Ranking the NFL's Defenses Heading into the '24 Season

Defense is historically volatile. So who are the best defenses going to be in 2024?

While offense year-to-year can be relatively predictable, team defense is historically volatile. The top two defenses in 2023 as measured by EPA allowed - Cleveland and Baltimore -- weren't even in the Top 10 in 2022. And in total, only 5 of the top 10 defenses in 2022 we're able to make it back last season (Buffalo, Dallas, New England, San Francisco, and the New York Jets).

As such, ranking the top defenses going into any season can be tough. Luckily, Field Vision's Havoc Ratings provide a secret weapon, and factor in all the personnel movement that happened during the offseason. So, without further ado, utilizing our Havoc Ratings and factoring in coaching talent and 2023 performance, below we rank all 32 defenses heading into the 2024 season.

Image: Cleveland Browns

1. Browns: Cleveland's roster is loaded with talent and all ready to run it back with DC Jim Schwartz. The man-centric style of play in the backend pairs perfectly with the talent on the roster. Field Vision's coverage Havoc Ratings has four DBs in the top 20 in man coverage. Pair that with Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith, and its a recipe for disaster for opponents. They got caught last year in the playoffs by the Texans, but look for the Browns to make another playoff push behind a stellar defense.

2. Jets: New York arguably has the best CB tandem in the NFL with Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed. They also boast one of the best LB duos in the league in CJ Moseley and Quincey Williams. Inside, Quinnen Williams is a one-man wrecking crew, and even if Haason Reddick's contract situation doesn't get figured out, Jermaine Johnson proved to be more than serviceable. At Safety, Chuck Clark will return from an injury to pair with Tony Adams. The two have the potential to be a top Safety duo. Look for another dominant year from the Jets on defense

3. Chiefs: Regarding talent, the Chiefs are lacking in several areas, but they have an ace in their pocket with DC Steve Spagnuolo, who is making an argument as a Hall of Fame assistant. Led by D-linemen Chris Jones and CB Trent McDuffie, the unit is solid all-around and runs Spags' defense to perfection. Kansas City's innovative defense has teams from around the league stealing their concepts. Coaching still matters in the NFL, and Spags proves this.

4. 49ers: The 49ers have arguably one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, but the question of who will call the defense still looms. Last year, the 49ers had one of the top defenses in the league, yet Head Coach Kyle Shanahan felt the need to make a change. Nick Sorensen, who has been with the team for a while, will call the defense. This offseason also saw the departure of a lot of depth on the front line. Though the talent is there, look for San Fransisco to make a slight step back in '24.

5. Dolphins: Most felt Vic Fangio perfectly fit the Miami roster last year. Though the defense performed well, it didn't meet expectations. Fangio is now on the sidelines in Philly, and Anthony Weaver (Ravens) takes over in South Beach. Field Vision's Havoc Ratings love the Dolphins' free-agent picks. The scheme and talent are there. Jaelen Phillips should be healthy to start the season, and Bradley Chubb will be available after Week 4. Weaver got the most out of the Ravens' D-line last year, and the hope is that 1st-round draft pick Chop Robinson can hold it down while Chubb heals. Plus, the Dolphins have a dynamic CB duo in Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller (Commanders)

6. Texans: DeMeco Ryans will have three of the top 50 Edge rushers to work with this year as Vikings' Danielle Hunter joins the team. He is projected to be the fourth-best Edge in Havoc this coming season. In the secondary, the Texans have two up-and-coming stars in CB Derek Stingley Jr. and Safety Jalen Pitre. With enough talent across the defensive roster and an offense primed to explode, the Texans have what it takes to make a deep playoff run.

7. Raiders: Which Las Vegas defense will show up to begin the '24 season? Last year, the Raiders finished the season as one of the best units in football. Las Vegas got former Dolphin Christian Wilkins this offseason to pair up with Maxx Crosby, who desperately needed an inside presence. The Raiders have a solid secondary anchored by Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, and Tre'von Moehrig. DC Patrick Graham needs to prove the strong finish wasn't a fluke.

8. Bengals: Last year, the Bengals looked lost in the secondary. A year later and two 'new' Safeties (Geno Stone/Ravens and Vonn Bell/Panthers), Lou Anaramu is primed to get the Cincinnati defense back on track. His scheme works through the Safeties, and Stone and Bell excel in coverage. They did lose iDL DJ Reader to the Lions, but there is enough talent along the front for one of the best scheme-sters to work his magic. Hendrickson and Hubbard are two of the best Edge duos in the NFL, too.

9. Seahawks: Mike Macdonald quickly transformed the Ravens' defense from below-average to one of the best. The wunderkind Head Coach is now tasked with doing the same in Seattle. The talent is in the secondary, with Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Rashawn Jenkins, Julian Love, and K'Vonn Wallace among the top 30 players in Havoc from a year ago. The recent injury to Uchenna Nwosu is a big blow. He's the only Edge ranked in the top 25 in Havoc Ratings. Macdonald got production from the Ravens' D-line last year and will need to do the same again in Seattle.

10. Panthers: If you are surprised to see the Panthers in the top 10, you need to do your homework. DC Ejiro Evero is one of the best coordinators in the NFL, and this offseason, the Panthers rewarded him with going out and getting him the talent to work with on defense. Safety Jordan Fuller (Rams), iDL A'Shawn Robinson (Giants), Safety Nick Scott (Bengals), and LB Josey Jewell (Broncos) all have experience in Evero's system. Add Edge Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens), who had a stellar season last year, and the Panthers can be a top-10 defense in the NFL.

11. Eagles: In Philly, Vic Fangio is finally where he wants to be. The secondary has question marks, but there is young, budding talent all over this roster. Everyone loves the scheme, but can the Eagles finally put it all together behind one of the most influential coaching figures in the NFL?

12. Vikings: The "face-melter" defense of '23 will probably be toned down a bit in '24. Still, Minnesota got DC Brian Flores some pass rushers, which was much needed. Last year, the Vikings had one of the highest Blitz Rates in the NFL but one of the lowest pressure rates. Jonathan Greenard (Texans) and the addition of Alabama's Dallas Turner should help. Now, the question is, can the secondary hold up?

13. Bills: Buffalo is used to being a top-10 defense in the NFL, but injuries to ILB Matt Milano dampen expectations for '24. Their D-line, a strength, has little depth and questions about production outside of Ed Oliver. Plus, the defense will be breaking in two new Safety. They still have a great CB duo in Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford, and Taron Johnson is one of the best Nickels in the game.

14. Steelers: This is probably too low for a team with two dominant bookend Edges, TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. If Minkah Fitzpatrick can get back to All-Pro form and CB Joey Porter Jr. continues to progress, the defense can move up the charts. The addition of Patrick Queen should solidify the middle of the defense. Still, there are too many backend questions to make this a top-10 defense.

15. Saints: Dennis Allen's defense has lost its bite up front, but the secondary is one of the best when healthy. CBs Marshawn Lattimore and Paulson Adebo are among the best man coverage duos in the NFL. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is still playing at an extremely high level. As is LB Demario Davis. The main issue is the pass rush, which has been nonexistent for several seasons. New Orleans is trying to rectify that with a combination of Carl Granderson (9th in Havoc in '23), an aging Cam Jordan, and newly acquired Chase Young.

    

    Image: Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports

16. Bears: The Bears finished the season as one of the best defenses in the NFL last year and have quietly put together one of the best secondaries in the league. CB Jaylon Johnson, Ni Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stephenson perfectly fit in Head Coach Matt Eberflus' scheme. Adding Kevin Byard (Eagles) this past offseason and ED Montez Sweat from last season should keep the level of play at a high level.

17. Lions: Detroit has a stellar front seven and added Bengals iDL DJ Reader into the fold, but they need consistency in the back end. Last year, DC Aaron Glenn tried to play more zone to help the secondary out. The Lions signed Carlos Davis (Buccaneers) this offseason and drafted Terrion Arnold (Alabama). Both excel in man coverage. They are also experimenting with moving Ni Brian Branch to full-time Safety. If the secondary can step-up in a big way, the Lions' defense can skyrocket up this ranking.

18. Ravens: Field Vision has Baltimore losing the most Havoc in the NFL from '23. Compound this with an inexperienced DC, as three senior staff members took jobs this offseason. Though there is talent and history that says the Ravens will be just fine, putting them in the top 10, let alone the top 15, is questionable.

19. Giants: Shane Bowen did an excellent job in Tennessee, though the stats might not have always shown it. He will be tasked with resurrecting a Giants defense that couldn't handle the heat Wink Martindale was cooking up. There is talent at each level, as iDL Dexter Lawrence, ED Brian Burns (Panthers), and LB Bobby Okereke are all stars. Still, the secondary has major questions heading into the season that the Giants are hoping are solved by rookies.

20. Falcons: Raheem Morris is back in Atlanta and is bringing Jimmy Lake from the Rams to run his defense. The signing of Safety Justin Simmons (Broncos) pairs him with Jesse Bates III, giving the Falcons one of the best Safety duos in the league. To solve their pass rush problem, Atlanta traded for Matthew Judon.

21. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay, under Todd Bowles, has one of the best blitz packages in the NFL. They also have one of the best Safety duos, with Antoine Winfield and Jordan Whitehead (Jets). But that won't be enough to win games in the NFL.

22. Titans: Two new CBs (Sneed/Chiefs, Awuzie/Bengals) and two veteran Safeties (Diggs and Adams/Seahawks) were added to solidify the secondary. DC Dennard Wilson hails from the Ravens and looks to bring that success to Nashville.

23. Jaguars: DC Shane Neilsen proved his merit in Atlanta last year but still couldn't produce a pass rush. He's got talent in Jacksonville and will be tasked with maintaining consistency after a late-season collapse in '23.

24. Packers: Former Boston College Head Coach Jeff Hafley will bring a man-dominant system similar to the 49ers, Jets, and Texans to Green Bay. The roster has talent, but consistency has been an issue. Both CBs are also playing for their contracts.

    

    Image: LA Chargers

25. Chargers: The Chargers underachieved last year, and newly appointed DC Jesse Minter will need to change that. The front is aging, and the secondary has major concerns outside Safety Derwin James.

26. Cowboys: Mike Zimmer is back in the NFL. He will also be without DaRon Bland for the start of the season. The Cowboys picked up Eric Kendricks this offseason to play LB, but not much else.

27. Colts: DC Gus Bradley has been experimenting with his defense during the preseason. Will that translate to production? Outside of Deforest Buckner, there isn't a true star on the roster.

28. Broncos: Vance Joesph has a roster that is not talent-rich and a scheme that tends to be erratic. Outside of CB Pat Surtain, there isn't an elite-level player in the unit.

29. Rams: Aaron Donald is gone, and though iDL Kobe Turner looks to take his place, he's still not going to dominate like the future Hall of Famer. Two early draft picks will be leaned upon to solidify the front, and their one other major talent, Ernest Jones, is requesting a trade.

30. Patriots: With Bill Belichick leaving the sideline, New England looks to take a major step back. He was always able to maximize the roster, but this year will be different.

31. Cardinals: Arizona's scheme is one of the most fun to watch, but it is talent-deficient outside its Safety duo of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.

32. Commanders: Washington should be good against the run as they are built through the middle, but that won't win you games in the NFL. Head Coach Dan Quinn and DC Bobby Whitt want to run man coverage at volume, something they may not be built for in '24.

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As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.