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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Auction Strategy
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Preseason News and Notes: Week 3
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: The Weekly Bender: Bender's Favorite Picks
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: ADP Thoughts
- Cardinals rookie DL Darius Robinson (calf) to miss multiple weeks
- Bucs likely to place RB Chase Edmonds, WR Rakim Jarrett on IR
- NFL roundup: Jack Plummer, Panthers outlast Bills
- Cowboys All-Pro CB DaRon Bland out 6-8 weeks with broken foot
- QB Deshaun Watson won't play in Browns' preseason finale
- Bears acquire DT Chris Williams from Browns
- MRIs set for 49ers' Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos
- Chargers escape inoperable elevator in Dallas
- NFL roundup: Trevor Lawrence, Jags trounce Falcons
- Rams OT Alaric Jackson (conduct) suspended 2 games
- Cardinals WR Zay Jones suspended 5 games for conduct
- Bears S Douglas Coleman III released from hospital
- Bears acquire LB Darrell Taylor from Seahawks
- Patriots' Jacoby Brissett to start, Drake Maye to play preseason finale
- HOF reduces waiting period for coaches to 1 year
- Dolphins assistant to coach team for half of preseason finale
- Browns sign K Lucas Havrisik
- NFL preseason roundup: Colts’ Anthony Richardson struggles in win over Bengals
- Bears S Douglas Coleman III leaves preseason game in ambulance
- Chiefs make Creed Humphrey highest-paid center in NFL
- Fantasy Six Pack: AFC Coaching Changes That Affect IDP
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Superflex PPR Mock Draft | How High Is Too High For Marvin Harrison?
- Fantasy Six Pack: d Down Finale From Anthony Richardson | 2024 Fantasy Football Week 3 Preseason Notebook
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Committee Backfields
- Fantasy Life: Betting Predictions for the 2024 NFL Season
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football ADP Risers and Fallers: Should You Buy The Kyler Murray Hype?
- Fantasy Life: Don't Let These WRs Slide Anymore
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football's 10 Toughest Players to Rank
- Fantasy Life: Take Care of No. 1
- Fantasy Life: Utilization Report: Fantasy Football Takeaways from Week 3 of the NFL Preseason
The Paur Report
The Chiefs have released WR Kadarius Toney. The talented receiver has not lived up to expectations but likely will get another chance with a new team.
The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) on Tuesday, according to a source. Ridder, who was put in the league's concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, had been in a competition with Clayton Tune for the backup job behind Kyler Murray this summer. That job will obviously fall to Tune now to begin the 2024 regular season. The Cardinals acquired Ridder in an offseason trade in March with the Atlanta Falcons after the 24-year-old failed to deliver in two seasons in Atlanta. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati struggled with turnovers in his 19 games (17 starts) while also completing 64% of his 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Ridder doesn't join Arizona's practice squad, he'll look for backup work elsewhere.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Tuesday that they have released quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin) with an injury settlement. Beathard was injured in the team's second preseason game and was released after losing the backup competition to former New England Patriots QB Mac Jones. Jones will now begin the 2024 regular season as the primary backup to starter Trevor Lawrence. The 30-year-old Beathard will now look for work as a veteran backup somewhere else, as long as he's healthy. Originally a third-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 out of Iowa, Beathard is in his sixth NFL season. He spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville, going 49-for-66 (74.2 completion percentage) with 417 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in only 13 games played (one start).
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. on Tuesday, according to a source. The former second-rounder had a strong training camp this summer and should be a good waiver option for other NFL teams looking to build extra receiving depth heading into the start of the 2024 regular season in just under two weeks. Marshall finds himself on the open market after catching 64 passes for 767 yards and only one touchdown on 110 targets in his three seasons in Carolina over 36 games played (16 starts). The 24-year-old pass-catcher became the odd-man out in the receiving corps after the Panthers added Diontae Johnson via trade and rookie Xavier Legette in the first round of April's NFL draft. Marshall played in only nine games in 2023 in a terrible Panthers offense and finished with only 19 receptions for 139 yards and no scores.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots waived quarterback Bailey Zappe on Tuesday, according to a source. Zappe became the odd-man out in New England's QB room leading up to the start of the 2024 regular season after rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton III showed enough in training camp and the preseason to earn the QB3 role behind first-round rookie Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Maye and Brissett are still competing for the starting gig under center with less than two weeks to go before Week 1 kicks off. Zappe, 25, should find a new home sooner than later as QB depth. He was initially a fourth-round selection by the Pats in 2022 out of Western Kentucky. In his two years in Boston, he completed only 63.2% of his 304 pass attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games (eight starts).
From RotoBaller
The Indianapolis Colts placed tight end Jelani Woods (toe) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to his recent toe surgery, according to a source. It's a tough break for Woods, who also missed all of the 2023 campaign due to hamstring issues. The 25-year-old specifically needed surgery to fix turf toe and won't be able to contribute for the Colts until 2025. The third-round pick in 2022 caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie season in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts). Woods was going to have more of a shot at an elevated role in Indy in 2024, but those opportunities will now most likely fall to Kylen Granson. However, Granson isn't really on the TE radar in standard 12-team leagues among a committee approach to the position in Indy that also includes names like Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) will begin doing team reps at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to head coach Robert Saleh. Williams wasn't among some of the names to be put on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of the 2024 regular season, giving more hope to the possibility that he will be active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old tore his left ACL in Week 3 with the Los Angeles Chargers last year and has been rehabbing ever since. It's a good sign that he's returning to team reps this week, and he'll have just under two weeks now to build himself up for the start of the season. When healthy, Williams is expected to be the WR2 behind Garrett Wilson and could be one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' primary red-zone targets because of his size.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants released veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson II on Tuesday, according to a source. The Giants also cut Isaiah Hodgins as they work to get their roster down to 53 players before the start of the regular season in less than two weeks. Robinson will now head back to the open market after signing with the G-Men back in May. The 31-year-old caught only 34 of his 49 targets in his only season with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year for just 280 yards and no touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. If A-Rob does sign with a new team for the 2024 campaign, it will be his fifth different team in the last four seasons, a sign of how far he's fallen since being a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 out of Penn State. It's also concerning that he wasn't able to separate himself in a Giants receiving corps that doesn't have much experience.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos are looking to trade running back Samaje Perine. Dynasty Analysis: Perine looks to be the odd man out as Denver is surely keeping Javonte Williams, Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin and maybe even Blake Watson. Perine is likely to garner some interest, though he may need to be released and sign as a free agent should Denver not find a trade partner. Perine isn't roster worthy at this point but could be depending on where he ends up.
Dynasty | The Dallas Cowboys are bringing in free agent running back Dalvin Cook for a visit. Dynasty Analysis: Cook was famously signed as a free agent by the Jets last year, only to hardly ever see the field, He had a brief stint with the Ravens after being released by New York but failed to make an impact there, either. It's possible the former Viking is simply cooked but Dallas will attempt to see if he has anything left in the tank. His addition would muddy an already convoluted depth chart that features Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and a host of others. Stay tuned.
Dynasty | The Texans are fielding calls on the availability of John Metchie. Dynasty Analysis: This comes as no surprise as the Texans already have Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell as their three mainstays and Metchie is little more than a luxury at the moment. Still, Diggs is on a one-year deal and Houston may choose to keep Metchie, rather than deal him. Managers with him on their roster have to be hoping for a trade considering his strong training camp. Stay tuned as nothing seems imminent. At this point, Metchie simply remains a hold.
Minnesota Vikings CB Bobby McCain was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears S Adrian Colbert was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Chase Edmonds (knee) will go on the Reserve/Injured list Tuesday, Aug. 27, with a season-ending knee injury.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans WR Noah Brown was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders WR Martavis Bryant was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys DE Carl Lawson was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions QB Nate Sudfeld was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (knee) will open the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first four games.
Fantasy Spin: Colby Parkinson will be a TE2/bye-week filler until Higbee returns. Higbee is only worth stashing in deeper leagues as he'll be in a glut of midrange TE1s when he returns and will need time to kick rust off.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders QB Nathan Peterman was released Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle
