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 11
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a concussion. Bates was the only healthy left guard on the depth chart heading into this game, so the Bears will have to shuffle around some linemen to make up for the loss. So far, Caleb Williams has only been sacked once, but it could be tough sledding for the rest of the game with such a depleted line.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back) is expected to suit up on Monday night against the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old popped up on the injury report with a back injury on Saturday, resulting in a limited practice session. However, head coach Mike McCarthy already indicated Lamb's injury was" not of high concern," so the latest update suggests he's nearly guaranteed to get on the field. Of course, anything can happen, and setbacks occur, meaning fantasy managers should have a backup plan just in case. If Lamb can't play on Monday, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and Jake Ferguson would be the favorites to see an uptick in attention from Cooper Rush.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) should return from injured reserve as soon as he is eligible to be activated, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. That timeline would put him on track to play in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. Glazer noted that Butker tore his meniscus and had two potential surgery options: a full repair and a less extensive trim. A full repair would have ended Butker's season, but he and the Chiefs chose the surgery with the trim, so he should be good to go by Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (back) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday, garnering a "questionable" designation despite being a full participant in practice all week long. Boyd has appeared in all nine games this year but hasn't caught a pass since Week 8 against Detroit. On the season, he has 21 catches, 184 yards, and zero touchdowns. He's off the fantasy radar in his current role behind Calvin Ridley on a struggling Titans squad.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kadarius Toney is active for Sunday's Week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday and will make both his Browns debut and his season debut on Sunday afternoon. Toney is expected to operate behind Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman, keeping him off the fantasy radar for the time being.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) is officially active for Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams. He had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices in a row. Dugger's presence on Sunday marks the end of a three-week absence for the talented defender. He'll provide a key reinforcement to the Patriots' defense as they look to slow down an offense featuring Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints. With Nick Chubb now back to 100 percent and Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. playing well in their depth roles, there simply isn't room within Cleveland's backfield for Foreman, an NFL veteran. Fantasy managers can justify dropping him in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is expected to be healthy before next week's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. This is a promising update, but it's important to note that Rapoport described Pacheco as "expected to be healthy" rather than "expected to play." In a follow-up post on X, Rapoport noted that the Chiefs have a short week in Week 13, so "it's a coaching decision for whether Pacheco plays" next Sunday against the Panthers. In any case, he expects Pacheco to be ready for his return from injured reserve, whether that comes in Week 12 against the Panthers or Week 13 against the Raiders. He'll rank as a high-end RB2 upon his return but could lose some opportunities to Kareem Hunt, who has performed quite well as the Chiefs' fill-in workhorse running back.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. Bryant had not been listed on the injury report, and his absence is a direct result of Michael Mayer (personal) returning from an extended absence on Sunday. Even with Mayer taking Bryant's place on the gameday roster, Brock Bowers remains the only Raiders tight end worth starting in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable after missing three consecutive practices. The 33-year-old hasn't missed a snap since Week 4, and he'll look to extend that streak when the Dolphins host the Raiders in Miami. His presence is great news for fantasy managers who have Tua Tagovailoa, De'Von Achane, or Raheem Mostert in their lineups.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams. This is the fourth time this season that Osborn has been sidelined. The veteran receiver expressed interest in being moved at the trade deadline, but New England held onto him and is now making him inactive as they prioritize reps for some of their younger pass-catchers. Osborn should be dropped in all fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) is active on Sunday for the Week 11 contest against the Cleveland Browns, while rookie receiver Mason Tipton is a healthy inactive. With Chris Olave (concussion) on Injured Reserve and Rashid Shaheed (knee) out for the season, the Saints' receiving corps is extremely thin. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has essentially become quarterback Derek Carr's top receiving target now after going for three catches, 109 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 10 win over the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Wilson, meanwhile, missed two of the last three games with hip and shoulder injuries, but he should have a significant role on Sunday against Cleveland in his return. Still, the 28-year-old should be considered a desperation flex option in deeper fantasy leagues in a Saints offense that runs through running back Alvin Kamara.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) stayed in Los Angeles to see a specialist following last Monday's game against the Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Hill has been dealing with a lingering wrist issue since a joint practice with the Washington Commanders back in training camp. While it hasn't been enough to hold him out of a game yet, he has repeatedly appeared on the injury report. After visiting with the specialist, Pelissero notes that surgery is on the table for Hill, but it's unclear if an operation would even fix the injury. In the interim, Hill continues to manage his pain and play through his injury. He's officially active for Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders and will be a "full-go", according to Pelissero. The speedy receiver is looking to bounce back from last week's modest showing in which he caught three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 despite being listed as questionable, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, Schefter was less certain about the veteran receiver's usage, saying, "We'll see if it's in full capacity." As a result, fantasy managers should feel comfortable deploying Cooper as nothing more than a WR3/FLEX. He has been productive when healthy, but a potential snap count or partial decoy role could limit some of his upside on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints WR Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) is officially active for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Wilson should see a decent amount of targets in the passing game after missing some time because of the injury. He can be a possible flex option in deeper leagues.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets WR Davante Adams (illness, wrist) is active for Week 11's game versus the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Adams had been listed as questionable on the injury report after only participating in one of the Jets' three practice sessions during the week. In four games with New York, he has 20 receptions with 206 yards and a touchdown and has been targeted 39 times. He should be a starting option in all fantasy formats.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd (back) is officially active for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Boyd was a late addition to the injury report but appears ready to be involved in the offense this week. He has not been targeted in either of the last two games and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (personal) is active for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable despite being a full participant in practice this week. A personal matter had sidelined Mayer since Week 4, but he was activated from injured reserve on Saturday and is officially suiting up in Week 11. He'll presumably operate as the direct backup to Brock Bowers. Mayer remains off the fantasy radar for the time being.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (wrist, illness) is officially active for Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran receiver missed two consecutive practices before returning in a full capacity on Friday. He has impressed through four games with the Jets, amassing 39 targets, 20 catches, 206 yards, and one touchdown. The 31-year-old ranks as a strong WR3/FLEX option against the Colts.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) is officially inactive for Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. He had been listed as doubtful. Pruitt endured a five-week absence earlier in the season, returned for three games, and is now sidelined again. He has appeared in five contests, catching just two of four targets for 19 yards. Pruitt's absence leaves Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward as Pittsburgh's healthy options at tight end.
From RotoBaller
