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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed both of his field-goal attempts and did not try an extra point in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Hopkins misfired on attempts from 51 and 27 yards out in the second quarter when the game was still close. The veteran kicker has now made 14 of his 20 field goals and added 10 extra points through 10 games. He will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns defense allowed 35 points while notching one sack and forcing two turnovers in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Cleveland's defense played well until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Saints to score three unanswered touchdowns to ice the game. They had no answer for Taysom Hill, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on eight catches for 50 yards. Cleveland's defense will be challenged again in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took a backseat in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw fewer targets than Isaiah Likely in his first game back. Andrews finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards on three targets compared to Likely's five targets and four receptions for 75 yards. Whenever Likely and Andrews are both healthy, they're difficult to predict. This marks Andrews' seventh week with less than nine fantasy points which is two more than he had all of last season. He'll try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points while recording two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in a Week 11 win. Baltimore has been a must-avoid matchup for fantasy DSTs this season, but Pittsburgh's defense proved itself against its toughest opponent yet. While the Steelers did allow running back Derrick Henry to find the end zone in the first half, MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was held scoreless until just over one minute remained in the fourth quarter. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles while star EDGE T.J. Watt tallied two QB hits and a sack. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made the defensive play of the game with an impressive interception in coverage with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The Steelers DST should be rostered in all formats and considered a must-start against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all six of his field-goal attempts in an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This contest was projected to be a relatively high-scoring affair, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Boswell saw plenty of action. The Ravens limited Pittsburgh's offense in the red zone, forcing the Steelers to lean on Boswell time and time again. Fortunately for the team and fantasy managers alike, he answered each call. Boswell nailed long kicks of 50, 52, and 57 yards as easily as he converted on three chip-shots. The 10th-year veteran is on pace for a career-best campaign and has solidified himself as a fantasy asset. He'll face another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers salvaged his week with a late touchdown during the 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the game with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Steelers' pass rushers did a good job at making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable and they consistently had Flowers blanketed no matter where he went. On the plays where Jackson scrambles looking for an outlet, Flowers usually finds a way to get to the ball, but he was double-covered in some of those situations as well. He'll go up against another tough pass defense in the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught all nine of his targets for 81 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Njoku wound up first on the team in catches while finishing behind only Jerry Jeudy in targets and receiving yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. Njoku has now drawn at least seven targets in five straight games while notching two touchdown catches over that span. He has solidified himself as a top-six fantasy tight end going forward and should remain in lineups for Week 12's Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was able to salvage a quiet day on the stat sheet with a touchdown in the Packers' 20-19 victory in Chicago against the Bears. Reed only earned two targets on the afternoon from quarterback Jordan Love, but he caught both of them for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that kicked off the scoring for the Packers. In addition to the receiving work, Reed also had a rushing attempt but lost five yards. With the Packers set for an NFC showdown with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Reed is more of a mid-range WR2 for fantasy football, as he has to compete with several other players for targets and attention from Love.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving yards during their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In his first game back, Likely registered four receptions for 75 yards on five targets. He saw more targets and had a more successful day than his counterpart Mark Andrews. With Likely healthy again, the Ravens' tight end room remains the most difficult one to predict each week. They'll go up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 3-of-8 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The eight targets matched a season-high for the second-year wideout, and the score was his third on the season and second in three games. Addison's touchdown was a 47-yard catch-and-run in which he burned Tennessee's defense up the left sideline. It was a nice effort from the 22-year-old, who has had trouble building on his spectacular rookie season. However, seeing him match superstar Justin Jefferson's team-high of eight targets in the contest was encouraging. The former USC Trojan will get another staunch test next weekend when the Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Leading up to Week 11, the Bears had allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses (190.4).
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love put up a solid line for the Packers as the team escaped with a 20-19 victory against the Chicago Bears. Love was 13-of-17 passing for 261 yards and tossed his only touchdown pass on the afternoon to wide receiver Jayden Reed. Love's 15-yard touchdown to Reed capped off the opening drive of the game. The Packers took the lead for good thanks to Love's rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put them up 20-19, as Love also added 18 rushing yards on the ground to his ledger. With an NFC showdown looming at Lambeau Field against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Love should be considered a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 6-of-8 targets for 81 yards in the team's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Ho-hum. It was another solid day for the fantasy stalwart, as he's now registered at least six receptions and 81 receiving yards in seven of his last eight outings. The only thing missing from his line was a touchdown. Still, it was yet again a strong effort from the former LSU Tiger as he continues to be a source of consistent production for fantasy managers. Jefferson will be a top-flight WR option in Week 12 when the Vikings line up against the Chicago Bears on the road in a divisional clash.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in eight of 12 targets for 89 yards in an 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Although this was far from a career-best performance for Pickens, the 23-year-old did set new single-game highs for himself in both targets and receptions. His most memorable play of the contest came on a beautiful deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson for a 37-yard gain late in the third quarter. He was targeted in the end zone multiple times but could not score a touchdown as Pittsburgh was forced to settle for six field goals. Fantasy managers who are slightly disappointed in Pickens' output given the favorable matchup should be encouraged by the elite usage he continued to see with Wilson under center. He'll have another opportunity for a big showing against the Cleveland Browns next week.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed for 39 yards on his 15 carries in Week 11's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. He added four yards receiving on his lone target. Tennessee's defense was as advertised, holding the 29-year-old to 2.6 yards per carry -- his least efficient outing of the season. Additionally, his receiving output was his lowest total of 2024. There are better days ahead for the eighth-year veteran, and they could come as soon as next weekend when he lines up against Minnesota's in-division rivals, the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Chicago let up 4.8 yards per rush attempt to their opponents heading into Week 11 -- the fifth-highest mark in the league -- and have been tough to beat through the air thus far. Jones will be a strong RB2 play for the contest.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry posted one of his worst weeks of the season in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The good news is that Henry did find the end zone while accumulating 65 yards on 13 carries. He also registered his third fumble of the season, however, which brought his total to just barely hitting double-digits. Since the offense was kept in check the entire game, the Ravens also had to abandon the run late in the game. Henry's next opportunity to break off some bigger runs will be against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 205 yards and an interception while adding one rushing yard on four carries in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This battle of two AFC North contenders was not the shootout many had hoped for, and although Wilson did just enough to get the win, he failed to lead a single touchdown drive for the first time this season. Both defenses stepped up in the red zone as nine total field goals were attempted in the contest. Wilson will still be worthy of fantasy consideration in the right matchups going forward, but he is best viewed as a solid QB2 rather than a locked-and-loaded QB1. That said, there are likely better streaming options available for Week 12 when Wilson and the Steelers go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris turned 18 carries into 63 yards and four receptions into 30 yards on five targets in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. While Harris only managed 3.5 yards per rush attempt against a stingy Baltimore defense, he ran hard and demonstrated great vision numerous times. He saw an uptick in utilization through the air as his four catches were his most in a contest since Week 3. Jaylen Warren continued to serve as a nice change-of-pace back, but there is no doubt at this point in the season that Harris is the player Pittsburgh leans on in the running game. The 26-year-old has been a consistent fantasy option recently and should be viewed as a volume-based RB2 heading into a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 20-of-32 pass attempts for 246 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. He added 18 yards and a touchdown on the ground on his eight rush attempts. It was an excellent bounce-back effort for the 27-year-old against a tough Titans defense after tossing three interceptions in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His only miscue was a lost fumble on the team's opening drive of the game. Darnold completed a pass to nine different Minnesota pass-catchers on the day and has now thrown for at least 240 yards in five straight contests. Additionally, the USC product has multiple touchdown passes in 7-of-10 outings. He'll get another tough task on the road in Week 12 against the Vikings' division-rival Chicago Bears.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy turned in a huge outing in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Jeudy caught six of his 11 targets for 142 yards and a touchdown but it wasn't enough in the loss. The veteran wide receiver did most of his damage on an 89-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter on the way to posting the first 100-yard game of his Browns career. Jeudy's arrow in fantasy is pointing up after he has now drawn 30 targets over the past three games while reaching at least 73 receiving yards in each contest over that span. He will be a WR3 in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught six of his eight targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Moore found the end zone for the first time all season on a 30-yard pass from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. The veteran receiver's fantasy value has come to life with the switch to Winston at quarterback as Moore has drawn at least eight targets in each of his past three games. Moore sets up as a decent flex option heading into Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller