QB Strength of Schedule
Thu May 23 11:12am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Prescott setup for big success
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the quarterback position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the quarterbacks with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the quarterbacks that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| QB SOS | ||
| 1. | Miami Dolphins | 313.6 |
| 2. | Cincinnati Bengals | 314.77 |
| 3. | Los Angeles Chargers | 317.32 |
| 4. | Denver Broncos | 317.38 |
| 5. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 320.33 |
| 6. | Houston Texans | 320.74 |
| 7. | Buffalo Bills | 321.01 |
| 8. | Philadelphia Eagles | 323.71 |
| 9. | Kansas City Chiefs | 325.08 |
| 10. | Washington Commanders | 325.12 |
| 11. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 326.4 |
| 12. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 328.45 |
| 13. | New York Jets | 329.06 |
| 14. | New England Patriots | 329.64 |
| 15. | Cleveland Browns | 330.31 |
| 16. | Los Angeles Rams | 330.72 |
| 17. | Arizona Cardinals | 331.54 |
| 18. | Indianapolis Colts | 331.69 |
| 19. | Seattle Seahawks | 332 |
| 20. | Atlanta Falcons | 332.73 |
| 21. | Baltimore Ravens | 333.05 |
| 22. | San Francisco 49ers | 333.05 |
| 23. | Detroit Lions | 334.13 |
| 24. | Las Vegas Raiders | 334.38 |
| 25. | New York Giants | 334.72 |
| 26. | New Orleans Saints | 336.27 |
| 27. | Minnesota Vikings | 337.2 |
| 28. | Dallas Cowboys | 339.64 |
| 29. | Chicago Bears | 340.70 |
| 30. | Tennessee Titans | 343.69 |
| 31. | Carolina Panthers | 345.54 |
| 32. | Green Bay Packers | 349.53 |
The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. Jordan Love already had a breakout season last year and could take his game to an even higher level this season. Love is shaping up to be a really intriguing QB1 this season. He is a player on the rise and seems setup for even more success this year.
A couple second-year quarterbacks have really favorable schedules, Will Levis and Bryce Young. Both seem like good No. 2 fantasy quarterbacks to take a chance. Their teams did well in upgrading the talent around them this offseason and a favorable schedule bodes well for them to take some steps forward this year.
Caleb Williams was the No.1 overall pick and the Bears gave him plenty of firepower to work with in year one. Williams has a lot of good going for him this year and could be the C.J. Stroud of this year’s rookie class. And having a favorable fantasy schedule helps Williams even more.
A couple veterans with favorable schedules are Dak Prescott and Derek Carr. Prescott is the one that stands out the most. The Cowboys are lacking top options at the running back spot, so it would not surprise if the Cowboys are really pass-heavy offensively. Prescott could really rack up the numbers this year.
There are some big-name quarterbacks on the opposite side of things, having very tough fantasy schedules. Tua Tagovalioa has the toughest schedule of all. He struggled a little down the stretch last year and now has the most unfavorable schedule for any fantasy quarterback. This is a little concerning.
Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and whoever is starting in Pittsburgh, likely Russell Wilson, are other veteran quarterbacks that have a top-five unfavorable schedule for fantasy quarterbacks. Burrow is not a huge concern for us because we think they will still have success throwing the ball and he has a ton of talent around him at receiver. Herbert is a concern. The Chargers lost their top two receivers and could be a lot more run-heavy with a new coach in place. Herbert has some red flags for him this coming year, making him a bit of a risky pick for fantasy teams. Wilson is another veteran with a tough schedule. He also has Justin Fields pushing him to play, so Wilson is going to be a boom or bust fantasy pick.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the quarterbacks with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
| QB PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 292.02 |
| 2. | Houston Texans | 299.33 |
| 3. | New York Giants | 301.93 |
| 4. | Miami Dolphins | 307.48 |
| 5. | Los Angeles Rams | 308.45 |
| 6. | Detroit Lions | 312.4 |
| 7. | Arizona Cardinals | 313.15 |
| 8. | Kansas City Chiefs | 313.45 |
| 9. | Buffalo Bills | 313.6 |
| 10. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 317.53 |
| 11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 318.03 |
| 12. | Baltimore Ravens | 318.25 |
| 13. | Green Bay Packers | 322.48 |
| 14. | Indianapolis Colts | 322.83 |
| 15. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 328.78 |
| 16. | Philadelphia Eagles | 331.23 |
| 17. | Cleveland Browns | 331.95 |
| 18. | Minnesota Vikings | 334.68 |
| 19. | Atlanta Falcons | 336.18 |
| 20. | Carolina Panthers | 338.62 |
| 21. | Seattle Seahawks | 338.65 |
| 22. | Las Vegas Raiders | 341.18 |
| 23. | Los Angeles Chargers | 341.22 |
| 24. | New York Jets | 344.3 |
| 25. | New Orleans Saints | 346.68 |
| 26. | Chicago Bears | 347.07 |
| 27. | Tennessee Titans | 348.42 |
| 28. | New England Patriots | 355.23 |
| 29. | Denver Broncos | 355.35 |
| 30. | Dallas Cowboys | 359.62 |
| 31. | Washington Commanders | 359.92 |
| 32. | San Francisco 49ers | 363.47 |
There is just a team that makes both the top-five favorable quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. That team is the Cowboys. So Dak Prescott has the third easiest playoff schedule in addition to having the fifth easiest regular season schedule. Prescott was a player looking pretty good even before seeing these schedules, so you might want to bump him up a few spots in your rankings after seeing this. Prescott could be a league winner in 2024.
The 49ers actually have the easiest fantasy quarterback schedule for the playoffs. So Brock Purdy could have a great run during the fantasy playoffs. He always has a high weekly ceiling, so things are looking great for him this postseason.
Now some rookie quarterbacks round out the team of having top-five fantasy quarterback playoff schedules. Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Drake Maye are all likely starting for their teams later in the season, so they should help fantasy teams during the playoffs. They all have some question marks surrounding them but could be worth the gamble, especially if you have a dependable starter already on your roster. These rookies could make some noise late in the season.
On the opposite side of things, the Dolphins are the only team to have both a top-five unfavorable fantasy quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. We already had a few concerns for Tagovalioa even before these schedules were released. And now seeing he has very challenging schedules for both the regular season and playoffs make him a player you might want to avoid come draft day.
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have the toughest schedule for the playoffs. Lawrence has not lived up to expectations to date. He could have his best season to date this year, but his schedule during the playoffs is concerning. Lawrence could struggle when it matters most.
C.J. Stroud is the biggest name of any quarterback with a top-five unfavorable playoff schedule. We aren’t too concerned about this because some players can rise above the challenge. Stroud is one of those players. Things will be tougher for him in year two, but he will also progress and get better. Plus, he has Stefon Diggs added to the mix, which should improve that passing game even more.
Daniel Jones is another quarterback with a challenging playoff schedule. He is another fringe draft pick to begin with, so seeing him possibly have struggles down the stretch causes more trepidation when it comes to possibly drafting him. He might be another player to just steer clear of come draft day.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is expected to be back on the field for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons has been sidelined for the last four games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain. This return is a welcoming sight for this Cowboys defensive unit. Parsons has 14 tackles and one sack through the four games that he's played in this season. The Cowboys offense took a huge hit with Dak Prescott (hamstring) going down for multiple weeks. However, Parsons should be able to give them a lift on the defensive side of the ball.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has been named the starting quarterback in the absence of Dak Prescott (hamstring) over the next few weeks. Prescott suffered a significant hamstring injury that is going to force him to miss multiple weeks. Rush came in for Prescott during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 13-of-25 passing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He didn't look awful under center and has proven to be able to hold his own in the league. However, Rush isn't exactly an appealing streaming option against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was a healthy scratch from Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys decided to elevated Dalvin Cook and make Elliott a healthy scratch after his rough start to the season. However, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Elliott would be available for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran back is averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 48 attempts this season. He figures to serve as the change-of-pace back to Rico Dowdle in the backfield. It's hard to imagine Elliott having reliable value anymore at this point.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is currently considered day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McDermott. This news comes after Cooper was inactive ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He was able to get through limited practice sessions, but the Bills ultimately decided to hold him out. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see what Cooper does during practice this week. If he sits again, Keon Coleman (wrist), Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir figure to have expanded roles. The fact Cooper is listed as day-to-day means he shouldn't have an extended absence.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have been open to trading tight end Greg Dulcich. We wonder if there is any interest around the league in Dulcich, a former third-rounder in 2022 out of UCLA. Dulcich has been very injury-prone early in his NFL career and has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos since Week 5. In the first four games of the season, he did very little, catching five of his 12 targets for 28 scoreless yards. The 24-year-old just hasn't been a big part of head coach Sean Payton's offense and is currently behind both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull on the team's TE depth chart. In two-plus NFL seasons, Dulcich has 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (10 starts). He will remain well off the fantasy radar in all leagues unless he's traded before Tuesday's deadline to a team that will utilize him as a pass-catcher.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from the Denver Broncos on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to sources. Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks in three-plus NFL seasons, will now head to the desert. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of Ohio State has missed four games in 2024 due to injury but has been healthy each of the last three weeks for Denver. In his five games played (two starts) this year, Browning has recorded only seven tackles (one solo) and one tackle for loss. If he can stay healthy, Browning could have a bigger role in Arizona with rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) injured. Browning has 114 career tackles (66 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 43 career games (28 starts).
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins DT Zach Sieler (eye) has a chance to be available for the Week 10 game, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) underwent ankle surgery. "He will hopefully be back later this season," LaFleur said. Musgrave was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 11 due to his ankle injury, but barring a setback in his recovery, he'll have a chance to return to the team later this season. The 24-year-old quickly took a back seat to fellow TE Tucker Kraft as a pass-catcher in the early portion of 2024 before injuring his ankle. The second-round pick in 2023 out of Oregon State had five catches for 22 yards in four games before getting hurt after putting up a 34-352-1 line in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign. When Musgrave returns later this season, he'll most likely go back to playing second fiddle to Kraft. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to ignore him.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (rib) suffered a bruised rib in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it sounds like he'll be OK for the Thursday night game in Week 10 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Zack Moss (neck) is out indefinitely with a neck injury, which will open up a bigger backup role for Trayveon Williams behind Brown moving forward. Brown has been trending up in fantasy in recent weeks and went off for a season-high 27 carries for a season-high 120 rushing yards while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in the blowout win over the Raiders in an excellent matchup on Sunday. He'll be a must-start on Thursday versus Baltimore. In Week 5 against the Ravens, Brown had 12 carries for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have received interest on tight end David Njoku but they are "highly unlikely" to trade him by Tuesday's deadline, according to sources. The Browns view Njoku as part of their long-term future. Njoku wasn't as impressive in the Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers as he was in quarterback Jameis Winston's first start in the Week 8 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, but the 28-year-old tight end should maintain a higher fantasy ceiling and floor the rest of the way in 2024 with receiver Amari Cooper now in Buffalo. Njoku has had at least five catches in four straight games and has caught 10 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown the last two games with Winston starting. Consider Njoku to be on the TE1 radar for a much better matchup in Week 11 against the floundering New Orleans Saints after Cleveland's Week 10 bye.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) would have been a non-participant on Monday had the team practiced. Higgins injured his quad muscle two weeks ago and has missed the last two games as a result. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance the 25-year-old is looking at a third straight missed contest unless he improves on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Higgins' absence this past Sunday in the Week 9 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincy's offense didn't really miss him, as quarterback Joe Burrow tossed five touchdowns to tight end Mike Gesicki (two), running back Chase Brown, tight end Drew Sample and receiver Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki hit the 100-yard mark and will be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective if Higgins is out again on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back) experienced some back tightness in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to an NFL source. However, Barkley said that he will be ready for Sunday's Week 9 divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley had a monstrous day against Jacksonville but was seen for a bit on the sidelines wincing before eventually re-entering the game. He appears to be on track to play in Week 10, but it's something that fantasy managers should monitor throughout the week. Don't be surprised if Barkley misses some practice time but ultimately plays against Dallas, where he'll be a no-doubt, must-start, high-end RB1 in fantasy. Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 40 yards and another TD against the Jags and is the RB2 in overall fantasy points in 2024, behind only Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' two-game suspension has been lifted and he has officially been reinstated by the NFL heading into a Week 10 game against the Houston Texans. In his absence, the Lions won both of their games. Williams was suspended two games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old will give the Lions another speedy field-stretching weapon for an offense that has been humming of late. In six games before his suspension, Williams was in the midst of a breakout season, catching 17 of his 30 targets for 361 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He's currently tied for 29th among all wideouts with 11.0 half-PPR points per game and will return to being a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers in what could easily be a shootout against Houston in primetime on Sunday night.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans QB Trevor Siemian reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is considered "day-to-day" after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday after he injured his knee in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Brown's injury was never expected to be serious, but now the Eagles and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that he won't miss extended time. He could even be ready to roll for a Week 10 divisional showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. We'll know more on the 27-year-old's status for this upcoming Sunday once the team releases practice reports from Wednesday through Friday. If Brown doesn't make enough progress later this week to get the green light to face Dallas, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson would start in three-wide sets for Philly. Brown is a high-end, must-start WR1 in fantasy when he's active.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys RB Dalvin Cook reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos FB Michael Burton reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
