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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill wasn't able to put together much of a fantasy-relevant week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The pass-catching specialist registered two carries for 13 yards and caught four of his seven targets for 28 yards. He would have had one more catch for a good chunk of yards, but the Steelers took the ball right from his hands for an interception. Hill has only posted two relevant weeks so far this season, but he'll try to get going against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled nine carries for 41 yards and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Warren was given double-digit touches for a fourth consecutive game but still failed to make much of an impact for fantasy purposes. Although he did earn a season-high of four opportunities through the air, he was out-targeted and outgained by Najee Harris in the passing game. Warren is yet to score a touchdown in 2024 and will likely continue to offer limited upside so long as Harris stays healthy. He can be stashed as a handcuff but should remain out of starting lineups in most formats heading into a Week 12 meeting with the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs put up a excellent day en route to the Packers squeaking by the Chicago Bears 20-19 in Week 11. On the ground, Jacobs paced the Packers with 76 yards plus a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Jacobs not only paced the Packers in the rushing department, but also led the team in targets (5) and was second on the team with 58 receiving yards on the afternoon. With Jacobs' prowess on the ground and through the air, he should be looked at as a low-end fantasy RB1 for the Packers' next test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed both of his field-goal attempts and did not try an extra point in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Hopkins misfired on attempts from 51 and 27 yards out in the second quarter when the game was still close. The veteran kicker has now made 14 of his 20 field goals and added 10 extra points through 10 games. He will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns defense allowed 35 points while notching one sack and forcing two turnovers in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Cleveland's defense played well until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Saints to score three unanswered touchdowns to ice the game. They had no answer for Taysom Hill, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on eight catches for 50 yards. Cleveland's defense will be challenged again in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took a backseat in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw fewer targets than Isaiah Likely in his first game back. Andrews finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards on three targets compared to Likely's five targets and four receptions for 75 yards. Whenever Likely and Andrews are both healthy, they're difficult to predict. This marks Andrews' seventh week with less than nine fantasy points which is two more than he had all of last season. He'll try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points while recording two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in a Week 11 win. Baltimore has been a must-avoid matchup for fantasy DSTs this season, but Pittsburgh's defense proved itself against its toughest opponent yet. While the Steelers did allow running back Derrick Henry to find the end zone in the first half, MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was held scoreless until just over one minute remained in the fourth quarter. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles while star EDGE T.J. Watt tallied two QB hits and a sack. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made the defensive play of the game with an impressive interception in coverage with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The Steelers DST should be rostered in all formats and considered a must-start against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all six of his field-goal attempts in an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This contest was projected to be a relatively high-scoring affair, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Boswell saw plenty of action. The Ravens limited Pittsburgh's offense in the red zone, forcing the Steelers to lean on Boswell time and time again. Fortunately for the team and fantasy managers alike, he answered each call. Boswell nailed long kicks of 50, 52, and 57 yards as easily as he converted on three chip-shots. The 10th-year veteran is on pace for a career-best campaign and has solidified himself as a fantasy asset. He'll face another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers salvaged his week with a late touchdown during the 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the game with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Steelers' pass rushers did a good job at making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable and they consistently had Flowers blanketed no matter where he went. On the plays where Jackson scrambles looking for an outlet, Flowers usually finds a way to get to the ball, but he was double-covered in some of those situations as well. He'll go up against another tough pass defense in the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught all nine of his targets for 81 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Njoku wound up first on the team in catches while finishing behind only Jerry Jeudy in targets and receiving yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. Njoku has now drawn at least seven targets in five straight games while notching two touchdown catches over that span. He has solidified himself as a top-six fantasy tight end going forward and should remain in lineups for Week 12's Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was able to salvage a quiet day on the stat sheet with a touchdown in the Packers' 20-19 victory in Chicago against the Bears. Reed only earned two targets on the afternoon from quarterback Jordan Love, but he caught both of them for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that kicked off the scoring for the Packers. In addition to the receiving work, Reed also had a rushing attempt but lost five yards. With the Packers set for an NFC showdown with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Reed is more of a mid-range WR2 for fantasy football, as he has to compete with several other players for targets and attention from Love.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving yards during their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In his first game back, Likely registered four receptions for 75 yards on five targets. He saw more targets and had a more successful day than his counterpart Mark Andrews. With Likely healthy again, the Ravens' tight end room remains the most difficult one to predict each week. They'll go up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 3-of-8 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The eight targets matched a season-high for the second-year wideout, and the score was his third on the season and second in three games. Addison's touchdown was a 47-yard catch-and-run in which he burned Tennessee's defense up the left sideline. It was a nice effort from the 22-year-old, who has had trouble building on his spectacular rookie season. However, seeing him match superstar Justin Jefferson's team-high of eight targets in the contest was encouraging. The former USC Trojan will get another staunch test next weekend when the Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Leading up to Week 11, the Bears had allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses (190.4).
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love put up a solid line for the Packers as the team escaped with a 20-19 victory against the Chicago Bears. Love was 13-of-17 passing for 261 yards and tossed his only touchdown pass on the afternoon to wide receiver Jayden Reed. Love's 15-yard touchdown to Reed capped off the opening drive of the game. The Packers took the lead for good thanks to Love's rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put them up 20-19, as Love also added 18 rushing yards on the ground to his ledger. With an NFC showdown looming at Lambeau Field against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Love should be considered a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 6-of-8 targets for 81 yards in the team's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Ho-hum. It was another solid day for the fantasy stalwart, as he's now registered at least six receptions and 81 receiving yards in seven of his last eight outings. The only thing missing from his line was a touchdown. Still, it was yet again a strong effort from the former LSU Tiger as he continues to be a source of consistent production for fantasy managers. Jefferson will be a top-flight WR option in Week 12 when the Vikings line up against the Chicago Bears on the road in a divisional clash.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in eight of 12 targets for 89 yards in an 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Although this was far from a career-best performance for Pickens, the 23-year-old did set new single-game highs for himself in both targets and receptions. His most memorable play of the contest came on a beautiful deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson for a 37-yard gain late in the third quarter. He was targeted in the end zone multiple times but could not score a touchdown as Pittsburgh was forced to settle for six field goals. Fantasy managers who are slightly disappointed in Pickens' output given the favorable matchup should be encouraged by the elite usage he continued to see with Wilson under center. He'll have another opportunity for a big showing against the Cleveland Browns next week.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed for 39 yards on his 15 carries in Week 11's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. He added four yards receiving on his lone target. Tennessee's defense was as advertised, holding the 29-year-old to 2.6 yards per carry -- his least efficient outing of the season. Additionally, his receiving output was his lowest total of 2024. There are better days ahead for the eighth-year veteran, and they could come as soon as next weekend when he lines up against Minnesota's in-division rivals, the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Chicago let up 4.8 yards per rush attempt to their opponents heading into Week 11 -- the fifth-highest mark in the league -- and have been tough to beat through the air thus far. Jones will be a strong RB2 play for the contest.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry posted one of his worst weeks of the season in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The good news is that Henry did find the end zone while accumulating 65 yards on 13 carries. He also registered his third fumble of the season, however, which brought his total to just barely hitting double-digits. Since the offense was kept in check the entire game, the Ravens also had to abandon the run late in the game. Henry's next opportunity to break off some bigger runs will be against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 205 yards and an interception while adding one rushing yard on four carries in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This battle of two AFC North contenders was not the shootout many had hoped for, and although Wilson did just enough to get the win, he failed to lead a single touchdown drive for the first time this season. Both defenses stepped up in the red zone as nine total field goals were attempted in the contest. Wilson will still be worthy of fantasy consideration in the right matchups going forward, but he is best viewed as a solid QB2 rather than a locked-and-loaded QB1. That said, there are likely better streaming options available for Week 12 when Wilson and the Steelers go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris turned 18 carries into 63 yards and four receptions into 30 yards on five targets in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. While Harris only managed 3.5 yards per rush attempt against a stingy Baltimore defense, he ran hard and demonstrated great vision numerous times. He saw an uptick in utilization through the air as his four catches were his most in a contest since Week 3. Jaylen Warren continued to serve as a nice change-of-pace back, but there is no doubt at this point in the season that Harris is the player Pittsburgh leans on in the running game. The 26-year-old has been a consistent fantasy option recently and should be viewed as a volume-based RB2 heading into a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller