11. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers defense finished mid pack points-wise last year but came on strong over their 11 game winning streak to finish the season. They’ve suffered no key losses to the unit in 2010 – aside from dealing the overrated CB Antonio Cromartie to the Jets, so look for them to put up solid points as the Chiefs, Broncos and Raiders, who they play six times, aren’t very formidable.
12. New York Giants
The wild card is new DC Perry Fewell. The Giants have top 5 fantasy football D/ST ability but performed horribly under one-and-done DC Bill Sheridan in 2009, who managed to lead a top tier unit to just 83 total points. Injuries played their part as well. Look for Fewell, already established in the NFL as a coordinator, to get this D back on track and for the Giants to be a nice fantasy sleeper in 2010.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
This unit responded very well to DC Mike Zimmer’s and overcame key losses (DE Odom, LB Maualuga) to finish with 122 points. They have a lot of young talent and their secondary is adept at forcing turnovers. Expect them to be a low No. 1 D/ST right back.
14. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are a very well coached team and added some firepower when it signed OLB Karlos Dansby in the off season. They finished with only 93 fantasy points in 2009 but should be expected to increase that number to 120 plus in 2010 with the development of their young players and the addition of Mike Nolan to the Defensive Coordinator role.
15. New England Patriots
The Belichick defensive magic appears to have vanished but that could be a product of the old vets (Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Ty Law, etc) being gone. Stud MLB Jerod Mayo missed decent time in 2009 and the unit was often overwhelmed by quality offenses. The Pats have opted to go young via the draft and it remains to be seen whether Belichick can get this unit to consistently force turnovers and keep opponents out of the end zone week in and week out.
16. Tennessee Titans
The Titans got off to a horrible start under DC Chuck Cecil and couldn’t stop anyone through the air. Things improved over the year but they still only managed 95 fantasy football points after a stellar 2008. Some additions to the defense in 2010 should have them back between 110-130 points.
17. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ D was ravished by injuries to the secondary a year ago and finished with 109 points. Bill Polian addressed some of these issues in the off season and will expect DE Dwight Freeney and Co. to pressure opposing offenses into sacks and turnovers.
18. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are a strong fantasy sleeper entering this season. They went out and spent big money this off season and reeled in CB Dunta Robinson to head up its secondary. Tougher opposing schedule and injuries can be attributed to their poor 2009. Look for a bounce back this year and a nice fantasy upside.
19. Washington Redskins
DT Albert Haynesworth and his headaches aside, there’s talent and a new defensive philosophy in town with the addition of Jim Haslett as DC in Washington. Expect the coaching and scheme alone to contribute to an increase in fantasy points. LB Brian Orakpo’s an exciting young player who could reach 13-15 sacks in 2010.
20. Houston Texans
The Texans improved defensively and finished with 110 fantasy points in 2009. They’ll have to deal with the absence of LB Brian Cushing for the first four games of the season, but they’ve got enough talent on that side of the ball to be a spot fill-in fantasy defense in most leagues. KR specialist Jacoby Jones is an explosive special teams player who can be expected to score two or three times over the course of the season.
» 2010 Fantasy Football D/ST Sleepers
July 22nd, 2010 at 23:49
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[...] year ago, the Dolphins only managed 93 fantasy points, but an improved offense, which should be able to score points and [...]