Which Teams Invested in Defense in 2026?

Every offseason, once the main part of free agency is over, I compile all the defensive free agent signings to get a quantitative sense of which teams are investing in that side of the ball. One of the best measures of a player's value and ability is the contract that they sign, so I compile the Average Annual Value (AAV) for each team's free agents in (players the team signed) and free agents out (players signed away by other teams) to come up with a net dollar value for each team.

A team with a large positive number means that they brought in significantly more salary (i.e., talent) than they lost, and, if they spent wisely, the team should be better on that side of the ball. Conversely, a team with a large negative number means they lost significantly more talent than they brought in, and the team should be worse on defense. Caveat: Quality coaching, draft picks, and the development of younger players can offset losses in free agency.

To summarize, here are the five factors that I consider when evaluating a fantasy defense:

1. Previous year’s finish

2. Quality of coaching

3. Strength of schedule

4. Quality of offense

5. Personnel/coaching changes from the previous year

Examining defensive free agency spending (as well as high-capital draft picks) helps to quantify the fifth factor.

Last Season Overview

The six teams that spent at least $20M net on the defensive side of the ball saw their fantasy scoring increase by an average of 17%, headlined by the Patriots (+59%) and the Panthers (+58%).

Eight of the nine teams that saw a net loss of $15M or more saw their fantasy production decline. The average for the entire subset was -15%.

Historical Trends In Defensive Spending

Since I began tracking this data in 2016, the 31 teams that have spent a net $20M or more in defensive free agency have seen an increase of 18% in fantasy points per game. Bump the threshold to $30M+ (11 teams) and scoring increased by 24% on average.

The 33 teams that lost at least $20M in defensive talent saw their fantasy scoring drop by 13%. When the threshold is set at $30M, fantasy scoring dropped by 24%.

2026 Spending Summary

The Big Spenders

Teams that spent a net of $30M+ saw their fantasy production rise by 24% the following season.

Rams (+$73.7M, -4 net players): The Rams finished 6th in fantasy scoring in 2025 (7.8 PPG) and made the most aggressive defensive moves of not only this offseason, but in the history of my dataset, which goes back to 2016. Trading for ED Myles Garrett—who graded at the 100th percentile in both overall defense and pass rush—is a generational addition to a front that already features ED Byron Young (93rd percentile overall, 90th percentile pass rush). CB Trent McDuffie (87th percentile coverage, 98th percentile tackling) and CB Jaylen Watson (76th percentile coverage, 91st percentile QB rating against) give Los Angeles big upgrades in the cornerback room. The only notable loss is ED Jared Verse (91st percentile overall, 89th percentile pass rush), who was traded to Cleveland as part of the Myles Garrett deal. DC Chris Shula returns, providing continuity. Barring injuries, the Rams look like a clear top-five fantasy defense in 2026.

Commanders (+$63.5M, +7 net players): The Commanders finished 26th in fantasy scoring in 2025 (5.3 PPG), but the pass rush looks meaningfully upgraded heading into 2026. ED Odafe Oweh (87th percentile pass rush) and DI Tim Settle (93rd percentile pass rush) join returning ED Dorance Armstrong (83rd percentile overall, 87th percentile pressure rate)—giving Washington a legitimately disruptive front three. LB Leo Chenal (82nd percentile overall, 89th percentile coverage) adds further depth at linebacker alongside first-round LB Sonny Styles, who graded at the 99th percentile overall, 98th percentile in coverage, and 100th percentile in tackling at Ohio State. Cornerback starters CB Mike Sainristil (18th percentile coverage) and CB Trey Amos (23rd percentile) were both below average in 2025, and the additions of CB Amik Robertson and CB Ahkello Witherspoon—neither of whom cracked 200 snaps or cleared league average in coverage—don't meaningfully address that weakness. If the upgraded front can generate pressure, Styles delivers on his elite college profile, and new DC Daronte Jones finds early success, Washington has a real shot at climbing out of the bottom third of fantasy defenses.

Titans (+$54.7M, +4 net players): The Titans finished 22nd in fantasy scoring in 2025 (6.2 PPG), generating just six interceptions due to porous corner play. The offseason brings meaningful upgrades. CB Cor'Dale Flott (75th percentile coverage, 89th percentile QB rating against) and CB Alontae Taylor (72nd percentile coverage) represent a significant improvement at cornerback. First-round ED Keldric Faulk (98th percentile college run defense) and second-round LB Anthony Hill Jr. (97th percentile college tackling, 82th percentile run defense) both project as immediate contributors alongside standout LB Cedric Gray (92nd percentile). The biggest concern is the departure of DI T'Vondre Sweat (97th percentile), traded to the Jets—but DI John Franklin-Myers (74th percentile pass rush, 82nd percentile run defense) could help fill the void next to elite anchor DI Jeffery Simmons (99th percentile). New DC Gus Bradley’s defensive record has been mixed in recent years, but he has a lot of experience and has had a lot of success with the Chargers from 2017 to 2019.

Jets (+$45.2M, +4 net players): The Jets finished last in fantasy scoring in 2025 (3.8 PPG)—a historically bad unit that recorded zero interceptions all season. The offseason overhaul is dramatic. DI T'Vondre Sweat (97th percentile overall, 98th percentile run defense) arrives via trade from Tennessee to anchor the interior alongside free agent DI David Onyemata (95th percentile overall). S Minkah Fitzpatrick (94th percentile overall, 93rd percentile coverage) and LB Demario Davis (94th percentile overall, 87th percentile coverage) are two of the most accomplished veterans in the league at their positions. First-round ED David Bailey graded at the 100th percentile in both overall defense and pass rush at Texas Tech, and second-round CB D'Angelo Ponds posted 99th percentile coverage and 92nd percentile QB rating against at Indiana. A bottom-of-the-barrel unit a year ago, the Jets have the pieces for a dramatic turnaround in 2026. New DC Brian Duker will be coordinating a defense for the first time in his career

Raiders (+$44.3M, +4 net players): The Raiders finished 30th in fantasy scoring in 2025 (4.4 PPG), one of the league's worst units. The offseason brings significant roster turnover built around a linebacker overhaul and secondary upgrades. ED Maxx Crosby (88th percentile overall, 92nd percentile run defense) remains the anchor and one of the better defensive players in the league. CB Taron Johnson (68th percentile coverage) adds depth in the slot. LB Quay Walker (96th percentile tackling) and LB Nakobe Dean (98th percentile pass rush) arrive as the new linebacker tandem—Walker graded poorly in coverage (21st percentile) and run defense (18th percentile), while Dean's overall grades are modest outside of pass rush. ED Kwity Paye (32nd percentile) adds depth but had a down 2025. The Raiders spent a lot of money, but did they spend it wisely?

Sneaky Top 8 Defense

Ravens (+$11.6M, -1 net players): The Ravens finished 16th in fantasy scoring in 2025 (6.8 PPG). Baltimore managed only 28 sacks and 11 interceptions in what was a turbulent organizational year. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver arrives with strong credentials, having run a top-five defense in Miami in 2024 before a difficult 2025 with that same organization. With Lamar Jackson leading one of the NFL's most potent offenses, the Ravens project to play with a lead regularly—a critical advantage for fantasy defenses that tends to generate more defensive possessions and pressure opportunities.

The talent influx is headlined by ED Trey Hendrickson (96th percentile pass rush, 89th overall), who was grading at an elite level before injury cut his 2025 season to 285 snaps. Behind him, the returning core is better than last year's results suggested: DI Travis Jones (96th percentile overall, 99th percentile run defense), DI Calais Campbell (82nd percentile), LB Roquan Smith (80th percentile, 91st coverage), S Kyle Hamilton (98th percentile overall, 97th coverage), and CB Chidobe Awuzie (95th percentile coverage) give Baltimore one of the deepest rosters in the league. Free agent S Jaylinn Hawkins (96th percentile overall, 99th percentile run defense) further strengthens what is already an elite safety tandem with Hamilton. The Baltimore defense going 12th overall is a value. A healthy Hendrickson under a motivated Weaver leading a team built to play with a lead makes Baltimore a legitimate top-5 fantasy defense ceiling with a top-10 floor.

The Big Losers

Teams that lost $24M+ in salary saw their fantasy production decline by 16% the following season.

Chiefs (-$62.0M, -4 net players): The Chiefs lost CB Trent McDuffie (87th percentile coverage) and CB Jaylen Watson (76th percentile) to LAR, plus S Bryan Cook (97th percentile) to CIN and LB Leo Chenal (82nd percentile) to WAS. That's four legitimate starters gone. Three intriguing draft picks in CB Mansoor Delane (100th percentile college coverage, 99th QB rating against), DI Peter Woods (80th percentile college overall), and ED R. Mason Thomas (96th percentile college overall, 97th pass rush). The defense was DT28 fantasy-wise last season and could be worse in 2026, which may not be a bad thing for Patrick Mahomes’ fantasy outlook.

Seahawks (-$40.8M, -1 net player): Seattle was the top fantasy defense last year and faces a significant reset. The losses of ED Boye Mafe (63rd percentile pass rush) to CIN, CB Tariq Woolen (75th percentile coverage) to PHI, and S Coby Bryant (56th percentile) to CHI account for most of the cap exit. The core that made them elite is largely intact: DI Leonard Williams (93rd percentile overall, 90th pressure rate), CB Devon Witherspoon (99th percentile coverage), and S Julian Love (95th percentile overall, 98th coverage). Ed Dante Fowler Jr. (83rd percentile) slides in as a rotational edge. S Bud Clark (93rd percentile college overall, 93rd run defense, 86th coverage) and CB Julian Neal (84th percentile college coverage, 96th tackling) give Seattle two promising draft additions.

Browns (-$32.6M, -1 net player): Losing Myles Garrett (100th percentile everything) via trade to the Rams is simply devastating—The Browns’ 51-sack total last year was built almost entirely on his presence. The trade return of ED Jared Verse (91st percentile overall, 89th pass rush) is a quality piece but a downgrade nonetheless. LB Quincy Williams (14th percentile overall) arrives from NYJ but grades poorly across the board. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an elite college prospect (100th percentile both overall and coverage, 94th run defense) who could contribute immediately. It’s hard to see CLE maintaining top-10 status without Garrett.

Broncos (-$29.5M, 0 net players): Denver's loss list is deceptively damaging—DI/LB John Franklin-Myers ($21M, to TEN) and LB Dre Greenlaw (81st percentile overall, 87th run defense, to SF) were two legitimate contributors. The only signing is S Tycen Anderson (<200 snaps). The core remains formidable: CB Pat Surtain II (80th coverage, 93rd QB rating against, 86th catch rate) is still elite, DI Zach Allen (89th percentile pass rush, 99th pressure rate) is quietly one of the best interior rushers in football, and the Broncos led the league in sacks last year with 64—though that number will be hard to replicate with Greenlaw and Franklin-Myers gone. DI Tyler Onyedim (79th percentile college overall) is a depth addition.

Jaguars (-$24.5M, -4 net players): Jacksonville was genuinely excellent last year—league-leading 21 interceptions—and the offseason deals a real blow. LB Devin Lloyd (98th percentile overall, 97th coverage) to the Panthers and CB Greg Newsome (34th percentile) to the Giants account for the bulk of cap exits, plus DI Maason Smith (25th percentile, traded to Atlanta). The only addition is the trade return of DI Ruke Orhorhoro (3rd percentile) from Atlanta—a steep downside swap. ED Josh Hines-Allen (96th percentile overall, 91st pass rush, 94th pressure rate) remains one of the elite edges in football and the anchor of this defense. S Jalen Huskey (96th college overall, 94th coverage) is an excellent developmental piece, and DI Albert Regis (80th college overall, 95th run defense) adds interior depth.