Fantasy Football Defensive/Special Teams on the Decline
Fantasy football D/ST rankings shift quickly when a defense loses playmakers who create pressure and takeaways, or when a proven coach leaves town. Some units that were useful in 2025 now carry more risk after offseason departures, coordinator changes, injuries, or depth concerns.
Sacks and takeaways drive most D/ST value, so even a small decline in pressure or coverage reliability can push a defense down the board. These teams are not automatic fades, but their 2026 outlooks look less stable than a year ago, making them harder to trust in fantasy football.
Green Bay Packers
There is considerable uncertainty in Green Bay, starting at the top. Jonathan Gannon replaces Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator, restoring the 3-4 base alignment. Micah Parsons' December ACL tear clouds his 2026 expectations, and Rashan Gary, Colby Wooden, Quay Walker, and Nate Hobbs all moved out of Titletown. The Packers turned to DL Javon Hargrave, 33, and LB Zaire Franklin as veteran help via trade with Indianapolis. Sizable personnel and scheme changes make one of 2025's worst fantasy units once again a tough sell in fantasy leagues.
Philadelphia Eagles
EDGE Jaelan Phillips, LB Nakobe Dean, and safety Reed Blankenship are gone and won't be easy to replace. The arrival of inconsistent CB Riq Woolen is a net positive, and Philly traded for pass-rushing linebacker Jonathan Greenard during the NFL Draft. However, he's coming off only three sacks in 12 appearances after 24.5 in his previous 32 outings. Philadelphia retained Vic Fangio to call plays, but the defense lost several useful pieces from its second and third levels, so this could take time to develop.
Indianapolis Colts
The 2025 Colts managed a modest 39 sacks, then lost 8.5 of them in free agency with the departures of Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Nick Cross. While Arden Key and Micheal Clemons were brought in to help, neither is a premier pass rusher. Furthermore, trading Indy's leading tackler, Zaire Franklin, softens the middle of Lou Anarumo's already suspect defense. Second-round pick CJ Allen should replace Franklin, though a rookie learning curve is a fair expectation.
Honorable Mentions
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville uncharacteristically forced the second-most turnovers (31) with just the sixth-fewest sacks (32) in 2025. This unit lost LB Devin Lloyd and DBs Andrew Wingard and Greg Newsome II, opting to cover the losses with internal promotions. All of that combines to make Jacksonville harder to treat as an automatic fantasy starter.
Seattle Seahawks
Of Seattle's 47 sacks in 2025, no individual player had more than seven, and this group lacks a stud off the edge. LB Boye Mafe and DBs Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen left in the offseason. The entire second-string defensive backfield is new, including two rookies, so depth could become a concern. It's not that Seattle necessarily will crash hard, but the tougher schedule and even a slight dip in sacks could push them from the top D/ST to a midrange No. 1 fantasy unit.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 5:26 PM.