Can you have more than one defense in fantasy football?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 08, 2026
There is likely going to be at least 15 or more team defenses available on the free agent list. If the defense you have doesn't happen to be one of the top defenses, you can play matchups each week.
Can you have two defenses in fantasy football?
Never Draft More Than One Defense
Therefore, there's no reason to have two defenses clog up your bench.
How many defenses can you have in fantasy football?
What is Team Defense in Fantasy Football? Team defense is one of the roster positions for a fantasy football team. Owners will typically have one or two defenses on their team, a starting unit and then one to use during the bye week or if they have a more favorable matchup.
Should I draft 2 defenses in fantasy?
Whether it makes sense to draft two might come down to how many roster spots you have. Shallower leagues, both in terms of teams and roster spots, make it tough to roster two D/STs. If you plan on streaming D/STs during the season (our preferred strategy), then carrying two out of the gates makes a lot of sense.
How does defense work in fantasy football?
Defenses can gain points by performing certain actions on the football field. Some of these actions include sacks, fumble recoveries, tackles, and interceptions. Each action will gain the defense a certain amount of points. For example, a sack is worth one point, while an interception is worth two.
15 related questions foundHow many points can a defense lose in fantasy football?
Negative points are also given for defensive yards allowed (negative five points for 400-499 yards allowed, negative ten points for 500 or more).
Whats the worst a defense can do in fantasy?
On ESPN, the absolute worst score that a defense can put up in a single game is -12 points. If a team gives up 46 or more points, they get -5 points.
Can a defense get points in fantasy?
Defensive Points Allowed
You'll get fantasy points based on how many points opposing teams make against your defensive team.
How many of each player should I have in fantasy football?
You have the right to designate a certain number of players in your squad. However, players drafted in a traditional team include two quarterbacks, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four running backs, two kickers and two defense/special teams (punt and kickoff return).
What is the most points a defense has scored in fantasy football?
Most Fantasy Points by Defense/Special Teams
The Cleveland Browns are credited with the highest number of fantasy points scored by a defense in a single game, with a whopping 50 fantasy points earned against the Giants on September 10th, 1989.
Should I pick a kicker or defense first?
The truth is that you can probably wait until the last two or three rounds. Personally, I like to take one before I grab a defense, because unless you get one of the top five defenses, the rest are mostly the same, except for the really awful ones.
Is a kicker or defense more important in fantasy football?
From a strategic perspective, the position of defense/special teams is only marginally more important than kickers in most fantasy formats.
When should I take a defense in fantasy football?
Usually, it's advised to wait until one of the final two rounds in your draft to pick a defense. If you're dead set on having an elite D/ST, however, you'll likely have to pull the trigger a round or two earlier. Sometimes that decision can pay major dividends.
How many defenses should I draft?
Drafting Defense
There is likely going to be at least 15 or more team defenses available on the free agent list. If the defense you have doesn't happen to be one of the top defenses, you can play matchups each week.
What position do you draft first in fantasy?
I suggest using your first round pick on one of the elite backs to help anchor your squad. Then we have the wide receiver position. With teams utilizing more three wide receiver sets than ever before, I think this is the position that you can find the most value at late in a draft.
How many players can you have in fantasy football?
Each team in standard fantasy football leagues is allowed up to 16 players, with 9 starters being used each week and 7 players being left on the bench. Therefore, only the point outputs of the 9 players a manager decides to 'start' are counted towards the team's total score for that week.
Can defense get negative points in fantasy football?
Fantasy defenses "earn" a maximum of minus-5 points for giving up 46-plus points, and a maximum of minus-7 points for yielding 550-plus yards.
Can a wide receiver get negative points in fantasy?
By choosing to allow negative yardage points, all players receive negative points for every yard lost. So if your league awards one point for every 10 rushing yards, you would lose one fantasy point for every 10 yards lost.
Is Defense important in fantasy football?
Each football season, a top kicker or defense can help a fantasy team win three to five matchups. Of the two positions, a defense can create a significant edge if the team chosen delivers a separator score.
What round should I draft a kicker in fantasy football?
This is the most important rule of all, simple but crucial: Do not draft a kicker until the end of your draft. The final round is ideal but never before the last one or two rounds. Do not try to get cute and draft the best kicker in the seventh round.
Should you pick a running back or quarterback first?
Every rule has it's exceptions, and if you're playing in a league with one of these formats, quarterbacks carry more weighted value and you'll need to snag them earlier. In both cases, stud running backs are still going to be the first guys off the board. Position scarcity also makes tight ends valuable.