We are approaching the 2025 NFL season, and fantasy football players are researching the lay of the land and preparing for their drafts. With a batch of new and exciting rookies to look at, alongside returning superstars and potential breakouts, defenses can often get overlooked.

Speaking of defenses, the 2025 NFL draft saw the Giants and Browns take defensive standouts in the first five picks (Abdul Carter & Mason Graham, respectively), while the Jaguars took Colorado’s two-way playing, Heisman-winning Travis Hunter at No. 2.

Let’s take a look at five defenses worth targeting and keeping hold of in the 2025 NFL season:

5 Keeper Defenses for 2025 NFL Fantasy Drafts

#5. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are well aware their Super Bowl window is open, and they are all-in this season. Aside from their high-scoring offense, the Ravens have on paper one of the best defenses in football.

While their pass defense was sketchy in 2024, they’ve addressed that by adding uber-talented safety Malaki Starks in the draft, allowing Kyle Hamilton to focus on the line of scrimmage. Adding Jaire Alexander will look a genius move if the CB can remain healthy, and they signed Chidobe Awuzie to add depth in case of injury.

Factor in the addition of pass rusher Mike Green in the second round and this is a much-improved defense, which should translate nicely in fantasy football.

#4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team more synonymous with defense than offense in recent years, and while that hasn’t resulted in a postseason win, their defense is worth keeping hold of in fantasy football.

With T.J. Watt’s contract signed and all reports of turbulence now over, the focus for Pittsburgh is all on-field. The main concern for the Steelers is at safety after letting Minkah Fitzpatrick go to Miami via trade, but adding Chuck Clark to step in beside DeShon Elliott should help.

The Steelers have some potent offenses to face in the AFC North, but they are a sack happy defense with Watt and Alex Highsmith going after QBs, and that pressure forces plenty of turnovers.

#3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles showed in the Super Bowl just how much pressure they can put on a QB without blitzing. The Eagles didn’t blitz once across 42 dropbacks and yet sacked Patrick Mahomes 6 times, with the QB throwing 2 INTs and losing a fumble in the rout.

The Eagles D has seen some change in the offseason, and chemistry on the field is the main concern in a team that has very few holes. However, expect Vic Fangio’s defense to navigate a tough schedule (4th-toughest in the NFL) and put up some big points in fantasy on the way.

#2. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings D stood up and proved themself a top unit in 2024, and that translated into fantasy where they finished the season as the No. 2 DST. That is projected to continue in 2025, with the Vikings D touted as the No. 5 fantasy defense by Fantasy Pros.

There’s a lot to love about the Minnesota D, with names like Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Greenard, Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Andrew Van Ginkel playing under DC Brian Flores. Expect that to result in a consistently high floor of points in fantasy football.

#1. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos had the No. 1 defense in fantasy football last season, and that was as a team in a rebuild. The Broncos impressed everyone, and with QB Bo Nix in his sophomore year, expectations are high for the franchise.

A better offense helps keep defenses off the field, giving them time to rest and stopping them getting worn down over the game. The consensus is that the Broncos should be among the top two defenses in fantasy this season, so targeting them as a keeper defense would be a solid piece of business.

With reigning DPOY Pat Surtain, edge rushers Nik Bonitto (13.5 sacks in 2024) and Jonathon Cooper (10.5 sacks) and DT Zach Allen, this is a top defense not just on paper, but on the field too.

(Featured image credit: Denver Broncos: Instagram)