Defensive Team By Waiver Wire: Week 5

Oct 04, 2011

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. Texans (11 fantasy points, DT9)

2. Redskins (13 FP, DT7)

3. Buccaneers (10 FP, DT11)

4. Vikings (3 FP, DT25)

Ah, the Vikings. They ruined what would have otherwise been a terrific week for DTBWW. On the season, DTBWW is averaging 10.1 fantasy points per game, which equate to DT10 numbers.

Let's take a look at Week 5...

Giants (vs. SEA)

The Giants are a top 10 fantasy defense and they have a nice matchup this week against Tarvaris Jackson and the Seahawks.