Fantasy Football 2010 Preview – Defense & Special Teams

Most draft formats combine defense and special teams into one unit. While both units are a huge part of the game on the field, they don’t get a whole lot of respect in fantasy football.

Only the place kicking position gets less respect than the D/ST unit. Some of the lack of respect is warranted but a solid D/ST unit can be the difference between winning your League Championship or being left to ask yourself “what if”.

Fantasy Football Defense & Special Teams – They Do Have Value

The New Orleans Saints were the top D/ST unit in 2009 with 164 fantasy points. Right behind them were the Philadelphia Eagles (162 FP) and the Green Bay Packers rounded out the top three with 153 points. The difference between the 1st and 12th D/ST units was just 47 points during the 2009 NFL season. Remember that on Draft Day!

When transferred into the overall picture the Saints came in at 98th overall while the Eagles ranked 103rd and the Packers were a respectable 113th. The D/ST units drop off somewhat after that and only seven of them made it into the top 160 in overall scoring.

2010 Fantasy Football Defense & Special Teams – Get Defensive!

Many fantasy owners make the mistake of taking a D/ST unit way too early or way too late. The owners that select them way too early are reaching with the mindset that the top fantasy D/ST units are few and far between. Owners that select them way too late (or as an after thought) do so thinking that all DF/ST units are created equally.

While an argument can be made for both points of view we tend to fall somewhere in the middle. One rule we never waiver from is that we must have our starters plus a reserve at each of the offensive positions before we’ll even consider selecting our D/ST unit. Selecting a D/ST unit prior to the 14th round is taboo in our books.

Leaving your D/ST unit until your last or second last pick isn’t something we advocate either. It can be done but you aren’t going to get a quality squad and you will spend a lot of time on the waiver wire during the season.

2010 Fantasy Football D/ST Selection Process

Once  you are comfortable with your starting roster and have the reserves that will fill in during their bye weeks, its time to get the best D/ST unit left on the board. Whatever you do, don’t get caught up in the early D/ST selection wave thinking you have to get one before they’re all gone. There 32 D/ST units so be patient!

One final thought to remember is that one is enough. Most leagues (if not all) have some sort of in-season waiver wire process.  You can get a bye week replacement off the wire so backing up your D/ST on draft day is a waste of a pick that can better used on a skill position player.

It’s OK to get defensive, just don’t get overly defensive!