Defensive Notes
The early days of the 2008 NFL free agency period featured a flurry of defensive tackles changing teams, with the Browns and Jets making the highest-profile acquisitions. But it's the Bills, who had an underrated defense anyway, who might be the most pleasant fantasy surprise next season.
Buffalo's defense allowed 35 offensive touchdowns last year, ranking a mediocre 17th in that respect. But setting aside two meltdown games against Tom Brady and the Patriots -- in which they allowed a whopping 12 TDs -- they allowed just 1.6 touchdowns per game, which would have tied for the league lead. All that despite losing promising rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny just three games into the season, and missing other key defensive players for portions of the season.
We've outlined in the past how teams that can stop the run generally rank among the best fantasy defenses. Forcing opponents to the air produces more sacks, turnovers, and defensive touchdowns. (In 2007 the Vikings were No. 1 against the run and ranked in the top 10 in each of those categories, despite not having any above-average pass rushers.) The Bills have been horrible against the run the last three seasons, but newly acquired run-stuffer Marcus Stroud (Jacksonville) should make a difference. Stroud, who will turn 30 before the start of the season, has battled injuries the last two years, but he isn't far removed from going to three straight Pro Bowls, either. He's a huge upgrade from what the Bills have fielded at the position in recent years, particularly since losing Pat Williams to free agency. Success stopping the run should help the secondary make more plays. Buffalo, of course, also features two of the best return men, Roscoe Parrish and Terrence McGee, making them already an attractive option in TD-only formats.
As for Cleveland and the Jets, their trades for defensive tackles (Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to the Browns, Kris Jenkins to the Jets) should help defenses that were woeful last year -- but both had further to go toward respectability than the Bills. The Browns have some concerns in the secondary, and after their trades don't pick until the fourth round of April's draft. The Jets don't have a pass rush to speak of, and are still trying to assemble players to fit head coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense. Thus far they've brought in Rogers and linebacker Calvin Pace while shipping out Dewayne Robertson (they hope; a trade to the Bengals was nixed) and Jonathan Vilma (Saints).
Regardless of how those personnel acquisitions work out, of course, both teams do have considerable value in TD-only formats. In Josh Cribbs (Browns) and Justin Miller/Leon Washington (Jets), they feature the league's best kick returners this side of Devin Hester. With even modest improvements defensively, then, perhaps they too will merit consideration in the final round of drafts next season.
-- Andy Richardson
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