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 check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 5.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cleveland Browns: 8% Rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @PIT, MIA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Led by superhuman EDGE rusher Myles Garrett, the Browns have one of the NFL’s better defenses. Cleveland entered Week 4 ranked No. 1 in defensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average). The Browns have a favorable stretch of schedule coming up, starting with a Week 5 game against the Vikings in London. Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz threw two interceptions and took six sacks against the Steelers in Week 4. Wentz has taken nine sacks in his two starts in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy.
Arizona Cardinals: 17% Rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @IND, GB
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Arizona defense has been respectable thus far, notching 13 sacks and forcing four turnovers. But the real appeal here is a Week 5 matchup against the punchless Titans offense. Cam Ward has absorbed 17 sacks, thrown two interceptions and lost two fumbles in his first four NFL starts. Tennessee is averaging a scant 210.5 yards of offense per game.
New York Giants: 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, PHI, @DEN
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Giants’ defense has streaming appeal in Week 5 thanks to a matchup against the Saints. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has done a decent job of avoiding negative plays for New Orleans, with only one interception and nine sacks. But the Saints’ offense has been toothless overall, averaging 16.5 points per game and 4.4 yards per play. The Giants’ pass rush is capable of bringing the heat with Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter.
Indianapolis Colts: 22% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, ARI, @LAC
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Colts’ defense was roughed up by Matthew Stafford and the Rams in a 27-20 Week 4 loss, but the Colts’ defense has otherwise been respectable in 2025. The Colts are a playable option this week in a home matchup against Las Vegas. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith has already thrown seven interceptions and has been sacked 12 times.
Miami Dolphins: 4% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, LAC, @CLE
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Dolphins are by no means a good defensive team, but if you’re trying to pinch pennies and pick up a defense with a zero-dollar bid, Miami is an option. The Dolphins get a Week 5 matchup against an anemic Panthers offense averaging 18.8 points per game and 4.5 yards per play.
D/ST Stash Candidates
- New England Patriots
We generally think it’s a bad idea to carry two defenses, but this is a rare exception. The Patriots are not a good fantasy play in Week 5, when they take on the high-flying Bills. But after that, New England has a juicy three-week stretch of schedule with matchups against the New Orleans, Tennessee and Cleveland — arguably the three worst offenses in the league. If your league has deep benches, it might be worth paying a buck for the Patriots this week and then riding them deep into October.
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