Welcome back for another year of rent-a-defense, another year of fantasy football, and another year of one of our last somewhat universally shared experiences in these strange times. When I started this column (13 years ago? 15 years ago? The past gets blurrier in the rear view mirror, and I'm not much of a record keeper), it was still common practice for most fantasy football players to try to draft a "good" D/ST and ride them. Now, more and more people are streaming, so we have to go deeper. Sometimes, the "shark" move is to ride a hot D/ST instead of trying to catch lightning in a bottle each week when others are doing the same.
So as we slough D/ST and depend on the waiver wire and even randomness to save us every week, let's consider this more "rent-to-buy" than pure "rent-a-defense" when weighing our potential pickups, especially at the beginning of the season when the big reveal shows us who might be the new elite D/STs along with the usual important information of who the best matchups for D/ST scoring will be going forward.
**Denver is assumed to be rostered**
Week 1 Candidates
LA Rams (vs Houston)
The Texans have exactly one returning starting offensive lineman from last year's debacle. This could be a good thing in time, but there will be growing pains as this unit comes together. The running game will be led by Nick Chubb, who appeared to have lost a step this summer. The Rams' defense isn't that scary on paper. But they have plenty of young talent up front to get after C.J. Stroud on passing downs, and Stroud will likely be facing some harsh down and distances without a credible running game.
A Look Ahead: @TEN @PHI IND - You can use the Rams again next week against a rookie starting quarterback and in Week 4 against Daniel Jones - if he lasts that long as the starter.
Arizona (at New Orleans)
The Cardinals defense isn't that imposing, but they should be able to make Spencer Rattler look like the worst starting quarterback in the NFL - which he probably is. The Cardinals' running game should control this contest, giving the defense ample opportunities to pressure Rattler as he plays with desperation from behind in the second half.
A Look Ahead: CAR @SF SEA - If the Cardinals defense starts hot and the Jaguars defense looks decent against Bryce Young, we may go back to Arizona next week.