The unpredictability of defensive scoring in fantasy and the matchup volatility week-by-week make D/ST one of the toughest position to strategize for in drafts. Here is the optimal approach for drafting defenses and four potential breakout units worth targeting in the later rounds.

Basic Defense Strategy

The best advice when it comes to taking defenses is not to overspend. Realistically, fantasy managers should take this position with their second-to-last pick in drafts.

There is no reason to draft a defense ahead of a skill position player in the 15th or 16th round, even if that D/ST finished with the most fantasy points in 2024. The Broncos D/ST is currently being drafted at pick No. 167 in drafts. This is still the range where Tyler Warren, Tucker Kraft, and Luther Burden III are all going.

We recommend waiting to take a defense very late and then streaming the position throughout the season. Play the matchups and target defenses that play offenses like the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants.

It is unlikely you are ever going to have a set-and-forget D/ST for every week of the season, but we have identified four defenses primed for lots of valuable weeks in 2025. These units offer exceptional late-round value and could be worth holding onto for much of the season.

🏈 4 DEFENSES with Fantasy Football BREAKOUT Potential

1. Seattle Seahawks D/ST

The Seattle Seahawks defense showed flashes of brilliance in Mike MacDonald's inaugural season, posting 45 sacks (tied for eighth) and 13 interceptions (tied for 12th).

Walter's Rank: D/ST3
Walter's Projected Ceiling: D/ST1

2. Detroit Lions D/ST

It will be interesting to see how this Detroit Lions defense fares without defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn left for the New York Jets head coaching job, and linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard was then promoted to the DC role. However, this Lions defense is well-positioned to be an above-average fantasy group this season.

Despite being decimated by injuries throughout the 2024 season, this unit still finished 10th in fantasy points per game (7.3). With a healthy Aidan Hutchinson returning and the addition of cornerback D.J. Reed, this D/ST could outperform preseason ADP.

Walter's Rank: D/ST19
Walter's Projected Ceiling: D/ST10

3. Arizona Cardinals D/ST

The Arizona Cardinals D/ST should be one of your top targets in the later rounds. This unit is entering Year 3 under Jonathan Gannon, and they made some significant offseason additions.

Arizona selected defensive tackle Walter Nolen III and cornerback Will Johnson with its first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and added Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Josh Sweat through free agency. With a matchup against the lowly Saints in Week 1, this D/ST has the potential to start the season with a bang.

Walter's Rank: D/ST5
Walter's Projected Ceiling: D/ST2

4. Houston Texans D/ST 

The Houston Texans defense boasts elite talent at every level, and they're poised to finally put it all together in 2025. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter form arguably the NFL's most devastating pass-rushing tandem, while the secondary features shutdown corner Derek Stingley Jr. and versatile playmaker C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

After finishing tied for fourth in sacks (49) last season, this Texans D/ST could really break out in 2025. With a defensive-minded coach in DeMeco Ryans leading the charge, there’s plenty to love about this unit.

Walter's Rank: D/ST18
Walter's Projected Ceiling: D/ST10