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.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) is back at practice on Wednesday following his Week 2 absence against the New Orleans Saints due to a knee injury. The third-year pro suffered the injury in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns and did not practice at all last week. Backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker impressed in his spot-start, catching all six of his targets for 43 yards. However, Ferguson should regain his status as the lead tight end when he's back in action, which could be this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends so far this season, so Ferguson will have clear TE1 upside if he's active.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (quad) took part in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, and head coach Kevin O'Connell said the plan is to get him more work later in the week. Jefferson suffered what seems to be a minor quad injury in the win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, and it doesn't sound like he's at much risk of missing the Week 3 game against the Houston Texans. By no surprise, Jefferson is the WR4 on the season and is averaging 17.6 half-PPR points per game through two weeks. Quarterback Sam Darnold has looked like a solid start thus far, and there is no scenario where Jefferson should be benched in leagues of all shapes and sizes. As demonstrated by his 97-yard receiving touchdown last week, he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs signed running back Keaontay Ingram to the active roster and Kareem Hunt to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to the team's official X account. These moves come after Isiah Pacheco (leg) suffered a fractured fibula and was placed on Injured Reserve. With Pacheco sidelined, rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine are expected to split touches in the backfield, but Hunt could become a contributor. The former third-round pick by Kansas City in 2017 spent his final season with the Cleveland Browns last year and rushed for 411 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 15 receptions for 84 yards. Hunt appears to be well beyond his prime, but he could become a deep-league flex option if he gets integrated soon and earns a role in the offense.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) is practicing on Wednesday after missing last week's Thursday Night Football contest against the Buffalo Bills with a chest injury. The 32-year-old had a poor showing in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaling just 19 yards on seven touches. Miami's backfield is already becoming tricky to navigate, and the fantasy ceiling of all the Miami backs could take a hit while Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is sidelined. Sophomore running back De'Von Achane remains a must-start option, but Mostert is likely to see fewer red-zone and goal-line opportunities over the next handful of games after he scored 21 touchdowns in 2023. If Mostert is active this week, consider him a shaky flex play for the Week 3 contest against the Seattle Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) was officially placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The third-year back out of Rutgers suffered a fractured fibula that requires surgery, and he will miss at least the next four games. However, his timeline was originally set at a six- to eight-week absence, but now it sounds like Kansas City doesn't know if he will play again this season. "I can't give you a timetable for his return," head coach Andy Reid said. "We'll just see whether it's this season or next season." Needless to say, this is a rough development for Pacheco and his fantasy managers, and this is a "wait and see" situation. In his absence, rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine are expected to split touches. Kareem Hunt, who just signed to the practice squad, is likely to take a few weeks to get in shape and start contributing.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) is back at practice on Wednesday, marking the first time he's practiced since suffering a knee injury in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Love suffered a sprained MCL in that Friday night game, but his return means he has a chance to play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. However, fantasy managers should monitor his practice participation throughout the week. The Titans have allowed the fewest passing yards (269) in the NFL through two weeks, and its revamped secondary featuring L'Jarius Sneed looks much improved. That said, Love should be downgraded to a QB2 fantasy option if he plays, especially since his mobility could be limited. If he can't play, Malik Willis will start against his former team on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is not practicing on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. The former Cincinnati Bengal had a fantastic Week 1 performance against the Indianapolis Colts, posting 178 total yards and a touchdown on 33 touches. In Week 2, he only racked up 50 total yards on 12 touches. Backup running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) missed Week 2 and is also not practicing on Wednesday. If Mixon plays, he's still likely a strong starting option against the Minnesota Vikings, but if he and Pierce miss Sunday's game, Cam Akers will enter the fantasy radar as a flex consideration. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Mixon's status throughout the week.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans placed tight end Brevin Jordan (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, meaning Jordan will now have to miss at least the team's next four games. Jordan will be eligible to return to play in Week 7 on the road at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. It helps explain why the Texans signed former Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith to their practice squad on Tuesday. In the first two games of the season, Jordan caught only two passes on three targets for seven yards while working behind starter Dalton Schultz. With Jordan now out for the foreseeable future, the Texans will roll with rookie Cade Stover, Chris Myarick and Smith as depth behind Schultz at the position. Schultz has also been a disappointment for fantasy managers as a TE1 option through the first two weeks in 2024, catching five of six targets for only 37 yards.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) said he plans to make his season debut in Week 3 at home at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday against the visiting Chicago Bears. Downs suffered a right high-ankle sprain at training camp in August and was forced to miss the first two games of the regular season as a result. However, the 23-year-old was 50-50 to play in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and could get the green light if he's able to do more in practices this week. The third-round selection last year was set to enter the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind Michael Pittman Jr., so Downs' return will be bad news for anyone that plucked Alec Pierce off the waiver wire recently. Downs, himself, is worth a pickup off the waiver wire now that he's nearing his return. The former Tar Heel caught 68 of 98 targets for 771 yards and two scores in 17 games in his rookie season in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, a first-rounder in 2023, had a rocky first year in the NFL marred by drops. But through the first two weeks of his second season in the NFL, Johnston has flipped the script and led the Chargers with five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers. He had two TDs all of last year, but he currently leads the Bolts in catches, receiving yards and yards per target. The 23-year-old's route-running this year is tighter and more deceptive, and his hands have improved markedly. Johnston ran post or go routes 35.5% of the time last year, but that rate has dropped to 21.4% this year, which has increased his chances to run after the catch on crossing routes. He has become a popular waiver-wire pickup after the first two weeks, especially with DJ Chark (hip) on Injured Reserve.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) will be listed on Wednesday's injury report with an ankle injury. Herbert's practice status right now is to be determined, so fantasy managers will want to check back later for his official status. The 26-year-old signal-caller wasn't spotted at the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday. His ankle injury is on the same side that he dealt with plantar fasciitis during training camp, although it doesn't appear to be related. Herbert injured his ankle in the Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers but eventually returned to the game. He is apparently feeling a lot better, but we won't know his status for Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers until later this week. Easton Stick would likely fill in for the Bolts under center if Herbert isn't cleared, which would obviously be a big downgrade for LA's offense.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) will not take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Before sitting out the team's Week 2 loss on Sunday night to the Houston Texans, Allen missed all three of the team's practices last week. In addition to his injury, he disappointed in his Bears debut in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, catching four passes on 11 targets for just 29 yards. The 32-year-old veteran still has a couple more days to get back on the practice field, but as of right now, things aren't looking great for his status in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. If he misses another game this weekend, look for DeAndre Carter to once again have an elevated role as the No. 3 wideout behind DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. Carter caught three of his four targets on Sunday night for 32 yards.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (groin) was at the team's practice on Wednesday, but FOX Sports' Greg Auman said that it was hard to measure his participation level, although he seemed to be OK. White suffered a groin injury in the Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions but did go back into the game, which would seem to indicate that the injury isn't very serious. As long as White doesn't have any setbacks in practice this week, fantasy managers should feel pretty comfortable that he will suit up for a good matchup at home in Week 3 this Sunday against the 0-2 Denver Broncos. The 25-year-old couldn't get anything going against Detroit, carrying the ball only 10 times for 18 yards while catching one pass for five yards. If he plays this Sunday, White will be hoping to turn things around after averaging a measly 2.0 yards per carry through the first two weeks of the season.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that tight end David Njoku (ankle) is unlikely to play in the Week 3 contest this Sunday against the New York Giants due to the ankle injury he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Njoku was inactive in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now set to miss a second straight game. In his absence last Sunday, Jordan Akins saw a role increase at the tight end position, but it led to only one catch on one target for a 10-yard gain. Akins had better production (three catches for 27 yards) with Njoku active in Week 1. The 28-year-old Njoku should remain stashed in most fantasy formats while he heals. We'll have a better idea early next week as to whether Njoku will have a chance to return for Cleveland's Week 4 contest on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that newly signed running back Kareem Hunt has a chance to play in Week 3 on Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Starting RB Isiah Pacheco (leg) fractured his fibula in the Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and is now sidelined for up to six to eight weeks. As a result, the Chiefs have reunited with Hunt, who had 453 carries for 2,151 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns while also catching 79 of 98 targets for 833 yards and 10 touchdowns as a pass-catcher in KC in his first two NFL seasons back in 2017-18. The 29-year-old is currently on the team's practice squad, but he could be elevated to the active roster by this Saturday to serve as more backfield depth alongside rookie Carson Steele and Samaje Perine as the Chiefs move forward without Pacheco. Because of his familiarity with the Chiefs, Hunt is worth a waiver-wire pickup for those hurting at the RB position early on in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor has impressed head coach Kevin O'Connell so far this season with Jordan Addison (ankle) missing time and allowing Nailor to see more time on the field. O'Connell specifically was pleased with the speed Nailor has shown and the separation he has been able to get on his routes against man coverage. Nailor was targeted four times and caught three passes for 54 yards in Week 2 against the 49ers. Justin Jefferson (quad) is also a little banged up so there is an opportunity for Nailor to continue to see targets in this offense. He is a sneaky speculative waiver-wire pickup this week as the Vikings' injury situation at wide receiver continues to play out.
From RotoBaller
Free agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill's name has come up as a potential replacement for Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) with the Dolphins. But NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes that Tannehill is looking for a situation where he can come in and be the starter for the rest of the season. With Tagovailoa recently going on IR and expressing a desire to return to competition, that might not be the case in Miami. Because of that Rapoport says the Dolphins don't appear to be the right fit for the former Tennessee Titans quarterback as he evaluates whether to return to an NFL field this season.
From RotoBaller
Free agent wide receivers Miles Boykin and Denzel Mims worked out for the Seattle Seahawks, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The Ravens drafted Boykin in the third round of the 2019 draft and he also spent time with the Steelers. The Jets drafted Mims as a second-rounder in 2020 and he has since spent time with the Lions, Jaguars, and Steelers. With the trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle is pretty set at the top of its wide receiver depth chart but either Boykin or Mims could add to the wide receiver room if given a chance with the Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks worked out quarterback Ian Book, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. The Saints drafted Book as a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft and he has since spent time with the Eagles, Patriots, and Chiefs. With Geno Smith and Sam Howell solidified as the starter and backup at the quarterback position, the Seahawks likely view Book as a depth option. He should not be fantasy-relevant even if he were to sign with Seattle.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills brought in kickers Anders Carlson and Cade York for workouts according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Bills starting kicker Tyler Bass has made 3-of-4 field goal attempts so far this season, but the team is looking at other options after Bass missed by a wide margin on his lone failed attempt. Bass has also struggled with the new kickoffs at times this season. Carlson had some success as the Packers kicker and York had stints with the Browns and Commanders.
From RotoBaller