Knowing which defenses to start in fantasy football can be critical to winning your matchups. This position, arguably more so than any other, is matchup-dependent on a weekly basis, and the best results can be obtained by being flexible with a streaming strategy. Here’s a look at our Week 1 fantasy defense rankings and the top options to stream this week.
Behind in research? Get a trade offer in your dynasty or redraft league? Not sure who to start or sit this week? Leverage PFN’s FREE fantasy tools — our Fantasy Football Draft Kit, Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Calculator, and Start/Sit Optimizer! Put the finishing touch on your A+ draft with 1 of our 425+ fantasy football team names.
Top Defense Streamers in Week 1
This early in the season, we don’t yet know who these teams are. Much of our decisions are dictated by what happened last year. As always, we are looking to target weak opposing offenses. Here are my top fantasy defense streamers, all of which are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
There is a lot of optimism surrounding the Bears this season. The addition of DJ Moore has many believing Justin Fields will make a Jalen Hurts-like leap in his third season, with Moore doing for him what A.J. Brown did for Hurts. I just don’t buy it.
I like Moore. He’s great at football. Still, I don’t think he’s on the level of guys like Brown or Stefon Diggs. I don’t think he can be the guy to elevate Fields. But more importantly, I don’t buy that Fields is capable of making that progression as a passer.
In just 15 games last season, Fields led the NFL in sacks taken at 55. The Packers have an above-average defense and should get to Fields multiple times, as well as force a mistake or two. They are my top streaming option for Week 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars (at IND)
I don’t love recommending road defenses, but attacking a rookie QB like Anthony Richardson in his first career start isn’t wild. There is admittedly an upside issue as it pertains to the Jaguars’ defense, in that Richardson may not attempt many passes. But beggars can’t be choosers. These are streamers after all.
MORE: Fantasy and NFL News Tracker
Richardson is a tremendous athlete, and I have no doubt he will make some spectacular plays. But he is also raw and making his NFL debut. I expect him to make several mistakes, as well. That should be enough for the Jaguars to score those who stream them a handful of fantasy points.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. LAR)
The Seahawks have a very good offense. The Rams have a very bad defense. That means the Seahawks should score a bunch of points, forcing the Rams to throw to keep up.
Matthew Stafford is healthy, but who exactly is he throwing to? Cooper Kupp is expected to miss Week 1 (and who knows how long after) due to a setback with his strained hamstring. That makes Stafford’s WR1 Van Jefferson.
Tyler Higbee is a fine option in the passing game, but if he’s the clear top target earner, that’s a problem.
The Rams already have a questionable offensive line, and now Stafford won’t have Kupp getting open at will. This will inevitably lead to Stafford having to move through his progressions, affording the pass rush more time to get to him, which I expect them to do multiple times.
Then, in the second half, with the Rams trailing, Stafford could be more prone to mistakes, as he presses to catch up. This is an ideal setup for the Seahawks’ defense. They are a serviceable streamer.
Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)
Caution: this is only for the desperate. The Atlanta Falcons do not have a good defense. However, the Carolina Panthers may very well have the worst offensive line in the league.
Bryce Young is most likely going to become a quality NFL quarterback. In his first career start, on the road, I think he’s going to struggle.
Young took three sacks and completed just 58.3% of his passes in the preseason. He will get better, but I’m banking on him struggling in his NFL debut. If you need to really dig deep for a defensive streamer, the Falcons are in play in Week 1.
Week 1 Fantasy Defense Rankings
The rankings below are our PFN Consensus Rankings. They are compiled as an average between myself, Fantasy Football Director Kyle Yates, and my fellow Fantasy Football Analysts Derek Tate and Kyle Soppe.
If you want to ask any of our fantasy analysts about kicker rankings or streamers for Week 1, be sure to sign up for the PFN Discord server, where you will have unlimited access to the team throughout the season.
