2010 Fantasy Defense By Committee

By Ross Kelly & Josh Moore

Defensive Rankings as of July 15th, 2010

Every fantasy football veteran, along with most NFL teams these days, has at one time or another employed a Running-Back-By-Committee (RBBC). Whether you use it as strategy or as a necessity, it can be an effective way to win your league -- plugging RBs in as matchup plays or waiting for injuries to make your backups relevant.

Running backs aren't the only positions where employing a committee can help you. A Defense-By-Committee (DBC) strategy can also help you achieve fantasy success.

The first thing that probably pops into your head when you hear DBC is, "Why would I use that? That just means I'll have to use an extra roster spot on another defense." Yes that's true. But by passing on the top ranked defenses in favor of a DBC approach, you may have one less low end WR or RB on your team, but you will be able to select a higher quality single player while waiting on defenses. In addition, you will have options when setting your roster each week.

Sure the Jets are the #1 ranked defense heading into the season, but do you feel great about playing them against the Ravens in week 1? How about week 13 in Foxboro? The Packers are another defense on the rise, but even so do you want to be starting them in 2 games against Brett Favre? Recall last season an extremely motivated Favre threw for over 500 yards and 7 TDs in two games against the Packers.

Unless you get one of the top defenses (Jets, Packers, Ravens, Vikings, etc.), then it's almost a must to play the matchups and employ a DBC. The key is to draft two defenses that will complement each other. It doesn't pay to draft two of the teams above as they will likely each cost a high pick, and you can only play one each week. It would be like drafting Rodgers and Manning when you can only start one. What I've found works best is to take a good defense (5-12 range) in the mid-to-late rounds and then draft a middle-of-the-pack defense (15-25) towards the end of the draft, or even target one to pick up off waivers before week 1. Make sure your 2nd defense has matchups that compliment your 1st defense, expecially to start the season.

Below we will highlight possible DBC candidates and show how they can provide a slew of solid matchups throughout the fantasy season while saving you big on draft day -- allowing you to land a higher quality position player. Leverage the 4for4.com Hot Spots Reports for more DBC ideas.

Bengals & Cardinals

The Bengals defense came pretty much out of nowhere last season thanks largly to D-Coordinator Mike Zimmer to finish 6th in pass defense and 7th in rush defense, while putting up 34 sacks and 19 INTs. They did all that while suffering a load of injuries including losing DE Antwan Odom for the season after he came out of the gates on fire with 8 sacks through 6 games.

As the 7th ranked 4for4.com defense, the Bengals have great upside if they can stay healthy. With an ADP of 199 they are available as a late round pick in most draft formats and can offer a lot of value, expecially when paired with a complimentary defense like the Cardinals.

Arizona has certainly lost some talent after their deep playoff runs, but can still offer value in the right matchups. In week 1 when the Bengals are at New England, the Cardinals travel to St. Louis who will likely be led by AJ Feeley. The Bengals have a couple other matchups to avoid -- week 10 against the Colts, the Cardinals host the Seahawks, and in week 13 when you certainly aren't starting the Bengals against the Saints, the Cards again face the Rams, this time at home.

With both teams sharing a week 6 BYE, you will need to be scouting the wire for a good week 6 matchup, and allow yourself some roster flexibility here, or simply cut bait with the Cards after week 3 and look to add them (or another team) later in the season. If going this route, you will probably want to drop the Cardinals again later in the season to secure a better matchup for your championship week 16, but the two provide 4 slam dunk matchups through the first 5 weeks of the season and should get your squad off to a quick start.