RADIO
We're going to try something new this week. Every week, I've been giving you my weekly DST rankings and hoping we can unlock some good, consistent value. So far, we've been hitting just over 50% when it comes to identifying the top-10 defenses of the week, which is fine but not quite where we were at last year.
In truth, it's been a weird year for fantasy football defenses (D/ST). There is just so much poor and inconsistent football being played that it's really hard to pin down top-performing defenses. You even have seemingly no-brainer plays like Tampa Bay against Carolina or Philadelphia against Houston turning into poor or just average starts.
So one strategic pivot from that is to try and avoid spending much, if any, FAAB money on DSTs when you can never really be sure of the production you're going to get. That means we might want to make sure we're a week early, stashing a defense that nobody wants to play this week who might have a plus matchup next week. Obviously, those roster spots can often be used to stash running backs or wide receivers, but fantasy football is all about maximizing your one-week roster so it's entirely possible that the best move for your team is to shore up your DST spot for the next week.
So in this article, I'm going to just quickly highlight a few defenses that are under 50% rostered on ESPN that I think could be good options for you next week.
D/ST Pickups and Stashes for Week 10
Before Week 9 games begin, here are some fantasy football defenses that you can pick up in Week 9 with the intention of starting in Week 10 and save yourself some waiver wire FAAB dollars for next week:
Broncos D/ST vs. Titans
38.7% rostered
The Broncos traded away Bradley Chubb and then are on a bye this week, so we have no idea what this defense will actually look like without their best player. This defense is first in the NFL in yards allowed per play, eighth in the percentage of drives that end in an opponent's score, and fifth in sacks, so they have been a good unit so far.
This Tennessee offense, even if Ryan Tannehill is back next week, isn't overly dangerous. The one worry is that Denver is 26th in yards allowed per carry, which means that Derrick Henry might be able to do some damage here, but I think Denver having two weeks to gameplan should help keep this game low-scoring and a solid D/ST battle.
Titans D/ST vs Broncos
19.2% rostered
Which is also why I like the Tennessee side of this too. Denver gives up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing DSTs, and this Titans defense has been solid. They're sixth in the percentage of drives that end in an opponent's score, fifth in turnover rate, and eighth in pressure rate. Nobody wants to roster them this week because they're playing the Chiefs, but it could be the perfect time to stash them ahead of a plus matchup.
Cardinals D/ST vs Rams
10.3% rostered
It's been a weird year in that we're actually looking to attack this Rams offense with fantasy defenses. Headed into Week 9, they give up the most fantasy points to opposing DSTs at 13.3 points per game. That's, well, not good. Their offensive line has prevented them from getting any running game going, and consistently has Matthew Stafford on the run.
Now, the Cardinals' defense hasn't had much of a pass rush this year, but they're 11th in turnover rate and 10th in pass breakups. Much of their poor performance in other metrics is linked to early-season performance as well. They've been the fourth-best fantasy defense over the last month, averaging 10 points per game, so this could be a good chance for them to keep that run of success going.
Giants D/ST vs Texans
6% rostered
The Giants are our lowest-rostered defense on this list. You probably aren't playing them outside of 15-team leagues, but they could be a good option there. The Texans give up the seventh-most points to opposing fantasy D/STs, and I'm not sure the relationship between Brandin Cooks and this team is being repaired by next week. Without him, this offense is really just Dameon Pierce, even though he did show out against the Eagles and should do as well against the Giants. The Eagles rank 29th in yards allowed per carry, and the Giants are 30th.
However, Davis Mills also threw two interceptions on Thursday and the Eagles were able to notch three sacks, so there is a path to the Giants having some low-end fantasy success, even if Pierce has a good game. I still think it's not a high-ceiling play, which is why we're talking mainly about deep leagues here.
Saints D/ST vs Steelers - 45.4% rostered
Steelers D/ST vs Saints - 27.2% rostered
We'll end with two defenses in the same game. The Steelers give up the third-most points to opposing fantasy defenses, and the Saints give up the fourth-most, so these are both offenses that we should be happy trying to attack in fantasy. The issue is that neither of these defenses has been particularly good. The Saints are 14th over the last month, while the Steelers are dead last.
Given that, it's pretty clear that the Saints are the preferred option here. Marshon Lattimore should be back for them, and they've been getting more pressure and sacks of late. Kenny Pickett will also take more chances with the ball than Andy Dalton will, which should help even things out since the Saints seem to really hate forcing turnovers.
In truth, I think the Saints are likely to be over-valued for next week, but I could still see them as a high-floor play in 12-team leagues given the relative ineptitude of the Steelers' offense. I'm just not sure this is a smash spot for them. The Steelers will likely remain a 15-team option for me.
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