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FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

WR Strength of Schedule

Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6

Player Notes
Kirk Cousins Oct 14 9:20am ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 19 of his 30 pass attempts in Sunday's 38-20 victory over the Panthers. The 36-year-old tallied 225 pass yards and threw just one touchdown pass, as it was the ground game that took over in this one with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combining for 200 yards rushing and three TDs. Outside of his monster Week 5 performance, the veteran QB has been fairly pedestrian for fantasy, with only two multi-touchdown performances in six games, while Sunday marked just the second time this season that he didn't throw an interception. Next week's potentially high-scoring home date with Seattle makes him a viable streaming option though, and assuming the offense keeps progressing he should be at least a high-end QB2 most weeks with upside.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Oct 14 9:20am ET
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a hamstring issue and didn't return. Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that the 25-year-old is now considered week-to-week. The once bell-cow type of back hasn't seen more than 13 carries in a game this season and finished with six in Week 5 and three in Week 6 before leaving. He even went from 70% snap share in Week 1 down to 38% in Week 5. With Etienne's status unclear, Tank Bigsby will likely take on most of the snap share while D'Ernest Johnson will slot in as the backup.

From RotoBaller

Jahmyr Gibbs Oct 14 9:10am ET
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs was efficient with his touches in the blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but only turned in an RB2-level performance. The dynamic back finished with 63 yards on 12 carries and caught three of his five targets for 28 yards. This game was another instance where David Montgomery took over in the red zone and took the touchdowns instead of Gibbs. Despite that, Gibbs has remained at a higher value in PPR formats since he returned to being involved in the passing game. He might have a tough time against a stout Vikings defense in Week 7 though.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Oct 14 8:50am ET
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette scored for the second time in his career during the 38-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He finished with four targets, three receptions, 23 yards, and one touchdown. The rookie's fantasy value has increased since Andy Dalton took over at QB and Adam Thielen (hamstring) went out with a hamstring injury. In that span, Legette has received 18 targets and turned them into 12 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Legette and the Panthers will have to go to the air often next week as they take on the Washington Commanders in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Oct 14 6:50am ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff delivered a dominant fantasy performance in Week 6, finishing as a top-5 QB. Goff was highly efficient, completing 18 of 25 passes for an impressive 315 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for five yards on three attempts in Detroit's 47-9 blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys. This strong outing highlighted Goff's continued effectiveness and secured a high output for fantasy managers this week. His performance placed him as a top-5 fantasy quarterback in Week 6, showcasing his consistency as a reliable starter. Goff's connection with key receivers helped power the Lions' offense in one of their most decisive wins of the season. Fantasy managers can look forward to Goff's potential for similar performances in favorable matchups moving forward. The 30-year-old is a high-end QB2 in a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Cole Kmet Oct 14 6:20am ET
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet had a standout performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, recording five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns came in the first half, providing the Bears' offense with crucial momentum that carried into the second half. Kmet showcased his strength on his first touchdown, powering through a defender en route to the end zone. His second touchdown featured a perfectly executed route in the red zone just before halftime. Additionally, Kmet stepped up as the team's emergency long snapper after Scott Daly injured his knee in the first quarter. The Bears will enjoy a bye week next week before taking on the Commanders in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Oct 14 6:10am ET
Caleb Williams

This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams showcased his best performance of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 6, he completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. After starting the game with two consecutive three-and-outs, Williams rebounded impressively, delivering some excellent throws in the red zone and making key plays as a scrambler. Although he threw one interception, it was one of the few missteps in an otherwise strong game. Additionally, Williams contributed 56 rushing yards on four carries, highlighting his dual-threat capability, which significantly boosts his fantasy value. Following a trip to London in Week 6, the Bears will enjoy a bye week, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup in Week 8 against the Commanders, featuring the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Oct 14 6:10am ET
D'Andre Swift

On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift delivered an impressive performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He tallied 17 carries for 91 yards, a touchdown, and four receptions for 28 yards. Swift was active throughout the game, contributing significantly to both the rushing and passing attacks. His efforts culminated in a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a welcome sight for fantasy owners after he was vultured by Roschon Johnson the previous week. With this being Swift's third consecutive strong game, fantasy managers can likely put his rough start to the season behind them and confidently consider him a starting running back for the remainder of the year. The Bears will have a bye week next week before facing the Commanders in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Oct 14 6:10am ET
D.J. Moore

In Week 6, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had a quiet outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing with four catches for 25 yards and no touchdowns. His performance could have been much more impactful if quarterback Caleb Williams had connected with him on a deep pass in the second quarter, as Moore had gotten behind the secondary. Unfortunately, Williams underthrew the ball, resulting in an interception rather than a touchdown for the Bears. Moore was also initially credited with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but after review, it was determined he was down at the one-yard line. D'Andre Swift then scored on the next play. Moore's day was marked by missed opportunities, which he hopes to capitalize on in the coming weeks. He briefly left the field for the medical tent in the third quarter but returned at the start of the fourth quarter. The Bears will take a bye next week to regroup before facing the Commanders in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Keenan Allen Oct 14 6:10am ET
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had a standout performance this Sunday against the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars secondary, delivering his best game of the season. He recorded five catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns, marking his first touchdown as a Bear. After starting the season with an injury, Allen looks to have regained his health. His early-season heel injury had sidelined him for two of the first five games, and even after returning in Week 4, he didn't appear to be fully himself. Both touchdowns came in the red zone, highlighting his potential as a significant threat near the goal line when healthy. The Bears will enjoy a bye week next week before taking on the Commanders in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Oct 14 6:10am ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had a modest outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, catching two passes for 40 yards and no touchdowns. One highlight was his impressive 28-yard reception, showcasing his strong playability. However, with Cole Kmet and Keenan Allen enjoying standout performances in the passing game, Odunze didn't see enough opportunities to make a significant impact. This marks the second time he has received three targets or fewer in three weeks. With all three receivers and Kmet healthy, the Bears' receiving hierarchy appears to be taking shape, positioning Odunze as the fourth option. The Bears will have a bye week next week before facing the Commanders in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Bub Means Oct 14 4:30am ET
Bub Means

Wide receiver Bub Means scored his first touchdown as a pro in the Saints' 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The rookie out of Pitt snagged a ten-yard toss from fellow fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as Means was heading out of the side of the end zone and got both feet down before his momentum carried him out of bounds. Means stepped into the game to replace Chris Olave (concussion) who left after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Saints' third play of the game. Means ended up with 45 receiving yards and tied Alvin Kamara for the team lead in targets (eight) and receptions (five). With the Saints next playing on Thursday night, it is unlikely that Olave will be ready to go which would allow Means to continue where he left off. Before fantasy managers rush to the waiver wire, consider Rattler's inconsistent performance and that New Orleans will be facing the Denver Broncos who have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.

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Rashid Shaheed Oct 14 4:20am ET
Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed scored a 54-yard punt return touchdown in the team's 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A combination of poor angles, good blocking, and Shaheed's speed allowed the receiver to make his path to the end zone easy. Things did not go as smoothly as part of the offense, though. Shaheed was targeted seven times but had just one reception for 11 yards with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler filling in for the injured Derek Carr (oblique). Rattler showed the ability to make deeper passes intermittently throughout the game but his accuracy was maddingly inconsistent and Shaheed wound up paying the price. New Orleans will face the Denver Broncos' stingy secondary in Week 7. Rattler will draw another start but Shaheed will serve as the team's primary receiver as it is unlikely that Chris Olave (concussion) will clear the league's concussion protocol before the Thursday night matchup.

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Spencer Rattler Oct 14 4:10am ET
Spencer Rattler

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was dealt a loss in his professional debut as the New Orleans Saints fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51-27. Rattler went 22-for-40 for 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions and gained 27 yards on four carries. Rattler started the game with a 27-yard strike to Juwan Johnson but followed it up with a fumbled snap (which he recovered) on the next play. So it went for the fifth-round pick, alternating between impressive displays of arm strength (often while on the run) and wildly inaccurate throws. Rattler was surprisingly efficient to start, completing 11 of his first 14 attempts, though as Tampa turned up the pressure as the game went on Rattler found it harder and harder to remain effective. It is worth noting that Rattler was without Chris Olave (concussion) for much of the game after the receiver took a helmet-to-helmet hit just three plays into the Saints' first possession. New Orleans kicks off Week 7 when they face the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Rattler should draw another start but he will be hard to trust on a short week.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 14 4:10am ET
Alvin Kamara

Running back Alvin Kamara took 13 carries for 40 yards on the ground and caught five of his eight targets for another 24 in the Saints' 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara also found the end zone in the second quarter for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season (seventh overall). With Tampa seemingly scoring at will, New Orleans was playing catch-up for much of the game and subsequently abandoned the run. Similar to Week 5's showing against Kansas City, Kamara was hard-pressed to find room to run as the Saints' offensive line could not open up any lanes for the back against a dominating defensive front. New Orleans gets a few days' rest before opening up Week 7 against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Considering the short week and the opponent, the Saints will probably be best served to get the NFL's touch leader more involved again, especially since receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is unlikely to clear the concussion protocol in time to be active.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Oct 14 3:40am ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton led the team with six receptions for 57 yards in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals but couldn't find the end zone. Slayton averaged 9.5 yards per catch, with his longest reception going for 15 yards, and he was targeted 11 times, including a key pass interference penalty drawn in the end zone that set up a touchdown at the one-yard line. Despite his involvement, the Giants' offensive woes limited his fantasy impact to 8.7 points. While Malik Nabers is out, Slayton remains a solid deep-league flex option due to his target share, but his upside will depend on better red-zone execution from the Giants' offense.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Oct 14 3:30am ET
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson was a consistent target in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, though he couldn't find the end zone. Robinson caught five of his 11 targets for 50 yards, averaging 10 yards per reception, with a longest catch of 15 yards. Despite his solid involvement, the Giants' overall offensive struggles capped his fantasy output at 7.5 points, leaving managers wanting more. As a reliable short-to-intermediate option, Robinson's target volume makes him an option as a flex in PPR, but his ceiling remains limited without more scoring opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Oct 14 3:20am ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. provided a spark in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, contributing both as a rusher and a receiver. Tracy hauled in six receptions for 57 yards while adding 50 yards on the ground, including a one-yard scamper for his lone rushing touchdown. His versatility was key, but his 2.9 yards per carry highlights some inefficiency in the running game. Despite not finding the end zone as a receiver, Tracy's dual-threat performance netted 19.7 fantasy points, making him an intriguing flex option for fantasy managers with Devin Singletary injured.

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Daniel Jones Oct 14 3:10am ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones struggled in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, failing to find the end zone through the air or on the ground. Jones completed 22 of 41 passes for just 190 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, averaging a meager 5.0 yards per attempt. He added 56 rushing yards, which helped pad his fantasy output, but two sacks and an overall lack of offensive efficiency limited his impact to just 12.8 fantasy points. Despite his mobility, Jones' poor passing performance continues to hold back his fantasy value, making him a risky QB option moving forward, especially against stronger defenses.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Oct 14 1:30am ET
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce saw four targets in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans but could not reel any of them in. Despite the nonexistent production, Pierce saw the highest snap share of any WR, playing 62 snaps and running 33 routes. Despite his high snap share, Pierce has kept a low target share in the offense through the first six weeks, with his production coming primarily from deep shot passes from QBs Joe Flacco and Anthony Richardson. While none of those four targets materialized in Sunday's win, Pierce's usage makes him a viable option moving forward. All that in mind, Pierce can be viewed as a WR4/5 in the team's Week 7 game against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller