Fantasy Football Player Notes
2025 Draft Rankings
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1.
Denver Broncos
DEN (vs . LAC)
Denver was the DST1 in fantasy points per game last year, and I don't see any reason why they can't repeat that in 2025. Last year, they ranked second in pressure rate and seventh in blitz rate, so sacks should be arriving in bunches again (they led the NFL in sacks last year). Denver will arguably field the best cornerback room in the NFL in 2025.
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2.
Philadelphia Eagles
PHI (vs . WAS)
The Eagles were the DST7 last year in fantasy. While some of the parts of this defense have changed over the offseason, they will still field one of the best defenses in the NFL. Last year, they ranked 13th in sacks and fifth-best in drives, ending with a turnover (sixth-best in turnovers forced).
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3.
Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT (vs . BAL)
The Steelers were the DST4 in fantasy points per game last year. All they did in the offseason was upgrade their secondary significantly with the additions of Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey to rock alongside Joey Porter Jr. Pittsburgh tied for the league lead in turnovers last season.
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4.
Baltimore Ravens
BAL (at PIT)
Baltimore will again field a strong defense. Last year, they were the DST11 in fantasy points per game while ranking second in sacks. If Nate Wiggins can take another step and Jaire Alexander can stay healthy, they might have a top-five secondary.
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5.
Minnesota Vikings
MIN (vs . GB)
The Vikings were the DST2 in fantasy points per game last year, and they could be even better in 2025. Last year, they ranked fourth in sacks and sixth in pressure rate. Their secondary is a tad shakey on paper, but their pass rush should help cover some of those worries as quarterbacks run for their lives weekly.
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6.
Houston Texans
HOU (vs . IND)
Houston was the DST5 in fantasy points per game last year, and they should be in the running for a top-five finish again in 2025. Last year, they ranked 13th in pressure rate and fourth in sacks (tied). The addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson could help force a few more turnovers weekly, which wouldn't hurt (fifth-most turnovers forced last year).
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7.
Buffalo Bills
BUF (vs . NYJ)
The Bills, who were the DST8 in fantasy points per game last year, should make another leap this season. Last year, they were tenth in pressure rate but only 18th in sacks, so they should see some positive regression in this department. Buffalo also ranked third in turnovers.
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8.
Kansas City Chiefs
KC (at LV)
Last year's DST15 finish for Kansas City in fantasy points per game broke a nine-year streak for them as a perennial top 12 fantasy defense. They are a defense that should see regression back to the mean and return to the top 12 rankings of fantasy defenses in 2025. Last year, despite being ranked fifth-best in pressure rate, they had the 13th-fewest (tied) sacks in the NFL. The pass defense also allowed the 13th-lowest net yards per pass attempt.
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9.
Green Bay Packers
GB (at MIN)
The Packers were No. 3 scoring DST and finished 7th in DVOA in 2024. But they have serious issues on the personnel side heading into 2025 at both the CB/EDGE positions. They addressed their pass rush woes by acquiring former Cowboys EDGE rusher, Micah Parsons.
Even so. they also open the year against the Lions/Commanders, which aren't exactly great defensive spots. After being wary of chasing last year's team that ranked middle of the pack in pressure rate, the Parsons trade changes things drastically. Keep in mind that last season, the Packers benefited greatly from the third-most INTs despite finishing 31st in passes defended. |
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10.
Detroit Lions
DET (at CHI)
Despite losing Aaron Glenn in the offseason, the Lions should repeat as a top-12 DST in 2025. Last year, they were decimated by injuries, but they still finished as the DST10 and tenth in turnovers. If Aidan Hutchinson comes back fully healthy, the pass rush should be fine, and the addition of D.J. Reed will make a sizable impact in the secondary.
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11.
Seattle Seahawks
SEA (at SF)
The Seahawks quietly were the DST4 in fantasy points per game last year. They could be even better in 2025. Last year, they ranked eighth-best in sacks and pressure rate while posting the seventh-lowest net yards per pass attempt. They were only 18th in drives ending in a turnover. If this unit can take another step in 2025, they could force more turnovers and challenge for the DST1 spot.
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12.
Los Angeles Rams
LAR (vs . ARI)
The Rams might have been the DST13 in fantasy points per game overall last year, but that doesn't tell the entire story. Last season, in Weeks 7-18, they were the DST5 in fantasy points per game. The Rams had the third-highest quarterback hurry rate despite finishing with the 11th-lowest sack total. They are bound to see regression in that category this season if they can get after the quarterback again in 2025.
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13.
San Francisco 49ers
SF (vs . SEA)
The Niners have the easiest schedule in the NFL in 2025. Perks of finishing in fourth place in the NFC West, combined with matchups against the AFC South and NFC South.
And even though they open up the season with back-to-back road contests, it's at Seattle and New Orleans. Sam Darnold and Tyler Shough. Draft the 49ers D/ST that should have better health in 2025 under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Their DST ranks No. 1 in the FantasyPros strength of schedule tool. |
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14.
Los Angeles Chargers
LAC (at DEN)
A top-10 DST in 2024, the Chargers should be a viable matchup play in 2025. Week 1 isn't great versus KC (Taking place in Brazil), but LAC follows that matchup with games against the Raiders, Broncos and Giants. They also finished last season with 9 dropped interceptions, despite finishing with the 8th-most picks overall (5th in passes defended). Derius Davis also offers value for the Chargers special teams (6th in total returns last season).
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15.
New York Jets
NYJ (at BUF)
The Jets should enjoy a bounce-back season on defense in 2025 with Aaron Glenn at the controls. They were the fourth-worst fantasy defense last year, despite ranking 11th-best in pressure rate and fifth-best in quarterback hurry rate. Sauce Gardner remains one of the best corners in the NFL, who should have his fair share of interceptions this season.
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16.
Arizona Cardinals
ARI (at LAR)
The No.1 DST target that you have no excuse for missing out on in 2025. Arizona opens the schedule against the Saints, followed by Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Titans, Colts and Packers from Weeks 1-7. The team improved the defense by selecting exclusively defensive players in this year's draft, and they should get major contributions from guys like second-year player Darius Robinson and free agent acquisition Josh Sweat. Arizona has been one of the most injured defenses over the last two seasons.
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17.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TB (vs . CAR)
The Bucs could easily be a top 12 fantasy defense in 2025 if their secondary can have a better season than last and their pass rush remains top shelf. Last year, Tampa Bay ranked sixth-best in sacks and ninth-best in pressure rate while giving up the fourth-most passing yards and tenth-most passing touchdowns. The offseason additions of Haason Reddick, Jacob Parrish, and Benjamin Morrison should help their pass defense in a multitude of ways.
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18.
New England Patriots
NE (vs . MIA)
This ranking might seem aggressive considering the Patriots were the second-worst fantasy defense last year, but this New England defense has been remade this offseason. With the additions of Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Harold Landry, and Robert Spillane, this unit has the talent to be a top 12 defense in both fantasy football and "real" football. The perimeter corner tandem of Davis and Christian Gonzalez could be among the best in the league in 2025.
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19.
Chicago Bears
CHI (vs . DET)
The Bears were the DST11 in fantasy points per game last year. Chicago should field a defense in 2025 that could easily be a top 12 unit again with Dennis Allen at the controls. Last year, Chicago ranked seventh in pressure rate.
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20.
Dallas Cowboys
DAL (at NYG)
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21.
New York Giants
NYG (vs . DAL)
The Giants have a horrible schedule this year, but they should field a much-improved defense that could feature arguably the best pass rush in the NFL, led by Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter. The offseason addition of Paulson Adebo will also help to upgrade the secondary. New York could easily finish top-five in sacks this season while forcing turnovers at a strong clip.
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22.
Cleveland Browns
CLE (at CIN)
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23.
Washington Commanders
WAS (at PHI)
The Commanders are nearly TD-favorites at home in Week 1 versus the New York Giants. It's just the cherry on top of a very favorable DST schedule for Washington. After Big Blue: Packers, Raiders and Falcons. They also drafted WR Jaylin Lane in the 4th round of this year's draft and he could provide a spark on special teams.
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24.
Atlanta Falcons
ATL (vs . NO)
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25.
Miami Dolphins
MIA (at NE)
The Dolphins open the season at the Colts and at home against the Patriots. Even though they are entering the year with low expectations (rightfully so, given the state of the defense), they could easily surprise with some early-season wins. I like their fantasy D/ST in these opening two matchups as well in deeper formats. They take on Buffalo in Week 3, but then get two more good matchups between the Jets and Panthers.
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26.
Indianapolis Colts
IND (at HOU)
The Colts were the DST22 in fantasy points per game last year, but they could take a big step forward in 2025. Their defensive line is stout with Kwity Paye, Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner, and Laiatu Latu. The addition of Charvarius Ward to the secondary should help solidify their pass coverage with Kenny Moore locking down the slot. I know Lou Anarumo had a rough ending to his tenure in Cincy, but he's still a very good defensive mind who could get the best out of this group this season.
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27.
Cincinnati Bengals
CIN (vs . CLE)
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28.
Jacksonville Jaguars
JAC (vs . TEN)
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29.
New Orleans Saints
NO (at ATL)
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30.
Las Vegas Raiders
LV (vs . KC)
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31.
Tennessee Titans
TEN (at JAC)
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32.
Carolina Panthers
CAR (at TB)
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