NFL 2024 Season Preview: Predicting the Best Defense in Each AFC Division

AFC West - Kansas City Chiefs

It's status quo for the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Rumors were running rampant at the start of the offseason, with Kansas City needing to re-sign many of their top performers from 2023. But when the dust settled, the Chiefs were able to bring back all of their championship-winning players from last season.

Most notably, the Chiefs agreed to a five-year contract with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. The former third-place Defensive Player of the Year has been a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line, creating time and space for complementary defenders. Drue Tranquill stands among those, inking a three-year pact to stay in Kansas City. 

The Chiefs ended the 2023 season with the second-ranked total and scoring defense. There are no qualms about their ability to pick up where they left off, and they should end the year as the top unit in the AFC West.

AFC South - Houston Texans

The Houston Texans' offense has been lauded for its vast improvement over the past couple of years. But once the 2024 NFL gets started, we expect much of the laudation to shift to their vastly improved defense. 

Houston had one objective this offseason: get better on the defensive side of the ball. While the season hasn't started yet, we already consider it mission accomplished. The Texans brought in four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry. The upgrades didn't end there, with Houston also signing Azeez Al-Shaair to stabilize their linebackers corps. If rookies Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter can live up to their potential in the secondary, there won't be any holes in the Texans' defense. 

It's up to newly appointed defensive coordinator Matt Burke to bring it all together for Houston. With the personnel he's been given, we expect Burke and the Texans to emerge as an elite defending team this season.

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AFC East - New York Jets

Much of the New York Jets' recent success can be attributed to their defense. Without a competent offense, Robert Saleh has guided the Jets to identical 7-10 records in each of the past two seasons, thanks mainly to their defensive efficiency. 

One of the Jets' only weaknesses was addressed early in free agency. Saleh reunited with defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, bringing on the former first-round pick on a one-year deal. That move was complemented by the return of Solomon Thomas and Leki Fotu, taking pressure off of Quinnen Williams. With Sauce Gardner patrolling the secondary and C.J. Mosley straddling the middle, this Jets squad could fly higher in 2024. 

Even if Haason Reddick's holdout carries into the start of the season, we don't have any concerns about New York's ability to replicate last year's success. Their ceiling looks even higher if the offense can take some of the pressure off, keeping the defense fresh from game to game.

AFC West - Kansas City Chiefs

It's status quo for the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Rumors were running rampant at the start of the offseason, with Kansas City needing to re-sign many of their top performers from 2023. But when the dust settled, the Chiefs were able to bring back all of their championship-winning players from last season.

Most notably, the Chiefs agreed to a five-year contract with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. The former third-place Defensive Player of the Year has been a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line, creating time and space for complementary defenders. Drue Tranquill stands among those, inking a three-year pact to stay in Kansas City. 

The Chiefs ended the 2023 season with the second-ranked total and scoring defense. There are no qualms about their ability to pick up where they left off, and they should end the year as the top unit in the AFC West.