Fantasy Football Defenses: Top Ten You Should Target In 2014

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry (29) Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

At #4, we have the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City was the #1 fantasy defense last season, putting up unbelievable stats through the first nine games. While the defense struggled some after that, it was a major improvement over their 2012 campaign. Similar to Denver, the Chiefs have playmakers at every level of the defense.

On the defensive line, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe refuses to let anything to get past him. Poe helped Kansas City finish top 10 in many rushing defense categories, including least yards per rush attempt and least rushing touchdowns allowed.

In the secondary, there is no one like safety Eric Berry in the league. Finishing 2nd in tackles, 2nd in interceptions and 6th in sacks for the Chiefs in 2013, it’s hard to predict where Berry will be on any given play.

Although Brandon Flowers was cut this offseason, big-bodied corners Sean Smith and Sanders Commings will be able to play the man-coverage the Chiefs love so much.

And most importantly, the Chiefs have a deadly linebacking core that ranks among the NFL’s best. Pro Bowl pass rushing duo Tamba Hali and Justin Houston form one of the best outside linebacker tandems in the league.

Hali and Houston finished with 11 sacks each and six forced fumbles combined. Pro Bowl inside linebacker Derrick Johnson added 4.5 sacks himself, as well as a team-high 95 tackles. Throw rookie linebacker Dee Ford into the mix, and you have a variety of combinations of pass rushing threats no matter who is on the field.

Kansas City had six Pro Bowlers on the defensive side of the ball last season, and for good reason. They were good. And they still are good. But there is a big difference between playing a “last place schedule” and a “playoff team schedule”. This defense will be tested. Not only do they play Denver twice, but they will face off against teams like San Francisco and Seattle. We will see how good this defense really is after this season.

Pros: Lethal linebackers
Cons: Exposable secondary