This week, we turn our focus toward the Kansas City Chiefs and their defensive squad. If you have your heart set on using them as your primary D/ST, be prepared to reach for them, as this defense will probably be among the top three team defenses selected in your 2017 drafts. The team is coming off an excellent season in terms of defensive rankings, having graded out as the No. 1 defense across most if not all formats in 2016. As with most teams, there were some losses due to free agency, most notably nose tackle Dontari Poe. It will also be difficult for the secondary to repeat their 18 INT (four returned for TDs) they snagged last season, but then again, having a healthy Justin Houston will improve the ability of the front three to pressure the opposing QB (more on that portion of the defense in the next paragraph). In terms of special teams impact, it is important to realize that Tyreek Hill is constantly a return threat that can take the ball into the end zone on any kick return.

The defensive line has been shuffled extensively from last season, with NT Dontari Poe heading off to Atlanta and DE Jaye Howard leaving for Chicago. Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Chris Jones will man the outside of the 3-4 line, with newcomer Bennie Logan slipping in at take over at nose tackle. Neither of the ends projects to be more than bye week fillers, and you certainly will not want to be drafting them in IDP leagues as one of your starting DL players. Jones does have the potential to rack up some sacks and passed defended (PD), but not enough to make him a target on draft day. Logan was an effective player with the Eagles, but is not a tackle monster or sack machine. Although solid, their main role is to send the opposing offensive players towards the linebacking crew.

Speaking of linebackers, the team will have LOLB Justin Houston for an entire season, although last season's torn ACL is a cause for concern. If he can play, he offers good sack production with decent tackle numbers. On the same side of the defense, LILB Derrick Johnson has been a beast but he is now 34-years old (turning 35 in November), and is coming off a torn Achilles tendon that laid him up this off-season. If he is over his injury, and he is not PUP list as training camp goes forward, expect 100+ tackles and some plays that generate fantasy goodness when the opposition turns to the passing game. He is worth a gamble in deeper leagues as a LB2, but would be better suited to a LB3 rating until his production is in evidence this season. On the right side, the Chiefs are slated to go with Ramik Wilson and the inside and Dee Ford outside. Ford is the most intriguing, with his potential to rack up sacks, but his value is discounted as Tamba Hali is still on the roster and will absorb some of Fords snaps. Time share LBs are rarely worthy of an IDP draft selection. Wilson is a consideration in a tackle oriented league, but is not a LB to the tune of a healthy Derrick Johnson, certainly. As far as the depth, it is decent, although Tamba Hali is the best of the bunch, and the only one you should keep on waiver wire hold pending an injury to one of the starters. In dynasty leagues, however, do not forget about second-year player Justin March, and rookie Ukeme Eligwe, who could also step up if injuries hit the linebackers in 2017.

Regarding the defensive backfield, Eric Berry is a standout strong safety, but his numbers suffer to an extent due to the fact that opposing offensive coordinators tend to direct the offense away from him. He still racks up the PDs and INTs in the right circumstances, but this is an example of superior NFL player with more limited fantasy value. Also, he is dealing with a lingering heel issue and likely will be limited in his pre-season play. LCB Marcus Peters is the kind of defensive back that produces big time in big play IDP leagues, with 46 PDs and 14 INTs over the past two years, although his tackle numbers are lacking (45 in 2016, 35 solo). The other safety, Ron Parker switches between free safety and cornerback and is more of a waiver wire consideration than someone to draft in an IDP league, unless your league rewards PDs highly (he has had 12 in each of the past three seasons). Philip Gaines holds down the RCB position going into the pre-season, but injury is constantly a concern for him and his fantasy owners. Backup CB Steven Nelson has been mainly used in nickel schemes, but does possess speed and had 16 PDs and 65 tackles (59 solo). Not a draft day priority, but could be useful if injuries take their toll on the secondary in 2017. Eric Murray is listed as the No. 4 safety on the depth chart, but is not much more than a special teams player at this point in his career and lacks any fantasy relevance as such.

If you are willing to take this squad earlier than the final two rounds of your draft, and of course assuming that the injury bug does not strike too hard this coming season, you will be rewarded due to their pass rush, ability to pick off passes and a handful of defensive TDs. Others may want to chase after Seattle, Houston, Denver or Minnesota, and you can let that take place so long as you can select the KC defense for your primary defense (and please do not be one of those owners who draft and hold two D/STs all season, unless you are in a league with an extremely shallow waiver wire pool, or a dynasty league where all team defenses are essentially drafted).

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, send your inquires to ia@fantasyalarm.com.