3 Sleepers (Defense)

3 Sleepers

Panthers- The Panthers defense looks a lot better now that Julius Peppers is staying (he got slapped with the franchise tag.) But the Panthers defense looks very good. Peppers is a very good pass rusher and can take up double teams which can free up line-backers such as hard-hitting Jon Beason. Beason is very good against the run and Peppers is very good at rushing the passer and together they make a great tandem. Peppers might be a little over-rated and he wants a mega contract, but the Panthers need him and he is very disruptive to opposing quarterbacks. I predict 41 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 3 touchdowns.

49ers- Once the 49ers got rid of Mike Nolan everything seemed to go right. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky switched their defense to a 3-4 immediately after Nolan was fired and the results were huge. In the first half of the season the 49ers allowed 28.8 points per game, in the second half they allowed 18.8 points per game. The 49ers have a very talented line-backing corps, lead by Patrick Willis. Willis has leads the NFL in tackles the past 2 years and outside line-backers Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson poise big pass rushing threats. I don’t think that corners Nate Clements and Walt Harris are very good but they might be good enough to get the job done. Overall I’m not sure if they are fantasy starter material, but they are definitely getting a lot closer. I predict 31 sacks, 21 interceptions and 3 touchdowns.

Redskins- The Redskins defense hasn’t been very good the past couple of year but I think this year they could be decent. Basically the only reason that I think that is because they signed defensive-tackle Albert Haynesworth who is a play-maker and can not only make great plays for himself, he can make all of his teammates better. He will draw tons of double teams and that leaves wide-open holes for line-backers such as Rocky McIntosh to get lots of sacks. But the Redskins defense is getting a lot older. Andre Carter, Reynaldo Wynn, and Phillip Daniels are all getting much older. Rookie DE Brian Orakpo is solid, but there is a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The Redskins defense is good, but they are on the brink of starting in your fantasy league. I predict 35 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 3 touchdowns.