2026 fantasy football DSTs with good early schedules: Jaguars and Chiefs could help early

Fantasy football draft season is kicking into gear, which means we’re all searching for rankings to help us with our drafts or collect insights to modify our rankings. Last week, I put out my pre-season DST rankings, but I wanted to put out a separate article just looking at early-season schedules.

A lot of the time, people will say, “Who cares? I just stream” or “Just take whoever’s left in the last round.” I do believe we can maximize the effectiveness of our drafts with just a touch of strategy. Drafting a D/ST doesn’t have the same make-or-break consequence as drafting your first-round wide receiver or your sleeper RB in the middle rounds, but it is still a decision with ripple effects that can cost you one week or potentially more during your season.

Below, I’ll give you some of my favorite defenses to target in fantasy football drafts this summer, but I also wanted to touch on my general strategy for drafting defenses. This is a strategy discussion I had in my other article as well, so if you read that, you can skip to the early-season defenses section.

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Fantasy Football Defense Draft Strategy

Before I get into the specific teams, I did want to briefly mention my general strategy for drafting defenses.

For starters, I am never the first one to draft a defense. Last year, I went over a few years of previous data that has borne out that it’s very rare for a D/ST that was drafted first, second, third, or fourth, according to ADP, to finish as the top-ranked fantasy defense at the end of the season. My calculations from that article were that selecting one of the top three defenses by that year’s ADP gives you a 3.8% chance of landing the top overall defense in fantasy football. That’s simply not trying to jump your leaguemates and get the “safe” elite defense.

That’s not enough to entice me to do that.

I also want to maximize my chances of having early breakout running backs and wide receivers on my team, so I will always take my defense and kicker as my last two picks. I will never draft two defenses, and I will always focus on the early season schedule when drafting a defense.

For me, that means looking beyond Week 1. I know targeting the top Week 1 defense is trendy, and I will give you some options just for Week 1 below, but I’d prefer to draft a defense that I can hold onto for at least three or four weeks. That will not only save me FAAB dollars in adding a brand new defense in Week 2, but it will also free up the time and energy to focus my waiver wire attention on the running backs and wide receivers who might pop off in the coming weeks. Also, with so little information heading into Week 1, I’d rather just play a defense that I think is talented and not focus too much on who we expected to be good or bad based on offseason moves and preseason reps.

So, who are those defenses that I’m targeting for their early-season schedule?

Fantasy Football Defense Early Season Schedule Picks

Seattle Seahawks

FIRST THREE GAMES: PATRIOTS, CARDINALS, COMMANDERS

The Seahawks finished last year as the top-scoring defense in football, averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game, which is what Rhamondre Stevenson averaged in half-PPR leagues last year. They were also my top-ranked defense in my preseason rankings column, so it’s not a surprise that I like them as a draft target. They start the year against a good Patriots team, but one that I think over-performed last year. The Patriots have a middle-of-the-pack offensive line, and I don’t love their receiving options other than A.J. Brown. I’m certainly not saying the Patriots are bad, but I think this Seahawks defense is talented and one average matchup isn’t going to scare me off. As of now, Vegas has the Patriots with an implied team total of 20.5 points in this game, which is the 7th-lowest point total on the entire Week 1 slate.

Then, after that matchup, the Seahawks get the Cardinals in Week 2 and the Commanders in Week 3. Right now, I don’t expect Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love to be ready for Week 1 (or at least at 100%) with his high ankle sprain, and the Cardinals have the 23rd-ranked offensive line, according to preseason consensus rankings. You pair that with a below-average quarterback room, and I like targeting the Cardinals with opposing defenses. In Week 3, the Seahawks get a Commanders offense that will be without starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The consensus offensive line rankings now have the Commanders as the 26th-ranked offensive line in football, and PFF even ranked them as the worst in the league. The team signed Stefon Diggs this offseason, and people got excited, but it seems they are only playing him in the slot, which is a role that limited him to about 50% of the snaps last year in New England. This isn’t a Commanders offense that really scares me.

Philadelphia Eagles

FIRST THREE GAMES: COMMANDERS, TITANS, BEARS

The Eagles are another talented overall defense that I’m happy to target early. They finished 7th last season, averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game, and start the season against the Commanders and Titans. I just mentioned the Commanders above, and this is an opportunistic Eagles defense that I think will create some turnovers in that game. Then the Eagles face a Titans team in Week 2 that may be one of the worst offenses in the NFL this season. I think Cam Ward looks overmatched at the NFL level, but even if he does make some big plays, he’s going to take some bad sacks and force some bad passes down the field. The Titans’ offensive line is ranked 31st by consensus rankings, and I think their running back room is solid but not great. So far, through two preseason games, they can’t seem to get any targets to Carnell Tate, and this is just not a team I think is going to move the ball well at all. I don’t love the Week 3 matchup with the Bears, but let’s get there first before we worry about it.

Jacksonville Jaguars

FIRST THREE GAMES: BROWNS, BRONCOS, PATRIOTS

Last year, the Jaguars finished as the 3^rd-ranked defense with 8.6 points per game. I’m generally not that high on them because they had a shaky 3rd-down defense, a poor pressure rate, and not many sacks, but were heavily reliant on turnovers, which are not sticky year-over-year. That being said, Travis Hunter should be more impactful on defense, and their entire starting defense is returning players, so there is a case for optimism. However, the reason they are here is that they get the Browns in Week 1 with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. The Browns have the lowest implied team total on the slate in Week 1 at 16.5 points, and they have the worst offensive line in football, according to the consensus rankings linked above. Their rookie wide receivers look solid, but it usually takes rookie wideouts a few weeks to really adjust and adapt to the NFL game, so I don’t think they’ll come out as true difference makers, especially with such bad QB play around them. I think the Jaguars are a smash in Week 1 and then I could be convinced to hold onto them against the Broncos and Patriots, who are two offenses I think are solid but maybe not actually elite.

Los Angeles Chargers

FIRST THREE GAMES: CARDINALS, RAIDERS, BILLS

Another defensive option I like is the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers finished last year as the 14th-ranked defense, but they drafted Akheem Mesidor in round one this year and added nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to help in the middle. The Chargers also played without Khalil Mack for a quarter of the season last year and had Junior Colson miss the entire season. They’re going to face a Cardinals team in Week 1, and I mentioned above that I think Arizona might be without rookie running back Jeremiyah Love or will have a hobbled Love. In Week 2, the Chargers get a Raiders team that could also be playing with a limited Ashton Jeanty, but that injury situation continues to be vague. Even if Jeanty plays, the Raiders have the 25th-ranked offensive line, below-average quarterback play, and a receiver room that lacks any true dynamic threat. Those are two really strong matchups, but I’d probably move on from the Chargers after Week 2.

Baltimore Ravens

FIRST THREE GAMES: COLTS, SAINTS, COWBOYS

The Ravens are another solid option for the first weeks of the season. They finished as the 19^th-ranked defense last year but had a strong offseason, hiring defensive whiz Jesse Minter as their head coach, bringing back Anthony Weaver, their former linebacker’s coach, to be their defensive coordinator, and making two big adds with Trey Hendrickson and Calais Campbell. John Jenkins and second-round pick Zion Young should also help the defense with some added depth to their rotations, and they’ll have a healthy Nnamdi Madubuike on their defensive line as well. Yet, the reason why the Ravens are here is that they will get a Colts team in Week 1 that will be without Alec Pierce and will likely start Daniel Jones, who will be just eight months removed from tearing his Achilles. The Colts implied team total in Week 1 is 22.5 points, which is tied for 14th-lowest, so it’s a middle-of-the-road matchup from that perspective, but I think the Ravens are actually a solid play there.

After that, the Ravens get a Saints team in Week 2 that I simply don’t think will be a really strong offense this season with Tyler Shough under center and Jordyn Tyson hurt. Alvin Kamara is also banged up, and he’s not the same player he used to be, but I think he would have been a solid passing game outlet. This is a Saints offense with a middle-of-the-pack offensive line. Perhaps I’ll be wrong about the Saints, but they have the 8th-lowest implied team total in Week 1 against a Lions defense that I don’t think is as good as the Ravens. I’d expect Baltimore to rank really high in Week 2 against New Orleans.

Green Bay Packers

FIRST THREE GAMES: VIKINGS, JETS, FALCONS

This is one of the tougher rankings because the Packers no longer have Rashan Gary and will be without Micah Parsons for much of the season. They did add Javon Hargrave and Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, traded for Zaire Franklin, used their first three picks all defense on defensive players, and hired Jonathan Gannon, who did not work out as the Cardinals’ head coach but was a great defensive coordinator for the Eagles before that. All of that should help them, but I generally have no idea if this defense will be any good or not. Their Week 1 matchup also doesn’t seem great against the Vikings, but I still have some questions about how efficient and effective Kyler Murray can be. Still, as of now, I think I’d have the Packers ranked around 15-17 in Week 1.

The reason why I have them here is that I love their next two matchups against the Jets and Falcons. I expect the Jets to be better this season, but I don’t think they’ll be good, and the Falcons have looked really bad this preseason. Tua Tagovailoa just does not look like an NFL quarterback, and if he’s still starting by Week 3, I’ll be excited to use the Packers. If you’re not drafting the Packers, I’d be willing to wager money you’re lining up your FAAB bids for them ahead of Week 2.

Kansas City Chiefs

FIRST FOUR GAMES: BRONCOS, COLTS, DOLPHINS, RAIDERS

Much of the Chiefs’ defensive success in the past has been that their offense forces opponents to play catch-up, which leads to lots of pass attempts, which has led to sacks and turnovers. Can the Chiefs’ offense continue to be that kind of juggernaut? They weren’t last year, even when Patrick Mahomes was healthy. The Chiefs did sign Alohi Gilman in free agency and draft Mansoor Delane and R. Mason Thomas in the first two rounds of the draft, but they also traded away Trent McDuffie, which will be a tough loss to replace. Even if we think the Week 1 matchup against the Broncos is tough, Vegas gives Denver the 6th-lowest implied team total on the board at 19.75 points. Denver has an elite offensive line, so I don’t expect the Chiefs to get many sacks, but if they can keep this low-scoring, then maybe they put up 6-7 fantasy points, and you move on.

What you’re moving onto is the aforementioned Colts and then games against the Dolphins and Raiders, who I think will be two of the worst offenses in football, especially if Jeanty remains out or limited by Week 4. The Dolphins could very well be the worst team in the NFL. Malik Willis is not a real downfield passing threat, and the Dolphins receiver room is maybe the worst in the league. Pair that with an offensive line that PFF ranked 28th out of 32 teams, and you’re going to want to attack the Dolphins with opposing fantasy defenses.

San Francisco 49ers

FIRST THREE GAMES: RAMS, DOLPHINS, CARDINALS

The 49ers were not a great unit last season, but they also dealt with multi-week injuries to Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Yetur Gross-Matos, and others. This offseason, their biggest addition may have been hiring Raheem Morris now that he’s no longer the Falcons’ head coach. However, they also traded for Osa Odighizuwa, signed Jack Jones and Dre Greenlaw, and drafted Romello Height in the third round. Morris has been known to get a lot out of the talent around him, so don’t count the 49ers out as a bounce-back defense. I don’t love their Week 1 matchup, so I’m not going to draft them; although, we should also note that their Week 1 game is in Australia and that could just be a weird, international mess.

However, the reason you’re targeting the 49ers is that their Week 2 and 3 matchups are elite, as we covered above. That may make them a top waiver add after Week 1.

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Fantasy Football Defense Week 1 Targets

If you’re not interested in maximizing value for a few weeks and are fine with having to use the waiver wire to find a new defense after just one week, below are my favorite fantasy football defense (DST) options solely for Week 1.

I covered the Jaguars (versus Browns) and Ravens (versus Colts) above, so I don’t need to belabor the point, but they would obviously be good Week 1 targets. I also love the Steelers in Week 1 against the Falcons. They’re probably one of my top plays. I think this Falcons offense is going to be bad. Tua did not look good last season and looks worse this preseason. This Steelers defense should be in his face often. They revamped their defense in the offseason with Patrick Graham as their defensive coordinator and bringing in Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. But this is a matchup play for me, and I feel pretty good about it, even though the Falcons have Bijan Robinson and a good offensive line.

I know people will have this reversed, but I’d much rather play the Jets defense versus the Titans than the other way around. I might be crazy because the Jets have the lowest implied team total on the slate, but I don’t think they’re that bad of an offense. Breece Hall is going to be healthy enough to play in Week 1, and Garrett Wilson is a very talented wide receiver. Adonai Mitchell looked good with the Jets last year and has looked good this preseason, and I don’t think Geno Smith is as bad as he looked with the Raiders. This Jets offensive line has young bookend tackles I think will take a step forward this year. We covered above why I think the Titans are an offense that I’d like to target and even though the Jets were bad last year, they had a major overhaul on defense, hiring Brian Duker, the former Dolphins secondary coach, to be their defensive coordinator and then and signing Demario Davis, T’Vondre Sweat, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Nashon Wright, and Dane Belton in free agency while trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick and drafting David Bailey in the first round. This is probably a major risk, but I kinda like the Jets in Week 1.

I also like the Raiders as a deeper league option strictly because they’re playing the Dolphins, who have the fourth-lowest implied team total on the slate at 18.5 points. The Raiders promoted Rob Leonard from DL/run game coordinator to defensive coordinator and then added Kwity Paye, Taron Johnson, Nakobe Dean, and Quay Walker in free agency. They kept Maxx Crosby, so maybe this will be a pretty solid defense to start the year? I don’t know, but I love the matchup.

The Lions have flashed fantasy upside in the past as a defense but have always seemed snake-bitten by injuries. This offseason, they added DJ Wonnum, Roger McCreary, and Devin White, Chuck Clark, among others, in free agency, and drafted Derrick Moore in the second round of the draft. In addition to that, they get the Saints in Week 1, and we already covered why I like attacking the Saints offense. The Saints have the 8th-lowest implied team total in Week 1 at 20.75 points, which firmly puts the Lions in play.

The Bills were another team that had a major overhaul on defense, hiring Jim Leonhard to revamp their system. That led to many changes in depth pieces, like adding Bradley Chubb, Dee Alford, Geno Stone, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency and using six of eight early picks on defense. There are some questions about how quickly all those pieces will gel, but in the preseason, this system looks fast and aggressive. They will also get a Texans offense in Week 1 that has tons of questions. C.J. Stroud has looked pretty bad for two seasons, this offensive line ranks 30th in consensus rankings, and the Texans have no real proven second receiving option behind Nico Collins. I don’t think this is some kind of smash spot, but the Texans have the 11th-lowest implied team total at 21.5 points in Week 1. This could be a bit of an uglier offensive game than people are expecting.

The Bears defense had a lot of turnover this offseason, signing Coby Bryant (who’s now hurt), Neville Gallimore and Davin Bush, and drafting Dillon Thieneman in round one. They also lost Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, so it’s hard to trust this unit right now, but they’re going up against a Panthers offense that has a quarterback I don’t trust in Bryce Young, an offensive line that ranks 17th in consensus rankings, but is as low as 29th on some sites and 26th on both FTN and PFF. The Panthers also have no real dynamic receiver threat apart from Tet McMillan. This is probably the biggest gamble of this group (behind the Jets), but it’s one I could see taking.