RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~190 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~213
Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're far more likely to stream defenses each week. With that in mind, I'm going to focus on my D/ST's on teams with strong defensive talent as well as their early-season schedules.
I've created a D/ST Rankings metric that weighs together all of the stats I've come to believe are most important for determining if a defense will be a strong fantasy unit: pressure rate, sacks, quarterback hurries, drives ending in a turnover, drives ending in an offensive score, and yards allowed per play.
ANALYSIS:
The Browns are one of my favorite defenses coming into this season. They finished 16th in my defensive rankings from last year, but a lot of that had to do with injuries making it hard for them to get after the passer. They finished 16th in sacks and 24th in pressure rate, which capped their overall upside. They were a top-10 unit in terms of creating turnovers, which led to some strong weeks, but my optimism comes from the moves they made in the offseason. Since the end of last season, Cleveland has signed Jadeveon Clowney, Malik Jackson, John Johnson, Anthony Walker, Ronnie Harrison Jr., and Troy Hill to add to a defense that already features some elite talent in Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
I expect the Browns, who are a well-coached team, to easily push into the top-10 with the new talent in the fold. I also think they'll benefit from their offense hitting its stride towards the end of the season. With the Browns' offense looking more explosive, teams will be forced to pass often to keep up, which will create more opportunities for sacks and turnovers from this defense. They have a tough first game against the Chiefs, but then follow it up with games against Houston, Chicago, and Minnesota, which I'm absolutely here for.
EARLY SCHEDULE: @Chiefs, vs. Texans, vs. Bears, @Vikings
More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers
Gus Edwards - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1 (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Gus Edwards (RB, LAC): 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~114 ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards from the Baltimore Ravens for the 2024 season. While J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could be in a committee, Dobbins has an alarming injury history, and with such devastating injuries, it's unlikely he ever returns to consistently produce like […]
Logan Thomas - Week 13 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Logan Thomas test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Christian McCaffrey - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in a 28-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. At the end of the long run, he was tackled at the three-yard line and caught […]
Zay Flowers - Week 14 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE2 ANALYSIS: Zay Flowers test. Ever since arriving in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has been one of the most appealing handcuffs at the tight end position. While not nearly on the same level as Mark Andrews, Likely has shown that he can […]
Download Our Free Draft App
Like what you see? Be sure to also download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more draft sleepers at very position, 24x7 player news, push notifications, injury alerts and daily articles.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win Big With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
