Fantasy Football Week 3 Waiver Wire: Top 3 Emerging Defenses

Defenses are oftentimes ignored in fantasy football leagues, but they can be the difference between winning and losing some weeks.

At the start of the 2011 NFL campaign, there are three emerging defenses that have the pieces to step up this season and reward fantasy owners in the process.

Don't ignore these defenses. You might get burned by a capitalistic opponent if you do. 

3. Washington Redskins

It seems crazy to suggest the Redskins would have a better defense than last season after losing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and cornerback Carlos Rogers in the offseason.

However, they replaced the disruption that is Haynesworth with solid DT Barry Cofield, and replaced Rogers with former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson, who will only get better with age.

On top of that, head coach Mike Shanahan has done a marvelous job of preparing this team after a disaster of a year in 2010.

The Redskins defense gave fantasy owners a solid seven points this week after racking up 15 fantasy points in Week 1. Look for them to continue playing well. 

2. Houston Texans

It's shocking that people couldn't see this coming. Yes, the Texans have generally been horrid defensively, which is why they have yet to win an AFC South title. However, they added some major pieces in the offseason.

Beyond adding defensive end J.J. Watt via the draft, they also signed top cornerback Johnathan Joseph and former Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning.

The Texans racked up 12 fantasy points in Week 2 after giving fantasy owners 17 points in Week 1. What are you waiting for? 

1. Detroit Lions

A lot of people could see this coming, given the Lions' late surge in 2010 and their splendid offseason. However, there are still plenty of leagues where fantasy owners haven't bought into this defense, given their performance in early 2010.

But the Lions re-signed cornerback Chris Houston in the offseason, as well as CB Eric Wright, and have a defensive tackle in Nick Fairley who is ready to come back from injury, which should make their defense even more scary.

In Week 2, the Lions defense racked up the most points in fantasy football, with a whopping 21 big ones. This comes after a solid effort of seven fantasy points in Week 1.

This team is for real, folks. Start this defense.