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2024 Team Defense & Defense by Committee Thread (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
Faust
MVP
4 reasons why the Vikings already have the best defense in the NFL (FanSided article with autoplay video)
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Not a lot of traffic here. As drafts start up, who are y'all looking at for early season streamers? Broncos may be a good bet starting with NYG, JAX, and NYJ. New England isn't a streaming option, but starts out strong against MIA, NYJ, and NO
Desert_Power
Footballguy
Have to stash them with KC being there week one, but then HOU, CHI, and MIN is a pretty tasty stretch. I've heard some rumblings from analysts on podcasts that they just may be an actual good defense too. Not sure how much of that is the Clowney impact on perception.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
This is a later round/undrafted defense I want to keep an eye on throughout the season. Was surprised how poorly they did last year and they made a lot of changes.
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zenmaster217
Footballguy
Does anyone know if we'll see a Defense by Committee (DBC) article before the season starts? I haven't seen one and I don't Jeff Pasquale is writing for them any longer.
I found this article: https://www.footballguys.com/article/2021-strength-schedule-defenses
But it doesn't do pairings like the DBC articles used to do.
I found this article: https://www.footballguys.com/article/2021-strength-schedule-defenses
But it doesn't do pairings like the DBC articles used to do.
moleculo
Footballguy
Preseason, yeah but the Broncos D has scored as many points as they have allowed. There is serious top 5 team D potential there, and a pretty choice schedule to start with.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I really like the Denver defense this year. IRL. Fantasy?
Sometimes you need luck and a few good bounces (turnovers, TDs, et al.)_______________
Anyone have an opinion on a one week DST rental for Week 1? Outside top 6 and preferably Top 10, not a hold but have a great matchup(s) to start off the year.
SF @ DET? I think they're outside the top 10 right now, but I'm thinking they look more like version 2019 than 2020 this year with all the returning injuries and offseason upgrades. It's preseason but they just wrecked the Chargers.
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wlwiles
Footballguy
Pretty rough matchup in W1 with Green Bay but I think the Saints D takes another step this year and is a borderline set and forget DST that is often going undrafted in 12 team redrafts. They were opportunistic with turnovers last year, and Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport (ok so far in his career, but camp reports are glowing) lead a VERY good front 7 this year, and they're deep at LB. Payton loves to rotate players in and out all game long, and I'm seeing some of the beat reporters (Duncan namely) mentioning on Twitter that LB cuts are going to be TOUGH, they're all neck-and-neck.
Not saying you should jump on them in your draft, I'd probably fade them against GB, but after Week 1 they can probably be had for cheap and have a decent chance at a top ~6 finish IMO.
Not saying you should jump on them in your draft, I'd probably fade them against GB, but after Week 1 they can probably be had for cheap and have a decent chance at a top ~6 finish IMO.
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JFS171
Footballguy
At the risk of sounding like a homer, Carolina has invested a lot in the defense and closed strong last year. They then drafted Horn and brought in some FAs. Also drafted Davyion Nixon who wrecked games for Iowa from DT. Snow runs a very complex scheme going from 4-3 to 3-4 to 3-5-3 sometimes. They don’t lack for talent and get Zach Wilson’s pro debut week 1.I really like the Denver defense this year. IRL. Fantasy?
_______________
Anyone have an opinion on a one week DST rental for Week 1? Outside top 6 and preferably Top 10, not a hold but have a great matchup(s) to start off the year.
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BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Def seems like a good week 1 choice. I ended up taking Miami bc I figured the MIA-NE game will have a low o/u. But CAR is on our wire & probably lightly owned if anyone wants a streamer.
JFS171
Footballguy
I have Miami in one league myself. They play a fantasy-friendly scheme with heavy blitzing, but also got a ton of TOs last year. Obviously that’s the goal, but it takes a bit of luck to get TOs and that doesn’t often translate year to year. If they can stop the run, they’re going to be very good.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Denver s/b a great D IRL & 2-3 friendly matchups the start off the year
I think the default streamer this year might be whoever is facing Danny Dimes
dude has been stacking bad practIce on top of bad practice all summer & threw a GL interception in his only PS appearance
Insein
Footballguy
My thoughts as well. Bad QB, Bad Oline, RB returning from season ending injury and a coach who's a yeller. What could possibli go wrong?
TZMarkie
Footballguy
Just in the last few days I've really come around on the Denver defense. Their early season schedule is pretty good the first few weeks.
If they can help me win the first few and then I have to stream down the line as another team emerges, I'm good on that strategy.
TZM
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Really like them this year. I may even reach for them a round or two early if I'm not excited by the RB/WR who are left.
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Are there any HC/DC changes this year that could predict a DST leap? The old rule used to be always bet on a Wade Phillips D in his first year.
One that comes to mind is the Chargers. Staley is a really smart guy, and while he no longer has two of the best defensive players in football, he does have Bosa and James. People were predicting good things for LA last year before they all got hurt.
Other possibility is Dean Pees in Atlanta.
I feel like, while the OCs keep getting younger, when it comes to DCs the best move is often to hire the crusty old codger.
One that comes to mind is the Chargers. Staley is a really smart guy, and while he no longer has two of the best defensive players in football, he does have Bosa and James. People were predicting good things for LA last year before they all got hurt.
Other possibility is Dean Pees in Atlanta.
I feel like, while the OCs keep getting younger, when it comes to DCs the best move is often to hire the crusty old codger.
Runkle
Footballguy
I was hoping for the Patriots (facing the woeful AFC South all season) and the Broncos (strong matchups the first few weeks), but both got sniped several rounds ahead of where I wanted to take them.
Ended up finding Chicago in the second-to-last round. They go Rams, Bengals, Browns, Lions, Raiders in the first 5 weeks, feels like a good find off the heap and see where things go.
Ended up finding Chicago in the second-to-last round. They go Rams, Bengals, Browns, Lions, Raiders in the first 5 weeks, feels like a good find off the heap and see where things go.
Insein
Footballguy
People were still sleeping on them in my draft. I got them in the 16th (of 17) and 10th defense taken.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Definitely on board with the Denver idea. Besides the Giants, they then go Jags and Jets, who should be experiencing some growing pains.
Week 4 is Baltimore which won't be great, then Pittsburgh which may also not be great and the rest of the schedule isn't amazing, but they are a fairly good D and starting off with them and then seeing what happens with others seems like a good plan.
Week 4 is Baltimore which won't be great, then Pittsburgh which may also not be great and the rest of the schedule isn't amazing, but they are a fairly good D and starting off with them and then seeing what happens with others seems like a good plan.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Besides Denver for WK 1, I like Carolina (NYJ) and Miami (NE)
Honestly, I don't like those matchups at all this year except the Lions (who actually have a good OL).
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
I really need to spend some time this weekend doing homework on defenses before my drafts. But for now, here are my general thoughts on categories of defenses. Feel free to fill in the blanks on who you think fits in each category.
- Stud defenses. These are the ones that were completely dominant the prior year. I never draft these guys because a) they always go way too high, and b) DST performance isn't sticky year-to-year, so the No. 1 defense from last year will not only not repeat, there's a good chance they won't even be start-worthy. Obvious candidate in 2021 is the Rams, possibly WFT as well.
- Legacy defenses. These defenses typically get overdrafted based on the franchise's reputation. Think Steelers, Ravens, Legion of Boom-era Seahawks. They still may be good some years, but you're almost always paying a premium. In addition to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, I'd probably include SF here as well based on their 2019 rep. While I could definitely see them bouncing back this year if they stay healthy, that doesn't mean I'm willing to draft up to get them.
- Defenses ready to make the leap. This is the sweet spot you should be looking for in your draft. You'll likely be able to get them in the next-to-last round (or maybe reach a round early if you want), but you've identified some characteristics that you think makes them underpriced. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the simple rule used to be, draft the defense that just hired Wade Phillips as DC (Houston in 2011, Denver in 2015 and LAR in 2017). In 2018 I had already identified the Bears as a leap candidate even before they traded for Khalil Mack. I didn't draft the Niners in 2019 but I did flag them early and got them on the WW in multiple leagues. As mentioned, my top candidate this year is the Broncos, possibly the Chargers as well.
- Defenses with good matchups in Week 1/early in the season. Broncos definitely fit this category (Giants/Jags/Jets in first three weeks) as well as the Panthers (Jets/Saints/Texans). Niners have a great first two weeks (Lions/Eagles) but then they follow it with GB/SEA/AZ. For pure Week 1 streamers you could go Falcons (Eagles), Jags (Texans), Vikings (Cinci), or Ravens (LV).
Captain Hook
Footballguy
Anyone have any information on teams with best Punt and Kickoff return units? I don't think there is any one great returner these days (years ago you could just draft the team Deion Sanders was on and get a plus for the punt returns and interceptions), but seems like even if there are capable returners they are being limited to their offensive/defensive position for fear of injuries.
Also anyone think their a team(s) that are best bets for most interceptions? Maybe the Rams
Also anyone think their a team(s) that are best bets for most interceptions? Maybe the Rams
ourmanflint
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
One of my favorite DST by Committee resources the last few years
DefensIve maneuvers
Top 8:
49ers, Broncos, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Patriots, Dolphins, Bucs
Likely Top 8 next week as well:
Broncos, Rams, Patriots, Bucs
DefensIve maneuvers
Top 8:
49ers, Broncos, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Patriots, Dolphins, Bucs
Likely Top 8 next week as well:
Broncos, Rams, Patriots, Bucs
