With the steadily increasing popularity of fantasy football, NFL fans tend to pay more attention to offenses, neglecting the defensive side of the ball, but I’m here to help.
On this page, I’ve created NFL defense power rankings, ranked from 1 to 32, giving you a better sense of the best and worst defenses in football.
To put together this list, I looked at 2023 team DVOA and EPA (metrics that measure defensive performance vs run and pass) along with PFF positional group rankings. I also considered new defensive scheme and how that will impact production.
NFL Defense Power Rankings
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | New York Jets |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 3 | Cleveland Browns |
| 4 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 5 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 6 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 8 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 9 | New England Patriots |
| 10 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 11 | Detroit Lions |
| 12 | Buffalo Bills |
| 13 | Green Bay Packers |
| 14 | Houston Texans |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 16 | Chicago Bears |
| 17 | Miami Dolphins |
| 18 | New York Giants |
| 19 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 20 | New Orleans Saints |
| 21 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 22 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 23 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 24 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 25 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 26 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 27 | Tennessee Titans |
| 28 | Carolina Panthers |
| 29 | Washington Commanders |
| 30 | Denver Broncos |
| 31 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 32 | Arizona Cardinals |
NFL Defense Power Rankings are updated as of August 2, 2024.
NFL Defenses Ranked 32-21
32. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals finished 32nd in DVOA on defense last season. PFF ranks both their pass rush and secondary in 32nd. When you look at this depth chart, you see a unit that is filled with unproven players. Look for the Cardinals to be involved in several shootouts this season.
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31. Minnesota Vikings
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores had this group overachieving last season, but they lost top edge rusher Danielle Hunter. First-round pick Dallas Turner needs to make an impact to help out a pass-rush that ranks 30th, per PFF. I’m betting that this unit takes a step back this season.
🏈 Drafting your fantasy team? See where the lions and the other team defenses on this list slot in our fantasy football rankings.
30. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have an elite cornerback in Patrick Surtain II, but a lack of talent up front means opposing quarterbacks are likely to have a clean pocket with limited pressure. This team finished 30th in DVOA last season, but it looks like we’re going to see more of the same in 2024.
29. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have a chance to improve on defense due to an upgrade in coaching with Dan Quinn, but there’s still some major issues with the secondary, which ranks 30th per PFF. I like the additions of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu at linebacker, but this group is still a work in progress.
28. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have two building blocks in defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn, but they lost top edge rusher Brian Burns, which keeps this team lower on the list. However, given their top-end talent, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Carolina move up these ranks.
27. Tennessee Titans
The Titans lost Mike Vrabel, who undoubtedly helped this team play above expectation. However, they brought in Dennard Wilson as new defensive coordinator from the Ravens. Former Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed should also help out the pass defense. Having said that, this is a rebuilding group with a lot of question marks.
26. Atlanta Falcons
While there’s a chance that new head coach Raheem Morris could help out this defense, it’s hard to rank them too high given their lack of pass rush. I’m still befuddled by the Michael Penix pick considering the Falcons had their pick of the top edge rushers in Dallas Turner or Laiatu Latu in the top 10 of this year’s draft.
25. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have an aging pair of edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, but perhaps new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter — who follows Jim Harbaugh from Michigan — can get more out of this group. It would also help if this team could finally get some luck with injuries.
24. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams lost stud defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and one of the best defensive players of all-time in Aaron Donald. But interior defensive lineman Kobie Turner was great last year and they used their first-rounder on edge-rusher Jared Verse, so there’s still talent here. With that said, it’s hard to move this team much higher given their losses.
23. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts selected stud edge-rusher Laiatu Latu with their first round pick, giving them a great duo to go along with DeForest Buckner on the defensive line. However, there are still major concerns with the secondary, which is why the Colts find themselves in the bottom-third of this list.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals lost defensive tackle D.J. Reader to free agency, leaving a major hole in their run defense. I’m keeping Cincinnati at 22nd is because Lou Anarumo is a good defensive coordinator who can get more out of this group, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them fall further.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have some nice pieces like interior defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, but this is a team that continues to struggle against the pass, ranking 22nd in EPA per play this season. I put much more stock in pass defense, so this weakness keeps the Bucs lower on this list.
NFL Defenses Ranked 20-11
20. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are a veteran group that still has strong pieces like Tyrann Mathieu, Marshon Lattimore, and Cameron Jordan. They also brought in a reclamation project in Chase Young. With that said, they still ranked 15th in DVOA last year. I prefer to rank them a bit lower than other defenses that I feel have more upside.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars brought in Arik Armstead to help out the defensive line. This is a huge addition that could help free up former first overall pick Travon Walker. The Jags also still have Josh Hines-Allen, who is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Add in a new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen (formerly of the Falcons) and we could see improvement.
18. New York Giants
I’m expecting improvement from the Giants because of a talented front that includes new addition Brian Burns to go along with Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edge and Dexter Lawrence on the interior. While there are question marks in the secondary, they also have a former first-rounder in cornerback Deonte Banks, so there’s room for improvement.
17. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a terrific secondary on paper, but I’m lower on the overall defense. This team lost defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, while edge-rushers Jaelen Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (ACL) are coming back from significant injuries. Add in the lost of elite defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and you can see why I’m concerned.
16. Chicago Bears
The Bears defense showed significant improvement down the stretch following the trade deadline acquisition of edge rusher Montez Sweat. I’m betting that those gains carry over to this season, which is why the Bears are in the top 16 of these power rankings.
15. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are one of my picks for most improved defenses this season. Not only is former Ravens defensive mastermind Mike Macdonald now their head coach, but there’s a lot of talent here, such as cornerback Devon Witherspoon and rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
14. Houston Texans
I’m also betting on improvement from the Texans. For one, I’m a big believer in head coach DeMeco Ryans getting more out of this group. Secondly, there are some building blocks here in edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. and cornerback Derek Stingley. Let’s not forget the big addition of edge-rusher Danielle Hunter in free agency.
13. Green Bay Packers
The Packers fired long-time defensive coordinator Joe Barry, a move that was overdue. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley comes over from Boston College. There is a lot of young talent that can take this group to new heights, such as Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness. Free agent signing Xavier McKinney should solidify the secondary.
12. Buffalo Bills
The Bills were 12th in DVOA last season and get back Matt Milano to help out the linebackers. PFF ranks their secondary third in the NFL, so expect the Bills to be among the leaders in pass defense. If Von Miller can contribute off the edge, look out for this defense.
11. Detroit Lions
Expect significant improvements from the Lions defense. Free agent signing D.J. Reader will help make this a dominant run defense. Look out for cornerback Terrion Arnold, who can help address a major need in the secondary. Continued growth from stud edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson will make this a dangerous unit.
NFL Defenses Ranked 10-1
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Here’s my pick for the most improved defense in the NFL. The Eagles have an abundance of talent on the defensive line, but they just needed help in the secondary. Look for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to find a way to address that issue. The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson should also help in pass defense.
9. New England Patriots
The Patriots ranked 9th in DVOA despite losing stud rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez early in the season. With Gonzalez back, expect improvement from the pass defense. Hopefully, Christian Barmore (blood clots) is able to return because he’s a major contributor on this team. New head coach Jerrod Mayo should do well with this group.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have an imposing defensive line after bringing in Christian Wilkins to go along with Maxx Crosby. This is a group that finished 8th in DVOA last season and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them continue to improve, especially if former first-rounder Tyree Wilson can have a breakout season.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers finished 6th in DVOA last year and there’s no reason to think they’ll regress too much, especially after bringing in linebacker Patrick Queen. This team just needs T.J. Watt to stay healthy because he’s one of the best defensive players in the NFL. It’s a completely different group without Watt.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost cornerback L’Jarius Snead to the Titans, but they still have a stud in Trent McDuffie in the secondary. This group also has an elite interior pass-rusher Chris Jones, a talented edge in George Karlaftis, plus a top-notch defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo. Expect another strong year.
5. Dallas Cowboys
We all know about the studs on this defense, led by Micah Parsons. I’m expecting another year among the league’s best. This team needed a change in coaching, even though Dan Quinn did well as defensive coordinator. Enter Mike Zimmer, former Vikings head coach. I’m expecting improvements in run defense with Zimmer at the helm.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lost their stud defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, which is why they fall to fourth on this list. But we should see some continuity, since they promoted from within in hiring Zach Orr. The Ravens have an absolutely elite secondary, led by Kyle Hamilton, who helped them finish 2nd in EPA vs the pass last year.
3. Cleveland Browns
The Browns ranked 2nd in DVOA last season and have continuity in scheme since Jim Schwartz remains defensive coordinator. This is a talented group led by 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. There’s no reason to expect much regression out of what is one of the top defenses in the NFL.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers lost Arik Armstead on the defensive line, but it’s still a strong group led by elite edge-rusher Nick Bosa. We could even see improvements from this group with new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who was promoted from within to replace Steve Wilks, who was criticized for the performance in second-half of the season.
1. New York Jets
The Jets are absolutely stacked on defense. To put that into context, PFF ranks their pass rush, linebackers, and secondary 1st in the NFL. Led by the best cornerback in the NFL in Sauce Gardner, this team is a major problem. Now that Aaron Rodgers is back, expect the offense to put the defense in more favorable situations, so look out.
