The NFC North defenses aren’t talked about much. Do you blame them when you have Justin Fields, Justin Jefferson, and, until this season, Aaron Rodgers dominating the conversation? But maybe the time has come. Who am I kidding? It is always a good time to talk about defenses and their defensive coordinators.
So, let’s talk about the defenses in this division. Even if the discussion centers around who we will play against these defenses. But even then, these defenses may hold a few surprises.
The NFC North will have one new defensive coordinator and many new defensive players. Will this impact your fantasy fortunes? Read on and find out.
Chicago Bears and Alan Williams, Defensive Coordinator
Last season was the first for Williams as defensive coordinator in Chicago. The Bears’ defense was 29th in total defense and 32nd in points allowed (27.2). The defense also allowed the second-most rushing yards (2674), second most rushing yards per game (157.3) while having the fewest sacks (20).
Additions
The Bears loaded up in free agency:
- Linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds
- Linebacker, TJ Edwards
- Linebacker, Dylan Cole
- Defensive End, DeMarcus Walker
- Defensive End, Rasheem Green
- Defensive Tackle, Andrew Billings
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In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears acquired these defensive players:
Round 2, Pick 53, Defensive Tackle, Gervon Dexter
Round 2, Pick 56, Cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson
Round 3, Pick 64, Defensive Tackle, Zacch Pickens
Round 5, Pick 148, Linebacker, Noah Sewell
Round 5, Pick 165, Cornerback, Terell Smith
Round 7, Pick 218, Defensive Tackle, Travis Bell
Round 7, Pick 258, Safety, Kendall Williamson
Fantasy Relevance
In 2022, the Bears’ defense was 32nd in fantasy points. They averaged an abysmally low 3.6 fantasy points per game.
Jaquan Brisker was the highest fantasy-scoring player. He finished as DB10, averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game.
With the acquisition of Edwards, the Bears now have the LB5 in last year’s fantasy finish. Edwards averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game.
Now Going Up Against The Defense
- the Quarterbacks: the Bears gave up the sixth most fantasy points per game (18.2) while giving up 22 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns to the position.
- the Wide Receivers: the Bears surrendered the 11th most fantasy points to the position per game (22.1) and gave up 13 receiving touchdowns while only allowing the ninth fewest receptions (184).
- the Tight Ends: here is where the Bears excelled, allowing the fifth-fewest points to the tight end position (5.4) per game, the second-fewest receptions (60), and six touchdowns all season.
- the Running Backs: the Bears allowed the second most fantasy points per game to the running backs (23.9) and the second most rushing touchdowns (20).
Their free-agent acquisitions were acquired to slow the opposition’s running game, so proceed with caution.
Detroit Lions Defense and Aaron Glenn, Defensive Coordinator
Glenn has been the defensive coordinator in Detroit since 2011. Last season the Lions had one of the worst defenses.
The Lions’ defense allowed a first down on 37.3% of passing plays (30th). They were 30th in passing yards allowed per game (245.8). While they also gave up 5.2 yards per carry (T31st) and surrendered 22 rushing touchdowns (T30th).
Acquisitions
Like the team named before them, the Lions made free agency moves to improve the defense.
They acquired:
Safety, CJ Gardner-Johnson: the 2022 co-leader in interceptions (6)
Cornerback Cameron Sutton: coming off a career-best season with three interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley: before his season-ending ACL tear, Moseley had 22 total tackles, an interception, and five pass breakups.
They also resigned:
Safety, CJ Moore
Cornerback, Will Harris
Linebacker, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Linebacker, Alex Anzalone
Defensive Tackle, Isaiah Buggs
Defensive End, John Cominsky
2023 NFL Draft Defensive Picks
- Round 1, Pick 18, Linebacker, Jack Campbell
- Round 2, Pick 45, Safety, Brian Branch
- Round 3, Pick 96, Defensive Tackle, Brodric Martin
Fantasy Relevance
The Lions were DST29 in fantasy points in 2022. They averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game. Rookie Aidan Hutchinson was the highest-scoring IDP player coming in at DL20. He averaged nine fantasy points per game.
Now Going Up Against the Defense
- the Quarterbacks: no team gave up more fantasy points per game to the quarterback position than the Detroit Lions (21.9). The Lions also gave up the second most rushing touchdowns to the quarterback position (7).
- the Wide Receivers: the Lions gave up the second most fantasy points per game to the wide receivers (24.7). They also gave up the third most DraftKings, and FanDuel points to the position.
- the Tight Ends: giving up 8.8 fantasy points per game to the tight ends was the sixth most, but giving up 11 touchdowns to the position was the second most in the league.
- the Running Back: the Lions were mid-range in fantasy points allowed to the Running back position giving up an average of 16.8 per game. They were, however, tied for the fifth most rushing touchdowns allowed (15).
Green Bay Packers Defense and Joe Barry, Defensive Coordinator
Barry will be in his third season as the defensive coordinator for the Packers. Pro Football Focus ranked them as the 21st overall defense. They finished 17th in yards allowed (336.5), 17th in points allowed (21.8), and 28th in yards per play (5.8).
Their weakness was against the run. The defense was 28th in rushing attempts per game (5.0), allowed the 10th most rushing touchdowns per game (1.1), and the seventh most rushing yards per game (139.5).
Losses and Acquisitions
In addition to Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard, which we aren’t talking about, the Packers lost the following players in free agency or trade.
- Defensive End, Jarran Reed
- Defensive End, Dean Lowry
- Linebacker, Krys Barnes
They acquired:
- Safety, Tarvarius Moore
- Safety, Jonathan Owens
NFL 2023 Defensive Draft Picks
- Round 1, Pick 13, Defensive End, Lukas Van Ness
- Round 4, Pick 116, Edge, Colby Wooden
- Round 6, Pick 179, Defensive Tackle, Karl Brooks
- Round 7, Pick 232, Cornerback, Carrington Valentine
- Round 7, Pick 242, Safety, Anthony Johnson
Fantasy Relevance
Remember that going into last season, the Packers’ defense was supposed to be elite. They finished as DST12, averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game. Their only two IDP players to finish in the top 20 were defensive backs. Jonathan Owens finished as DB13, and Rasul Douglas finished as DB20.
Now Going Up Against the Defense
- the Quarterbacks: the Packers gave up the eighth fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position (14.0). They only allowed 21 passing touchdowns to the quarterbacks.
- the Wide Receivers: The Packers also gave up the 12th fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position (19.9).
- the Tight Ends: the Packers also allowed the ninth fewest points to the tight end position (6.0).
- the Running Back: if you had a running back you felt semi-confident about, that was your play. The Packers surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to the Running back position (20.0).
Minnesota Vikings Defense and Brian Flores, Defensive Coordinator
This will be Flores’s first season as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota. Last season the Vikings’ defense gave up the second most passing yards (266.9) and the 12th most rushing yards (124.2) per game.
It also appears the Vikings will have the most interesting player turnover on the defensive side this season.
Losses
- Patrick Peterson, Cornerback
- Duke Shelley, Cornerback
- Chandon Sullivan, Cornerback
- Joejuan Williams, Cornerback
- Dalvin Tomlinson, Defensive Tackle
- Eric Kendricks, Linebacker
Acquisitions
- Byron Murphy, Cornerback
- Marcus Davenport, Defensive End
- Dean Lowry, Defensive End
- Troy Reeder, Linebacker
NFL 2023 Defensive Draft Picks
- Round 3, Pick 102, Cornerback, Mekhi Blackmon
- Round 4, Pick 134, Defensive Back Jay Ward
- Round 5, Pick 141 Defensive Tackle, Jaquelin Ray
Fantasy Relevance
The Vikings finished as DST22 last season. Danielle Hunter finished as DL13 averaging 9.7 fantasy points per game.
Now Going Up Against the Defense
- the Quarterbacks: the Vikings gave up the seventh most fantasy points to the quarterback position (18.1).
- the Wide Receivers: the Vikings also gave up the third most fantasy points to the wide receiver position ((24.7).
        And the Vikings’ significant losses appear to be in the secondary
- the Tight Ends: the Vikings were mid-range versus the tight ends giving up (7.9) per game.
- the Running Backs: the Vikings gave up 17.9 fantasy points per game to the Running back position, which was the 13th most.
Conclusion
There will be changes. We know that. The time to jump on the weak defenses from last year will be early as the new players are getting used to their new teams. But don’t worry. We are always here to help you guide your fantasy teams.
