Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 3.
“After two full weeks 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 of 4for4’s Fantasy Football Defense rankings!
| # | Player | FF Pts |
| 1 | Cowboys | 8 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 7.2 |
| 3 | 49ers | 7.1 |
| 4 | Patriots | 7 |
| 5 | Bills | 6.8 |
| 6 | Dolphins | 6.7 |
| 7 | Eagles | 6.7 |
| 8 | Jaguars | 6.6 |
| 9 | Browns | 6.5 |
| 10 | Seahawks | 6.2 |
| 11 | Steelers | 6.2 |
| 12 | Bengals | 6.2 |
| 13 | Ravens | 6.1 |
| 14 | Jets | 6 |
| 15 | Lions | 6 |
| 16 | Packers | 5.8 |
| 17 | Rams | 5.6 |
| 18 | Titans | 5.4 |
| 19 | Chargers | 5.4 |
| 20 | Saints | 5.4 |
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Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:
The Kansas City Chiefs were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickup this week.
Analysis
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues
Overbidding for Kansas City’s defense this week will allow you to use them in back-to-back games against Justin Fields and Zach Wilson.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues
Opposing defenses against the Texans have finished as the D/ST8 (Week 1) and D/ST7 (Sunday) through two games given the team’s abundance of injuries in the trenches, allowing 11 sacks in that time.
3. Detroit Lions – Rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues
Lions offer a high floor as 3.5-point favorites at home over Desmond Ridder, who has eaten an above-average sack rate (9.1%, 12th) and coughed up two turnovers through Week 2.
Read John Daigle’s full Week 3 Waiver Wire Watch
What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?
The Browns stick out with a positive matchup during Week 3.
Analysis
The Titans’ offensive line had issues with rookie first-round pick Peter Skoronski, and things only got worse with him out of the lineup.
The 11th-overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft missed the Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers to undergo a “medical procedure,” and there is still no update on his timeline for a return. In his place, Xavier Newman got the start but lasted only five snaps before allowing a sack and being replaced by Dillon Radunz, who would then allow three more pressures.
Through two weeks, the Titans have a 28th-ranked 12.2% adjusted sack rate after coming out of the offseason as the only team in the NFL to return only a single starter from the previous season (center Aaron Brewer).
The O-Line unit is predictably taking some time to gel, and that process is likely to make them a team to target through much of the season. Heading to Cleveland on Sunday afternoon to take on Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith will be a recipe for D/ST fantasy points.
*Read Justin Edwards’ full O-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 3*
Who are some Week 3 Fantasy Defenses to avoid?
Some options who have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Rankings include: the Las Vegas Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and the Houston Texans.
For more advice on who to start check out the Fantasy Football DST Rankings Week 3 to compare the following defense pairings
- Cleveland Browns or Jacksonville Jaguars
- Miami Dolphins or New York Jets
- New York Jets or Cleveland Browns
- Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals or Cleveland Browns
- Miami Dolphins or New Orleans Saints
- Houston Texans or Miami Dolphins
- New Orleans Saints or Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots
- New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Chargers or Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins or Las Vegas Raiders
