Photo: Daniel Bartel, USA Today Sports

While the position isn't as looked down up as kicker, there are lots of leagues that have removed the team defense position. The reasons vary, but it's certainly fading a bit in popularity. If your league, however, still uses defenses, you must strive to not mess it up.

Let's make it easier to not mess it up.

To get us going, we'll look at three sources:

• FFPC Best-Ball ADP - In best-ball leagues, all 32 defenses are drafted. FFPC participants are among the most-thorough preparers in this hobby, and all of the data is taken from paid leagues.
• Footballguys ADP - A compilation of several different sources; this is generally smooth data.
• David Dodds' Projections - Dodds spends 100s of hours a year doing projections. The numbers are solid and fit in with the historical parameters of the NFL.

And we'll also look at the following stats from 2018:

• Fantasy Points Scored (using the following scoring system):
  • 1 point for a sack
  • 2 points for a forced turnover
  • 6 points for a scored touchdown
• Points Allowed
• Yards Allowed

While team defense scoring can vary wildly from league to league, almost every scoring system awards points for sacks, turnovers, and touchdowns. Some also factor in points allowed and yards allowed, so it's wise to consider those stats as well.

The It's Lonely Up Here at the Top Tier

This season, the Bears defense is far and away the most coveted fantasy unit. Not even close.

The Here Is Almost Everyone's Next 4 Tier

If you don't want to spend a decent pick on the Bears, taking one of these defenses will be a great option. Maybe wait for one of them to be picked and then take yours with your next pick.

The This Defense Might Be Awesome Tier

Our second tier with just a single defense, but there's a lot of potential here. While they do face a lot of tough offenses, the Saints can do it all: force sacks and turnovers while being above average in points and yards allowed.

The Very Good But Something Is MissingTier

With the Ravens, you're missing forced turnovers. With Cleveland, they give up too many points and yards. With the Texans, too many yards. Still, very solid options here.

The You Could Do Better and You Could Do Worse Tier

Lots of variance here based on your league's scoring system, but these are pretty good options if you've waited this long to take a defense. You can find sacks, forced turnovers, scoring, and stinginess. Whatever floats your boat, you can get it here.

The Has It Come to This? Tier

This group has a ton of flaws. There are teams who couldn't stop anyone last year, low turnover numbers, and mediocre sack totals. Still, there is always a surprise defense or two, and there is some individual talent on these units.

The Try to Get Your League to Stop Using Defenses Tier

There might be a flicker or two of hope, but in general, there's not much here at all.