Most fantasy football managers wait until the final rounds of the draft before considering their defensive/special teams units, but that doesn't mean you should go into your fantasy draft without a game plan.
As always with fantasy defenses, there's a little bit of something for everyone, with top-tier options like the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens (currently the No. 1 and No. 2 defenses in the draft) providing plenty of room for improvement. FantasyPros Accumulative ADPrespectively) and some late-round sleepers like the Chicago Bears (one of my favorites).
On the off chance that you’re not willing to invest in a top-tier option on defense, there are plenty of options available in the later rounds. Or, even better, if you’re looking to stream at the position, there are some enticing targets with favorable Week 1 matchups to get you off to a strong start. If none of these options appeal to you, don’t worry. Scroll through to find our D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season and discover which unit is best for your roster build.
Defense Streamer of the Week 1
Bengals D/ST vs. Patriots
Those not willing to spend big on defense in the draft should prioritize the Cincinnati Bengals D/ST in Week 1. They are currently 9.5-point home favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook. This matchup is tied with the Steelers-Falcons and Panthers-Saints for the lowest point total in the league, but that's not a surprise. teeth It's the Patriots, after all. The Falcons' offensive line is shaky right now, but that could mean a lot for DE Trey Hendrickson, who is looking to prove his worth while pursuing a contract extension.
Falcons D/ST vs. Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of the biggest wild cards in the league this season, as they have made a major overhaul on offense this year. Not only have they revamped their quarterback staff with newly named QB1 Russell Wilson and explosive backup Justin Fields, but they have also brought in Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. Smith may have been a disappointment as a head coach, but it should be remembered that in his final season with Tennessee, his offense was second in total yards and fourth in points.
All of this sound That's pretty impressive, but with so many changes to the team's dynamics, there will be some issues to iron out over the course of the season. Wilson is still getting some rust off from a calf injury he suffered at the start of training camp, and the offensive line could feature a whopping three rookies. That means there are questions about the Steelers' roster, while the Falcons' recent acquisitions (Matt Judon, Justin Simmons) could make for a bloody battle.
Bears D/ST vs. Titans
The Bears are one of my favorite defenses for Week 1 and even for 2024 as a whole. The Bears were already starting to look like an improved unit defensively just last season, but now their offense is vastly improved and will be able to stay fresh for longer periods of time off the field. With star CB Jaylon Johnson, LB TJ Edwards, DE Montez Sweat, and the signing of Kevin Byard this offseason, the Bears have some promising options to build on their finishes as the D/ST 10 from Week 9-18.
In Week 1, they take on the Tennessee Titans, who have some solid contributors on offense including Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd catching passes from second-year QB Will Revis, but this is a brand new unit in many ways, including the offensive line, so some patience on the part of fantasy managers may be required, especially on the road so early in the year against the Bears defense.
Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings
Kate Magziuk is the editor. Yahoo Fantasy contributor Co-organizer of Rock On Dynasty Football podcast. He also serves as editor-in-chief of SB Nation's exclusive show “Behind The Steel Curtain.” Pittsburgh Steelers Blog. Previous contributors to Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld, 4for4 Football, and more.
