Just like with all position players, there are an elite amount of DST (defense and special teams) and the question that remains is who are the best of the rest? Our top six DST include the 49ers, Packers, Giants, Patriots, Ravens, and the Jets. Once they’re off the board, we have put together a list of other DST and list why they should be considered for your team…
Philadelphia Eagles- Even though they play in one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL, we’re picking the DST of the Eagles as sleepers this season. They had an usually poor start last year but in the final weeks they came on strong and became more of the Eagles D of old. They made some great moves in the off season to help fortify their defense-moves like the additions of rookie linemen Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry as well as linebacker DeMeco Ryans should put the Eagles back into defensive relevancy which has always been a major part of their game.
Jets QB Mark Sanchez lays on the ground after being sacked by #58 DE Trent Cole and #93 DE Jason Babin on December 19, 2011 in a game won by the Eagles 45-19. AP Photo | MATT SLOCUM
Houston Texans- With DeMeco Ryans going to Philadelphia and former 1st rounder Mario Williams shuffling off to Buffalo, any other team would be in for a long season, but this is a defense that’s got Wade Phillips at the helm and they’re coming off their best defensive season in their franchise’s history! This season, instead of being great they’ll be just ‘very good’ which is all you want for your team because you don’t need the best DST to win your league.
Chicago Bears- Their pass rush is still potent with Julius Peppers and rookie outside linebacker Shea McClellin, but their biggest weapon for a solid DST is the most dangerous return man in the league, Devin Hester. On any Sunday Hester can add lots of points to your DST that not many other teams can. Their linebacking unit is still a capable group regardless of their age. If you can pick up the Bears for your DST you won’t be disappointed.
Buffalo Bills- We’re not accustomed to saying Buffalo and defense in the same sentence but this could be their ‘coming out party’. Signing Mario Williams was a huge lift to their D as was their first round pick corner Stephon Gilmore. Throw in new coordinator Dave Wannstedt and you have the ingredients for a serviceable D. Don’t pass them by if they’re available because this is the new and improved defense in Buffalo. We’ll see what they have on Sept. 9th when they open vs the N.Y. Jets.
Detroit Lions- No selections were made in the draft to spice up the Detroit’s linebacking corps and the Lions still do not have a return game. That’s one of the reasons we have them picked towards the end of our list. However, their front line which is one of the best in football is still fantasy worthy. Led by Ndamukong Suh they’re as good as any foursome in the league. Hopefully Suh will do his ‘stomping’ on the dance floor and not the gridiron…
DE Ndamukong Suh #90 stomps on offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith in a Thanksgiving Day game last year. He was suspended 2 games for his actions. Photo: Presswire
FANTASY FURNACE 
With the exception of the Lions and Bears the rest of the teams in question were essentially complacent for the large part of their season in 2011 . So what if the Eagles came on strong in the latter part of their schedule ? What did it prove in the end ? Teams are afterthoughts they don’t make the postseason . And fans are not concerned with afterthoughts .
tophatal ……….
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Alan, winning or going to the playoffs is not what someone involved in fantasy football concerns themselves with. Of course Phil. Had a disappointing season but I don’t think you get the concept of fantasy sports…
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I get the concept of fantasy sports ! Let me pose this question to you , the factual results and performances of the players matter do they not ?
How asinine is the situation in baseball where the Padres can be sold for $ 800 million ? Subject to league approval the O’Malleys and Phil Mickelson will become the new owners of the franchise . Baseball’s whole financial viability is teetering on the brink of disaster but the league owners and union are still too dumb to realize that fact .
tophatal …………….
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I agree while true that the state of some baseball teams is very tenable again, it has absolutely no bearing on fantasy sports.
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Which of the teams to your mind within baseball are tenable again ? Are you basing that on competitiveness by way of the standings or in terms of their financial standing ?
tophatal ……….
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Last season, I nabbed the Lions’ defense. While they are quite streaky and inconsistent, they get boatloads of takeaways, which turns them into an elite D/ST.
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Absolutely! Their front four can wreak havoc on any team in the league. However, they need to be more adept at snatching some INTs-then they’ll really move up the fantasy rankings..
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Good post! People forget to consider special teams and the influence it can have on a game. There are three components to an NFL game…offense, defense, and special teams. A team has to be better than its opponent in two of the three to win a game. DST can figure into things greatly, just ask Norv Turner. The Chargers have lost a couple of games due to poor special teams!
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Thanks Steven! Even though DST is an intregal part of football, in ‘Fantasy Football’ although important, it should be the next to last position to be drafted; the last being the Kicker.
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