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
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor can be safely avoided for fantasy purposes this Sunday when the team travels to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. The third-year wideout had a few useful fantasy performances in the season's early going but has recorded just four receptions and 34 yards on eight targets over the prior three contests. Nailor will get a difficult test this weekend against a Titans defense that has been excellent against the pass thus far in 2024. Tennessee is allowing their opponents 5.3 yards per pass attempt and has let up an average of just 13.6 fantasy points per game to the WR position. Additionally, Nailor has become an even more distant option in the Vikings' air attack, with tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the fold. The 25-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR74 in this week's rankings.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray will not be a recommended option this Sunday when his team squares off against the Buffalo Bills in a premiere matchup. The 25-year-old is far and away the team's second option at TE, registering nearly 300 more snaps than the next-closest player at the position sans Travis Kelce. However, his involvement needs to be more consistent to warrant fantasy viability. Gray is averaging just 2.1 receptions and 25.1 yards per contest as a distant fourth option at best in Kansas City's passing attack. If Kelce were to miss time, the Duke product would become an intriguing option. Until then, he can safely be avoided for fantasy purposes. Gray is RotoBaller's PPR TE27 in this week's ranks.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright is little more than a dart-throw option in Week 11 when his team lines up against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie back has seen his snap share dwindle over the last few weeks with the return of teammate Raheem Mostert, topping out at six carries since his return in Week 7. Week 10 was a low point for the 21-year-old, as he averaged just 0.6 yards on his five rush attempts (three yards). Wright has all the talent in the world but is buried on Miami's depth chart behind the veteran and second-year RB De'Von Achane -- who has dominated the Dolphins' snaps and touches out of the backfield. Until the former fourth-round pick's role is elevated, fantasy managers can continue to relegate him to their bench. He's RotoBaller's PPR RB42 for this weekend's slate of games.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith gets a great matchup in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. For most of the season, he has maintained a good target share and has carved out a meaningful role in the offense. He's garnered six or more targets in four of his last five games. The Raiders defense has been porous against tight ends this year, giving up the fourth most fantasy points per game to the position. They've also allowed the fifth most touchdowns to tight ends this season. In their last two games, Travis Kelce and Mike Gesicki had 90 receiving yards and a touchdown. If you need a replacement starter this week, Smith could be a viable option. He checks in as RotoBaller's TE17 for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
A Monday Night Football matchup with the floundering Dallas Cowboys puts the Houston Texans D/ST on the short list of top defenses to start in Week 11. The Texans pressure more than 27% of dropbacks, which ranks fourth in the NFL, and they're coming off a five-interception game against Detroit last week. Now comes a Dallas team down to Cooper Rush and Trey Lance at quarterback to go with the second-worst running game in the league at 3.8 yards per attempt. The Cowboys are scoring on only 18% of their drives this season, which is worse than everybody except the Las Vegas Raiders. Given the matchup, Houston is a no-doubt starting option.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans kicker Kai'imi Fairbairn remains the overall No. 1 fantasy option at his position with another favorable matchup on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Houston kicker is up to 11 made field goals from beyond 50 yards already, which ties the NFL record in a season with two more months still to go. Houston will take on a Cowboys defense that is allowing opponents to score on 46.5% of drives, which is worse than everyone except Carolina, and could be even further stressed due to their offense's struggles without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring). Fairbairn should be in all starting lineups against Dallas.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Patriots have waived wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Dynasty Analysis: The former second round pick looks like a classic case of a workout wonder gone wrong. Thornton has the speed and genetic makeup to compete in the NFL, but he just never got it together, despite being a second round pick in 2022. In 28 total games, he has just 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4/47/0 line this season. Thornton could re-emerge somewhere, but he doesn't belong on dynasty rosters at the moment.
Dynasty | Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not be guaranteed a roster spot next season. Dynasty Analysis: Rodgers himself said this week he expects to be back with the Jets next season, but it certainly takes two to tango and New York may want to move in a different direction. This is just speculation at this point, but the Jets could be in position to draft his successor this off-season. It still seems likely Rodgers returns (especially since Davante Adams would have likely been assured of it), but teams that have performed this poorly rarely have anything set in stone. Rodgers is clinging to a little dynasty value, but it's dropping by the week.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell once again finds himself in boom-or-bust Flex/WR3 territory with the Texans taking on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. The 25-year-old receiver ranks a disappointing 40th at his position in PPR formats, though the Houston offense is due a major boost with the return of fellow receiver Nico Collins. Now that wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) is out for the year, the Houston offense could again look like it did in 2023 with Collins and Dell powering the passing attack. Even against middling Dallas pass defense, though, fantasy managers will have to weigh the risk of starting a No. 2 receiver on a team in the midst of major pass-protection issues.
From RotoBaller
Already in great form, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon finds himself with an excellent matchup Monday against the fading Dallas Cowboys. The running back's age-28 season has seen him score touchdowns five weeks in a row, during which he is averaging 117 total yards and more than three targets per game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are a mess. Dallas is a bottom-five defense against fantasy running backs that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns and third-most rushing first downs. Through nine games, opposing ball-carriers are averaging 4.7 yards per carry against the Cowboys. Mixon is a top-shelf running back in any format this week.
From RotoBaller
After a challenging past month, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud meets the struggling Dallas Cowboys at a great time. Last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year averaged under 200 yards during his past four games, during which he had just two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Opposing defenses have exposed the Texans' pass protection for a dozen sacks in the past two weeks, obviously limiting Stroud's ability to deliver production. Now, however, comes a Dallas defense that ranks 26th against fantasy quarterbacks and is bottom-five against the run. Given Dallas' team-wide struggles, Stroud is starting-caliber in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will remain the primary backup with Isiah Pacheco (ankle) ruled out for the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Perine hasn't done much in the rushing game, but has hauled in two receptions or more in each of the last three games. Kareem Hunt has seen a majority of the workload in the backfield and that will likely remain the case once again this weekend. Perine doesn't carry enough value to be considered a reliable streaming option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is not on the final injury report for their Week 11 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hill has not been the WR1 fantasy managers were hoping for when they drafted him. This week's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders has the potential for a breakout game. Overall, the Raiders have been relatively good this season against wide receivers, but their start cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) has been ruled out. They also rank 26th in pressure rate and 18th in yards per play on the road, which could give quarterback Tua Tagovailoa more time for plays to develop down the field. This looks to be the perfect matchup; start him as a WR1. Hill comes in as RotoBaller's WR8 in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is tough to trust in Week 11 despite a decent matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Other than Week 1, the only performance in which he eclipsed 46 receiving yards was last week against the Los Angeles Rams, when he had 57. He has only one touchdown on the year and hasn't received more than six targets in a game since Week 5. Overall, he has been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 season. The Raiders have allowed the seventh least receiving yards in 2024, but their star cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) will not be in the lineup. There isn't any justification to have him in your lineup; avoid him at all costs. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR33 in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel is coming off a game where he saw a season-high eight targets last week. The 28-year-old figures to once again see an increased workload heading into the Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills are without wideout Keon Coleman (wrist) and Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable to suit up. The absence of both receivers should mean plenty of targets for Samuel on Sunday. Samuel hasn't done much this season, but his 89 percent snap count does give him more appeal. Fantasy managers should consider Samuel a low-end streaming option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz continues to be a TE2 option as Houston takes on his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 11. The 28-year-old is coming off a season-best 66 receiving yards last week, but volume remains an issue, and now the Texans are slated to get top receiver Nico Collins back in the lineup. The veteran tight end has been one of the more frustrating fantasy holds on the season: he's starting in a good offense, but not trustworthy enough to start confidently. Against a bad Dallas defense, he's a touchdown-dependent play.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright will be the next man up with Sam LaPorta (shoulder) ruled out ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wright has only seen two targets over the last four games. He has been on the field for over 55 percent of the snaps over each of the last two contests. He figures to see more involvement in the passing game with LaPorta unable to play. Wright hasn't done enough to be trusted in most fantasy formats. He could be a dart throw in DFS contests, but is nothing more than a desperation streaming option.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Pierce is set to get back on the field for the first time since Week 8. He has been banged up this season and has only played in four games, but is expected to be the primary backup to Joe Mixon. The return of Pierce should take some of the workload off Mixon, but Pierce is unlikely to play enough to warrant starting in fantasy formats.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Anderson suffered an ankle injury in Week 9 and hasn't been able to suit up since then. The 23-year-old has 7.5 sacks and 27 tackles through his nine games this season. His absence is certainly going to be a hit to this defensive unit heading into Monday's game. The absence of Anderson should mean more snaps for Jerry Hughes and Derek Barnett.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets kicker Anders Carlson has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Carlson is now the fourth kicker for the Jets this season, but will hopefully be a long term solution. He is 5-for-5 on field goal attempts during his two games with the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the season. Carlson struggled as a rookie, but is worth a look as a streaming option for fantasy managers needing an option for Week 11.
From RotoBaller
