WR Strength of Schedule
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.
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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill has struggled to produce over the last few weeks. The 27-year-old had a couple big fantasy performances, but has mostly been quiet this season. Hill has been barely involved in the rushing game, so his best chance to do damage is in the receiving game. Fellow back Keaton Mitchell figures to be in the mix for the Week 11 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's hard to imagine Hill having a significant role in the offense with Derrick Henry healthy. Hill is still worth stashing in certain formats, but won't be a starting option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Pacheco continues to work his way back from a broken leg he suffered in Week 2. He was limited in practice this week, so it sounds like he's trending in the right direction. The expectation is that Pacheco will return in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers. This would give the young back a plus matchup for his first game back on the field. It's uncertain if the team plans to put him on a snap count if he plays next week. Until then, Kareem Hunt will continue being the lead back in KC for at least one more week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has taken a value hit after his hot start to the season given the current state of the offense without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring). Aubrey's chances to score points are limited with the offense's recent struggles, and that should not change ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. He drilled two field goals last week against Philadelphia, scoring the Cowboys' only points in the game. Look elsewhere for a kicker in Week 11 given Aubrey's low ceiling.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been one of the worst units in the league this season, even after getting linebacker Micah Parsons back last week. They surrendered 34 points to Philadelphia last week and are averaging 34.5 points given up per game in the previous four games. They play Houston on Monday night in what is a perfect get-right game for an offense that is getting healthy with receiver Nico Collins expected to return to action. Even after stuffing the stat sheet with five sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception last week, the Dallas defense should be avoided until proven otherwise.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (back) appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Boyd was a late addition to the injury report as he was added on Saturday due to a back issue. It sounds like the organization is hopeful that Boyd can play, but he hasn't done much on the field lately anyway. Boyd hasn't drawn a target since Week 8 and is barely on the fantasy radar for Week 11. If he sits, Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would see more involvement in the offense on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is entrenched as the starter for another week heading into Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. It is a mid-range matchup, as Houston ranks 19th against opposing quarterbacks, but Rush grades as a QB3 given how inefficient he has been this season and the potential of Trey Lance replacing him at any given moment. Rush was a full participant in practice all week with a neck injury. It is also worth noting that CeeDee Lamb (back) popped up on Saturday's injury report. While Mike McCarthy noted that Lamb's injury should not impact his game status, he still has a questionable tag which further downgrades Rush's outlook for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been a non-factor from a fantasy standpoint in 2024, and that should not change ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. Head coach Mike McCarthy stated earlier this week that the backfield is no longer a committee with Rico Dowdle operating as the main back. This should result in even less touches for Elliott, who was already averaging just 7.6 touches per game. In an inefficient Dallas offense, Elliott is not a fantasy option this week.
From RotoBaller
Head coach Doug Pederson appears to be on the hotseat after a horrendous start to the season. The Jaguars are 2-8 heading into a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 11. It sounds like another loss on Sunday could mean Pederson is let go from his coaching duties. The Jaguars have a bye week after playing the Lions, so in theory that would be the best time to make a change if they were going to do it mid-season. Nothing seems to be going right in Jacksonville and they're a double digit underdog for Sunday's game against the Lions. To be fair, Mac Jones is under center for Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), but the team has played poorly no matter who is under center.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is set to make his debut on Monday night against the Houston Texans. The second-year receiver was acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline. With CeeDee Lamb (back) listed as questionable, Mingo could see a larger role than he would typically have this week. Houston's defense is susceptible to receivers, although with the uncanny situation in Dallas there are not many intriguing options from a fantasy standpoint. Mingo should not be on the fantasy radar, although his usage on Monday night should be monitored.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (illness) was uncertain coming into this game, but appears ready to go after getting in a full practice session on Friday. Fantasy managers might be hesitant to start Ferguson during this Week 11 matchup against the Houston Texans. The entire Cowboys offense has taken a hit with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) being done for the season. Last week, Ferguson hauled in four of his five targets for 24 yards in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooper Rush hasn't looked good under center, so Ferguson shouldn't be considered anything more than a TE2.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III saw a season-high six targets during last week's win over the Washington Commanders. Sadly, Austin was only able to haul in two of those six targets for 20 yards. It was nice to see Austin getting more targets in the offense, but that might not remain the case for long. Newly acquired wideout Mike Williams figures to have a bigger role in Week 11 after making his team debut last week. Austin has struggled throughout most of the season, so fantasy managers shouldn't take the risk and keep him on the bench until he gives reason to start him.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) is facing an uphill battle to play in Week 11's game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in two of the team's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis. If he is held out of action this afternoon, Eric Saubert would likely be San Francisco's starting tight end but he would not be a recommended fantasy option in any format.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is coming off his best performance of the season. Last week, Sanders knocked down all three field goal attempts, including a 50-yard kick in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. He also connected on both extra point attempts in what was a busy day for the veteran kicker. Sanders will once again have a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. The Dolphins should have little issues moving the ball against the Raiders defense which should give Sanders plenty of chances. Fantasy managers in need of a kicker should take a look at Sanders this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III put together his best game of his career during last week's loss over the Detroit Lions. Metchie hauled in five of his six targets for 74 yards and a touchdown in the three-point loss. The 23-year-old recorded a career-high in both receptions and receiving yards during this game. However, Metchie is likely to see a smaller role in the offense with Nico Collins (hamstring) returning for Monday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The return of Collins means that Metchie will fall to third in the pecking order. Metchie was barely involved all season until last week, so fantasy managers shouldn't count on another strong performance in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson (personal, neck) is expected to travel to Los Angeles in order to play in Week 11's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to head coach Zac Taylor. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report because of a neck issue and a personal matter.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets WR Davante Adams (illness, wrist) is expected to play in Week 11's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Adams had been listed as questionable on the injury report after missing two practice sessions during the week, although he was a full practice participant Friday, Nov. 15. He has been targeted 24 times over the last two games and should see a decent workload again this afternoon. Adams can be a starting option in all fantasy formats.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert has been quiet on the field over the last few weeks. The loss of quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) has downgraded this entire offensive unit. Last week, Tolbert hauled in three of his five targets for 14 yards in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It's worth noting that Tolbert has seen five or more targets in four of his last five games. His involvement in the offense should remain steady especially with CeeDee Lamb (back) banged up heading into Monday's game against the Houston Texans. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Tolbert with Cooper Rush under center for Dallas. Tolbert should be viewed as a low-end flex option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers tight end Eric Saubert is on the fantasy radar for Week 11 after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that George Kittle (hamstring) is expected to be inactive Sunday. Kittle has only missed one other game this season, but in that contest, Saubert played 86 percent of the offensive snaps and caught two passes for 41 yards. While his production wasn't otherworldly, he clearly earned additional looks on offense, and that should remain true this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Saubert finds himself ranking as a low-end TE2 at best.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (illness, wrist) was a full participant in practice Friday and is expected to play versus the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Adams has 38 catches, 415 yards, and two touchdowns this year. This week, he ranks as a high-end fantasy WR2 tier against Indy.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (personal, neck) has traveled to Los Angeles and is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old had been listed as questionable but is now trending in the right direction after the Bengals summoned him to travel separately and join them out west. Hendrickson has 28 tackles and 11 sacks so far this year, putting him near the must-start range in IDP formats.
From RotoBaller
