Fantasy Football Defenses: Top Ten You Should Target In 2014

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns come in at #10, and they are a very curious team. Unlike most of the teams on this list, Cleveland had a losing record last season. But in fantasy football, their record doesn’t matter. Only their production matters, and the Browns have the capability to produce this season.

Cleveland quietly put together a great off-season before Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon decided to make it a lot less quiet. They drafted Justin Gilbert in the 1st round, and added former 49er safety Donte Whitner on a long-term deal.

It’s not like this defense needed a complete overhaul. Outside linebackers Jabaal Sheard and Paul Kruger combined for 10 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. Defensive end Desmond Bryant recorded 3.5 sacks of his own. Inside linebacker Craig Robertson had 57 tackles.

Despite letting go of veteran D’Qwell Jackson in the off-season, this linebacker core appears to be in decent shape.

But the real strength of this team is in the secondary. In addition to Gilbert and Whitner, the Browns have Joe Haden, a Pro Bowler cornerback. Haden had four interceptions last year, and that was with teams attempting to avoid throwing to his side.

With Haden and Gilbert as your starting corners and Whitner as a solid starting safety, where are you supposed to throw? That’s a question Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton better answer fairly soon.

In a pass-happy league, three Pro Bowl caliber defensive backs will get someone’s attention, and they certainly got mine. Although Flacco claims to be “elite”, I beg to differ. The Browns’ secondary should have a field day in the AFC North this year, putting them in the Top 10 defenses.

Pro: Sensational secondary
Con: Weak defensive line