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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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry capped off another fantastic year with a touchdown despite the team getting away from the run when they could have used it the most in the two-point loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished the game with 16 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown to go along with two targets, but he didn't haul any of those in. The Ravens had short spurts of committing to the run, then they ultimately got away from it as the game went on. In two postseason games, Henry accumulated 270 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Henry and Lamar Jackson will look for redemption next season while the Ravens look to re-tool on both sides of the ball.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson committed a couple of uncharacteristic turnovers in the first half on Sunday, but almost turned it all around in the second half. During the 27-25 loss to the Bills, Jackson finished with 254 yards and one interception on 18-for-25 throwing while gathering 39 yards on six carries and a fumble. He did a great job shaking off the rough first half to get the team within a two-point conversion of tying the game in the fourth quarter. He went 12-for-15 for 131 yards and a touchdown in the second half, but the third costly turnover from Mark Andrews and a dropped two-point conversion was the nail in the coffin.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown had a subdued performance in the 28-22 Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams, finishing with just two receptions for 14 yards. Over the last three games, Brown has averaged two catches for 20 yards, a surprising dip for one of the league's most elite receivers. The Eagles have leaned heavily on Saquon Barkley and the ground game during this stretch, limiting Brown's opportunities. He hasn't found the end zone since Week 16 against the Cowboys, but his ability to stretch the field and make big plays remains critical to Philadelphia's success. As the Eagles prepare to host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, Brown's role in the passing attack will be pivotal.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert paced the team with four receptions for 56 yards, including a 31-yard catch, in the 28-22 Divisional Round victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Goedert's reliability in the passing game has been a consistent asset, especially as defenses focus on containing wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Over his last three outings, Goedert has averaged four receptions for 52.6 yards per game, proving his value as a dependable target for quarterback Jalen Hurts. His ability to create opportunities has been instrumental in keeping the Eagles' offense balanced. As the Eagles gear up to host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship, Goedert's steady production will remain a key factor in their quest for a Super Bowl appearance.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott had a mixed outing in the 28-22 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He converted just one of three extra-point attempts, with the snowy conditions playing a significant role in the second attempt. However, Elliott remained reliable on field goals, going three-for-three this game and extending his streak to 10 makes in his last 11 attempts. While Elliott's missed extra points have raised some concernsthis marks the second consecutive game with a misshis consistency on field goals has been crucial for the Eagles during their playoff push. As the Eagles prepare to host the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship, Elliott's ability to deliver under pressure will be vital in what could be another tightly contested playoff matchup.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith contributed four receptions for 27 yards in the team's 28-22 Divisional Round victory over the Los Angeles Rams. While the Eagles relied heavily on Saquon Barkley's dominant ground game, Smith proved reliable when his number was called. The passing attack has taken a backseat multiple times this season as the team leans on Barkley's historic performances. However, Smith's ability to make key catches and move the chains remains a vital part of Philadelphia's offensive strategy. As the Eagles prepare for a grudge match against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship, Smith's role in complementing the running game with an efficient aerial attack will be crucial in maintaining their postseason success.
From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Ravens tight end Mark Andrews had five catches for 61 yards in a playoff loss to the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: He also dropped the would-be tying two-point conversion attempt and had a brutal fumble to position the Bills to win the game. This one will sting for quite some time as Andrews' mistakes really did cost the Ravens a chance to win. He had a brutal start to the season but came back strong in the second half. While not the elite-level dynasty asset he once was, Andrews should be back as a TE1/2 next season.
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Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (undisclosed) exited the Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills with an undisclosed injury.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir secured six of seven targets for 67 yards in the team's 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens to advance to the AFC Championship game. Shakir led Buffalo in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. The Buffalo passing game was a little underwhelming. Running back James Cook finished with three targets, second on the team. No other receiver had more than two. Shakir will continue to be Josh Allen's favorite target when the Bills face the Chiefs next weekend for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid caught one pass for 11 yards in the team's 27-25 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the playoffs. Kincaid's lone reception came on the first play of Buffalo's second drive. He was targeted just once more for the rest of the game. Josh Allen threw for 127 yards, a season-low mark, which resulted in poor receiving performances across the board for Buffalo's pass catchers (excluding Khalil Shakir). Kincaid's subpar season continues but the Bills did advance to the AFC Championship game to meet the Kansas City Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford said he would take some time before deciding on his NFL future, following the playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 19, but he added that he 'sure feels like' that he has football left in him.
Fantasy Spin: If Stafford does decided to call it a career, it could hurt the value of Puka Nacua the most of any player on the Rams' roster. Nacua has been a WR1 with Stafford under center, but transitioning to a new quarterback always comes with some unknowns.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 16 of 22 pass attempts for 127 yards and carried the ball 10 times for 20 yards and two touchdowns in the team's victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Allen's passing total was the lowest of his 2024-25 campaign. The rushing yardage left a lot to be desired, too. The two short touchdown plunges salvaged his fantasy score but he still finished below 20 points. Allen and the Bills get another shot at defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason when they travel to Arrowhead for the AFC Championship game.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 17 times for 67 yards and caught three passes for 15 yards in the team's 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Cook averaged just a hair under four yards per carry against Baltimore, one of the league's stingiest run defenses. All three of Buffalo's touchdowns came on the ground. Quarterback Josh Allen punched in two of the scores. The other was given to backup running back Ray Davis, despite Cook getting Buffalo to the one-yard line. Another tough run defense is next when the Bills travel to Kansas City for a matchup with the Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles win over the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: Barkley added four catches and 27 receiving yards, along with touchdown runs of 62 and 78 yards on the day. It was just another day at the office for the NFL's best running back. Barkley wasn't affected by the snowy conditions and broke the back of the Rams on his two long runs. There really isn't much to say at this point. Barkley is going to be the favorite to finish next year as the RB1 and is a prime target for any contending team this off-season.
Dynasty | Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp had five catches for 61 yards in the Rams playoff loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Firmly supplanted as the Rams top option by Puka Nacua, it's fair to wonder just what his future holds at this point. Kupp may finally be showing his age at this point and he's under contract for a lot of money moving forward. While the cap hit for cutting him would possibly be too much to endure, it's a possibility moving forward. Kupp's dynasty value is sinking fairly rapidly at this point and he may indeed need a new home.
