FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT GUIDE

The #1 fantasy defense last year, and there’s no reason to think they shouldn’t be ranked #1 coming into this season. Edge rusher Mark Anderson is a year older and wiser. They added the speedy Dan Bazuin for even more pass rushing power. The addition of veteran DB Adam Archuleta should stabilize the sometimes-shaky backfield. And don’t forget the playmakers in Nathan Vasher and Devin Hester.

The Ravens started 2006 off hot but then had a four-game cold stretch that forced frustrated owners to dump them to seek other options. Many owners will be weary again this year, especially with the departure of LB Adelius Thomas. Well, the Ravens still have Ray Lewis, an improving Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed should start the season healthy.

The Pats added Adelius Thomas to an already steady linebacking corps and several young defensive linemen and backs. They started the 2006 season off rather rough, but had several big games down the stretch. Look for them to have plenty of big games this season.

Everyone knows that the Jags have a solid defense, but some under-rate them as a solid fantasy defense. The addition of FS Reggie Nelson will improve the defensive backfield. The Jags face the Texans twice and both Buffalo and Oakland, teams that may struggle in 2007. The possible downside is the fact that they do face the Colts twice and New Orleans once, teams that will put up plenty of points. Fortunately the Jags play the Colts very tough.

The Cowboys have slowly built themselves a pretty fearsome defense. This may be the year they put it all together and have a solid fantasy season too. They now have the hardest-hitting secondary with Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin and they have a terrific pass-rushing corps. Their schedule isn’t the best, in terms of possible fantasy output from a defensive standpoint, but they have the playmakers to put up stats regardless of opponent.

The heart and soul (and fantasy importance) of this team lies with LB Shawne Merriman. With Donnie Edwards departed, Merriman will have to step up his game on the field and improve his locker room presence. The Bolts started 2006 off with a big fantasy game but didn’t really put up huge numbers for the rest of the season. They were, however, very steady and have a very favorable 2007 schedule.

The Steelers have a pretty tough 2007 schedule but have reloaded their defense with young studs like Lawrence Timmons and Lamarr Woodley. SS Troy Polamalu is one of the best playmakers in the NFL and could propel the Steelers into the top-5 this season.

The Panthers were another fantasy defense that may have been overrated coming in to the 2006 season. They have a pretty good 2007 schedule and any team with Julius Peppers on it has the chance to put up huge fantasy stats. Rookie LB Jon Beason should provide depth and insurance for Dan Morgan. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Panthers were a top-5 fantasy defense yet again.

Denver added the high-motor pass rusher Jarvis Moss, who will instantly improve the front line. Dre Bly comes over from Detroit to play opposite Champ Bailey. That could be a pretty fearsome and play-making cornerback duo. And the cherry on top may be the moving of D.J. Williams to MLB, where he’ll be making plenty of big plays for the defense. The Broncos play the Raiders and Chiefs twice each, games which could net plenty of fantasy defense stats.

The Fins improved their linebacking corps with the addition of Joey Porter. Matt Roth could prove to be a solid pass-rusher opposite Jason Taylor. The interior of their line is old as dirt, but the linebacking corps and rush ends are difference makers.

The Hawks were middle-of-the-road in terms of fantasy defenses last season, but would have ended up higher if they didn’t close the season out so poorly. Three weeks, three fantasy points. Yuck. So, why the somewhat-high ranking? Well, Lofa Tatupu is solid in the middle, Julian Peterson proved to be a solid add on the edge of the line, and Patrick Kerney could be another good addition. And the secondary has playmakers, despite the loss of Ken Hamlin.

If Takeo Spikes can stay healthy, he will form a solid 1-2 linebacker punch with Jeremiah Trotter. The pass rush will continue to improve with Darren Howard and a (hopefully) healthy Jevon Kearse. The interior of their line is underrated and the secondary features playmakers in Brian Dawkins, Sheldon Brown and an emerging Sean Considine.

The Packers may not have the best defensive secondary, but they play as a team and do have a couple hard-hitters. And their linebacking group is second-to-none. Will that mean their defense will stop opposing offenses? Maybe, maybe not. Does it mean they could prove to be a solid fantasy defense? Absolutely.

The Silver and Black has some playmakers on the defensive side of the football. I’ll say this now: they have the potential to be a top-10 fantasy defense, especially if their offense struggles. That D could be on the field a lot this year. The Raiders have two of the studliest young LBs in Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison. They have a solid pass rush led by Derrick Burgess. And their secondary will improve this year with Michael Huff prowling the defensive backfield. The corners will give up big plays, but that doesn’t really matter when you’re talking about fantasy defenses.

The Vikes somehow landed in the top five fantasy defenses (according to the scoring system used for these rankings). How, you ask? It’s a mystery to us all. So why aren’t they ranked higher? Well I believe their fantasy outburst last year was a bit of an anomaly and they certainly don’t have the talent to make up for the vast amount of time they will be on the field this coming year. Yes, their offense is going to be putrid.

The Bucs used to be an elite fantasy defense, but no longer. They could, however, see dramatic improvement this year. They added Cato June, a solid playmaking linebacker. He and Derrick Brooks will wreak plenty of havoc. Ronde Barber is still one of the best defensive backs in the league, and the Bucs added the wildly talented Gaines Adams to their defensive line. Expect the Bucs’ D to be worthy of a fantasy start by mid-season, if not sooner.

The names don't jump off the screen (minus Jonathan Vilma, perhaps), but as a team, the Jets get it done. Their linebackers have proven to be solid team defenders and the secondary improved as Kerry Rhodes stepped his game up. Add in the fact that they added a big-time playmaker in CB Darrelle Revis in the draft. Could be a nice year to take a stab at the Jets' team defense.

Another defense I could have easily ranked higher based on their off-season additions. The big names include Nate Clements, one of the best fantasy defenders in the game, and Patrick Willis, probably the biggest defensive name in this year’s draft. The problem is that they were in the bottom-5 of fantasy defenses last year, and the schedule is deadly in ’07. They’ll be better this season, but without a solid pass rush, they will most likely end up as a fantasy backup at best.

The Bills' defense lost a bunch over the off-season. Most notably, Takeo Spikes bolted for the Eagles and Nate Clements headed west to the Niners. They're left with a pretty young secondary (minus stalwart Terrence McGee) and what could be a very green linebacking corps (should Angelo Crowell miss any time).

Remember when the Colts' D was a solid option in fantasy leagues? Well, not so much anymore. Dwight Freeney can't escape double-teams, and their linebacking corps took a huge hit with the loss of the playmaking Cato June. The Colts will have to see a young LB step up. If the interior line and defensive backfield improves, so could the Colts fantasy significance from a team defense perspective.

The Cards managed 138 fantasy points last season, using the scoring system detailed below, but didn’t do much to improve their defense. The new coaching regime should help but the change will take time and the success will have to be seen to be believed. But know this: they face the Rams, Seahawks and the improved Niner team twice each, and more superb offenses in New Orleans and Cincinnati. Buyer beware.

Can Reggie Bush play DB? The Saint defensive backfield is going to be a sieve this season. Their rush ends have shown flashes of excellence, but have been disappointments. And the linebacking corps - very, very average at best.

Yes, the Falcons were a top-15 fantasy defense in many formats last year, but don’t expect consistent scoring this coming year. They’re faced with a tough schedule and while their linebackers and defensive backs are solid NFL players, they lack a solid pass rush (could improve with the drafting of Jamaal Anderson and a resurgent John Abraham, but don’t hold your breath) and show lack of teamwork defensively.

The Texans have two of the most exciting young defenders in the game in DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams, but two men cannot do everything. If it weren’t for one big game against the Raiders, they’d be one of the two or three worst fantasy defenses last year. Don’t expect much more this year, although they could improve with Ryans and Williams leading the way.

Their safeties are solid, but the corners are soft. Their defensive icon, Michael Strahan, is oft-injured, and even their backups have injury concerns. Add in to the mix a very difficult schedule, and you have a recipe for fantasy insignificance from a team perspective.

Oh the poor Bengals. At this rate, Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer may have to play defense, too. Ed Hartwell could help at linebacker, if he’s healthy. But will that make much difference? Probably not.

The Skins were dead last in many leagues last season. No games in double-digits, fantasy wise. Ugly. But things got prettier in the off-season with the addition of London Fletcher-Baker and the drafting of LaRon Landry. They could move into the backup fantasy defense range (or perhaps more) if the secondary makes the plays they should with the talent that’s back there.

The Rams’ D is going to be pretty bad, again. And their defense, fantasy-wise, won’t be much better. Will Witherspoon is solid in the middle but after that, you’re looking at a very average defensive backfield and only one solid pass-rusher.

The Titans are in for a long year. Their defense features two of the better fantasy defenders out there (Keith Bulluck and Chris Hope) but as a team, they stink. They have absolutely no pass rush and their defensive secondary is spotty at best. They did put up top-20 numbers (based on scoring system used for these rankings) but they showed no consistency.

If it wasn’t for a big final week and a huge game against the Niners last year, the Chiefs D would have been near the bottom, fantasy-wise. Well, they’ll be without pass rusher Jared Allen to start the season. Will that spell certain doom? Probably not, as the pieces they’ve added over the past couple seasons (Donnie Edwards, Ty Law, Patrick Surtain) could help the fantasy output here.

The Lions offense made major strides in the draft, but their defense wasn't as lucky. Their secondary is going to look like Swiss cheese and the front seven really only has one major playmaker. The addition of Ikaika Alama-Francis was solid, but he's a project at best. It's gonna be a long year for Lion fans, and their team defense should not be drafted.

Using the scoring system listed below, the Browns were the #26 fantasy defense. So why do they slip down to the doormat? Well, they didn’t really improve on defense by way of the draft and/or free agency. Yes, their young linebackers (D’Qwell Jackson and Kamerion Wimbley) are a year older and wiser, but have no other playmakers.