Week 1 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Nick analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 1 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 1 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

We're back RotoBallers! Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is approaching and with that comes our Week 1 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 season. Many of your fantasy drafts demand a team defense in the lineup -- and if you opt not to pay up for an elite fantasy football D/ST, then you are here with us to analyze which units make for strong streamers and starts.

These fantasy football D/ST rankings and tiers are crafted around how well the D/ST is set for Week 1 success, based on offseason changes, betting lines, and more. There are several unknowns at this time of year so the volatility out of the gate is expected to be high. If you choose to side with a more familiar D/ST to start then that is your prerogative.

Be sure to check Scott Rinear's breakdown of the fantasy football defenses with the best early-season matchups to help identify D/ST targets beyond Week 1. Our team has been crushing content all offseason long and we've only just begun. Good luck, RotoBallers!

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How To Determine What Defenses To Start 

You should be looking at which units have the most upside with an exploitable matchup that can help you stack up points. Defenses are often overlooked in fantasy but the top ones each week can outscore starting RBs and WRs. 

Using standardized D/ST scoring, at least one unit topped 20 fantasy points in each of the first six weeks of last season, with each week supplying at least 17 points at the top. To put this into perspective of how crucial this is for your fantasy team, only three RBs and four WRs averaged 17 or more half-PPR points per game last season. When your D/ST can outscore or match your opponent's first-round pick, you have an incredible chance to win that matchup. 

To determine this upside, you need to be targeting defenses that can cause several turnovers and get to the quarterback constantly that game. Turnovers, sacks, and defensive touchdowns are what create high ceilings for these fantasy defenses.

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

1. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. NE (Yahoo % Rostered: 42%)

CIN favored by 9, Total ~42.5, Implied team total against: 16.75 points

Cincinnati gets a fledging New England squad at home to kick off their 2024 season. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard should consistently get around the Patriot line on the edges while B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins control the interior.

Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks last year with PFF’s sixth-best pass-rush grade (90.7) for an edge defender, but Hubbard (6.0) and Hill (4.5) are no slouches. The Pats will need to rely on quick passes with several unproven options downfield.

One of the few veteran options, Hunter Henry, is nursing a leg injury with Jerod Mayo hoping Henry is ready for Week 1. Jacoby Brissett got hit hard and left their final preseason game, so perhaps Drake Maye will get no time on the bench. This gamescript could get ugly quickly and force the Pats into mistakes early on.

lmao Pats OL 😬
pulling LG runs into RG & blocks no one…

RB runs into LG & blocks no one…

2 defenders destroy QB pic.twitter.com/drWmMXONh0

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 26, 2024

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. WAS (Yahoo % Rostered: 7%)

TB favored by 4, Total ~41.5, Implied team total against: 18.75 points

Tampa Bay is out to pick on a poor offensive line. Jayden Daniels should flash exciting upside but this is his first NFL game with Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luke McCaffrey, and Jamison Crowder rotating as the No. 2 and No. 3 WRs behind Terry McLaurin. Ben Sinnott is likely limited behind an aging Zach Ertz.

Washington did bring in guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz with a third-round pick used on tackle Brandon Coleman, but our Andrew Ball still ranked them 31st as a unit going into the season. Nose tackle Vita Vea should dominate the A gaps while OLB YaYa Diaby and DE Calijah Kancey pressure the outside. Star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. may need to shade Terry McLaurin without Carlton Davis and force WAS to prove another weapon exists.

3. Seattle Seahawks D/ST vs. DEN (Yahoo % Rostered: 18%)

SEA favored by 5, Total ~42, Implied team total against: 18.5 points

Seattle will have the 12th man behind them as they host Bo Nix for his first NFL start. Staunch supporters of the rookie can pivot here but I must remind y’all that the Seahawks will also face the Patriots (at New England) in Week 2.

They spent their 20th overall pick on Byron Murphy to beef up the D-line alongside Johnathan Hankins and Leonard Williams. Denver has a great guard in Quinn Meinerz but Ben Powers and Luke Wattenberg could get bullied within the interior.

4. New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. CAR (Yahoo % Rostered: 46%)

NO favored by 4.5, Total ~40, Implied team total against: 17.75 points

New Orleans will host Carolina in Week 1, making them the first test for Dave Canales’ Panthers and whether he can salvage last year’s wreckage. The Panthers made several upgrades, with Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette notably joining the WR corps, but they have much to prove.

Meanwhile, the Saints still have stud linebacker Demario Davis with Carl Granderson on the end alongside an aging Cameron Jordan. They brought in Chase Young for another edge threat while Kool-Aid McKinstry reinforces a secondary whose 18 interceptions were tied for the third-most in the NFL last season. Let’s see if Bryce Young can make the leap.

Defense was fun to watch in this game. Here’s a NASCAR rep with Cam Jordan and Bresee on the inside. Granderson and Chase Young on the outside.

This is 3rd & 15. One of the nice things about having Cam on the inside is he’s still a plus run defender. #Saints pic.twitter.com/RvZXKheIQb

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 12, 2024

5. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. TEN (Yahoo % Rostered: 59%)

CHI favored by 4.5, Total ~43.5, Implied team total against: 19.5 points

Chicago squares off with a volatile Tennessee team that invested heavily in its passing game this offseason, but all of it hinges on a gunslinging Will Levis. Like the Falcons, the Bears’ defense will benefit from a stronger offense.

And Chicago looked much stronger after trading from DE Montez Sweat anyway. They signed an enticing safety duo in Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens as well. They should challenge Levis throughout the contest.

6. Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. PIT (Yahoo % Rostered: 7%)

ATL favored by 3, Total ~42.5, Implied team total against: 19.75 points

The Falcons were a bottom-of-the-barrel D/ST unit last season thanks to too few takeaways (16) and just one touchdown. They recently made a splash by trading for Matthew Judon to increase edge pressure but the biggest addition comes on the other side of the ball.

Kirk Cousins will make the offense exponentially more efficient than last season’s group. The field position battle and friendlier gamescripts should yield favorable defensive opportunities.

And they get Pittsburgh at home in Week 1, who may have a limited Jaylen Warren as they try to find a groove with Russell Wilson at quarterback and old friend Arthur Smith at offensive coordinator. One has to believe that ATL wants to embarrass Smith after he led them to mediocrity.

7. San Francisco 49ers D/ST vs. NYJ (Yahoo % Rostered: 100%)

SF favored by 5.5, Total ~44.5, Implied team total against: 19.5 points

You've been waiting to find SF and have finally struck gold at lucky number seven. The market is hammering the Jets with Aaron Rodgers, who has uncorked several preseason highlights while simultaneously looking not so spry on the repaired Achilles.

I find it very interesting that Aaron Rodgers is still favoring his left foot into deceleration/symmetrical decel breakdown.
Notice the slight body turn to do majority of work on his right foot.

Jets Twitter is going to have a meltdown if Rodgers doesn’t look comfortable Wk1. https://t.co/3cyzh1XCww

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 21, 2024

If you believe that the 49ers should win this game by almost a touchdown as the market initially did then it’s typically wise to load up on the winning side. Do note that Nick Sorenson will call defensive plays for the first time in 2024 after Steve Wilks was let go.

If linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga look 100% after their respective ACL and Achilles injuries then they can stand against anyone. Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins can stuff the interior while Nick Bosa gets to work against Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, two top tackles.

It’s going to be a battle worthy of the first Monday Night Football of the year and this is sure to be a polarizing game. Some will insist San Fran deserves top billing, while others might prefer the Jets' unit entirely. Let's have fun!

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

8. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. LV (Yahoo % Rostered: 4%)

LAC favored by 3.5, Total ~42.5, Implied team total against: 19.5 points

Brandon Staley is out and Jim Harbaugh is in. The new regime saw fit to bring back Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa to stand tall with Derwin James as defensive anchors while moving on from several offensive pieces.

They’ll start the Harbaugh Era with a home date against the Gardner Minshew II-led Raiders before road games against Carolina and Pittsburgh. That’s not a bad three-game stretch if you don’t want to think about this for a couple of weeks.

9. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at NYG (Yahoo % Rostered: 49%)

MIN favored by 0.5, Total ~41.5, Implied team total against: 20.5 points

The Vikings will look to take advantage of Daniel Jones’ first real game action following last year’s torn ACL. Big Blue did add Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson, but they’ve also downgraded at RB from Saquon Barkley to Devin Singletary.

Minnesota did lose Danielle Hunter to Houston but added edge rusher Dallas Turner with their 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on top of signing Jonathan Greenard, who had 12.5 sacks last season, as well as Andrew Van Ginkel (6.5 sacks). The Vikes should once again rely on generating pressure to mask a weaker secondary.

I know y’all saw that ugly pick-six that Jones threw against the Texans in the preseason. Yes, it was the preseason, but NYG needs to prove they aren’t worth streaming against this year.

Daniel Jones is having a rough preseason debut so far.

2/6, 18 yards and 2 INTs

A pick six by Jalen Pitre and now Derek Stingley picks him off in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/nVy1RcV7jl

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 17, 2024

10. Dallas Cowboys D/ST at CLE (Yahoo % Rostered: 91%)

CLE favored by 2, Total ~43.5, Implied team total against: 22.75 points

The Cowboys will look to take advantage of a Deshaun Watson who may not be 100% out of the gates. Watson did not suit up for Cleveland’s preseason finale against Seattle after missing practice on August 21 with “arm soreness.”

Cleveland does boast a tremendous offensive line if health holds up (it did not last year) and All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland will miss 6-8 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. It’s a big miss for the ballhawk who led the NFL with nine interceptions last year.

This puts more pressure on Trevon Diggs to perform after a torn ACL ended his 2023 campaign since Stephon Gilmore left town. The Browns are good, but Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and Sam Williams will test even the best units. We’re prepared for a battle here, with Watson’s wide range of outcomes bumping up Dallas’ outlook.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

11. Cleveland Browns D/ST vs. DAL (Yahoo % Rostered: 97%)

CLE favored by 2, Total ~43.5, Implied team total against: 20.75 points

The Cowboys have a rookie in Tyler Guyton taking over at left tackle for Tyron Smith, with a new center stepping into Tyler Biadasz’s spot as well. Ezekiel Elliott and Brandin Cooks are not young men while Rico Dowdle and Jalen Tolbert have proven little in the NFL. Jake Ferguson does rock, though.

Cleveland was a top-five unit last season thanks to Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and an elite secondary headed by Martin Emerson, Greg Newsome, and Denzel Ward. The linebacking corps has some turnover, but the key pieces remain in place.

The Browns get to play this one at home but must hope that Lamb is rusty after the holdout and the new linemen aren’t up to the task to have a chance at popping off in Week 1.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at ATL (Yahoo % Rostered: 92%)

ATL favored by 3, Total ~42.5, Implied team total against: 22.75 points

Hope springs eternal for the Falcons thanks to Kirk Cousins joining Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. But the Steelers will look to delay any good feelings with outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith challenging the edge.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Queen, Joey Porter, and Keeanu Benton round out a solid unit that continues to churn out top-10 D/ST seasons. Perhaps Atlanta looks to chip on the outside and let interior studs like center Chris Lindstrom and guard Drew Dalman own their lanes. You’re buying into Watt forcing mistakes and creating havoc.

13. New York Jets D/ST at SF (Yahoo % Rostered: 98%)

SF favored by 5.5, Total ~44.5, Implied team total against: 25 points

The 2023 Jets defense kept them in games where they had no business being competitive thanks to a horrid passing offense following the season-ending Achilles injury for Aaron Rodgers. But A-Rod is back and should do well to limit mistakes and help keep the field less tilted, even against a star-studded team such as San Francisco.

The Jets open the season two weeks from today. A look ahead: Their game against the 49ers will be the first matchup between the No. 1 offense in yards per play against the No. 1 defense in yards per play from the previous season in the Super Bowl Era (Since 1966), per…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 26, 2024

Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II comprise the best defensive-back trio in the NFL while Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, and C.J. Mosley headline the front seven. This is a bad spot but the Jets may prove to be as close to “must-start” as it gets for a D/ST this year. (If Trent Williams is still holding out by Week 1 then they'll jump a few spots.)

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

14. New York Giants D/ST vs. MIN (Yahoo % Rostered: 3%)

MIN favored by 0.5, Total ~41.5, Implied team total against: 21 points

Can the Giants have Sam Darnold see ghosts in the pocket? Shane Bowen replaces Wink Martindale as Big Blue’s defensive coordinator and gets two stud pass rushers to scheme up in Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux while Dexter Lawrence holds the interior.

They’re going to need to pressure Darnold quickly and frequently because their raw secondary is vulnerable to a Justin Jefferson explosion game if not. Jordan Addison is not yet suspended so he remains a threat while Jalen Nailor has earned the No. 3 role. This all boils down to your trust (or lack thereof) in Darnold.

15. Buffalo Bills D/ST vs. ARI (Yahoo % Rostered: 83%)

BUF favored by 6.5, Total ~48, Implied team total against: 20.75 points

Buffalo finished 2023 with the fourth-most sacks (54) and a combined 30 takeaways en route to an AFC East title. Their depth is being tested early, with key linebacker Matt Milano suffering a torn biceps. But they still have playmakers in DT Ed Oliver, LB Terrel Bernard, and CBs Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas.

The obvious problem here is they’re facing Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and so on. At least it’s in Buffalo, but Murray shouldn’t be hindered by the torn ACL suffered in 2022 as he eludes pressure and extends the play. You’re hoping he makes mistakes trying to get fancy.

16. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. at SEA (Yahoo % Rostered: 15%)

SEA favored by 5, Total ~42, Implied team total against: 23.5 points

Denver gave up over 50 more points in 2023 than ‘22 but recorded six more sacks and three more takeaways on the ledger. The defense didn’t change much over the offseason and remains oriented around cornerback Patrick Surtain, with LBs Alex Singleton, Nik Bonnito, Jonathon Cooper, and Baron Browning looking to provide a spark from the second level.

This boils down to whether Vance Joseph can offer more of the midseason form that held most opponents in check versus the coach who got rolled for 70 points by Miami. Week 1 provides a big test against a growing Seattle offense with new OC Ryan Grubb scheming a fearsome WR trio. Ideally, one avoids the road game against Seattle here.

17. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. GB (Yahoo % Rostered: 74%)

PHI favored by 2, Total ~48.5, Implied team total against: 23.25 points

Philadelphia’s offense got plenty of criticism for collapsing in the second half of 2023 but Matt Patricia’s defense did not help. They’re turning to Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme to rebound, which could get creative with DTs Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. They may also draw ire from opposing fanbases for "old school" hits.

Eagles safety Reed Blankenship says Vic Fangio is constantly showing the Eagles defense clips of tough, physical play within the rules. Reed says they want the identity of this defense to be physicality and he feels the Eagles didn’t do a good job last year of being tough. Hit… pic.twitter.com/gURU9eP000

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 5, 2024

They technically have a home game on the calendar but this contest is being played in São Paolo, Brazil. They'll be "hosting" Jordan Love and one of the more impressive WR groups in today’s NFL. Love only threw 11 interceptions and took 30 sacks in his first year as a starter. Philly’s offense will need to put Green Bay in an early hole for dividends here.

18. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST at LAC (Yahoo % Rostered: 9%)

LAC favored by 3.5, Total ~42.5, Implied team total against: 23 points

The Raiders defense stepped up once Antonio Pierce took over. They’ll need to bring that energy into Week 1 here as the Chargers beefed up their offensive line with Joe Alt, the 2024 fifth-overall pick.

We aren’t sure how aggressive Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers are going to be through the air with such a young WR group, but it’ll all hinge on whether Justin Herbert’s plantar fasciitis is truly cleared up. Lesser mobility and explosiveness will play into LV’s strength up front, with DE Maxx Crosby and DT Christian Wilkins pressing the pocket.

The Raiders don’t have a notable secondary so it’s weakness against weakness as far as LV DBs vs. LAC WRs. If Gardner Minshew II can minimize mistakes on the offensive end then this could turn into a meat-grinder game with a modest DST ceiling.

Tier 5 & 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1

Baltimore and Kansas City cannibalize each other’s value in Week 1, as do the Lions and Rams. These are not preferred options.

If I had to take a stab out of this group then it would be Carolina at New Orleans. You’d be hoping that the 2024 Panthers can consistently move the ball but the Saints have a poor offensive line to target.

Otherwise, you’re hoping the Titans will overwhelm Caleb Williams in his debut or that Houston will force errors and fumbles from Anthony Richardson if he gets outside of his elite tackles in Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith.

The Lions led the NFL with a 28.2% pressure rate last season but going against the Rams in Week 1 before their elder statesmen get banged up some is rough. Miami was third, by the way, and could catch Trevor Lawrence, who has yet to prove a "spike-week threat," on an off day.

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