1. San Francisco 49ers – The top defense looks better entering 2012. They’ll likely take a step back due to a tougher schedule, but the D should be stout right back.
2. Houston Texans - The Texans could actually jump ahead of SF due to the division they play in. Expect a lot of sacks and turnovers.
3. Chicago Bears - They play a 3rd place schedule and will be able to attack teams thanks to an improved offense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - The “Dream Team” should see a marked improvement on defense after a year in the new system.
5. Seattle Seahawks - They play in the NFC West and Carrol’s D/ST became a solid No. 1 fantasy football unit over the 2nd half of 2011.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Buyer beware. The loss of LB Terrell Suggs is HUGE to this defense and Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are both a year older.
7. New York Jets – The Jets will improve this season after a disappointing finish to 2011. Look for Ryan’s group to attack and force turnovers.
8. Detroit Lions - Playing in the NFC North is a tough task but this group is a year older and very talented.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers - An off season of turnover raises question marks, but the key players are still there.
10. Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys will be improved with another year under Rob Ryan and some solid off season acquisitions. Last year the unit struggled due to a lot of confusion in play calling.
11. Green Bay Packers - Their off season was dedicated to improving this side of the ball. The Packers offense putting 30+ points up a game will help out too as opposing offenses will once again be in pass mode, leading to turnovers.
12. Kansas City Chiefs - KC is also a nice fantasy sleeper now that Romeo Crennel is leading them.
13. Atlanta Falcons – The addition of CB Asante Samuel makes the back of this defense better, and they should benefit from playing with the lead too.
14. New York Giants – The defending champs have the toughest schedule on paper but are deep and talented on D. They have the best pass rush in the game when healthy and could end up a top 5-10 unit in 2012.
15. Buffalo Bills – They added DE Mario Williams to a play making defense which could end up being a solid No. 1 fantasy football D/ST this year.
16. Arizona Cardinals - If they get a bit more help from the offense, the Cardinals D/ST can be solid. CB Patrick Peterson gives their special teams a leg up.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Zimmer’s D has a lot of talent that’s young. Expect another step forward in 2012 and this is a solid fantasy sleeper unit.
18. New England Patriots - The unit was horrific in 2011, but they also have a lot of young talent that is starting to understand the pro game, and their ’12 draft focused solely on D. Expect a much improved effort this year.
19. Denver Broncos - LB Von Miller leads a talented bunch that will be aided by the offense Peyton Manning brings.
20. Oakland Raiders – They brought in Denver’s D Coordinator (Dennis Allen) and he has a lot to work with in Oakland. Expect this unit to be a solid fantasy sleeper and one of the surprises in 2012.
21. St. Louis Rams – Jeff Fisher’s presence will be felt this year. There’s a lot of youth but some good young play makers.
22. Miami Dolphins - They were one of the more consistent units from the midpoint on and should build on that this year. They’re a No. 2 D/ST that can fill in when your top D has a bye week.
23.Washington Redskins - The NFC East is a tough division to play in, but the Skins have play makers on D which will make them a solid fill in unit in 2012.
24. New Orleans Saints – Expect Steve Spaguolo’s scheme to improve this unit. They’re a waiver wire unit to start the year.
25. Tennessee Titans - The AFC South, outside of Houston, features below average offenses.
