1. New York Jets – The Jets will be at full strength this year now that they have resolved the holdout with their star defender CB Darrelle Revis.  The Jets made a lot of strides in 2009, and with another year in head coach Rex Ryan’s system, they should improve even more in 2010. They have also added a lot of talent, such as trading for San Diego Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie, signing DE Jason Taylor and drafting Boise State CB Kyle Wilson in the first round.  As good as they were last year, they finished 17th in fantasy points scored, in large part due to their low sack totals (32) and interceptions (17). Based on it being the second year under Ryan and the upgrades they made in the secondary, that should change in 2010.

2. Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles were second in fantasy points scored in 2009 thanks to 44 sacks and 25 interceptions. This defense is consistently among the league's best every year and this offseason they added DE Brandon Graham to help produce even more pressure and former Detroit Lions LB Ernie Sims to help their defense as well.

3. Green Bay Packers – I loved the turnovers they forced last year. They led the league with 40 and had 37 sacks. The only concern is the year long suspension of DT Johnny Jolly and age of their secondary. NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Charles Woodson is 34, and CB Al Harris is 35 and will start the season on the PUP.  Also on the PUP to start the season is S Atari Bigby.  They drafted Purdue DT Mike Neal and S Morgan Burnett to improve their already young defense. They should still be one of the best defenses in the NFL at forcing turnovers, making them a must have in fantasy football.

4. San Francisco 49ers – They are an excellent scoring defense that sacks the quarterback (44), but they still did not force enough turnovers in 2009 to be an elite fantasy defense. Even though they ranked fourth in fantasy points scored, only one point per week separated them and the 23rd-ranked Indianapolis defense.  The additions on the offensive line of Rutgers T Anthony Davis and Idaho G Mike Lupati should help them, as they will be able to run the ball and control the clock even better in 2009. Rookie S Taylor Mays could be the athlete they need in the secondary to help force those turnovers. This defense is on the rise, and I expect it to separate from the rest of the pack in 2010.

5. Minnesota Vikings –DT Kevin Williams and DT Pat Williams are unlikely to face a four-game suspension for the Starcaps case. The secondary should be even stronger with free agent signing CB Lito Sheppard and rookie Virginia first rounder CB Chris Cook.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – The scoring defense is there, but they need to put more pressure on the QB (34 sacks) and force more turnovers if they want to be among the very elite.

7. Baltimore Ravens – S Ed Reed and MLB Ray Lewis are both advancing in age, but this defense produces year after year. They added some youth in the second round with Texas OLB Sergio Kindle and Alabama DT Terrence Cody. Expect another strong showing in 2010, even though their secondary is a little banged up right now.

8. Dallas Cowboys – They are good with pressure (41 sacks) but had only 11 interceptions last season. They need to force more turnovers and did not upgrade their secondary this offseason with an established NFL player.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers –Last season was an aberration for the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is still a lot of talent on this team, and I look for them to bounce back in 2010. The only concern is with QB Ben Roethlisberger facing a six-game suspension, will the offense be able to put the defense in favorable situations early in the season?

10. New Orleans Saints – They were third in the NFL with 26 interceptions and had eight defensive touchdowns; they should be a consistently strong fantasy defense as long as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is calling the shots. S Darren Sharper resigned; the free agent keyed their defense with nine interceptions and three touchdowns in 2009.   The problem is that he starts the season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss the first six games.  That thrust CB Malcom Jenkins into the safety spot.   Saints are a little injured on defense to start the season, it may take them the first month or so to regain their 2009 form.

The Rest

11. San Diego Chargers

12.  Miami Dolphins

13.  New York Giants

14.  Tennessee Titans

15.  Chicago Bears

16.  Houston Texans

17.  Indianapolis Colts

18.  New England Patriots

19. Carolina Panthers

20.  Washington Redskins

21.  Oakland Raiders

22.  Atlanta Falcons

23.  Seattle Seahawks

24.   Cleveland Browns

25.   Arizona Cardinals

26.  Kansas City Chiefs

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

28.   Buffalo Bills

29.   Detroit Lions

30.   Denver Broncos

31.   Jacksonville Jaguars

32.   St. Louis Rams