Knowing what defenses to start in fantasy football can be critical to winning your matchups. This position, arguably more so than any other, is match-up dependent on a weekly basis, and the best results can be got 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.
Week 1 fantasy defense rankings
The rankings below are from Senior Fantasy Analyst Tommy Garrett. If you want to ask Tommy or any of our fantasy analysts about defense rankings or streamers for Week 1, then be sure to sign up for the PFN pass, which includes daily personalized fantasy advice through the PFN Discord Server.
The table is best viewed in landscape on mobile devices and can be sorted using the filters above the table.
Top fantasy defense streamers in Week 1
Picking a defense is always tricky heading into Week 1, as most fantasy managers draft the defense they intend to start. Here are my top fantasy defense streamers, all of which are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
Heading into Week 1, we really don’t know for sure which offenses we want to target for fantasy defense streamers. So, we have to make our best educated guesses. My money is on Mitch Trubisky playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league being a situation that we want to attack.
The Cincinnati Bengals had a mediocre defense last season, but in fantasy football, you’re better off starting a mediocre defense against a bad offense than an elite defense against a good offense. Trubisky should be good for a couple of sacks and turnovers.
Tennessee Titans (vs. NYG)
The Tennessee Titans actually finished as a top-12 fantasy defense last season. Losing Harold Landry lowers their upside, but Daniel Jones is the gift that keeps on giving.
In 38 career games, Jones has taken 105 sacks, an average of 2.76 per game. He also averages 0.76 interceptions per game and nearly one fumble per game. The Giants don’t have any offensive weapons that strike fear in the heart of opposing defenses outside of Saquon Barkley. While their offensive line is improved, fantasy managers should not be afraid to stream against it until the Giants prove they can block for Jones.
Cleveland Browns (at CAR)
I don’t love streaming defenses on the road. I especially don’t like streaming weak defenses on the road based purely on matchup. However, this is Week 1, and options are limited.
The Cleveland Browns open the season against the team’s former quarterback. Baker Mayfield will undoubtedly be extra motivated to stick it to his old team, but the Browns will do everything they can to execute a ball control offense and use Nick Chubb to hide Jacoby Brisset. The Browns’ likely run-heavy game plan should limit what the Carolina Panthers can do offensively. If the Browns can get a lead, they can force Mayfield into some mistakes.
While I do like Mayfield much more than Sam Darnold, he wasn’t good last season, throwing 13 interceptions and taking 43 sacks in 14 games. Perhaps Mayfield is not a quarterback to stream against. He needs to prove it first.
Washington Commanders (vs. JAX)
This is easily the riskiest of the Week 1 fantasy defense streamers on this list. The Commanders had a bottom-10 defense in 2021 and will open the season without Chase Young. If you’re streaming the squad formerly known as the Football Team, you’re simply betting against Trevor Lawrence.
Last season, Lawrence was an unmitigated disaster. If it weren’t for extenuating circumstances, Lawrence would be on the fast track to bust-ville. Due to the environment created by Urban Meyer and his complete inability to coach, Lawrence is largely being given a mulligan on his rookie season.
Lawrence threw 17 picks in 17 games with just 12 touchdown passes. From Week 9-16, Lawrence somehow threw just one touchdown pass. What if Lawrence doesn’t take a step forward? Even if he does, what if it just doesn’t happen right away? The Jacksonville Jaguars have far from an imposing offense, so targeting them in Week 1 is certainly not the worst move.