Most fantasy football lineup decisions follow the same formula of starting the best player. That formula changes when it comes to fantasy football defense strategy. Instead of trying to find the most talented D/ST to play, fantasy managers often go with a fantasy football streaming defense approach.
In this fantasy football strategy, managers will look for the best fantasy football defense streaming option based on matchups. This may seem like a subtle difference, but it is actually an entirely different mindset. Here's how it all works.
What Are Streaming Defenses and Why They Work
A high percentage of D/ST value stems from factors such as points or yards allowed. Fantasy managers over the years have realized that subpar offenses don't score much or produce staggering yardage totals regardless of the defenses they face. This led many managers to take an approach that analyzed weekly matchup plays when reviewing fantasy football rankings.
This mindset often works much better when injuries caused by the grind of the season might start to hinder offenses in the latter parts of a team's schedule. This can make a streaming defenses strategy work more efficiently than a set-and-forget lineup approach. Relying on a single D/ST can work to a point, but that defense may not be as productive as other D/STs when it is slated to face offenses that have loaded NFL depth charts.
Key Factors to Consider When Streaming a Defense
There are many variables to consider when deciding which are the best defenses to stream. Key factors include an opponent's offensive line struggles, facing a turnover-prone quarterback and injuries, especially those to key skill position players. You can find helpful up to the minute injury updates in the RotoWire fantasy football news section.
Another vital element in finding good waiver wire defenses is Vegas over/under lines. The betting world pays close attention to offensive performance, so a low point total here strongly suggests that a D/ST in that matchup could be among the fantasy sleepers at this position for the upcoming week.
Weekly Matchup Analysis: How to Find the Right Defense
During fantasy draft season, fantasy managers often use fantasy football ADP to locate their core D/ST for the upcoming season. Once that base is set, those managers then dive into finding spot start defense options based on favorable schedules.
The key here is to get ahead of the curve by looking two weeks ahead rather than one. If you wait until the last minute while looking over that week's fantasy football cheat sheet, you will need to use a higher waiver wire priority or larger FAAB amount to get the D/ST you want.
Another beneficial rule of thumb is to use advanced metrics. A go-to here is pass blocking. Find teams that are allowing a high pass pressure rate allowed and it can be a roadmap to success in your custom fantasy football rankings.
Long-Term Strategy: Balancing Streaming With Roster Management
The streaming defense strategy can be a winner if you align it properly with other roster management strategies such as balancing bye weeks, but it has some risks. It can be done at a reasonable FAAB price (if your league uses this approach) but can also cost a lot of FAAB if done at the last minute.
Getting two weeks ahead can lock in upside scoring potential, but it can be offset by the downside of occupying a bench roster spot that may leave you short at other positions if injuries hit.
You need great tools to help with this balancing act. Everything you need is available as part of your RotoWire subscription. Along with a forward-thinking approach, you will be able to get strong weekly performance from a position where consistency can be very difficult to come by for even the most-seasoned fantasy manager.
