Empty the Bench

We’re not big advocates of investing in team defenses on draft day. Sure, it’s a bit stressful to pick through the scraps every week, adding and dropping based on matchups and sometimes getting stuck with what could optimistically be called a shitty play. But more than perhaps any other fantasy position, it’s often a fool’s errand to chase last year’s production and burn a 6th – 8th round pick on a DEF. We’d argue you shouldn’t take one until your very last pick.

The Pittsburgh Steelers DEF were the first off the board this year, with an average draft position of 58th overall, or the middle of the 6th round; they’re currently the 17th-ranked DEF in ETB’s scoring format. The Tennessee Titans DEF was on average taken a few picks later at 73rd overall, and that unit now sits dead last in fantasy defenses. Sure, some of the high picks pan out (like the Giants, Vikings, and Ravens), but it’s a total crapshoot and not worth the reach. Reaches are for RBs and WRs, not DEFs.

To that end, our top play this week: the Green Bay Packers, who dismantled the Detroit Lions at home last week to the tune of 0 points allowed, 5 sacks, and 3 INTs. Yes, it was an ideal matchup coming off a bye and with both Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson sidelined, but this is what DEFs are all about–playing the matchup. They get another juicy one this week against the pitiful Cleveland Browns offense.

In case you’re wondering, the Green Bay DEF’s average draft position in Yahoo! was 135th overall, and they’re currently the 7th-best fantasy DEF.

This week’s top-five plays should all pan out nicely, but it gets a bit murkier after that.

See also:
- Week 7 QB Rankings
- Week 7 RB Rankings
- Week 7 WR Ranks
- Week 7 TE Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers @ CLE
2. Philadelphia Eagles @ WSH
3. New England Patriots vs. TB (in London)
4. Indianapolis Colts @ STL
5. New York Jets @ OAK
6. Minnesota Vikings @ PIT
7. New York Giants vs. ARZ
8. New Orleans Saints @ MIA
9. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. MIN
10. Atlanta Falcons @ DAL
11. Buffalo Bills @ CAR
12. San Francisco 49ers @ HOU
13. Carolina Panthers vs. BUF
14. Arizona Cardinals @ NYG
15. Cincinnati Bengals vs. CHI

Charles Woodson & AJ Hawk Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Possibly Related Content:

1. Fantasy Football – Week 9 Defense Rankings


2. Fantasy Football – Week 12 Defense Rankings


3. Fantasy Football – Week 13 Defense Rankings


4. Fantasy Football – Week 14 Defense Rankings


5. Fantasy Football – Week 8 Defense Rankings