LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Myles Garrett #95 during the Los Angeles Rams Training Camp at Loyola Marymount University on July 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images The fantasy football season is here! The fantasy football season is here! Huzzah! Ok, now keep that excitement at that level while we look for a defense to roster. And since you clicked, you must need to draft one, unlike many leagues out there who have dropped their D/ST in favor of another flex or IDP or whatever you’re down with. First off, don’t draft a defense early. D/ST scoring is way too matchup dependent and flukey to use a pick before your last pick. The thing is, you also can’t just forget about your D/ST and hope for the best. You NEED to work the waiver wire and keep your eye on the schedule and pay attention to QB injuries. Even if you have the Texans or whoever you feel is going to dominate, you don’t want to start them against the best offenses in the league. They host the Bills Week 1 and I much rather have a middling defense taking on someone like Deshaun Watson. The Best Week 1 Matchups Steelers vs. Falcons Pittsburgh will get a home game against either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix to start the season. If it’s Tua, it’s an even juicer matchup, but either way, I like TJ Watt and company at home. Jaguars vs. Browns Deshaun Watson is only starting because the Browns have so much invested in him that they want to get some kind of return on their investment. Unfortunately for Browns fans, that return will likely be defenders returning his interceptions for touchdowns. Lions vs. Saints The Lions start their season at home against the Tyler Shough led Saints. I like Shough and Kellen Moore’s offense, but they will be on the road, without Alvin Kamara and Jordyn Tyson, playing an offense that can put up points quickly. It could get out of hand, which is great for D/ST scoring. Ravens at Colts It’s hard to get a bead on the Colts offense this year, but we know they’ll try to do exactly what they did to start off the season hot last year. The question is, will Daniel Jones be up to the task so soon after his injury? Hard to know, but I do like the Ravens new look defense under Jesse Minter. This isn’t a smash play, but I’m betting on the Ravens being a much better defense this year. Raiders vs. Dolphins We have two below average teams here and that could mean turnovers. I’ll take the home team, but if the waiver wire is thin, you can take a swing with either. Eagles vs. Commanders I like the Commanders offensive skill players, but word from camp has their offensive line as inept without Laremy Tunsil. Hopefully they get that figured out sooner than later, but the Eagles at home against a weak offensive line is something I’m looking into. D/ST Rankings 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyProsECR ™ – Expert Consensus Rankings ADP – Average Draft Position