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.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 10
Buffalo Bills wide receivers Curtis Samuel (pectoral) and Mack Hollins (shoulder) were both wearing non-contact jerseys at Thursday's practice session. Hollins was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, so this would represent a downgrade for him. Samuel returned in the Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins after missing Week 8, but he failed to catch his only target with Amari Cooper (wrist) out and has gone without a catch in each of his last two games. Rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) might miss multiple weeks, but even with Buffalo's receivers beat up, Samuel isn't an attractive starting fantasy lineup option. Hollins had gone without a catch in each of his last two games before bringing in all five of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 9. If Cooper is out again this weekend, Hollins will be a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex option, at best, in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers tight ends Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle, wrist) and Tommy Tremble (back) were both listed as limited in Thursday's practice. Meanwhile, Feleipe Franks (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day. Tremble was a full-go on Wednesday, while Sanders is popping up on the injury report for the first time this week. Sanders has certainly been more involved in recent weeks as a pass-catcher than he was in the first four games of his NFL career. He's had at least five targets in four of his last five games and has a 19-217-0 line in his last five games. The 21-year-old has yet to find the end zone, though, and remains nothing more than a low-upside TE2 streamer in deeper fantasy leagues if he's active in Week 10 in Germany against the New York Giants. The return of Tremble would certainly be bad news for Sanders.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg reports that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is practicing in a similar fashion to last week. Cooper was inactive for the Week 9 win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins but was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough. He's likely to be listed as limited for a second straight day on Thursday and is up in the air to play in Week 10 versus the Indianapolis Colts. With rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) possibly missing multiple weeks with his own wrist injury, look for Khalil Shakir to see increased volume against the Colts, especially if Cooper misses a second straight game. The 33-year-old Cooper had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in his Bills debut in Week 7 before getting injured in Week 8. If Cooper is able to get the green light to return this Sunday, he should be considered a must-start for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) is not practicing for a second straight day due to a hamstring injury. The veteran turned in two limited practices last week before logging a "DNP" on Friday, so it's possible he suffered a setback to his ailment. With no practice to start the week, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's activated from the Injured Reserve list for the Week 10 game against the New York Giants in Germany. With Diontae Johnson now in Baltimore and Jonathan Mingo in Dallas, rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker have fantasy appeal in 12-plus team leagues. The Giants are a natural matchup for wideouts, so both players are on the flex radar for Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is back at practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. This is great news for his fantasy managers, but his status should continue to be monitored on Friday and up to Sunday. Smith has posted at least 900 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, but he is a "boom-or-bust" fantasy option in most matchups while sharing a field with A.J. Brown (knee) and Dallas Goedert (hamstring). Assuming all three pass-catchers are active in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, Smith is a solid WR2 or WR3 play with upside, but he has a low floor due to his boom-or-bust nature.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is still out of practice on Thursday leading up to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The former Pittsburgh Steeler and New England Patriot has not played since Week 5, and he's looking likely to be out again in Week 10. In his absence, K.C. traded for DeAndre Hopkins, who has taken over the clear WR1 role. When Smith-Schuster finally does return, he could have very little fantasy value. If he surprisingly plays this week, he is not worth starting except in 16-plus team leagues against a Denver Broncos defense that has surrendered the 8th-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is not expected to travel with the team for the Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers in Germany. Needless to say, he is trending toward being inactive after suffering a concussion last Sunday. In his absence, sophomore third-round wideout Jalin Hyatt should see more action, but he is not on the fantasy football radar. Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson should continue to operate as Daniel Jones' No. 1 and No. 2 targets in the passing game for the international NFC showdown.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) is not practicing for the second straight day due to a groin injury. The third-year back out of Florida missed the Week 9 loss to the New York Jets and has only been active for four games in 2024. It looks like he could be on his way to missing another week of action, meaning J.J. Taylor and Dare Ogunbowale could serve as the RB2 and RB3 for Houston behind Joe Mixon. However, Mixon is in a workhorse role, so neither backup is worth starting in fantasy lineups. Pierce remains a handcuff RB in deep leagues, but he's barely on the fantasy football radar in leagues of 12 teams or fewer.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is not practicing on Thursday after logging a "DNP" on Wednesday. The 2020 second-round pick has missed several Wednesday practices before returning on Thursday this year, but his absence two days in a row could suggest he's at real risk of missing Week 10. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday, but he's become an unattractive fantasy option in 2024. The USC alum has scored double-digit half-PPR fantasy points in just three of his nine games this year and totaled just 4.0 fantasy points over the last two weeks. If he plays, it will be against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) is not practicing on Thursday, though he is working off to the side. This will mark his second straight "DNP" of the week with a wrist injury, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status heading into the weekend. The rookie out of Florida State has come on in recent weeks, scoring at least 14.5 fantasy points in matchups with the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. If he cannot play, wide receiver Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid will have higher floors and ceilings against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10. The Colts have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points per game to wideouts and fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is still not practicing on Thursday as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old has been sidelined on the Injured Reserve list since Week 5, and although his hamstring is reportedly feeling much better, it seems like he's on the wrong side of questionable for Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. Collins scored at least 14.7 half-PPR fantasy points in four of his first five games and was leading the NFL in receiving yards before getting hurt. If Collins cannot play this week, fellow wideout Tank Dell is a virtual must-start in a favorable matchup against the Detroit secondary. Fantasy managers holding out hope for Collins should monitor his practice status and official game designation on Friday afternoon.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: The contract includes $15 million in guaranteed money. It's a surprise given the fact the Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks and looks like a classic case of a contract being better in reality than in fantasy. Long-time dynasty managers are likely having memories about DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart sharing backfield duties and draining each other's appeal in the process years ago in Carolina. The move locks Hubbard not only to the roster, but also into a prominent role. This looks like the early makings of a thunder and lightning approach in Carolina and a big-time buzzkill in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | The Panthers have signed running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: This is sneaky big news in dynasty leagues as most expected Hubbard to move on in free agency, leaving the backfield duties to Brooks. Instead, it seems the Panthers are more than happy having two capable running backs to split carries instead of having a true bell cow. Brooks' dynasty value is going to take a hit now as it seems he's not going to have the workload many of us expected. This is major news in dynasty leagues and is going to have long-term ramifications.
Cincinnati Bengals newly acquired running back Khalil Herbert is expected to be active to make his debut with the team on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to sources. The Bengals acquired Herbert from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday at the trade deadline, and he should immediately step in for Zack Moss (neck), who is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Chase Brown's fantasy stock has seen a boost in recent weeks, and he's fully expected to be Cincy's primary backfield option going forward. Herbert and Trayveon Williams will battle for change-of-pace duties now that Moss is sidelined. The 26-year-old Herbert's fantasy value sees a boost with his trade to Cincy, although he'll still likely struggle for standalone starting appeal in fantasy lineups while working behind Brown.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (groin) wasn't listed on the team's Week 10 injury report on Wednesday, meaning that he was able to put in a full practice. Chark was activated from Injured Reserve last Saturday but did not play in the Week 9 win over the Cleveland Browns. The fact that the 28-year-old is completely off the injury report to begin Week 10 preparation is a good sign for his chances of being active this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, though. It will be a boost to LA's receiving corps, but the former second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 out of LSU should remain on the waiver wire in standard 12-team fantasy leagues. Chark has yet to play in 2024 and will be the team's WR4 behind Quentin Johnston, rookie Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer.
From RotoBaller
Sources are saying that Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is considered unlikely to play in Week 10 against the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday as he continues to get treatment and weight options for the future due to a left-shoulder injury. Lawrence was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, and head coach Doug Pederson was non-committal about his status for the weekend. This comes as a bit of a surprise with the 25-year-old dealing with a sore non-throwing shoulder. We'll know more on Lawrence's Week 10 status on Friday, but for now, fantasy managers should move him to their benches. Jacksonville added C.J. Beathard for QB depth on Tuesday, but backup Mac Jones will likely make his first start of 2024 if Lawrence is inactive. Jones will only be worth looking at as a desperation low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (toe) will miss a second straight practice this week on Thursday, but sources are saying he will be fine to play in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. Mayfield apparently picked up a toe injury despite playing all of the Monday night overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The 29-year-old will likely return to practice in some capacity on Friday and will be active this Sunday as the team hosts the 49ers, who are coming off their bye. Without receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) and with rookie Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) also banged up, Mayfield could be operating this weekend with Trey Palmer as his No. 1 wideout. He's been leaning heavily on tight end Cade Otton in recent weeks. With how thin Tampa's receiving corps is right now, Mayfield will be a much shakier QB1 streaming option in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) will meet with neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins and is likely to avoid surgery. It's good news for Moss, but he's already been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the rest of the 2024 season after injuring his next in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He will be shut down for the next two months. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old might be able to return if the Bengals make the postseason and make a deep run. In his first year in Cincy, Moss finishes with 74 carries for 242 yards (career-low-tying 3.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while snagging 23 of his 27 targets for 187 more yards and a touchdown. The Bengals quickly replaced Moss by trading for Bears RB Khalil Herbert, who should immediately serve as the No. 2 behind Chase Brown, possibly as early as Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (ankle) is going to be ready to be activated from Injured Reserve in the near future and will likely take the 53-man roster spot of linebacker Preston Smith, who was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday at the trade deadline. The Packers are on bye in Week 10, but they could open the 23-year-old's 21-day practice window next week, and he could be ready to return for a Week 11 clash against the division-rival Chicago Bears. The third-rounder has been banged up since training camp and only played in Week 2 against the Colts, carrying the ball six times for 15 yards and catching one pass for three yards. Lloyd has missed a lot of developmental time in his rookie campaign, but he has the skills to be Green Bay's RB2 behind Josh Jacobs by season's end.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers an star running back Chuba Hubbard agreed on a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension on Thursday, according to sources. Hubbard receives a maximum value of $37.2 million with $15 million in new fully guaranteed money. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Oklahoma State took over lead-back duties from Miles Sanders a season ago and hasn't looked good. While he could loses valuable touches in the backfield to rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee), who is trending toward making his NFL debut in Week 10, the rest of the way, Hubbard should remain the Panthers' top option after averaging 5.0 yards per carry through nine games in 2024. Hubbard currently ranks as the RB7 in half-PPR fantasy scoring heading into Week 10 in Germany against the New York Giants, where he should be deployed as an RB2.
From RotoBaller