Team Defense Sleepers? (1 Viewer)

[solorca]

Team Defense seems to be something that a lot of people ignore if they don't get one of the top 2-3 teams. There also seems to be a limited number of people who actually rank them as it is. I know there are a lot of people who go with the Team Defense By Committee, but I personally hate wasting two rosters spots when I can typically just drop/add decent teams (and stick with one if something catches on). With all of that said, what Team Defenses to you guys see as sleepers this season?

I know that Detroit is the obvious choice, and I think they will be really good as well...but I'm thinking more along the lines of teams currently ranked out of the top 10 that can be a steal in the last round of your draft.

I have been picking up San Fran in most of my drafts, but I don't know how confident I am in them.

 

[Short Corner]

Team Defense seems to be something that a lot of people ignore if they don't get one of the top 2-3 teams. There also seems to be a limited number of people who actually rank them as it is. I know there are a lot of people who go with the Team Defense By Committee, but I personally hate wasting two rosters spots when I can typically just drop/add decent teams (and stick with one if something catches on). With all of that said, what Team Defenses to you guys see as sleepers this season?I know that Detroit is the obvious choice, and I think they will be really good as well...but I'm thinking more along the lines of teams currently ranked out of the top 10 that can be a steal in the last round of your draft.I have been picking up San Fran in most of my drafts, but I don't know how confident I am in them.

Haven't really followed the turnover this offseason but I listened to the preseason local podcasts last year and the feeling was that the team is built to win games 17-14 but the offense can't hold up their end.

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

The Niners are very strong against the run but have a suspect secondary, so if you were hoping for pick sixes, you might be disappointed.

 

[jurb26]

I like Arz as a sneaky pick. Some good games on their schedule and more talent on that D than they are getting credit for IMO.

 

[solorca]

The Niners are very strong against the run but have a suspect secondary, so if you were hoping for pick sixes, you might be disappointed.

Yeah, I would probably agree with that. I think pick sixes are probably difficult to predict anyway. I think a solid Team Defense would be one that allows low scores and gets turnovers.

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

Don't think you'll get many picks either with that secondary.

 

[hook014]

I like Arz as a sneaky pick. Some good games on their schedule and more talent on that D than they are getting credit for IMO.

Me too. In fact I like az then cle at the bye if you can get them.They'll get you this;AZ- Car @Was @Sea NYG @ Min (bye week 6)Cle (week 6 onward)@ Oak Sea SFOThat gets you to week 9 using 1 roster spot. I'm drafting AZ and using the extra spot for a lottery ticket. If I dont get Cle I'll just spot start a couple of teams.

 

[Stealthycat]

Washington has looked decent in the pre-season

 

[VikingFrog]

I like Arz as a sneaky pick. Some good games on their schedule and more talent on that D than they are getting credit for IMO.

Me too. In fact I like az then cle at the bye if you can get them.They'll get you this;AZ- Car @Was @Sea NYG @ Min (bye week 6)Cle (week 6 onward)@ Oak Sea SFOThat gets you to week 9 using 1 roster spot. I'm drafting AZ and using the extra spot for a lottery ticket. If I dont get Cle I'll just spot start a couple of teams.

I'm going to pick a defense every week and ride the hot hand/matchups. Right now I'm thinking New England @ Miami. The NE owner just dropped them for AZ.I don't currently have a defense as I've got a couple training camp flyers I'm hanging on to till the season starts because our bench is so small.

 

[The Hank]

I like Arz as a sneaky pick. Some good games on their schedule and more talent on that D than they are getting credit for IMO.

Me too. In fact I like az then cle at the bye if you can get them.They'll get you this;AZ- Car @Was @Sea NYG @ Min (bye week 6)Cle (week 6 onward)@ Oak Sea SFOThat gets you to week 9 using 1 roster spot. I'm drafting AZ and using the extra spot for a lottery ticket. If I dont get Cle I'll just spot start a couple of teams.

While they play in a weak division and have a favorable schedule, I just dont like them at all.They traded Rodgers-Cromartie, and just lost #2 CB Greg Toler for the year with an ACL injury. I dont even know who they have now starting opposite of Patrick Peterson. This coupled with the Torn Triceps injury to Adrian Wilson, makes me extremely leery of penciling in these guys other than maybe the season opener vs. Carolina. Also, they did not have much of a pass rush last year outside of a few players; my thought is that it was mainly because of the scheme they used under Bill Davis. Now that they are under Horton, I expect they'll be better in this category but not enough to garner my roster spot. My advice would be to leave them on the waivers.

 

[gbill2004]

Thoughts on Denver as a sleeper team defense this season?

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

The Lions have a fierce pass rush and a good schedule this year. Their secondary is mediocre but the front four should get you plenty of sacks.

 

[bulger2holt]

I like the Rams D this year, especially in the 2nd half of the season. Spags' D puts a lot pressure on QB's. Adding Quinn in there on passing downs will help too. 3rd and long and having Long, Hall and Quinn rushing will be a deadly combo.

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

Thoughts on Denver as a sleeper team defense this season?

Despite drafting Von Miller and a couple of safeties, Denver's defense still needs a ton of work.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Houston could be really good. Their front 7 could rack up a bunch of sacks and their run defense looks great so far as well. Their secondary seems better so far this year, so they shouldn't give up quite as many points.

And as a homer, I kind of like Buffalo as well. With the additions of Dareus and Merriman and the development of Batten and Carrington, they could generate a lot of sacks. The run defense could still be suspect, but the pass defense should be decent and get a decent number of INTs.

 

[Doug B]

I like the pieces Houston has added in their secondary, and I think Wade Phillips can make the Texans' D more effective overall. Even with some personnel shifts like Mario Williams to rush LB (a la DeMarcus Ware). Good schedule, too: facing Titans and Jaguars twice each, Dolphins, Bengals in Wk 14, and Panthers in Wk 15, Plus the middling Raiders and Browns ... and maybe a Manning-less Colts to open the season.

EDIT: one of those Titans tilts is in Wk 17, so scratch that

 

[Doug B]

Houston could be really good. Their front 7 could rack up a bunch of sacks and their run defense looks great so far as well. Their secondary seems better so far this year, so they shouldn't give up quite as many points.

 

[TheWick]

I've been starting with ARZ or KC and will play the waiver wire from week 2 on...Really depends on your league scoring. Most of the leagues I play in the top D's score about the same as the top kickers. No reason to go crazy on either. The spread just isn't enough between the good ones and the mediocre.