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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Dynasty | Former Giants, Chiefs and Browns wide receiver Kadarius Toney was arrested on two counts -aggravated assault - strangulation and obstructing/harassing 911 calls. Dynasty Analysis: And that'll likely do it for the former first round pick. Toney has all the athletic ability in the world, but he hasn't been able to keep himself out of the spotlight in any way, shape or form off the field. At this point, it would be shocking to see another team take a chance on him. While these are simply charges and he needs to be considered innocent until proven guilty, this news is just one more in a long list of red flags and quite simply could also be the most serious of the bunch.
Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders said he has visits lined up with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants when top 30 visits begin in early March. The Browns and Giants hold the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 2025 NFL Drafts and are pegged as two of the most QB-needy franchises. Sanders is viewed by many as the QB2 in the upcoming draft class behind Miami's Cam Ward, and there has been speculation that the Tennessee Titans, who hold the first overall pick, could trade down or pass on a quarterback to get April's draft started. Both the Browns and Giants are firmly on the radar as potential suitors for Sanders.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt requested a trade on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Pratt was a captain for the Bengals last season and posted a team-high 143 total tackles (80 solo) to go along with five tackles for loss, six passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career with the Bengals since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of N.C. State. With the Bengals looking to find a way to keep Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson long-term, they could be willing to honor Pratt's request.
From RotoBaller
On his New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said that he is planning to take his time this offseason as he decides whether to retire from professional football following a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. "I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it's gonna be a wholehearted decision and I'm not half-assing it, and I'm fully here for them," Kelce said. "I think I can play, it's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility." The 35-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro managed 97 receptions in 16 regular-season games but had only three touchdowns and 823 yards, his fewest since his rookie season when he played just one game. If Kelce does return in 2025, he'll still be on the TE1 radar in fantasy, but his days of being the first TE off the board are over.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is mulling retirement. 'I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back that it's gonna be a wholehearted decision, and I'm fully here for them,' Kelce said. 'I think I can play, it's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.'
Fantasy Spin: Despite a down year, he was still the TE5 in PPR leagues last season. That's about the range to expect to take him next year if he returns.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) noted that 'my health is good' and he is 'looking to amp (his recovery from a torn hamstring) up' during a news conference promoting a fashion show on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Prescott is 12 weeks into his rehab and appears to be quite confident he will be 100% sooner than later. While he stated during the news conference he is excited to have new head coach Brian Schottenheimer take over, fantasy managers should be skeptical - at least as it pertains to Prescott reaching the heights he once did under former head coach Mike McCarthy. He should be valued as a decent QB2 option in most drafts this spring and summer.
From TheHuddle
ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the New England Patriots will be a team to closely follow this offseason, mainly because they have a league-high $110 million in salary cap space. They'll have plenty of financial flexibility to upgrade a roster that needs to improve at almost every position as Mike Vrabel takes over head-coaching duties. They could look to pay Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins $30 million a year while also upgrading their offensive line. Although he had an up-and-down rookie year, quarterback Drake Maye has a chance to develop into a star moving forward, especially if the Patriots give him more help in the passing game. Having the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft will also help New England's cause as they look to add immediate playmakers.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the Cincinnati Bengals could work to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins before he officially becomes a free agent or put the $26 million franchise tag on him, which is lower than what he'd likely receive on the open market. The Bengals could also choose to tag and trade Higgins, but that option would require carrying their cap space past the new league year. Complicating matters is the fact that fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and will be looking to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in a deal that could average close to $40 million per year. Cincy has around $46 million in salary cap space, but it remains to be seen if they can pull off retaining both Higgins and Chase. Higgins has 34 touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons in five NFL seasons but could become a legitimate WR1 in 2025 if he leaves the Bengals.
From RotoBaller
When asked whether wide receiver Tyler Lockett would be on the roster for the 2025 season, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is "working through that" and will make a decision in the next month or so. It's not a ringing endorsement for the 32-year-old veteran pass-catcher after he fell to 49 receptions on 74 targets for 600 yards and just two touchdowns in 17 games (14 starts) in 2024 in his 10th year with Seattle. His 600 receiving yards and two TDs were his fewest since the 2017 season, his third year in the league. Lockett will have a $30.8 million salary cap figure this year, and releasing him would save the Seahawks $17 million against the cap. If Lockett doesn't take a pay cut, Seattle will most likely release him after the emergence of second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets are fully expected to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2025, but The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the team presented the future Hall of Famer with a plan to move forward with him as their QB. The Jets' plan included stipulations about outside media work during the season and required that he attend all mandatory offseason workouts, according to team and league sources. Specifically, Rodgers would no longer be allowed to make regular, paid appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show." Apparently, Rodgers wasn't inclined to agree with those stipulations, and the Jets are expected to release the 41-year-old, who still has one year left on his contract. If the four-time MVP chooses to return for a 21st year in the NFL, it will be with another organization. Rodgers' two-year run in New York was highly disappointing after he tore his Achilles in Week 1 in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after his second ACL tear in 2024 as a rookie. In addition to Brooks, the Panthers are expected to cut running back Miles Sanders. It's why The Athletic's Joseph Person has the Panthers taking SMU RB Brashard Smith with a fifth-round selection in his 2025 mock draft. Smith could be a nice change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard next year in the Panthers' backfield. The 21-year-old Brooks can be avoided in all single-year fantasy drafts this fall after suffering a gruesome injury in his first year in the NFL. Brooks could have a lengthier recovery after already tearing the same ACL in his final collegiate season at the University of Texas. In three games in 2024, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins shot down any notion that he is contemplating retirement Tuesday, Feb. 11. 'Don't know what you heard but I'm not done yet,' Hopkins wrote in a since-deleted post.
Fantasy Spin: It was a rough season for Hopkins, who averaged 7.4 fantasy points and 38.1 receiving yards per game in 2024. Hopkins is set to be a free agent this offseason and if he intends to play, it will be interesting to see where he lands. Either way, it's difficult to see him being overly fantasy-relevant in 2025.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett appears unlikely to be on the roster in 2025, according to comments made by head coach Mike Macdonald. When asked about Lockett on Tuesday, Feb. 11, Macdonald would only say the Seahawks are 'working through that.'
Fantasy Spin: Lockett is set to turn 33 in late September and scheduled to count $30.8 million against the cap. Releasing him would save the team around $17 million, so Lockett would seemingly have to accept a huge paycut to stick on the roster. Either way, it would seem Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf won't have much competition for targets.
From TheHuddle
The Carolina Panthers signed kicker Matthew Wright to a reserve/future contract on Tuesday, which is a one-year, non-guaranteed contract that allows players to participate in offseason activities and compete for a roster spot. Wright has spent time with nine NFL organizations, and this is the third time he has signed with Carolina. Overall, the UCF product has connected on 55 of his 63 field goal attempts and 41 of his 43 extra point tries across 21 games with the Steelers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Panthers, 49ers, and Titans. Current Panthers starting kicker Eddy Pineiro ranks third all-time in career field goal percentage (88.095%), so it would be a surprise if Wright wins the job over him this offseason.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr has $10 million guaranteed for 2025 with another $30 million scheduled to kick in March 15. His release would only save his cap-strapped team a couple of million dollars and the team is unlikely to be in a position to draft a blue-chip quarterback, which makes it likely that Carr will remain the starting quarterback for at least one more season.
Fantasy Spin: This comes as little surprise for most NFL fans, as the Saints enter the offseason about $60 million over the salary cap and are in no position to part with a capable quarterback with so many other needs on the roster. The best thing new head coach Kellen Moore and the front office can do for Carr right now is continue to add quality pieces to an offensive line that has fallen off dramatically since the end of the Sean Payton era. Carr should be considered no more than a middling QB2 option in fantasy in 2025.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, though his status is uncertain for now. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in October of last season, so the recovery timeline makes it realistic for him to be ready for the start of the new campaign. Following a 1,400-yard receiving season in 2023, the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract. Unfortunately, he could only produce 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games in 2024. That said, Aiyuk could be a value pick in fantasy football coming off the injury, especially since Deebo Samuel appears to finally be on the way out of San Francisco via trade at some point this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Rumors have been swirling that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr could be traded or cut this offseason, but NFL insider Adam Schefter said Carr "will probably be the team's QB1 entering 2025." Carr has $10 million in contract guarantees with another $30 million scheduled to kick in on March 15. The organization moving on from the veteran would only save them a few million dollars against the cap, so it's not likely to happen. Since signing with New Orleans ahead of the 2023 campaign, the former Las Vegas Raider has thrown for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 27 games. At Fresno State, Carr played against Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who is now his head coach in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Former Syracuse University quarterback Kyle McCord enjoyed a monster final collegiate season after transferring from Ohio State. The 22-year-old tallied 4,779 passing yards, 37 total touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his lone season with the Orange. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, McCord is not viewed as a top-five signal caller in the class, but according to CBS' survey of anonymous NFL scouts, he could be a Day 3 sleeper to monitor. "Poise in the pocket and anticipation," a scout said. "Not flustered by pressure. When he's playing on time, it looks good. Not the best arm or the most mobile but lays it all on the line. Love how he fought through the Ohio State situation and flourished despite a lot of questions about his ability. Real competitor. That chip on his shoulder will be there his whole career." In one of the weaker quarterback classes in recent memory, it wouldn't be a shocker if he sneaks his way into the fourth round of April's draft. If he lands behind a shaky starting quarterback, he could be worth a stash in deeper Superflex dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller