Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 5: Best Starts at D/ST ...Middle East

Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 5.

“After a full month of NFL action, there are a number of surprises in the football landscape, and the fantasy football Defense rankings are reflecting that.”

2025 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings

*As always, the projections and rankings are courtesy of 4for4’s Fantasy Football Defense rankings! 

Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:

The Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickups this week.

Analysis

 Colts — Rostered in 22% of Yahoo Leagues

Outside of an uninspiring game against the Broncos in Week 2, the Colts’ D/ST has been pretty good this season. But this isn’t really about them. It’s about their Week 4 opponent, the Raiders. Vegas has surrendered double-digit fantasy points to opposing D/STs in three straight games, with seven giveaways over that span. Geno Smith has looked lost, and even with Ashton Jeanty breaking out in Week 4, the Bears tagged them for 10 fantasy points. The Colts are a top option in Week 5 and a strong one in Week 6 against Arizona.

Giants — Rostered in 2% of Yahoo Leagues

If you’re a little desperate for a stream, the Giants have a formidable pass rush and draw a matchup with Spencer Rattler and the Saints. Neither team has been particularly lucrative for fantasy — New York as a D/ST or New Orleans as a matchup — but it’s not hard to envision this game getting messy quick.

Read Matt Okada’s full Week 5 Waiver Wire Watch

What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?

The Arizona Cardinals stick out with a positive matchup during Week 5. 

Analysis

At this point, streaming against rookie quarterback Cam Ward has become a weekly cheat code. Ward has taken 17 sacks through four games while posting just two passing touchdowns against two interceptions with a 51.2% completion rate. Opposing defenses have capitalized in a big way: the first four D/STs to face Tennessee have scored 14, 8, 15, and 14 fantasy points, averaging a hefty 12.8 per game. The matchups haven’t been cupcakes either, which makes it even more concerning for the Titans. They currently rank 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to opposing defenses, and until Ward shows signs of stability, Tennessee will remain one of the softest weekly targets for D/ST streamers.

In the IDP streets, here is what Ryan Noonan had to say about Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson;

“So far this season, 28.39% of all tackles against the Titans have come from the safety position, which is 6.76% above the league average rate. Both Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson play a ton of snaps in the box each week, and Thompson is playing a ton in the slot now that Garrett Williams is out of the lineup for Arizona, raising his floor every week. We also have the Cardinals scorekeeper on our side, with a generous rate of assists handed out every week in the desert.”

*Read Justin Edwards’ full O-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 5*

Who are some Week 5 Fantasy Defenses to avoid?

Some options that have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings include: the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders.

For more advice on who to start, check out the Fantasy Football DST Rankings Week 5.

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