In fantasy football, most players think about getting good running backs, receivers and a good quarterback. Defense/Special Teams seems like an afterthought late in fantasy drafts. In regular fantasy football, this is mostly true. But in college fantasy football, there is a big disparity between the top defenses and the mediocre defenses. This creates a high market in the mid to late rounds for the top few defenses. Here are the top 20 for the upcoming season.
1. Alabama – Alabama was, is, and will be the best defense in college football for years to come. But this bunch may be among the most talented we have ever seen. With at least seven NFL destined players, most of which being first round picks; Alabama can shut down almost anyone.
2. Stanford – Stanford “quietly” has the best defense in the Pac-12, and it is not close. With the talent and leadership of the Cardinal defense, paired with a favorable schedule, Stanford is a lock for the number two ranked fantasy defense in the preseason rankings.
3. LSU - As many have recognized over the last few years, “Defensive Line U” always produces a good defense. This year is no exception, even though the Tigers have lost a few starters to the NFL. Expect the Tigers to be their usual selves, and continue to be dominant on the defensive side of the football.
4. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish do not have as favorable a schedule as last season, but still boast one of the most talented rosters in the country. Expect the Fighting Irish to have a ton of sacks with arguably the best defensive line in college football.
5. South Carolina – Jadeveon Clowney plays for South Carolina, that in itself with attract fantasy players. But the rest of the defense is very good too, and playing some key games vs the ACC, the Gamecocks have some favorable matchups that will produce a lot of fantasy points.
6. Florida – The Gators have been the model of consistency on the defensive side of the football in the last decade, and they seem to produce NFL talent every year. This year is no different as the Gators are led by Loucheiz Purifoy and Dominique Easley, who both will be drafted in the top two rounds next April.
7. Ohio State – The Buckeyes will be hungry this year, and paired with the amount of talent Urban Meyer has brought in, that makes a scary combination. Expect the Buckeyes to be one of the more dominant forces in college football this year, defense included.
8. Boise State – Where the Broncos do not have as much talent as the aforementioned, they still have plenty of it, and paired with a relatively easy schedule, Boise State should be one of the better fantasy defenses in the country this year.
9. TCU – The Horned Frogs are quickly rising up draft boards, and deservedly so. In the last few years, TCU has consistently had a good defense, and should continue that this season. If you want to wait to pick a defense, TCU is a good one to take.
10. Florida State – In the early 1990’s, Florida State ALWAYS had one of the better defenses in college football. In recent years, the Seminoles are quickly rising back to prominence, starting with the defense. I expect them to take another leap this season and have one of the better defenses in the country behind new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
Rounding out the Top 20:
11. Michigan State
12. Oregon
13. Wisconsin
14. Clemson
15. Louisville
16. Oregon State
17. Vanderbilt
18. Ole Miss
19. Georgia
20. Utah State
Top Tier: Alabama, Stanford, Notre Dame, LSU
Second Tier: South Carolina, Florida, Ohio State
Low Risk/High Reward: TCU Horned Frogs. TCU always has a very good defense, and their ADP (average draft position is in the 29th round. With an underrated and talented group, the Horned Frogs could be the best value on the board.