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.
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson has an excellent chance to open the season as the team's second-string running back behind Josh Jacobs. Per their depth chart, Wilson is listed as the Packers' third-string back. However, with rookie MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) missing time, the door is open for Wilson to take on a more significant role. Green Bay is scheduled to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in their regular season opener next Friday night. Unless there is an update on the rookie's status, Wilson will open the season as the second to receive carries out of the backfield. Though the second-year undrafted free agent hasn't received much workload thus far in his NFL career, he has run well when given the chance. Fantasy managers should keep him on their radar for now, as although he may not garner much standalone value, he would be an asset to roster if he were Jacobs' handcuff.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (concussion) was held out of practice again on Thursday and remains in the league's concussion protocol. Wilson suffered the concussion on Aug. 13 during joint practices with the New England Patriots and has yet to be allowed to return to practice. It is still being determined whether or not he will be cleared ahead of the Eagles home opener against the Green Bay Packers next Friday night. He's currently the fourth wideout on the team's depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and newly acquired Jahan Dotson. The sixth-round rookie never recorded more than 43 receptions or 897 yards during any of his collegiate seasons, nor does he project to get much playing time this season in a deep Philadelphia wide receiver corps. However, at 6-foot-7, Wilson would pose as a formidable red zone threat if he ever cracked the lineup.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (groin) is "heading in the right direction," as per coach Brian Daboll, and should be ready to roll for the team's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8. Olszewski missed all of minicamp after picking up a foot injury during OTAs and was cleared to participate at the start of training camp before suffering a groin injury back on Aug. 17. The sixth-year veteran isn't expected to contribute much as a receiver as he's not listed as a starting wideout on New York's depth chart. However, he is slated to be the Giants' primary kick returner in 2024. Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton have been rotating on punt returns during his absence, and we expect to see an update on his injury over the coming week. Depending on your league's rules regarding points for kick and punt returns, Olszewski could provide some value for fantasy managers. Otherwise, he is better left alone until the situation on the depth chart before him clears up.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman (undisclosed) did not practice again on Thursday. Cardinals' head coach Jonathan Gannon has yet to provide the exact nature of his injury, though he said he'd be held out for the rest of the week and return to practice on Monday. The rookie third-round pick has missed time due to an undisclosed reason, though it can't be too serious if he's expected back with the team early next week. Reiman is currently listed as the team's third tight end per its depth chart and brings solid blocking ability to the table. He'll attempt to stave off Travis Vokolek while he is shelved and will slot in behind Trey McBride and Elijah Higgins for playing time this season. Reiman holds little value outside of a deep dynasty league bench stash.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas said that nothing has changed on the team's end regarding the situation with defensive end Haason Reddick. Douglas said the team has been "clear and direct" in their communication and said the ball is in their court. "I have faith that this will all get resolved," Douglas said. With just over a week left until the start of the 2024 regular season for the Jets, the 29-year-old Reddick hasn't been with his new team at all this offseason or summer. Reddick, who was traded from the Eagles to the Jets early this offseason, subsequently requested a trade from the Jets, with Douglas saying the organization has no plans to trade him. If Reddick doesn't get a new long-term contract that he desires, it's possible that his holdout could spill over into the regular season. The situation has made him one to avoid in IDP fantasy leagues for now.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year extension this week, and with that situation taken care of, all eyes shift toward quarterback Dak Prescott. The former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State is entering the final year of his current deal, and time is running out to reach an extension before Week 1 of the regular season. However, team owner Jerry Jones said the situation remains unchanged, and Todd Archer of ESPN reports the two sides don't appear to be close to a deal. This will be a situation worth monitoring, but there is no indication Prescott will miss any game action if he heads into the season without a long-term contract. With the Cowboys' rushing attack likely to be downgraded this season, Dallas could have a pass-happier offense in 2024. Prescott could be a value pick as his QB10 ADP, especially if he sees additional red zone carries and pass attempts.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has signed a four-year extension with the team, ending his long holdout.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has signed a four-year extension with the organization on Thursday. Finally, the drama is over as Aiyuk will be tied to the team for the next five seasons. The 49ers were forced to open their wallet as they will give Aiyuk $120 million over the next four seasons. Fantasy managers can now safely draft Aiyuk without any worries of him sitting out or a trade happening. Last season, Aiyuk finished with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns in 16 games. The 26-year-old keeps getting better and should remain a focal point in this offense for years to come. He should have enough time to get ready in time for the regular season, so fantasy managers should have Aiyuk in their lineups for Week 1.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins have decided to sign quarterback Tim Boyle to their practice squad on Thursday. Boyle was released by the Houston Texans after they opted to keep C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills as their two quarterbacks. The 29-year-old journeyman has appeared in 20 games with four different teams over the last five seasons. During that time, Boyle has thrown for 934 yards with four touchdowns and 12 interceptions, so don't expect any fantasy value for Boyle if he's asked to take over under center at some point. He figures to serve as depth on the practice squad and will be the third option behind Tua Tagovailoa and Skyler Thompson.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent WR Tay Martin, TE Mason Pline, WR Trent Taylor and TE Brayden Willis were signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad Wednesday, Aug. 28.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson has been released by the organization on Thursday. This is a tough break for Patterson who was trying to catch on as a backup in camp. The organization decided to go a different route by claiming fellow back Hassan Haskins off waivers on Wednesday. They also decided to keep sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal who impressed them in camp. Patterson really hasn't done anything since his rookie season in 2021. He ran for 266 yards and scored two touchdowns in 17 games with the Washington Commanders that season. He'll look to catch on as depth elsewhere, but Patterson probably won't have fantasy value on any roster.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins have decided to bring in veteran wide receiver Robbie Chosen on Thursday. The 31-year-old will head to the practice squad where he can be claimed by another team at any point. Chosen hasn't made much noise on the field in a few years. He finished with four receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Dolphins last season. He was in camp with the San Francisco 49ers, but Chosen was unable to make the 53-man roster. This is a depth move in case of an injury, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Chosen to contribute much in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune is set to be the second string option behind Kyler Murray to start the season. This news was expected after quarterback Desmond Ridder was cut by the team earlier this week. Ridder was later signed to the practice squad, but it appears the Cardinals feel comfortable with Tune as the second option going forward. The fifth-round pick completed 12-of-21 passing attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions in seven appearances last season. If Murray goes down, it's tough to imagine Tune having any kind of fantasy value as the starter.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers practice squad TE Jordan Matthews was signed to the 53-man roster Thursday, Aug. 29. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Kevin Austin, TE Michael Jacobson, RB Jacob Kibodi and WR Equanimeous St. Brown were signed to the New Orleans Saints practice Wednesday, Aug. 28.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills WR Deon Cain was released from the practice squad on Thursday, Aug. 29.
From TheHuddle
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has been receiving high praise from head coach Shane Steichen regarding his consistency through training camp, according to Nate Atkins of the Indy Star. In addition, general manager Chris Ballard has also expressed praise for the third-year wideout. In the final preseason game, Pierce caught both of his targets from quarterback Anthony Richardson and is currently listed as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. If Josh Downs (ankle) is not cleared to play in the season opener, Pierce could see a significant uptick in work along with rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. If Pierce can establish himself as a reliable No. 3 pass-catcher in this offense, he could be worth stashing in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Free agent running back Zach Evans was released from the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on Thursday afternoon, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. The 23-year-old finished the preseason on a high note by running for 45 yards and scoring two touchdowns but was unable to crack the final roster. Fantasy managers should now expect 25-year-old Ronnie Rivers to serve as the No.3 option behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but saw only nine carries in his rookie season. Dynasty managers should feel confident about cutting ties with the Ole Miss product as he hits the free-agent market.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent QB Tim Boyle, WR Robbie Chosen and WR Dee Eskridge were signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, Aug. 29.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers RB Jaret Patterson was waived on Thursday, Aug. 29. The team also signed TE Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad.
From TheHuddle