In many leagues, contending teams aren’t dropping their best D/STs anymore, and instead hoarding them for the winter playoff run. I’m one of them. Hopefully you’ve taken my advice already and you are too. As a result though, we have fewer options on many waiver wires, and probably don’t have access to defenses like the Broncos, Chiefs, or Texans, who all have elite matchups in Week 13. That’s OK! There are still plenty of options for streamers and daily drafters alike. Before we dive in, a quick note: with Desmond Ridder likely under center for the Raiders going forward, Las Vegas has probably vaulted into the top spot for D/ST targets, so glance twice for KC in your leagues before checking out the options below.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Available in 64.3% of Leagues/$3600 on DraftKings)

The most expensive D/ST in daily this week probably isn’t worth the price tag. For all of Carolina’s woes this season they’re only ninth-worst in OPRK, and have given up five or fewer points to opposing D/STs six times. Bryce Young’s play over the last three weeks has also been the best of his career, barely resembling the guy who started the year off. That said, Tampa Bay is still a great high-floor start this week. The Panthers’ are living on borrowed time relying on David Moore and Adam Thielen to lead their receiving corps, and the Bucs’ underrated pass defense (third best in 2024 WAR per the RV Advanced Team Stats Explorer) should have no trouble carving them up. If you started Tampa Bay’s D/ST last week like I did, you’re in great shape for Weeks 13 and 14. If not, you get a second chance since they’re still available in 64.3% of leagues.