Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 2: Who to Start at Defense - Bleacher Nation (2024)

Fantasy FootballExpert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 2.

“After our first full week of NFL action, there are a number of surprises in the fantasy football landscape, and the Defense rankings are reflecting that.”

2023 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

*As always, the projections and rankings are courtesy of4for4’s Fantasy Football Defense rankings!

Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:

The New York Giants were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickup this week.

Analysis

1. New York Giants – Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues

Josh Dobbs.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues

The Bucs blitzed Kirk Cousins at the league’s second-highest rate (52.1%) in Week 1, creating three turnovers in the first half alone. That approach on defense is necessary to note since Justin Fields’ 55.6% completion rate against the blitz last year ranked 31st among 34 qualifiers with at least 78 attempts against said scheme.

3. Cleveland Browns – Rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues

Cleveland’s front seven registered the quickest time from snap to pressure (1.95 seconds) against Joe Burrow and Cincinatti’s formidable line. Kenny Pickett is up next.

*Read John Daigle’s fullWeek 2 Waiver Wire Watch*

What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?

The Colts stick out with a positive matchup during Week 2.

Analysis

It’s difficult to pull the trigger on anything that has to do with the Colts’ fantasy football aspirations outside of Anthony Richardson, but this matchup is an intriguing one for the Indianapolis defense. Both because of himself and often due to his offensive line, C.J. Stroud felt like he was constantly on the move in Week 1, facing pressure on 25/54 dropbacks (46.3%) and taking five sacks. The O-Line more or less looked competent for much of the contest, but things got out of hand when veteran right tackle George Fant went down in the fourth quarter.

On the very first play following the injury, replacement Michael Deiter was immediately beaten (badly), leading to a strip-sack and subsequent turnover. The team would eventually kick Josh Jones out from left guard to right tackle, and he would account for four pressures on only 14 snaps as the replacement to the replacement.

Laremy Tunsil remains a fantastic left tackle, but the Texans line, in general, could be in shambles this weekend, making whoever is lining up against them an intriguing play for fantasy purposes.

*Read Justin Edwards’ fullO-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 2*

Who are some Week 2 Fantasy Defenses to avoid?

Some options who have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Rankings include: the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots.

For more advice on who to start check out theFantasy Football DST Rankings Week 2to compare the following defense pairings

1. New York Giants or Washington Commanders
2. Denver Broncos or New York Jets
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Washington Commanders
4. Cleveland Browns or Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers
6. New York Giants or Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Denver Broncos or Detroit Lions
8. Carolina Panthers or Philadelphia Eagles
9. Baltimore Ravens or Denver Broncos
10. Green Bay Packers or New York Jets
11. Atlanta Falcons or Denver Broncos
12. Miami Dolphins or New England Patriots

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Justin has been playing fantasy sports since he booted up a Sandbox Fantasy Football league on his Gateway computer in Middle School. After nearly two decades in the restaurant industry, he's focusing his attention on making a living in the sports industry.