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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. performed decently in a 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 25-year-old back finished with 44 yards on 11 carries and added a catch for negative one yard. Unfortunately, decent sums up Etienne Jr.'s season so far. The Jaguars offense with Trevor Lawrence at the helm has been up and down all season, limiting the running back's upside. Add on the emergence of backup Tank Bigsby, and you have an underperforming high-round pick. Mac Jones in relief of Lawrence finished with just 111 yards passing, and while the Vikings have been great on defense this season, this performance does not bode well for Etienne Jr. in future weeks if Jones remains the starter. Etienne Jr. and the Jaguars will look to improve on their measly seven points against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones struggled to run the offense in a 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Starter Trevor Lawrence was out with a shoulder injury, so Jones was tasked with stepping up in his absence. The former New England Patriot could not take advantage, finishing with 14 completions on 22 attempts for 111 yards, two interceptions, and a rushing touchdown. Besides Christian Kirk, Jones had all of his weapons available, so his effort is disappointing to say the least. The Vikings are a great defense under Brian Flores's tutelage, but if Lawrence is out for the rest of the season, this performance should leave fantasy managers pessimistic about the Jaguars offense going forward. Jones and the Jaguars will look to bounce back in a tough matchup with the Detroit Lions in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride delivered another solid performance in the Cardinals' 31-6 win over the New York Jets. McBride recorded four catches for 71 yards and made multiple momentum-shifting plays that became a dagger in the Jets' defense. McBride made a massive play on third down, breaking a tackle and hurdling a defender for the third straight week. Fantasy managers haven't had to put much thought into the position with McBride on their rosters; however, they'll have to look to a streamer with the team entering a bye week.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary is firmly in the backup role as he was outpaced yet again by Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the disappointing Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Singletary registered eight carries for 40 yards and one reception for five yards on one target. His nine touches paled in comparison to Tracy's 19. Singletary was efficient with his carries, but if he continues to see this drastic drop in opportunities compared to the beginning of the year, then he's not much of a fantasy option. The Giants head into their bye week now at 2-8 with an eye towards the NFL Draft instead of the playoffs.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III remains involved in the passing game during the 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders. He received six targets in this contest but only ended up with two receptions for 20 yards. Russell Wilson's accuracy left a bit to be desired in this game and newly-acquired Mike Williams got involved with a touchdown catch as well. Austin continues to be a boom-or-bust type of player that holds a bit more value in deeper leagues. He'll try to break loose against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson ended up as fourth in the pecking order for targets during the huge win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The second-year wideout finished the game with three receptions for 24 yards on four targets. The Cardinals opted to go more run-heavy in this game as they produced 32 carries compared to 24 pass attempts. This game further proved that Wilson is more of an afterthought in the offense as he's now posted six games with fewer than five targets and seven games with fewer than five receptions. The Cardinals have a bye in Week 11 before taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III wasn't very involved in the 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He ended with four targets which tied for fourth-most on the team with Bijan Robinson. Those turned into three receptions for 30 yards and he even received one carry which went for six yards. Drake London and Darnell Mooney were the undisputed top pass-catchers for Kirk Cousins in this matchup while McCloud couldn't find much open space. He'll try to get more involved against a tougher defense in the Denver Broncos in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton vaulted to the front of the depth chart with all of the injuries to the receiving corps. In the Saints' Week 10 victory, it was Marquez Valdes-Scantling who took charge, not Tipton. The rookie out of Yale didn't see a single target and posted a goose egg for the week. He played the same amount of snaps as Valdes-Scantling at 29, but Derek Carr wasn't looking his way. Tipton will try to bounce back against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley had five catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Chargers. Dynasty Analysis: Ridley now has 32 targets over his last three games after complaining about his role in the offense. While his production is bound to be spotty (he has just one 100-yard game this year), the Titans have little choice but to get him the ball. On the plus side, Will Levis did look a lot better today than he has in most weeks, so there's that. Ridley will be a plus WR2 moving forward and his dynasty value has evened out over the past couple of weeks.
Dynasty | Saints receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling had three catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in a win against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: Well, OK then. MVS is traditionally pretty streaky and this one came out of nowhere. The challenge here is the fact he did all his damage on only three catches and three targets. A boom or bust player if there ever was one, he'll look to keep things going on a team in dire need of pass catchers with Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave both on the shelf. MVS is roster worthy, but we're going to see a lot more before recommending him in lineups.
Dynasty | Broncos running back Javonte Williams had one rushing yard, two catches and six receiving yards in a loss to Kansas City. Dynasty Analysis: Meanwhile, Audric Estime had 14 carries in the game. It's hard to say if this is going to be a permanent move to the rookie, but Williams saw just 16 snaps in a game that was close all the way through. Sean Payton is notoriously hard to read, but Williams should be on fantasy benches moving forward until it shakes out. His dynasty value is starting to tank and today may speed that up.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) was unable to practice on Friday or Saturday this week and came into the Monday night contest as questionable. Ian Rapoport now reports that the superstar wideout is a "true" game-time decision as he aggravated a wrist injury that he's technically been dealing with since the preseason. The Dolphins want to salvage their season as they sit at 2-6 on the year, so Hill will be desperately needed for their success. Fantasy managers that stuck with Hill in their lineups will want a backup plan just in case such as Odell Beckham Jr. or Malik Washington who should see extra targets.
From RotoBaller
On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift had a rather underwhelming performance in the team's Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Despite getting 16 carries, Swift managed just 59 yards on the ground, averaging a modest 3.7 yards per carry, and could not find the end zone. His involvement in the passing game was minimal, catching just one pass for six yards. The Bears' offense struggled to move the ball, punting on eight of their eleven possessions and turning it over on downs twice. Swift's opportunities were limited, as the offense was constantly playing from behind and unable to sustain drives. Looking ahead, Swift and the Bears offense will have a chance to bounce back next week against the Green Bay Packers, a defense that will be well-rested after their bye week and primed for a strong performance.
From RotoBaller
In Week 10, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze struggled to make an impact in the team's 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Odunze finished the game with just three receptions for 23 yards, failing to find the end zone. His performance was indicative of the Bears' overall offensive woes, as the team only managed 120 yards passing throughout the game. Behind a battered offensive line that allowed nine sacks, Odunze and his fellow receivers had little opportunity to get into rhythm. The Bears' offense could barely sustain drives, punting eight times and turning the ball over on downs twice. While Odunze showed flashes of potential earlier in the season, this performance was a reminder of how difficult it can be for any skill player to thrive when the offense is struggling. Odunze and the Bears will look to bounce back next week against the well-rested Green Bay Packers defense.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders only had two receptions for eight yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the New York Giants, but one of those receptions was a five-yard touchdownthe first of Sanders' career. The score came on a nifty Bryce Young scramble, which froze the defense and left Sanders alone in the back of the end zone. The fourth-round pick was due for his moment after recording 51 yards per game in Carolina's previous four weeks. Still, Sanders has had fewer than 10 yards in two of his last three games, making him a risky streaming option. Carolina has a bye in Week 11 and will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12 coming off the bye.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker led all Panthers wideouts with 41 yards on three receptions against the New York Giants. Coker has received increased snaps since his 68-yard performance in Week 5 and garnered a team-high eight targets in this matchup. While the Panthers' passing attack has been anything but electric this season, the rookie from Holy Cross has managed to find his footing in the NFL. His talent and production likely contributed to the decision of Carolina's front office to trade wide receiver Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys at the NFL deadline. While he'll rest on a bye next week, seeing how Coker develops throughout the season will be interesting. Coker will look to build on Sunday's performance when the Panthers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, coming off the bye.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette recorded three receptions for 40 yards in Carolina's 20-17 win over the New York Giants in Munich, Germany. It was Legette's second-most receiving yards in a game this year, as he has only eclipsed the 50-yard mark once. The rookie, who has emerged most as a red-zone threat, did not receive a target in that area of the field. While Carolina has a Week 11 bye in the future, Legette remains a touchdown-dependent streaming option in deep leagues. The Carolina passing attack is not dynamic enough to properly feed the mouths they have, making Legette a flex play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12 coming off the bye.
From RotoBaller
For the first time in his career, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has initiated a winning streak as the Panthers defeat the New York Giants 20-17. While not spectacular, Young played his role and didn't turn the ball over, contributing 126 yards, a touchdown, and a 60% completion rate. The 23-year-old also added 30 rushing yards on two attempts in Sunday's win. Since taking over for veteran Andy Dalton, Young has a 4:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and the Panthers are (2-1). Carolina has a Week 11 bye and will face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in late November. Head coach Dave Canales declined to name Young the foreseeable starting quarterback, but given the win streak and serviceable play, he would be expected to continue manning the helm.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard set a career-high with 153 rushing yards while catching four of six targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win against the New York Giants in Munich, Germany. He achieved the feat on 28 rush attemptsa season-highand tied a career-high in missed tackles with nine. Hubbard also recorded his seventh touchdown of the season. It was a European trip to remember for the Panthers' leading rusher, who signed a four-year contract extension earlier this week. He's remained a consistent, high-value fantasy player throughout the season, outproducing his ADP. The Panthers have a bye in Week 11 before returning to face the mighty Kansas City Chiefs on November 24.
From RotoBaller
On Sunday, Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had a frustrating and underwhelming performance in the team's Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Allen finished the game with just five receptions for a modest 44 yards, a far cry from the dynamic playmaker he was last season. Throughout the contest, he struggled to gain separation from the Patriots' defensive backs, who were able to neutralize him for much of the game. This lack of production was symptomatic of the Bears' overall offensive struggles, as the team managed just 120 passing yards behind a battered offensive line that allowed nine sacks. Beyond a lone field goal drive, the Bears punted on eight of their ten possessions and turned the ball over on downs twice, leaving little opportunity for Allen or any other receiver to make a significant impact. Looking ahead, Allen and the Bears' offense will have a chance to rebound next week against the well-rested Green Bay Packers defense, coming off their bye week.
From RotoBaller