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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

WR Strength of Schedule

Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 2

Player Notes
Rome Odunze Sep 15 8:40am ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) are both expected to be game-time decisions on Sunday night, according to NFL Network. As the Bears face the Houston Texans on national television, it sounds like there's a chance they could be without their Nos. 2 and 3 receivers. If only one of the two receivers sit out Sunday's contest, the other would jump to the WR3/FLEX range. If they are both inactive, DeAndre Carter would figure to earn more snaps, but he'd remain off the radar. As of Sunday morning, Schefter notes that Odunze is trending toward playing while Allen will test his injury pregame and could be limited even if he does play.

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Kyle Van Noy Sep 15 8:40am ET
Kyle Van Noy

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (eye) is optimistic that he'll play in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He had fractured an orbital bone just over one week earlier against the Kansas City Chiefs and is currently listed as questionable. Baltimore is expected to run him through a series of pregame tests to confirm that he can play. The 33-year-old offers a veteran presence on defense. However, his production was cut short in Week 1 as he exited after playing 20 percent of defensive snaps and recording just one tackle.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Sep 15 8:30am ET
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) will meet with neurologists early this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa suffered what is at least the fourth known concussion of his career on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills. The former first-round pick is likely mulling whether to retire, much like he did during his last concussion. Assuming he's out for a few weeks at the very minimum, Skylar Thompson is slated to start at quarterback for Miami. He's struggled at times and cannot be trusted to support elite or near-elite fantasy production from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Thompson himself is merely a mid-range QB3 going forward.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Sep 15 8:30am ET
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) could miss between five and seven weeks depending on how fast and how well his PCL recovers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nacua is coming off a historic rookie season and caught four passes for 35 yards early in last week's season opener. Now, he'll be forced to miss some time while Cooper Kupp commands an even greater share of targets on offense. Tight end Colby Parkinson and receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson should help fill the void left by Nacua heading into a pivotal stretch of games.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Sep 15 8:30am ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) is "tracking to play" against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 despite being listed as questionable, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 24-year-old receiver played 81 percent of snaps in last week's season opener but caught just two of his four targets for 15 yards through the air. He'll look to make a bigger contribution this week against a Panthers defense susceptible to surrendering points. Palmer ranks as a low-end WR3/FLEX, but his floor is a little worrisome.

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Jayden Reed Sep 15 8:20am ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf, shin) is expected to suit up against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 24-year-old is coming off a phenomenal season opener in which he totaled 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, Reed's value takes a significant step back this week with Malik Willis filling in for Jordan Love (knee). Reed is still the Packers' top receiver, but he's merely a WR3/FLEX play on Sunday.

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Marshon Lattimore Sep 15 8:20am ET
Marshon Lattimore

The New Orleans Saints will proceed with caution when deciding whether to make cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hip, hamstring) active for Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He's pushing to play, but it's a long season and him being healthy is paramount," Rapoport noted. "He'll work out this morning to see." The 28-year-old was available for just 32 percent of snaps last week, registering two tackles along the way. His presence would go a long way toward slowing down the Cowboys' passing attack, but it sounds like New Orleans is leaning toward holding him out of action.

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Josh Downs Sep 15 8:10am ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) "is considered 50-50" to play on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The second-year pass-catcher had logged a full practice on Friday, but the Colts will still be cautious with him and allow him to test his injury pregame before making an official decision on his availability. A Downs absence would lead to more opportunities for Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell, but Michael Pittman Jr. is still the only Colts receiver we can trust in fantasy football. He's a low-end WR2 this week.

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Adam Thielen Sep 15 2:30am ET
Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen caught three of his four targets for 49 yards in the team's Week 1 loss to the Panthers. Although he did lead the team in yards, his target share wasn't encouraging, falling behind WRs Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Jonathan Mingo in total targets. Now the Panthers gear up for a matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that allowed WRs Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers less than 65 yards each in Week 1, respectively. Thielen's low-usage and Carolina's ineffective passing attack should make fantasy managers avoid him in Sunday's matchup.

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Bryce Young Sep 15 1:40am ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young struggled in Week 1, completing 13 of his 30 passes for just 161 yards. He also added two interceptions, as well as no touchdowns thrown. He was able to make up for some of it by punching in a rushing touchdown near the end of the game. The Panthers gear up to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, a unit that did a decent job of keeping QB Gardner Minshew bottled up in last week's performance. The Panthers offense didn't show much to be excited about in Week 1, and it's unlikely there will be a significant change in Week 2. Fantasy managers in 2QB/Superflex leagues can give Young a look, but 1QB fantasy managers can keep him firmly off the radar.

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Diontae Johnson Sep 15 1:30am ET
Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was quiet in his Panthers debut, catching two of his six targets for 19 yards in the team's blowout loss. Johnson was a frequently targeted receiver of QB Bryce Young, but was eventually pulled from the game in the second half due to the blowout. The Panthers gear up for a Week 2 clash against the Chargers defense, a unit that kept Davante Adams and other Raider pass-catchers relatively quiet in their Week 1 matchup. That being said, with a favorable game script for Johnson and a healthy dose of potential targets, he is a viable option for fantasy managers this week. Fantasy managers can look to Johnson as a WR3, with the hopes that he is able to convert his opportunities at a higher rate than last week.

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Russell Wilson Sep 15 12:20am ET
Russell Wilson

Not much was expected of the Denver Broncos defense/special teams coming into 2024, but they're suddenly on the streaming radar in fantasy ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Denver's D had an interception, fumble recovery and two safeties. They have a chance for a second strong game against Steelers QB Justin Fields, who didn't commit any turnovers against Atlanta in Week 1, but he also threw for just 156 yards in his Pittsburgh debut. Fields entered the season as the expected backup to Russell Wilson (calf) but has been forced into action due to Wilson's injury. Stopping the run will be key for the Broncos to slow down what is considered a weak Steelers offense. Fields averages the second-most rush yards per game by a QB in NFL history, and Najee Harris has the most touches of any player over the last four seasons.

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Chuba Hubbard Sep 15 12:20am ET
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was a bust in Week 1, running the ball six times for just 14 yards in the team's blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. He now gears up for a Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that did a decent job of defending the run in Week 1 when they played the Raiders. The Panthers also enter Sunday's contest as underdogs, indicating there might not be a favorable game script for Hubbard and the Panthers run game. On top of that, Hubbard saw a significant split in touches with RB Miles Sanders, as Sanders ran the ball five times in last week's matchup. While Sunday's matchup will likely not be as big of a one-sided affair as last week, it's hard to start Hubbard with a ton of confidence as we have yet to see the Panthers get it going on the ground. That being said, fantasy managers in deeper leagues can look to him as an RB3 option in the hopes that he finds the endzone in Week 2.

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Graham Gano Sep 15 12:10am ET
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (groin) was added to the injury report heading into Sunday's matchup against the Commanders. However, he doesn't carry a game status, meaning he's expected to see the field in Week 2. The 37-year-old is coming off a rough season. But in the Week 1 loss to the Vikings, he made both kicks, including a 50-yard attempt. With questions surrounding the potency of the Giants offense, Gano may be needed more than ever, giving him a higher upside than most others at the position, even with his current ailment.

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Wil Lutz Sep 15 12:10am ET
Wil Lutz

Even though Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had a surprisingly decent Week 1 performance fantasy-wise, you really shouldn't be very interested in using him as a sleeper kicker in Week 2 against a swarming Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Lutz went 3-for-3 on his field goals and also made his only extra-point attempt in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks in which he benefitted from some good starting positions for a Denver offense that just couldn't get much going in rookie quarterback Bo Nix's NFL debut. The 30-year-old veteran was a Pro Bowler in 2019 with the Saints and has made 85.3% of his 232 field goals attempted in 115 games, so he's been pretty reliable when called upon. However, Denver's offense with a rookie QB at the helm isn't expected to provide Lutz with another kicking opportunities to make him a worthwhile streamer on a weekly basis.

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Adonai Mitchell Sep 15 12:00am ET
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell grabbed just one target for two yards in his career debut in Week 1, but the box score didn't tell the full story. Mitchell saw five targets with 82 air yards, just missing on a few deep passes from QB Anthony Richardson. The rookie saw elite separation on many of his routes, quickly becoming a preferred target in the offense. That being said, Mitchell does not come into Week 2's matchup against the Green Bay Packers with a safe floor, as shown in his Week 1 performance. Fantasy managers in need of an upside play can look to Mitchell in a WR3/Flex spot and hope that he is on the receiving end of a few deep balls from Richardson.

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Greg Dulcich Sep 15 12:00am ET
Greg Dulcich

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich did not enter the 2024 season on the fantasy radar after playing in only two games in 2023 due to injury. Dulcich didn't do anything to excite fantasy managers looking for a waiver-wire pickup in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, either, catching two of his three targets for only 12 receiving yards. The 24-year-old UCLA product showed some promise in his rookie season in 2022 but also missed time with injuries. He has developed an injury-prone label and remains off the fantasy radar for the moment in most leagues in a Broncos offense that was hesitant to push the ball down the field with rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the season opener. Dulcich could see a few more targets in Week 2 against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that allowed a TD to Kyle Pitts in Week 1 with rookie receiver Devaughn Vele (rib) out, but Ducich is a TE3 in fantasy until further notice.

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Michael Pittman Jr. Sep 14 11:40pm ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. didn't pop on the stat sheet in Week 1, grabbing four catches for 31 yards in the team's loss to the Houston Texans. The good news was that Pittman was the most targeted pass-catcher, totaling eight targets in the contest. The Colts now gear up for a matchup with the Green Bay Packers, who allowed both WRs AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith to have productive showings in Week 1. Pittman's ceiling does remain limited as Indy doesn't implement a high-volume passing game, with the majority of QB Anthony Richardson's production coming on 60+ touchdown passes. While Pittman can be on the receiving end of one of those, he doesn't provide an incredibly safe floor. That being said, fantasy managers can look to target Pittman was a WR2/3 option and hope to see an increase in Indy's passing attack from last week.

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Jamaal Williams Sep 14 11:30pm ET
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams is projected to be an RB3 at best in Week 2 when the Saints square off against the Dallas Cowboys on the road. Williams rushed 11 times for 38 yards and one touchdown in the team's 47-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers, with an additional 13 yards through the air on one catch and one target. New Orleans will get a far more challenging matchup this week against Dallas, but he can be safely left on benches as he backs up Alvin Kamara in the contest. The 29-year-old got extended run in the rout this past weekend, but with a formidable Dallas defense on deck, he can be relegated to the bottom of lineups. Despite his fantasy output in Week 1, confidence in Williams will go no further than a touchdown-dependent alternative unless Kamara is forced to miss time. In addition to the Saints' incumbent starter, Williams will also compete with tight end Taysom Hill for carries. Hill took five rushes for 35 yards in New Orleans' Week 1 win.

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Justice Hill Sep 14 11:10pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill can be left out of fantasy managers' lineups for the team's Week 2 home matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Hill took just one carry for three yards in Baltimore's Week 1 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also added 52 yards on six catches and eight targets. The fifth-year RB was heavily involved in the Ravens' passing game while tying for second in the team lead in targets and with the third-most receptions and yards. He was clearly the first up in passing situations for the Ravens, but will be challenging to project for such a role weekly. With backfield mate Derrick Henry to take most of the early-down work -- and project for most of the goal-line carries, too -- the 26-year-old RB will be a volatile, game-script-dependent play. He'll be tough to trust in Baltimore's home opener this Sunday.

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