Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 To Target In 2015
By Alec Tilson
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Defense. . Kansas City Chiefs. 6. player. 124. 2014 Stats: 46 Sacks, 6 INTs, 1 defensive TD
Fantasy Football Defenses Number 6: Kansas City Chiefs
Guys, it’s a Kansas City blog. I get to overrate (or underrate?) the locals.
The KC Chiefs allowed 281 points last season. Only the Seahawks allowed fewer points. The Chiefs allowed 203.3 passing yards per game last season. Only the Seahawks allowed fewer passing yards.
That was without middle linebacker Derrick Johnson, and mostly without safety Eric Berry who started just 5 games – both of whom should return to form in 2015.
Up front, the Chiefs are anchored by nose tackle Dontari Poe. He’s a run-stopping, quick-footed load of a man. He’s made two Pro Bowls in his three-year career and he’s just 24 years old. He just had back surgery, however, so his status is somewhat concerning for the Chiefs’ fantasy outlook in the early going.
In the sack category, the Chiefs should provide an immediate return for fantasy teams.
Outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are two of the best in the business, and second-year linebacker Dee Ford could provide a third-down option. Defensive end Allen Bailey posted five sacks last season as well.
Interestingly, the Kansas City Chiefs intercepted only six passes in 2014, which was tied for fewest in the league. I don’t know what to make of that really, other than it seems like an outlier. And probably a few dropped interceptions.
It’s reasonable to expect that number to trend toward the league average of roughly 13 interceptions. Cornerbacks Sean Smith, Phillip Gaines and Marcus Peters should help correct that.
The KC Chiefs have some depth pieces as well, including safety Tyvon Branch, defensive ends Mike DeVito and Mike Catapano, and linebackers Josh Mauga and Josh Martin.
Bob Sutton is calling the plays and he’s proven to be a capable coordinator. The Chiefs must provide fantasy owners with more takeaways to make the jump to an elite defense, and there’s reason to believe that will happen in 2015.
Next: H-Town