It sounds crazy, but 10 percent of the 2023 NFL season has already passed. With each passing week,we gain a better understanding of which fantasy football D/STs are matchup-proof studs and which are volatile duds. Our Week 3 fantasy defense rankings will guide you in the right direction and help you decide whether you should stick with your current D or look to the waiver wire for a better option.
Some parts of the defensive landscape have been obvious, like the dominance of the Cowboys and 49ers and the struggles of the Cardinals and Texans. Other things have taken us by surprise a bit, like the Eagles struggling mightily to defend the pass and the Falcons and Texans showing defensive signs of life.
The Browns, Ravens, and Saints appear to be good again, and the Bills and Commanders, who face each other this week, have fantasy-friendly defenses that don't totally translate to real-life dominance. After the top 10 — or maybe eight — we're basically streaming week-to-week.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
That's why you've come to the right place. D/ST is an important position that often gets overlooked, but not here. Here, defense is viewed as a weekly opportunity to get a leg-up on our opponents. So, let's do just that, and get to our Week 3 D/ST rankings!
MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 3?
As always, the creme de la creme is easy as pie (or a piece of cake? Tiramisu, if you prefer?). The Cowboys (@ Cardinals) and 49ers (vs. Giants) both look awesome out of the gates and have high-upside matchups with Arizona sans Kyler Murray and a Saquon Barkley-less Giants' squad. The Patriots (@ Jets) also draw Gang Green two weeks removed from Aaron Rodgers' Achilles' injury.
The Jets (vs. Patriots), meanwhile, must have been licking their chops watching Mac Jones in primetime on Sunday. The Pats young QB seems to take two steps forward but four steps back, moving down the field effortlessly on some drives but rifling it into a crowd of defensive backs moments later. The Bills (@ Commanders) have a similar opportunity against Sam Howell, who looks great at times but brutal at others.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
If Anthony Richardson remains in concussion protocol, the Ravens (vs. Colts) could be a top-five D/ST this week. Baltimore has been healthier on defense this season and remains much more disciplined with Roquan Smith than they did without him at the start of the 2022 season. The Saints (@ Packers) also have a high ceiling if Green Bay is once again without lead back Aaron Jones (hamstring), but they're probably still outside of the top five on the road regardless with Jordan Love playing so well.
We love the Browns (vs. Titans), probably the best defense other than the Patriots that's under 75-percent owned. Myles Garrett and Cleveland's pass rush is intimidating, and they should rack up sacks — and maybe turnovers — against Ryan Tannehill and an inconsistent Tennessee offense. Speaking of turnovers, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo can't be excited to face the Dolphins (vs. Broncos) and Steelers (@ Raiders), respectively.
WEEK 3 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 3?
So, what do you do if you don't have the luxury of owning one of the top 10 or 12 defenses? You hit the wire, of course. The Bengals (vs. Rams) still have plenty of upside against a Rams offense that has been riding high with emergent wideout Puka Nacua. Can L.A. continue to ride the Puka wave? Personally, we'd be happy to stream Cincy in this Super Bowl LVI rematch — the Bengals are in as much of a must-win as they've experienced in the Joe Burrow era.
We knocked the Eagleswaydown, mostly because of injuries, but also because Philly can't seem to get consistent stops against the pass. Coaching matters, folks, and the defending NFC champs clearly miss former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon (now the head coach of the Cardinals). We might even stream the Jaguars (vs. Texans) over Philadelphia even though Houston has actually played pretty well with C.J. Stroud under center.
The Chiefs (vs. Bears) have looked less than stellar on defense so far, but an Arrowhead meeting with Chicago could be just what the doctor ordered. The Raiders (vs. Steelers) and Seahawks (vs. Panthers) might feel the same with home games against Kenny Pickett and Bryce Young, respectively, both of whom have banged-up receiving corps.
We'll be updating these D/ST rankings throughout the remainder of the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
WEEK 3 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Defense Rankings Week 3: Who to start, sit at D/ST
Rank Player
1 Dallas Cowboys @ Cardinals
2 San Francisco 49ers vs. Giants
3 New England Patriots @ Jets
4 New York Jets vs. Patriots
5 Buffalo Bills @ Commanders
6 Baltimore Ravens vs. Colts
7 New Orleans Saints @ Packers
8 Cleveland Browns vs. Titans
9 Miami Dolphins vs. Broncos
10 Pittsburgh Steelers @ Raiders
11 Cincinnati Bengals vs. Rams
12 Philadelphia Eagles @ Buccaneers
13 Green Bay Packers vs. Saints
14 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Texans
15 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Bears
16 Las Vegas Raiders vs. Steelers
17 Seattle Seahawks vs. Panthers
18 Indianapolis Colts @ Ravens
19 Atlanta Falcons @ Lions
20 Detroit Lions vs. Falcons
21 Washington Commanders vs. Bills
22 Tennessee Titans @ Browns
23 Carolina Panthers @ Seahawks
24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Eagles
25 Denver Broncos @ Dolphins
26 Houston Texans @ Jaguars
27 Los Angeles Rams @ Bengals
28 Los Angeles Chargers @ Vikings
29 Minnesota Vikings vs. Chargers
30 Arizona Cardinals vs. Cowboys
31 New York Giants @ 49ers
32 Chicago Bears @ Chiefs
Week 3 D/ST fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 3 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for D/ST -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!
TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!
