Fantasy Football Player Notes
2026 Draft Rankings
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1.
Houston Texans
HOU (vs . TEN)
Houston finished as the DST1 in fantasy points per game last year, and I don't see why they can't do it again in 2026. Last season, they finished fourth in drives ending in a turnover, third in interceptions, and seventh in sacks. Their roster remains stacked, and they added reinforcements with Kayden McDonald, Jadevenon Clowney, and Reed Blankenship. They will be an elite defense again this season.
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2.
Denver Broncos
DEN (vs . LAC)
Last year, Denver was the DST6 in fantasy points per game, and they should be considered at worst a top-ten option for 2026. Last season, they allowed the fewest net yards per attempt, the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns, and they were second in pressure rate (first in sacks). Their roster remains stacked and should roll again this season.
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3.
Los Angeles Rams
LAR (vs . SEA)
It's scary to think that the Rams were the second-best defense last season in fantasy points per game, and they added more firepower to the depth chart this offseason. Yes, their big-ticket adds of Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie stole the headlines, but adding Jaylen Watson to start opposite McDuffie should be a massive upgrade at CB2 for 2026. The Rams were fourth in pressure rate, seventh in sacks, and sixth in interceptions last season, and they could improve upon all of those marks this season.
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4.
Seattle Seahawks
SEA (at LAR)
Seattle fielded an absolutely nasty defense last year that finished as the DST3 in fantasy points per game. They allowed the second-fewest net yards per pass attempt, had the sixth-highest rate of drives ending in a turnover, and generated the sixth-highest pressure rate (seventh-most sacks). Yes, they lost Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, and Boye Mafe this offseason, but I still expect this defense to be an elite unit in 2026.
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5.
Philadelphia Eagles
PHI (at NYG)
The Eagles were the DST11 in fantasy points per game last season. They should still be considered a strong DST1 for 2026. Their secondary is absolutely nasty and added Tariq Woolen this offseason to pair with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis will anchor a defensive line that ranked 14th in pressure rate last year. The offseason additions of Arnold Ebiketie and Jonathon Greenard could help bump them back into the top ten in pressure rate this season.
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6.
New England Patriots
NE (vs . MIA)
The Pats were the DST8 in fantasy points per game last year, and they could be a top-ten unit again in 2026. Last year, New England allowed the 14th-fewest net yards per attempt and the 12th-fewest yards per carry. The additions of Kevin Byard and Dre'Mont Jones will help. The back end of this secondary, led by Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones, will still be the strength of this defense.
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7.
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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8.
Pittsburgh Steelers
PIT (at BAL)
The Steelers were the DST5 in fantasy points per game, and they could be a top-five unit again in 2026. Last year, Pittsburgh had the eighth-most interceptions, the fifth-highest rate of drives ending in a turnover, and the sixth-most sacks. They still have a stacked defensive depth chart with the ageless Cameron Heyward and a strong secondary led by Joey Porter Jr and Jamel Dean.
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9.
Jacksonville Jaguars
JAC (at IND)
Last year, Jacksonville was the DST9 in fantasy points per game as they surprised many people (including myself). They gave up the fifth-fewest net yards per attempt, the fifth-fewest yards per carry, and forced the second-most interceptions. Travis Hunter could give this defense a big boost at corner if he plays there in a full-time capacity in 2026. Losing Devin Lloyd, Andrew Wingard, and Greg Newsome could sting, but this defense still has enough talent to be a top 12 fantasy defense this season.
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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)
Betting on Baltimore as a top-12 defense in 2026 for fantasy is investing a lot of faith in Jesse Minter to get this unit back on track. It's definitely possible, as the talent is still there. Nanamdi Madubuike, Trey Hendrickson, Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, and Marlon Humphrey bring the star power for that dream to be a reality in 2026.
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12.
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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13.
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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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.
Cleveland Browns
CLE (at CIN)
No Myles Garrett or DC Jim Schwartz? No thanks. 17th in the projections.
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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.
New Orleans Saints
NO (vs . TB)
Brutal stretch to start the year (toughest for the first two weeks).
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18.
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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19.
Indianapolis Colts
IND (vs . JAC)
Indy was the DST7 in fantasy points per game last year and could enter the top five this season if their addition of Sauce Gardner can transform their secondary. Gardner was banged up last year after arriving from New York (limited to four games with Indy). He will be a nice jolt to a secondary that was tenth in interceptions last season. He and Charvarius Ward could form one of the best outside corner tandems in the NFL. Last year, Indy was 16th in pressure rate, but if Laiatu Latu takes another step in 2026, they could be top 12.
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20.
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. However without LB Jalon Walker and second-year EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr., it's more desperation. After the initial projections loved love Atlanta as an underrated unit (second in projected sacks) they have fallen outside the top-10 in projected sacks.
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21.
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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22.
Dallas Cowboys
DAL (at WAS)
The Dallas Cowboys could be another worst to (near) first defensive story in 2026. Last year, they were DST26 in fantasy points per game, but this offseason they kept adding talent to the defensive side of the ball. Caleb Downs, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, and Jalen Thompson could help transform this defense into a nasty unit. Yes, their secondary, namely their starting corners (Cobie Durant, DaRon Bland, and possibly Shavon Revel), has to prove they are up to the task, but the talent is there. We just have to see it manifest on the field.
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23.
New York Giants
NYG (vs . PHI)
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24.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TB (at NO)
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25.
Carolina Panthers
CAR (vs . ATL)
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26.
Cincinnati Bengals
CIN (vs . CLE)
The Bengals were a wretched defense last year (second-worst in fantasy points per game), but I think they take a massive leap in 2026 with all of their offseason additions. This offseason, they added via trades, free agency, and the NFL Draft Boye Mafe, Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Cashius Howell. D.J. Turner remains one of the best shadow corners in the NFL. If the defense comes together like I think it can, they can easily be a top ten fantasy defense for 2026.
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27.
Tennessee Titans
TEN (at HOU)
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28.
Washington Commanders
WAS (vs . DAL)
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29.
Miami Dolphins
MIA (at NE)
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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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