Defensive Team By Waiver Wire: Week 4
John Paulsen, Contributing Editor
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. Titans (9 fantasy points, DT17)
2. Browns (13 FP, DT5)
3. Cowboys (11 FP, DT9)
4. Cardinals (10 FP, DT13)
5. Bengals (13 FP, DT5)
This was a nice week for DTBWW, as all five picks finished DT17 or higher. Thus far this season, DTBWW picks are averaging 10.3 ppg, which equate to DT7 numbers in 2011.
Let's take a look at Week 4, where there are several good options on the waiver wire...
Texans (vs. PIT)
The Texans are averaging 9.7 points per game, though they didn't have a great outing against the Saints in W3. The Steelers are pretty solid, but Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked nine times and Pittsburgh is having a hard time running the ball. I expect a good effort from a hot Houston defense.
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