2007 Fantasy Football Preview: Ranking the Top Ten Defenses

Although the offensive players are the fantasy football money makers, have a strong defensive unit is important because they produce points for turnovers, sacks and touchdowns. A team like the Bears or the Ravens can produce some serious points for your fantasy football team because they just know how to get to the ball. Here's my list of the top ten defenses to pursue in your upcoming fantasy football draft.

(1) Chicago Bears: Bye Week 9
The Bears just have a knack for making turnovers and scoring off of turnovers. In 2006, Chicago made 44 turnovers, turning three of them into touchdowns. Thanks to KR Devin Hester, the Bears also scored five times on special teams. There is no reason why anyone should believe that Chicago won't continue to dominate on defense in 2007.

(2) Baltimore Ravens: Bye Week 8
Another dominant defense that has been terrorizing opposing offenses for several years are the Baltimore Ravens, a team that also knows how to create turnovers and scoring opportunities. Check this stat out: In 2006, the Ravens created 40 turnovers, 60 sacks and six touchdowns on defense. Since the nucleus of the Ravens defense will return in 2007, that unit should remain dominant and be taken as one of the first defenses in your fantasy football draft.

(3) San Diego Chargers: Bye Week 7
There are some major coaching changes in San Diego that could affect the play of the defense. However with a talented front seven and a heat-seeking missile like Shawn Merriman on the unit, the Chargers will continue their dominant ways in 2007 and be one of the first defensive units drafted in fantasy football.

(4) Philadelphia Eagles: Bye Week 5
The Eagles scored for touchdowns off of turnovers in 2006 and allowed only four teams to score over 25 points against them. The unit in general is getting old and there are some key players that need to stay healthy in order for this team to remain a dominant defense in 2007. I still consider them a top pick for fantasy football.