DST Streamers For Fantasy Football: Target Bears Early In The Season

In a redraft league, the standard approach is to draft a DST with the second-to-last pick and a kicker in the final round. It’s a time-honored tradition in home leagues, dating back to our forefathers.

However, some choose to stream a DST based on that week’s matchup, and while it takes work to pull off, it could win a matchup if done right.

We’re going to look at fantasy DSTs based on these rankings. They may be available on the waiver wire and streamable early in the season.

Fantasy Football Early-Season DST Streamers

New Orleans Saints

Some experts predict the Saints will take a big leap this year because of their offense, but do not count out their defense.

Last season, they were a slightly above-average fantasy defense, ranking as the DST14 and finishing in the top 3 for three weeks. Those top finishes came against weak offenses (Giants, Titans, Falcons).

They play the Falcons in Week 4 and the Giants in Week 7. Atlanta’s offense could be questionable, with either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix starting at quarterback. The Giants could improve with John Harbaugh as the new head coach, but may not be a threat to opposing defenses.

The first two weeks might be a challenge against the Lions followed by the Ravens, but then they face some favorable offensive opponents. This includes the Raiders, Vikings, Steelers, and then, after their bye, the Browns. All of these teams ranked 17th or worse in points per game last year. They also have either aging quarterbacks or quarterback competition during training camp.

Matthew Berry's Ride or Die

Cleveland Browns

We’re going to learn this season that Myles Garrett was the glue holding this defense together. How do you replace 23 SACKS?!?! You don’t. Cleveland has talent on defense, including DE Alex Wright, LB Carson Schwesinger and DE Jared Verse, whom they acquired in return for Garrett. However, even with Garrett’s production, the Browns’ defense still ranked as the DST13 in 2025. Without him, there could be a regression.

Of the Browns’ first eight games, six will be against opponents who ranked 17th or worse in points per game last season (Buccaneers, Panthers, Steelers twice, Jets, Titans). Most of these opponents either didn’t improve significantly or lost key offensive players.

Week 1 against Jacksonville could be the Browns’ toughest opponent early in the season, but it will be the first game the Jaguars play without RB Travis Etienne. They play Baltimore in Week 6, though Baltimore could get the season off to a slow start with a brand-new coaching staff and offensive scheme.

The Browns could be a DST to stream early and potentially ride with for the season.

Chicago Bears

The Bears finished as the DST13 and were the best at forcing turnovers, with a league-leading 33 takeaways last season. However, when they couldn’t force opponents to cough up the ball, they were dragged all over the field. Last season, they ranked 27th in yards allowed per completion (11.5) and 29th in yards allowed per carry (5.0).

The best thing for a defense like that is to face opponents who don’t gain many yards.

Chicago’s first four games are against opponents who struggled to move the ball last year. In Week 1, they face the Panthers, who ranked 27th in yards per completion (9.3) and 16th in yards per carry (4.3). Week 2 is against the Vikings, who ranked 23rd in yards per completion (9.5) and 12th in yards per carry (4.5). Week 3 is against the Eagles, who were 16th in yards per completion (10.4) and 20th in yards per carry (4.2). Lastly, it’s Week 4 against the Jets, who finished last in yards per completion (8.0) and now have QB Geno Smith, who ranked 29th in yards per completion last year (10.0), and RB Breece Hall will be coming back from a groin injury.

Players Mentioned in this Article

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Published Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 AM ET