Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses (Week 4)

We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top fantasy football waiver wire defenses to target for the week below. And here is all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 4.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses

Defenses

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Los Angeles Chargers: 49% Rostered

Next Opponents: @NYG, WSH, @MIA
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Chargers are already rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues and might not be available. But if they are, they’re worth streaming this week against Russell Wilson and the Giants. Wilson has taken seven sacks and thrown three interceptions in his first three games. The Chargers entered Week 3 ranked fourth in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) and have allowed 16.7 points per game. They’ve notched seven sacks and forced three turnovers in their first three games.

San Francisco 49ers: 38% Rostered

Next Opponents: JAX, @LAR, @TB
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Fresh off a last-second 16-15 win over the Cardinals that propelled them to 3-0, the 49ers get a home date vs. Jacksonville. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has thrown four interceptions, is completing 55.8% of his passes and is averaging 5.9 yards per pass attempt. The Niners, who entered Week 3 ranked fifth in defensive DVOA, have held each of their first three opponents to fewer than 200 net passing yards.

Los Angeles Rams: 32% Rostered

Next Opponents: IND, SF, @BAL
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Colts’ offense has looked marvelous through the first three weeks of the season. But are we convinced that Daniel Jones has changed his stripes concerning his propensity for turnovers? Jones hasn’t thrown an interception or coughed up a fumble this season. But over his first six NFL seasons, he threw 47 interceptions and fumbled 50 times in 70 games. In Week 4, Jones will have to contend with a ferocious Rams pass rush that has already recorded 12 sacks.

New England Patriots: 14% Rostered

Next Opponents: CAR, @BUF, NO
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: This is strictly a matchup play for budget-minded streamers. The Patriots’ defense hasn’t exactly been airtight, but New England gets an appealing Week 4 matchup against Carolina. The Panthers have committed six turnovers and have generated fewer than 260 yards of offense in two of their first three games.

New York Jets: 13% Rostered

Next Opponents: @MIA, DAL, DEN
True Value: $0
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Aaron Glenn’s defense has struggled thus far. The Jets have given up at least 29 points to each of their first three opponents and haven’t forced a turnover yet. But a date with Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins makes the Jets a viable Week 4 streaming option. The Dolphins signal-caller has thrown four interceptions and taken eight sacks.