Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups - Defenses (D/ST)

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (DST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Set to take on the Jake Browning-led Bengals, the Jaguars are an intriguing DST streamer in Week 13 at home against Cincinnati. In recent weeks it has been the New York teams with the lowest implied totals, but in Week 13 that... Read More

Atlanta Falcons Defense (DST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 12% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Let's play a game called "Target the New York Jets"! Atlanta has been an up-and-down defensive unit this season, but they jump to the top of streaming consideration in Week 13 with a game against the Jets. The Jets currently hold the... Read More

Denver Broncos Defense (DST) - Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12

BALLER MOVE: Stream in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Tier 3 DST ANALYSIS: It feels strange including the Broncos' defense any higher than Tier 4, but this is not the same defense that gave up 70 points to the Dolphins in Week 3. This does not mean the Broncos should be confused with a good... Read More

New England Patriots Defense (DST) - Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12

BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Tier 2 DST ANALYSIS: The winner of the “playing against the Giants” sweepstakes for Week 12 is New England. The Giants' offense was surprisingly effective under QB Tommy Devito in Week 11 as they employed the smart strategy of just getting the ball to Saquon Barkley.... Read More

Los Angeles Chargers Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 9

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chargers are another “just okay” defense in a very good matchup with the 26th-ranked Jets (ranked 29th in offensive DVOA). The Chargers' defense has shown signs of life lately with seven sacks and five forced turnovers in their last three games, and even... Read More

Atlanta Falcons Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 9

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 33% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Kirk Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles. The Vikings traded for Joshua Dobbs on Tuesday, but he will not be ready to start in Week 9. That leaves rookie QB Jaren Hall -- who took four snaps and lost a... Read More

Las Vegas Raiders Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 9

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 13% of Leagues ANALYSIS: It is difficult to not start the DST in Week 9 facing a Giants team who put on one of the worst offensive displays we have ever seen in Week 8. Although the Raiders disappointed in a good matchup in Week 7, this matchup... Read More

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 9

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 59% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Pittsburgh Steelers always find a way to have a good defensive unit, and this year has been no different. Mike Tomlin's men have been a top-five fantasy defensive unit despite allowing the third-most yards in the league. How is that possible, you... Read More

New York Jets Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 8

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 58% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Jets entered the 2023 season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders after adding Aaron Rodgers, but we all know what happened next. Still, they have playoff aspirations despite having Zach Wilson under center due to their defense. This was the case... Read More

Miami Dolphins Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 8

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 48% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Make sure to check your waiver wires for the Dolphins defense. At less than 50% rostered, Miami qualifies as a streamer, and they are easily one of the best streamers of Week 8. In Week 7, Miami put fantasy managers in the precarious position... Read More

Seattle Sehawks Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Seattle Seahawks get one of the better matchups for fantasy defenses at home versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks will be fired up after their close road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and they will take out some of that frustration on their... Read More

Washington Commanders Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Washington Commanders are a tough nut to crack this season. Many still feel the pain of confidently trotting this defense out a few weeks ago against the fantasy-friendly Chicago Bears, only to watch them give up 40 points with no turnovers. But the... Read More

Green Bay Packers Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 17% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Outside of their drubbing by the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers have allowed under 20 points per game, and they face the rudderless Denver Broncos in Week 7. The Packers have ten sacks and two interceptions in their last two games and are... Read More

Cleveland Browns Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The San Fransico 49ers were hoping to become the first team since the 2007 Patriots to complete a perfect regular season. They had an average point differential of 19.8 over the first five weeks, but then they ran into the brick wall known... Read More

Las Vegas Raiders (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Mac Jones and the New England Patriots are coming off one of the worst two-game stretches in history. They have been outscored 72-3, while Jones has thrown for just 260 yards and turned the ball over six times during that span. This offense has been... Read More

Houston Texans (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Houston’s defense now has three games this season in which they have recorded zero sacks. This lack of pressure is what is keeping the unit from being elite. That said, the Saints are averaging under 20 points per game and have allowed 17 sacks... Read More

Atlanta Falcons (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 9% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Sam Howell is on pace to be sacked a ridiculous 98 times this season. While this obviously won’t happen, it goes to show how bad Washington’s offensive line has been. The team has turned the ball over 10 times through five games and has not... Read More

New York Jets Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: Add In 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 61% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Jets defense is still elite and they proved that in their Sunday night matchup against the Chiefs. However, they continue to lack a consistent pass rush with just two sacks in their past three games. This is a case... Read More

Miami Dolphins Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 50% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Giants are an absolute dumpster fire right now. The team was sacked a season-high 11 times in their Monday night matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, which is tied for the ninth-most sacks in a single game in history. Additionally, Daniel Jones has thrown six interceptions... Read More

Baltimore Ravens Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: Add In All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 81% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Baltimore Ravens' defense has been elite through the first four games of the season, despite missing several key starters. They are coming off a stout Week 4 performance against the Cleveland Browns in which they tallied four sacks and three INTs while... Read More

Houston Texans Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Everyone has been sleeping on the Texans' defense, which is a shame. Sure, they don't have the volume stats like sacks and interceptions, and they have conceded seven rushing TDs, but the way that they have been shutting down the passing game so far has... Read More

Green Bay Packers Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 26% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Las Vegas Raiders’ offense has been a disaster to start the season. They are averaging just 15.5 total points per game and have turned the ball over ten times in four games, which is tied for the second-most in the league. The offensive... Read More

Detroit Lions Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Detroit has been elite defensively over the last two weeks. They have given up just 26 total points and have totaled 12 sacks during that time. Led by Aidan Hutchinson, this defensive line has been trouble for teams and they will look to continue dominating... Read More

Washington Commanders Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of Leagues ANALYSIS: While Washington's defense is giving up 30 points per game, their defensive line is still elite and can wreak havoc against Chicago. The offense of the Bears did look its best thus far this season during Week 4, but they were facing a struggling... Read More

Seattle Seahawks Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 45% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Seahawks' defense has been very shaky so far in the 2023 season, but that was also the case last season. They started 2022 slow, giving up 84 points in Weeks 4 and 5, but things would improve as they would go on and hold... Read More

Los Angeles Chargers (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Chargers have allowed a ridiculous 29 points per game through three weeks. Despite this, they have been able to get to the opposing team’s quarterback consistently over the last two games -- piling up nine sacks against the Titans and Vikings. The... Read More

Denver Broncos (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 38% of Leagues ANALYSIS: If they didn’t give up 70 points in Week 3, Denver's defense would have a much brighter outlook in Week 4. The Broncos have allowed the most points in the league while forcing just one turnover and having four sacks through three games. On... Read More

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

BALLER MOVE: 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Bucs’ defense is just one of four this season with at least eight sacks and seven takeaways through the first three games. Despite the poor performance against the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, Tampa Bay has one of the most... Read More

New England Patriots Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 78% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New England Patriots defense hasn't exactly set the fantasy football world on fire through the first two weeks of the season. The Pats have managed just 11 total fantasy points this year in standard leagues. However, we must consider that the unit has opened... Read More

Kansas City Chiefs Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 39% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Chicago Bears have been awful offensively through two games. Justin Fields has turned the ball over four times and has been sacked ten times, which is tied for the second-most in the league. The team's passing game still hasn't been able to get on... Read More

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 16% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Jacksonville has forced the second-most turnovers in the league -- behind only the Dallas Cowboys. They have six takeaways through the first two games. This defense has been a top-12 unit through two weeks, despite facing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. This... Read More

Cleveland Browns Defense (D/ST) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

BALLER MOVE: 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Cleveland’s defense looked elite in their Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. They allowed just three points to Cincinnati and held Joe Burrow to a Week 1 low 2.6 pass yards per attempt. Having a dominant pass rusher like Za'Darius Smith play alongside Myles... Read More

New England Patriots (DEF, NE) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 61% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Did you just see what the Bills did to the Texans? Yeah, the Patriots are a recommended defense to stream moving forward. I'm not sure if Tom Brady was trying to take it easy on his old organization, was hampered by the rain, or... Read More

Dallas Cowboys (DEF, DAL) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After generating no pass rush in Week 1 and very little pressure in Week 2, the Packers' defense woke up a bit on Sunday night football. They sacked Jimmy Garoppolo four times, forced two turnovers, and held the 49ers under 300 yards of total... Read More

Green Bay Packers (DEF, GB) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After generating no pass rush in Week 1 and very little pressure in Week 2, the Packers' defense woke up a bit on Sunday night football. They sacked Jimmy Garoppolo four times, forced two turnovers, and held the 49ers under 300 yards of total... Read More

Miami Dolphins (DEF, MIA) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 17% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Dolphins are tied for 3rd in the NFL in turnovers and are 9th in defensive drives that end in an offensive turnover, which is good when you face a hobbled Carson Wentz. The Indianapolis Colts also just saw their best lineman, Quentin... Read More

Washington Football Team (DEF, WAS) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 68% of Leagues ANALYSIS: This is a gut call, and it may blow up in my face, but I refuse to believe the Washington defense is this bad. They're 30th in my own rankings so everything is telling me that they are, but I just saw... Read More

Cincinnati Bengals (DEF, CIN) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: This Jaguars offense has not been good, and Trevor Lawrence has been making some really curious decisions. They are worst in the league with nine turnovers through three games and are 25th in the league in gaining only 5.1 yards per play. I don't... Read More

New Orleans Saints (DEF, WAS) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 49% of Leagues ANALYSIS: One of the teams that have capitalized on the Patriots not being a great offense is the Saints, who finished 2nd in DST ranks last week based on FantasyPros scoring. After a subpar game against the Panthers, New Orleans showed what they're... Read More

Arizona Cardinals (D/ST, ARI) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 52% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The Red Birds are in the upper half of the rostered threshold but will likely be dropped in many leagues after giving up 33 points to Minnesota. That would be a mistake because they are about to take on Jacksonville, which is... Read More

Carolina Panthers (D/ST, CAR) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Throw out the fantasy numbers and make Carolina your first DST claim based on matchup alone. Thursday nights are known for low score totals (except last week) but it's already been established that Houston will be without Tyrod Taylor. That means rookie Davis Mills will... Read More

Las Vegas Raiders (D/ST, LV) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Rare will be the time when the Raiders defense enters the fantasy consciousness but the proposition of facing Miami with backup QB Jacoby Brissett is one of those times. Brissett is a capable QB and won't throw a ton of interceptions but he has... Read More

Defense (DST) Draft Sleepers for Fantasy Football

I think we often get the term "sleeper" confused. A lot of the rhetoric around "sleepers" seems to center on the long-shots who might hit big and bring you massive value something close to a late-round dart throw. However, I think "sleepers" are simply just players being "slept on" or not getting enough respect. Obviously,... Read More

Arizona Cardinals (D/ST, ARI) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~200 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~227 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

Miami Dolphins (D/ST, MIA) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~185 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~204 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

Cleveland Browns (D/ST, CLE) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~190 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~213 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

San Francisco 49ers (D/ST, SF) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~155 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~167 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

Los Angeles Chargers (D/ST, LAC) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~210 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~245 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

Denver Broncos (D/ST, DEN) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~220 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~250 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More

Buffalo Bills (D/ST, BUF) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~170 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~181 Even though getting 10+ points per game from your defense is beneficial, we still don't want to reach and draft a D/ST early in our fantasy drafts. While some defenses like the Ravens, Steelers, and Bears have proven to be season-long holds in years past, you're... Read More