The kickoff of another NFL season means that we also have another year of fantasy football ahead of us. Join us as we run down the top defensive players up for grabs and discuss which teams should be the safest bet to put your team on top.

Team defense or independent defensive players can be the most troublesome spots for a fantasy GM. Below, I’ve given you my top 10 team defenses and top 10 IDP, so you can gauge your own big board off of mine. Most fantasy leagues don’t account for IDP, but it can be a nice way to add a different element to your fantasy football league.

Team defenses  Independent defensive players

  1. San Francisco 49ers 1. Patrick Willis ILB
  2. Houston Texans 2. Desmond Bishop ILB
  3. Baltimore Ravens 3. James Laurinaitas ILB
  4. Chicago Bears 4. D’Qwell Jackson MLB
  5. Philadelphia Eagles 5. Sean Lee ILB
  6. New York Jets 6. Jason Pierre-Paul DE
  7. Seattle Seahawks 7. Daryl Washington ILB
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers 8. Derrick Johnson ILB
  9. Detroit Lions 9. Karlos Dansby MLB
  10. Atlanta Falcons 10. Pat Angerer ILB

Make sure you check out my article on my top offensive fantasy studs for 2012!

Partick WillisThe San Francisco 49ers were the undisputed kings of fantasy defenses last season. They ended the season with 254 points in a standard scoring league. They had 42 total sacks and 23 interceptions. We all know they didn’t allow a rushing touchdown until the very end of the season, and even though they only had a few touchdowns in returns and interceptions, their front seven made fantasy owners happy. I see no reason why they won’t once again be a force to opposing offenses, and I could see them grabbing a few more defensive touchdowns this season.

After them, I really like the Texans defense this season. Houston finished fourth in 2011 in team fantasy defense, right behind the Bears and Ravens. Houston could give fantasy owners great value, as in my mock drafts; I have consistently been getting them in the 10th round in a ten-team league.

Other than them, I really like the Ravens and Bears as well, and I think the Eagles might step it up this season, like most thought they would last season. Either way, don’t forget about defense, because if you don’t get one of the top five or six, you may be in deep trouble.

IDP

IDP leagues are rare, but I’ve been in a few, and they are pretty fun. It adds a whole other element to your fantasy league. The ones I’ve been in, you start a team defense, but you also start two IDP. Linebackers are crucial, and IDPs are a lot harder to select. You could get one of the better ones on the big board, but a guy like Pat Angerer can come out of no where and have a billion tackles.

With IDP, draft like you would a kicker, wait till last. There will be IDP value on the waiver wire as the season progresses. Once you get your team, take an IDP in the later rounds. Linebackers are obviously the best, but some safeties and defensive ends can hold value as well. It all depends on how your league is scored. If your league gives a lot of points to sacks or interceptions, a lineman or secondary guy might be useful. However, most leagues have the most points in tackles, and linebackers get the most of those.

Be sure to check out all of my NFL picks and predictions for all of Week 1's games.