Streaming Defenses: Week 5 Targets

Oct 04, 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 Detroit Lions finished with 9pts against the Bears, putting them on the board as the DST8. Through four weeks, our suggestions are averaging 7 fantasy points per game.

Continue to target a defense with a home matchup or facing a below average QB/rookie. Week 5 is here, so let's look the defensive options:

Philadelphia Eagles @ DET

If someone in your leagues dropped them for a bye week replacement, this is a great week to scoop them back up. They’ll head to Detroit, but this is looking like a formidable defense that is capable of making big plays.

Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox lead the defensive line, each with three sacks and four QB hits on the year. They are a formidable duo, and along with Connor Barwin and Vinny Curry, make a strong line that are giving opposing QBs fits.

Nigel Bradham leads the Eagle linebackers with 10 tackles and also has an INT. Jordan Hicks is capable of making plays at any time. The defensive line is so aggressive up front, leaving very little for the linebackers to clean up.

Rodney McLeod leads the secondary with two INTs and has defended three other passes. Malcolm Jenkins has notched a sack and four defended passes.

Now that Philadelphia has had their bye week, they are looking like a defense that could emerge from the stream, as they are just 50% owned. Jim Schwartz’s defense could make Matthew Stafford’s afternoon difficult. The Eagles defense has three straight games of 10 or more fantasy points and the Lions are 13th in aFPA to opposing defenses.