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 DFS Pickem Plays: Week 7
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (shoulder) is expected to suit up against the Dolphins. The wideout is listed as questionable for this one. However, he logged a full practice session on Friday, which was a positive indication he would be on the field in Week 7. From a yardage standpoint, Pierce is the team's most productive receiver so far in 2024-25. But outside of a few strong fantasy showings, he's been irrelevant in most of the Colts' games this season. Still, Pierce has a proven upside, giving him credibility as a flex option, at the very least, even with Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) also in line to play.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) is slated to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins. He is currently listed as questionable, just like he was ahead of the Week 6 meeting with the Titans. However, the wideout was on the field for that one, finishing with seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, so the latest update isn't surprising. Downs has 24 catches in his last three games. With that in mind, he's at least a flex option for fantasy managers, even with Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Alec Pierce (shoulder) also expected to play.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is anticipated to play in Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins. His back issue isn't anything new, and it's not expected to go away anytime soon. However, as long as the wideout's condition doesn't take a turn for the worse, he should continue to play moving forward. Pittman has scored in each of his last two games. Unfortunately, he's only caught more than four passes twice this season. Still, Pittman should always be considered a starting fantasy option, even with Josh Downs (toe) and Alec Pierce (shoulder) in line to suit up.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is anticipated to play in Sunday's game versus the 49ers. Head coach Andy Reid implied the wideout was on the right track toward suiting up in Week 7, so his expected availability isn't surprising. He is coming off a monster performance, amassing seven catches (eight targets) for 130 yards in the Monday night victory over the Saints. While that type of showing makes Smith-Schuster at least a Flex option, he's still hard to trust, considering he had only two receptions entering Week 5.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle, rib) is expected to play in Sunday's meeting with the Commanders. The wideout has battled a few injuries of late, keeping him off the practice field on Wednesday and Thursday before logging a limited session on Friday. But his anticipated return is certainly good news for a Carolina team that has struggled all season. With that in mind, Johnson, scoring a touchdown in three of his last four games, is a must-start for the favorable matchup against Washington, assuming he officially gets the green light. However, his presence could result in fewer opportunities for Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo on the receiving end.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) is expected to suit up for the Week 7 meeting with the Carolina Panthers. Robinson has been battling a knee injury, keeping him off the field for the Week 6 loss to the Ravens. As a result, Austin Ekeler was the No. 1 option out of the backfield, finishing with 21 yards off nine carries and four receptions for 47 yards. Of course, Ekeler's fantasy outlook isn't as favorable with Robinson's anticipated return. On the other hand, Robinson is a must-start in any fantasy format for a favorable matchup with Carolina.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is a must-start when the Cardinals host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. McBride is currently the fourth-ranked tight end of the season and is a lock in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. He hauled in all eight targets for 96 yards in last week's loss to the Packers. McBride has been a security blanket for the Cardinals and is often targeted on pivotal third downs. With the Cardinals' wide receivers battling injuries, McBride should be relied upon even more. Fantasy managers would like to see him utilized more in the red zone. However, his high target share compensates for it. McBride remains a must-start in Week 7 and for the foreseeable future.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland would be a risky play in their Week 7 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryland will fill in for the injured Matt Prater (knee) for the next few weeks, as Prater was placed on injured reserve. Ryland has been solid in relief, going five for six on his field goal attempts and making both of his extra-point attempts over the past two weeks. While he has performed well until the Cardinals' offense finds more consistency, he is not a reliable play in fantasy and would be a risky streaming option at best.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is a low-end RB2 in the Cardinals' Monday night showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals have been committed to running the offense through Conner during the first six weeks of the season, and that plan is unlikely to change. Conner is in the top 10 in the NFL in carries, and the Cardinals also like to involve him in the screen game. The Chargers tend to drain the clock and limit their opponents' possessions, which could also reduce Conner's touches. However, Conner's workload should still be high enough to make him fantasy-relevant, albeit in a RB2 capacity.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has returned to his usual form over the past couple of weeks. In Week 6, he made all three of his extra point attempts and made all three field goals from 45, 32, and 39 yards. He's now averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game and is headed into a week that should have plenty of offensive fireworks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow 9.5 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, and the Ravens offense is more than likely to move the ball against a defense that allows 365.7 yards per contest. Fantasy managers can be confident in starting Tucker again in this matchup.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson saw eight carries for 51 yards in the team's Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He also caught four of his five targets for 14 yards through the air. Goodson has seen a huge influx of opportunities in Jonathan Taylor's (ankle) absence but has played a secondary role to running back Trey Sermon during that span. Despite being out-touched by Sermon, Goodson has been the much more efficient back, averaging 5.9 yards per carry over the last two games. Goodson may see an increased role given his recent success, but the split with Sermon heavily limits his ceiling. Both backs will have a favorable matchup against Miami's defense allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Goodson can be viewed as an RB3 in Sunday's matchup.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has finally picked up some steam after posting a finish in TE2 territory in Week 5, then a TE1-level finish in Week 6. Andrews received nine targets over the last two games and turned them into seven receptions, 121 yards, and one touchdown. The difficult part of starting Andrews in fantasy lineups is that there's no way to tell which tight end on the Ravens will get targets, if any. On top of that, Tampa Bay is right in the middle of the pack against tight ends, giving up 8.0 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats. Andrews could be started in a pinch, but it will be a risky decision.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert was included in Ian Rapport's list of "players whose names are generating interest in trade discussions." The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in Chicago, where he has had some solid showings. However, he's having the worst season of his career, amassing only eight carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. The Bears currently deploy D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson out of the backfield, leaving little room for Herbert to get involved. While he's not worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues, his stock could rise significantly moving ahead if he gets moved, so the situation is worth monitoring.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders has drawn interest from teams throughout the National Football League. While Rapoport didn't specify who inquired about the availability of the 27-year-old, he included him in a list of "names generating interest in trade discussions." Sanders signed with Carolina in the offseason but hasn't done much to benefit fantasy managers, amassing 98 yards and a touchdown off 30 carries, adding 11 catches for 71 yards. With Chuba Hubbard playing better than expected, along with the impending debut of Jonathon Brooks (knee), Sanders' days in Carolina may be coming to an end. For now, he's not worth starting in any fantasy format moving ahead.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has picked up some serious momentum over the past couple of weeks. In the last two games, Flowers has 21 targets, 16 receptions, and 243 yards. He's only found the end zone once so far this year but he has a big chance to score again in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They are eighth in fantasy points allowed to opposing receiver groups with 31.0 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats. With how dynamic the Buccaneers' offense has been, this game could be primed for a shootout, and Flowers should be Lamar Jackson's number-one target again.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell grabbed just two passes for nine yards in the team's Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Mitchell has moved out of a full-time role in the offense since the return of Josh Downs, but he has still seen production in his limited snaps. That being said, every Colts starting WR is questionable for their Week 7 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, which would likely put Mitchell into a starting role should any of them miss tomorrow's game. If either Michael Pittman Jr. (back), Josh Downs (toe), or Alec Pierce (shoulder) are a no-go on Sunday, Mitchell does become a viable option. He will face a tougher Miami secondary that's allowed the second most fantasy points to receivers but can be viewed as a WR4 option if any previously listed starters are inactive.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry remains at RB1 this season in half-PPR and standard formats. The veteran has returned to his dominant ways this year as he leads the league in rushing yards, 20+ yard runs, and rushing touchdowns. In Week 7, the Ravens take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have scored points with ease for most of this season. This game may turn into a shootout, but Henry should still see plenty of opportunities at the beginning of the game at least. Enough to keep him at RB1 level this week and make him a must-start.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is a low-end fantasy quarterback start for Week 7. The Cardinals will host the Los Angeles Chargers in a pivotal game on Monday night. The Cardinals' offense is coming off a sloppy outing in Green Bay. However, Murray still had a decent game, completing 22-of-32 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals' offense has been streaky this season, and if they can find some consistency, they could have real fantasy upside. Cardinals wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) and Michael Wilson (ankle) appear to be playing, so the Cardinals' playmakers should be at full strength. The Chargers' defense ranks sixth against quarterbacks in fantasy, presenting a tough matchup. Murray's rushing upside still makes him a likely starter and a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, "several teams," specifically the Steelers and Chargers, have inquired about the availability of New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (personal). The wideout spent his entire career with the Chargers before signing with the Jets this offseason. However, he's struggled in 2024-25, accumulating only 10 catches for 145 yards. With New York recently acquiring Davante Adams in a blockbuster deal, there's a good chance Williams could be moved elsewhere ahead of the trade deadline. If that happens, he may benefit from a change of scenery, so fantasy managers should contemplate holding on to him for now, considering brighter days may be on the horizon.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, "a select group of NFL teams" have contacted the Jets regarding the availability of wide receiver Garrett Wilson. With New York recently acquiring Davante Adams, there are many who believe Wilson's days with the Jets are over. However, there hasn't been any indication suggesting the team would make a move, considering he's one of the league's most promising young receivers. Although Wilson was expected to have a breakout year in 2024-25, that hasn't happened. But in all fairness, he hasn't been horrible, amassing 41 catches for 399 yards and three touchdowns. It remains to be seen if Wilson and Adams can co-exist, so the situation is worth monitoring moving ahead. For now, the 24-year-old remains a must-start for Sunday Night's meeting with the Steelers.
From RotoBaller
