Defense & Special Teams Strategy
Maximizing value from the most unpredictable fantasy position
The D/ST Paradox
Defense and Special Teams (D/ST) is the most volatile position in fantasy football. Unlike skill positions where individual talent drives production, D/ST scoring depends on opponent quality, game script, weather, and situational factors that are inherently unpredictable week-to-week.
The key insight: streaming D/ST is almost always the optimal strategy. Historical data shows that only 2-3 defenses per season justify being held all year. The rest of your D/ST value comes from matchup exploitation.
This chapter covers D/ST valuation, streaming strategy, and special teams impact on fantasy scoring.
- Sacks
- INTs
- Fantasy Pts
- SF 49ers
- DAL Cowboys
- BAL Ravens
- CLE Browns
| Weeks | Strategy | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Stream against weak OLs (NYG, CAR, NE) | High |
| 4-6 | Target defenses facing rookie QBs | Medium |
| 7-9 | Bye week fill-ins with favorable matchups | High |
| 10-12 | Weather games (cold, wind) favor defenses | Medium |
| 13-15 | Playoff push - target tanking teams | High |
| 16-17 | Championship weeks - start your studs | Critical |
D/ST Draft Rules
Never draft a D/ST before Round 14 - the position is too volatile to justify early capital
Target defenses with elite pass rushers - sacks are the most predictable D/ST scoring category
Prioritize defenses facing bad offenses in Weeks 1-3 for early season streaming
Hold 2 D/ST spots during bye weeks to ensure streaming flexibility
Weather impacts D/ST more than any other position - monitor forecasts for cold/wind games
Special teams touchdowns are essentially random - don't chase them in projections
| # | Team | Sacks | INTs | FF | Def TD | Pts Allowed | Fantasy Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SF 49ers | 52 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 280 | 168 |
| 2 | DAL Cowboys | 48 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 295 | 155 |
| 3 | BAL Ravens | 46 | 15 | 11 | 3 | 300 | 148 |
| 4 | CLE Browns | 50 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 305 | 142 |
| 5 | BUF Bills | 44 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 310 | 138 |
| 6 | NYJ Jets | 42 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 315 | 132 |
| 7 | MIA Dolphins | 40 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 320 | 128 |
| 8 | PIT Steelers | 45 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 325 | 122 |