Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses (Week 14)

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 also be sure to check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire pickups for the week.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defenses

Defenses

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 28% Rostered

Next Opponents: NO, ATL, @CAR
True Value: $5
Desperate Need: $9
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: The Buccaneers’ defense scored only four fantasy points from Week 10 to Week 12 before forcing a pair of turnovers and getting two sacks against the Cardinals on Sunday. Although the Tampa Bay defense hasn’t been very prolific of late, their schedule is very attractive the rest of the way, with matchups against the Saints, Falcons, Panthers and Dolphins. If you’re sitting on a hefty FAAB stash, consider making a substantial bid for Tampa Bay and riding them the rest of the way.

Washington Commanders: 5% Rostered

Next Opponents: MIN, @NYG, PHI
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $5
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The Commanders’ defense? Really? Yes, really. It’s all about Washington’s Week 14 matchup with Minnesota. The Vikings are adrift at the quarterback position. J.J. McCarthy has thrown 10 interceptions and taken 20 sacks in six starts. McCarthy missed Week 13 with a concussion, and undrafted rookie free agent Max Brosmer picked up where McCarthy left off, throwing four interceptions (including one of the most preposterous pick-sixes you’ll ever see) and absorbing four sacks. The Washington defense has been bad this year. Entering their Sunday night game against the Broncos, the Commanders had given up 8.9 yards per pass attempt this season. No other team had allowed more than 7.9 yards per pass attempt through Week 12. Washington isn’t especially good against the run either. But the Vikings are such a great matchup that it’s worth spending a little extra to roster the Commanders if you absolutely need a win in Week 14.

Miami Dolphins: 20% Rostered

Next Opponents: @NYJ, @PIT, CIN
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The Dolphins’ defense has forced seven turnovers in its last three games and gets a Week 14 matchup against quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the Jets. Taylor has been sacked 12 times and intercepted four times in his last four games.

Kansas City Chiefs: 42% Rostered

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

Analysis: Although Kansas City ranks outside the top 20 in defensive fantasy scoring, we still have faith in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Chiefs’ defense has a solid Week 14 matchup against the Texans, who have one of the shakier offensive lines in the league. After missing multiple games with a concussion, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud returned to action in Week 13. He threw one interception and was sacked twice in a win over the Colts.

New York Jets: 8% Rostered

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

Analysis: The Jets have been one of the NFL’s lowest-scoring fantasy defenses, but the Jets are playable this week if you’re in a pinch. They have a matchup with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. Tagovailoa has thrown a league-high 14 interceptions this season and has been sacked 25 times.