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

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Defense

DEFENSES

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Arizona Cardinals: 15% rostered

• Next Opponents: SEA, NE, @CAR
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Arizona ranked 12th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13, and the Cardinals sacked Vikings QB Sam Darnold five times Sunday in a 23-22 loss. The Cardinals next face the Seahawks, who were allowing 10.5 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses going into Week 13, fourth-most in the league. Then, for the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs, the Cardinals have appealing matchups against the Patriots and Panthers. Go the extra buck for a defense you can ride deep into the fantasy postseason.

New Orleans Saints: 26% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NYG, WSH, @GB
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Saints get a primo Week 14 matchup against the Giants. It’s unclear who’ll be starting at quarterback for the Giants this week, but either possibility should bode well for the Saints’ defensive scoring outlook. Tommy DeVito is dealing with a right forearm injury and missed Week 13. In his only start this season, DeVito completed 21-of-31 passes for 189 yards, with no touchdowns, no interceptions and four sacks. DeVito is a sack magnet who absorbed 37 sacks in 2023 despite playing in nine games and making only six starts. If DeVito can’t play, the Giants will start Drew Lock, who threw an interception and was sacked six times in the Giants’ 27-20 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys. Lock has made 24 NFL starts and has 24 career interceptions. The Saints ranked a respectable 15th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13, and they look like the best widely available streaming option strictly for Week 14.

Tennessee Titans: 5% rostered

• Next Opponents: JAX, CIN, @IND
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Titans’ defense didn’t cover itself in glory by allowing the Commanders to score 42 points and roll up 463 yards of offense last week, but a more favorable matchup beckons in Week 14. Tennessee will face a Jacksonville offense that might be forced to start Mac Jones after Trevor Lawrence sustained a concussion Sunday on a dirty hit by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Jones was sharp in relief of Lawrence in Week 13 but has thrown three interceptions in two starts this season. The Jaguars have committed 14 turnovers in their last eight games.

Miami Dolphins: 44% rostered

• Next Opponents: NYJ, @HOU, SF
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Dolphins draw a favorable home matchup with the Jets this week. The woeful Jets have lost eight of their last nine games, and who knows how long they’ll continue to trot out starting QB Aaron Rodgers, who just turned 41, in a lost season? The Dolphins have forced five turnovers in their last four games.

Cincinnati Bengals: 17% rostered

• Next Opponents: @DAL, @TEN, CLE
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Never mind that the Bengals just gave up 44 points to Pittsburgh and 414 passing yards to Steelers QB Russell Wilson, and try to ignore the fact that the Bengals ranked 29th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13. This is all about Cincinnati’s Week 14 matchup with a greatly diminished Dallas offense. With Dak Prescott out for the season, the Cowboys are being forced to start career backup Cooper Rush at quarterback — although Rush has played respectably in his four starts so far. It’s also possible the Cowboys could be without two of their biggest offensive stars. WR CeeDee Lamb sustained a shoulder injury in Week 13, and OG Zack Martin has missed time with ankle and shoulder injuries.