SportsGuyRy’s 2018 Fantasy Football Rankings
Kicker and Defense/Special Teams Edition (1-12):
*Photo provided by ClutchPoints.com*
Below we are going to examine the least important positions on your fantasy team. This is why you will see both Defense and Kicker rankings here today rather than two separate articles. I don’t have much analysis here outside of my thoughts on rankings.
12. Chicago Bears – Ranked #8 D/ST to end 2017 with 182 points (11.4 per game)
*Photo provided by Chicago Tribune*
The Bears’ defense continues to get better and with breakout seasons for Leonard Floyd and Kyle Fuller on the horizon to couple with Adrian Amos ascendance into the upper tier safeties in this league, they’re hoping for another top 10 finish this season.
11. Carolina Panthers – Ranked #11 D/ST to end 2017 with 174 points (10.9 per game)
*Photo provided by RantSports*
Any defense with Luke Kuechly cannot be ignored and with an improved secondary and the pieces they have on that defensive line should do well for them this year.
10. New England Patriots – Ranked #15 D/ST to end 2017 with 150 points (9.4 per game)
*Photo provided by Pro Football Spot*
Losing Matt Patricia will be tough but assuming Belichick has the same control he always does over this team, they will continue to be successful with the McCourty twins and Gilmore locking up that secondary.
9. New Orleans Saints – Ranked #6 D/ST to end 2017 with 186 points (11.6 per game)
*Photo provided by NOLA.com*
A young secondary that had success last year and another year and training camp to gel and get better should make this unit a great fantasy asset.
8. Denver Broncos – Ranked #13 D/ST to end 2017 with 155 points (9.7 per game)
*Photo provided by Last Word on Pro Football*
Having Von Miller and Bradley Chubb creating pressure for this defense will make the loss of Aqib Talib a little easier. They still have their better corner in Harris Jr. and Roby to fill in for Talib.
7. Houston Texans – Ranked #23 D/ST to end 2017 with 122 points (7.7 per game)
*Photo provided by Houston Press*
A hopefully healthy year could make the Texans a great defense this year. JJ Watt, Whitney Mercellis, Jadeveon Clowney will be getting the pressure going and an improved secondary could reap the rewards.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Ranked #2 D/ST to end 2017 with 215 points (13.4 per game)
*Photo provided by Charm City Bird Watch*
One of the more surprisingly dominant fantasy defenses last year, they look to continue the success they had behind Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley and company.
5. Los Angeles Chargers – Ranked #6 D/ST to end 2017 with 185 points (11.6 per game)
*Photo provided by Chargers Wire – USA Today*
With a couple of game wreckers up front in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, they will continue to rack up sacks and make life for Casey Heyward and company much easier.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Ranked #5 D/ST to end 2017 with 192 points (12 per game)
*Photo provided by NBC Sports*
Another unit with a ton of talent and continued to add to it with the likes of Michael Bennett. They led all NFC defenses with 31 turnovers last year and total points in fantasy.
3. Los Angeles Rams – Ranked #3 D/ST to end 2017 with 208 points (13 per game)
*Photo provided by Last Word on Pro Football*
A unit that added a ton of talent in their secondary. A big component here is Aaron Donald’s situation and if he actually sits out. He is a game wrecker up front that will make that secondary’s job much easier if he’s in the game.
2. Minnesota Vikings – Ranked #9 D/ST to end 2017 with 179 points (11.2 per game)
*Photo provided by ClutchPoints.com*
In real statistics – they were the number one scoring and yardage defense last season. They return all starts but one, and that one has been an upgrade from Tom Johnson to Sheldon Richardson. Expect a continued success for this unit.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ranked #1 D/ST to end 2017 with 265 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by JagsCountry.com*
In fantasy statistics – they were the number one scoring defense last year. They are a unit that continues to get better and will continue their dominant ways in the AFC.
Let’s move onto kickers!
12. Mason Crosby – Green Bay Packers – Ranked #26 Kicker to end 2017 with 79 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by Total Packers*
Just another packers name, gross.
11. Daniel Carlson – Minnesota Vikings – Not Ranked (Rookie Year)
*Photo provided by Vikings Wire – USA Today*
Rookie kicker for my favorite squad and has the leg power to kick 60 yards indoors or out.
10. Dan Bailey – Dallas Cowboys – Ranked #28 Kicker to end 2017 with 74 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by For The Win – USA Today*
Mr. Accuracy doesn’t have the strongest leg here but if he’s given the chance, he RARELY misses.
9. Harrison Butker – Kansas City Chiefs – Ranked #4 Kicker to end 2017 with 146 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by SB Nation*
Came on strong last year and kicked really well. With new QB and offense at the helm really, let’s look for him to have another strong season.
8. Chris Boswell – Pittsburgh Steelers – Ranked #4 Kicker to end 2017 with 146 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by ABC News*
Consistent kicker in a dynamic offense
7. Jake Elliott – Philadelphia Eagles – Ranked #14 Kicker to end 2017 with 122 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by NBC Sports*
Big leg, great offense and showed he’s not afraid of the moment last season.
6. Matt Prater – Detroit Lions – Ranked #10 Kicker to end 2017 with 137 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by CBS Sports*
Another kicker with a big leg and a potent offense who often relies on his leg to win them the game or tie a comeback effort.
5. Wil Lutz – New Orleans Saints – Ranked #8 Kicker to end 2017 with 144 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by Saints Wire – USA Today*
Another kicker with a big leg and a potent offense.
4. Matt Bryant – Atlanta Falcons – Ranked #7 Kicker to end 2017 with 145 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by For The Win – USA Today*
The ageless Matt Bryant continues to kick bombs from 50+ last year and I’ll keep him high on the rankings list until he doesn’t anymore. (Hot Take)
3. Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens – Ranked #4 Kicker to end 2017 with 146 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by Sporting News*
Another rocket leg in an offense that often stalls in scoring range. He’s been one of the most efficient kickers in NFL history.
2. Stephen Gostowski – New England Patriots – Ranked #2 Kicker to end 2017 with 160 points (16.6 per game)
*Photo provided by nePatriotsLife.com*
One of the most consistent kickers in NFL history playing in an offense with Tom Brady who at worst gets his team into scoring position a ton. Look for him to remain consistent as he’s still in the prime of his career.
1. Greg Zuerlein – Los Angeles Rams – Ranked #1 Kicker to end 2017 with 164 points (11.7 per game)
*Photo provided by LA Times*
One of the strongest legs in the game coupled with one of the most lethal offenses in all of football, he’s definitely a top three kicker.
Thank you for reading my Defense and Kicker rankings folks! This wraps up my position by position rankings.
Up next is going to be an article around who I feel are going to be sleepers this season. I’ll give you my top 10 sleepers total, not position specific.
If you enjoyed the content above or throughout my positional rankings series, please give me a follow at @sportsguyry on Twitter!
