This is the fourth in a series of articles where we break down every defense in the NFL and provide defense performance performance vs fantasy position projections for the 2012 season.
We have already recorded every player performance grade from the 2011 season (thanks to profootballfocus.com) and have provided those rankings here: 2012 DEFENSE RANKS. We then took those cumulative scores and compared them against the 2011 personnel for the same teams.
This gives us all the data we need to evaluate each defense vs fantasy QB, RB, WR and TE for the 2012 season and how they will change from their final 2011 rankings. Our goal is to provide the only “True” Strength of Schedule data for the 2012 Fantasy Football season.
After we break down each division, we will use the projected “Fantasy Points Against” rankings to project the Strength of Schedule for each Offensive player in the NFL to determine the easiest and toughest schedules.
This will help you pick the players who will have the least resistance to high production while ignoring the players with a tougher road than others. This is an edge you can only get on fantasyomatic.com. All other sites determine Strength of Schedule based on how defenses finished in 2011.
LEGEND:
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Final Rank Against ( vs Position): |
2011 Final “Fantasy Points Against” rankings (1-32) or projected 2012 rankings:
1 = Defense is Easiest Fantasy Matchup vs Position 32= Defense is Toughest Fantasy Matchup vs Position
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Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against): |
Rankings of production of ALL opposing Offensive Players at each position over the entire season:
1 = Defense faced the MOST PRODUCTIVE set of players at this position 32= Defense faced the LEAST PRODUCTIVE set of players at this position
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Overall:
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Total of all “Ratings” for all starting defensive players |
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Run:
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Total of all “Ratings” for all starting defensive players vs Run |
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Pass Rush:
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Total of all Starting D Line players 2011 QB Sacks, Hits and Pressures +Total Starting D Line Pass Rush Score +Total Starting D Line Pass Coverage Rating +Total Starting Free Safety Pass Rush Score |
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Pass Cov:
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Total Starting DB Pass Cover Score + Starting Free Safety Pass Cover Score + Starting Strong Safety Pass Cover Score |
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Offenses Faced by Week: |
Chart shows 2012 opponents for each defense. The points on the chart break down the QB, RB, WR and TE they face each week and plot the position from 1-32 in order of Offensive Production from 2011.ie: if a defense faces #1 QB in week 1, they face the top producing QB in the NFL that week. |
This is all the information on free agency, draft picks, offseason moves, injuries and all information you need to evaluate each Defense for the 2012 season.
AFC NORTH:
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Cincinnati Bengals |
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| 2011 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2011 Final Rank Against ( vs Position) | 18 | 18 | 10 | 23 | ||||
| 2011 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 30 | 29 | 31 | 31 | ||||
| 2011 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 31.2 | 28.2 | 7.5 | -1.9 | |||||
| 2012 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2012 Projected Rank Against ( vs Position) | 11 | 14 | 9 | 17 | ||||
| 2012 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 6 | 12 | 14 | 14 | ||||
| 2012 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 26 | 23.9 | 5.8 | -3.9 | |||||
| Breakdown | ||||||||
| The Cincinnati Bengals have started to cash in on the bounty they received from the Oakland Raiders in the Carson Palmer trade, drafting Alabama corner Dre Kirkpatrick who will take Adam Jones’ spot. A physically imposing force at the corner position, Kirkpatrick handled the best that the SEC had to offer in his time at Alabama. He was often relied on to play bump-and-run in addition to being on his own island versus his receiver. However, Kirkpatrick has never been one with a penchant for interceptions, and speedy receivers will undoubtedly test him at the next level despite him posting a respectable 4.51 40-yard dash time. His stock took a hit in January when charges for possession of marijuana were filed against him, but were later dropped. Kirpatrick is the pick acquired from the Raiders for Carson Palmer and Hue Jackson, who engineered that trade for Oakland, is now part of the Bengals coaching staff.
The Bengals continued to add quality players after the first round. On defense, the Bengals drafted Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Clemson defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, Iowa corner Shaun Prater and Boise State safety George Iloka to round out a very strong draft class. In regards to free agency, the Bengals signed corner Terence Newman, The 33-year-old isn’t known to have visited any teams other than Cincinnati. It’s fair to wonder if he will receive any guaranteed money after getting routinely toasted down the stretch last season. Although he’s a favorite of DC Mike Zimmer, Newman will have to compete with Jason Allen and Pacman Jones for snaps behind Nate Clements and Leon Hall. Bengals added defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson, formerly of the Colts. Joining Derrick Harvey, Anderson is the second former No. 8 pick in the draft to surface with Cincinnati on the same day. Still only 26 years old, Anderson was a rotational left end and defensive tackle in Indy last season, managing just 24 tackles and three sacks in 15 games. Pro Football Focus did grade Anderson as a serviceable run defender, but he’s been a major NFL bust. Bengals also signed corner Jason Allen and defensive end Derrick Harvey. In addition, the Bengals claimed defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga off waivers. The Bengals also took a chance on undrafted free agent Vontaze Burfict out of Arizona State Cincinnati also re-signed a number of its own free agents, including safety Reggie Nelson, corner Pacman Jones (Per Pro Football Focus, Jones allowed just 16 receptions on 505 snaps last year), defensive tackle Pat Sims and linebacker Manny Lawson, The Bengals D was middle of the pack in 2011 against all positions, even though they faced the leagues worst producing opposing Skill positions. They faced the bottom five QB, RB, WR and TE players all season. With an increase in production from the level of skill players they face in 2012 and no real infusion of starting defense talent, expect a small drop off from middle of the pack against fantasy skill positions. Still a good DST for fantasy purposes, though.
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| 2012 Offenses Faced by Week (each position) | ||||||||
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Baltimore Ravens |
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| 2011 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2011 Final Rank Against ( vs Position) | 29 | 23 | 26 | 31 | ||||
| 2011 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 29 | 32 | 28 | 26 | ||||
| 2011 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 126.2 | 86.2 | 17.1 | 23 | |||||
| 2012 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2012 Projected Rank Against ( vs Position) | 14 | 18 | 22 | 24 | ||||
| 2012 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 | ||||
| 2012 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 99.2 | 41.9 | 29.3 | 29 | |||||
| Breakdown | ||||||||
| The Baltimore Ravens didn’t have the greatest 2012 offseason.
Things didn’t start out too well in free agency when the team lost defensive tackles Brandon McKinney and Cory Redding and safeties Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura. The hits kept coming. The Ravens also lost linebacker Jarret Johnson, and then right after the draft was concluded the Ravens learned they lost NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs to a torn Achilles tendon. There is no timetable for his return following surgery. Suggs finished fourth in the NFL with 14 sacks. He also forced seven forced fumbles, picked off two interceptions, and played a critical role on a Ravens defense that allowed the third fewest yards per game.
Corners Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr were then released. So, who did the Ravens bring in to offset all of these personnel losses? The Ravens signed defensive tackle Ryan McBean from Denver but , but he has a three-game ban for violating the league’s PED policy in March. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 4 against the Browns. It’s good news for a Ravens defense scrambling to replace Suggs. McBean is more of an interior pass rusher, but he could free up Pernell McPhee to rush more from defensive end. It appears Paul Kruger is getting the first crack at replacing Suggs’ outside linebacker snaps, with Pernell McPhee probably slated for the majority of Suggs’ defensive end reps. Upshaw, the Ravens’ second-round pick, is lining up as a starter across from WLB Jameel McClain with Ray Lewis in the middle. Kruger and McPhee are both candidates to lead the Ravens in sacks. The Ravens also re-signed cornerback Lardarius Webb, linebacker Jameel McClain and safety Bernard Pollard. As for the draft, the Ravens had the good fortune to have Alabama linebacker Courtney The Ravens had a top-15 grade on Upshaw, who fell to them (just as Suggs did) in the second round after a disappointing Combine. He could be the next great Ravens linebacker. Baltimore drafted Upshaw, not knowing they would be losing Suggs a few days later. The rest of the defensive draft class included South Carolina State safety Christian Thompson, Cal Poly cornerback Asa Jackson and Georgia defensive end DeAngelo Tyson. The Ravens’ 2012 draft class was another solid job by general manager Ozzie Newsome. However, when you look at all of the talent lost, and how little came in, this offseason has to be considered a setback for the overall roster. In 2011, they dominated against every opposing fantasy skill position. However, upon closer look you can see they also faced bottom five talent on the season at those positions. 2012 bring an extremely tough slate of opposing skill positions. Top ten averages all season at each position. Therefore, we wouldn’t expect this defense to be as productive as last year and could drop down in each category. They increased in player grades against WRs and TEs, but dropped vs the Run. |
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| 2012 Offenses Faced by Week (each position) | ||||||||
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Cleveland Browns |
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| 2011 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2011 Final Rank Against ( vs Position) | 26 | 8 | 32 | 7 | ||||
| 2011 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 31 | 18 | 30 | 28 | ||||
| 2011 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 24.9 | 15.6 | -4.6 | 18.8 | |||||
| 2012 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2012 Projected Rank Against ( vs Position) | 22 | 10 | 23 | 7 | ||||
| 2012 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 19 | 16 | 1 | 27 | ||||
| 2012 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 55.6 | 38.3 | 11.6 | 6.6 | |||||
| Breakdown | ||||||||
| The Browns’ offense was in need of a serious talent infusion, and their draft class should help them in that regard.
However, they needed just as much help on defense. Cleveland drafted Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes, Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson, Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho, Boise State defensive tackle Billy Winn and Arizona cornerback Trevin Wade. Browns signed DE Frostee Rucker, formerly of the Bengals, to a five-year deal. A 2006 third-round pick, Rucker got his first real shot at starting in 2011, and responded with 44 tackles and four sacks in 447 snaps. More of a run stuffer than anything else, he’ll likely be part of a rotation in Cleveland. Browns also signed free agent Juqua Parker while desperately seeking a right end opposite Jabaal Sheard. The Browns have opted for a tag-team approach. Run-stuffer Rucker will play early downs with Parker mixing in as a pass-rushing specialist. At 34, Parker can reasonably be expected to give the Browns 25 plays a game. They also extended linebacker D’Qwell Jackson—their biggest splash in free agency. Cleveland took a hit when Phil Taylor had to undergo surgery to repair his torn left pectoral muscle on Wednesday, May 16. Because the injury happened before training camp, Taylor will be eligible to begin the season on PUP. And that’s likely what he’ll do, missing the first six games. Taylor could return around midseason if his recovery goes smoothly, though the Browns’ season may already be in the gutter by then. They play the Giants, Ravens, Eagles, Bengals twice, and improved Bills to open the year. Browns beat writer Tony Grossi expects Scott Paxson to open OTAs as Taylor’s fill-in, but for rookies John Hughes and Billy Winn to push for snaps. Browns DE Marcus Benard (broken hand) is expected to participate in OTAs. Benard is almost back to full health after sustaining multiple minor injuries in an October motorcycle accident that landed him on the non-football injury list. Just two years removed from notching eight sacks as a nickel rusher, Benard should earn a roster spot as long as he’s healthy. Browns GM Tom Heckert says CB Sheldon Brown will not be moving to safety and S Eric Hagg is working as the first-team free safety in OTAs. Usama Young is running with the second team after starting eight games in 2011. A seventh-round pick last season, Hagg appeared in only 10 games, notching 11 tackles. The Browns seemed to be content to build through the draft and didn’t create many waves in free agency. Their personnel ratings improved in Pass coverage but dropped in run defense. Joe Haden helped them rank top 5 against fantasy QBs and WRs in 2011. However they faced bottom five talent at those positions and got gashed by opposing RBs that averaged 18th in production last year. In 2012 they will face improved production in their skill position opponents. Their slightly lower graded Run personnel will face medium difficulty in runners. However that strong secondary will have to deal with the #1 group of opposing WRs in the NFL this year, so expect a bit of a drop in their production from last year. |
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| 2012 Offenses Faced by Week (each position) | ||||||||
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Pittsburgh Steelers |
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| 2011 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2011 Final Rank Against ( vs Position) | 28 | 25 | 31 | 25 | ||||
| 2011 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 32 | 31 | 32 | 21 | ||||
| 2011 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 49.8 | 32.7 | 10.7 | 22.2 | |||||
| 2012 Fantasy Defense | ||||||||
| QB | RB | WR | TE | |||||
| 2012 Projected Rank Against ( vs Position) | 22 | 15 | 11 | 15 | ||||
| 2012 Opponent Scoring Rank (Position Scored Against) | 18 | 3 | 4 | 8 | ||||
| 2012 Defensive Personnel Ratings | Overall | Run | Pass Rush | Pass Cov | ||||
| 45.4 | 24.8 | 13.6 | 22.2 | |||||
| Breakdown | ||||||||
| The Pittsburgh Steelers had reached a point in their franchise where the defensive line was getting really old, fast. The situation didn’t call for drastic changes, but some young blood needed to be brought in to replace the older veterans the Steelers couldn’t count on any longer.
The Steelers said goodbye to James Farrior, Aaron Smith, Chris Kemoeatu and Bryant McFadden. William Gay and Jamon Meredith left in free agency and Chris Hoke retired. The Steelers were able to re-work the deals for Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley and Ike Taylor to save some salary cap space, or they might have been required to release even more players. ILB Larry Foote is expected to take the released James Farrior’s place in the starting lineup. Not much of a choice there, really. Mike Tomlin conceded NT Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) is a candidate to begin the year on the PUP list. Tomlin said Scott McLendon and Ziggy Hood will both be considered as fill-ins if Hampton isn’t ready for Week 1. McLendon is the favorite after holding his own in the role down the stretch last season. On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh drafted Miami linebacker Sean Spence, Washington nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Tomlin cited 2011 draft picks Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown when asked about replacing the departed William Gay at left cornerback. “We drafted them a year ago with the potential of these things in mind,” said Tomlin. Keenan Lewis is first up on the depth chart, however, after impressing as the nickel back last season. While Tomlin is giving the early “nod” to Lewis, all three are in the mix. They had a strong draft class, but outside of the draft, they haven’t done much in the way of going out and signing veteran free agents that they could bring in to compete for a roster spot. The Steelers draft helped to address some of the issues on the defensive line, but the limited salary cap space really prevented them from making any kind of meaningful upgrades to the roster. Look at their 2011 Opponent Scoring Ranks and you can see they faced either the worst or second worst group of QBs, RBs and WRs and came out near top in all those categories With very little change in ratings after cleaning house, they have to face top ten talent this year at RB, WR and TE so expect a drop off in their rankings. |
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| 2012 Offenses Faced by Week (each position) | ||||||||
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