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
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 18
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This news does not come as much of a surprise given that Kamara had been listed as doubtful and did not practice this past week. The 29-year-old finishes the 2024 season with 950 rushing yards, 543 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns through 14 games. He was well on his way to his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season before suffering a season-ending groin injury in Week 15. He'll come up 50 yards shy of that mark but still finishes 2024 as the overall RB8 in PPR leagues. With Kendre Miller (concussion) also sidelined, the Saints will rely on a combination of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims out of the backfield in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after the Commanders activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. The 29-year-old spent the minimum of four games on injured reserve after suffering a scary head injury on special teams. He returns to his role as the No. 2 running back in Washington behind Brian Robinson Jr., but he'll still be able to carve out a significant workload. Through 11 games when healthy, Ekeler tallied 355 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Notably, he has scored a receiving touchdown in every season except 2024, so he'll have one last chance to extend that streak on Sunday. Ekeler will rank as a mid-range RB3 thanks to his pass-catching upside and Robinson's recent struggles.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as doubtful despite logging a limited practice on Friday. Otton finishes the 2024 regular season as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues, amassing 59 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns through 14 games. He was one of the best tight ends in fantasy football when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) were both sidelined, but his productivity dwindled as soon as Evans returned to the mix. Payne Durham will step up as the Buccaneers' top tight end in Week 18, ranking as a mid-range TE2 for fantasy purposes. Devin Culp, a rookie tight end out of Washington who saw his first career target last week and ended up catching three passes for 52 yards, should also remain involved.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (abdomen) is officially active for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans on Sunday. Okonkwo popped up on this week's injury report after putting in a limited practice on Thursday before sitting out on Friday. The 25-year-old will end up giving it a go in the team's final game of the season. He's been on a decent run of production of late with 22 catches on 28 targets for 182 yards and no touchdowns in the last three games, although that also coincided with Mason Rudolph taking over under center for the Titans. Tennessee is going back to quarterback Will Levis (at least to start) in Week 18, which should give fantasy managers some pause when considering Okonkwo as a TE streamer. He has 52 total catches on the year for 479 yards and only two touchdowns in 16 games.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran receiver has been productive through 13 games in a depth role this season, catching 31 passes for 323 yards and one touchdown. He has served as a reliable target for Baker Mayfield, especially after Chris Godwin (ankle) suffered a season-ending injury. With that said, Shepard is off the fantasy radar as long as he remains behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan on the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable after logging three consecutive limited practices. Johnson has operated alongside Foster Moreau all season long, catching a career-high 44 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games. He ranks as the overall TE22 in PPR leagues this season, making him a mid-to-low TE2 option for the final week of the 2024 regular season.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver K.J. Osborn (illness) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Osborn had been listed as questionable with an illness, but it's also possible that his absence is non-injury-related and merely a coach's decision, as has been the case most weeks since Washington claimed him off waivers from New England. Terry McLaurin remains the Commanders' primary receiver with Olamide Zacchaeus thriving in a complementary role. Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Jamison Crowder are depth pass-catching options for Sunday's regular-season finale.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running backWill Shipley(concussion) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after he logged a full practice on Friday. Shipley has taken a backseat toSaquon BarkleyandKenneth Gainwellthis season, but with Barkley inactive for Week 18, the rookie out of Clemson has a chance to earn increased opportunities. The 22-year-old has been mostly used as a ball carrier this season, rushing 20 times while failing to command a single target. He's likely headed for a change-of-pace role in Week 18, but with his exact involvement unknown, Shipley is tough to trust in fantasy football. He ranks as a low-end RB4 and should be avoided in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee will start against the New York Giants in Week 18 despite Kenny Pickett (ribs) being active, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pickett and Ian Book will handle depth roles for the Eagles on Sunday, though it's unclear which quarterback is the backup and which is the third-string. McKee got his first taste of NFL action last weekend, coming off the bench to throw three completions for 54 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia fed Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell in that contest, but they might let McKee throw a little more this weekend with Barkley (coach's decision) inactive. Of course, A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are also resting, leaving Dallas Goedert, Jahan Dotson, and Johnny Wilson as McKee's top targets. The second-year signal-caller out of Stanford ranks as a mid-range QB3 for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
As expected, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is officially active on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans. After practicing on a limited basis all week, Pollard will return for the final game of the season after he sat out the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Tyjae Spears (concussion) was ruled out, so Pollard could see a near full workload in his return as the Titans close out a disappointing season. The 27-year-old can earn an extra $250,000 if he racks up 83 rushing yards on the year for 1,100 yards on the season. If he scores twice on Sunday, he'd earn an extra $200,000, so Pollard could be busy and has plenty at stake for fantasy managers debating on whether to throw him into their starting lineups. He has clear RB2 upside for Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday. The 27-year-old will lead Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on injured reserve. Sanders, who totaled 237 yards and one touchdown through 10 games earlier this season, will take over the backfield from Raheem Blackshear. He ranks as a mid-to-low RB3 in fantasy football against the Falcons.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable but had an unfavorable outlook after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that Mooney faced an uphill battle to suit up this weekend. His absence should lead to an increased role for Ray-Ray McCloud III, who is the overall WR54 in PPR leagues with 58 catches, 620 yards, and one touchdown through 16 games. McCloud has quietly put together the best season of his career and possesses WR3/FLEX upside in his increased role Sunday.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles have declared WR A.J. Brown, OG Landon Dickerson, QB Jalen Hurts, OT Lane Johnson, DL Jalen Carter, CB Darius Slay, RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith, OT Jordan Mailata, LB Nakobe Dean and LB Zack Baun inactive for Week 18.
From TheHuddle
The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared CB Ronald Darby, DE Tyler Lacy, LB Ventrell Miller, DE Esezi Otomewo, DE Josh Hines-Allen and OT Walker Little inactive for Week 18.
From TheHuddle
The Carolina Panthers have declared QB Jack Plummer, CB Lonnie Johnson, CB Jaycee Horn, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Velus Jones Jr., OT Robert Hunt and LB Josey Jewell inactive for Week 18.
From TheHuddle
The New Orleans Saints have declared WR Mason Tipton, RB Alvin Kamara, QB Derek Carr, RB Kendre Miller, DT Khristian Boyd, LB Pete Werner and LB Willie Gay inactive for Week 18.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance will start against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, according to insider Patrik Walker. Cooper Rush, who tallied 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions while filling in for Dak Prescott (hamstring), heads to the bench for Sunday's season finale. This move is not a reflection of Rush's performance but rather gives the Cowboys an opportunity to get extra game film on Lance as they continue to evaluate the quarterback position going forward. Both Rush and Lance are free agents in March, and it's likely that Dallas will only keep one (or zero) of them as Prescott's backup in 2025. In the short-term, Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, gets a chance to showcase his talents against a Commanders team that intends to play all of its starters. The ex-49er has just 22 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception through limited action in 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-high QB3 in Week 18 with some extra upside thanks to his rushing ability.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as doubtful, so his absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. The 27-year-old finishes his first season with the Eagles just 100 rushing yards shy of Erick Dickerson's single-season record. Although he didn't break the record, Barkley still had a phenomenal season with 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, making him the clear RB1 in fantasy football. Kenneth Gainwell will lead Philadelphia's backfield in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Brown's season ends with 67 catches, 1,079 yards, and seven touchdowns through 13 games. His WR17 finish (PPR) represents his worst ranking since 2021, but he certainly would have ranked higher if he had not missed four contests. The same could be said of Brown, who was the WR24 this year with 687 catches, 833 yards, and eight touchdowns through 13 games. Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson will operate as the Eagles' top wide receivers on Sunday afternoon.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (coach's decision) and linebacker Zack Baun (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Carter finishes the regular season with 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles through 16 games. Meanwhile, Baun was one of the NFL's top tacklers and premier IDP weapons with 150 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. ThomasBooker IV and Oren Burks are candidates to replace Carter and Baun, respectively.
From RotoBaller
