Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 5

Oct 01, 2013

For those of you new to Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW), the strategy goes like this: Each week, you target a mediocre defense on the waiver wire, looking for a good matchup, preferably at home. You will typically get good defensive production without having to burn a semi-valuable pick on draft day. Or if you do draft a DT and they start to disappoint, you can use DTBWW the rest of the way. The strategy is also called streaming defenses.

I have been writing a DTBWW feature for four years -- offering readers several available-on-the-waiver-wire DT picks each week -- and they averaged DT5, DT6, DT7 and DT10 numbers from 2009 to 2012. DT10 may not sound impressive, but I have been offering more picks each week which may account for the decline. Still, 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.

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

Last week, I recommended the Chiefs (21.5 fantasy points, DT3), Buccaneers (10.5, DT13), Vikings (9, DT16), Colts (24.5, DT1), Titans (22.5, DT2), Saints (13.5, DT9) and Cardinals (13, DT11). It was an excellent week for streaming defenses. Through four weeks, DTBWW is averaging 12.2 FP, or DT8-type numbers.

Note: If you picked up the Chiefs, keep them in your lineup. Their ownership level makes them ineligible for DTBWW at this point. They have a great upcoming schedule so keep riding KC.

Let's take a look at the best plays for Week 5:

Rams (vs. JAX)
The Jaguars have given up the 2nd-most adjusted fantasy points to opposing defenses, so even the Rams -- who are the #28 defense at this point -- should be able to produce at home against Blaine Gabbert and Co.