Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 1 of the 2022 fantasy football season.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Defenses

Cleveland Browns: 20% rostered

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

Analysis: Led by fearsome pass rusher Myles Garrett, the Browns tied for ninth in sacks last year. They also have a terrific young group of cornerbacks with Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams and Greg Newsome. The Browns visit the Panthers in Week 1 and host the Jets and Steelers in Weeks 2-3. This defense has the potential to rack up fantasy points in matchups against QBs Baker Mayfield, Zach Wilson/Joe Flacco and Mitch Trubisky.

Philadelphia Eagles: 39% rostered

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

Analysis: The Eagles had a middling fantasy defense in 2021 but offer promise for 2022. Philly boasts an imposing front seven and a good group of cornerbacks. The Eagles also have a favorable early-season schedule, drawing Jared Goff and the Lions in Week 1, a Vikings offense getting acclimated to a new system in Week 2, and Carson Wentz and the Commanders in Week 3.

Tennessee Titans: 37% rostered

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

Analysis: The Titans’ defensive personnel is just so-so, and you won’t want to use Tennessee for a Week 2 road game in Buffalo. But any defense-facing turnover machine Daniel Jones is worth streaming consideration, and the Titans draw Jones and the Giants in Week 1.

Cincinnati Bengals: 37% rostered

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

Analysis: The defending AFC champs open against the Steelers, who have one of the worst offensive lines in the league and a shaky quarterback in Mitch Trubisky.

Carolina Panthers: 3% rostered

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

Analysis: Carolina faces Jacoby Brissett in Week 1 and Daniel Jones in Week 2. If you like to target mediocre opposing QBs when you stream defenses, you might find the Panthers appealing.

Stash candidates: Kansas City Chiefs

Here’s how the Chiefs have ranked in defensive fantasy scoring every year since Andy Reid became their head coach in 2013: 3rd, 24th, 1st, 2nd, 12th, T7th, 5th, T11th, 8th. Kansas City’s defense has an unappealing early-season schedule: at Cardinals, vs. Chargers, at Colts, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Raiders, at Bills. But the advantage the Chiefs’ defense has is that Reid’s offense pressures opponents to throw in order to keep up with the KC offense, and more throwing means more sack and interception opportunities for the KC defense.