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
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) won't return to Sunday's NFC South meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wideout didn't last long in this one, getting hit early in the contest after bringing in a catch for five yards, his only reception of the day. But now, Olave will join Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) on the sidelines. Fantasy managers could see Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau get more targets from Spencer Rattler, with Alvin Kamara also in line to get more looks out of the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's clash with the Browns. Philly just got DeVonta Smith (concussion) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) back in the lineup. However, the team could be without one of this season's top fantasy tight ends for at least the remainder of Week 6. If Goedert can't return, he'll finish without a catch (one target), with Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll in line to see more looks.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ford tweaked his hamstring early in the contest, forcing his abrupt exit to the locker room. If he doesn't return, he'll finish the day with two carries for 14 yards. If that's the case, Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman would likely split carries for the remainder of the contest.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) exited Sunday's divisional clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave made his first catch of the day, which was for five yards. However, the wideout took a hard hit, resulting in a Bucs scoop and score. Even worse, Olave was forced to undergo a concussion evaluation. With Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) sidelined, the Saints can't afford another injury. With that in mind, Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau could see more targets from Spencer Rattler if Olave doesn't return. Alvin Kamara would also presumably see more attention as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. For now, fantasy managers should consider Olave as questionable to return.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) is officially active for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 28-year-old remains productive despite the Patriots' 1-4 record, registering 18 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His presence will be key as the Patriots look to slow down C.J. Stroud and the Texans in Drake Maye's first career start.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) is officially active for Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 27-year-old defender has contributed eight tackles and zero turnovers through five games this season. He'll be tasked with slowing down a Philadelphia passing attack featuring A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receivers Kendrick Bourne (knee) and K.J. Osborn (shoulder) are active for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players were listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week long. Bourne made his season debut last weekend, turning his lone target into a six-yard catch. He played just 27 percent of the offensive snaps, but that could have been a product of him playing in his first game of the year. He's likely headed for extra snaps in Week 6. Meanwhile, Osborn has seen his workload scaled back with the emergence of rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. He caught one pass on five targets when last active in Week 4. Even with Drake Maye taking over as the Patriots' quarterback, neither Bourne nor Osborn can be trusted in fantasy football given their respective roles behind Polk and Demario Douglas.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (coach's decision) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players are healthy scratches. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. He's still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals PK Matt Prater (knee) is not active for Week 6's game against the Green Bay Packers. PK Chad Ryland, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Oct. 12, will serve as the team's kicker.
Fantasy Spin: Prater had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions during the week but will miss his second consecutive game. Fantasy owners should be able to find more reliable placekicking options for their lineups elsewhere.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially active for the Week 6 game.
Fantasy Spin: Mixon likely will be the starting running back for the Texans, but it is not known if he will be able to handle his normal workload. He should be a No. 2 back or flex option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (foot) is officially inactive on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 6. White missed the final two practices of the week on Thursday and Friday and was deemed doubtful to play this weekend, so fantasy managers should have already moved him to their benches. In addition to being hurt and inactive this week, White had already been losing most of his fantasy steam while being out-produced by rookie backfield mate Bucky Irving early on in 2024. If White is able to return for next Monday night's clash against the Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance he'll play in more of a backup role to Irving. With White on the sidelines on Sunday, Irving is basically a must-start RB2 for fantasy managers with upside for more. Through five games, White is averaging a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry and has no rushing TDs on 51 rushing attempts.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is officially active for Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans. He went from being an injured reserve candidate to being listed as questionable to being active for Sunday's game. Pittman evidently made remarkable progress this week and figures to be a key contributor for Indianapolis ahead of its divisional clash on Sunday. He also gets a boost from Joe Flacco, the Colts' talented veteran passer who was named the starter after Anthony Richardson (oblique) was scratched at the last minute. Pittman ranks as a fringe top-24 wide receiver for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan (hamstring), who was listed as questionable, is active for the Week 6 divisional game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. With Trey Palmer (concussion) missing another game, McMillan should operate as the team's WR3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The 22-year-old youngster is returning after missing each of the team's last two games due to a hamstring ailment. In his first three NFL games, McMillan operated as the No. 3 and caught just three of his six targets for 59 yards and one touchdown. The Saints defense has allowed the 19th-most half-PPR fantasy points to wideouts through the first five weeks of the season, so they aren't exactly the greatest matchup for pass-catchers, especially at home in the Caesars Superdome. McMillan is stash-worthy in deeper fantasy leagues, but we wouldn't recommend him for starting lineups this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) is active for Sunday's divisional battle against the Tennessee Titans. He missed two consecutive practices earlier in the week but then progressed to a full participant on Friday. His improved status allowed him to enter this weekend listed as questionable, and he continued to trend in the right direction ahead of gameday. Now, Downs has been confirmed as active and is expected to operate as the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver alongside Michael Pittman Jr. The 23-year-old is averaging an impressive 8.5 catches, 75.5 receiving yards, and 0.5 touchdowns through two games with Joe Flacco, and he should continue to make an impact with Flacco named the starter over the injured Anthony Richardson (oblique). Downs is a high-end fantasy WR3 with impressive upside this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is questionable to return against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. It's unclear exactly when Etienne picked up the injury, but he hasn't registered an opportunity since dropping a pass early in the second quarter. Between injuries and poor play, Etienne has been an enormous disappointment in fantasy football lately, averaging just 60 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns between Weeks 4 and 5. Now, if he doesn't return on Sunday, he'll finish Week 6 with three rushes for a loss of one yard on the ground, plus zero catches on one target. Tank Bigsby has suddenly become more dependable than Etienne in fantasy football, and that may hold true even if the latter gets a clean bill of health heading into next Sunday's clash with the Patriots in London.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (ankle) is officially active in Week 6 on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Watson suffered a left high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and missed the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams, but he'll surprisingly end up missing just one game with an injury that was expected to sideline him multiple contests. It's good news for the Packers, but fantasy managers may want to be wary of relying on him in starting lineups, especially with Romeo Doubs also returning from a one-game suspension. Watson does have a touchdown this year, but he's also caught only five passes on eight targets for 80 yards in the four games he's played. The crowded nature of Green Bay's receiving corps makes all of their pass-catchers boom/bust WR4/flex plays outside of Jayden Reed.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle) and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) are active for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. Both players were listed as questionable but were trending in the right direction this weekend. Humphrey's presence is key as the Ravens look to slow down Washington's offense. The 28-year-old has 22 tackles and two interceptions through five games this year. Meanwhile, Stanley gives a massive boost to Baltimore's offense, especially Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. He has played all but two offensive snaps this season, remaining a key playmaker in the trenches.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints have declared OG Lucas Patrick, QB Derek Carr, TE Taysom Hill, RB Kendre Miller, OG Cesar Ruiz, DT Khristian Boyd and LB Pete Werner inactive for Week 6.
From TheHuddle
The Houston Texans have declared SS Jimmie Ward, OG Nick Broeker, CB Kamari Lassiter, DE Rashad Weaver and WR Robert Woods inactive for Week 6.
From TheHuddle
The Indianapolis Colts have declared RB Jonathan Taylor, QB Anthony Richardson, WR Anthony Gould, LB Genard Avery and OG Danny Pinter inactive for Week 6.
From TheHuddle
