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
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson has seen a minimal role in the backfield through the first five games. However, lead back James Cook (toe) is uncertain to suit up for Monday's game against the New York Jets. If he sits, Johnson and Ray Davis would likely split up the duties in the backfield. Johnson hasn't done much this season with only 42 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards heading into Monday's contest. However, Johnson could be a possible dart throw for fantasy managers if Cook is unable to play. He shouldn't be inserted into lineups unless Cook is ruled out, but Johnson is worth stashing in case that happens.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal will be active for the Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The rookie back will get his first taste of NFL action on Sunday. Vidal figures to serve as depth behind J.K. Dobbins with Gus Edwards (ankle) heading to the injured reserve. The Chargers also have Hassan Haskins on the roster, so he could be mixed in as well. Given Dobbins' injury history, Vidal is certainly someone to keep an eye on right now. He should be rostered in most dynasty leagues and is someone worth keeping on the radar if he gets involved this weekend.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins will be elevated from the practice squad for the second straight week. The Giants are going to once again be shorthanded at wideout with Malik Nabers (concussion) being sidelined for another week. Last week, Hodgins came up but only played 24 offensive snaps. It seems a bit odd that they didn't involve Hodgins more considering he was a part-time starter last season. He finished with 21 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 with the Giants. Hodgins could see more snaps this week, but remains off the fantasy radar for Week 6.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the injured reserve ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miller appears to be set to make his season debut on Sunday. He figures to be mixed in as depth behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. So far, Kamara has seen a heavy workload with nearly 20 carries per game. Possibly, the Saints gameplan changes with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) being sidelined for a few weeks. Miller might find his way into a weekly role if New Orleans goes to a heavy run set. For now, Miller won't be worth stashing with Kamara and Williams healthy.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot, toe) logged a full practice on Saturday and has been removed from the injury report. As a result, he will play against the New York Jets on Monday night. The veteran pass-catcher got off to a quiet start this season but has been more involved lately, logging a season-high 56 percent snap share in Week 5. Still, he's averaging just 1.8 catches and 9.6 receiving yards per game this season, so he remains off the fantasy radar even with teammate Khalil Shakir (ankle) potentially sidelined once again. Even if Shakir is out, James Cook (toe), Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, and Dalton Kincaid all have more appeal than Samuel in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead (groin) is expected to play in Week 6's game against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging two limited practice sessions and one full session during the week.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has emerged as a potential fantasy football option for Week 6 in the event that teammate James Cook (toe) isn't able to play on Monday night against the New York Jets. Cook missed practice on Thursday and Friday, returned in a limited capacity on Saturday, and is officially listed as questionable to play in the upcoming divisional game on national television. While recent reports suggest that Cook is expected to play on Monday, this remains a situation worth monitoring given that he missed two practices and was still limited in the third. In the event that Cook can't play, we'd see a much larger workload for rookie Ray Davis, who has been off to a relatively quiet start this season. In that scenario, Davis would rank as a high-end fantasy RB3 against a Jets defense that has played solid against running backs this year.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick, who continues to hold out amidst demands for a new contract, reportedly had an offer on the table for a lucrative one-year deal "that would have given him the opportunity to make up for the fines and make more money than he was originally scheduled to earn," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal, proposed early during the regular season, was "all but worked out" between the Jets and Reddick's agents at CAA, but the veteran defender declined to sign the contract. This appeared to be the final straw for both the team and the agency. The Jets have since been very public about their stance, essentially saying that the ball is in Reddick's court and he can come back whenever he's ready. Meanwhile, CAA parted with Reddick as a client this past week, seemingly frustrated by his resistance to a new deal and his willingness to rack up fines from missing games. At this point, there is real doubt about the likelihood that Reddick, who wants a multi-year deal that would make him one of the higher-paid pass rushers in the NFL, returns to the football field this season. As Rapoport notes, if he holds out beyond Week 13, he would not accrue a season, his 2024 contract terms would roll over to 2025, and we could see this entire saga repeat itself next year.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (ankle) is expected to play in Week 6's game against the Washington Commanders, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in two of the team's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals PK Matt Prater (knee) is not expected to play in Week 6's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions during the week.
Fantasy Spin: The Cardinals elevated PK Chad Ryland from the practice squad Saturday, Oct. 12, but fantasy owners should be able to find more reliable options for their lineups on the waiver wire.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) is expected to be inactive for Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If confirmed, it will be the veteran kicker's second consecutive absence. He had been perfect through four games, converting all 10 of his extra point attempts and all six of his field goal tries. The Cardinals have once again elevated Chad Ryland to kick in Prater's place. In his season debut last week, Ryland went 3-for-4 on field goals and also made his lone extra point attempt.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) is active for Week 6's game against the Chicago Bears.
Fantasy Spin: This will be Engram's first game action since the first week of the regular season. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited practice participant throughout the week. He can be viewed as a starting option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday morning's game against the Chicago Bears in London. The veteran tight end, who had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices, returns to game action for the first time since Week 1. In the season opener, he was held to just one catch on four targets. However, Jacksonville has done a better job of incorporating its tight ends lately, relying on Brenton Strange for nine catches, 55 yards, and two touchdowns over the last three weeks. Engram is an effective playmaker who ranks among the top 12 tight ends for this week in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) is officially active for Week 6 against the Chicago Bears in London. Davis had been listed as questionable after logging three consecutive limited practices, but in the end, he'll avoid his first absence of the 2024 season. Through five games this year, Davis has caught 12 of 25 targets for just 159 yards through the air. Despite handling a heavy snap share, he has seen reduced opportunities in Jacksonville's offense, including over the last three weeks. He can be kept out of lineups fantasy lineups once again in Week 6, especially now that Evan Engram (hamstring) is back and set to command significant volume.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared OG Cole Van Lanen, OT Javon Foster, DE Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE Tyler Lacy and LB Myles Cole inactive for Week 6.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson will have to hope for his team to get drives into his field-goal range when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, though that could be wishful thinking. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-least fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season, mainly due to their strong defense. The Las Vegas offense does not match up well with any good defense, so we could see another game in which Carlson has too few kick opportunities to be fantasy-relevant. He's made 8/10 of his field goals and is a perfect eight-for-eight on extra points, but that's not been enough volume to make him worth starting in fantasy leagues. He should remain on waivers as he is the 27th-ranked kicker in RotoBaller's Week 6 fantasy football rankings.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) is likely to suit up for Sunday's overseas matchup with the Chicago Bears. The wideout has battled various ailments over the last few weeks. However, a knee injury forced him to practice in a limited capacity throughout the week. With that in mind, Davis hasn't had more than three catches in a game this season. He also hasn't scored a touchdown. With Evan Engram (hamstring) also expected to play in London, Davis' chances of staying involved consistently during the contest aren't favorable. Fantasy managers should keep him out of the starting lineup, assuming he officially gets the green light to get on the field.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) continues to trend toward returning for Sunday's meeting with the Tennessee Titans. He's currently listed as questionable. However, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the signal-caller should play if he has a "solid pre-game workout." Despite entering the 2024-25 campaign with plenty of hype, Richardson hasn't delivered, throwing for 654 yards, three touchdowns, and six picks while completing just 50.6% of his throws. As a result, he's a risky fantasy option no matter the opponent, although his outlook will improve slightly if Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) suit up in Week 6. Fortunately, both players are expected to get on the field.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) is "considered a long-shot to play" in Sunday's game against the Steelers. The 25-year-old missed a few practices during the week, although he was on the field in a limited capacity on Friday. However, it appears he'll miss his second straight game, so his next chance to suit up will be for the Week 7 meeting with the Los Angeles Rams. Without White in the equation, Alexander Mattison should handle most of the carries out of the backfield, with Ameer Abdullah picking up some of the slack as his backup. But no matter who is atop the depth chart at the position, they are expected to have a challenging day against one of the most efficient run-stop units in the National Football League, something for fantasy managers to consider before setting their lineups.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime (ankle) was activated from the IR heading into Sunday's divisional clash with the Chargers. The 21-year-old rookie made his only appearance of the 2024-25 campaign in Week 1 versus Seattle. Estime had only two carries for 14 yards in that one. He also injured his ankle, putting him on the shelf. With that in mind, Estime's fantasy potential is severely limited in Week 6, assuming he sheds his questionable designation, considering Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin are the top options out of the backfield. However, the Broncos offense has struggled this season, so anyone on that side of the ball is hard to trust.
From RotoBaller
