The NFC North features two top 10 fantasy defenses and could include a third by the end of the season.

1. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have an elite defense, which finished sixth in fantasy football last season with 206 points. It probably would’ve ranked higher if its offense could consistently sustain drives and put points on the board, but even with the great Adrian Peterson, overcoming Tavaris Jackson and Gus Frerrote proved to be too much. Well, that should change if Brett Favre joins the squad.

Look for the Williams’ tandem inside, Jared Allen on the outside, plus the wealth of talent in the back seven (Greenway, Winfield, etc.) to once again enjoy a stellar season and make life miserable for the other NFC North teams.

Special Teams player: When Bernard Berrian is used, he’s explosive, as evidenced by his 82-yard return for a TD.

2. Chicago Bears

The Bears under Lovie Smith have always ranked well defensively and things should be no different in 2009. In fact, it could be even better if Cutler can come in and help lead Chicago to early leads because then the attacking Bears’ defense can do what it does best and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. In 2008 the unit finished with 202 fantasy points and eighth overall.

And with a fairly mediocre schedule this year playing the likes of the NFC West and AFC North, figure the Bears to put up antoher top 10 fantasy scoring effort.

Special Teams: Devin Hester is the most explosive special teams player in the game and good for at least four return TDs this season.

3. Green Bay Packers

The Packers defense took a huge step back in 2008 and was the weak link of the team, finishing middle of the pack and with 169 fantasy points. The trading of DT Corey Williams prior to the season, the loss of LB Nick Barnett and CB Al Harris to injuries during the season, and the ineffectiveness of DE Kabeer Gbaj-Biamila was all too much to overcome.

GM Ted Thompson took the necessary steps to shore up his defense by selecting DT B.J. Raji and LB Clay Mathews in the first round of the NFL Draft. But it was the signing of Dom Capers, who brings with him his 3-4 defense, which should have the biggest impact. Look for Green Bay to rebound nicely in 2009 and be a strong fantasy sleeper play.

Special Teams: Will Blackmon is  a dangerous return man who brought two back to the house in ’08.  Look for a repeat effort in ’09.

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions only receive mention in this posting because we must cover all defenses in the division. But after ranking second to last in the league (62 points) in 2008 there’s just not much to write about.

The lowlight of a season ago came on Thanksgiving Day when the Titans rattled off 35 first half points and Chris Johnson had put up over 100 yards and two TDs in the first quarter alone.

However, there is some hope in Detroit going forward as they’ve signed Linebackers Julian Peterson and Larry Foote, CB Anthony Henry, and newly hired head coach, Jim Schwartz, was the longtime defensive coordinator of those impressive Titans’ defenses. But without the players on the defensive line, you can’t execute the strategy, so wait a year or two before considering the Lions for your fantasy defense.

Special Teams: Adam Jennings handles returns although he’s not much of a threat at this point.

1. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers should regain top billing in the NFC South after locking down its disgruntled defensive end, Julius Peppers, this offseason, and picking up some highly touted defensive lineman (pass rushers) early in the draft. In 2008, plagued by a lack of big bodies in the middle to stop the run, they totaled 168 fantasy points and finished sixteenth in the league.

This year, with more talent and bodies up front, to go along with their solid back seven and offense which can eat up a clock, look for the Panthers to end up a top-10 fantasy defense by season’s end.

Special Teams: Mark Jones is a solid return man and Steve Smith occasionally handles punt return duties, which usually leads to a score.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs find themselves in an interesting position as long time defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, has moved on to work with his son at the University of Tennessee. And last year, led by Kiffin, with Raheem Morris on the staff, the Buccaneers scored 208 points and finished fifth in fantasy football for defensive teams.

With Morris being promoted to head coach, the system should remain similar with a few added wrinkles. The loss of LB Derrick Brooks hurts more from an emotional standpoint than production, and Tampa feels it has the players to step in and up.

While the unsettled state of the QB position, the offense’s inability to sustain drives could end up leaving this defense on the field longer than it’s used to, the Buccaneers should still be able to force turnovers and keep scores low.

Special Teams: Clifton Smith showed his ability to break the long one last season and took two back to the house (PR/KO), so look for a few more this season.

3. New Orleans Saints

This is the shocker as they finished 25th in fantasy scoring last season and behind the Atlanta Falcons. But they won’t be last in the division this season for a number of reasons beginning with their offseason signings and draft choices, but most importantly due to the hiring of Gregg Williams to run the defense.

His schemes have been successful wherever he’s coached and the only reason he lasted one year in Jacksonville is because the offense couldn’t sustain drives and keep the defense off the field.

That won’t be a problem with the high flying Drew Brees‘ led offense and because of that, the Saints have the look of a potentially excellent fantasy sleeper pick.

Special Teams: Reggie Bush is an electrifying return man and can be counted on for a few scores in 2009.

4. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons sustained a lot of defections in the offseason and you can’t hope to replicate last year’s numbers because of DE John Abraham. And it’s not wise to count on rookies to step in, and step up early in year one. In 2008, they managed 149 fantasy points and were blessed with facing a last place schedule. They won’t have that luxury this season as both the AFC and NFC East are on the plate.

Facing teams like the Patriots, Giants, Cowboys and Eagles, in addition to the other NFC South opponents, expect a big step back in sacks, turnovers and points in 2009.

Special Teams: Harry Douglas is an explosive return man who took one back to the house. He could take a few more this season.

If you’re looking for a top tier Tight End, you’re not going to find one in the AFC East.  There are borderline number one starters though, and it all begins in New York with Dustin Keller.

1. Dustin Keller

After an impressive, albeit up and down rookie campaign, Keller tops a weak bunch of AFC East TEs in 2009,  even though he could be playing with a rookie QB in Mark Sanchez. In 2008, the athletic TE ended with 535 receiving yards and three TDs.

Regardless of who lines up behind center, the TE will receive a lot of looks in this offense, so expect Keller to put up more than 600 yards and increase his TDs to six.

2. Anthony Fasano

Fasano actually made a big splash in Miami last year as he hauled in over 400 receiving yards with seven TDs on only 34 catches.

Tony Sparano is from the Bill Parcells’ school of coaching and the TE position has always played a key role dating back to Bavaro.

Look for Fasano to be a safety outlet for Pennington once again this year.  He could see his production decrease with the emergence of the younger receivers.  

3. Ben Watson

Watson might be the most talented TE in the division, but when you play alongside Randy Moss, Wes Welker and now Joey Galloway, there’s just not enough balls to come your way. In 2008, he caught just 22 passes for 209 yards and two TDs.

Brady is back this year from is knee injury, but we still don’t see much change coming. Look for another subpar 2009 fantasy season and between 200-300 yards and three scores as the team’s fourth or fifth option.

4. Robert Royal

Royal is another TE who has the ability but is stuck in an offense that doesn’t allow him to showcase it.   In 2008, he managed just over 300 yards and one TD.

TO is in town this year, so don’t expect his looks to increase. Expect another quiet year although he could increase his TD total to two or three.

Draft Tip

Don’t select any of the AFC East TEs before round ten and expect Keller to hear his name go first. Fasano turned out to be a nice fantasy sleeper last year and could be a late-round gem once again.

Neither Watson or Royal warrant a draft selection but keep an eye on their production early on as they might provide value on the waiver wire.

With the trade of Kellen Winslow, the AFC North tight ends lack firepower, although Winslow was a huge disappointment last year, but they still possess a few every week fantasy starters at the top of the list.

1. Todd Heap

This is a tough call because injuries have derailed a once-promising career, but after scouring the AFC North landscape, there’s no one who warrants this ranking more than Heap.

In 2008, playing mostly banged up and with a rookie QB, he managed just 35 catches for 403 yards and three TDs.

This year, with the expected improvement of Joe Flacco, look for Heap to be a focal point in Cam Cameron’s offense and to improve his numbers to between 50-60 catches, for over 600 yards and between five and seven TDs.

2. Heath Miller

Miller is a very talented TE who’s stuck in an offense that looks at their receivers first, backs and tight ends second. In 2008, he still caught nearly 50 passes for over 500 yards and three TDs.

This year, both Holmes and Ward, and possibly Sweed, will be given their looks ahead of Miller once again, so expect another five hundred season with three and five TDs.

3. Chase Coffman

The Bengals’ leading TE last year was 11-year veteran, Reggie Kelly, but we think Cincinnati invested its third-round selection in Coffman to use him right from the start.

Playing with Carson Palmer, he instantly becomes this division’s fantasy sleeper pick late in the draft.

With Houshmandzadeh defecting to Seattle, the Bengals are short on targets. so look for Coffman to receive his opportunities and haul in between 400 and 500 yards with three to five TDs.

4. Steve Heiden

With the off-season trade of Kellen Winslow, the Browns are exceptionally thin on both talent and bodies at the TE position, but look for Heiden to step forward and assume that role once the season begins.

In 2008, having to deal with all of the problems the Browns offense was faced with, and as a No. 2, Heiden caught 23 passes for 249 yards.

This year, look for up to 400 yards and a few goal-line scores.

Draft Tip

Heap and Miller are similar fantasy players although the Ravens have a more TE friendly offense, so look for Heap to hear his name called first sometime after round eight.

Miller will follow shortly thereafter while Coffman, a bit of an unknown, could be a great late-round pick and be a surprise starter.

Heiden’s not worthy of being drafted but keep an eye on the waiver wire as he could be a potential roster fill-in.

1. Dallas Clark

The six year veteran has become one of Manning’s go-to guys over the past two seasons. In 2007, Clark posted a career high 11 touchdowns. Last year, in a season where the Colts were offensively challenged at times due to injuries, he managed career highs in catches (77) and receiving yards (848).

This year, with the loss of Marvin Harrison, Clark instantly become the number two option behind Reggie Wayne. With a little more protection up front, look for him and Manning to connect often—more than 750 yards and eight to 10 TDs.

2. Owen Daniels

Coming into the 2008 season, Daniels was thought of as an attractive fantasy sleeper, and by year’s end, he proved those who selected him right.  Daniels caught 70 passes for over 800 yards and two TDs in 2008.

This year, the attention paid to Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton by opposing defenses should be even greater—leaving Daniels with favorable match-ups. Look for another 700 yard season and an increase in TDs to five.

3.  Bo Scaife

With the insertion of Kerry Collins into the starting QB role after the first game of last season, Scaife quickly became a favorite target, nabbed 58 catches for 561 yards and two TDs.

With a sneaky ability to break some long gainers, look for Scaife to have another productive season in ’09. Most of the Titans’ offseason activity centered on upgrading the receiving position, so with less attention paid his way, expect over 500 yards and five TDs.

4. Mercedes Lewis

Ever since the retirement of Jimmy Smith, all Jaguars attempts to upgrade its receiving corps have proved futile, so they’ve had to spread the ball around in order to keep defenses honest.

Last year, one of those recipients was Merceded Lewis, who developed a solid rapport with quarterback David Garrard, finishing with just under 500 yards and two TDs.

Look for another step forward in 2009, with more than 500 yards and between three and five TDs.

Draft Tip

Clark will be one of the top TEs taken in the fantasy draft because his role in the high flying Colts’ offense just got larger, so anytime from round four on will provide good value.

Daniels and Scaife will both go around the same time and probably no earlier than round eight, while Lewis could end up a nice fantasy sleeper who’ll be available towards the end of the draft.