Top Five NFL DSTs to Draft in Fantasy for 2025
Fantasy Managers always look at their offenses and think that is what is going to get them the points that they are looking for. However, this is not always the case; the defensive lines are usually the areas that managers should look into, because sometimes this is where things open up and points start to be scored. Not every league is the same; they are all different. Some choose singular players, while others opt to go with the defensive/special teams as a whole. Here are the top five teams for this season that managers should look into targeting.
1. New York Jets
The Jets have struggled with their defensive line over the last few seasons. This season, however, things should be looking up for them. Their defense is led by Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and Jermaine Johnson. They have a nasty built-in defense that will be able to put a lot of stops in and make the plays to gain the points that managers want this season. All three are fast-paced and opportunistic. Having a new and improved offense this season will keep them on the field longer, allowing for more dives to give managers fresh legs and more expected fantasy points.
2. San Fransico 49ers
The 49ers are also in talks of making a comeback on the defensive side and the special teams. This section of the 49ers is considered to be pure fantasy gold. San Francisco has Nick Bosa, who is coming in to wreck his opposing team's backfield. On the other hand, they have Fred Warner, who is commanding the middle. The 49ers are a team to consider for managers, as they boast an elite line against both passing and rushing defenses, making them a formidable opponent for any team they face.
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have always been a fantastic backup for any fantasy manager's team who is looking to pick up any sort of DST. This defense excels at creating turnovers and executing a stop to opposing teams' big plays throughout any game. Last season, they finished near the top in both sacks and interceptions. The Ravens have plans to keep the defense up this season. The Ravens also benefit from the fact that their division features a high turnover rate among quarterbacks, which helps keep their numbers high in a way that fantasy managers prefer.
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the top defenses heading into the 2025 season. Dallas’s defense is led by Micah Parsons, who is a constant backfield presence and is a sack machine. The Cowboys' defense thrives on pressuring its opposing teams' quarterbacks. Dallas also has playmakers such as Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland in their secondary. Dallas is always a threat to score on defense. Picking up Dallas should be on fantasy managers' minds, given how they have been able to defend over the past few years.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have been sitting at the top of the NFL for the past few years, and their defensive line has consistently brought a playoff-tier and Super Bowl-caliber performance. Their DST is considered underrated, featuring young and rising stars such as Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. However, with how they have been playing the last few years, picking them up would be a good weekly start. It would keep the managers' team steady, but not as immaculate as one of the other teams. The Chiefs are poised for another decent season, but not one that will go off the rails like the last few years.
