Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers and Values - Defenses (D/ST)

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

New Orleans Saints (D/ST, NO) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~185 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~205 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

Team Defense (DST) Top Draft Targets

Defense is often overlooked but has the ability to win you your weekly matchups. Last year, the top unit was the Rams, and they scored 9.9 points per game (according to ESPN standard scoring), which is equivalent to Giovani Bernard in PPR formats, who finished as the 34th-ranked running back. Any time we can get... Read More

San Francisco 49ers Defense (D/ST, SF) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 16.3 (2nd D/ST) ANALYSIS: This pick should be no surprise, as it is the second-most-expensive among D/ST. But if you can get to the last rounds with the unit available you better get it. The 49ers rode a ball-hawking and dominant defense to the Super Bowl last year and it’s hard to point... Read More

Cincinnati Bengals Defense (D/ST, CIN) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 45.8 (22nd D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Bengals immediately addressed the loss of Kirkpatrick and Dennard by adding two intriguing options at cornerback in the offseason in Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. These are cheaper options to be sure, and they may not represent a huge downgrade in talent. William Jackson III could return to... Read More

Cleveland Browns Defense/ST (D/ST, CLE) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 28.1 (11th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The story in Cleveland is a combination of veterans stepping up and rookies showing out. Myles Garrett may be the best pass rusher on the planet (the Bosa brothers may certainly quibble about that point), and both Sheldon Richardson and Oliver Vernon will anchor the middle once again. Rookie Jacob... Read More

Washington Football Team Defense (D/ST, WAS) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 40.6 (25th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Washington defense is littered with former first-round picks, but easily the most exciting player here is defensive end Chase Young, who they drafted with the second overall pick this year. Young is widely regarded as one of the more transcendent talents in recent memory, and he'll step in... Read More

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (D/ST, JAX) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 34.3 (26th D/ST) ANALYSIS: Losing Calais Campbell is obviously significant, but the Jaguars have a ton of young talent up front that can make the Jaguars reminisce about the unbelievable 2017 season. It'd be nice if they could figure out Yannick Ngakoue's contract situation, but even if they head into the 2020 season... Read More

New England Patriots Defense (D/ST, NE) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 22.3 (5th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Patriots had a dominant defense in the first half of 2019 (partly due to them playing very weak opponents), but the unit still finished as the top-ranked fantasy defense at the end of the season. It’s best to temper expectations heading into this season though, as the Pats... Read More

Dallas Cowboys Defense (D/ST, DAL) - Fantasy Football Draft Values

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 28.8 (4th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Cowboys suffered some major losses in free agency, but it's possible that they recovered so well they're in a better position. Losing Robert Quinn and Maliek Collins up front stings, but replacing them with upside veterans like Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe and Everson Griffen ensures that this pass... Read More

New Orleans Saints Defense (D/ST, NO) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 19.4 (15th D/ST) ANALYSIS: The New Orleans Saints may have come up short of the Super Bowl the past few seasons, but their roster is one of the most complete on paper. Though Drew Brees and company get most of the credit for their wins, this defense is not to be undermined. NOLA... Read More

Buffalo Bills Defense (D/ST, BUF) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 17.5 (8th D/ST) ANALYSIS: Under coach Sean McDermott, the Bills have become a defensive stalwart. Finishing 12th among fantasy defenses last season may seem like the team isn’t that fantasy-relevant, but the unit has the talent and coaching to field a top fantasy defense in 2020. After all, Buffalo has DE Trent Murphy,... Read More

Baltimore Ravens Defense (D/ST, BAL) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 16.5 (1st D/ST) ANALYSIS: Not only do the Baltimore Ravens have an explosive offense that never seems to run out of juice, but they also have a formidable defense. They now have DE Derek Wolfe, DE Calais Campbell, and rookie LB Patrick Queen, along with the returns of CB Marcus Peters, S Earl... Read More

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (D/ST, PIT) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers

CURRENT ADP: Rd. 17.6 (3rd D/ST) ANALYSIS: The Steelers may have had a lot of QB issues last season after Big Ben Roethlisberger went down with an injury, but their defense was legitimate. Heading into 2020, Pitt is boasting a unit that features LB T.J. Watt, DE Cameron Heyward, LB Devin Bush, CB Joe Haden, S... Read More

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

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... Read More

Week 15-16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Still doing things a little differently this week--for those of you who are still alive. I want to take a look at the playoffs as a whole (and in this case we are considering Weeks 14-16) and determine which DSTs you can ride all the way through and which ones you should stream this week.... Read More

Week 14-16 Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

The playoffs are here, and that means we're going to do things a little differently. I want to take a look at the playoffs as a whole (and in this case we are considering Weeks 14-16) and determine which DSTs you can ride all the way through and which ones you should stream this week.... Read More

Week 13 and Playoff Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2019 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

This is your last shot at the playoffs--don't miss out because you neglected something as important as your DST! That's only half-sarcastic. Below are RotoBaller's Week 13 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 13 of the NFL and fantasy football season. In case you... Read More

2019 IDP Draft Sleepers

I've been playing in IDP leagues for the last couple of years, but I've never ventured into the world of writing about IDP leagues. But one goal I have as a fantasy analyst is to expand my horizon a little each year, and this year that goal is to write some about IDP leagues. To... Read More

Team Defense (D/ST) Draft Sleepers

Football is a fickle game. NFL defenses can be the same. A defense can be good one year and not so good the next. The common sentiment is the need to get rid of defenses in fantasy football. While this much like the kicker, debate is a good thought, it has not happened yet. Until... Read More

Team Defenses (D/ST) to Target in Fantasy Drafts

One of the last selections that are typically made each year during drafts is the selection of team defenses in fantasy. Different strategies are put in to place when it comes to this process. Do you start the run early by going after one of the elite units of the league or let them go... Read More

Week 17 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Is your championship matchup still going on? Below are RotoBaller's Week 17 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 17 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups,... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 17 Lightning Round

Congratulations to those of you who took down your fantasy title in Week 16! We here at RotoBaller salute you and are happy to have been a part of the journey. But we know there are those of you who play into Week 17 and we never abandon our own! In the interest of getting... Read More

Week 16 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

This is what we've been playing for--it's championship week! Below are RotoBaller's Week 16 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. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 16 Lightning Round

Whether you're approaching your championship game, playing for third place or looking to avoid the sacko, we here at RotoBaller are here to help and get you waiver information as fast (and as accurately) as possible. Consider this the waiver wire lightning round heading into Week 16. This column is published early every week and then... Read More

Week 15 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Are you still alive? Below are RotoBaller's Week 15 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 15 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups, and to decide... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 15 Lightning Round

The fantasy football playoffs are off and running, and we here at RotoBaller are here to help and get you waiver information as fast (and as accurately) as possible for your championship push. Consider this the waiver wire lightning round heading into Week 15. This column is published early every week and then updated after... Read More

Week 14 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

It's playoff time--hopefully you're still alive in at least a few of your leagues. Below are RotoBaller's Week 14 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 14 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 14 Lightning Round

Welcome to this quick waiver overview as we head towards those fantasy playoffs. Congratulations to those of you who are already in, those with byes looking forward to Week 15, as well as those with leagues that continue the regular season through Week 14. We here at RotoBaller are here to help and get you... Read More

Week 13 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Below are RotoBaller's Week 13 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 13 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start,... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 13 Lightning Round

Welcome back to this quick-hitting waiver overview as we in the fantasy football community prepare for the traditional final week of the regular season. Thus begins the true must-win environment in FF, and we here at RotoBaller are here to help. In order to get you waiver information as fast (and as accurately) as possible, so... Read More

Week 12 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2018 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Below are RotoBaller's Week 12 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream, start and target off the waiver wire for Week 12 of the NFL and fantasy football season. Our weekly tiered defense rankings are a guide to making waiver wire pickups to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start,... Read More

Waiver Wire Express - Week 12 Lightning Round

Week 11 has been quite the show thus far, as all of our fantasy teams can only aspire to be half as successful as the New Orleans Saints, who appear to be executing at will over opponents. Remember when the Buccaneers beat them? Me neither. Anyway, we here at RotoBaller are always looking to get... Read More