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.
Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the New England Patriots. The former Cowboy didn't practice all week, so most had assumed he wouldn't be available. However, it appears he's moving in the right direction, which is good news for fantasy managers. Pollard has struggled this season, amassing only 494 yards and three touchdowns off 114 carries. Still, with Tyjae Spears (hamstring) sidelined, Pollard could be more involved. Yet, his presence could mean a lower ceiling for Julius Chestnut, who has gained waiver attention throughout the week.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (Shoulder) is in line to suit up for Sunday's matchup versus the New England Patriots. With the Titans recently dealing DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs, Boyd has a chance to get more involved on the offensive end. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen, with the 29-year-old most recently accumulating just three catches for 14 yards in Week 8 versus the Lions. With that in mind, until Boyd shows signs of life, which may not happen with Mason Rudolph or Will Levis (shoulder) under center, fantasy managers should leave him on the bench.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) is anticipated to play in Sunday's NFC East matchup with the New York Giants. The Commanders elevated Chris Rodriguez Jr. off the practice squad on Saturday, with many believing the move meant Robinson wouldn't be on the field. However, it appears he'll be out there, which is great news for fantasy managers. The 25-year-old has had a fantastic 2024-25 campaign, accumulating 461 yards and six touchdowns off 101 carries. He's a must-start in Week 9, although his expected participation in Sunday's contest will likely result in lower production from Austin Ekeler.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph is expected to start on Sunday versus the Patriots. Will Levis (shoulder) is still working his way back, so the team will lean on Rudolph once again to handle things under center. But the 29-year-old hasn't played well during the 2024-25 campaign, throwing for 566 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks while completing 58.9% of his attempts. While Rudolph had some quality starts during his time in Pittsburgh, fantasy managers will be taking a gamble by putting him in the lineup in Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (toe) is expected to suit up for the Week 9 clash with the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers offense has struggled throughout the 2024-25 campaign. However, with Diontae Johnson now a Baltimore Raven and Adam Thielen (hamstring) listed as doubtful, fantasy managers are excited about Legette's potential moving ahead, even more so because he's found the end zone in two of the Panthers' previous three contests. With that in mind, the rookie should be considered at least a flex option, assuming he gets the green light to get on the field.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) will "try to play" in Sunday's divisional encounter with the Seattle Seahawks. The wideout spent time on the IR because of a knee issue before returning for the Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, finishing with seven grabs (nine targets) for 106 yards. Unfortunately, he re-aggravated the injury during practice and is listed as questionable for Week 9. There are other reports suggesting he'll be out there on Sunday. However, fantasy managers should monitor things throughout the day. If Nacua isn't out there, Cooper Kupp's ceiling will rise even higher. It may also mean more targets for Tutu Atwell. Of course, Kyren Williams would be even more of a factor on the offensive end if Nacua ends up back on the shelf.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) is expected to suit up for Sunday's NFC North clash with the Lions. The veteran didn't practice on Wednesday, although he logged limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. However, it wasn't enough to prevent him from earning a questionable tag for Week 9. The 26-year-old is coming off a strong showing, amassing 25 carries for 127 yards and two scores in the Week 8 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, Jacobs will have a challenging matchup against a Lions defense that has held opposing running backs in check this season, so fantasy managers could see him finish below expectations. With that said, he's still a must-start in all formats.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) plans to play on Sunday versus the Eagles. He was limited in practice throughout the week, resulting in a questionable designation for the meeting with Philadelphia. However, barring a setback, he should be good to go. The 22-year-old has played better than expected during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 493 yards and four touchdowns off 85 carries. While that kind of production already earns him a spot in fantasy lineups, he may be more impactful if Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is ruled out.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) is expected to play (and start) in Sunday's NFC North showdown with the Lions. The signal-caller injured his groin in the Week 8 matchup with Jacksonville, ending his day prematurely. While there were reports indicating that the injury wasn't as serious as initially believed, he didn't practice on Wednesday before logging limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Fortunately, all signs are pointing toward his availability for the pivotal matchup, barring a setback. Without question, Love's anticipated participation in Sunday's contest is great news for fantasy managers. However, he has been mediocre versus Detroit over the years, throwing for 648 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 64.7% of his attempts. Granted, Love is still a must-start, but fantasy managers may not see him at his best, especially since he may have lingering issues related to the injury.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. The Chiefs rookie receiver has seen his target volume increase following the team's bye week in Week 6. Worthy has caught seven passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets in the last two games. Fantasy managers would like Worthy to catch more of the balls thrown his way, but seeing how involved he is in the Kansas City offensive game plan is encouraging. The rookie will take on the Buccaneers, who rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. If Worthy sees the same target volume he has seen in the past two games, he should be able to turn those opportunities into fantasy success. One factor to keep an eye on will be the involvement of DeAndre Hopkins in the Chiefs offense. Hopkins only played 32% of the snaps last week, so his time on the field will likely go up in this contest. More Hopkins could eat Worthy's volume but could also help divert the defense's attention toward Hopkins. Worthy is ranked as WR36 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week, so despite the uncertainty with Hopkins joining the fold, Worthy should still find his way into lineups as a WR3/flex option this week.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. Butker had no issues in last week's contest, as he nailed all five attempts. The Chiefs kicker knocked through three extra-point attempts and two field goal attempts, with his longest kick coming from 42 yards out. The Kansas City Chiefs are heavy home favorites in this Monday night matchup, which could mean a decent amount of Butker in this game. Butker is ranked as the sixth-best kicker in our RotoBaller rankings this week, so start him confidently.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 on Monday night. The Buccaneers rank 32nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, meaning Mahomes will have the most favorable matchup at the position this week. Mahomes is ranked as QB8 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, given the matchup. Coming off his best game of the season from a fantasy perspective, the Chiefs quarterback will look to build on that performance in a primetime matchup. The newest Chiefs receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, should be more involved in this contest, which bodes well for Mahomes' fantasy outlook. Mahomes has been very disappointing this season, scoring only 14 points per game in a four-point per passing touchdown league. Still, a favorable matchup and gifted pass catcher addition should be enough to make him a viable fantasy asset this week.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. Kelce had his best game of the season last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, totaling 10 catches on 12 targets for 90 yards and one touchdown. Kelce had his most catches, targets, and receiving yards this season in that one game against the Raiders, and now he has an even better matchup. The Buccaneers rank 27th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, meaning Kelce has a top-5 matchup at the position this week. The Chiefs tight end has already established himself as the top pass catcher in the absence of Rashee Rice, and the matchup raises his ceiling even further. DeAndre Hopkins should be more involved in the Kansas City passing attack, but Kelce should still get enough volume. Kelce is ranked as TE1 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week and should be started every week.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. Hunt has been heavily involved in his time as the team's lead back, garnering at least 20 carries and a touchdown in the last three games. Hunt was a limited participant in Thursday's practice but logged back-to-back full practices on Friday and Saturday. The Chiefs running back is officially off the injury report and ready for the game. Now Hunt will face the Buccaneers, who rank 25th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. With Isiah Pacheco still not ready to return to practice, the runway is set for Hunt to take off. The Chiefs are nearly nine-point home favorites in this week's Monday night matchup, so Hunt should be heavily involved in running out the clock. Hunt is ranked RB17 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week, so he deserves a place in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. The Chiefs acquired the star receiver last week via trade with the Tennessee Titans. His limited time with the team led to limited snaps in last week's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Hopkins only played 32% of the snaps against the Raiders, so he will be more involved in this upcoming matchup. The Buccaneers rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, so Hopkins should have no trouble producing against them. His role in the passing attack remains to be seen, but the Chiefs traded for him, so he will likely be a key piece moving forward. Given the uncertainty of his target share and limited rapport with Patrick Mahomes, Hopkins is ranked as WR35 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week. Hopkins should step into the Chiefs WR1 role and find his way into fantasy lineups as a WR3/flex play this week.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk (collarbone) was part of trade conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and until he broke his collarbone in Week 8, there was a reasonable chance that Kirk was going to end up with the Steelers, according to league sources.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson will face the Seattle Seahawks in a road matchup this Sunday. The 25-year-old has been mostly quiet this season aside from a 13-target, seven-catch game in Week 5's 24-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He'll get a middle-of-the-road matchup in Week 9 against a Seahawks D that's letting up 6.1 yards per pass attempt to opposing offenses -- the twelfth-highest figure in the league. It's possible Parkinson sees more work than usual this week, with wide receivers Puka Nacua (knee) and Jordan Whittington (shoulder) questionable for the contest. Still, he'll be difficult to trust as a viable option due to his lack of consistency. The Stanford alum is RotoBaller's PPR TE27 in this week's rankings.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce will get a tough draw on Sunday Night Football when his team squares off against the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce has been the epitome of a boom/bust wideout this season, with three outings of at least 16 fantasy points and five others in the single digits, including a goose egg in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans on 89% of snaps. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco now in command of the offense, the outlook of all Colts pass-catchers is on the rise. Additionally, Minnesota has been one of the most stout units in the league this season against opposing rushing attacks, allowing just 3.9 yards per attempt. If they can be beaten anywhere, it's through the air. Still, the 24-year-old is little more than a desperation dart throw for the contest. Pierce is RotoBaller's PPR WR63 for Week 9's slate of action.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki could again see a large target share in Week 9 when his team lines up against the Las Vegas Raiders at home. The 29-year-old veteran hasn't been the most consistent option this season but has produced two useful spike weeks thus far in his first year as a Bengal, correlating with wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) missing time. With Higgins listed as doubtful for Sunday, the door is again open for Gesicki to see an increased role in the offense. The Raiders have been decent against opposing passing attacks this season, so it isn't exactly the best matchup. Still, Joe Burrow and the Bengals throw the rock 61.4% of the time (sixth-highest in the league), so the opportunities should be there if Higgins fails to suit up. The former Penn State Nittany Lion is RotoBaller's PPR TE17 in this week's ranks.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has seen his usage skyrocket lately. The 25-year-old has 17 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. The Bucs are banged up at wide receiver with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) both sidelined. They've also got Sterling Shepard (hamstring) and Jalen McMillan (hamstring) on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. That being said, Otton could end up seeing a ton of targets with the Bucs limited on options. Fantasy managers should continue to lean on him as a TE1 for Week 9. Otton has been an elite option over the last two games, so fantasy managers should ride the wave.
From RotoBaller