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: Studs and Duds: Week 9
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 8
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 8
- Colts-Jets flexed out of Week 11 SNF in favor of Bengals-Chargers
- Falcons' Raheem Morris wary of Saints, praises their interim coach
- Bengals RB Zack Moss (neck) out indefinitely; TE Erick All tears ACL again
- 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey practices, could play Sunday
- Bears stand behind OC Shane Waldron
- Broncos extend Jonathon Cooper, trade Baron Browning to Cardinals
- QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) to miss several weeks
- Giants sticking with Daniel Jones at QB vs. Panthers
- Bengals rookie TE Erick All (torn ACL) out for season
- Take 5: Early candidates to be Saints' next head coach
- Titans lose two starters to season-ending injuries
- Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) undergoing tests
- Colts sticking with Joe Flacco as QB1 in Week 11
- Saints fire Dennis Allen with losing streak at seven games
- Week 9 MNF: Chiefs-Buccaneers Preview, Props & Prediction
- Raiders fire OC Luke Getsy, two other coaches
- NFL roundup: Rams top Seahawks in OT on one-handed catch
- Former Browns star ‘Dub’ Jones dies at 99
- Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb injures right shoulder
- Eagles WR A.J. Brown (knee) exits game vs. Jags
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 10 | Xavier Legette Makes a Case
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Injury Impact & Game Recap Week 9: Cowboys Get Clipped
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Trade Targets Week 10 | It’s The Thrill Of The Chase
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 9 | Is Bo Nix Your Quarterback Solution?
- Fantasy Life: Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide To Week 10: Trade Targets, Adds, and More
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Takeaways: Week 10 Utilization Report
- Fantasy Life: Unbeaten Chiefs vs. High-Powered Buccaneers on MNF Week 9
- Fantasy Life: Saquon Barkley's Leap Backward and More Week 9 Fantasy Breakouts
- Fantasy Life: Swift Battle: Chiefs vs. Buccaneers, Week 9 MNF Best Bets
- Fantasy Life: NFL Week 9 Highlights: Saquon Barkley Shines, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Breaks Out
The Paur Report
Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is expected to be back on the field for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons has been sidelined for the last four games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain. This return is a welcoming sight for this Cowboys defensive unit. Parsons has 14 tackles and one sack through the four games that he's played in this season. The Cowboys offense took a huge hit with Dak Prescott (hamstring) going down for multiple weeks. However, Parsons should be able to give them a lift on the defensive side of the ball.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has been named the starting quarterback in the absence of Dak Prescott (hamstring) over the next few weeks. Prescott suffered a significant hamstring injury that is going to force him to miss multiple weeks. Rush came in for Prescott during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 13-of-25 passing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He didn't look awful under center and has proven to be able to hold his own in the league. However, Rush isn't exactly an appealing streaming option against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was a healthy scratch from Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys decided to elevated Dalvin Cook and make Elliott a healthy scratch after his rough start to the season. However, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Elliott would be available for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran back is averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 48 attempts this season. He figures to serve as the change-of-pace back to Rico Dowdle in the backfield. It's hard to imagine Elliott having reliable value anymore at this point.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is currently considered day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McDermott. This news comes after Cooper was inactive ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He was able to get through limited practice sessions, but the Bills ultimately decided to hold him out. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see what Cooper does during practice this week. If he sits again, Keon Coleman (wrist), Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir figure to have expanded roles. The fact Cooper is listed as day-to-day means he shouldn't have an extended absence.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have been open to trading tight end Greg Dulcich. We wonder if there is any interest around the league in Dulcich, a former third-rounder in 2022 out of UCLA. Dulcich has been very injury-prone early in his NFL career and has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos since Week 5. In the first four games of the season, he did very little, catching five of his 12 targets for 28 scoreless yards. The 24-year-old just hasn't been a big part of head coach Sean Payton's offense and is currently behind both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull on the team's TE depth chart. In two-plus NFL seasons, Dulcich has 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (10 starts). He will remain well off the fantasy radar in all leagues unless he's traded before Tuesday's deadline to a team that will utilize him as a pass-catcher.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from the Denver Broncos on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to sources. Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks in three-plus NFL seasons, will now head to the desert. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of Ohio State has missed four games in 2024 due to injury but has been healthy each of the last three weeks for Denver. In his five games played (two starts) this year, Browning has recorded only seven tackles (one solo) and one tackle for loss. If he can stay healthy, Browning could have a bigger role in Arizona with rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) injured. Browning has 114 career tackles (66 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 43 career games (28 starts).
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins DT Zach Sieler (eye) has a chance to be available for the Week 10 game, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) underwent ankle surgery. "He will hopefully be back later this season," LaFleur said. Musgrave was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 11 due to his ankle injury, but barring a setback in his recovery, he'll have a chance to return to the team later this season. The 24-year-old quickly took a back seat to fellow TE Tucker Kraft as a pass-catcher in the early portion of 2024 before injuring his ankle. The second-round pick in 2023 out of Oregon State had five catches for 22 yards in four games before getting hurt after putting up a 34-352-1 line in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign. When Musgrave returns later this season, he'll most likely go back to playing second fiddle to Kraft. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to ignore him.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (rib) suffered a bruised rib in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it sounds like he'll be OK for the Thursday night game in Week 10 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Zack Moss (neck) is out indefinitely with a neck injury, which will open up a bigger backup role for Trayveon Williams behind Brown moving forward. Brown has been trending up in fantasy in recent weeks and went off for a season-high 27 carries for a season-high 120 rushing yards while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in the blowout win over the Raiders in an excellent matchup on Sunday. He'll be a must-start on Thursday versus Baltimore. In Week 5 against the Ravens, Brown had 12 carries for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have received interest on tight end David Njoku but they are "highly unlikely" to trade him by Tuesday's deadline, according to sources. The Browns view Njoku as part of their long-term future. Njoku wasn't as impressive in the Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers as he was in quarterback Jameis Winston's first start in the Week 8 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, but the 28-year-old tight end should maintain a higher fantasy ceiling and floor the rest of the way in 2024 with receiver Amari Cooper now in Buffalo. Njoku has had at least five catches in four straight games and has caught 10 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown the last two games with Winston starting. Consider Njoku to be on the TE1 radar for a much better matchup in Week 11 against the floundering New Orleans Saints after Cleveland's Week 10 bye.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) would have been a non-participant on Monday had the team practiced. Higgins injured his quad muscle two weeks ago and has missed the last two games as a result. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance the 25-year-old is looking at a third straight missed contest unless he improves on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Higgins' absence this past Sunday in the Week 9 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincy's offense didn't really miss him, as quarterback Joe Burrow tossed five touchdowns to tight end Mike Gesicki (two), running back Chase Brown, tight end Drew Sample and receiver Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki hit the 100-yard mark and will be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective if Higgins is out again on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back) experienced some back tightness in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to an NFL source. However, Barkley said that he will be ready for Sunday's Week 9 divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley had a monstrous day against Jacksonville but was seen for a bit on the sidelines wincing before eventually re-entering the game. He appears to be on track to play in Week 10, but it's something that fantasy managers should monitor throughout the week. Don't be surprised if Barkley misses some practice time but ultimately plays against Dallas, where he'll be a no-doubt, must-start, high-end RB1 in fantasy. Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 40 yards and another TD against the Jags and is the RB2 in overall fantasy points in 2024, behind only Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' two-game suspension has been lifted and he has officially been reinstated by the NFL heading into a Week 10 game against the Houston Texans. In his absence, the Lions won both of their games. Williams was suspended two games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old will give the Lions another speedy field-stretching weapon for an offense that has been humming of late. In six games before his suspension, Williams was in the midst of a breakout season, catching 17 of his 30 targets for 361 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He's currently tied for 29th among all wideouts with 11.0 half-PPR points per game and will return to being a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers in what could easily be a shootout against Houston in primetime on Sunday night.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans QB Trevor Siemian reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is considered "day-to-day" after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday after he injured his knee in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Brown's injury was never expected to be serious, but now the Eagles and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that he won't miss extended time. He could even be ready to roll for a Week 10 divisional showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. We'll know more on the 27-year-old's status for this upcoming Sunday once the team releases practice reports from Wednesday through Friday. If Brown doesn't make enough progress later this week to get the green light to face Dallas, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson would start in three-wide sets for Philly. Brown is a high-end, must-start WR1 in fantasy when he's active.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys RB Dalvin Cook reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos FB Michael Burton reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 4, after being on the active roster for the Week 9 game.
From TheHuddle
