Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses (Week 2)

Let’s take a look at the defenses we’re targeting on your Week 2 waiver wire.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses

Cleveland Browns: 20% rostered

• Next opponents: NYJ, PIT, @ATL
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Browns treated former teammate Baker Mayfield harshly in Week 1, sacking him four times, intercepting him once, and forcing him into four fumbles (all of which Carolina managed to recover). The Cleveland D is capable of raising some hell, and the next three quarterbacks they face will likely be Joe Flacco, Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 30% rostered

• Next opponents: NE, @CLE, NYJ
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Pittsburgh defense sustained a major blow, with reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt sustaining a pec injury that figures to keep him out multiple weeks, if not multiple months. But the Steelers have some other defensive talent, too, and they have an easy stretch of schedule coming up over the next three weeks before they run into the Bills in Week 5. First up: a staggering Patriots offense that has former defensive guy Matt Patricia calling plays and QB Mac Jones dealing with a back issue.

Cincinnati Bengals: 45% rostered

• Next opponents: @DAL, @NYJ, MIA
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Bengals are about to face a Cowboys team that will be without starting QB Dak Prescott (hand). That means a start against Cooper Rush, which will probably lead to some turnovers and sacks. The Week 3 date with the Jets doesn’t look bad either.

Carolina Panthers: 5% rostered

• Next opponents: @NYG, NO, ARI
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Panthers are a viable grab-and-dump option this week thanks to a matchup with turnover-prone QB Daniel Jones and the Giants.

Philadelphia Eagles: 41% rostered

• Next opponents: MIN, @WSH, JAX
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Eagles might not be a great play against the Vikings this week. Philly’s D wasn’t especially sharp in giving up five Week 1 touchdowns to the Lions, after all. But this is still a pretty good defense on paper, and matchups against Washington and Jacksonville in Weeks 4-5 appear favorable.