Sportsnaut
Our weekly NFL defense rankings examine every unit across the league to determine the best defenses in the NFL. With the preseason wrapped up, let’s dive into our evaluations for the worst and best NFL defenses this season. We’ll update our NFL defense rankings, with analysis on all 32 teams, every Sunday night each week.
Our NFL defense ranks are updated as of Monday, September 1. You can find an analysis of all 32 defenses immediately below our Week 1 D/ST rankings for fantasy football managers. Each month, we’ll also provide update NFL defensive stats on the best and worst pass and rush defenses in the NFL this season.
The following list is exclusively our Week 1 defense rankings for fantasy purposes. For evaluations on the worst and best NFL defenses, you can find analysis of all 32 teams after this.
Related: Week 1 Fantasy Rankings
The Denver Broncos have the best defense in the NFL. Led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain, Denver should have a top-10 secondary this season thanks to the addition of safety Talanoa Hufanga. While opponents did pick on the Broncos’ No. 2 corner Riley Moss last season, it’s crucial to keep in mind that he missed time with an MCL strain and then struggled upon his return. Now back at 100 percent, Denver can put Moss and Surtain on the outside with first-round pick Jahdae Barron in the slot. With an underrated pass rush — second-highest pressure rate (30.1 percent) and second-best ESPN Pass Rush Win Rate (46%) — a pass defense that allowed the fifth-lowest touchdown rate (3.6 percent) and the sixth-lowest QB rating (86.2) could be even better this season.
Related: Game-by-Game Denver Broncos Predictions, Weekly Picks for Broncos Schedule 2025
As for Denver’s run defense, it’s just as respectable. Excellent play at off-ball linebacker helped the Broncos allow the third-lowest rushing yards per game (96.4) and the second-lowest Rush Success Rate (34.2 percent) in 2024. That well-rounded play allowed Denver to hold opponents to the third-lowest red zone touchdown rate (46.9 percent) and the lowest points-per-drive average (1.61) in the NFL. Pair that success with the additions of Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw...
