Fantasy football managers are generally advised to follow a standard draft plan when selecting their defense and special teams (DST), which involves waiting until the last two to three rounds of the draft. This approach has been effective for a long time due to two primary reasons: the relatively small performance difference between top DSTs and those available on the waiver wire, and the inherent difficulty in predicting DST performance from season to season.
The disparity in points between a highly drafted defense and a defense picked up later or from the waiver wire is often less significant than at other positions like quarterback or running back. This means resources are better allocated to positions where a top-tier player can provide a more substantial advantage. Furthermore, defensive units can be volatile; a team that excels in one season may falter the next due to player changes, scheme adjustments, or injuries, making it challenging to accurately forecast which units will perform best.
While certain roster moves, such as a high-profile player joining a new team, might make a particular defense seem like an attractive early-round pick, the fundamental strategy of delaying DST selection typically holds true. The unpredictability and the marginal gains at this position make reaching for a DST in the early rounds a risky proposition that can leave managers vulnerable at more impactful positions.