2020 NFL Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses and Kickers
Fall is right around the corner, and as we prepare for the first leaf to fall from the tree, I only have one question for you, are you ready for some football? With the first pick in the 2020 NFL Fantasy Football Draft...... You know what, before we reveal our top pick(s), allow us to help you out with our position rankings so we can help you win your fantasy football league this year.
Top 10 Fantasy Defenses:
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10) Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9 Bye Week
This unit is stacked across the defensive line and had a major overall in the secondary this past offseason. They added Javon Hargrave to go along with a healthy Malik Jackson, and of course the engine on this defense, Fletcher Cox. They finally have a lock down corner in Darius Slay. The loss of Malcom Jenkins and his leadership will sting a little. The linebacker situation is still a grey area, but this unit could produce a lot of sacks.
Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
9) Los Angeles Chargers
Week 10 Bye Week
This unit was already surrounded with talent before they made some roster moves this offseason. They literally stole CB Chris Harris Jr. away from the Denver Broncos, which puts them in the discussion for the best secondary in the league. With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the edge, plus some other major additions, this is a really strong unit going into 2020.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Rams Don
8) Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 Bye Week
This defense can be hard to prepare for on Sundays, and when your unit includes Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, that can be understandable. This defense has tons of talent and could once again be a top unit in the league.
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7) Chicago Bears
Week 11 Bye Week
The Bears defense took a small step backwards in 2019, but could rebound, in a big way, in 2020 and get back to the "Monsters of the Midway" form. This unit could have the best defensive front in the NFL, which include Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith, Eddie Jackson, and they just added Robert Quinn in the offseason. This could be a " feast" on the quarterback kind of season for this team.
AP Photo/David Grunfeld, PoOl
6) New Orleans Saints
Week 6 Bye Week
This is one of the most underrated defensive units in the NFL. Bringing back Malcolm Jenkins could propel this unit into a top 5 fantasy defense this season. The linebacker position is very solid on this football team, but they do play in a tough division that just got a little tougher with Tom Brady coming to Tampa Bay. And the Falcons are no fluke either.
Photo by Michael Dwyer-Pool/Getty Images
5) New England Patriots
Week 6 Bye Week
This was the best defensive unit in football last season, but they could regress a little in 2020. They did lose some key players from the defense, which include, Kyle Van Noy and Jaime Collins, but they still have Stephon Gilmore, and future Hall of Famer, Head Coach, Bill Belichick, so anything is possible. Even if this team does take a step back this season, they are still going to be a top defensive unit in 2020.
AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
4) Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 8 Bye Week
This defensive unit was a turn over machine last season, but it could be tough to produce those type of numbers again in 2020. They are returning 10 of 11 starters on defense, and they did bring in Chris Wormley to replace Javon Hargrave who is now in Philadelphia. We’ll see if Minkah Fitzpatrick can replicate his ballhawking from 2019.
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3) Buffalo Bills
Week 11 Bye Week
This unit could be the surprise of 2020. They were quietly very good in 2019 and made some solid moves in the draft and offseason as well. Ed Oliver had a monster year as a rookie, and should only get better in year 2. The addition of CB Josh Norman in the secondary is a major upgrade. It also helps that Tom Brady is no longer playing in the AFC East.
Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images
2) San Francisco 49ers
Week 11 Bye Week
This defense was so fun to watch in 2019, but the Niners did trade away one of their best pieces in defensive tackle Deforest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts. Any unit that has a Bosa is going to be a forced to be reckoned with. This unit should be one of the top defensives again in 2020.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
1) Baltimore Ravens
Week 8 Bye Week
This defensive unit has so much talent and depth it is scary. They snagged Calais Campbell from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Derek Wolfe from the Denver Broncos. Even after losing Earl Thomas, there doesn't seem to be any glaring holes on this unit. Draft the Baltimore Ravens defense as the number 1 unit in 2020.
Top 10 Fantasy Kickers:
10) Ka'imi Fairbairn - Houston Texans
Week 8 Bye Week
9) Zane Gonzalez - Arizona Cardinals
Week 8 Bye Week
8) Jake Elliott - Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9 Bye Week
7) Robbie Gould - San Francisco 49ers
Week 11 Bye Week
6) Matt Gay - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13 Bye Week
5) Greg Zuerlein - Dallas Cowboys
Week 10 Bye Week
4) Matt Prater - Detroit Lions
Week 5 Bye Week
3) Will Lutz - New Orleans Saints
Week 6 Bye Week
2) Harrison Butker - Kansas City Chiefs
Week 10 Bye Week
1) Justin Tucker - Baltimore Ravens
Week 8 Bye Week
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Follow A.J. on twitter @age_lona and Shawn @ShawnSportsNut.
