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
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 5
Dynasty | The Chiefs have placed wide receiver Rashee Rice on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Rice will miss at least the next four weeks with a knee injury and the Chiefs are still waiting for the swelling to subside to see if he'll be out for the year. Chances are Rice has torn his ACL, but that hasn't been confirmed as of yet. Regardless, dynasty managers need to make alternate plans as Rice isn't going to be anywhere near fantasy lineups for a while, as expected.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (shoulder) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hunt's status before their game on Monday evening against the New Orleans Saints, but seeing him on the practice field this early in the week suggests the injury is not serious. The 29-year-old logged a team-high 14 carries in his season debut last weekend. No. 2 running back Samaje Perine logged only five carries, which implies that Hunt should be viewed as the lead runner for the time being. With Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve, Hunt could become a solid flex play going forward if he continues to have a prominent role in the Kansas City offense.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) remained sidelined during practice for the second straight day, according to Jason B. Hirschhorn. This is not a good sign for Musgrave, as he has just one more opportunity to log a practice before Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as Musgrave will likely carry a designation into the weekend. The 24-year-old has taken a step back this season as Tucker Kraft has emerged as Green Bay's No.1 tight end. Musgrave has caught just five passes over the first four weeks compared to Kraft's 12. If Musgrave misses Sunday's game, Kraft should be viewed as a TE1 with upside, as he should have plenty of opportunities facing a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time this season on Thursday, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Miller has been on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury since the beginning of the season, as he missed most of training camp. In his rookie campaign last fall, Miller carried the ball only 41 times for 156 yards and a score. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Miller's progress through the week, as he could make his season debut on Monday evening. When Miller does return, he should be expected to split time with Jamaal Williams as the No.2 option out of the backfield while Alvin Kamara sees the majority of opportunities.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) has rib fractures and was held out of Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Head coach Dennis Allen did not explain any detail regarding the severity of the injury, but this will now jeopardize Hill's status for Monday's game. The 34-year-old was previously sidelined in Week 3 due to a bruised lung. However, before suffering the rib injury last weekend, Hill was able to find the end zone twice on six rushing attempts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hill's status over the weekend in case he can suit up. If not, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see the majority of snaps at the tight end position.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) logged a full practice on Thursday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. The 25-year-old returned to the field last weekend after missing two games with a knee injury. In his return, Love went 32-for-54 with 389 passing yards and four scores. Even though Love was limited on Wednesday, seeing him log a full practice on Thursday suggests the team was being cautious with their franchise quarterback. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's practice report in case Love faces a setback but should plan on locking him in all lineups this weekend as he faces a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) was placed on the injured reserve on Thursday afternoon. The sophomore wideout suffered a knee injury last weekend and was initially feared to have torn his ACL. However, the team has yet to confirm the severity of the injury and plans to continue to perform tests to see its extent. This move to the IR will sideline the 24-year-old for at least the next four weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to follow any updates regarding his status for the remainder of the season. Before the injury, Rice continued his strong finish to his rookie season, averaging 21.6 PPR points across the first three weeks. Fantasy managers should expect Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, and tight end Travis Kelce to see a drastic uptick in targets while Rice remains sidelined.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (personal) did not practice on Thursday due to personal reasons, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal. Silverstein further reported that the team is taking it "day-to-day" regarding Doubs' status for Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding Doubs during Friday's practice, as they should provide clarity on his status during the weekend. The Packers will likely be without Christian Watson (ankle) this weekend, as he suffered a high ankle sprain last week and has yet to return to practice. If the Packers are without both Watson and Doubs this weekend, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks could be in store for a high volume of targets in a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts C Ryan Kelly (neck), CB Kenny Moore II (hip), DE Kwity Paye (quad) and RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 3. QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) was limited. LB Zaire Franklin (illness), OT Braden Smith (knee) and LB Grant Stuard (heel) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers LB Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin), LB Shaq Thompson (Achilles), C Andrew Raym (concussion), RB Miles Sanders (illness), WR Jalen Coker (foot), TE Tommy Tremble (knee) and OT Taylor Moton (rest) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 3. WR Diontae Johnson (ankle), LB Charles Harris (shoulder), OG Robert Hunt (hip), OG Damien Lewis (elbow), S Nick Scott (shoulder), DT Shy Tuttle (foot), CB Lonnie Johnson (hip), TE Ian Thomas (calf) and CB Dane Jackson (hamstring) were limited. DE Jadeveon Clowney (rest), CB Troy Hill (rest) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (rest) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks practice squad LB Tyus Bowser is being signed to the Miami Dolphins 53-man roster, according to sources.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills DT Austin X. Johnson (oblique), DT DaQuan Jones (rest), S Taylor Rapp (concussion) and WR Khalil Shakir (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 3. LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral), OT Dion Dawkins (hamstring), CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DT Ed Oliver (hamstring) were limited. QB Josh Allen (hand), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints TE Taysom Hill (ribs) is dealing with fractured ribs, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation to see when Hill will be able to return to the lineup. He has fantasy value because of his running ability and could also see a few targets in the passing game. He can be a possible starting option in some leagues when cleared to play.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) is not practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. White's status for Sunday's divisional clash against the Denver Broncos is now firmly up in the air. The 25-year-old will probably have to practice on Friday in some fashion to have a shot to suit up. It's bad news for a player whose fantasy stock was already on the decline. He has so far averaged a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry on 49 rushing attempts through four games in 2024, with head coach Antonio Pierce saying after last week's win over the Cleveland Browns that Alexander Mattison deserves more touches. Even if White practices on Friday and is active in Week 5 against Denver, it would not be a surprise to see White play second fiddle to Mattison in Vegas' backfield. If White is ruled out entirely, Mattison would have RB2 upside this weekend, with Ameer Abdullah backing him up.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) fully participated in practice Thursday, Oct. 3.
Fantasy Spin: Allen has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL during the first quarter of the season and is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues as long as he is healthy.
From TheHuddle
Teams like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are all monitoring the situation with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams and are more likely to get involved if the Raiders are willing to take on some of the money owed to Adams, according to sources. Adams is owed $13.5 million the rest of the 2024 season, which is why teams like the Chiefs aren't in all-out pursuit of the six-time Pro Bowler. A trade within the division of a player of Adams' caliber is unlikely to begin with, but this makes the Chiefs even more of a long shot for Adams, even though they may have lost top receiver Rashee Rice (knee) for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old Adams prefers to go to the New York Jets to reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Adams didn't play in Week 4 and is unlikely to suit up in Week 5 against the Broncos, but his rest-of-season fantasy value figures to see a boost if he is traded out of Vegas.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) missed practice on Thursday for a second consecutive day, which is bad news for his potential availability against the Houston Texans. Shakir suffered an ankle injury in the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and while it didn't seem like a major ailment at the time, it could hold him out of Week 5. Fantasy managers with Shakir should see what his practice status and official game status are on Friday before making any final decisions, but it's time to look for a backup plan. If Shakir cannot suit up, tight end Dalton Kincaid should act as Josh Allen's No. 1 target. Wideouts Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel would become fringe flex plays in that case, but none are sure things this week despite a favorable matchup against the Texans' secondary.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) did not practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Adams injured his hamstring last week and sat out of the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, but the main reason why he hasn't been practicing is because he wants out of Vegas. The veteran All-Pro wideout requested a trade earlier this week and prefers to be dealt to the New York Jets, where he can reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Trade rumors have been swirling ever since it was reported that the Raiders were open to dealing Adams, with plenty of teams interested in the six-time Pro Bowler. Adams isn't expected to play in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, but his fantasy value would see a boost if he were to move to New York. In Vegas, Tre Tucker has become a much more attractive waiver-wire pickup with a boost for the rest of the season if Adams is traded away, which is now expected to happen.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins opened wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s practice window this week, and he was listed as a full participant on Monday. The three-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal with Miami this offseason after posting 565 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Dolphins wide receiver coach Wes Welker said Beckham looked "great" in his first practice with the team this season, and his full practice designation suggests he will play on Sunday against the New England Patriots. However, until Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) returns to action, it would be surprising if Beckham is on the fantasy football radar. Even when Tagovailoa does return, it could be tough for Beckham to earn targets alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The 2014 first-round pick has notched a 600-yard receiving season since 2019 and appears to be well beyond his prime. He could have late-season value if Hill or Waddle get banged up and Tagovailoa is under center, but for now, he is best left on the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) suffered a serious-looking knee injury in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but the team is still waiting on information about the severity of his injury. This situation is an ongoing development, so fantasy managers will need to be patient. However, Chiefs reporter Pete Sweeney said Rice was spotted in the Chiefs locker room "walking about normally" with no crutches. Again, not much information is known about his ailment, but he was originally feared to have suffered a torn ACL. Hopefully, the fact that he is walking without crutches is a positive sign for his outlook, but this is a "wait and see" situation. In Rice's absence, rookie wideout Xavier Worthy and veterans Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster are expected to see extra targets. However, tight end Travis Kelce could regain his target hog status.
From RotoBaller
