Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses (Week 4)

Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 4 of the 2022 fantasy football season. Check out the defenses you should consider bidding on for this week.

• Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Minnesota Vikings: 19% rostered

• Next opponents: @NO, CHI, @MIA
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Vikings’ defense, averaging a respectable 7.0 fantasy points per game, will be in London for an attractive Week 4 matchup against a Saints offense that has scored only 24 points in its last two games. Saints QB Jameis Winston has thrown five interceptions this season and has been sacked 11 times. In Week 5, the Vikings face a Bears offense that has been responsible for four interceptions and 10 sacks. Since you can roll out the Vikings for the next two weeks, it’s acceptable to spend $2 or $3 on them instead of putting in a standard $1 bid for a streaming D.

Kansas City Chiefs: 44% rostered

• Next opponents: @TB, LV, BUF
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: As noted last week, the Chiefs have been a top-12 defense in fantasy scoring in each of Patrick Mahomes‘ four seasons as a starter, largely because Mahomes puts pressure on opposing offenses to keep up with Kansas City’s offense by forcing opponents to throw. That means more opportunities for sacks and interceptions. In Week 2, Justin Herbert and the Chargers were trying to keep up, and a Herbert throw intended for TE Gerald Everett was intercepted by CB Javien Watson and returned 99 yards for a TD. In Week 4, the Chiefs visit Tampa for a Sunday-night matchup against a Buccaneers offense that seemed stuck in mud for most of a Week 3 loss to the Packers.

New York Giants: 10% rostered

• Next opponents: CHI, @GB, BAL
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The return of rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux from a knee injury should help the Giants’ pass rush, and Week 4 brings an appealing matchup with the Bears and their punchless passing attack. Bears QB Justin Fields has thrown four interceptions and taken 10 sacks.

Detroit Lions: 1% rostered

• Next opponents: SEA, @NE, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: NA
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: As of Week 3, the Lions had the lowest rostership rate of any defense. There’s good reason for that. Detroit’s defense is a work in progress. But we’re targeting bad offenses with our streaming defenses, and the Lions have a good matchup against QB Geno Smith and the Seahawks this week. In Week 5, the Lions face the Patriots, who could potentially be without QB Mac Jones.

Stash candidate: Jacksonville Jaguars

The plucky Jaguars shut out the Colts in Week 2 and held the Chargers to 10 points in Week 3. You don’t want to use the Jaguars against the high-flying Eagles in Week 4, but if you have a roster spot to spare, you could grab them for $1 this week and roll them out against the Texans in Week 5.