The waiver wire often holds hidden gems that can transform your fantasy football season. While many managers chase big names and obvious pickups, savvy players know that defense can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Several defensive units currently sitting on waivers have shown consistent upside and favorable matchups ahead. Smart roster management means identifying these overlooked options before your league mates catch on.
Seattle Seahawks DEF (vs. HOU)
The Seattle Seahawks are the No. 1 defense in fantasy football, but are only rostered in 49% of leagues. It’s not like they’ve been quietly good; everybody is fully aware of how good the Seahawks’ defense is, but negative points in Week 5 saw them mercilessly dropped in many leagues.
Seattle has been a top-five defense four times this season, and only dropped out of the top-11 once. This week, they face a Texans offense that has struggled to start the year, only topping 20 points against the miserable defenses of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens in recent weeks.
Houston has averaged only 2.2 red-zone trips per game this season, fourth-fewest in the NFL, while its 35% third-down conversion rate is seventh-worst. Things are unlikely to get better against an elite Seahawks defense, which should be added wherever available and held through their Week 7 bye.
Chicago Bears DEF (vs. NOR)
Another top fantasy defense that is surprisingly still available after their Week 5 bye is the Bears. Chicago is ranked in the top-12 defenses in fantasy points per game this season, having been almost ever-present in the top-12 throughout the year.
Aside from an outlier hammering at the hands of the Detroit Lions in Week 2, the Bears have been a top-12 defense every game they’ve played. They face the Saints this weekend, in what is currently forecasted to be a windy, rainy affair at Soldier Field.
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The Bears have forced 11 turnovers in their last three games and have ended 21.8% of opposing drives with a turnover this season, the highest rate in the league. On a wet and windy afternoon in Chicago, there could easily be a few more on Sunday.
Miami Dolphins DEF (at CLE)
Finally, the Dolphins’ defense has been atrocious recently, but that hasn’t always translated to fantasy. Miami tallied back-to-back top-12 fantasy weeks before their disappointing performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
At the time of writing, Cleveland is forecast to have a 60% chance of rain and 18 MPH winds on Sunday, which is excellent news for both defenses. Miami has had three top-12 fantasy weeks this year against the Patriots, Panthers, and Jets, but struggled against the more talented Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts.
The Browns are definitely closer to the first group than the second, and Miami should be a serviceable defense in Week 6. The Seahawks and Bears are the priority adds out of these three defenses, in that order, but Miami should be playable if neither is available.