Despite a vocal minority, most fantasy football leagues in 2021 will feature defenses in their starting lineups, with some going further to include individual defensive players (IDP). As draft season ticks closer by the day, here are the 2021 defense rankings for fantasy football, along with some sleepers and busts.

1) Los Angeles Rams
2) Washington Football Team
3) Baltimore Ravens
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5) Cleveland Browns

Over the last three seasons, the Rams’ defense has finished second, fifth, and first while averaging over 9.0 ppg in a brutal NFC West division. If anyone could pull off a repeat, it’s the Rams. However, there are some concerns. The Rams lost some key contributors, including leading tackler John Johnson III and Troy Hill to the Browns, along with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley (head coach of the Chargers). But they still have Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, which is virtually all anyone needs.

The No. 7 defense of 2020 enters 2021 with one of the scariest defensive lines in all of football. Led by phenom Chase Young and his pass-rush complement Montez Sweat, Washington allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game (63.6) last season and was sixth in sacks (47).

The Ravens were the No. 5 defense in fantasy last season, despite finishing 23rd in interceptions (10) and 14th in sacks (39). But they led the league in forced fumbles (22) and allowed the second-fewest points per game (18.9). The first-round edge rusher Odafe Oweh should help them generate a pass rush, but the loss of Matthew Judon can not be understated.  

Tampa Bay brings back their entire starting roster from the Super Bowl-winning team. In the meantime, they got even deeper after adding Joe Tryon in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

If they play to their potential, the Cleveland Browns are the most complete team in the NFL. Not only do they have Myles Garrett, but they added pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley. There are zero holes on this team. The Browns could go from the 22nd-ranked defense in fantasy points allowed (95.11) all the way to a top-five unit in 2021.

6) Pittsburgh Steelers
7) San Francisco 49ers
8) New England Patriots
9) Miami Dolphins
10) Kansas City Chiefs
11) Buffalo Bills

Last season, the Steelers ranked second against QBs (14.1 ppg), second against RBs (18.7), and 10th against WRs (33.8). But can they repeat this success? They lost Bud Dupree, Steven Nelson, and Mike Hilton, and Devin Bush is still recovering from a torn ACL. Six of their games are against the Ravens, Browns, and the improved Bengals. The Steelers opens against the Bills and have games against the Packers (Week 4), Seahawks (Week 6), Chargers (Week 10), Titans (Week 15), and Chiefs (Week 16). I know this team prides itself on its defense, but I am not sure they will see similar success in 2021. 

Take the 2020 season for the San Francisco 49ers and throw it out the window. They were decimated by injuries and felt the full effects of the NFL’s COVID protocols. Even against these odds, they ranked in the top five in terms of the fewest fantasy points allowed (81.06). Looking to get off to a quick start in 2021? Target the 49ers against the Lions in Week 1 and enjoy.

No team had more players opt out of the 2020 season than the New England Patriots (8), including LB Dont’a Hightower and S Patrick Chung. Despite this, they tied for a league-high in interceptions and only allowed 22 passing touchdowns. The Patriots also added LBs Kyle Van Noy and Matt Judon along with Davon Godchaux during the offseason. 

The Dolphins need to be on the shortlist of sleeper defenses for fantasy in 2021. After working out a restructured contract with CB Xavien Howard, the Dolphins have a stacked roster. GM Chris Grier also brought in former Pro Bowl LB Benardrick McKinney and first-round EDGE Jaelan Phillips. Jevon Holland brings big-play ability in the secondary, and Jason McCourty’s veteran presence should round this defense into one of the more complete groups in the NFL.

With the offense stealing the show, many did not realize Kansas City’s defense was 10th in points allowed per game at 22.6. L’Jarius Sneed was a breakout rookie and should only get better, which could be a nightmare for teams attempting to make a comeback. The Chiefs allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs last season with 30.5 ppg.

Buffalo has an outstanding defense as a unit. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are among the best duos at safety, Tre’Davious White is one of the best CBs in the NFL, and Tremaine Edmunds should rack up the tackles. Consequently, if they continue to get pressure from rookie Gregory Rousseau, the Bills are a set-it-and-forget-it fantasy defense.

12) Indianapolis Colts
13) New Orleans Saints
14) Denver Broncos
15) Los Angeles Chargers
16) Green Bay Packers
17) Minnesota Vikings
18) Chicago Bears
19) Arizona Cardinals

Many have the Colts as a top-tier fantasy defense after their ninth-place finish in 2020 (86.7 ppg). However, I am slightly less bullish. The losses of Denico Autry and Justin Houston account for 15.5 sacks from last season (37.5%). Kwity Paye could be a monster but needs time to develop. Their second-round pick, Dayo Odeyingbo, is on the PUP list following a torn Achilles suffered in January.

The Saints spent their first three draft picks on defenders with Payton Turner, Pete Werner, and Paulson Adebo. Yet, they lost several big-name players like Janoris Jenkins, Kwon Alexander, and their leader in sacks, Trey Hendrickson. I do not see them duplicating their top-six finish of 2020.

Denver did a great job addressing holes on defense, which should translate to fantasy. Patrick Surtain looks like a superstar in the making, and the additions of Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby are a drastic improvement to a defense that was 25th in interceptions (10) and points allowed (27.8).

The Chargers might be the most improved team of the entire offseason. Joey Bosa and Derwin James must stay on the field for this defense to fire on all cylinders. The most significant addition might not even be a player at all. It could end up being head coach Brandon Staley, the former Rams defensive coordinator.

Are the Packers being underestimated at No. 16? Perhaps. They were eighth in fantasy points allowed per game (85.8) and fifth against QBs (16.1) and WRs (32.9). However, they could not stop anyone on the ground, ranking 28th per game at 26.9. The development of first-round pick Eric Stokes will be critical, especially with the memory of Kevin King’s performance in the NFC Championship Game still fresh.

Minnesota’s defense should be noticeably improved in 2021 after a 24th-ranked finish in fantasy points allowed (97.0). Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter are back and healthy. Also, the Vikings made significant additions across their depth chart with Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland, along with Dalvin Tomlinson and Sheldon Richardson.

The Bears have two phenomenal linebackers in Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith and arguably the most underrated safety in Eddie Jackson. But the loss of CB Kyle Fuller leaves the Bears with a bottom-five positional group in the NFL.

Chandler Jones requested a trade earlier in the offseason but there has been no movement either way, and it’s unlikely we see anything happen. The questions remain at cornerback and their ability to cover the elite receivers of the division. However, in the middle, they have two budding stars in Isaiah Simmons and rookie Zaven Collins.

20) New York Giants
21) Seattle Seahawks
22) Carolina Panthers
23) Philadelphia Eagles
24) Dallas Cowboys
25) Tennessee Titans
26) New York Jets

27) Jacksonville Jaguars
28) Las Vegas Raiders
29) Atlanta Falcons
30) Cincinnati Bengals
31) Detroit Lions
32) Houston Texans

Fantasy defense sleepers

Which fantasy defenses could be sleepers in the 2021 season?

Cleveland Browns

I slightly spoiled this earlier, but I love Cleveland’s defense for fantasy in 2021. Given the depth across the board, I think this could be an elite defense. But they are being ranked outside the top 10 in many places, which screams steal to me, especially if they could be the best defense in the AFC North.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins as a whole could really surprise people in 2021. I believe the offense with Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle will be an electric combo, and that energy will bleed over into the defense, which is the best part of this team. Phillips is raw but could end up one of the best rushers of this class. He is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but there have not been any red flags raised as to his availability come Week 1. Nonetheless, this is not a defense that should be taken lightly. 

With top-eight upside, which fantasy defenses could wind up being busts in 2021?

Pittsburgh Steelers

I know this has always been a great defense. They are well-coached and have talent up front, but there are lingering questions. Pittsburgh lost several critical players and did little to replace them. If Ben Roethlisberger can get the offense on track, it will relieve some of the pressure, but this unit could end up being the third-best in the division.

San Francisco 49ers

For as good as the 49ers could be, the secondary will likely be a liability in 2021. They did draft Ambry Thomas, Deommodore Lenoir, and Talanoa Hufanga, but they’re raw and likely not ready to play significant time in a brutal division. 

The NFC West is not the division you want to be in when you have secondary issues. With Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray, it has the best collection of QBs in the NFL. They also have games against the Packers (Week 2), Colts (Week 7), and Titans (Week 16).

Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.