NFL offense is cool, but I'd say doing a 51st video on offense before doing my 1st video on defense probably doesn't make much sense. Today's attention goes towards the unstoppable pass rushers, elite corners, and premiere defensive play callers. This isn't directly meant to be a fantasy football defenses column (I like to post my defensive sickos charts in season for streaming), but it can be if you want it to be!

The hard part with defenses is their total defensive stats are partially dependent on their own offense because a fast-paced offense will increase play volume and an inefficient offense will increase opposing field position and play volume. This column will try to just evaluate each defense on a per-play basis.

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1. Cleveland Browns

• Strengths: EDGE1, CB1, secondary depth, LB coverage, play caller

• Weaknesses: Can't find one

• Regression: Should be better in the red zone

Jim Schwartz elevated this unit in his first year as the defensive coordinator. The Browns were 1st in EPA per play and 1st in success rate allowed. They didn't allow passes to be thrown over the middle -- hello speedy coverage LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah -- or down the field (1st in preventing explosives), and they have elite players at the most important positions. EDGE1 Myles Garrett is the best defensive player on the planet, ranking 2nd in ESPN's pass rush win rate despite being double teamed at the 2nd-highest rate, while also ranking 7th in run stop win rate. CB1 Denzel Ward is one of the league's only lock-down corners, and he might play more snaps this year after appearing in 14 games last year. He's joined by high quality secondary assets in FS Juan Thornhill (12 games), SS Grant Delpit (13 games), and CB Greg Newsome (15 games). Notice they could have better injury luck here. Their most under-appreciated player is veteran EDGE2 Za'Darius Smith, who was 11th in PFF's pass rush win rate.... Oh, and the Browns were also 1st in run stop win rate as a unit.

2. Baltimore Ravens

• Strengths: DT pressure, LB and SS coverage, CB man coverage

• Weaknesses: EDGE depth, coaching turnover

• Regression: Should be worse in the red zone

Turnover. Turnover. Turnover. That's what happens to the coaching staff when a defense finishes 2nd in EPA and 6th in success rate, and shut down teams in the red zone (2nd in TD rate on red zone drives). The Ravens also lost Jadaveon Clowney, who was 5th in pass-rush win rate in a major bounceback season for him, and productive LB2 Patrick Queen in free agency. This is the year where 2021 1st-round EDGE Odafe Owah needs to live up to his athletic potential, or else Baltimore can't repeat as the 9th-best in pass rush win rate as a team. That said, the Ravens seem to always find a way to get a few breakout players. That's most recently been DT-leading sack artist Justin Maduibuke, do-everything SS Kyle Hamilton, and Pro Bowl LB Roquan Smith. 1st-round rookie CB Nate Wiggins has my interest to be the next. He was my 20th overall player in my Top 100 Prospect Rankings and certainly looked the part in coverage during his preseason debut. That's a lot of star power before even mentioning CB1 Marlon Humphrey, who only appeared in 11 games due to injuries last year.

3. New York Jets

• Strengths: CB1, run stopping, play caller

• Weaknesses: EDGE depth

CB Sauce Gardner is right there with Patrick Surtain as the top man coverage defenders. His length and movement skills literally have me worried when my fantasy WRs are playing on the perimeter against him. New York can also plug things up the middle against the run, ranking 3rd in ESPN's run stop win rate last year. They're strong at DT (Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw) and at LB (C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams) again, so the only remaining question is with their pass rush. Losing Bryce Huff, who only trailed Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett in pass rush win rate last year, is impossible to replace, even if contract-irated Haasan Reddick shows up to play eventually. The drop off in their win rates is 23% to 14%, and the Jets aren't expecting a lot from undersized sophomore EDGE Will McDonald either. It'll be difficult for New York to be quite as dominant as they were last year (2nd in EPA and 3rd in success rate), but they don't have to be either. Aaron Rodgers is back. I'm curious if the Jets can still blitz at the 2nd-lowest rate in the NFL (16%) if they don't get the same level of pass rush.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

• Strengths: DT pressure, play caller, secondary versatility

• Weaknesses: CB depth

This unit projects for the fewest points allowed according to the betting markets, partially because they find themselves in such favorable situations where their below-average run defense (26th in rush success rate) can be hidden. With Aaron Donald retired, Chris Jones has the crown for best DT in the NFL. He was double-teamed on 72% of his pass rush snaps (most) and still tied for the lead in pass rush win rate (20%) per ESPN. Absurd. There aren't big names around him on the line, but Mike Danna blew up in the playoffs and the EDGE trio of George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu (ACL recovery), and Felix Anudike-Ozumah (2023 1st rounder) will look at it's best late in the year and in these obvious must-pass situations. Their second best player is star nickel corner Trent McDuffie, who could play more outside corner sans L'Jarius Sneed. There's a lot of questions in the secondary without Sneed, but Steve Spagnuolo might be the best defensive coordinator in the NFL and deserves a lot of credit for last year's Super Bowl win. Plus, this team tackles like maniacs.

5. Chicago Bears

• Strengths: Secondary upside and depth, EDGE1, LB1

• Weaknesses: EDGE depth, DT pressure

• Regression: Should be better in the red zone

After EDGE Montez Sweat entered the lineup in Week 9, the Bears were 5th in EPA per play and 9th in success rate. Sweat is the lone quality pass rusher on the team which keeps them out of the elite defense tier, but this secondary could be the best in the NFL if it comes together. CB1 Jaylon Johnson is firmly in the prime of his career as a borderline top-5 corner, while a trio of former 2nd-round picks in CB2 Tyrique Stevenson, slot CB Kyler Gordon, and SS Jaquan Brisker continue to ascend. This young secondary is led by 31-year-old former All Pro FS Kevin Byard and complemented by rangy LB1 Tremaine Edmunds. There's really no reason this unit should allow a TD on 69% of their red zone drives again (2nd worst), especially because they were already 4th-best in rushing EPA allowed. Simply put, there is a ton of talent for new DC Eric Washington, who has most recently been with the versatile-schemed Bills.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Strengths: EDGE1, middle of field range, CB1 upside

• Weaknesses: Back-seven continuity

As usual, Pittsburgh was 7th in EPA and 8th in success rate last year. T.J. Watt doesn't get double-teamed as often as the other elite pass rushers, but he's a super star talent coming off the 4th-best pass rush win rate of 2023, per ESPN. He's not the only star-level talent either. FS Minkah Fitzpatrick should bounce back after playing just 11 games, and CB1 Joey Porter flashed as a 1st-round rookie with a physical style to his game. There's new faces alongside them in up-and-down CB2 Donte Jackson (who needed a fresh start) and SS Deshon Elliott, so it could be a bit inconsistent in general. There's more stability up front, especially if new traits-based LB Patrick Queen and 2nd-year DT Keanu Benton continue to get better. They have DT Cameron Heyward and EDGE Alex Highsmith still.

7. Houston Texans

• Strengths: EDGE1 and EDGE2, CB1, FS1, play caller

• Weakenesses: DT pressure, LB depth

The Texans have the recipe to take the leap on defense. EDGE1 Will Anderson was already 3rd in pass rush win rate on the 4th-most double teams as a rookie last year, and he can't be double teamed at that clip with EDGE2 Danielle Hunter providing arguably the best 1-2 edge combination in the league, as Hunter was 12th in pass rush win rate a season ago. Former 1st-round CB1 Derek Stingley and 2nd-round FS Jalen Pitre both look like hits, and the Texans have surrounded them with countless dart throws in the secondary. 2nd-round rookie Kamari Lassiter was my 58th overall player in the draft and could start over former 1st-rounders C.J. Henderson and Jeff Okudah. If veteran SS Jimmie Ward (10 games) and veteran slot CB Desmond King (9 games) are stay healthy or if new LB Azeez Al-Shaair provides more range up the middle, then this defense looks good at all parts of the field because they were already 1st in yards before contact against the run last year. Coach DeMeco Ryans is really good.

8. Detroit Lions

• Strengths: Secondary depth, EDGE1, DT pressure

• Weaknesses: LB, continuity

• Regression: Should be better in the red zone

This is the most underrated ascending defense in the league. EDGE1 Aidan Hutchinson deserves the headlines after finishing 7th in PFF's pass rush win rate, but there are plenty of new faces to elevate the unit. CB1 Carlton Davis provides the physicality and man coverage ability the Lions craved, while 1st-round rookie CB2 Terrion Arnold was as smart and instinctive as a prospect can be. He was my 19th overall prospect. SS Brian Branch is on the verge of being one of the best secondary players in the league. His versatility and ability to make plays over the middle is special. 2023 1st-round LB Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone can fly around the field, too. But perhaps the most underrated player is 25-year-old DT Alim McNeil, who can plug lanes and get up field as a pass rusher. He'll face fewer double teams with new DT D.J. Reader and new EDGE2 Marcus Davenport alongside him. Really, this defense was just really bad in the red zone (29th in TD rate in the red zone) and at preventing big plays (31st). The rest of it was already solid, and there's way more talent now.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars

• Strengths: EDGE depth, FS, play caller

• Weaknesses: LB

The Jaguars were 12th in success rate and 13th in EPA last year, and they look better on paper this year. New DC Ryan Neilsen maximized the Falcons' defense last year (5th in success rate) and has plenty of talent to work with in Jacksonville. Josh Hines-Allen -- thank you for the name change -- was 2nd in PFF's pass rush win rate last year and there's always the chance 2022 1st overall pick Trayvon Walker turns things around. There were also some talent upgrades made this offseason by acquiring DT Arik Armstead, versatile DB Darnell Savage, and CB2 Ronald Darby in free agency and athletic DT Maason Smith in the draft. The LSU product was my 58th overall player in the draft for what it's worth (everything). Where this defense can really take off is if 2021 1st-round CB Tyson Campbell can bounce back after an injury held him back last year. There are some high-end flashes to his game when he's right. Lastly, you don't know ball unless you acknowledge FS Andre Cisco and his 4 INTs during his 3rd year in the league.

10. Dallas Cowboys

• Strengths: EDGE1, CB1, secondary depth, play caller

• Weaknesses: DT run stopping, LBs

Micah Parsons is the pound-for-pound best defensive player in a very long time, and he just might play a more versatile role with new DC Mike Zimmer. The Cowboys need him to be dominant as a pass rusher again (1st in pass rush win rate on the most double teams) because the run defense can be problematic. Their LBs are outlier small (or old), and 2023 1st-round DT Mazi Smith rarely saw the field last year. In total, Dallas was dead last in rushing success rate allowed. That means the Cowboys are much better with a lead or in tight games. The pass defense is so good at it's peak that it usually makes up for the softness of their interior. CB1 Trevon Diggs was a feisty aggressor before his ACL tear, and CB2 Daron Bland's (out 4-6 games) aggressive play led to countless interceptions when he stepped into the limelight. Consider the Cowboys the most volatile good defense in the league.

11. Las Vegas Raiders

• Strengths: EDGE1, DT pressure, play caller

• Weaknesses: Standout secondary players

This is another underrated defense. DC Patrick Graham can coach, and now he has legit talent beside EDGE1 Maxx Crosby, who led his position run stop win rate per ESPN. That's motor for you. Crosby can rush the quarterback, too, but he was constantly double teamed because there wasn't another toolsy player next to him. Now there is. Newly-signed DT Christian Wilkins can bring it and forced double teams at the 8th-highest rate among interior players. Well, you can't double team both! The Raiders should easily finish higher than 26th in pressure rate this year, even if 1st-round EDGE Tyree Jackson continues to not show up. The back seven is just fine and doesn't have a standout player. That makes last year's No. 11 ranking in passing EPA allowed all the more interesting. They just didn't allow big plays and looked better down the stretch after getting CB1 Jack Jones from the Patriots. This was EPA's No. 1 defense from Week 9 onwards (against some bad QBs for what it's worth).

12. San Francisco 49ers

• Strengths: EDGE1, LB1, CB1

• Weaknesses: Secondary depth, LB depth

Last year's defense wasn't as good as the individual players (10th in EPA and 15th in success rate), which explains new DC Nick Sorensen's hiring. They didn't blitz at all (3rd lowest) and EDGE1 Nick Bosa didn't have his best season (19th in pass rush win rate) after holding out in training camp. Bosa should rebound and he'll be doing so next to some new teammates; EDGEs Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos instead of Chase Young, and DT Malik Collins instead of Arik Armstead. These are close to lateral moves, but if they can at least improve their run defense (30th in success rate), consider their acquisitions a win. Rangy LB Fred Warner is the best in the league, but he won't have his counterpart Dre Greenlaw (achilles) for a large chunk of the year. Ditto for SS Talano Hufanga (ACL), who will ramp up early in the year. The secondary is fine. CB1 Charvarius Ward is a good player, but their CB2, nickel, and FS starters don't move the needle. The hope is the new coordinator can be more creative and less static to overcome this stars and scrubs roster.

13. Green Bay Packers

• Strengths: Secondary versatility, EDGE depth

• Weaknesses: LB

It's beyond frustrating that the Packers were 23rd in EPA and 26th in success rate last year despite having 7 1st-rounders on defense. There's hope they play more snaps this year after CB1 Jaire Alexander (9 games), CB2 Eric Stokes (2 games), and EDGE3 Lukas Van Ness (444 snaps) weren't at full speed, and that a couple offseason acquisitions can glue the unit together. The biggest might be S Xavier McKinney, who can play everywhere and help make tackles whenever Green Bay is light in the box. He'll be accompanied by 2nd-round rookie FS Javon Bullard, my 61st overall player in the draft and 2nd-rated safety. It's not an exaggeration to call this secondary one of the best on paper, especially with new DC Jeff Hatley changing up the scheme to more single-high shells. Up front, they are deep. EDGE1 Rashan Gary was 19th in PFF's pass rush win rate, DT1 Kenny Clark was 18th in ESPN's pass rush win rate, and run-plugging DT T.J. Slaton was 9th in run stop win rate. If new EDGE2 Preston Smith, 2023 1st-rounder Lukas Van Ness, and/or 1st-round rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper have a good season, this team could flirt with top-10 numbers.

14. New England Patriots

• Strengths: Run defense, DT pressure, CB1, versatile secondary

• Weaknesses: Losing Bill Belichick, pass rush

This blurb can start no other way than by acknowledging how much the loss of my co-worker Bill Belichick could mean. Belichick has been a DC or HC for 38 years. He finished with the fewest points allowed in the NFL 5 times. He finished outside the top 17 just once. Once!!! His week-by-week game planning is untouchable, and the Patriots do have some key players gone, too. The Patriots will severly miss EDGE1 Matthew Judon (traded to the Falcons) because the team was 27th in pass rush win rate last year when he only appeared in 4 games. The youngsters must step up. There's no other way around it. 2023 2nd-round speedster Keion White only had a 9% pass rush win rate as a rookie, and 2020 2nd-round speedster Josh Uche was only at 14%. They'll be in a rotation next to some bigger bodies. If healthy, New England's best players are DT Christian Barmore (blood clots) and CB1 Christian Gonzalez (ACL). Barmore was 11th in pass rush win rate at his position last year, and Gonzalez flashed as a man coverage rookie before his injury. The Patriots' depth and versatility in the secondary is a strength (though the chess pieces won't be moved by my co-worker Bill Belichick) and this run defense was 2nd in rushing EPA and rushing success rate last year. This is a physical defense that can stack the box.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

• Strengths: DL speed, DB versatility, play caller

• Weaknesses: EDGE size, CB volatility

• Regression: Should be better in the red zone

The Eagles STUNK last year. But things look so much better after an entire offseason of upgrades. Snagging DC Vic Fangio from the Dolphins assures a level of competence the Eagles' No. 29 EPA defense didn't have a year ago. They also swapped lightning-quick EDGE Bryce Huff (5th in pass rush win rate) for Haason Reddick (33rd), brought back SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson, added a pair of capable LBs, and drafted 1st-round CB Quinyon Mitchell and hybrid DB Cooper DeJean. The latter two cracked my top-25 prospects. Equally as important is the youth on the defensive line. They have three 1st-rounders from the last few drafts in their rotation. If any really break out, the Eagles can finally live up to the hype of their defense.

16. Tennessee Titans

• Strengths: DT duo, CB1, CB2

• Weaknesses: LB duo, continuity

There are a lot of moving parts, but the unit on paper looks really improved after finishing 28th in EPA allowed. Snagging CB1 L'Jarius Sneed to play man coverage is a major win, especially with CB2 Chidobe Awuzie and SS Quandre Diggs also coming over. The Titans were 31st in passing success rate last year, so it's hard to mention just how big of an upgrade this is. As usual, Tennessee is loaded on the defensive line with All Pro DT Jeffrey Simmons getting 2nd-round DT D'Vondre Sweat in the draft. They were already 3rd-best in yards before contract against the run in 2023, which should take pressure off this underwhelming LB duo.... I, of course, wrote that before they traded for Ernest Jones.

17. Atlanta Falcons

• Strengths: CB1, Safety duo, EDGE1

• Weaknesses: Pass rush depth, LB

Losing DC Ryan Nielsen hurts. Adding EDGE1 Matthew Judon and FS2 Justin Simmons late in the offseason softens the blow. This is a stars and scrubs approach with CB1 AJ Terrell, FS1 Jessie Bates, and DT1 Grady Jarrett (ACL) as the incumbants, but this would've been the worst pass-rush group in football before the Judon trade. The front seven remains relatively weak. The secondary could be really sick.

18. Buffalo Bills

• Strengths: DT pass rush, slot CB, play caller

• Weaknesses: CB1, LB, safety duo

Coach Sean McDermott usually makes the most of his talent, but losing rangy LB1 Matt Milano (torn biceps) right before the season is tough. The Bills need EDGE1 Greg Rousseau or EDGE2 A.J. Epenesa to take a leap or they'll be in the average tier again (14th in success rate). They're best when DT1 Ed Oliver is brining a pass rush from the interior and then disguising their coverages in the secondary depending on the matchup. The latter becomes more difficult with safeties Demar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and/or 2nd-round rookie Cole Bishop stepping into the starting lineup.

19. Seattle Seahawks

• Strengths: Slot CB, new DC

• Weaknesses: LB, high-end pass rusher

Getting the hottest DC on the market to become the head coach is going to help, but they were 30th in EPA and success rate last year. 1st-round DT Byron Murphy can rush the passer from the interior, there's fine-enough depth at EDGE, and the re-worked secondary led by stud nickel CB Devon Witherspoon can be enough to take a major stride immediately. Seattle can't be 31st in rushing EPA allowed this time around.

20. Miami Dolphins

• Strengths: CB1

• Weaknesses: Health, continuity

They were 2nd in pressure rate last year, but their edge rushers are coming off serious injury late last year; Jaelen Phillips (achilles), Bradley Chubb (ACL). They'll also be with DC Vic Fangio, star DT Christian Wilkins, CB2 Xavien Howard, and EDGE3 Andrew Van Ginkel. The Dolphins really need new DC Anthony Weaver to be a dude and to have one new play-maker to step up. That could be 1st-round situational pass-rusher Chop Robinson, who is probably too raw to rely on right away. CB1 Jalen Ramsey remains the headliner in the secondary.

21. New York Giants

• Strengths: Edge duo, DT1, CB1

• Weaknesses: Secondary depth

This is a boom-bust defense. Moving EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux to the second spot with the addition of EDGE1 Brian Burns will make the former 1st-rounder more effective, especially with DT1 Dexter Lawrence being an absolute menace on the interior. But everything comes down to the very young secondary. 2023 1st-rounder CB1 Deonte Banks has all the upside/athletic traits needed to bring this unit up a tier even higher than this. He'll need 3rd-round slot CB Dru Phillips (my 62nd overall player in the draft) and/or 2nd-round FS Tyler Nubin (78th) to step up right away.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Strengths: Edge depth, nose tackle, safety duo, play caller

• Weaknesses: CB1, CB2, nickel CB

Coach Todd Bowles runs one of the most entertaining defenses in the league, blitzing at the 3rd-highest rate leading to both sacks/turnovers and the 2nd-highest boom play rate. The Bucs can turn an inexperienced QB, OL, and play caller into the worst versions of themselves, but they are also vulnerable at CB after Carlton Davis left. Real vulnerable. They do have a very strong safety tandem, an all decade caliber LB in Lavonte David, and one of the deepest defensive line rotations in the league. It would stun me if the Bucs didn't finish better than 21st in pressure rate next year. Watch out for youngsters YaYa Diaby, Kalijah Cancey, Logan Hall, and Chris Braswell, assuming you're already locked into NT1 Vita Vea.

23. Minnesota Vikings

• Strengths: Edge depth, play caller

• Weaknesses: CBs, DT depth

This is the most psychotic defense (complementary). DC Brian Flores blitzed on 52% of his passing snaps last year. Fifty-two!!! They'll put more defenders at the line of scrimmage and in the box than anyone, then bail into a post-snap rotation. An inexperienced QB can get into trouble quickly. They also were 2nd-best in yards before contact against the run because they'll have more players in the box than others. Now, it'll be nearly impossible to replace EDGE1 Danielle Hunter (16.5 sacks) this offseason, even with Jonathon Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkle, and 1st-round EDGE Dallas Turner in town. And the Vikings still have a secondary problem, unless CB Stephon Gillmore and FS1 Harrison Smith find the fountain of youth.

24. New Orleans Saints

• Strengths: Continuity

• Weaknesses: Old

This team faced knuckle heads for QBs last year, so their numbers were quite inflated and this team is NOT getting younger. The Saints were only 28th in pressure rate against the pass and 27th in yards before contact against the run. They only added EDGE Chase Young this offseason to help those problems, and it's possible CB1 Marshon Lattimore is traded before the season. They did draft 2nd-round CB Kool-Aid McKinstry as a replacement. He had late Round 1 ability to me.

These defenses look pretty rough...

25. Cincinnatti Bengals - Last year's defense was 31st in success rate and they lost CB1 Chidobe Awuzie and DT1 D.J. Reader this offseason. But they do have better safeties, which should allow DC Lou Anarumo to maximize his weekly gameplans.

26. Los Angeles Rams - They were 20th in EPA allowed and 25th in pressure rate last year ... with Millenial GOAT DT Aaron Donald. The Rams are always well coached and can find rookie starters deep in the draft, but this is asking a lot. 1st-round EDGE Jared Verse and 2nd-round DT Braden Fiske will eat snaps immediately.

27. Las Angeles Chargers - It's a stars and scrubs defense, and the stars are older and oft-injured. The offseason moves were about resetting the offense, not the defense. That said, new DC Jesse Minter did very cool things at Michigan and could be enough to bump them up a tier if Joey Bosa can rebound.

28. Washington Commanders - There were a lot of changes this offseason, though they were needed after ranking 32nd in EPA allowed last year. A pair of new LBs (Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner) and 2nd-round picks (DT Johnny Newton and SCB Mike Sainristal) are the biggest changes.

29. Indianapolis Colts - The DL is underrated, but the back seven is among the very worst in the league. 2023 2nd-round CB JuJu Brents and 2024 1st-round EDGE Laiatu Latu are the players this defense absolutely needs to make an impact immediately.

30. Denver Broncos - Patrick Surtain is probably the best CB in the NFL, but they lost their experienced Pro Bowl safety and didn't have cash to spend on notable upgrades. They were 29th in pressure rate against the pass and 32nd in yards before contact against the run.

31. Carolina Panthers - Swapping EDGE Brian Burns for Jadaveon Clowney isn't going to cut it. The Panthers were 32nd in pressure rate and 26th in EPA last year. They'll need CB1 Jaycee Horn to live up to his 1st-round draft capital to get out of the basement.

32. Arizona Cardinals - 31st in pressure rate, 31st in success rate, 32nd in EPA.