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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 9 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts: 2016 Fantasy Tiers & Rankings

Bill's fantasy football rankings for Week 9 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, starts, sits and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 9 (2016) tiers and ranks for all NFL defenses.

Below are RotoBaller's Week 9 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target at the end of your 2016 drafts for Week 9 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our tiered defense rankings are your guide to drafting defenses, making waiver wire pickups/adds to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start, sit, target, avoid or stream for Week 9.

Any and all _____ or ______ questions can be answered by the rankings-- whoever I have ranked higher is who I would start. Starting the right defense every week can be a difference-maker, so we have broken out our defense rankings into tiers with analysis on each matchup.

Some of these Week 9 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 9 pickup or add. Good luck in Week 9, RotoBallers!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 9 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

Week 9 Defenses To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings

Editor's Note: Through seven weeks, Bill is the sixth-ranked DST overall expert on FantasyPros.com, so you know you can trust him. This man has been nailing his defenses!

Teams on bye: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals

Tier 1 Defenses

1. Minnesota Vikings (vs. DET)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. JAX)
3. Seattle Seahawks (vs. BUF)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (@ NYG)

A lot of the usual names here, but I will point out that I strongly debated the top spot this week. Ultimately the Vikings earn the top rank because of their insanely consistent high floor, but this week the Chiefs have more upside. Fantasy points aside, something is seriously wrong with Blake Bortles' mechanics, and as long as he continues to struggle there will be fantasy goodness for his opponents. Multiple turnovers are extremely likely.

Tier 2 Defenses

5. Denver Broncos (@ OAK)
6. San Diego Chargers (vs. TEN)
7. Carolina Panthers (@ LA)
8. Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
9. Dallas Cowboys (@ CLE)

The Panthers DST looked just as fierce on Sunday as they did on their way to the Super Bowl in 2015. They annihilated the Arizona offensive line on the way to eight sacks and a marginal stopping of David Johnson. They could be in for a very similar outing against the Rams in Week 9, who will be coming off a bye. Case Keenum looked terrible against the Giants in London, and the Panthers should be able to harass him into oblivion.

The Cowboys don't have a ton of upside, but they've allowed fewer than 20 points in four of seven games and there is virtually no chance the Browns run up the score. With that said, Josh McCown looked pretty solid for most of his Week 8 return, and the Cowboys simply don't pile up the counting stats. They're a good streaming option for a week with six teams on a bye, but temper your expectations.

Tier 3 Defenses

10. Atlanta Falcons (@ TB)
11. St. Louis Rams (vs. CAR)
12. Baltimore Ravens (vs. PIT)
13. New York Giants (vs. PHI)

The Rams defense has not performed up to expectations in 2016, but they've had a number of tough matchups and played short-handed on multiple occasions. I like their chances to put it together to some extent coming out of the bye against the Panthers, despite Carolina coming off a big win in Week 8. Everyone they need to get some real penetration on Cam Newton should be healthy, and it never hurts to have Tavon Austin looming in the kick return game.

I may be too high on the Ravens, but in a home game against what I have to assume is a less-than-100% Ben Roethlisberger I like their chances to put up a decent fantasy day. IF Big Ben returns in Week 9, he'll be coming back in the earliest possible time frame from a meniscus repair, and there's no way he'll be mobile enough to escape the capable Ravens pass rush. That offense is still miles better with him than Landry Jones though, so the Ravens' DST has a low ceiling.

Tier 4 Defenses

14. Detroit Lions (@ MIN)
15. Green Bay Packers (vs. IND)
16. Buffalo Bills (@ SEA)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (@ BAL)
18. New York Jets (@ MIA)

The Packers are the best run-stopping team in the NFL, but in Week 9 they need to figure out how to stop Andrew Luck and the explosive Indianapolis passing game, which just received a boost with the return of Donte Moncrief. The Colts' offensive line is one giant walking, talking set of saloon doors so the Packers DST will likely tally 3-4 sacks, but I don't have any faith they can slow down the air attack. This one could be a shootout.

You've gotta be pretty desperate to use the Jets, but there are 20-team leagues out there, right? They're the hottest mess in football, but the Jets can at least hang their hat on their run defense (fourth in the NFL). Jay Ajayi is now the engine driving the Miami offense, and you can bet the Jets will focus on making sure he doesn't break 200 yards on the ground again. However, they are the 27th-ranked passing defense, and even Ryan Tannehill should be able to hang 250 yards on them through the air.


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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Javonte Williams

Salvages Inefficient Outing With Two Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb

110-Yard Game Marred by Four Drops
Will Shipley

Questionable to Return on Thursday Night
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Micah Parsons

Expected to Play in Week 1
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Limited With Calf Injury
Justin Jefferson

Not on Week 1 Injury Report
Omarion Hampton

to Start Against Chiefs on Friday
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Najee Harris

Off the Final Injury Report, Will Play in Week 1
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Christian Kirk

Expected to be Sidelined in Week 1, Could Miss More Time
Amari Cooper

Informs Raiders of Retirement
Jayden Reed

Returns to Practice
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Jauan Jennings

Gets Incentives Added to Contract
Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP