Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses (Week 9)

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 pickups for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses

Defenses

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Los Angeles Rams: 36% Rostered

• Next Opponents: NO, @SF, SEA
• True Value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The Rams’ defense is averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game and has put up 17 and 11 points in its last two contests. The Rams went into their Week 8 bye ranked second in the NFL in sacks with 26, led by EDGE rusher Byron Young, who has nine. They have also forced 10 turnovers in their first six games. This week, the Rams get a home date with the Saints, who had allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing defenses entering Week 8. The Saints are in limbo at quarterback, having benched Spencer Rattler for rookie Tyler Shough. It’s possible the Rams will be facing a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.

Baltimore Ravens: 32% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @MIA, @MIN, @CLE
• True Value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The Ravens’ defense has struggled this season, largely because it has been battered by injuries. Although the Ravens had to put star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike on season-ending IR, they’re starting to get healthier on that side of the ball, and they were able to hold the visiting Bears to 16 points on Sunday. In Week 9, the Ravens travel south for a Thursday Night Football game against the Dolphins in Miami. The Dolphins’ offense was surprisingly sharp in a 34-10 upset of the Falcons on Sunday, but Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 10 interceptions this season. Baltimore is an attractive streaming option. You might be able to get a multi-week run out of the Ravens, since their game against Miami is followed by attractive matchups against Minnesota and Cleveland.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 6% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @LV, @HOU, LAC
• True Value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Jaguars forced 13 turnovers in their first four games, but they’ve only forced one turnover in their last three contests. Jacksonville might be able to reverse the disappointing takeaway trend this week against the Raiders, who have committed 12 turnovers in their first seven games. Las Vegas is averaging only 14.7 points a game. Entering Week 8, the Raiders’ offense is ranked 30th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), 28th in yards per game and 27th in yards per play.

Seattle Seahawks: 45% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @WSH, ARI, @LAR
• True Value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Seattle defense has been so well-liked by the fantasy gamers who have invested in it that 45% of the people rostering the Seahawks’ defense held onto them during Seattle’s bye. That’s a little weird. But, yeah, the Seahawks can get after it on defense. They went into their Week 8 bye ranked second in the league in defensive DVOA. Opponents are averaging 19.4 points per game and 4.7 yards per play against the stingy Seahawks. Seattle is averaging 9.4 defensive fantasy points per game. The Seahawks’ Week 9 matchup against the Commanders won’t be particularly attractive if Jayden Daniels plays, but Daniels missed Week 8 with a hamstring injury.

Chicago Bears: 27% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, NYG, @MIN
• True Value: $0
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Bears’ defense hasn’t exactly been airtight this season, but the Chicago defense is a sneaky streaming option against Cincinnati. Joe Flacco hasn’t thrown an interception in his three starts for the Bengals, and he’s only been sacked four times since being traded. But it’s reasonable to assume the interceptions and turnovers are coming. Since 2023, Flacco has thrown 23 interceptions and absorbed 40 sacks in 19 starts.