Fantasy Football DST Rankings: NFL Defenses and Special Teams
By Kurt Boyer
Updated: February 2, 2024
NFL Fantasy Defenses and Special Teams: The Best DST Draft Picks
Once upon a time, Fantasy Football GMs pitted teams of only offensive skill players against each other. But today, NFL Fantasy and DFS providers such as FanDuel allow competitors to draft and score with defense and special teams, abbreviated as “DST.”
Defense and special teams are now crucial components of Fantasy Football strategy. For instance, PK Harrison Butker is known to outpace dozens of name-brand stars in Fantasy point totals. Kick returns for TDs can also boost DFS point totals. While kickers are drafted separately, Daily Fantasy GMs can draft a whole lot of tacklers, ball hawks, and potential fumble-return TD heroes with a "Defense and Special Teams" draft pick.
Looking for the best “DST” Fantasy choices in the NFL? Browse the rankings below to discover which NFL teams excel when not playing offense.
Defense and Special Teams Fantasy Picks in the Super Bowl
Kansas City’s defense hasn’t had a flawless postseason, but they’ve performed well enough to survive and advance. The talented group allowed 24 points to Buffalo in the Divisional Round, nearly resulting in an early exit for the Chiefs, but they rebounded by holding Baltimore to just 10 points in the AFC Championship. In that victory, the defending Chiefs compiled 4 sacks and an interception and only allowed Lamar Jackson to score just once.
Veteran DT Chris Jones, who’s already won 2 Super Bowls with Kansas City, will once again anchor the team’s defense in Super Bowl LVIII. Other Chiefs defenders who’ve won Super Bowls with the team include DBs Deon Bush and L’Jarius Sneed, LB Nick Bolton, DT Tershawn Wharton, and DE George Karlaftis.
Jones is nursing a quad injury but has ample time to recover before the Super Bowl.
San Francisco’s defense hasn’t been as dominant in these playoffs as they were in the regular season. The group allowed 21 points to the upstart Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round, and of even more concern was their performance in the NFC Championship, in which they gave up 31 points to Detroit and nearly cost the 49ers the game. Not only did they sack Jared Goff a mere 2 times, but they didn’t force a single turnover against the Lions. The 49ers’ defense is full of veterans who’ve led the team on playoff runs before, such as LBs Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw and DE Nick Bosa.
Pass rusher Chase Young, who San Francisco acquired mid-season, has only made the group even more formidable. Nonetheless, the 49ers’ defenders will have to step up their game in order to contain Kansas City’s dangerous offense in Super Bowl LVIII.
Rules of NFL DFS Competition at FanDuel
Daily Fantasy competitions at FanDuel grant players a 60,000 “dollar” budget to draft a roster for a given NFL weekend. Contestants are asked to fill out a roster of picks that includes a QB, running backs, WRs, a tight end, and a kicker. Customers may also choose a “flex” or variable roster spot from eligible skill football players and a team-defense pick to go with the lineup for their game.
As with any competitive arena, NFL DFS contests can be mastered. Veteran players know how to rack-up small advantages before Sunday, saddling a beginner opponent with an uphill battle.
FanDuel lets you choose a level of competition right for your experience level. Ex-football coaches may compete in scientific Sunday duels on FanDuel, but that doesn’t mean beginners must walk the plank against the “Chiefs and 49ers” of the NFL Daily Fantasy landscape. Fantasy football sign-ups can register with FanDuel as beginners and take part in special contests against fields of fellow novices. Prizes can be won by even the newest of competitors!
For more on strategy and tactics on how to play the game within the game, visit our Fantasy Football Strategy page.
Frequently Asked Questions on DFS Football at FanDuel
Are Daily Fantasy Drafts as Easy as They Sound?
Daily Fantasy Sports drafts simplify the game for the average fan. DFS contestants receive a $60,000 budget (of “FanDuel dollars”) to spend drafting a roster on Super Bowl week. GMs are asked to include a QB, running backs, WRs, a TE, and a place-kicker. GMs may also choose a “flex” roster spot from eligible skill players and are allowed a single team "Defense and Special Teams" draft pick to go with their selected skill-position lineups.
Thinking about letting FanDuel's computer pick a Daily Fantasy roster for you? We're proud to offer auto-draft services to beginners who haven't followed the NFL. But if you've scrolled this far, chances are you'll find more pleasure, and better chances to win over the long run, by using your football knowledge to organize a DFS draft. Otherwise, it's up to pure luck whether your draft is superior to your opponent's. Apply your fandom instead!
Do FanDuel DFS Drafts Have a Salary Cap Structure?
The "commissioner" at FanDuel gives DFS gamers a $60,000 budget (of FanDuel “dollars”) to spend on drafting a roster for the NFL weekend. GMs are asked to include a QB, running backs, WRs, a tight end, and a kicker. Customers may also choose a “flex” or variable roster spot from eligible skill players and are allowed a single team-defense pick to go with the skill-position lineup for their game.
Do Beginners Have a Chance to Win?
FanDuel organizes DFS games to give even the newest GMs a chance. Users may choose a level of competition for their personal experience and skill level. Newbies are not asked to endure a gauntlet against the “1985 Chicago Bears” of Daily Fantasy Sports.
DFS novices can register as beginners and take part in special contests against an entire field of fellow newcomers. Prizes can be won by players who are just getting started, unless they fib about their prowess and wind up paired against the best pigskin minds on the web.
What is PPR?
"PPR" stands for points-per-reception, a scoring method that rewards sure-handed WRs and TEs who aren't always electric after the catch, or whose QBs lean to the cautious side and throw a lot of dump-off passes through 4 quarters on Sunday. PPR means that points are awarded on a reception even if the play results in a loss of yardage. Some old-fashioned Fantasy NFL leagues choose not to count PPR points, but at FanDuel, we do.
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