Post by Steelers GM on Jul 27, 2024 18:41:54 GMT
Something to look at/discuss while we wait for the season to get closer. I will rank the top team's DL rooms in this post.
These rankings take the following things into consideration:
~ Star Power at the position
~ Depth at the position
~ expected potential growth of players this season
The first defensive group I will be ranking is the defensive line. In our league you can start 2 DEs and 1 DT as well as the IDP spot where you could start a 4th DL. Defense as a whole gets underrated in terms of fantasy compared to offense, but having top tier players at these positions can be the difference needed each week of the season.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Maxx Crosby, LVR / Carl Granderson, NO / Kwity Paye, IND
Arizona comes in at no. 1 with the best DL trio. Maxx was the best DE last season averaging 17.3 ppg. Granderson was a top 10 DE, scoring around 12 ppg. Paye was a top 15 DT, with his 10 ppg. These 3 could very easily replicate their successful 2023-24 season again this year. D.J. Jones & Rashad Weaver is the only depth at these positions, so they need to stay healthy for the Cardinals if they want to be the no. 1 group this season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Myles Garrett, CLE / Josh Allen, JAX / DaRon Payne, WAS / Arik Armstead, JAX
Pittsburgh takes the no. 2 spot in this ranking. Garrett & Allen are 2 of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Allen was the DE3 last year with 15 ppg and Garret was DE7 in total points (DE6 in ppg with 13.9). Payne was a top 15 DT last year, scoring around 9 ppg. Arik Armstead is a viable option, averaging around 6 ppg last year. Not much depth behind this group either, so health is a major factor as well.
3. Green Bay Packers: Nick Bosa, SF / Joey Bosa, LAC / Kenny Clark, GB / Michael Hoecht, MIN / B.J. Ojulari, ARI / Jermaine Johnson, NYJ
One of the coolest DE pairings, Bosa and Bosa, Are both top tier edge rushers when healthy. Nick had a down season last year, but was around 15 ppg the previous two seasons. I expect that type of success from him again this year. Joey is getting slowed down with Injuries, but is a top 15-20 player at the position when healthy. Clark & Hoecht are both solid DT options, sitting around 8-9 ppg. Ojulari is young and should breakout for Arizona this season, similar to how Jermaine (11.2 ppg) did for the Jets last season. 5 of these 6 players have dual position eligibility, which makes them even more complete as a whole.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Danielle Hunter, HOU / D.J. Wonnum, CAR / Ed Oliver, BUF / A.J. Epenesa, BUF / Za'Darius Smith, CLE
Cincy, similar to Pittsburgh and Arizona, has a excellent trio to fill out their DL spots. Hunter was the DE2 last year, with 17.2 ppg. He should continue his success this year on a young, exciting Texans team. Wonnum, had a breakout year last season, finishing as a top 15 DE. Ed Oliver (11.4 ppg) was a top 4 DT last year. Epenesa & Smith are solid options that could give consistent points each week as well. D.J. Reader is also on this team, but nose tackles, like him, don't produce well in fantasy formats (only 5 ppg).
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaelan Phillips, MIA / George Karlaftis, KC / Zach Sieler, MIA / Jonathan Greenard, MIN
LA continues his dominance of these rankings, coming in no. 5 here. Jaelan, with 3 position eligibilty, showed insane production (15.5 ppg) in his 8 healthy games. If he's healthy this year, expect more of the same. Furious George had a successful sophomore season, with 10.5 sacks and 9.8 ppg. Sieler was sneakily a top 5 DT in both total points and ppg (11.1). Greenard had a breakout season of his own, 13.3 ppg (top 10). Health and continued success, will propel this group to another great season for LA.
6. Denver Broncos: Quinnen Williams, NYJ / Boye Mafe, SEA / Jon Cooper, DEN / YaYa Diaby, TB / Michael Danna, KC / Cam Jordan, NO
Quinnen is a top 3 DT in the NFL and his fantasy production reflects it (10.8 ppg). Mafe and Cooper were top 20 ish DEs last year, 10.9 and 11.7 ppg, respectively. Diaby (8.3 ppg) had a promising rookie campaign, I expect more success from him again. Danna was solid for KC last year (7.8 ppg) and is a viable flex play each week. Cam Jordan is more just a name at this point in he long, successful NFL career. Denver has more depth guys as well, making this one of the more complete DL groups in our league.
7. Buffalo Bills: Greg Rousseau, BUF / Christian Barmore, NE / Jalen Carter, PHI / Travon Walker, JAX
Buffalo has a young, up-and-coming group here. Rousseau has consistently give 8-9 ppg for the Bills, and should continue to. Barmore is one of the more underrated players in the NFL and broke out last season with 8.5 sacks as a DT. Barmore (10.8) and Jalen Carter (8.2 ppg) should continue their success this season, and for many seasons after that. The former no. 1 pick, Travon Walker, racked up 10 sacks last year and his 10 ppg should only increase in year 3.
8. Washington Commanders: Aidan Hutchinson, DET / Will Anderson Jr, HOU / Cam Heyward, PIT / Harrison Phillips, MIN
Washington has arguably the 2 best, young edge rushers in the NFL. Hutch was a top 5 DE last year (13.5 ppg) and Anderson showed promise (10 ppg) in his rookie campaign. Heyward and Phillips are average DTs who can get you around 6-8 pts each. Commanders also have 2 young DTs in Keeanu Benton and DeWayne Carter who could produce as well.
9. Las Vegas Raiders: Kobie Turner, LAR / Derrick Brown, CAR / Dorance Armstrong, WAS
Kobie Turner looked great in his rookie year (9 ppg) and should see a larger workload now with Aaron Donald retiring. Derrick Brown was DT3 last season and got paid like it this offseason by Carolina. He should continue his success again for them this season. Dorance was a solid contributor for Dallas the last few seasons, but will have an expanded role in Washington which should bode well for his fantasy outlook. Other young depth guys like Drake Jackson, DeMarvin Leal , Josh Paschal, Cam Sample and Zachary Carter round out this group well.
t-10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Wilkins, LVR / Leonard Williams, SEA / B.J. Hill, CIN / Joe Tryon, TB
Wilkins is easily a top 10 player at his position (10.4 ppg) and should work well next to Maxx in Las Vegas. Leonard Williams was great for Seattle last year, 10.8 ppg in his 10 games there. Tryon should continue his success from his semi-breakout 3rd season (7 ppg) especially with Shaq Barrett retiring. Hill is a solid DT who will give you consistent points each week (6-8 ppg in his 3 yr stretch in Cincy). Young players like Myles Murphy and Braden Fiske can offer some production too.
t-10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dayo Odeyingbo, IND / Jordan Davis, PHI / Osa Odighizuwa, DAL / Bryce Huff, PHI
Tampa has a young, solid group. Odeyingbo and Huff got around 7-8 ppg last year and should at least replicate these numbers. Davis and Osa are good DT options who can give you a solid floor each week.
Honorable Mentions:
Indianapolis Colts: Justin Madubuike, BAL / Dexter Lawrence, NYG / Tyree Wilson, LVR
Chicago Bears: Montez Sweat, CHI / Chris Jones, KC / Will McDonald IV, NYJ
These rankings take the following things into consideration:
~ Star Power at the position
~ Depth at the position
~ expected potential growth of players this season
The first defensive group I will be ranking is the defensive line. In our league you can start 2 DEs and 1 DT as well as the IDP spot where you could start a 4th DL. Defense as a whole gets underrated in terms of fantasy compared to offense, but having top tier players at these positions can be the difference needed each week of the season.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Maxx Crosby, LVR / Carl Granderson, NO / Kwity Paye, IND
Arizona comes in at no. 1 with the best DL trio. Maxx was the best DE last season averaging 17.3 ppg. Granderson was a top 10 DE, scoring around 12 ppg. Paye was a top 15 DT, with his 10 ppg. These 3 could very easily replicate their successful 2023-24 season again this year. D.J. Jones & Rashad Weaver is the only depth at these positions, so they need to stay healthy for the Cardinals if they want to be the no. 1 group this season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Myles Garrett, CLE / Josh Allen, JAX / DaRon Payne, WAS / Arik Armstead, JAX
Pittsburgh takes the no. 2 spot in this ranking. Garrett & Allen are 2 of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Allen was the DE3 last year with 15 ppg and Garret was DE7 in total points (DE6 in ppg with 13.9). Payne was a top 15 DT last year, scoring around 9 ppg. Arik Armstead is a viable option, averaging around 6 ppg last year. Not much depth behind this group either, so health is a major factor as well.
3. Green Bay Packers: Nick Bosa, SF / Joey Bosa, LAC / Kenny Clark, GB / Michael Hoecht, MIN / B.J. Ojulari, ARI / Jermaine Johnson, NYJ
One of the coolest DE pairings, Bosa and Bosa, Are both top tier edge rushers when healthy. Nick had a down season last year, but was around 15 ppg the previous two seasons. I expect that type of success from him again this year. Joey is getting slowed down with Injuries, but is a top 15-20 player at the position when healthy. Clark & Hoecht are both solid DT options, sitting around 8-9 ppg. Ojulari is young and should breakout for Arizona this season, similar to how Jermaine (11.2 ppg) did for the Jets last season. 5 of these 6 players have dual position eligibility, which makes them even more complete as a whole.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Danielle Hunter, HOU / D.J. Wonnum, CAR / Ed Oliver, BUF / A.J. Epenesa, BUF / Za'Darius Smith, CLE
Cincy, similar to Pittsburgh and Arizona, has a excellent trio to fill out their DL spots. Hunter was the DE2 last year, with 17.2 ppg. He should continue his success this year on a young, exciting Texans team. Wonnum, had a breakout year last season, finishing as a top 15 DE. Ed Oliver (11.4 ppg) was a top 4 DT last year. Epenesa & Smith are solid options that could give consistent points each week as well. D.J. Reader is also on this team, but nose tackles, like him, don't produce well in fantasy formats (only 5 ppg).
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaelan Phillips, MIA / George Karlaftis, KC / Zach Sieler, MIA / Jonathan Greenard, MIN
LA continues his dominance of these rankings, coming in no. 5 here. Jaelan, with 3 position eligibilty, showed insane production (15.5 ppg) in his 8 healthy games. If he's healthy this year, expect more of the same. Furious George had a successful sophomore season, with 10.5 sacks and 9.8 ppg. Sieler was sneakily a top 5 DT in both total points and ppg (11.1). Greenard had a breakout season of his own, 13.3 ppg (top 10). Health and continued success, will propel this group to another great season for LA.
6. Denver Broncos: Quinnen Williams, NYJ / Boye Mafe, SEA / Jon Cooper, DEN / YaYa Diaby, TB / Michael Danna, KC / Cam Jordan, NO
Quinnen is a top 3 DT in the NFL and his fantasy production reflects it (10.8 ppg). Mafe and Cooper were top 20 ish DEs last year, 10.9 and 11.7 ppg, respectively. Diaby (8.3 ppg) had a promising rookie campaign, I expect more success from him again. Danna was solid for KC last year (7.8 ppg) and is a viable flex play each week. Cam Jordan is more just a name at this point in he long, successful NFL career. Denver has more depth guys as well, making this one of the more complete DL groups in our league.
7. Buffalo Bills: Greg Rousseau, BUF / Christian Barmore, NE / Jalen Carter, PHI / Travon Walker, JAX
Buffalo has a young, up-and-coming group here. Rousseau has consistently give 8-9 ppg for the Bills, and should continue to. Barmore is one of the more underrated players in the NFL and broke out last season with 8.5 sacks as a DT. Barmore (10.8) and Jalen Carter (8.2 ppg) should continue their success this season, and for many seasons after that. The former no. 1 pick, Travon Walker, racked up 10 sacks last year and his 10 ppg should only increase in year 3.
8. Washington Commanders: Aidan Hutchinson, DET / Will Anderson Jr, HOU / Cam Heyward, PIT / Harrison Phillips, MIN
Washington has arguably the 2 best, young edge rushers in the NFL. Hutch was a top 5 DE last year (13.5 ppg) and Anderson showed promise (10 ppg) in his rookie campaign. Heyward and Phillips are average DTs who can get you around 6-8 pts each. Commanders also have 2 young DTs in Keeanu Benton and DeWayne Carter who could produce as well.
9. Las Vegas Raiders: Kobie Turner, LAR / Derrick Brown, CAR / Dorance Armstrong, WAS
Kobie Turner looked great in his rookie year (9 ppg) and should see a larger workload now with Aaron Donald retiring. Derrick Brown was DT3 last season and got paid like it this offseason by Carolina. He should continue his success again for them this season. Dorance was a solid contributor for Dallas the last few seasons, but will have an expanded role in Washington which should bode well for his fantasy outlook. Other young depth guys like Drake Jackson, DeMarvin Leal , Josh Paschal, Cam Sample and Zachary Carter round out this group well.
t-10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Wilkins, LVR / Leonard Williams, SEA / B.J. Hill, CIN / Joe Tryon, TB
Wilkins is easily a top 10 player at his position (10.4 ppg) and should work well next to Maxx in Las Vegas. Leonard Williams was great for Seattle last year, 10.8 ppg in his 10 games there. Tryon should continue his success from his semi-breakout 3rd season (7 ppg) especially with Shaq Barrett retiring. Hill is a solid DT who will give you consistent points each week (6-8 ppg in his 3 yr stretch in Cincy). Young players like Myles Murphy and Braden Fiske can offer some production too.
t-10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dayo Odeyingbo, IND / Jordan Davis, PHI / Osa Odighizuwa, DAL / Bryce Huff, PHI
Tampa has a young, solid group. Odeyingbo and Huff got around 7-8 ppg last year and should at least replicate these numbers. Davis and Osa are good DT options who can give you a solid floor each week.
Honorable Mentions:
Indianapolis Colts: Justin Madubuike, BAL / Dexter Lawrence, NYG / Tyree Wilson, LVR
Chicago Bears: Montez Sweat, CHI / Chris Jones, KC / Will McDonald IV, NYJ