Fantasy Football Player Notes
2026 Draft Rankings
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1.
Houston Texans
HOU (vs . TEN)
No. 1-highest scoring projected DST after finishing as the DST2 in 2025. Third-fewest PPG allowed. The Texans have been a top-5 fantasy unit for two straight seasons. They do draw two tougher matchups to start the year, versus Buffalo and Cincinnati.
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2.
Denver Broncos
DEN (vs . LAC)
The Broncos had one of the softest schedules to start the 2025 season. 2026 is drastically different. In the first six weeks, it's tough, according to Warren Sharp (although drawing the Chiefs twice early on could be an advantage if Patrick Mahomes is less than 100%). First 8 games: Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Chiefs. Third-toughest schedule over that stretch. If the Broncos don't have the same injury luck on defense two years in a row, it's possible they don't return elite DST status.
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3.
Seattle Seahawks
SEA (at LAR)
Seattle took home the crown of the highest-scoring DST in 2025 by allowing the fewest PPG in the NFL (17.2). They will host the Patriots in the season opener, followed by a road game versus the Cardinals. They have been a top-5 fantasy unit in back-to-back seasons under Mike Macdonald. Expect more of the same in 2026.
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4.
Los Angeles Rams
LAR (vs . SEA)
The Rams were fourth in pressure rate last season (26%) and just added last year's reigning sack record-breaker in EDGE rusher Myles Garrett. Jared Verse had no problems generating pressures last season, but he didn't always finish with the sack. That won't be an issue with Garrett entrenched as the Rams' top pass rusher. Add that the Rams led the NFL in dropped interceptions (10) and revamped their secondary with the additions of CBs Jaylen Watson/Trent McDuffie - LA is knocking on the door of DST No. 1 status in pursuit of a Lombardi trophy.
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5.
Philadelphia Eagles
PHI (at NYG)
No team has a more difficult DST schedule than the Eagles in 2026. But they start the year off in a decent spot - at home versus the Commanders and on the road versus the Titans. The Eagles have finished as fantasy DST7 in back-to-back seasons with extremely strong personnel on that side of the ball. They have been in the top 6 in turnover margin since 2024, and saw an increase in pass rush productivity last season.
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6.
Minnesota Vikings
MIN (vs . CHI)
2025's fifth-highest scoring DST opens the schedule at home against the Packers at home, followed by two road matchups versus the Bears/Buccaneers. However, the defense projects to suffer more injuries after being the 4th-healthiest unit last season. They also had the fourth-fewest passes defensed despite ranking in the top 5 in pressure rate/sacks. Brian Flores' blitz-happy defense lends itself to boom-or-bust DST performances (25th in turnover margin in 2025).
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7.
New England Patriots
NE (vs . MIA)
The Pats boasted a bottom-10 pass rush last season. They lost their sack leader in free agency and replaced him with Dre'Mont Jones. NE seems like a unit that could regress with a more difficult schedule in 2026 and worse injury luck on defense. Note that despite finishing last year inside the top 5 in fewest points allowed, they were the third-worst red zone defense. Just 23rd overall in defensive DVOA as the 10th-ranked DST. It's probably not worth reaching on too early based on their tougher opening 4 matchups against the formidable Seahawks, Steelers, Jaguars, and Bills.
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8.
Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT (at BAL)
Week 1? Home versus the Atlanta Falcons. That in itself justifies selecting the Steelers DST. They also come in at No. 4 in the projections - but this unit has seen a fall-off over the last 2 seasons (4 to 9). The Steelers' secondary was shredded at times last season, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game and ranking third in total missed tackles. FA acquisitions Jaquan Brisker and Jamel Dean should help bolster the back-end, but this defense STILL projects as one of the oldest in the league. But the third-easiest schedule through the first eight games suggests they start the year strongly.
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9.
Jacksonville Jaguars
JAC (at IND)
Week 1? Home versus the Cleveland Browns. The Jags finished second in interceptions in 2025 (22) after posting the third-lowest INT rate in 2024. They made a sneaky leap last year by leading the NFL in passes defended. As one of the league's premier "pass-funnels," the Jags DST has boom potential with a salivating Week 1 matchup. But be warned that they might be extremely feast or famine as the 21st-ranked defense in the 2026 projections. Jacksonville's defensive interior ranked second-lowest in pass-rush productivity across the NFL in 2025 - resulting in an underwhelming sack total (27th).
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10.
Los Angeles Chargers
LAC (at DEN)
The Chargers will take on the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders to start the year. Best schedule for any DST. Draft them and start the Bolts with confidence through the first two weeks of the 2026 season.
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11.
Baltimore Ravens
BAL (vs . PIT)
With new HC Jesse Minter leading a healthier Ravens defense against an easier schedule, I'd project Baltimore to get back into the top-tier DST conversation. The cupcake schedule to open 2026 also benefits them greatly: Colts, Saints, Cowboys, Titans, Falcons and Browns. Draft that Ravens DST has the second-easiest schedule through the first six weeks of the year (top-5 in the FantasyPros SOS overall).
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12.
Green Bay Packers
GB (vs . DET)
The Packers didn't win a game after losing edge rusher Micah Parsons last season. Until he returns, it's hard to be overly bullish on this DST to start the year. 24th in the projections.
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13.
Cleveland Browns
CLE (at CIN)
No Myles Garrett or DC Jim Schwartz? No thanks. 17th in the projections.
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14.
Detroit Lions
DET (at GB)
The Lions have the easiest schedule in the NFL (specifically through the first 5 weeks of the season). With them also due to experience positive injury regression on the defensive side of the ball, they are an easy sleeper DST to snag with your last pick. Generated the 4th-most passes defended last year (but just 13 interceptions) and a top-10 defense according to DVOA. Also dropped the second-most interceptions (9).
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15.
Kansas City Chiefs
KC (vs . LV)
The Chiefs have the third-easiest schedule to start the year (easiest through first four weeks). Gives ample time for Patrick Mahomes to be brought up to speed (also has a bye in Week 5) and for the defense to prove it's worth. KC added to its defensive line this offseason but lost key secondary pieces, suggesting they face a surplus of pass attempts in 2026. They also finished 30th in opponent fumbles and last in non-offensive TDs (0). Week 1 is at home versus Denver, followed by matchups versus Indy, Miami and Las Vegas.
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16.
Buffalo Bills
BUF (vs . NYJ)
Through the first five weeks of the season, the Bills have the second-most difficult schedule. Under a new DC and defensive scheme, it might take some time for this unit to gel in 2026.
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17.
San Francisco 49ers
SF (at ARI)
They open the season versus the Rams in Australia, but then it's smooth sailing from Weeks 2-3 (vs MIA and ARI at home). If you don't draft the Niners, they will be a priority waiver wire addition ahead of Week 2. Tied for the second-fewest interceptions in 2025 after being completely gutted by injuries.
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18.
Atlanta Falcons
ATL (at CAR)
Atlanta starts the year at Pittsburgh and at home versus the Panthers. Decent spot for an underrated unit that was a fringe top 12 unit in 2025. Just need more clarity on second-year EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. and his availability for the upcoming season. Because otherwise, the projections love Atlanta as an underrated unit (second in projected sacks) after finishing last year second in that category.
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19.
New Orleans Saints
NO (vs . TB)
Brutal stretch to start the year (toughest for the first two weeks).
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20.
Chicago Bears
CHI (at MIN)
Best turnover luck imaginable last season and still didn't finish as a top-12 unit in 2025.
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21.
Indianapolis Colts
IND (vs . JAC)
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22.
Carolina Panthers
CAR (vs . ATL)
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23.
Dallas Cowboys
DAL (at WAS)
Led NFL in pressure rate last season but finished just second-worst in interceptions and below average in total sacks.
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24.
New York Giants
NYG (vs . PHI)
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25.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TB (at NO)
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26.
Tennessee Titans
TEN (at HOU)
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27.
Miami Dolphins
MIA (at NE)
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28.
Washington Commanders
WAS (vs . DAL)
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29.
Cincinnati Bengals
CIN (vs . CLE)
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30.
Las Vegas Raiders
LV (at KC)
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31.
New York Jets
NYJ (at BUF)
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32.
Arizona Cardinals
ARI (vs . SF)
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