Fantasy Football: 3 Defenses to Stream for NFL Week 1

Defenses to Stream at a Glance

• Jaguars D/ST
• Chargers D/ST
• Titans D/ST

Every point matters when it comes to winning in season-long fantasy football, meaning you can't afford to leave points on the table. While we don't spend top-notch draft capital on D/STs in our fantasy football drafts, ignoring them during the season can cost you dearly.

Streaming defenses throughout the year is a great way to ensure you get the most out of your D/ST slot. Even the best defenses draw tough weekly matchups, and even the worst defenses are capable of strong fantasy outings in the right situations.

This article is here to help you sort through all of those situations and present you with three streamers that are available in most leagues.

All NFL projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook.

D/ST Streamers for Fantasy Football Week 1

Jaguars D/ST

Matchup: vs. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns‘ offense is likely to be one we pick on quite a bit this season. In Week 1, the Jacksonville Jaguars get a home game against Cleveland, and they are an elite streaming play, with our NFL Week 1 projections ranking the Jags’ D/ST as the week’s top unit.

Deshaun Watson took 33 sacks in seven games in 2024, which was the last time we saw him. He also had three picks and five fumbles across those games.

The Jags’ defense can take advantage of Watson’s turnover issues as Jacksonville mustered the second-most interceptions last season and allowed the 10th-lowest net yards per pass attempt.

Chargers D/ST

Matchup: vs. Cardinals

While the Jaguars check a lot of boxes, I think you can make a case for the Los Angeles Chargers as the week’s best D/ST play.

The Bolts are at home versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards aren’t quite as poor offensively as the Browns are, but on the bright side, the Cardinals’ D is a lot worse than Cleveland’s defense, which means the Chargers are more likely than Jacksonville is to score points and get their opponent into pass mode — giving them chances to amass sacks and interceptions.

Our model has the Chargers’ D/ST ranked sixth for the week. I’m more bullish on them than that, although I’d still give the Jags a slight edge.

Titans D/ST

Matchup: vs. Jets

I probably won’t be recommending the Tennessee Titans‘ defense much this year. They make some sense in Week 1, though.

Tennessee is at home against the New York Jets. Geno Smith may wind up being an upgrade for Gang Green, but this is still a friendly home matchup for Tennessee.

Geno led the NFL with 17 picks last year and also took the most sacks (55). That’s exactly what we’re looking for in an opposing QB.

We project Tennessee for the third-most fantasy points among all D/STs this week, and they are rostered in just 6.4% of ESPN leagues.

Fantasy Football Defense Streaming FAQ

What does streaming defenses mean in fantasy football?

Streaming defenses means changing your starting D/ST based on weekly matchups rather than relying on one defense for the entire season. The goal is to target defenses facing offenses that allow sacks, commit turnovers, and/or struggle to score.

What should I look for when streaming a fantasy defense?

Matchup quality is usually the biggest factor. Look for defenses facing inexperienced — or backup — quarterbacks, weak offensive lines, turnover-prone QBs, or teams with low projected point totals.

How early should I pick up a streaming defense?

It can be helpful to look ahead one or two weeks, especially in competitive leagues. Adding a favorable defense before waivers run can keep you from competing with several other managers for the same option. With that said, depending on how many bench spots you have, you likely will want to roster just one defense each week rather than dedicate two roster spots to D/STs.

Is it better to stream defenses or draft an elite D/ST?

Streaming can be a strong strategy because defensive fantasy production is often matchup-dependent. Rather than spending an early pick on a defense, managers can wait until late in the draft to take a D/ST and rotate options throughout the season.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.