Defense (DST) Streamers For Week 7 Fantasy Football: Target The Red-Hot Browns

Last week provided mixed results for my favorite streaming DSTs. Kansas City was the highest-scoring DST of the week, so that was a major positive. Unfortunately, the Bills and Colts both had below-average performances. Both defenses forced a turnover but gave up plenty of points, which prevented them from having a better fantasy score.

The Week 7 byes are the Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, and Commanders, so only one highly rostered defense is out of commission this week. If you picked up Kansas City last week, I would stick with them over any of the streaming options I highlight for this week. 

For this article, I will only consider DSTs that are rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues on Yahoo. When selecting a streaming defense, the upcoming week is by far the most important, but I will also point out when there are favorable upcoming schedules that will allow you to roster the same defense for a few weeks.

DST Streaming Strategy For Fantasy Football Week 7

When figuring out which defense I want to start in any given week, I am primarily looking for DSTs with the ability to create sacks and turnovers rather than minimizing points allowed to the other team, although those two things are correlated. I think this is one of the bigger mistakes fantasy managers make when thinking about fantasy defenses. As you will see in this article, I am generally focused on three things: offensive line play, QB turnover rates, and game script.

Before I dive into my favorite streaming options for this week, I want to call out the Minnesota Vikings DST, which is coming off of a bye this week. They don't qualify for this article because they are rostered in 80% of leagues, but you should check to see if they were dropped in your league before you submit any other waiver bids. Minnesota is averaging the most points per game at the DST position and is in a great spot in Week 7 against the Colts. If they are available in your league, they should be a priority add on the waiver wire.

Week 7 Defense (DST) Streamers For Fantasy Football

Cleveland Browns - 20% rostered

The Cleveland DST has scored 8+ fantasy points in three straight games and 6+ fantasy points in five straight. They have the second-most sacks of any DST with 19, and have forced a turnover in five straight games. Their play is a big part of the reason the Browns are tied at the top of the AFC North. Looking ahead, the Browns now get one of the best possible matchups as they take on the Titans in Week 7.

Although the Titans managed to pull off the upset in Week 6, that was largely in spite of their offense, rather than because of it. Tennessee forced three turnovers and had a blocked punt that they returned for a TD. The Titans offense only accumulated 186 total yards, and Cam Ward continued to look like a QB we want to target with a streaming DST. 

To his credit, Ward isn't taking a ton of sacks, but he also doesn't create many explosive plays. He also continues to have one or two throws per game where it looks like he is throwing it to the defense, and it is just a matter of whether the defender catches the easy INT.

New York Jets - 13% rostered

Despite being 2-4, the Jets are playing sneaky competitive football. Three of their four losses were one-score games, and they have not lost by double digits this season. That seems like a low bar, but it is a genuine improvement for this franchise. The defense has been doing its part and is averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game so far this season. 

They have a good chance to improve that average in Week 7 against the winless Miami Dolphins. Malik Willis has been in a league of his own when it comes to bad QB play. He has the worst CPOE by a wide margin and has just two passing TDs vs. four INTs. Despite his mobility, he has also taken 14 sacks, tied for seventh-most in the league. 

New York is favored by 4.5 points in a game with a 38.5-point total, so the sportsbooks aren't expecting much from this Miami offense either. New York is at home and should have opportunities for sacks and turnovers; let's hope they can take advantage.

Carolina Panthers - 28% rostered

Carolina got a nice win against the Eagles in Week 6 and now face a 1-5 Buccaneers team in Week 7. Tampa Bay might get Baker Mayfield back this week, but even prior to his injury, Baker was not playing great football. He had 615 passing yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs in his first three games.

If Baker isn't back, the Bucs will still be starting Jalon Daniels again. The rookie has acquitted himself decently, but he has thrown 4 INTs and taken 9 sacks in his three starts. He does make some big plays but he will put the ball at risk too, and that's all we can ask when streaming a DST. 

Carolina's defense has been almost exactly average when it comes to EPA stats, and they rank 13th in fantasy points per game. They are a middle-of-the-pack defense in every sense, but that should be enough to deliver a usable fantasy performance against an offense that has struggled with sacks and turnovers. If you combine the stats for Baker and Jalon, they have the second most INTs and second most sacks taken this season. Carolina is at home for this game, and it is an important divisional matchup for both sides as the Panthers look to maintain their lead and Tampa Bay aims to get back in the race.

They are firmly behind Cleveland in my waiver priorities for this week, but Carolina is still a decent option.