Trashy D/ST Sleepers and Fast Starters

Defensive Sleepers and Fast Starters
Editor’s Note: these are not all endorsed by RosterWatch or our internal analytics that Trashman apparently doesn’t look at. We’d suggest drafting one of the Los Angeles teams if either is available with your second-to-last pick.

We at RosterWatch always advocate to take a defense in the last two rounds of fantasy drafts without fail. The intention is to stream defenses over the season on an every few games, if not weekly, basis. Here is a short list of teams not many pundits have been talking about that are primed to improve on their production from 2017 and/or will get off to a fast start. 

 

New Orleans Saints: The Saints quietly ended the season a top 10 defense based on their ability to come down with interceptions(#6) and put pressure on the QB(#6 in sacks). They start off the 2018 season against a Jameis Winston absent Tampa Bay and an always suspect Cleveland team. The Saints only recovered 5 of 19 forced fumbles last season, so they can easily improve on their 7.3 fantasy points per game. 

 

Detroit Lions: The 2017 Lions defense wasn’t exceptional, yet they managed to end the season third in fantasy points. This was in large part due to the 5 defensive TDs they scored over the season. You never want to have to rely on TDs for your defense to thrive, but the Lions also had 19 INTs and 13 fumble recoveries on the season – both top 5 marks. They Lions are going to have to continue to capitalize on their opportunities in an offensively stacked NFC North division, but they do get a soft start against a Jets team that is likely to be starting a rookie QB in Sam Darnold.

 

Tennessee Titans: 2017 was a ho hum year for the Titans defense overall, but they managed a top 4 run defense and had 43 sacks(#5). They’ve added some firepower to their secondary in the form of former Patriot Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler who will help 2017 INT co-leader Kevin Byard and up and comer Adoree Jackson improve on the 12 INTs the Titans came down with last season. This improving secondary and a linebacker corps bolstered by 1st round rookie Rashaan Evans should provide increasing returns over the season. They start things off against an underwhelming Miami offense.

 

Buffalo Bills: The 2017 Bills were not a particularly impactful defensive front with only 27 sacks on the season, but they focused primarily on containing offenses rather than capitalizing on  mistakes. Adding DT Star Lotulelei and rookie Tremaine Edmunds should free some players up to disrupt plays and create turnovers, and veteran corner Vontae Davis will only strengthen an already dangerous secondary whose starters all had at least 4 INTs last year.

 

Houston Texans: A healthy J.J. Watt covers a lot of warts, and the Texans seem to have him in prime condition – for now at least. He’ll wreak havoc as long as he’s healthy, and free agent DB additions Tyrann Mathieu and Aaron Colvin will undoubtedly boost the Texans’ pitiful 11 INT total from last year. DE Whitney Mercilus – what an apropos last name – is also returning from a pectoral injury that kept him out of 11 games in 2017, so he’ll be a welcome presence on the edge. The Texans aren’t necessarily a sleeper defense, but we’re hoping on other owners remembering their league worst 27.3 points per game allowed last season. They could very well return to top defense form.

 

17 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By Chief58

    10 team PPR Keeper league. Keepers are Howard, Collins, C. Davis and Kupp. I have 4th pick and likely choice will be between Barkley and A. Brown. Nice options but tough decision. Suggestions?

    Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By Trashman

      i lean brown here.

  2. ↓ Post By @VeganPhoPlez

    In a standard 14 team league. I want to drop a WR and pick up De De Westbrook. Who should I drop: Tyrell Williams, Tyler Lockett, OJ Howard, or Garcon? My starting TE is Kittle

  3. ↓ Post By Oldschool92

    Garcon…and consider Keelan Cole instead of DeDe if you want the Jax wrs.

  4. ↓ Post By Big Wolf

    Free agency is about to open. Which WR should I target? Rishard Matthews, DJ Moore, John Brown, Mike Wallace, or the new golden son Anthony Miller?

  5. ↓ Post By gjsilva9@gmail.com

    Currently have Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel on my roster on my bench. Should I drop one to pick up Booker?

  6. ↓ Post By Kyle Cole

    Thoughts on this draft?

    QB: Wentz, Cousins

    RB: D. Johnson, D. Freeman, M. Ingram, I. Crowell

    WR: D. Adams, T. Hill, A. Thielen, S. Watkins, J. Gordon, D. Funchess, D. Parker

    TE: Njoku

    D: Patriots

    K: Prater

    1. ↓ Post By Kyle Cole

      Should also note. PPR league.

  7. ↓ Post By xraytakr

    10 team half point ppr league. My team is Stafford, AB, Evans, A Rob, A Cooper, S Watkins, Kupp, Jordy Nelson, D Freeman, Hunt, Kerryon Jonhnson, Leg Blount, and D Booker. Would you drop any of those guys to pick up Anthony Miller?

    1. ↓ Post By Kyle Cole

      I’m high on Royce Freeman in Denver and high on Anthony Miller, so I’d drop Booker.

  8. ↓ Post By mark51schichtel@gmail.com

    Would you trade Chris Hogan for Amari Cooper? Half PPR and I have Edelman.

  9. ↓ Post By renourka

    So with my second to last pick, I drafted the Ravens DEF for their Week 1 Matchup vs. BUF but the Chargers DEF is available so would you drop the Ravens for the Chargers vs. KC or Lions vs. NYJ ?

    1. ↓ Post By Trashman

      I like the chargers most of that group as a defensive unit that you can use beyond week one. They may be able to get multiple turnovers off of mahomes in his first real action too

  10. ↓ Post By macchez6

    Dynasty question. Is Ajayi a hold? I feel like moving him for Marshawn, then moving Marshawn for guys like John Kelly and Clement. If I can make that happen should I go for it?

  11. ↓ Post By jimbo5@fidnet.com

    Fellas,
    Signed up for the Pro membership 2 weeks ago….
    As a RW rookie, I’m trusting your judgment:)
    Here’s my question….and roster I drafted:
    QB’s: Garoppolo, Stafford
    RB’s Fournette, Alex Collins, Sony Michel, and Dion Lewis
    WR’s…K Allen…..Juju……..M Goodwin….C Kupp……..Galladay…
    TE…ASJ
    We play 12 team PPR…..but ONLY 14 roster spots.
    My question is simple: Should I drop one of my players above to get Millertime???
    He went UNDRAFTED…..
    We play for BIG$$$$$$$$$$ in this league….IF I win I demand you raise the PRO subscription price!!
    HAha! We will well worth it!

    Professor Plump

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