David Chao, MD
2 min read • August 04, 2022
Posted in
This list sums up the top 10 projected defenses for fantasy this season, according to FantasyPros. However, our team of Pro Football Docs assessed each unit's health and how that could potentially affect their fantasy productivity.
The Bills defense finished last season as the top ranked defense in the league and fourth in fantasy rankings. The unit, which averaged 8.9 points a game in fantasy, tallied 42 sacks, 19 interceptions, 11 touchdowns and 1 interception.
The No. 1 projected defense, according to FantasyPros, does present health issues in its secondary. The team's top corner Tre'Davious White is on the physically-unable to perform list as he is still recovering from his torn ACL. When he does return, our team of Pro Football Docs does not think White will be at full-strength. Safety Jordan Poyer hyperextended his left elbow at practice on Tuesday. That will keep the starting free safety out for two weeks or more just to be sure he is ready for Week 1.
Out of the top 10 projected fantasy defenses, Tampa Bay's defense is the healthiest entering this season. The team's longtime inside linebacker Lavonte David is back at 100 percent following his Lisfranc injury that bothered him last season.
While the team did lose defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, Akiem Hicks joined the line in the offseason. The 32-year-old defensive end is entering his 11th season with an extensive injury history. The one-time Pro Bowler has not played a full season since 2018. Tackle Vita Vea, who recorded a 73.2 overall by Pro Football Focus, still remains the team's top interior lineman.
The 49ers defense has had a rough beginning to training camp. Defensive tackle and reliable pass-rusher Maurice Hurst tore his bicep and will miss the rest the season because he was placed on IR. Defensive end Arik Armstead and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway went down with injuries, an MCL sprain and a quad injury respectively. Both are expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks.
While the team's front four has taken a hit, linebacker Dre Greenlaw is recovered from his playoff hamstring injury and having his reps managed in practice. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who filled in for Greenlaw last season, had shoulder and knee surgeries in the offseason. He is participating in training camp, though the team is also taking it slow with the Florida Atlantic alum.
The team is still deep on the edge with rookie Drake Jackson, Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam all healthy. The secondary may be without cornerback Jason Verett who is making his way back from his Week 1 ACL tear. He is a veteran player on PUP with a worrisome injury history.
Injuries may haunt the 49ers' depth on defense.
The Colts defense may be a risky draft choice in fantasy this year. They could have more value as a team worth stashing as their main defensive producers on defense make their way back from injuries.
All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard is not participating in training camp as he is still rehabbing. He underwent back surgery in the offseason after he was experiencing pinched nerves and pain in his legs. The mobile and side-to-side linebacker may be slower to start the year with all the time away from the practice field. Leonard tied cornerback Kenny Moore II with 4 interceptions as the team interception leaders in 2021.
DeForest Buckner has been limited in training camp with a back injury. The team's sack leader in 2021 is practicing but taking breaks in-between reps to not risk aggravation.
Third-year safety Julian Blackmon is a training camp participant after tearing his Achilles last season. While he has impressed with his coverage and pass-break ups in camp, the safety may struggle with his explosiveness early in the season.
Newly-signed cornerback Stephon Gillmore will provide a major boost for the Colts in press coverage. It was a difficult season for the veteran corner last year. He began the season on PUP with a groin injury, then played through the season with a dislocated finger and suffered another groin injury during Week 16.
The reigning Super Bowl champs did lose two defensive playmakers with Von Miller and Sebastian-Joseph Day leaving in free-agency. Yet, the return of sack-machine Aaron Donald ensures the Rams' pass rush will be just fine.
The secondary is a potential question mark: top cornerback Jalen Ramsey is on the sidelines for the start of training camp. He is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery to repair a AC joint injury. The Rams have not indicated when the star will return, but the Pro Football Docs believe he will be starting Week 1 against the high-powered Bills and Josh Allen.
Starting safety Jordan Fuller, who fractured his ankle last season, is on the practice field but is not 100 percent. He has not participated in all team drills. The free safety should be available Week 1. The Bills will present a major test for this injury-depleted secondary.
New England's defense score is lower because of age rather than health. The unit has number of older veteran players. They finished 14th in fantasy last season with 105.4 total points.
Two players with health concerns are cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Jonathan Jones. Butler, who is now 32 years old, sat out the entire 2021 season as a short retirement. It will take time for Butler to gear up for Week 1 intensity considering his year-long absence.
Jones wound up on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury after just six games. He was activated off PUP and returned to practice on Monday. The Auburn alum needs to return to his pre-injury self as a reliant open-field tackler and dynamic cover corner.
The Broncos made moves in the offseason to improve their defense. Their biggest signing was edge defender Randy Gregory, however, he is sitting on PUP after rotator cuff surgery in March. He has not played a full season in his five years in the league because of injuries and suspensions. The former Cowboy should be good-to-go by Week 1, probably playing with a shoulder strap. As a sack master, Gregory may have difficulty wrapping up the quarterback because of the shoulder issue.
The team's new starting cornerback K'waun Williams exited training camp on day 4 after sustaining a leg injury. The MRI did not reveal any structural damage, but the cornerback is not completely out of the woods yet. Williams is still being monitored and sitting out of practice.
Fellow cornerback Ronald Darby who finished the season on IR with a shoulder injury and sat out OTAs has not been limited in training camp. Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said he is fully healthy after a lingering ankle injury caused him to have a lackluster season in 2021 where he did not record a single sack.
Despite starting quarterback Jameis Winston going down early in the season with a knee injury, the Saints defense was still able to hold its own and produce in fantasy in 2021. They are expected to do the same this season.
Losing safety Marcus Williams in free agency is a big blow to the defense, but the team was able to supplement the loss by signing safety Tyrann Mathieu. For the Chiefs last season, the honey badger recorded 3 interceptions, 6 fumble recoveries and 1 touchdown.
In terms of health, defensive end Marcus Davenport – who finished behind Cam Jordan in sacks last season – is sitting on PUP. He underwent three offseason surgeries, two to address a lingering shoulder issue that is keeping him on the sidelines for training camp and one to amputate part of his left pinky finger. New Saints safety Marcus Maye – who tore his Achilles with the Jets last season – is not on PUP, which is a great sign for his recovery process. He is not at 100 percent but should be fine by Week 1.
It is critical Davenport is healthy for the Saints to have an effective pass rush this season.
The Chargers beefed up their defensive front this season to form a scary defensive unit. The Chargers defense should be one of the best in the league, but some players are currently bothered by injuries
Star pass rusher Khalil Mack is not at 100 percent yet after recovering from last season's foot surgery. He suffered the injury in Week 3 and played through the injury for four weeks. The 31-year-old is still poised to have a big year paired with teammate Joey Bosa. While Bosa is healthy, he has a lengthy history with concussions so the team is quick to sit him if there is any suspicion of a head injury.
The linebacker room is plagued by injuries, drawing concerns about depth at the position. Drue Tranquill suffered groin injury at camp, holding him out of a couple of practices. The injury is said to be minor. Linebacker Kenneth Murray is also on the PUP list after undergoing ankle surgery in April.
Elite safety Derwin James is also sitting out of camp, not because of health issues, rather a contract holdout. He did have shoulder surgery in February for a torn labrum. The Florida State alum played in 15 games last season, the most he has played since his rookie year in 2018. He had missed the entire 2020 season with a meniscus tear and the first 11 games in 2019 after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot.
James and the Chargers must come to an agreement for their star safety to be on the field Week 1 against the Raiders and Davante Adams.
The Cowboys defense should have a big year in fantasy with Demarcus Lawrence now fully recovered from 2020 his broken foot. Yet, the loss of Randy Gregory is a big-blow. The team did bring in Dante Fowler Jr., who missed his entire rookie season in 2015 with a torn ACL. The defensive end spent time on IR with another knee injury last season.
On the other hand, cornerback Trevon Diggs looks to repeat his 11-interception, 2-touchdown season from a year ago.
Safety Jayron Kearse went down with a knee injury during camp. He was evaluated and eventually returned to practice. While not serious, that is something to keep an eye on. Fellow safety Malik Hooker is now two years removed from his brutal Achilles injury and ready to have a productive year. He played in 15 games last season, tallying 1 interception, 2 pass deflections and 44 combined tackles.
Outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch looks to break his injury cycle with his neck. He does play with a neck brace, which always concerns the Docs.
Written by David Chao, MD
