The goal of this article is to test out a streaming D/ST strategy with a fantasy football mock draft. But, to be honest, I enter just about every draft planning on streaming defenses. With how unpredictable the top fantasy units are and how matchup-based defensive production is, it’s simply the best approach.
From a macro standpoint, the streaming defense strategy is relatively simple. Wait until late in your draft to select a defense, preferably one with a good matchup in Week 1. Figure out Week 2 when you get there, and so on and so forth. Hopefully, you stumble into this year’s breakout defense and can lock them into your lineup. Otherwise, just keep streaming.
Today, I’ll be testing this approach out using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Wizard. I’ll be drafting in a 12-team, Half-PPR format, with standard lineup settings. I was assigned the first overall pick, which I promise was genuinely random. Click here to see the full draft board, and read on for my analysis of each pick.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Streaming D/ST Strategy Fantasy Football Mock Draft
1.01: Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
It’s not as fun as getting him at 1.03 in my last mock draft, but I’m still never going to be sad about picking Ja’Marr Chase. He’s an elite talent in an absolute dream situation, coming off a top-10 fantasy season of all-time.
2.12: Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
He’s been a bit overshadowed by Brock Bowers‘ record-breaking rookie year, but McBride was absolutely dominant in 2024. He led qualified tight ends in target share, ranked second in PFF Receiving Grade, and ranked third in yards per route run. He racked up over 1,100 yards on over 10 yards per reception. He finished as a clearly elite fantasy tight end despite scoring just four touchdowns. Drafting him in the second does put me a bit behind at other positions, but I’m willing to take that hit for the sheer advantage he should provide over the vast majority of fantasy TEs.
3.01: Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)
With 11 running backs off the board and 22 picks between this selection and my next turn on the clock, I essentially need an RB here. And, as much as I love Omarion Hampton, Kyren is the obvious choice. He has absolutely dominated the Rams’ backfield in each of the last two years, and there’s no real reason to think that trend will end in 2025 after LA committed to him with an extension this offseason.
4.12: James Conner (RB – ARI)
Once again, I find myself picking between an exciting rookie RB (RJ Harvey or TreVeyon Henderson) and a boring veteran. Once again, I’m going with the veteran. Conner may be boring, but he has quietly been one of the most effective backs in the league. He should hold down the RB2 spot on this team quite nicely.
5.01: Xavier Worthy (WR – KC)
I must have drafted Worthy in at least half of these mock drafts this offseason. There are definitely red flags in his profile, as he was very inefficient for most of his rookie year and only broke out when his usage switched late in the season. However, when he broke out, he absolutely smashed, averaging 15.5 Half-PPR points over his final six games (playoffs included). With Rashee Rice officially suspended to start the season, the 22-year-old should get every opportunity to pick up 2025 where he left off 2024.
6.12: Travis Hunter (WR – TEN)
Hunter is right there with Worthy in my most drafted players list. Again, there’s risk: We still don’t know exactly how his usage will be split between offense and defense. Still, there’s also absolutely massive upside, as the 2024 Heisman Winner is a truly elite talent. I’m willing to take on that extra risk in exchange for a true potential league winner at the end of the sixth round.
7.01: Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)
With McBride and Conner already on my roster, drafting Kyler here was a no-brainer. Even aside from the stacking implications, I like Murray as a value QB1 this year. He was a truly elite fantasy option just a few years ago, and has said he plans to run more this year. With what we know about the power of QB rushing for fantasy production, that’s music to my ears.
8.12: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WAS)
After a few weeks of nothing but good news, the hype train for “Bill” Croskey-Merritt has received some cold water with the release of his unfavorable Week 1 prop lines. The writing is still on the wall for this seventh-round rookie to be one of the biggest breakouts of the year. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr., and I don’t think they did it to feature Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Austin Ekeler. It might not happen right away, but Croskey-Merritt should get a shot as the lead rusher on this exciting offense eventually. If the absurd preseason drumbeat is anything to go by, he’ll take advantage of that chance when it comes.
9.01: Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
Speaking of rookies who have received rave reviews, we have Matthew Golden. And unlike Croskey-Merritt, Golden also has first-round draft capital on his side. Especially with Jayden Reed looking iffy for Week 1, he will get a shot to be the Packers’ top receiver. Once again, I’m willing to board the hype train and hope he makes the most of it.
10.12: Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
The first game of the season is in eight days, and Jerome Ford is the Browns’ starting running back. He simply shouldn’t be available at the end of the 10th round. Yes, the Browns’ offense will likely be ugly, and both Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins may factor in at some point. Still, Kevin Stefanski has proven capable of putting up points with Joe Flacco before, and Ford was actually solidly effective as Cleveland’s RB1 last year. He’s a solid safe option on a bench that (spoiler alert) will mostly be filled with upside darts.
11.01: Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
Speaking of upside darts, we have fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten, who is currently buried in the Jaguars’ backfield behind Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne. His prospect profile was very exciting and there’s a real chance he’s simply more talented than both of his veteran teammates. If he can work his way up the depth chart, Tuten has the athleticism and pass-catching ability to be this year’s Bucky Irving.
12.12: Will Shipley (RB – PHI)
Where Tuten is a talent-based play in an ambiguous backfield, Shipley is a pure handcuff. He’s not going to be a viable fantasy play while Saquon Barkley is around, but he would be an immediate starter if Barkley were sidelined. That’s really all there is to it.
13.01: Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)
Having Chase at the top will cover for a lot, but this team could definitely end up light at receiver if a few of my upside swings don’t pan out. Prior to suffering a season-ending concussion, Tillman dominated following the Amari Cooper trade. He was arguably the Browns’ WR1 ahead of Jerry Jeudy, with 15.6 points per game on a 21% target share. We obviously can’t expect him to repeat those results (especially with Jameis Winston no longer under center), but there’s a real chance he ends up as a solid WR3/Flex option.
14.12: Arizona Cardinals (DST)
Here are the six quarterbacks the Cardinals will face over the first six weeks of the season: Spencer Rattler, Bryce Young, Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, Cam Ward, and Daniel Jones. Aside from Purdy and the 49ers, those are some of the absolute best possible matchups for any fantasy defense. Of course, the theme of this draft is streaming defenses, so what we care about most is Week 1, and it doesn’t get any better than Rattler and the Saints. Whether you hold them for this entire juicy stretch or move on after a week or two, the Cardinals should be one of your top defenses to target if you plan to stream the position.
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Ted Chmyz is a fantasy football contributor for FantasyPros.com. Find him on Twitter and Bluesky @Tchmyz for more fantasy content or to ask questions.
