July is finally here, which means we are very close to the start of training camp and the start of the 2025 season. This time of year is an excellent time for elite football fantasy owners to do their research and start building their draft guides for their fantasy drafts coming up in August. To help with that process, we have provided our rankings of the top playmakers in fantasy football for the 2025 season. We have ranked the top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. The next step in our analysis is to look for the top 20 fantasy defensive units for the 2025 fantasy football season. When judging a fantasy defense, it is essential to understand how defensive units score points in a standard draft league. Defenses that can sack opposing quarterbacks, force fumbles, intercept passes, and score defensive touchdowns excel at fantasy football.
Defense 20: Cleveland Browns
The most well-known players on the Cleveland Browns defense are edge rusher Myles Garrett, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and 2025 1st-round draft pick Mason Graham. Cleveland will face off against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with their 2025 slate of opponents. On the flip side, the Browns face many teams that have weaknesses along their offensive lines, and for this reason, it means the Browns’ pass rush can be an equalizing force against those quarterbacks. Projections are for the Browns defense to produce 107 total fantasy points with 46 sacks and 12 interceptions. Cleveland will face a moderate schedule, and the Browns’ bye week is during Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 19: New York Jets
Very few defensive units in the history of the NFL were more disappointing than the New York Jets’ defense in 2024. Coming into the season, expectations for the Jets’ defense were to be a top unit in the NFL, but after a chaotic start to the season, the Jets’ defense failed to meet expectations. The addition of new head coach Aaron Glenn, a former defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is expected to result in a bounce-back season for the New York Jets defense in 2025. Projections are for the Jets defense to produce 108 total fantasy points with 43 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Jets have the advantage of playing one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, and their bye week is during Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 18: Kansas City Chiefs
In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense rose to the top half of the NFL defensive rankings, becoming a driving force that enabled the Chiefs to return to the Super Bowl last season. While the Chiefs return most of the playmakers from that defense, including defensive lineman Chris Jones, they also face a loaded AFC West division, stacked with talented offensive players. In effect, the Chiefs’ defense could have a great season, but it may still give up significant points against top offensive units. Projections are for the Chiefs defense to produce 109 total fantasy points with 47 sacks and 12 interceptions. The Chiefs face one of the most challenging schedules in the NFL, and Kansas City’s bye week is during Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 17: Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks’ 2025 defense will not be confused with Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defensive units, but they should be a solid defensive unit for fantasy owners. Seattle’s defense is not a collection of future Hall-of-Famers, but edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence should be a pass-rushing force for Seattle. Additionally, safety Coby Bryant and the Seahawks’ defensive backfield should benefit from opposing quarterbacks being under pressure. Projections are for the Seahawks defense to produce 110 total fantasy points with 46 sacks and 14 interceptions. Seattle will face a moderately complex schedule, and the Seahawks’ bye week is during Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 16: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a team expected to have a breakout season in 2025, due to a combination of solid talent and depth, along with an easy schedule. On defense, the Cardinals’ defensive renaissance will be a result of outstanding play by 1st-Round draft pick defensive tackle Walter Nolen, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, linebacker Josh Sweat, and defensive back Budda Baker. Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has an aggressive approach to building defensive game plans; therefore, the Cardinals defense will be a productive fantasy defense. Projections are for the Cardinals’ defense to produce 111 total fantasy points with 49 sacks and 13 interceptions. As mentioned, the Cardinals face a light schedule in 2025, and Arizona has an early bye week during Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have established themselves as the gold standard in a division dominated by dysfunctional teams in the NFC South. That has led to the Buccaneers being the division champions the last three years, and there are no signs of that changing in 2025. Tampa Bay’s defense boasts a solid foundation, led by defensive tackle Vita Vea, linebacker Lavonte David, and defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. Projections indicate that the Buccaneers’ defense will produce 112 total fantasy points, with 43 sacks and 13 interceptions. Tampa Bay will face a moderate schedule, and the Buccaneers’ bye week is during Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 14: Chicago Bears
During the first six games of the 2024 NFL season, the Chicago Bears’ defense was considered one of the most improved units in the NFL. Unfortunately, after the Bears’ defense gave up a morale-crushing Hail Mary touchdown against the Washington Commanders, Chicago’s defensive performance never wholly recovered from that moment in the season. Consequently, the Bears find themselves once again being hailed as a unit that could be the most improved in the NFL during the 2025 season. Projections are for the Bears defense to produce 113 total fantasy points with 44 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Bears will face a challenging schedule in a tough NFC North division, and Chicago has an early bye week during Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 13: Los Angeles Chargers
During their second season under the leadership of head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to show significant improvement in their overall performance this season. Defensively, the Chargers improved their level of play during the 2024 season and should continue raising their level of play under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in the upcoming season. The most recognizable name on the Chargers’ defense is Khalil Mack, but his performance dropped significantly in 2024. Surrounding Mack is a group of talented role players, and that will allow the Chargers’ defensive unit to find success in 2025. Projections are for the Chargers defense to produce 114 total fantasy points with 47 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Chargers will face an easy schedule in 2025, and their bye week is during Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 12: Washington Commanders
The 2024 Washington Commanders exceeded expectations, advancing to the NFC Championship game. Although the Commanders lost that championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington’s defense should continue to be a successful unit for fantasy owners during the 2025 season. Linebacker Bobby Wagner will continue to be the key leader for the Commanders’ defense, which has elite talent. Projections are for the Commanders’ defense to produce 115 total fantasy points with 48 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Commanders will face a manageable schedule, and Washington has their bye week during Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 11: San Francisco 49ers
After several years of making deep post-season runs, the 2025 San Francisco 49ers team hit a wall and fell off the championship map. An exceptional number of injuries led to that drop in performance, but in 2025, the 49ers should come back renewed and ready to get back to playing well on defense. The heart and soul of the 49ers’ defense is linebacker Fred Warner, and defensive end Nick Bosa will lead the way for San Francisco’s defense. Projections are for the 49ers defense to produce 116 total fantasy points with 45 sacks and 14 interceptions. The 49ers face a more manageable schedule in 2025 after a rough 2024 campaign, and San Francisco’s bye week will be during Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 10: Detroit Lions
During the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions’ defense was significantly impacted by injuries, resulting in a decline in their level of success as the season progressed. In 2025, the Lions should start the season back at full strength with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson returning and Alex Anzalone providing support at the Will linebacker position. However, the Lions will face a daunting schedule in 2025, and they will need to adjust to a new defensive coordinator, which could result in a slow start for the Lions’ defense. Projections are for the Lions defense to produce 117 total fantasy points with 46 sacks and 14 interceptions. The Lions will face an intense schedule in a very talented NFC North division, and Detroit’s bye week falls on Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 9: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently bolstered their roster with multiple transactions, including a trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey. In addition to adding Ramsey, the Steelers sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami, and that opens the door for Juan Thornhill to fill in for Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh is confident that it will reach a contract extension with T.J. Watt, joining defensive tackle Cam Heyward on the defensive line, with Linebacker Patrick Queen poised to have a big season. Projections are for the Steelers defense to produce 119 total fantasy points with 44 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Steelers face a moderate schedule, and Pittsburgh has an early bye week during Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 8: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are another NFC North team that has needed to build a strong defense to compete in a very competitive division. Edge rusher Rashan Gary will be a significant contributor to this defense as a pass rusher, and Will linebacker Quay Walker will provide excellent support from the linebacker position. In the secondary, Green Bay has also added Nate Hobbs from the Las Vegas Raiders. Projections are for the Packers defense to produce 120 total fantasy points with 50 sacks and 13 interceptions. The Packers will face a challenging schedule, and Green Bay has its bye week during Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 7: Denver Broncos
After returning to the playoffs during the 2024 season, the Denver Broncos will continue to rise in the AFC standings. A significant part of the Broncos’ ascent is the improvements they have made to their defense, and in 2025, they will reach new heights. During the off-season, the Broncos added linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive tackle D.J. Jones from San Francisco and defensive end Zach Allen from Arizona. Projections indicate that the Broncos’ defense will produce 122 total fantasy points, including 53 sacks and 12 interceptions. The Broncos face a very manageable schedule in 2025, and Denver has their bye week during Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 6: Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have become the kings of the AFC South over the last two seasons, and the moves they made during the offseason show that they do not plan to relinquish their crown in 2025. Houston has a loaded secondary with cornerback Derek Stingley returning to the Texans, and with the addition of strong safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Philadelphia Eagles. Upfront, the Texans also have an intense pass rush led by edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Projections are for the Texans’ defense to produce 124 total fantasy points with 48 sacks and 16 interceptions. The Texans face a challenging schedule in 2025, and Houston’s bye week is during Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 5: New York Giants
As a team, the New York Giants have not performed well during the last several seasons. Offensively, the Giants continue to be a team in turmoil, but they have been quietly building an excellent defense. That is especially true for the Giants’ front seven, which nose guard Dexter Lawrence II and 2025 1st-Round draft pick Abdul Carter will lead. Projections are for the Giants defense to produce 125 total fantasy points with 55 sacks and 11 interceptions. Due to the Giants’ recent futility, they will face a much less intense schedule, and the Giants have their bye week during Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 4: Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are another defensive unit that has dealt with several injuries over the last several seasons, which has limited their ability to meet high expectations. On the defensive front, the Bills expect to dominate with defensive tackle Ed Oliver and edge rusher Greg Rousseau. If linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard can stay healthy, the Bills defense could be an elite unit for fantasy owners. Projections are for the Bills’ defense to produce 127 total fantasy points with 50 sacks and 13 interceptions. Buffalo will face a manageable schedule against a weak AFC East division, and the Team has a bye week during Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 3: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are another NFC East team boasting a talented defensive lineup at all positions. On the defensive front, the Cowboys are elite with a pair of edge rushers, Micah Parsons and former Washington Commanders edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr., and the addition of linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. from Tennessee. In the secondary, Trevon Diggs is a legitimate shutdown corner, and safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are solid leaders in the back end of the Cowboys defense. Projections indicate that the Cowboys defense will produce 129 total fantasy points, including 56 sacks and 12 interceptions. The Cowboys’ recent failures have left them with a significantly more manageable schedule for 2025, and Dallas’s bye week is in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 2: Baltimore Ravens
There are very few defenses in recent NFL history that will carry the weight of expectations placed on the Baltimore Ravens defense in 2025. That is especially true for a Ravens secondary that includes 1st-Round draft pick Malaki Starks and newly added cornerback Jaire Alexander. In the defensive front seven, linebacker Roquan Smith has established his dominance over the past several seasons since being acquired by the Ravens from the Chicago Bears. Projections for the Ravens’ defense show that they will produce 130 total fantasy points with 55 sacks and 15 interceptions. Baltimore will face a moderate schedule, and the Ravens have an early bye week during Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season.
Defense 1: Philadelphia Eagles
During the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense set a new standard for dominance on the defensive side of the ball, culminating in a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2025, the Eagles’ defense will continue to be led by an intimidating defensive front featuring defensive tackle Jalen Carter and nose guard Jordan Davis. During the off-season, the Eagles have made changes in their defensive secondary, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has an excellent track record when it comes to evaluating personnel. Projections are for the Eagles defense to produce 135 total fantasy points with 53 sacks and 15 interceptions. Philadelphia faces a challenging schedule, and the Eagles’ bye week falls in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.
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