#190 overall · NE · 91.3 projected half-PPR pts · -37.7 Draft Value
New England Patriots — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
The case for drafting him
The New England Patriots defense has shown some consistency in the turnover department over the past three seasons. They've averaged 9 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles per year from 2023 through 2025, and their sack totals have held in a reasonable range — 36 in 2023, 28 in 2024, and 34 in 2025, averaging 32.7 over that stretch. The 2025 season was their best recent showing in points allowed (320), and they posted 4 defensive touchdowns that year against just 1 in 2023. If you're in a deep league that requires a DST starter every week, they are a body that can be rostered.
What the model projects
The projection for the New England Patriots DST is 91.3 half-PPR fantasy points. Their draft value sits at -37.7, meaning the projection lands below replacement level at the DST position. They rank DST26 at the position and #190 overall, placing them in Tier 9 on the board. Their bye week is Week 11.
| INT | Sacks | FF | FR | TD | Saf | PA | Half-PPR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 36 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 366 | 97.0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 28 | 14 | 5 | — | — | 417 | 66.0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 34 | 10 | 9 | 4 | — | 320 | 106.0 |
| 3-yr avg | 9 | 32.7 | 13 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 367.7 | 89.9 |
The range of outcomes
The three-year averages tell a story of a unit that has been middle-of-the-road to below-average in most scoring categories. Points allowed have averaged 367.7 per season over 2023–2025, with the 2024 season reaching 417 — the worst of the three years. Defensive touchdowns have been inconsistent: 1 in 2023, none recorded in 2024, and 4 in 2025. Fumble recoveries have ranged from 5 to 9. That variance in the high-value scoring categories — touchdowns, turnovers — is what drives the wide range of possible outcomes for this unit in any given season. A repeat of the 2025 touchdown and turnover output would push the ceiling; a repeat of 2024's points-allowed figure and turnover regression would define the floor.
How to draft him
The Patriots DST is not being drafted consistently enough across platforms to carry a market ADP. That tells you everything you need to know about timing: there is no meaningful draft-pick cost being attached to this unit in public leagues. At DST26 and #190 overall with a negative draft value, this is a late-round or waiver-wire consideration in standard 12-team formats, appropriate only as a streaming option or a final-roster fill in deeper leagues. Plan your DST strategy around higher-ranked units and treat New England as a contingency.
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Questions drafters ask
At DST26 and #190 overall with a draft value of -37.7, the projection sits below replacement level. In a standard 12-team league, they are a streaming or depth option at best, not a unit to target with a meaningful pick.
Over 2023–2025, they averaged 32.7 sacks, 9 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, and 7.3 fumble recoveries per season. Points allowed averaged 367.7, with a high of 417 in 2024 and a low of 320 in 2025. Defensive touchdowns ranged from 1 to 4 across those three years.
The Patriots DST does not have a market ADP — they are not being drafted consistently enough across platforms to produce one. There is no pick cost attached to them in public drafts.
Their bye is Week 11. Given their DST26 ranking and below-replacement projection, they are best treated as a streaming option rather than a locked starter, so the Week 11 bye is a manageable concern rather than a critical roster-planning issue.