Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 2.
“After a full week of NFL action, there are a number of surprises in the football landscape, and the fantasy football Defense rankings are reflecting that.”
2024 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings
*As always, the projections and rankings are courtesy of 4for4’s Fantasy Football Defense rankings!
# | Player | FF Pts |
1 | Chargers | 7.7 |
2 | Colts | 7.7 |
3 | Ravens | 7.6 |
4 | Steelers | 7.1 |
5 | Jets | 6.8 |
6 | 49ers | 6.8 |
7 | Cowboys | 6.5 |
8 | Texans | 6.5 |
9 | Chiefs | 6.5 |
10 | Commanders | 6.4 |
11 | Eagles | 6.2 |
12 | Seahawks | 6.1 |
13 | Jaguars | 6.1 |
14 | Browns | 6 |
15 | Lions | 6 |
16 | Giants | 5.9 |
17 | Patriots | 5.7 |
18 | Dolphins | 5.6 |
19 | Bears | 5.6 |
20 | Cardinals | 5.6 |
Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:
The Los Angeles Chargers were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickup this week.
Analysis
Against an admittedly bad Raiders offense, the Chargers looked like a whole new defense under Jim Harbaugh on Sunday.
They racked up four sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries and allowed just 10 points to Gardner Minshew and Co. With Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James, they’ve got the talent to be a weekly start for fantasy. And in Week 2, they get the Carolina Panthers. They’re a good bet for 20 fantasy points.
Read Matt Okada’s full Week 2 Waiver Wire Watch
What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?
The Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens stick out with a positive matchup during Week 2.
Analysis
Seattle Seahawks – The Patriots’ offense looked right in line with what we thought they’d be heading into the season, as Jacoby Brissett notched 5.0 yards per attempt.
New England took 30.9 seconds per snap (26th) and delivered a 39.1%-to-60.9% pass-to-rush ratio (31st) in Week 1. Typically, those types of pace stats don’t turn into fantasy goodness for D/ST starts, but it could also deliver one of the easiest floor plays of Week 2.
The Patriots offensive line continued to struggle despite a game script that should benefit a rush-heavy team. They earned a 2.69% blown-block rate, ranking 26th on the week after finishing 27th last year in that metric.
They also sported a 37.9% pressure rate (fifth-highest) despite Brissett dropping back to pass all of six times in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore Ravens – In Week 1, the Raiders’ run-heavy approach amounted to 63 yards on 18 running back carries (3.5 YPC) and the league’s lowest EPA per attempt (-0.62). Their mentality may need to change, and Week 2 is an excellent time to try that out against a Ravens team that is currently projected as 9.5-point favorites, by far the highest mark on the slate.
If Garnder Minshew is tasked with airing the ball out against a Ravens pass rush that is free to pin their ears back, that could be trouble. Left tackle, Kolton Miller has progressed into a stud, but the Ravens have plenty of pieces to move around, including to the other side of the line to take advantage of RT Thayer Munford.
Las Vegas will attempt to find the red zone for just the second time in the season against Baltimore, and they’ll likely be doing it from an early deficit.
*Read Justin Edwards’ full O-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 2*
Who are some avoids in the Week 2 fantasy football defense rankings?
Some options who have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings include: the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Atlanta Falcons
For more advice on who to start check out the Fantasy Football DST Rankings Week 2.