Defensive Team By Waiver Wire: Week 13

Nov 29, 2011

John Paulsen, Contributing Editor

Pats DT

For those of you new to Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW), the strategy goes like this: Each week, you target a mediocre defense on the waiver wire, looking for a good matchup, preferably at home. You will typically get good defensive production without having to burn a semi-valuable pick on draft day. Or if you do draft a DT and they start to disappoint, you can use DTBWW the rest of the way.

I have been writing this feature for a couple of years (at another site) and in 2009, my top three weekly picks averaged DT5 numbers. In 2010, they averaged DT6 numbers. So the system works pretty well.

To be eligible, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues. This ensures that we are talking about defenses that are readily available.

Let's see how we did last week:

1. Seahawks (5 fantasy points, DT21)

2. Rams (15 fp, DT5)

3. Panthers (10 fp, DT11)

4. Broncos (7 fp, DT19)

5. Cardinals (16 fp, DT3)

6. Raiders (14 fp, DT6)

Four of the top 11 DTs -- not a bad week for DTBWW. Seattle was a disappointment given Rex Grossman's tendency to turn the ball over, but the Rams, Panthers, Cardinals and Raiders all provided better than average production on the cheap.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 10.5 fp per game, which equate to DT6 numbers. Not bad.

Let's take a look at the top picks for Week 13.

Patriots (vs. IND)

Only the Rams have been more generous to fantasy defenses this season. The New England DT is coming on, averaging 17.0 fp over the last three games.