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.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (illness, wrist) is expected to play in Week 11 on Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. In addition to an illness that caused him to miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Adams is dealing with a minor wrist issue. He was able to get back on the practice field on Friday, though, and should be active on Sunday as the Jets look to turn things around. Although fantasy managers may have been expecting more from the All-Pro wideout after being traded to the Jets, Adams should remain a must-start in fantasy lineups as long as he's active. The 31-year-old veteran has 20 catches on 39 targets for 206 yards and a touchdown in his four games with the Jets and gets a nice matchup against a Colts defense that has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points per game to receivers this year.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) and left tackle Tyron Smith (neck) have both been ruled out for the Week 11 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Jets will re-evaluate Mosley after the Week 12 bye, and the team is still gathering more information on Smith's injury, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Meanwhile, safety Chuck Clark (ankle) is being activated from Injured Reserve. Mosley is missing his fourth straight game but hopefully will have a shot to return when the team returns from their bye to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13. With the 32-year-old out again, it will mean more opportunities for both linebackers Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. The 33-year-old Smith suffered a neck injury in the Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and may not be ready coming out of next week's bye.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he's optimistic that All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle) will be able to suit up in Week 11 to face the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Hamilton was injured in last Thursday night's one-point win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals but was able to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. It's excellent news for IDP fantasy managers and Baltimore's secondary with a tough matchup against an improving Steelers offense under quarterback Russell Wilson. Hamilton sprained his right ankle last Thursday but is trending in the right direction to play this weekend. If he's active, he should be in starting lineups in the defensive back spot in IDP formats. The 23-year-old is currently the No. 4 fantasy DB with 50 total tackles, two sacks, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 10 games played.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will play in Week 11 on Sunday against the New York Jets after missing the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Pittman has been dealing with a back injury for a while now, but it finally caused him to miss a game last week. The writing was on the wall for him to return this weekend, though, after he returned to a full practice on Wednesday. It's good news for the Colts' offense, but the 27-year-old pass-catcher will still be a shaky fantasy play with quarterback Anthony Richardson and his accuracy issues returning to the starting job. Additionally, the Jets defense has allowed the fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing receivers in 2024. Pittman has been outside the top-50 receivers in terms of average PPR points scored per game this season.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said that wide receiver Tyler Boyd (shoulder) has been limited with a shoulder injury, but now he's now as healthy as he's been in recent weeks heading into the Week 11 contest versus the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to be more of a factor on offense moving forward. Boyd's lack of production/involvement recently was more of a health issue than anything else. The 30-year-old veteran played a season-low 29% of the offensive snaps in Week 9 overtime win over the New England Patriots but bumped up to 61% in the Week 10 loss to the to the Los Angeles Chargers. Boyd wasn't targeted in either of those games while seeing one carry for three yards. He has failed to go over 43 receiving yards in any of his nine games in his first year in Tennessee in 2024 and should remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a good matchup in a Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Herbert got off to a slow start this season due in part to play calling, but also in part due to an injury he was still recovering from. Now fully healthy, Herbert has been the overall fantasy QB9 since Week 7, ranking third in yards per attempt and in passer rating. While he only had to throw 18 times last week against the Titans, he was still extremely efficient and added 32 yards and a touchdown on the ground to boost himself to a QB8 finish for Week 10. This week, on Sunday Night Football, Herbert and the Chargers will likely have to throw the ball more often. The Bengals defense hasn't been able to stop much this season, especially lately, which could lead to a high-scoring shootout on Sunday Night Football. Herbert should be a QB1 with upside this week.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is expected to play in Week 11 against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. The Patriots have prioritized playing time for their younger players of late, but Bourne should be on the field this Sunday. The 29-year-old was active in the Week 10 win over the Chicago Bears but didn't play a single snap on offense after catching four passes for 41 yards the previous week in the loss to the Tennessee Titans. Bourne should be more involved on offense this weekend, but it doesn't mean that he's going to suddenly be on the fantasy radar. DeMario Douglas and Kayson Boutte will still likely be quarterback Drake Maye's favorite targets, with Bourne competing for targets alongside K.J. Osborn and rookie Ja'Lynn Polk as well. Bourne got a late start to the year due to injury and has just eight catches for 70 yards in five games.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs officially signed rookie kicker Spencer Shrader to their active 53-man roster on Friday from the New York Jets' practice squad and officially placed kicker Harrison Butker (knee) on Injured Reserve. Shrader will get the first crack at replacing Butker as KC's primary kicker moving forward. With Butker on IR, he will be required to miss at least the next four games. Shrader, an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, has kicked in two games in his first year in the NFL -- one with the Jets and one with the Indianapolis Colts -- making both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra points. The 25-year-old made 68.3 percent of his field goals in college and will not be a recommended streaming option at the position in his first game with the Chiefs in a Week 11 showdown on the road against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Friday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) is expected to play in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. Higgins hasn't played since Oct. 20, though, which makes him a much riskier option for starting fantasy lineups if he is indeed active on Sunday night. The 25-year-old has a history of playing limited snaps in his first game back from injury as well, so fantasy managers will be rolling the dice with him if they put him in their starting lineups this weekend against a strong Chargers defense on the road. Higgins' return will also make Andrei Iosivas and tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson less attractive as streaming options in Cincy's offense. When healthy, Higgins has excelled for fantasy managers this year, averaging 10.4 half-PPR points per game, which ranks 11th among all wideouts.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) will practice on Friday for the first time this week. "Optimistic... today will be a big day for him," Pederson said. Fantasy managers will want to check back later on Friday for the team's final injury report, where Bigsby is likely to pick up a questionable tag for Sunday's contest against the Detroit Lions. In addition to the injury, the 23-year-old's fantasy stock is down considerable heading into the weekend with quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) set to miss a second straight game. In last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings with Mac Jones under center, Bigsby had just two carries for four yards. If he's active, he'll continue to share backfield touches with Travis Etienne Jr. against a stout Lions defensive front, making him a low-upside RB3/flex for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) has been ruled out for the Week 11 game against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Kincaid suffered a knee injury in the Week 10 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was unable to practice this week. The Bills have a bye next week, so hopefully the extra rest will allow Kincaid to return to face the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 1. With the 25-year-old second-year tight end out this weekend, it means that Dawson Knox will have TE1 upside for fantasy managers, especially if receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) misses a third straight game. Kincaid was expected to have a much bigger role in his sophomore season in Buffalo, but he's only caught 34 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns through 10 games in 2024. Those in need of a streamer at TE in Week 11 should look Knox's way.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 11 game against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper has missed the last two games with the injury but is optimistic he'll return this weekend. He suffered a left-wrist injury in the Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks and has been limited in practices ever since, but he hasn't played. "Definitely feeling better. Definitely more comfortable," Cooper said. "So, just ready to play football again." Although nothing is official, Cooper appears to be on the right side of questionable for Week 11. He said he doesn't feel pain catching the ball, but he needs to get used to catching the ball while wearing a cast. Rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) have already been ruled out, so Cooper figures to have a sizeable role on Sunday if he's active.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott went 2-for-4 on field-goal attempts Thursday and missed one of his three extra-point attempts during the team's 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni finally elected to try and take the points this week instead of going for it constantly on fourth down, but Elliott continued to struggle like he has all year and missed multiple kicks. Perhaps there is a reason Sirianni has been so aggressive on fourth down in plus territory, but it is more likely that one of last season's most accurate kickers just had an off night. Regardless, he is far too risky to trust for fantasy moving forward and should be left on waivers until we see more consistent production.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles defense allowed the Commanders to score 18 points, tallied three sacks, and intercepted Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels once in their Week 11 win. The score was closer on paper than it was in the game, as a garbage time touchdown was scored by former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. The Eagles came into this game with their defense firing on all cylinders, but many saw this as the litmus test and they passed with flying colors. They held one of the hottest offenses in the NFL to 3.3 yards per carry and kept the sensational rookie quarterback in check, holding Daniels to fewer than 200 passing yards and just 18 rushing yards. They have entered weekly starting territory for fantasy and should be in the mix for managers next week when they take on the LA Rams.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert caught all five of his targets for 61 yards during the team's 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday night. The veteran had a big catch and run of over 30 yards that almost turned into a costly turnover, but backup Grant Calcaterra recovered it. Goedert's 61 yards were the second-highest on the team Thursday behind only A.J. Brown. The Eagles were crushing the Commanders on the ground with Saquon Barkley, leading to another pedestrian performance for the Eagles pass catchers. With that said, by tight end standards this season, Goedert had a solid night and will be a fringe TE1 again next week against the LA Rams.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught four of six targets for 29 yards during the team's 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday night. The former Heisman winner had his second straight game with fewer than 30 receiving yards as the Eagles dominated the Commanders with their rushing attack. No receiver for Philadelphia had a particularly great fantasy performance Thursday, but this is a run-first offense that limits passing to keep turnovers at a minimum, and it has led to six straight wins. Because of the massive upside Smith carries, managers need to continue to fire him up, but they also need to understand that with tight end Dallas Goedert healthy and all of the other weapons on the field, there are going to be dry spells for the 26-year-old receiver. He will be a WR2 after the Eagles mini-bye week in Week 12 against the LA Rams.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle grades as a high-end RB3 heading into Monday night's matchup with the Houston Texans. Mike McCarthy stated earlier this week that there is no more committee in Dallas, although that has become increasingly evident over the past month with Dowdle's usage ramping up. With guaranteed volume he is startable, but his ceiling remains limited due to the downturn of the Cowboys' offense without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring). Dowdle is a volume-based play in Week 11 against a Houston defense that ranks seventh against opposing running backs.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (neck) popped up on the first injury report of the week, although he was a full participant. Head coach Mike McCarthy said after last week's blowout loss that the team would continue to roll with Rush as the starter heading into Week 11's Monday night matchup with Houston. The veteran backup will need to play better in order to keep the job with Trey Lance behind him on the depth chart. He is off the fantasy radar even in formats that use multiple quarterbacks against a stout Houston defense.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown still hasn't found the end zone since Week 6, but he did lead the team in receiving yards on Thursday night in the victory over the Washington Commanders. The superstar wideout ended the game with five receptions for 65 yards on eight targets. This was his second-lowest yardage total of the season so far, but he got into double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats. Unfortunately, for the receivers, Saquon Barkley took this game over on the ground. Brown will look ahead to some extra rest before the Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts put together a solid fantasy outing using his legs during the 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders. The star signal-caller ended up with 221 yards and no touchdowns while throwing 18-for-28 and added 10 carries for 39 yards and one score. The trusty goal line carries came in handy yet again for Hurts in this matchup after not being able to find as much success scoring-wise through the air. One thing to monitor going into Week 12 is the head injury that Hurts suffered in the first half. He went through some concussion protocol before coming back for the second half, but fantasy managers will want to stay tuned in case anything comes out of that.
From RotoBaller