When deciding what defense to draft in fantasy football for 2025, consider these top-ranked and reliable options based on expert consensus and recent NFL defensive strength: Top Recommended Defenses for 2025 Fantasy Football:

• Dallas Cowboys Defense: Ranked #1 by average draft position and experts, featuring elite edge rusher Micah Parsons and a strong secondary if healthy

• Philadelphia Eagles Defense: Loaded with young talent and one of the best defensive coordinators, expected to be among the league's best again

• Houston Texans Defense: One of the best overall defenses with top pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, plus a deep linebacker corps and playmakers in the secondary

• Denver Broncos Defense: Strong pass rush and solid linebackers, ranked high for consistency and overall defensive prowess

• Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers Defenses: Also highly ranked and considered reliable choices

Additional Considerations:

• Target defenses with a strong pass rush and playmakers in the secondary, as these units tend to generate more turnovers and sacks, which yield fantasy points.
• Avoid streaming defenses too much; instead, consider a "set and forget" defense that provides steady weekly production

• Draft defenses in the middle to later rounds to maximize value, as top offensive players tend to go earlier

In summary, drafting the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, or Denver Broncos defenses would be wise choices based on their talent, recent performance, and expert consensus rankings for 2025 fantasy football