Projecting the Top 10 NFL Defenses for 2025: Who Will Allow the Fewest Points?

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

I considered several teams for this final spot, but ultimately, the Steelers’ defense once again earns its rightful place. Even in a post-Roethlisberger world of offensive struggles, Pittsburgh’s D continues to carry this team into the playoffs.

T.J. Watt remains the engine—even amid his current contract standoff. His clutch playmaking is simply too important to overlook. He leads a defensive front that’s stacked with talent, including Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Cam Heyward, and rookie Derrick Harmon. Add rising star Keeanu Benton to the mix, and this line can wreak havoc.

On the back end, a rash of coverage busts led to the offseason trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick. In return, the Steelers landed Jalen Ramsey and added veteran Darius Slay in free agency. That gives second-year corner Joey Porter Jr. room to grow without being targeted constantly. While the safety spot remains a concern, Juan Thornhill steps into the free safety role, and DeShon Elliott—who just signed a team-friendly extension—brings a punishing edge at strong safety.

9. New England Patriots

The Patriots ranked just 21st in true scoring defense last year—but the talent infusion this offseason was dramatic. New head coach Mike Vrabel made immediate upgrades at every level: Milton Williams (DT), Harold Landry III (OLB), Robert Spillane (ILB), and Carlton Davis III (CB) all join the starting lineup.

Second-team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez headlines a secondary poised for dominance, and DT Christian Barmore’s return from blood clots strengthens the interior line. Vrabel’s defenses in Tennessee routinely outperformed expectations, and he walks into a favorable 2025 schedule with New England. Eleven games are against teams that finished in the bottom half of the league in scoring last season. This unit could mirror the 2024 Broncos and jump into elite territory.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota’s approach is clear: prioritize pass rush over coverage. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel form a lethal edge duo, while interior stalwarts Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave bring additional bite. Linebackers Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., and Josh Metellus give Brian Flores all the chaos agents he needs to blitz relentlessly.

However, the coverage unit remains shaky. Byron Murphy Jr. is solid inside, but outside corners like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah inspire little confidence. Safety Harrison Smith is aging, and the departure of Camryn Bynum leaves a noticeable void. A breakout from second-year edge rusher Dallas Turner would go a long way toward offsetting those concerns.

7. Seattle Seahawks

Mike Macdonald worked wonders in his first year with Seattle, lifting the defense from 28th to 9th in scoring. With a full offseason and a strong talent base, the Seahawks are poised for more growth.

Leonard Williams anchors a deep front that includes Byron Murphy II and newcomer DeMarcus Lawrence. Ernest Jones IV solidified the linebacker corps after arriving via midseason trade. The secondary is Seattle’s strongest asset, led by Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Julian Love, and rookie Nick Emmanwori—a dream toolbox for Macdonald to scheme with.

6. Detroit Lions

The Lions are loaded up the middle. DT Alim McNeill’s ACL recovery is worth monitoring, but Levi Onwuzurike and D.J. Reader should hold the line. At linebacker, Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes form a smart, versatile trio.

Detroit boasts arguably the best safety duo in the league with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. However, questions linger on the edges. Aidan Hutchinson is recovering from a serious injury, and the depth behind him is thin. Rookie CB Terrion Arnold showed growth late last year, while D.J. Reed brings experience. Still, the promotion of first-time DC Kelvin Sheppard adds a bit of uncertainty.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

The Mahomes-Reid era is defined by offense, but make no mistake—Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is elite. Chris Jones is still a game-wrecker, and Trent McDuffie is one of the league’s smartest and most versatile corners.

The linebacker group—Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, and Drue Tranquill—is the most well-rounded part of the unit. Losing Justin Reid and Tershawn Wharton hurts, but KC made savvy moves: corner Kristian Fulton allows McDuffie more slot flexibility, and rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott could be an interior menace.

4. Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr. blossomed into a true shutdown corner last year, earning All-Pro honors and leading a strong Houston secondary featuring Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, and Jalen Pitre.

Up front, Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter form a terrifying edge duo. The weakness is at defensive tackle, where the Texans could be vulnerable to power run games. But improved depth and a fast-flowing back seven (led by Azeez Al-Shaair) should keep Houston from being exposed. Expect DeMeco Ryans’ defense to break into the top five after consecutive 15th-place finishes.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Zach Orr’s first season as DC started rough—but once he made adjustments, this defense became suffocating. Kyle Hamilton moved to free safety midseason and thrived. Now, with first-round rookie Malaki Starks filling that role, Hamilton moves back into the box where he can cause even more damage.

The Ravens also added former Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, and second-round edge rusher Mike Green. With a retooled secondary and an aggressive scheme, this unit should pick up where it left off last winter—near the top.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The defending champs lost several key defensive starters, including Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Darius Slay. But GM Howie Roseman doesn’t rebuild—he reloads.

DT Jalen Carter is already one of the NFL’s most dominant linemen, and Nolan Smith became a playoff revelation. The linebacker group is led by All-Pro Zack Baun, while rookie Jihaad Campbell adds intrigue. In the secondary, second-year stars Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean lead a promising youth movement. Despite the turnover, this could still be the league’s stingiest defense under Vic Fangio.

1. Denver Broncos

From 27th in defensive scoring in 2023 to 3rd in 2024, the Broncos have already made a massive leap—and they’re not done yet.

They return 14 of their top 15 defenders by snap count, added Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, and drafted versatile DB Jahdae Barron in Round 1. Pat Surtain II remains the gold standard at corner, and Denver’s deep front generated a league-high in sacks last year. Six different players had 5+ sacks in 2024, led by Nik Bonitto (13.5).

This unit has the depth, continuity, and star power to finish No. 1 in 2025—and maybe even channel the spirit of the old “No Fly Zone” en route to another Lombardi run.