Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 To Target In 2015

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy Football Defenses Number 9: Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera’s defenses are notoriously tough. They play physical, old-school tackle football. Like a good scout, Rivera always seems to have a certain ‘type of player’ he looks for. Nasty, tough, fast. This 2015 Panthers defense looks much the same.

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly is among the best in the NFL. Forget it, he’s the best MLB in the game. He runs the huddle, tackles everything and controls the running game from sideline to sideline. A key to his success is nose tackle Star Lotulelei, the 6-foot 2-inch, 320-pound Tongan-born stopper.

It’s hard to see a ton of upside from this defense, but I think its floor is relatively safe as a Top 12 defense in fantasy football.

After allowing games of 37, 38, 37, 38 and 45 points through the first ten games of last season, the Panthers turned a corner. They allowed 19 points or fewer in each of their last six regular season games.

Defensive end Charles Johnson led the team with 8.5 sacks last season. That absolutely must improve this season. If you’re two leading sack makers have a combined 15 sacks, it’s difficult to score many fantasy points.

Look for former MU Tigers’ defensive end Kony Ealy to get more of a shot this season. He tallied four sacks and one forced fumble despite not starting a game last season.

It’s hard to see a ton of upside from this defense, but I think its floor is relatively safe as a Top 12 defense in fantasy football. The talent in there, the scheme is in place, and the offense should be much better this season.

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