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.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) is not on the team's first injury report on Monday ahead of their Week 1 regular-season opener on Thursday evening against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Andrews was involved in a car accident in the middle of August and missed some practice time with an undisclosed minor injury, but he returned to practice last Friday and is good to go for Week 1. A leg injury to the three-time Pro Bowler last year limited him to just 10 games last year, but he's healthy now and should be one of quarterback Lamar Jackson's most trusted weapons in the passing game again in 2024, which makes him a top-five fantasy tight end. Even though Andrews missed considerable time last year, he still managed to finish tied for second among all tight ends with six touchdowns and also had 544 receiving yards.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) finds himself on the team's first official injury report of the season ahead of Thursday night's regular-season opener against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. Ali was listed as limited with a neck injury. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder suffered a stinger in the preseason opener and is still recovering from it. If Ali is active on Thursday night in his first regular-season NFL contest, he'll serve as Baltimore's No. 3 back behind starter Derrick Henry and backup Justice Hill, which means he won't be worth starting in the vast majority of fantasy lineups. He was limited by injuries at times in college and didn't exactly impress during training camp when given opportunities. Right now, Ali is merely a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper formats.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) is "progressing well" as he continues to rehab a high-ankle sprain, according to head coach Shane Steichen, but there's no indication as to whether he'll actually take part in the team's first official practice of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday. We will have a better idea of Downs' status for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans after Indy releases their injury report on Wednesday, but as of now, the 23-year-old is completely up in the air for this weekend. Fantasy managers that have Downs rostered should plan as if Downs won't suit up and go from there. If he's unavailable or limited for the Colts against Houston, expect to see rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce lined up in three-wide sets alongside starter Michael Pittman Jr.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that kicker Matt Gay (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury, which is why kicker Spencer Shrader was added to the practice squad. Gay's status for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans is to be determined. If the 30-year-old ends up playing this weekend, he'll be a borderline fantasy starter in 12-team leagues after making just 80.5% of his 41 field-goal attempts during 17 regular-season games while missing just one of his 36 extra-point tries. If Gay is held out of the season opener, fantasy managers should pass on Shrader and look for a replacement on the waiver wire. We'll have a much better idea of Gay's Sunday status later this week after the team completes a couple official practices. Check back for those injury reports to see if Gay can practice.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) was back at practice on Monday but didn't do a whole lot outside of warmups in the 15 minutes that were open to reporters. Addison likely would have been limited on an official injury report, but with the Vikings' Week 1 regular-season opener not coming until this Sunday against the New York Giants, there first official practice for Week 1 won't be until Wednesday. Either way, the 22-year-old second-year pass-catcher's presence at practice on Monday for the first time since being carted off the field on Aug. 14 was a good sign. We'll have a better idea of Addison's status for this Sunday once the team releases their official injury report on Wednesday. Despite a strong rookie year in 2023, Addison is shaping up as a shaky WR4/flex for fantasy managers due to his injury and the fact that he has a downgrade in QB from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (foot) was back at practice on Monday after missing a few practices with a foot injury. Head coach Matt Eberflus said Allen's foot issue was cleat-related, so it sounds like he's trending toward being good to go for Week 1. Fantasy managers should monitor the team's official injury reports that come out starting on Wednesday. While Allen remained productive in his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he will face immense target competition from DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, among others in 2024, and he'll be playing with a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams. He could remain a high-end fantasy wide receiver, but he's a riskier asset than ever before. Still, he's an attractive WR3 or flex option in PPR setups. Assuming he's active, Allen has a wide range of outcomes in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers last year, but they brought in defensive backs L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and Quandre Diggs to help sure up the secondary.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker YaYa Diaby (ankle) returned to practice on Monday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury on Aug. 1. Hopefully, the 25-year-old has enough time to get in game shape ahead of the Week 1 contest against the Washington Commanders. After being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft last offseason, Diaby was a pleasant surprise and racked up 7.5 sacks in his rookie campaign. The Louisville product is looking to build off his promising start in Year 2. He could be limited in practice throughout the week, but we'll know more when the team releases its first official injury report on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia has locked up the starting left tackle job and he will be tasked with protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. The No. 63 overall pick out of BYU has been a standout at training camp, and it's notable that he's starting in Week 1 considering Kansas City often brings rookies along slowly. "He had a good training camp," head coach Andy Reid "He had a good preseason, but this is going to be a learning experience for him here. This is a good defensive line, and he's going to -- I'm sure there will be some ups and downs as he goes like any young player has. He's prepared himself, and it's time to go play now." The Ravens led the NFL with 60 total sacks last season, so the 21-year-old will have his work cut out for him right away.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (illness) did not practice on Monday as he deals with an illness. This shouldn't be a major concern early in the week, but his status is worth monitoring when the team is required to release their first official injury report of the season on Wednesday. Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract to join the Panthers this offseason following a 9.5-sack season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft has had an up-and-down 10-year career with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Ravens, but he is productive at times and is tasked with helping replace Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder, chest) is being placed on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season. The rookie out of Florida is out of the hospital and is recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered on Saturday. Needless to say, this is a unique situation, and his recovery will be worth monitoring moving forward. When Pearsall does return to action, he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar, barring an injury to Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, or Jauan Jennings. Especially after the scary incident over the weekend, expectations should be tempered for Pearsall in Year 1, but he remains an interesting stash in dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (hold-in) is not practicing with the team to begin Week 1 preparation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. Chase is seeking a new contract, and it's rumored that he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. Former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, so that could be the starting point for Chase's camp. When asked about Chase's Week 1 availability, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal, saying "We'll just take it day by day." This is a concern for fantasy managers who have selected Chase in the early first round, so hopefully, this situation will be resolved in the coming days. If Chase is active and playing in Week 1, he should be locked into all fantasy lineups, even if he's at risk of getting out to a slow start. The 24-year-old has overall WR1 upside in all matchups. If he surprisingly doesn't suit up, Tee Higgins will become a must-start option in all leagues, while second-year pass-catcher Andrei Iosivas could have flex value.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has been released from the hospital. Dynasty Analysis: Pearsall was shot in the chest in an apparent robbery and was extremely fortunate not to suffer a much worse fate. There's no word as of yet in terms of how long he'll be out but this is clearly good news. We'll update his dynasty future when it seem appropriate but this is obviously positive news.
Dynasty | The Chiefs have placed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the NFI list. Dynasty Analysis: CEH will miss at least the first four games of the season as he attempts to get his PTSD under control. It's an unfortunate story of how mental health can impact an athlete and the hope is certainly that Edwards-Helaire can find some peace over the next month. His dynasty value has long since gone and the bigger concern is really his own well-being. He's a tough hold in dynasty leagues at this point.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Tyler Huntley will be the team's "emergency third quarterback" to open the regular season in a Week 1 matchup this Thursday night against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Huntley was released by the Cleveland Browns last week and quickly rejoined Baltimore to give them extra QB depth for the 2024 campaign behind starter Lamar Jackson and veteran Josh Johnson. The 26-year-old has spent all four of his NFL seasons in Baltimore, including a Pro Bowl showing in 2022, when he went 75-for-112 for 658 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in six games (four starts). Once Huntley gets back into the flow of Baltimore's offense, there's a good chance he'll take over the No. 2 job from Johnson sooner than later.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) said he practiced with the team on Monday. "I'll be ready by Sunday," Warren said. The Steelers won't release their first official injury report until Wednesday, but fantasy managers should have Warren available in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. The 25-year-old will again be sharing Pittsburgh's backfield with Najee Harris, making him more of an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers to kick off the 2024 season. The former undrafted back took on a much bigger role alongside Harris in his second year in 2023, carrying the ball 149 times for 784 yards (5.3 yards per carry) while also catching 61 passes for 370 yards through the air. Even if Harris continues to see most of the rushing attempts for the Steelers, Warren proved last year he can be a serviceable RB3/flex play on a near weekly basis.UPDATE: Warren said he did individual and special teams work on Monday and expects to join team periods on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was present for Monday's practice but didn't participate on the field. Chase has practiced once with the team all offseason as he seeks a new long-term contract extension. The Bengals have reportedly ramped up their efforts in contract talks in recent days, but with the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the New England Patriots just six days away, it's becoming a very realistic possibility that fantasy managers won't have their first-round pick available to start the year. Even if the team signs the 24-year-old to a lucrative extension before Sunday, he could sit out entirely or be limited against the Patriots. Chase is a must-start in fantasy if he's active, but if he's not, it will drastically raise the ceiling of wideouts Tee Higgins and Andre Iosivas against New England. Check back on Chase's status throughout the week.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will not practice with the team on Monday. Brown has already been ruled out for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Thursday night versus the Baltimore Ravens after suffering a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason opener that carried a four- to six-week timetable. The 27-year-old has yet to practice with the Chiefs but has a realistic shot to suit up for his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals if he's able to get back on the practice field soon. With Hollywood out this week, expect quarterback Patrick Mahomes to lean heavily on tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson. Even if Brown cannot make it back by Week 2, he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats, as he'll be one of Mahomes' top targets when he returns.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that quarterback Cooper Rush will be Dak Prescott's backup to start the 2024 season, with Trey Lance sticking as the QB3 in Dallas. Lance pretty much sealed his fate as the No. 3 QB to enter the season after throwing five interceptions in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, although he did also throw for 323 yards and a touchdown while going for a team-high 90 rushing yards and an additional score on 11 carries. The 24-year-old former first-rounder by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 has plenty of athleticism, but he's still in the developmental phase for the Cowboys as they attempt to improve his game with the potential of losing Prescott after this season. Lance should only be rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues and deep superflex formats in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the Non-Football Illness list, according to Field Yates. The veteran back will now miss at least the first four games of the season, leaving the backup role up in the air for the Chiefs.
The Athletic's Jon Machota thinks that Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards in 2024. The fifth-year back made the most of his opportunities in training camp and was the team's most explosive RB while showcasing an ability in the passing game to be a complete back. With Tony Pollard gone this year, Dowdle will be working alongside veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. "The more you can do, the better," Dowdle said. "When you can catch out of the backfield, run routes and also run the ball well, it's hard to take you off the field. I want to be a three-down back." The 26-year-old probably has the most upside of the trio, but he's going to need to be extremely efficient out of the backfield to become anything more than a weekly RB4/flex option while sharing touches with Elliott and Cook in Dallas.
From RotoBaller