Top 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defense (Week 2)

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 Defense fantasy football waiver wire targets for the week below. And check out all of this week’s fantasy football waiver wire advice.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defense

DEFENSES

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Los Angeles Chargers (11% rostered)

• Next Opponents: @CAR, @PIT, KC
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: We mentioned the Charger D’s dreamy early-season schedule in last week’s waiver article. So far, so good. The Chargers held the Raiders to 10 points and forced three turnovers in Week 1. Now they get a Week 2 date with the Panthers, who mustered only 193 yards of offense in a 47-10 loss to the Saints last week while committing three turnovers and yielding four sacks. The matchup makes the Chargers a top-five defense for this week. Their Week 3 matchup against the Steelers has some appeal, too.

Seattle Seahawks (43% rostered)

• Next Opponents: @NE, MIA, @DET
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Seahawks’ defense held the Broncos to 231 yards last week and a meager 3.3 yards per play. Seattle also forced three turnovers and recorded a pair of sacks. Now, the Seahawks get an appealing road matchup against the Patriots. New England committed no turnovers last week in a 16-10 upset of Cincinnati, but the Patriots averaged only 4.5 yards per play, and their passing game doesn’t scare anyone.

Indianapolis Colts (8% rostered)

• Next Opponents: @GB, CHI, PIT
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The appeal here is a Week 2 matchup against a Green Bay offense that’s going to be without QB Jordan Love, who sprained his MCL in Week 1. The Packers’ backup quarterback is Malik Willis, a former this-round pick of the Titans. In 12 appearances since entering the league in 2022, Willis has completed 35-of-67 passes (52.2%) for 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked 15 times. The Packers figure to be run-heavy this week to try to hide Willis as much as possible, but the Colts should still be able to cash in when Willis is forced to throw.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4% rostered)

• Next Opponents: CLE, @BUF, @HOU
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Jaguars allowed Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 338 yards in Week 1, but Jacksonville held Miami to 81 rushing yards and 3.2 yards per carry. The Jags get a Week matchup against the Browns, whose offense was a mess against the Cowboys in Week 1. Browns QB Deshaun Watson threw two interceptions against Dallas and was sacked six times. The Browns were without both of their starting offensive tackles, Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin. Even if Wills and Conklin are back this week, they probably won’t be 100%. This looks like a nice spot for the Jacksonville D.

Detroit Lions (25% rostered)

• Next Opponents: TB, @ARI, SEA
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: After a solid Week 1 showing against the Rams, the Detroit defense gets a Week 2 matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa’s offense looked crisp last week against the Commanders, but Washington’s defense is a pushover. Detroit’s defense, on the other hand, appears to be much improved, particularly against the pass.

Washington Commanders (1% rostered)

• Next Opponents: NYG, @CIN, @ARI
• True value: $0
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Commanders’ defense is among the worst in the league, but it is nevertheless a playable unit in fantasy this week thanks to a matchup against the Giants and turnover-prone QB Daniel Jones. In 60 career games, Jones has thrown 40 interceptions and coughed up 46 fumbles. He’s also absorbed 179 career sacks. If your league allows zero-dollar bids, you can almost certainly acquire the Commanders’ defense for free.