Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 To Target In 2015

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy Football Defenses Number 15: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were the top scoring defense in fantasy football last season. They were third in the league with 49 sacks, they added four defensive touchdowns and four kick return touchdowns.

Since it’s unlikely the Eagles will post eight defensive/special teams touchdowns again in 2015, I think there could be some slip from Philly.

They allowed 400 points last season, bottom-10 in the NFL, and they lost some of the pieces that made them so effective last season.

It’s difficult to project the Eagles as a Top 10 fantasy defense. A season after finishing as the top fantasy performer, it just doesn’t look repeatable for the Eagles.

Cornerback Cary Williams signed with Seattle; linebacker Trent Cole signed with Indianapolis, then the Eagles, somewhat surprisingly, traded cornerback Brandon Boykin to the Steelers. (Source: NFL.com)

Still, they did some good work in adding talent. Linebacker Kiko Alonso came over in the LeSean McCoy trade, cornerback Byron Maxwell signed after playing for the Seattle Seahawks, and safety Walter Thurmond III should provide depth in the secondary.

As far as the pass rush goes, defensive end Connor Barwin posted 14.5 sacks last season, followed by defensive end Vinny Curry’s nine total sacks. Outside linebacker Trent Cole posted 6.5 sacks, but he won’t return to Philly this season.

It’s difficult to project the Eagles as a Top 10 fantasy defense. A season after finishing as the top fantasy performer, it just doesn’t look repeatable for the Eagles.

The inflated touchdown numbers will likely regress, and the ridiculous number of new parts provides a risky situation in general. I’m staying away from the Eagles in drafts.

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