TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Joey Bosa - IDP Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Fantasy Football DST Rankings, Defense Streamers

Bill Dubiel breaks down all 2019 fantasy football Week 16 defenses (DEF) -- draft targets, streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 16 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Okay, this is it. If you're still alive, you can't afford to miss out at ANY position, including DST. In fact, ESPECIALLY DST. If you've made the championship, you've likely got a pretty good set of skill players, so DST is that one last magic cog that could be the difference between a title belt or ultimate defeat.

Below are RotoBaller's Week 16 playoff defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 16 of the NFL and fantasy football season. In case you missed it, this is our seventh year now writing this weekly column.

Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start, sit, target, avoid or stream for Week 16. Starting the right defense every week can be a difference-maker. Below we have broken out our defense rankings into tiers with analysis on each matchup. Some of these Week 16 defenses have good matchups and are not widely-owned, representing fantasy scoring opportunities if they are available on your league's waiver wire for a Week 16 pickup or add. Good luck in Week 16 RotoBallers!

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Week 16 Defenses To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings

My rankings are pretty pure this week. Many of the top defenses have solid matchups, and their ranking reflects that. If you're still somehow streaming in the championship matchup, my top streamers are below:

Rank DST Week 16 Opponent
1 Denver Broncos Defense vs. DET
2 Atlanta Falcons Defense vs. JAC
3 Los Angeles Chargers Defense @ OAK
4 Indianapolis Colts Defense vs. CAR
5 Kansas City Chiefs Defense @ CHI
6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense vs. HOU
7 Washington Redskins Defense vs. NYG
8 Houston Texans Defense @ TB
9 Detroit Lions Defense @ DEN
10 Miami Dolphins Defense vs. CIN

 

Tier 1 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Week 16 Opponent
1 1 New England Patriots Defense vs. BUF
2 1 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense @ NYJ
3 1 New York Jets Defense vs. PIT
4 1 Denver Broncos Defense vs. DET

 

Tier 2 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Week 16 Opponent
5 2 San Francisco 49ers Defense vs. LAR
6 2 Atlanta Falcons Defense vs. JAC
7 2 Buffalo Bills Defense @ NE
8 2 Seattle Seahawks Defense vs. ARI
9 2 Baltimore Ravens Defense @ CLE

 

Middle and Lower Tier Defenses

Tier 3 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Week 16 Opponent
10 3 Los Angeles Chargers Defense @ OAK
11 3 Indianapolis Colts Defense vs. CAR
12 3 Kansas City Chiefs Defense @ CHI
13 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense vs. HOU
14 3 Philadelphia Eagles Defense vs. DAL

 

Tier 4 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Week 16 Opponent
15 4 Dallas Cowboys Defense @ PHI
16 4 Los Angeles Rams Defense @ SF
17 4 Washington Redskins Defense vs. NYG
18 4 New Orleans Saints Defense @ TEN
19 4 Houston Texans Defense @ TB
20 4 Detroit Lions Defense @ DEN
21 4 Jacksonville Jaguars Defense @ ATL
22 4 Miami Dolphins Defense vs. CIN

 

Tier 5 Defenses

Rank Tier DST Week 16 Opponent
23 5 Green Bay Packers Defense @ MIN
24 5 Oakland Raiders Defense @LAC
25 5 Minnesota Vikings Defense vs. GB
26 5 New York Giants Defense @ WAS
27 5 Cincinnati Bengals Defense @ MIA
28 5 Carolina Panthers Defense @ IND

More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ivica Zubac

Traded to Pacers
Luke Maile

Royals Re-Sign Luke Maile to Minor-League Deal
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
José Urquidy

Pirates Sign Jose Urquidy to One-Year Deal on Thursday
Corbin Burnes

No Setbacks for Corbin Burnes, Aiming for July Return
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Angel Genao

Ready to Rebound in 2026?
Marcelo Mayer

Expected to See More At-Bats Against Lefties
Gabe Vincent

Traded to Hawks
Luke Kennard

Traded to Lakers
Rob Dillingham

Traded to Bulls
Ayo Dosunmu

Traded to Timberwolves
Zac Gallen

Targeted by the Orioles?
Brice Turang

Brings Big Upside at a Thin Position
Kyle Stowers

Looks to Build on his 2025 Breakthrough
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Mason Thompson

Joins Rangers on Minor-League Deal
Zac Gallen

Open to Returning to the Diamondbacks?
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Josh Fleming

Agrees to Minor-League Contract With Blue Jays
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
Wyatt Kaiser

Hurt Against Blue Jackets
Sandis Vilmanis

Injured in Wednesday's Win
Jack Hughes

Out Thursday
Guerschon Yabusele

Joins Bulls
Jhostynxon Garcia

to Compete for Starting Role in Spring Training
Tyus Jones

Lands in Charlotte
Spencer Jones

Facing More Competition for Role on Opening Day Roster?
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Warriors Send Trayce Jackson-Davis to Toronto
Josue Briceno

Invited to Big-League Camp
Los Angeles Dodgers

Eduardo Quintero a Budding Star in Dodgers System?
Buddy Hield

Moves to Atlanta
Joshua Baez

in Contention for Early MLB Promotion?
Kristaps Porzingis

Warriors Acquire Kristaps Porzingis
Nolan McLean

Ticketed for Large Role in Starting Rotation?
Jonathan Kuminga

Traded to Hawks
Dylan Crews

Set to Showcase Power and Speed
Logan Gilbert

Looking to Build on Effective 2025 Campaign
Hunter Greene

Stays in Cincinnati, Remains a Top Fantasy Arm
Endy Rodríguez

Endy Rodriguez Might Have to Play Second Base or Outfield
Joel Embiid

Questionable for Thursday Night
Dylan Harper

Ruled Out Versus OKC
Stephen Curry

Remains Sidelined on Thursday
Jalen Green

Questionable Against Golden State
Kristaps Porzingis

Questionable Versus Utah
Cole Anthony

is Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Jaylen Brown

is Ruled Out on Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Might Not Play Against Washington
Myles Turner

Active Wednesday
Kevin Porter Jr.

is Returning on Wednesday
Marcus Foligno

Out Wednesday Against Predators
Kiefer Sherwood

Set for Sharks Debut on First Line
Martin Necas

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Kirill Marchenko

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Sam Bennett

Anton Lundell Available for Panthers Wednesday
Nick Bjugstad

Devils Add Nick Bjugstad in Trade
Artemi Panarin

Traded to Kings, Signs Two-Year Extension
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Mathew Barzal

Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Sebastian Aho

Bags Three Points in Tuesday's Win
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Darren Raddysh

Extends Goal Streak to Five Games
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Nikita Kucherov

Posts Second Straight Four-Point Game
Travis Konecny

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Elvis Merzlikins

Earns First Shutout of the Season
Filip Chytil

Dealing With Migranes
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF