iirc, it was really high)
 
@SeattleSports
"I don't know where you stop the list of impressive players for the Seahawks on defense."

Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) shares his thoughts on what stood out from the #Seahawks D in Week 1 w/ @BrockHuard and @TheMikeSalk.
Click to expand...

x.com

x.com x.com
 
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