Fantasy Football 2015: New York Jets’ defense will be golden

By Matthew Ordazzo | Aug 15, 2015

When it comes to Fantasy Football 2015, defenses are one of the most important assets in the NFL, despite today’s modern offense-driven era. It all comes down to the old saying “defenses wins championships.” The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl two seasons ago and almost became the first team to win the championship in back-to-back seasons in nearly a decade, all thanks to their defense. Despite how important it is for a team to build a tough, physical and talented defense, the 11 guys on the field are nothing more than a mere afterthought in the world of fantasy football.

Just like kickers, defenses belong in the final rounds of your team’s fantasy draft for a lot of reasons. Mostly because there’s too much turnover for defenses in fantasy, meaning each year a new defense claims the spot of the No. 1 defense to draft in fantasy football.

More from Jets Fantasy Football

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense was the top defense in fantasy football back in 2013, the following season their defense was ranked 25th.

Last year’s top defense in fantasy was the Philadelphia Eagles, a team whose defense finished in the rankings of 16th overall two years ago. In fact, just four times since the year 2000 has a team had the No. 1 fantasy defense and then followed it up next year ranking in the top 10.

Also, even though a team’s defense may be stacked with talent and on paper one of the best in the NFL, it doesn’t exactly mean there fantasy value will be the same. Chances are if you want one of the best fantasy defenses, you may have to use an earlier pick than you normally would use on a defense.

The big question when it comes to who can be one of the top defenses in the NFL lies in if it could very well be the New York Jets. With Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus Gilchrist and others such as drafted rookie Leonard Williams now on the Jets’ defense this season, should fantasy owners draft it for their fantasy roster? The answer is absolutely yes!

Even though Rex Ryan is not the man in charge in Gotham anymore to lead the defense, the Jets still have one of the most talented and young group of defensive stars in the league. And newly appointed head coach Todd Bowles is icing on the cake for New York. With the return of Revis and Cromartie, the Jets have an excellent defensive secondary.

With defensive ends such as Muhammad Wilkerson and the best defensive prospect of the 2015 NFL Draft in Williams to rush the quarterback often and defensive tackles such as Damon Harrison who has emerged over the last few seasons as one of the most physical and solid defensive tackles in the league, what reason would you have not to draft their defense?

Bowles essentially has more talent on defense in New York than he had last season in Arizona. With the Jets strength of schedule ranked as the 18th hardest out of the 32 schedules in the NFL, the Jets should break out in 2015 and possibly end there four-year playoff drought.

August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive backs Antonio Cromartie (31) and Darrelle Revis (24) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Jets’ defense were fifth in team sacks with 45, sixth in total yards and really only had one issue which was giving up big plays down the field. New York allowed 14 plays of 40 or more yards, tied for third-worst in the NFL. That should change with Revis Island back in the big apple.

While there are other defenses that will be available in your fantasy draft such as the always tough and reliable legion of boom in Seattle and others such as the St. Louis Rams’ defense, the Jets’ defense will be a solid choice. Trust me when I say, this defense will be golden this fantasy football season.

Whether it’s as your primary starting defense or as a reliable back up defense to plug into your active roster for a bye week, the Jets’ defense will easily rack in points for your fantasy team each week on a consistent basis.

Next: Fantasy Football 2015: Top 10 players to avoid

More from The Jet Press