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.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (hold-in) is not practicing with the team to begin Week 1 preparation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. Chase is seeking a new contract, and it's rumored that he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. Former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, so that could be the starting point for Chase's camp. When asked about Chase's Week 1 availability, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal, saying "We'll just take it day by day." This is a concern for fantasy managers who have selected Chase in the early first round, so hopefully, this situation will be resolved in the coming days. If Chase is active and playing in Week 1, he should be locked into all fantasy lineups, even if he's at risk of getting out to a slow start. The 24-year-old has overall WR1 upside in all matchups. If he surprisingly doesn't suit up, Tee Higgins will become a must-start option in all leagues, while second-year pass-catcher Andrei Iosivas could have flex value.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has been released from the hospital. Dynasty Analysis: Pearsall was shot in the chest in an apparent robbery and was extremely fortunate not to suffer a much worse fate. There's no word as of yet in terms of how long he'll be out but this is clearly good news. We'll update his dynasty future when it seem appropriate but this is obviously positive news.
Dynasty | The Chiefs have placed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the NFI list. Dynasty Analysis: CEH will miss at least the first four games of the season as he attempts to get his PTSD under control. It's an unfortunate story of how mental health can impact an athlete and the hope is certainly that Edwards-Helaire can find some peace over the next month. His dynasty value has long since gone and the bigger concern is really his own well-being. He's a tough hold in dynasty leagues at this point.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Tyler Huntley will be the team's "emergency third quarterback" to open the regular season in a Week 1 matchup this Thursday night against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Huntley was released by the Cleveland Browns last week and quickly rejoined Baltimore to give them extra QB depth for the 2024 campaign behind starter Lamar Jackson and veteran Josh Johnson. The 26-year-old has spent all four of his NFL seasons in Baltimore, including a Pro Bowl showing in 2022, when he went 75-for-112 for 658 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in six games (four starts). Once Huntley gets back into the flow of Baltimore's offense, there's a good chance he'll take over the No. 2 job from Johnson sooner than later.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) said he practiced with the team on Monday. "I'll be ready by Sunday," Warren said. The Steelers won't release their first official injury report until Wednesday, but fantasy managers should have Warren available in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. The 25-year-old will again be sharing Pittsburgh's backfield with Najee Harris, making him more of an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers to kick off the 2024 season. The former undrafted back took on a much bigger role alongside Harris in his second year in 2023, carrying the ball 149 times for 784 yards (5.3 yards per carry) while also catching 61 passes for 370 yards through the air. Even if Harris continues to see most of the rushing attempts for the Steelers, Warren proved last year he can be a serviceable RB3/flex play on a near weekly basis.UPDATE: Warren said he did individual and special teams work on Monday and expects to join team periods on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was present for Monday's practice but didn't participate on the field. Chase has practiced once with the team all offseason as he seeks a new long-term contract extension. The Bengals have reportedly ramped up their efforts in contract talks in recent days, but with the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the New England Patriots just six days away, it's becoming a very realistic possibility that fantasy managers won't have their first-round pick available to start the year. Even if the team signs the 24-year-old to a lucrative extension before Sunday, he could sit out entirely or be limited against the Patriots. Chase is a must-start in fantasy if he's active, but if he's not, it will drastically raise the ceiling of wideouts Tee Higgins and Andre Iosivas against New England. Check back on Chase's status throughout the week.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will not practice with the team on Monday. Brown has already been ruled out for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Thursday night versus the Baltimore Ravens after suffering a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason opener that carried a four- to six-week timetable. The 27-year-old has yet to practice with the Chiefs but has a realistic shot to suit up for his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals if he's able to get back on the practice field soon. With Hollywood out this week, expect quarterback Patrick Mahomes to lean heavily on tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson. Even if Brown cannot make it back by Week 2, he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats, as he'll be one of Mahomes' top targets when he returns.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that quarterback Cooper Rush will be Dak Prescott's backup to start the 2024 season, with Trey Lance sticking as the QB3 in Dallas. Lance pretty much sealed his fate as the No. 3 QB to enter the season after throwing five interceptions in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, although he did also throw for 323 yards and a touchdown while going for a team-high 90 rushing yards and an additional score on 11 carries. The 24-year-old former first-rounder by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 has plenty of athleticism, but he's still in the developmental phase for the Cowboys as they attempt to improve his game with the potential of losing Prescott after this season. Lance should only be rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues and deep superflex formats in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the Non-Football Illness list, according to Field Yates. The veteran back will now miss at least the first four games of the season, leaving the backup role up in the air for the Chiefs.
The Athletic's Jon Machota thinks that Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards in 2024. The fifth-year back made the most of his opportunities in training camp and was the team's most explosive RB while showcasing an ability in the passing game to be a complete back. With Tony Pollard gone this year, Dowdle will be working alongside veterans Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. "The more you can do, the better," Dowdle said. "When you can catch out of the backfield, run routes and also run the ball well, it's hard to take you off the field. I want to be a three-down back." The 26-year-old probably has the most upside of the trio, but he's going to need to be extremely efficient out of the backfield to become anything more than a weekly RB4/flex option while sharing touches with Elliott and Cook in Dallas.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that Dallas Cowboys second-year wide receiver Jalen Brooks could be ready for a much bigger role in 2024 behind receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson. Brooks and quarterback Dak Prescott showed good chemistry throughout training camp this summer, particularly on the deep ball. One of Brooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin or Ryan Flournoy will likely be an important No. 4 pass-catcher for the Cowboys this year, and Brooks might have the best shot to be that guy for this team. The 24-year-old former seventh-round selection last year out of South Carolina played in seven games in his rookie season and caught all six of his targets for 64 yards without finding the end zone. As of right now with the start of the regular season just days away, Brooks is merely one to watch in most fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills running back Leonard Fournette is visiting with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, according to a source. As things stand in Indy right now, Jonathan Taylor is the unquestioned starter, with Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson backing him up. Fournette signed late in the year in 2023 with the Bills and played in only two games with them, carrying the ball 12 times for 40 yards. In 2022 with the Bucs, Lenny averaged 3.5 yards per carry on the ground on his 189 attempts while running for 668 yards and three touchdowns. He added 73 receptions for 523 yards and three more scores. The 29-year-old would likely have to work his way to the active roster in Indy if he signs with the team and he could eventually become an interesting bench stash in deep PPR leagues. For now, fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can continue to ignore him.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) is set to practice with the team on Monday and hasn't had any setbacks with his undisclosed injury. The Dolphins have been tight-lipped about what exactly has been bothering Waddle during training camp, but it's apparently a minor injury and they have held him out of practices merely as a precaution. Barring some sort of setback, the 25-year-old is fully expected to suit up for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. We should have a better idea of what exactly Waddle is dealing with when Wednesday's first injury report of the year comes out. Fellow receiver Tyreek Hill (thumb) is also practicing on Monday and will be ready to roll on Sunday. With three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career, Waddle will have WR1 upside for fantasy managers in Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will not play in the Week 1 season opener on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens due to a sternoclavicular injury he suffered in the preseason opener. At the time of his injury, he was given a four- to six-week timetable. Although Brown hasn't resumed practicing, general manager Brett Veach said Brown is now able to laugh without pain, so there's a chance he could be back for Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals if he can get back onto the practice field soon. Hollywood was the team's big-ticket acquisition in free agency and will be one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top targets when he returns, but in the meantime, tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson will be more involved to open the 2024 regular season.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) should be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday, Sept. 8, against the Los Angeles Rams. Gibbs injured his hamstring in early August and missed most of training camp, but the 22-year-old second-year back should be available to play in the season opener this weekend. He was able to get back on the practice field last week. There's a chance Gibbs will be listed on the team's official injury report once they start practicing on Wednesday, but fantasy managers won't need to be worried that he won't suit up against the Rams. However, with all that said, there's a chance the Lions lean a bit more on David Montgomery in their backfield in Week 1, giving Gibbs a bit more bust potential as an RB1 to kick things off in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) should be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season this Sunday night, Sept. 8, versus the Los Angeles Rams. Despite missing most of training camp due to a hamstring injury, LaPorta return to the practice field a week ago and should be ready to roll as a must-start in fantasy lineups this weekend. The 23-year-old second-year tight end was most likely the first TE off the board in your fantasy drafts this fall after setting an NFL record with 86 receptions in 2023. He could be listed on the team's injury report when official practice starts on Wednesday, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried at all that they won't have him on Sunday night. In addition to his 86 catches in his rookie campaign, LaPorta impressed with 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is entering his rookie season with some big expectations both on the ground and through the air. The LSU sensation amassed 3,812 passing yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions while running for another 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability is the biggest reason he's as high as he is on fantasy draft boards despite not having the best receiving corps. He does still have a quality receiver in Terry McLaurin, but Daniels is projected to put up some big rushing numbers which will help bolster his fantasy points per game. In half-PPR redraft leagues, Daniels ADP is outside the top 100 meaning he can provide some very good value to teams looking for late quarterbacks.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel plans to utilize all three members of the backfield throughout the regular season. Joe Schad reports that McDaniel talked about getting Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, and Jaylen Wright all involved and proceeding with a hot-hand situation on some days if he feels like leaning on someone. This muddies the fantasy waters a bit when it comes to deciding on who to draft and who to start out of this backfield. While Achane still seems to be the number-one guy, especially when it comes to passing situations, Mostert should get plenty of opportunities while Wright will likely be peppered in. As of right now, Achane is ranked 18th, Mostert is 78th, and Wright is 145th in the RotoBaller half-PPR rankings.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) has officially been placed on the Non-Football Illness list, according to Field Yates. The veteran back will now miss at least the first four games of the season, leaving the backup role wide open. Carson Steele, the undrafted rookie, has made the most noise as the backup so far, but the signing of Samaje Perine becomes even more important as well. They should become a bigger part of the passing game than previously expected and could be underrated producers in PPR formats given the volume. Their opportunities are going to fluctuate with each game plan, so their value is a bit better in deeper leagues or dynasty formats in terms of Steele.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent RB Leonard Fournette (Bills) is visiting the Indianapolis Colts Monday, Sept. 2.
From TheHuddle