Projecting the stingiest NFL defenses in 2025, from first to worst

The arrival of acclaimed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had an enormous impact last season, as the Eagles went from third worst to second best in points allowed. The addition of linebacker Zack Baun had an impact arguably as large, and the team is happy to have him long-term. While the team deals with notable offseason losses like Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, they'll lean on their young stars. Jalen Carter has already become an elite interior pass rusher, and the adds of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to the secondary in last year's draft were a coup.

Defense has been the strength of the Chiefs over the last two years under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, ranking top five in points both years. The team's spectacular 2022 draft is a big reason for the resurgence, as the team has six players from that year playing prominent roles on defense led by Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. Chris Jones remains the defensive leader up front, and the versatility of the linebackers, led by Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal, has been key.

A strong defense has propped up the Steelers and kept head coach Mike Tomlin's winning streak alive, despite poor recent quarterback play. The team finished eighth in points allowed last season, even with some very shaky play in the secondary. Pittsburgh revamped the backend with Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and Juan Thornhill, adding to Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott. All eyes will be on star pass rusher T.J. Watt after his contract extension, and the team added first-rounder Derrick Harmon to help Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith rush the quarterback.

Baltimore's defense is coming off a relative down year, falling from first in ninth in points allowed. Incredibly, the unit has finished top three in points allowed in five of the last seven seasons, and hope to have revamped their secondary enough to return to that elite level with the additions of Jaire Alexander and first-round pick Malaki Starks. He joins stars Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey, while the team also expects big things from Nate Wiggins in his second season. The front seven includes stars like Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and Roquan Smith.

Coordinator Brian Flores has done a remarkable job helping turn around the Vikings defense over the last two seasons, ascending to fifth in points allowed last season. Installing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has allowed the team to spend money on defense, with the additions of Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Jeff Okudah, and Isaiah Rodgers this offseason after adding Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel last year. Veteran safety Harrison Smith remains in the fold, helping make this unit one of the scarier defenses in the league on paper.

Buffalo's defense fell to 11th in points allowed last season after three straight top-five finishes, but they did remain among the elite in takeaways. Drastic changes in the secondary took a toll, and the team has addressed that area in the offseason by drafting Maxwell Hairston and bringing back Tre'Davious White. Fans are also excited about Joey Bosa, who effectively replaces Von Miller as a situational pass rusher, joining the very capable Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. Better health from former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano will be key again, as he's played a total of nine games over the last two seasons.

It took the Broncos a while to adjust to Vance Joseph's defense in 2023, but the struggles were worth the wait. The team went from 27th to third in points allowed last season and has continued to add talent in the offseason. First-round corner Jahdae Barron and former 49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga add to the star power that already includes Zach Allen, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, John Franklin-Myers, and lockdown cornerback Pat Surtain II.

The new coaching regime in LA had a huge impact last season, as Jesse Minter's unit ranked No. 1 in points and 11th in yards. The losses of Joey Bosa, Morgan Fox, and Kristian Fulton, among others, will be felt as the Chargers attempt to maintain their high standard, but the offense's ball-control tendencies help the defense stay fresh. Khalil Mack and Derwin James continue to play at a high level, and the team signed Donte Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand to fill two major voids.

The unorthodox hiring of Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley to defensive coordinator played out well for the Pack last season, as they improved to sixth in points and fifth in yards. The team moved on from oft-injured corner Jaire Alexander in the offseason, replacing him with Nate Hobbs. The front seven is filled with homegrown talent, including Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, Quay Walker, and Edgerrin Cooper. After a relatively quiet offseason on defense, the Packers hope that continues to improve.

The 49ers defense saw odd results last season, allowing the fourth-most points in spite of a defense that ranked eighth in yards. Their recent elite results and a bevy of star performers indicate the final result was likely a fluke, but the unit has still made changes. Bringing back former coordinator Robert Saleh could be the biggest move, but the team also added Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins in the first round of the draft to help Nick Bosa. Linebacker Fred Warner continues to be an All-Pro, though there's some concern in the secondary after losing Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, and Isaac Yiadom.

Houston's defense continued to perform in the top half of the league under head coach DeMeco Ryans and coordinator Matt Burke, showing a clear strength up front. The Texans finished third in sack rate, with the dynamic duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter terrorizing quarterbacks. The performance of the young secondary was also spectacular, as Derek Stingley Jr. became an All-Pro and rookies Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock made huge impacts. The addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson makes the backend even more ferocious.

The Jets finished top five in total defense again last season, but mediocre offensive play put them behind the eight ball in field position far too often. Will McDonald joined stars Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner as the stars of the defense, recording 10.5 sacks. The team has attempted to shore up the backend by adding Branden Stephens and Andre Cisco, though D.J. Reed's loss is likely to be felt. Linebackers Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood were terrific on the second level last season, as well.

Head coach Mike Macdonald made his name on defense, and his impact was felt last season with a unit that improved from 25th to 11th. The team's pass rush could get another jolt after adding Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy last offseason, signing former Cowboy DeMarcus Lawrence. Linebacker Boye Mafe came into his own last season, and the secondary has added rookie Nick Emmanwori to stars Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, and Julian Love. There's no reason this unit can't continue to improve.

Bill Belichick's absence showed immediately last season, as the Patriots defense had its worst points ranking (22nd) since 1995. Poor recent drafting certainly played a role, but a quick turnaround is expected with the hiring of Mike Vrabel and several notable free agent additions. Milton Williams, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and Carlton Davis are set for big impacts, adding to capable pieces like Christian Gonzalez, Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers. A healthy Christian Barmore should also help immediately in the pass rush.

Some makeshift changes for the Lions played out well during the regular season, as the team improved from 23rd to seventh in points allowed in spite of Aidan Hutchinson's injury. Of course, the lack of pass rush came back to bite the team in the playoffs, so it wasn't a surprise to see the team draft a defensive lineman (Tyleik Williams) in the first round. The secondary also made a notable addition with corner D. J. Reed, joining the impressively talented Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, and Terrion Arnold. New coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's ability to dial up a pass rush will be key, as the team finished with the third-worst sack rate last season.

The strength of the Bucs switched from the defense to the offense last season. The Bucs defense still remained in the middle of the pack, finishing 16th in points and 18th in yards. Tampa Bay hopes the addition of Haason Reddick electrifies a pass rush that struggled last season, though there's also hope Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall continue to come along up front alongside Pro Bowler Vita Vea. Linebacker Lavonte David continues to play well despite his advanced age, and the secondary should perform better if Antoine Winfield Jr. is able to stay on the field more than last season.

It's unclear how much direct impact the loss of coordinator Dan Quinn had on the Cowboys defense, but the statistical decline was massive. They went from fifth to 31st in points and fifth to 28th in yards. Significant injuries to stars Micah Parsons, DeMarvion Overshown, DaRon Bland, and Trevor Diggs played a role. The team has replaced De Marcus Lawrence with Dante Fowler, and also added Kenneth Murray and Kair Elam. For all his struggles as an NFL head coach, new coordinator Matt Eberflus has a chance to earn some flowers if his impact players stay healthier.

The defense hasn't been the primary focus of recent personnel moves for the Bears, but it started to mold last season, finishing 13th in points scored. There are some underlying concerns, as Chicago was near the bottom of the league in yards allowed. Hiring acclaimed defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was a coup, and he has some big names to work with like Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Tremaine Edmunds, Jaylon Johnson, and Kevin Byard.

The fact that the Rams were able to hold serve on defense despite Aaron Donald's retirement is a testament to their recent drafting and coordinator Chris Shula. The team has revamped its pass rush by hitting on Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner in the draft. They finished fourth in sack rate, and the homegrown duo of Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake has also developed nicely on the backend. The defense still gives up too many yards, especially on the ground, an area they traded to address in free agency with Poona Ford and Nate Landman.

After a sudden improvement in 2023, the Raiders' defense reverted to their old ways last season. The big addition of Christian Wilkins didn't have its desired impact due to injury, and Maxx Crosby also missed time. The addition of Pete Carroll along with the hope of better health from the pass rushers should help get the Raiders defense back on track, and the team has also remade its personnel on the backend. New faces include Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Jeremy Chinn, Eric Stokes, and Darien Porter

Head coach Dan Quinn's impact was felt on defense, as the Commanders went from dead last in total defense to 13th. With the benefit of a rookie quarterback contract, they spent on defense during the offseason with the additions of Javon Kinlaw, Von Miller, Jonathan Jones, and Will Harris, among others. The defense struggled to stop the run last season, despite the presence of Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, and Daron Payne, an area of concern heading into 2025. The loss of sack leader Dante Fowler could also be hard to replace.

The Giants made headline-making moves last offseason, led by the addition of Brian Burns, but it was the same old story on defense. The unit finished in the bottom half of the league in points, and the pressure remains on them with an unclear quarterback situation. Burns and Dexter Lawrence did combine for 17.5 sacks last season, and the team added further impact with first-round pick Abdul Carter. The secondary also shows more upside after signing Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland, so all the elements are there for New York to make fast improvement.

Arizona's defense remained near the bottom of the league in Jonathan Gannon's first season at the helm, but improved to the middle of the pack last year. They saw more turnover this offseason and head into 2025 with as many as six new starters. They're headlined by a new front seven, with the additions of veterans Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson along with first-round pick Walter Nolen III, on the defensive line. Behind them are former Eagles star Josh Sweat and former Bengal Akeem Davis-Gaither. Team leader Budda Baker is hoping to extend his Pro Bowl streak to seven seasons, and second-round corner Will Johnson brings upside.

The Colts defense hasn't exactly been supported by the offense in recent seasons, and has now ranked near the bottom of the league for three straight years. Indy hopes for big changes after adding former Bengals coordinator Lou Anarumo and made other impact additions with second-round defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and veteran corner Charvarius Ward. Better health from DeForest Buckner alongside Kwity Paye should help the pass rush, and there's hope Laiatu Latu makes a leap in his second season. Middle linebacker Zaire Franklin remains arguably the best player at his position, leading the league with 173 tackles last season.

A lack of pass rush continues to be a major issue for Atlanta's defense, and it was clearly an area of emphasis in the offseason. The team drafted pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, and signed veterans Morgan Fox and Leonard Floyd. They're hopeful the new faces make the impact the team was hoping for from Matt Judon last season, and also fill the giant void left by Grady Jarrett's departure. The secondary got strong play from Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell last season, and hope new additions Jordan Fuller and Mike Ford Jr. can add further assistance.

Mike McDaniel has struggled to settle on a defensive coordinator, but Anthony Weaver heads into his second season after strong progress last year. The team has lost several veterans, including Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, Jordan Poyer, and Emmanuel Ogbah. The secondary still looks strong with the addition of safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ifeatu Melifonwu, while the front seven has several capable pass rushers, health permitting, including Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb, and Jaelan Phillips. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks also remains a tackling machine after coming over from Seattle.

The Bengals fired coordinator Lou Anarumo after collapsing in back-to-back years, though an exodus of talent was a big culprit. Cincinnati drafted Shemar Stewart and signed T.J. Slaton to help star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, and also revamped the secondary with rookie second-rounder Demetrius Knight and free agent Oren Burks. The team let linebackers Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither walk, and needs more consistency from their secondary under new coordinator Al Golden.

Defense had been the Saints' strength for several years with Dennis Allen running the show, but that side of the ball got old quickly. The team is still counting on experienced veterans like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu in key roles, and hopes fellow vet Davon Godchaux can make a difference with the leaky run defense. Safety Justin Reid should help on the backend, and Bryan Bresee's promising development in the pass rush gives the team a long-term building block.

After losing Brian Burns last offseason, the Panthers defense experienced further loss with star Derrick Brown's season-ending injury early in the year. The defense added several experienced veterans in free agency, including Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown, Patrick Jones, and Tre'Von Moehrig, and also added pass rusher Nic Scourton in the second round of the draft. The secondary also features Pro Bowler corner Jaycee Horn, who should have more opportunities to excel this season if the front seven performs like they're capable.

Cleveland's defense finished 27th in points allowed last season, its worst finish since 2017. Part of the team's struggles were down to an inability to create turnovers. Aside from giving superstar Myles Garrett more money, Cleveland's defense had a relatively quiet offseason. The pressure is on rookies Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger to make an immediate impact, while defensive backs Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit also need to help create more turnovers.

The Jags had a forgettable 2024 season both offensively and defensively. The defense finished 27th in points and 31st in yards, leading to the team cleaning house in the coaching room. The star power remains up front with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, and linebackers Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokum have also been highly productive. Jacksonville hopes the secondary shows improvement with Eric Murray and Jourdan Lewis in the fold, while rookies Travis Hunter and Caleb Ransaw could also make occasional impacts.

Tennessee often found itself playing from behind and struggled to protect the ball last season, putting its defense in tough situations. The results was a unit that finished 30th in points despite allowing the second least yards. The loss of sack leader Harold Landry in the offseason should him an impact, but the team added Dre'Mont Jones to help big defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat. Cody Barton should help stop the run, and the addition of Xavier Woods, along with the hope of better health, gives corner L'Jarius Sneed a chance to spark a turnaround.