RB Strength of Schedule
Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Robinson setup for big season
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back 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 running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| RB SOS | ||
| 1. | Green Bay Packers | 356.01 |
| 2. | Houston Texans | 361.46 |
| 3. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 361.46 |
| 4. | Las Vegas Raiders | 361.48 |
| 5. | Seattle Seahawks | 362.28 |
| 6. | Buffalo Bills | 363.19 |
| 7. | Arizona Cardinals | 363.76 |
| 8. | Dallas Cowboys | 363.9 |
| 9. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 364.51 |
| 10. | Washington Commanders | 364.86 |
| 11. | Chicago Bears | 364.89 |
| 12. | Indianapolis Colts | 365.41 |
| 13. | San Francisco 49ers | 365.86 |
| 14. | New Orleans Saints | 366.49 |
| 15. | New York Jets | 368.23 |
| 16. | Detroit Lions | 368.49 |
| 17. | Philadelphia Eagles | 369.05 |
| 18. | Minnesota Vikings | 369.06 |
| 19. | Carolina Panthers | 369.88 |
| 20. | Cleveland Browns | 370.34 |
| 21. | Kansas City Chiefs | 371.71 |
| 22. | New York Giants | 372.21 |
| 23. | Los Angeles Chargers | 373.19 |
| 24. | Denver Broncos | 373.32 |
| 25. | Cincinnati Bengals | 373.66 |
| 26. | Los Angeles Rams | 374.09 |
| 27. | Baltimore Ravens | 374.16 |
| 28. | New England Patriots | 375.60 |
| 29. | Atlanta Falcons | 376.19 |
| 30. | Miami Dolphins | 377.49 |
| 31. | Tennessee Titans | 378.2 |
| 32. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 378.72 |
The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.
The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.
The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.
Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.
The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.
The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.
Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.
The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.
Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. 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 running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
| RB PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | San Francisco 49ers | 291.43 |
| 2. | Washington Commanders | 325.2 |
| 3. | Houston Texans | 327.8 |
| 4. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 332.03 |
| 5. | New York Jets | 337.57 |
| 6. | Cleveland Browns | 340.8 |
| 7. | Las Vegas Raiders | 341.1 |
| 8. | Miami Dolphins | 348.27 |
| 9. | Chicago Bears | 350.37 |
| 10. | Buffalo Bills | 350.53 |
| 11. | Arizona Cardinals | 352.8 |
| 12. | Dallas Cowboys | 358.87 |
| 13. | Detroit Lions | 359.7 |
| 14. | New York Giants | 365.67 |
| 15. | Kansas City Chiefs | 366.53 |
| 16. | Green Bay Packers | 368.97 |
| 17. | Seattle Seahawks | 370.23 |
| 18. | Carolina Panthers | 377.15 |
| 19. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 378.37 |
| 20. | Los Angeles Chargers | 380.73 |
| 21. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 381 |
| 22. | Baltimore Ravens | 381.43 |
| 23. | Cincinnati Bengals | 383.50 |
| 24. | Philadelphia Eagles | 391.07 |
| 25. | New England Patriots | 397.95 |
| 26. | Indianapolis Colts | 398.40 |
| 27. | Denver Broncos | 399.53 |
| 28. | Tennessee Titans | 401.63 |
| 29. | Los Angeles Rams | 403.92 |
| 30. | New Orleans Saints | 406.33 |
| 31. | Minnesota Vikings | 407.87 |
| 32. | Atlanta Falcons | 422.4 |
There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.
And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.
Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.
One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.
Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.
So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.
Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.
The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.
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
The New York Giants designated kicker Graham Gano (hamstring) to return to practice on Wednesday and opened his 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. It's good news for Gano, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be activated and kick in Week 10 when the team takes on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday in Germany. The 37-year-old veteran landed on IR on Sept. 17 with a right-hamstring strain and has only kicked in two games this year. Jude McAtamney served as the team's kicker in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders after fill-in Greg Joseph (abdomen) was placed on IR last Saturday. How Gano looks in practices this week will determine of the G-Men feel comfortable bringing him back against Carolina. If Gano needs another week to recover, McAtameny figures to make a second straight start.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Barry said "it's always possible" that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will return to play football for the team again after he recovers from his torn Achilles. Watson had surgery to fix his torn right Achilles last Friday, and barring a setback in his lengthy rehab, the 29-year-old signal-caller should be ready for the start of the 2025 season next fall. Before his injury, though, Watson looked like the worst QB in the league, completing 63.4 percent of his 216 pass attempts for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while taking a league-high 33 sacks in just seven games. Since joining the team in 2022, Watson has been injured and ineffective, completing 61.2% of his passes with 19 TDs and 12 picks. He's due $46 million in each of the next two seasons, which is a lot of money to pay an ineffective and oft-injured QB.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) will not practice on Wednesday. "We'll see where things go," McDermott said. Coleman suffered a wrist injury on a hard hit in the Week 9 win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins and his status for Week 10 versus the Indianapolis Colts on the road this weekend is now up in the air. McDermott already said that the 21-year-old second-round pick's wrist injury could keep him out "more than just this week," so his practice status the rest of the week is worth closely monitoring. If Coleman is unable to get the green light to face the Colts, it would mean that Khalil Shakir should see heavy volume in the passing game with Amari Cooper (wrist) missing last week's win over Miami with a wrist injury of his own. Coleman has found the end zone three times in his first nine NFL games to go with 22 catches and 417 receiving yards.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) is working off to the side with a trainer at practice on Wednesday, which is a good first step for him as he works to return following the team's Week 11 bye. Evans isn't going to be ready to return this weekend to face the San Francisco 49ers, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his hammy, he appears to have a good shot at returning on Nov. 24 to face the New York Giants in Week 12. He's most likely going to be listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice. With Chris Godwin (ankle) also out for the rest of the season, tight end Cade Otton has been by far and away quarterback Baker Mayfield's favorite target through the air. Otton has had at least 10 targets the last three games and has combined for 25 catches, 258 yards and three touchdowns. He's now a must-start TE1 going forward.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) is still considered day-to-day, and head coach Raheem Morris "feels really good about it" when it comes to London's progress after he suffered a hip-pointer injury while catching a touchdown pass early in the Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Whether London plays in Week 10 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints will be a matter of pain tolerance, but we should have a better idea of the 23-year-old's status for this coming Sunday once the Falcons start practicing on Wednesday. If he looks good in practice and is cleared, London will be a must-start in fantasy lineups against a Saints secondary that just traded away cornerback Marshon Lattimore. If London is inactive, the weekly fantasy value of receivers Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III and tight end Kyle Pitts will go up.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) will practice on Wednesday after being inactive for the team's Week 9 win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins. It remains to be seen how much Cooper will actually do at practice on Wednesday, but even a limited showing will put him on the right track to play this Sunday as the Bills face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Meanwhile, rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) isn't practicing on Wednesday due to a wrist injury of his own that he picked up against Miami. Cooper and Khalil Shakir could see plenty of targets in Week 10 if Coleman is unable to play. In his two games played with Buffalo since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, Cooper has five receptions on seven targets for 69 yards and a touchdown, but he had just one catch for three yards in Week 8 before getting hurt.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is dealing with a sore left shoulder and will be limited in Wednesday's practice. The team brought C.J. Beathard back as insurance because it strengthens the QB room head into a Week 10 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Mac Jones is still the backup. It's something we'll be monitoring with Lawrence, but the injury is to his non-throwing shoulder and shouldn't keep him from playing against the Vikings. Lawrence is coming off a 16-for-31 outing in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in which he threw for just 169 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. In Week 10 if he's active, he'll merely be a low-upside QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues against a Vikings that has been middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to the position in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver/kick returner Devin Duvernay (lower body) on Wednesday as he looks to return from Injured Reserve. Duvernay returned five kickoffs for 100 yards and seven punts for 81 yards in five games for the team this year before getting hurt and placed on IR on Oct. 9. The 27-year-old former third-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 out of Texas only has one reception on his lone target for minus-one yard this year and should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues, even after the Jaguars officially activate him from IR. Duvernay will be eligible to return this weekend to face the Minnesota Vikings, but it remains to be seen if the Jaguars feel that he's ready to do so.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown (knee) was upgraded to a limited participant during Tuesday's practice session. Brown suffered a knee injury in Week 8 and as a result he didn't suit up for last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He didn't practice on Monday, but his return to the field on Tuesday is a good sign ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Brown is a key piece to both the Bengals run game and protecting the blindside of quarterback Joe Burrow. Cody Ford figures to draw another start at left tackle if Brown is unable to play.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) missed his second straight day of practice on Tuesday. The second-year wideout sat out of last week's game due to the same groin issue. There's a good chance that Jones misses Thursday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. His absence won't make much of a difference to this offense. Jones hasn't been targeted in the receiving game since the season opener. He has mainly been returning kicks, but Trenton Irwin took over that role for Jones last week. That figures to happen again if Jones is unable to play on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace (foot) was listed as a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. The 25-year-old played a season-high 35 percent of the snaps during last week's game, but picked up a foot injury in the process. He was limited to open the week, but Wallace is back to being a full participant on Tuesday. It sounds like Wallace should be ready to play in Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Wallace has mainly been playing on special teams and has only two receptions for 31 yards on the season. He's not worth rostering in fantasy formats, but his presence is a good sign for the Ravens special teams unit.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali (ankle) was upgraded to a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. Ali has missed the last three games due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 6. He was limited to start the week, but being upgraded to full practice means he should be ready for Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The rookie back figures to serve as the third string option behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. That being said, Ali is nothing more than a dynasty stash at the moment.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers TE Eric Tomlinson was released on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that he won't rule out newly acquired running back Khalil Herbert making his debut with the team on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens after being acquired from the Chicago Bears in a trade on Tuesday. Taylor said Herbert has been productive as a runner and is an able and willing pass-protector as well. Herbert should immediately become Chase Brown's backup in Cincy with Zack Moss (neck) done for the year. The 26-year-old won't be a recommended starting fantasy option in Week 10 if he's active in his first game with his new team, but he's certainly worth a waiver-wire pickup for any fantasy managers that need more RB depth or who need the new handcuff for Brown. Herbert saw only eight carries for 16 yards in six games with the Bears but did manage to find the end zone once.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) and LB Nick Herbig (hamstring) have a chance to practice this week, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Chris Moore signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens running backs Keaton Mitchell (knee) and Rasheen Ali (ankle) both practiced in full on Tuesday as they prepare to face the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football In Week 10. Mitchell also practiced in full all of last week but was held out of the Week 9 win over the Denver Broncos. The 22-year-old is recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered last year but has a chance to be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list and make his 2024 debut on Thursday. He showed explosive ability out of Baltimore's backfield in his rookie campaign before his injury in 2023, but Mitchell will most likely be eased in behind Derrick Henry and alongside Justice Hill against Cincy if he's active. Mitchell deserves to be stashed in fantasy leagues for his upside as Baltimore's RB2 the rest of the season.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets traded wide receiver Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, meaning Xavier Gipson, who has four catches for 23 yards on the year on seven targets, will move into the WR3 role in New York behind Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson with Allen Lazard (chest) on Injured Reserve. While Gipson's role should expand in the short term, the 23-year-old probably still isn't worth a waiver-wire pickup in standard-sized, 12-team fantasy leagues. In his first NFL season in 2023, Gipson caught 21 of his 38 targets for 229 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (three starts). Expect the Jets to utilize more two-tight end sets with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert with Williams gone and Lazard still sidelined.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers released kicker Anders Carlson from their practice squad on Tuesday. It's a sign that Jake Moody (ankle), who has missed the last three games due to a sprained ankle, will be ready to return for the Week 10 contest this Sunday versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers in need of an improvement at the kicking position should be looking to add Moody if he's available on your league's waiver wire. The 26-year-old Carlson was cut by the Green Bay Packers in training camp this year after a shaky rookie season in 2023. In the two games that he filled in for Moody in San Fran, he was a perfect 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts while missing one of his four extra-point tries. Carlson will now hope to latch on with another team before the end of the 2024 season.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice for the second straight day this week. Higgins injured his quadriceps muscle on Oct. 25 and did not play in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 versus the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, it's looking like the 25-year-old will miss a second straight game unless he can return to the practice field on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should keep him on their benches for now. If Higgins misses Thursday's tilt, it will mean more opportunities for Ja'Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin, as well as tight end Mike Gesicki, who went for 100 yards and scored twice against the Raiders. Iosivas only caught one pass in Week 9, but it went for his fourth TD of the year.
From RotoBaller
