Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Lamb could top last season
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the receiver 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 receivers last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the receivers with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the receivers that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
WR SOS | ||
1. | Denver Broncos | 531.34 |
2. | Los Angeles Chargers | 536.08 |
3. | Miami Dolphins | 537.31 |
4. | Kansas City Chiefs | 549.96 |
5. | Las Vegas Raiders | 552.89 |
6. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 554.85 |
7. | New England Patriots | 555.93 |
8. | Buffalo Bills | 556.13 |
9. | Houston Texans | 561.75 |
10. | San Francisco 49ers | 565.73 |
11. | New Orleans Saints | 566.06 |
12. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 566.19 |
13. | Cincinnati Bengals | 566.32 |
14. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 570.07 |
15. | Baltimore Ravens | 571.77 |
16. | Seattle Seahawks | 573.41 |
17. | Minnesota Vikings | 573.91 |
18. | Philadelphia Eagles | 574.46 |
19. | Carolina Panthers | 575.49 |
20. | Los Angeles Rams | 575.79 |
21. | Washington Commanders | 575.91 |
22. | Detroit Lions | 576.36 |
23. | Atlanta Falcons | 577.76 |
24. | New York Jets | 577.99 |
25. | Tennessee Titans | 578.06 |
26. | Indianapolis Colts | 578.18 |
27. | Cleveland Browns | 583.5 |
28. | Arizona Cardinals | 586.09 |
29. | New York Giants | 586.93 |
30. | Chicago Bears | 601.21 |
31. | Dallas Cowboys | 608.4 |
32. | Green Bay Packers | 610.22 |
The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for receivers. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson could be setup for career best seasons with this schedule. These are guys you can get a little later come draft day and mid-round options that could be difference makers for fantasy owners.
CeeDee Lamb is considered the No. 1 overall fantasy receiver for many and his schedule helps make that claim even stronger. Lamb has the second most favorable schedule for receivers. Lamb was huge last year and could improve on that even more, especially since the Cowboys could struggle to run the ball with their current options.
The Bears, Giants and Cardinals also round out the top-five most favorable receiver schedules. Chicago has a great trio of receivers with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze. These guys could produce big as long as rookie Caleb Williams gets the job done at quarterback in year one. Moore has more to compete with for targets this year, but you still have to like his chances for a big season in year two with the Bears.
The Giants and Cardinals both have some question marks at receiver, but a couple rookies lead the way for both teams. Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison could have big rookie seasons with their new teams. These guys both have a chance to lead all rookie fantasy receivers in scoring.
On the opposite side of things, the Broncos have the most challenging schedule for receivers. The Broncos have all sorts of questions at receiver outside of Courtland Sutton. This is a unit of receivers you just might want to avoid come draft day. This schedule won’t make anything easier for this group.
The Chargers are a similar team to the Broncos, having openings and questions at receiver. So once again, it might be best to let someone else put Chargers receivers on their roster. Plus, the Chargers could be a lot more run heavy with a new coach running the show. The tough schedule and new offense make taking any Chargers receiver a bit of a risk.
There are two really good offenses on the list that have tough schedules for receivers. Both the Dolphins and Chiefs have a top-five least favorable schedule for receivers. The Dolphins have one of the best receiver duos in football, so it is tough to fade them because of this schedule. Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should be able to produce big numbers once again in this offense.
The Chiefs are a little more concerning. This offense is a little matchup proof, but don’t have that elite receiver on their roster. Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown lead the way. Brown hasn’t been great in recent seasons and Rice is facing a suspension. These guys will carry some risk come draft day, especially after seeing this schedule.
Davante Adams is usually another star receiver that is matchup proof, but you have to wonder a little this year. He has some question marks at quarterback, which could hurt his production when you pair it with this schedule. Adams is dealing with the fifth toughest fantasy schedule for receivers.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy receivers. 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 receivers with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
WR PLAYOFF SOS | ||
1. | Los Angeles Rams | 501.93 |
2. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 515.53 |
3. | Kansas City Chiefs | 519.43 |
4. | New York Giants | 521.63 |
5. | Miami Dolphins | 532.77 |
6. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 534.53 |
7. | Houston Texans | 538 |
8. | Buffalo Bills | 540.87 |
9. | Las Vegas Raiders | 541.9 |
10. | Carolina Panthers | 549.33 |
11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 552.17 |
12. | Detroit Lions | 553.73 |
13. | Arizona Cardinals | 555.27 |
14. | Cleveland Browns | 555.4 |
15. | Minnesota Vikings | 560.93 |
16. | New England Patriots | 573.03 |
17. | Los Angeles Chargers | 573.1 |
18. | Tennessee Titans | 575.17 |
19. | Baltimore Ravens | 581.27 |
20. | Seattle Seahawks | 585.08 |
21. | New York Jets | 585.5 |
22. | Denver Broncos | 587.2 |
23. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 587.8 |
24. | Philadelphia Eagles | 589.73 |
25. | Green Bay Packers | 590.85 |
26. | Washington Commanders | 591.57 |
27. | New Orleans Saints | 604.13 |
28. | Dallas Cowboys | 609.73 |
29. | Indianapolis Colts | 614 |
30. | San Francisco 49ers | 641.53 |
31. | Atlanta Falcons | 644.93 |
32. | Chicago Bears | 647.98 |
The Bears and Cowboys are the teams that make both the top five easiest receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. Chicago has the easiest for the entire playoffs. Once again, their top trio of receivers are looking pretty good come draft day.
Lamb continues to make his case to be the first receiver selected come draft day. He could have a monster season and finish strong as well with the fifth easiest schedule for the playoffs. Lamb might be the most surefire first-round pick come draft day.
The Falcons, 49ers and Colts also have a top-five favorable playoff schedule for receivers. Atlanta receivers were looking up to begin with, getting a legit quarterback throwing them passes this year. And this schedule makes their options look even better, especially Drake London. He could have a breakout season.
San Francisco has great options at receiver in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. They are pretty safe picks come draft day. And they get a very favorable playoff schedule that could make them even more appealing to fantasy owners. These guys both have really solid floors come draft day in this offense.
Michael Pittman keeps getting it done as the No. 1 option for the Colts. If Anthony Richardson can become that true No. 1 at quarterback for Indy, Pittman would look even better. Pittman has produced in recent year despite having some quarterback issues. His game could go to a higher level this year if Richardson breaks out. Pittman could be a league winner if everything breaks his way in 2024.
The Chiefs and Dolphins are two of the best offenses in football but also the only two teams to make the top five most unfavorable receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. This is a tad concerning for both teams, Again, it is tough to bet against Hill, but maybe you drop him down your rankings just few spots behind the other elite guys because of this. You hate to use an early round pick on a receiver to see him maybe not produce what he should come playoff time.
And as mentioned with the Chiefs, their top two receivers already face a few question marks, so maybe their tough schedules make them players to let someone else draft. Both Brown and Rice could be a little erratic.
The Rams actually have the toughest playoff schedule for receivers. They are another team with two of the best receivers in football. It is tough to bet against either Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp, but the playoff schedule is a little scary, especially for Kupp. He seems to be trending down at this stage of his career.
The Jaguars and Giants are the two other teams with a top-five unfavorable fantasy schedule for the playoffs. The Jags have Christian Kirk and Gabriel Davis as their top two receivers. Kirk is normally pretty steady but Davis can be boom or bust. Seeing his playoff schedule should bump him down a few spots in your rankings. It could be more of the same for Davis with his new team.
And the Giants are an outlier here, having an easy schedule for receivers during the regular season but the fourth toughest for the playoffs. This makes it tough come draft day. Their receivers could be good values for the regular season but disappoint when it counts. You do have to just make the playoffs, though, so we aren’t sure we shy away from Giant receivers just because of their tough playoff schedule. You still might be able to get good value with their options that help you win during the season.
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.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers did not play any snaps alongside quarterback Gardner Minshew II during the preseason, according to fantasy football analyst Jacob Gibbs. This is significant because Minshew was named the Raiders' starting quarterback, and it would have been ideal for Bowers to get some game action with him before the regular season kicked off. That wasn't the case, but there's still time for them to establish a rapport during practice leading up to Week 1 and early in the regular season. Bowers is still a generational talent at tight end and should be treated as such. He's a first-round pick in dynasty leagues and a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end in redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had plenty of opportunities to establish a connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during the preseason. According to fantasy football analyst Jacob Gibbs, Odunze was the Bears wide receiver who spent the most time on the field with Williams during the three preseason games even more than veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. This bodes well for Odunze's stock in 2024 as he's already started to get on the same page with his quarterback, a fellow rookie. The No. 9 pick will still have to compete for targets with Moore and Allen, but he's trending in the right direction. Odunze should be drafted in all fantasy leagues and will open the year with low-end WR3/FLEX upside.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals rookie offensive lineman Amarius Mims (pectoral) returned to practice on Monday. The Bengals' O-line has struggled in recent years, which led to Mims being drafted 18th overall in 2024. Mims is not currently listed as a starter, but he should be an important rotational piece. The Bengals still have the No. 21 PFF-ranked O-line in the NFL. Should Mims perform as expected, he will surely boost that ranking. With quarterback Joe Burrow having dealt with various injuries throughout his career, the health of Mims is something to monitor.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) was not seen at the period of practice on Monday that was open to the media. It's no concerning that Chark hasn't practiced at all for the last two weeks with the Chargers due to a hip injury. There's a chance Chark was limited in practice on Monday after reporters left, but we'll have a better idea of his status heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders when the Bolts post their first official injury report on Wednesday. When healthy, the 27-year-old is expected to start in three-wide sets in 2024 in his first year in LA alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey. Especially considering his injury, Chark has been going undrafted in standard 12-team leagues. If he's limited or out this Sunday, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would enter the starting lineup against Vegas.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (foot) was in uniform on the practice field on Monday. Head coach Mike Macdonald noted during the preseason that he is optimistic that Fant will be available for the Seahawks' opener against the Denver Broncos. While Fant has not put up prolific numbers for the Seahawks over the past couple of seasons, he is still important to the offense. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb could also scheme more looks for Fant in 2024. With backup tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) also banged up, the Seahawks can only hope that at least one of these players will be available this week.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (leg) expects to play in Sunday's opening game against the Denver Broncos. Lockett had been dealing with the injury throughout training camp and the preseason. He has been limited in practice during that time, however, it appears that it was all precautionary for the 31-year-old. Lockett is coming off a down year in which he caught 79 passes for 894 yards and five touchdowns. The Seahawks offense is expected to be more prolific and vertical with the addition of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. While Lockett's best days may be behind him, he should still deliver consistent flex value and could produce a WR2 week on occasion. He is also a solid player to have on your bench should anything happen to wide receivers DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks added to the quarterback room by signing Jaren Hall to their practice squad on Monday. The 2023 fifth-round pick started two games for the Vikings in 2023. He threw for 168 yards and zero touchdowns to go along with one interception. Hall was waived last week to make room for Brett Rypien on the Vikings' roster. The Seahawks currently only carry quarterbacks Geno Smith and Sam Howell on their active roster. Hall could feasibly find himself on the active roster at some point should the team decide they need to carry three active quarterbacks. For now, this signing is inconsequential to the Seahawks offense.
From RotoBaller
Free agent wide receiver John Ross worked out for the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday. Ross failed to make the Philadelphia Eagles' final roster earlier in the preseason. He was once drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ross also owned the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine until 2024. However, he has never lived up to his pedigree and has recently bounced around the league. Ross would give the Saints a vertical threat and extra depth behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry. Given that he has not played in a regular season game since 2021, Ross does not project to have much fantasy appeal if he were to be signed.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers have worked out free-agent wide receiver Jamal Agnew. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has made his living as a receiver, runner, and kick returner. Agnew has never played a large role in an offense but he is a solid gadget player who can line up all over the field. He would be a solid kick returner opposite running back Cordarrelle Patterson as well. Should he sign with the Steelers, Agnew will not have fantasy appeal. However, he would be a welcome addition to that offense.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) is not on the team's first injury report on Monday ahead of their Week 1 regular-season opener on Thursday evening against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Andrews was involved in a car accident in the middle of August and missed some practice time with an undisclosed minor injury, but he returned to practice last Friday and is good to go for Week 1. A leg injury to the three-time Pro Bowler last year limited him to just 10 games last year, but he's healthy now and should be one of quarterback Lamar Jackson's most trusted weapons in the passing game again in 2024, which makes him a top-five fantasy tight end. Even though Andrews missed considerable time last year, he still managed to finish tied for second among all tight ends with six touchdowns and also had 544 receiving yards.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) finds himself on the team's first official injury report of the season ahead of Thursday night's regular-season opener against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. Ali was listed as limited with a neck injury. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder suffered a stinger in the preseason opener and is still recovering from it. If Ali is active on Thursday night in his first regular-season NFL contest, he'll serve as Baltimore's No. 3 back behind starter Derrick Henry and backup Justice Hill, which means he won't be worth starting in the vast majority of fantasy lineups. He was limited by injuries at times in college and didn't exactly impress during training camp when given opportunities. Right now, Ali is merely a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper formats.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) is "progressing well" as he continues to rehab a high-ankle sprain, according to head coach Shane Steichen, but there's no indication as to whether he'll actually take part in the team's first official practice of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday. We will have a better idea of Downs' status for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans after Indy releases their injury report on Wednesday, but as of now, the 23-year-old is completely up in the air for this weekend. Fantasy managers that have Downs rostered should plan as if Downs won't suit up and go from there. If he's unavailable or limited for the Colts against Houston, expect to see rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce lined up in three-wide sets alongside starter Michael Pittman Jr.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that kicker Matt Gay (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury, which is why kicker Spencer Shrader was added to the practice squad. Gay's status for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans is to be determined. If the 30-year-old ends up playing this weekend, he'll be a borderline fantasy starter in 12-team leagues after making just 80.5% of his 41 field-goal attempts during 17 regular-season games while missing just one of his 36 extra-point tries. If Gay is held out of the season opener, fantasy managers should pass on Shrader and look for a replacement on the waiver wire. We'll have a much better idea of Gay's Sunday status later this week after the team completes a couple official practices. Check back for those injury reports to see if Gay can practice.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) was back at practice on Monday but didn't do a whole lot outside of warmups in the 15 minutes that were open to reporters. Addison likely would have been limited on an official injury report, but with the Vikings' Week 1 regular-season opener not coming until this Sunday against the New York Giants, there first official practice for Week 1 won't be until Wednesday. Either way, the 22-year-old second-year pass-catcher's presence at practice on Monday for the first time since being carted off the field on Aug. 14 was a good sign. We'll have a better idea of Addison's status for this Sunday once the team releases their official injury report on Wednesday. Despite a strong rookie year in 2023, Addison is shaping up as a shaky WR4/flex for fantasy managers due to his injury and the fact that he has a downgrade in QB from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (foot) was back at practice on Monday after missing a few practices with a foot injury. Head coach Matt Eberflus said Allen's foot issue was cleat-related, so it sounds like he's trending toward being good to go for Week 1. Fantasy managers should monitor the team's official injury reports that come out starting on Wednesday. While Allen remained productive in his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he will face immense target competition from DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, among others in 2024, and he'll be playing with a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams. He could remain a high-end fantasy wide receiver, but he's a riskier asset than ever before. Still, he's an attractive WR3 or flex option in PPR setups. Assuming he's active, Allen has a wide range of outcomes in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers last year, but they brought in defensive backs L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and Quandre Diggs to help sure up the secondary.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker YaYa Diaby (ankle) returned to practice on Monday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury on Aug. 1. Hopefully, the 25-year-old has enough time to get in game shape ahead of the Week 1 contest against the Washington Commanders. After being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft last offseason, Diaby was a pleasant surprise and racked up 7.5 sacks in his rookie campaign. The Louisville product is looking to build off his promising start in Year 2. He could be limited in practice throughout the week, but we'll know more when the team releases its first official injury report on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia has locked up the starting left tackle job and he will be tasked with protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. The No. 63 overall pick out of BYU has been a standout at training camp, and it's notable that he's starting in Week 1 considering Kansas City often brings rookies along slowly. "He had a good training camp," head coach Andy Reid "He had a good preseason, but this is going to be a learning experience for him here. This is a good defensive line, and he's going to -- I'm sure there will be some ups and downs as he goes like any young player has. He's prepared himself, and it's time to go play now." The Ravens led the NFL with 60 total sacks last season, so the 21-year-old will have his work cut out for him right away.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (illness) did not practice on Monday as he deals with an illness. This shouldn't be a major concern early in the week, but his status is worth monitoring when the team is required to release their first official injury report of the season on Wednesday. Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract to join the Panthers this offseason following a 9.5-sack season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft has had an up-and-down 10-year career with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Ravens, but he is productive at times and is tasked with helping replace Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder, chest) is being placed on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season. The rookie out of Florida is out of the hospital and is recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered on Saturday. Needless to say, this is a unique situation, and his recovery will be worth monitoring moving forward. When Pearsall does return to action, he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar, barring an injury to Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, or Jauan Jennings. Especially after the scary incident over the weekend, expectations should be tempered for Pearsall in Year 1, but he remains an interesting stash in dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (hold-in) is not practicing with the team to begin Week 1 preparation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. Chase is seeking a new contract, and it's rumored that he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. Former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, so that could be the starting point for Chase's camp. When asked about Chase's Week 1 availability, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal, saying "We'll just take it day by day." This is a concern for fantasy managers who have selected Chase in the early first round, so hopefully, this situation will be resolved in the coming days. If Chase is active and playing in Week 1, he should be locked into all fantasy lineups, even if he's at risk of getting out to a slow start. The 24-year-old has overall WR1 upside in all matchups. If he surprisingly doesn't suit up, Tee Higgins will become a must-start option in all leagues, while second-year pass-catcher Andrei Iosivas could have flex value.
From RotoBaller