What is D/ST in fantasy football?
D/ST (Defense/Special Teams) is a single fantasy roster unit representing an entire team's defense and return game, which scores on stops, turnovers, and return touchdowns.
Rather than drafting individual defenders, you start a whole team's defense and special teams as one unit that scores on sacks, interceptions, fumbles, safeties, and touchdowns.
A typical D/ST scores points for each sack, takeaway, and return touchdown, plus a bonus for holding the opponent to few points. So a defense that records 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, a touchdown, and a shutout might post 20+ points — sometimes outscoring your flex. Because defensive output is matchup-driven, many managers stream D/STs each week.
D/ST is distinct from IDP formats, which start individual real-life defenders. In most standard leagues you roster a single team D/ST and start it based on the week's matchup.