Streaming Defenses: Week 16 Targets

Dec 20, 2016

When it comes to drafting a defense, I’m not someone to start the run. I’d rather wait until the end of the draft and play the defense with the great matchup. This practice is commonly known as streaming defenses. Every week, you target a mediocre defense with a great matchup against a weak QB or offensive line.

We have been writing this streaming feature for seven years -- offering readers several available-on-the-waiver-wire defense picks each week -- and they averaged DT5, DT6, DT7, DT10, DT8 and DT7 numbers from 2009 to 2015. Generating top 10 DT numbers off the waiver wire allows fantasy owners to basically ignore the position on draft day, instead focusing on more important areas during the draft.

Generally, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of Yahoo fantasy leagues to be eligible. This ensures we are talking about defenses that are readily available.

Last week, the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers finished with nine fantasy points in their respective matchups, putting them on the board as the DST8. Through 15 weeks, our suggestions are averaging nearly 11 fantasy points per game.

As always, continue to target a defense with a home matchup or facing a below average or rookie QB. Week 16 is here, which means it’s championship week and I’d like to thank everyone that read these articles on a weekly basis. If streaming got you here, no reason to stop now. Let’s take a look at who we’re targeting this week:

San Diego Chargers @ CLE

I normally don’t like the west coast to east coast travel, but against the Browns, I’ll make the exception. Putting my meteorologist hat on, the weather in Cleveland is supposed to be in the high 30s with a chance of rain, so I’m not worried about snow impacting the Chargers.

The Cleveland offense seems to be the cure-all for what’s ailing a defense. It wouldn’t at all surprise me to see Corey Liuget record his first sack of the season.

The outside linebackers are going to give the Browns’ offensive line fits. Joey Bosa has sacks in four straight games and has piled in five QB hits in the last four games. He’s maintained a consistent pressure rate and will look to take advantage of the right side of Cleveland’s line. Melvin Ingram recorded his first sack since Week 10 and will look to build on his Week 15 performance, as he also helped produced two turnovers.

Casey Hayward has produced seven picks and defended 19 other passes, so if you throw on him, chances are, he’s going to make a play on the ball.

The offensive line has RGIII running for his life and it’s causing him to make bad throws. The pressure isn’t going to relent this week against a Charger defense that’s going to throw the kitchen sink to prevent being Cleveland’s first win. The Browns are allowing the most aFPA and San Diego, in a plus matchup, is available in 71 percent of leagues.