Ones to Watch: Best Budget Defenders in FPL 2025/26
Explore 5 under-the-radar defenders who could thrive under FPL's new defensive contribution rule (CBIT) in 2025/26.
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View Campaign Offer🛡️ Ones to Watch: Best Budget Defenders in FPL 2025/26
FPL 2025/26 has introduced a game-changing new rule: +2 points for defenders recording 10+ defensive contributions (CBIT) in a match. That includes clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles. We're calling it the "DEFCON rule."
This means center-backs and defensive workhorses can rack up points, even if their teams concede. So which players stand to benefit the most?
Here are 5 defenders between £4.5m and £5.5m who could become FPL gold under the new scoring system.
🇷🇸 Nikola Milenković – Nottingham Forest (£5.5m)
- 2024/25 FPL Points: 145
- Goals: 5 | Assists: 2 | Clean Sheets: 13
- Defensive Contributions per Game: ~7.2
- Games with 10+ CBIT: 13
- DEFCON Bonus Points: +26
- Projected 2025/26 Total: 171 points
🔥 Aerial threat from set-pieces
🔒 Nailed starter
📈 Huge DEFCON upside
✅ One of the top-scoring defenders if the rule applied last season
🇮🇪 Nathan Collins – Brentford (£5.0m)
- 2024/25 FPL Points: 127
- Goals: 2 | Assists: 3 | Clean Sheets: 8
- DEFCON Points: +32 (in 16 matches)
- Projected 2025/26 Total: 159 points
💪 Clearance machine
⏱️ Played every minute last season
⚠️ Low clean sheet count, but still valuable
🚀 DEFCON rule elevates his floor
🇫🇷 Maxence Lacroix – Crystal Palace (£5.0m)
- 2024/25 FPL Points: 114
- Goals: 1 | Assists: 1 | Clean Sheets: 11
- DEFCON Points: +34
- Projected 2025/26 Total: 148 points
📉 Under-the-radar
🧱 Excellent defensive reading
📊 DEFCON threshold hit in 48.6% of games
🧠 Value defender with consistent returns
🏴 Keane Lewis-Potter – Brentford (£4.5m–£5.0m)
- 2024/25 (as midfielder): 1 goal, 3 assists
- Now reclassified as DEF
- DEFCON Impact: Low (avg ~3–4 defensive actions/game)
⚠️ Only worth it if starting LB
🚀 Potential OOP pick (defender playing advanced)
👀 Monitor Rico Henry’s fitness
🎨 Brings creativity from deep when he plays
🇺🇸 Antonee Robinson – Fulham (£5.0m)
- 2024/25 FPL Points: ~130
- Assists: 10 | Clean Sheets: 5
- DEFCON Points: ~+6 to +8
- Projected 2025/26 Total: ~136–138 points
🎯 Most assists by a defender last season
🏃♂️ Constant attacking outlet
📈 New rule raises his floor in tough games
⚠️ Clean sheet risk remains with Fulham
📊 Final Comparison Table
| Player | 24/25 Pts | DEFCON Bonus | Projected Pts | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milenković | 145 | +26 | 171 | £5.5m |
| Collins | 127 | +32 | 159 | £5.0m |
| Lacroix | 114 | +34 | 148 | £5.0m |
| Robinson | ~130 | +6–8 | ~136–138 | £5.0m |
| Lewis-Potter (DEF) | N/A | Low | Unknown | £4.5m |
✅ Conclusion
The DEFCON rule is a game-changer. While full-backs still have appeal, ball-magnet center-backs like Milenković, Collins, and Lacroix now offer high ceilings and reliable floors — especially in hard fixtures.
➡️ Target defenders who rack up tackles, clearances, and blocks
➡️ Don’t chase just attacking returns – think defensive volume
➡️ Defensive contributions = consistent bonus points
Start building your backline smarter this season.
💻 Check out more data-led picks on fpl-lab.com
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