Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Defenses (Week 7)

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 also be sure to check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 7.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defense

DEFENSES

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Cincinnati Bengals: 15% rostered

Next Opponents: @CLE, PHI, LV
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Bengals’ defense ranked 31st in defensive fantasy scoring going into a Week 6 matchup against the Giants, but never mind that. We’re targeting the Cleveland offense with our streaming defenses, and the Bengals draw the Browns in Week 7. The Browns haven’t scored 20 points or amassed 300 yards of offense in any of their six games. They’ve produced fewer than 250 yards of offense in five of those games. Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-high 31 times, putting him on an 88-sack pace. The Bengals are a perfect one-week defense. Buy. Use. Discard.

New Orleans Saints: 34% rostered

Next Opponents: DEN, @LAC, @CAR
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Yes, a team that just gave up 51 points is one of our favorite streaming defenses of the week. Although the Saints gave up 594 yards of total offense to the Buccaneers, a Week 7 matchup against the low-octane Broncos offense puts the New Orleans defense on the radar this week. As bad as they were in Week 6, the Saints went into the week ranked No. 8 in defensive DVOA. They’ve forced 12 turnovers in their first six games and have recorded 15 sacks. Broncos QB Bo Nix has thrown five interceptions in his last three games. Denver has amassed more than 300 yards of offense in only two of its first six games.

Indianapolis Colts: 26% rostered

Next Opponents: MIA, @HOU, @MIN
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Colts get an appealing Week 7 matchup against the Dolphins at home. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa isn’t eligible to come off injured reserve until Week 8, so Tyler Huntley will quarterback the Dolphins for at least one more week. Miami has passed for only 257 yards in Huntley’s two starts. Huntley has thrown one interception, has lost one fumble, and has taken five sacks.

Green Bay Packers: 46% rostered

Next Opponents: HOU, @JAX, DET
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Packers don’t have an attractive matchup this week. They have a home game against the Texans and their high-powered offense led by QB C.J. Stroud. But this Green Bay defense is forcing turnovers at a stunning rate. The Packers have forced an NFL-high 17 turnovers, with at least two takeaways in every game. If you can tolerate a less-than-favorable matchup against Houston this week, you’ll be rewarded with Green Bay’s sexy Week 8 matchup against Jacksonville.

New England Patriots: 9% rostered

Next Opponents: @JAX, NYJ, @TEN
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Patriots get a Week7 date with the Jaguars, whose offense struggled against the Bears in Week 6. Jacksonville produced only 278 yards of offense in its 35-16 loss to Chicago in London. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 15 times in his last four games.