Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 To Target In 2015

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy Football Defenses Number 10: Detroit Lions

The Lions defense was unreal against the run last season, allowing less than 70 yards on the ground per game.

Of course, the biggest force on the defensive line, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, left for Miami this offseason, so those numbers against the rush are probably not sustainable without him.

The Lions allowed just 282 points last season, and allowed 30 points or more just twice all season: at Green Bay and at New England. They held their opponents to fewer than 20 points in eleven regular season games.

The Lions did all they could to fill the Suh void, trading for defensive lineman Haloti Ngata, signing defensive ends Tyrunn Walker and Corey Wootton and drafting linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Lions allowed just 282 points last season and allowed 30 points or more just twice all season: at Green Bay and New England.

Even without Suh, the Lions have some solid pieces that give it real fantasy football potential.

Defensive end Ziggy Ansah posted 7.5 sacks last season and forced three fumbles. He’s 6-foot 5-inches and enters his third full season in the NFL. The sky is the limit for him, and to think he could post 12-plus sacks is not out of line.

Linebacker DeAndre Levy is an animal. He posted 121 tackles, one interception, five passes defended and a couple of sacks last year. He’ll man the middle of the field with middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch to form a nice linebacking duo.

It’ll be a tough task playing Green Bay twice and the NFC West, but the Lions defense is young and talented. They could provide long-term fantasy value, especially if Matt Stafford and the offense can continue to improve.

Next: Ron Rivera's Squad