Welcome to the first edition of the 2025 DST streamers article. Every week, I'll be writing about the top DST options that are available in more than 50% of leagues. My top priority is finding you the best plays for the upcoming week, but I will also try to highlight when a streaming defense is startable multiple weeks in a row so you don't have to hit the waiver wire again the following week.

My philosophy on streaming defenses is based on the ability to create sacks and turnovers rather than minimizing points allowed to the other team, although those two things are correlated. I think this is one of the bigger mistakes fantasy managers make when thinking about fantasy defenses. As you will see in this article, I am generally focused on three things: offensive line play, QB turnover rates and game script.

A poor offensive line matched up against a strong defense line is one of the best signs for a fantasy defense. Putting the opposing QB under pressure increases the likelihood of sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. However, not all QBs are created equal, so we also want to target those who have a history of turning the ball over. Lastly, a defense on a team that is heavily favored is another good sign because it means the other team may be forced to call more pass plays as a result of a negative game script, and pass plays are more likely to lead to scoring opportunities for the defense than rush attempts are.

Before I dive into the streaming options for Week 1, I want to highlight something I've mentioned in a few spots throughout the offseason. With touchbacks now being placed at the 35-yard line in 2025, I do expect the special teams unit to play a slightly larger role in DST scoring this year, with more kickoff returns creating more opportunities for return TDs. Those scores will be hard to predict, but teams with elite kick returners deserve a slight premium. A special teams TD will automatically put them amongst the highest scoring DST units for the week, so it is worth paying attention to which returners are most likely to break one.

Week 1 Fantasy Football DST Streamers

Arizona Cardinals - 39% rostered

Streaming defenses is all about matchups, and no matchup looks better on paper than playing against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints announced Spencer Rattler as their starting QB last week, which is arguably better for our purposes than if they had chosen to start Tyler Shough. The rookie was known for taking care of the ball in college, while Rattler had five interceptions and five fumbles in just seven games played last season.

Per PFF, Rattler's 4.9% turnover-worthy play rate was tied for the third-highest among qualifying QBs last season. His 22.4% pressure-to-sack rate was 10th at the position, and he took 22 total sacks on the season. That was enough to rank 27th among all QBs despite only having the 37th most dropbacks.

I also like to see that Arizona is favored by 6.5 points in this matchup. If they can get out to an early lead, the Saints might be forced to let Rattler throw the ball. Arizona isn't expected to be anything special on defense, but they did use six of their seven selections on that side of the ball in the 2025 NFL Draft. At the very least, they should be a more talented unit than last year, when they ranked middle of the pack in most statistics.

The best part about adding Arizona's defense is that you can start them for a good chunk of the early season. After the Saints in Week 1, Arizona gets to play the Panthers in Week 2, the Seahawks in Week 4, the Titans in Week 5, and the Colts in Week 6.

That is a great run of turnover-prone QBs they get to face off against to start the year. They do play the 49ers in Week 3, which is the only bad matchup during this stretch. If you really don't want to worry about streaming defenses to start the season, you could pick up Arizona and just play them for the first six weeks.

LA Rams - 22% rostered

The Rams hit on two great rookie picks last season with Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to anchor their defensive line. This offseason, they added a solid veteran in Poona Ford to make the D-line the strength of this unit. Overall this is a young, solid defense that could outperform expectations in 2025.

For Week 1, they get to go up against a Houston Texans offensive line that was overhauled this summer and doesn't look particularly strong on paper. I'm a believer in C.J. Stroud and expect a bounce-back season this year, but he did throw 12 interceptions in 2024. If the Rams can get pressure on Stroud, the potential for turnovers is there. 

Even more importantly, the Texans could really struggle to run the ball without Joe Mixon. A one-dimensional offense is always easier to defend and would give the Rams defense even more opportunities to rack up points when Stroud drops back to pass. 

I definitely prefer the Cardinals over the Rams, but that is reflected in their rostered percentage, so if Arizona isn't available, they would be my pivot option. 

Miami Dolphins - 3% rostered 

There are a bunch of defenses that are rostered in less than 20% of leagues, but I'm going to finish this article off with a DST that is barely rostered anywhere: the Miami Dolphins. 

The Dolphins are not a very talented defense on paper, but they get to face Daniel Jones in Week 1. The strongest group on the Dolphins defense is the line, with Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson and Zach Sieler making up an above-average unit. If they are able to get pressure on Jones, it could lead to the sacks and turnovers we want for fantasy scoring. 

Jones also checks the turnover-prone box that I look for. In 70 career regular season games, he has a whopping 47 interceptions and 50 fumbles! That is nearly 1.4 turnovers per game. The Colts will surely aim to run the ball, and they might be successful at it, but Tua and the Dolphins have been known to put up points in a hurry, so there is a chance.

I can't imagine many scenarios where you need to scrape the bottom of the streaming barrel in Week 1, but if you are in that position, the Dolphins are your team. They could also be a decent, cheap option in large-field DFS tournaments if they are projected for a low rostered percentage.

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