Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses (Week 1)

Amazing how quickly fantasy football draft season comes and goes, isn’t it? Some of you still have last-drafts coming up in the final days before the NFL’s Thursday-night opener, but most of us have shifted from draft mode to in-season mode. Most leagues have a waiver wire run just before Week 1, so it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start managing.

Not that you’re obligated to do any waiver wire shopping this week. Maybe you’re perfectly content with the hand you’re holding. No problemo.

Some fantasy football managers confuse activity with productivity, doing more harm than good with restless overmanagement. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your fantasy football team is nothing. There is a concept of Taoism called wu wei, which essentially means “do without doing.” In other words, inactivity is sometimes the most prudent choice.

On the other hand …

Early waiver wire shopping has its benefits. A year ago, this Week 1 waiver wire article included Puka Nacua, De’Von Achane, Jake Ferguson, Jayden Reed and Jordan Love. All were rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues heading into Week 1, and all became impactful fantasy assets.

Who among this summer’s widely undrafted players might be able to help your fantasy football team? Let’s have a look at our top fantasy football waiver wire pickups ahead of Week 1. Below we dive into our top fantasy football Week 1 waiver wire pickups at Defenses.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses

Defenses

Los Angeles Chargers: 5% rostered

When choosing a team defense, the quality of the opposing offense is often more important than the quality of the defense itself. That’s what makes the Chargers such an appealing option for the opening weeks of the 2024 season. They ranked 22nd in defensive fantasy scoring last season, but they open with games against the Raiders, Panthers and Steelers — a trio of questionable offenses. Acquire the Chargers with a $0 or $1 bid, stream them for the first two or three weeks of the season, and then move on.

New Orleans Saints: 48% rostered

The New Orleans defense is an appealing Week 1 option against Carolina, which allowed 11.0 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in 2023, the third-most in the league. The Saints finished eighth in defensive fantasy scoring last season and produced 14 or more fantasy points in three of their last five games.

Detroit Lions: 26% rostered

The Lions had a mediocre fantasy defense last season, but there’s potential for major improvement. The Lions have bolstered their secondary, and newcomer Marcus Davenport could give an additional boost to a pass rush that already features star DE Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions open with the Rams and QB Matthew Stafford, who can be interception- and sack-prone, then face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in Week 2.