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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

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 11

Player Notes
Tucker Kraft Nov 17 6:40pm ET
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was a non-factor in the Packers' 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 11. Kraft only earned just one target, a short target that was intercepted by Chicago's Terell Smith in the second quarter. The lack of involvement was felt in the Packers' passing attack which only had 17 pass attempts through the entire game. With the number of quality pass-catching options available for quarterback Jordan Love, there will be games like this by Kraft. With the Packers heading back home to host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Kraft should be considered a low-end TE1 for fantasy football.

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Nick Bosa Nov 17 6:40pm ET
Nick Bosa

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's divisional clash with the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old carried a questionable designation heading into this contest. However, he was still a force on the defensive end, totaling four tackles and 1.5 sacks. With the game closer than most anticipated, the Niners would love to see Bosa back on the field. If not, there's a good chance he'll miss practice time leading up to the Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

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Romeo Doubs Nov 17 6:30pm ET
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs was very quiet in the Packers' 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 11. Doubs only earned two targets and reeled in just one of them for 17 yards receiving. Taking a backseat in the production department to fellow wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Josh Jacobs, Doubs typically runs the most routes on the team, but with so many pass-catching options in the offense plus quarterback Jordan Love only notching 17 pass attempts, some players get a bit lost in the shuffle at times. In the Packers' next game in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Doubs is more of a low-end flex play for fantasy because of his inconsistency.

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Darnell Mooney Nov 17 6:30pm ET
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The wideout entered Week 11 with a Achilles injury but was removed from the injury report. However, he hasn't done much to benefit fantasy managers despite his availability, catching just two passes for 27 yards. If the hamstring injury keeps him off the field for the remainder of Week 11, Kirk Cousins will likely lean more on Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud III, and Kyle Pitts, with Bijan Robinson in line for more targets out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Nov 17 6:20pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth logged two receptions for 14 yards on two targets in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth, who found the end zone last week, continued to have a limited role in the Steelers' offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. He gained fewer than 20 yards for a third straight game and ceded four opportunities to second-year tight end Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers who drafted Freiermuth likely aren't still relying on him at this point in the season. He can be dropped in most redraft formats and should not be viewed as a viable option against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.

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Christian Watson Nov 17 6:20pm ET
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had a career day as the Packers edged the Chicago Bears 20-19 at Soldier Field in Week 11. Watson had the biggest yardage day of his young career as he caught all four of his targets for 150 receiving yards. Watson's Week 11 was capped off by a huge 60-yard reception that led to the go-ahead touchdown plunge from quarterback Jordan Love. Even with Watson's huge day, he's still a bit hard to trust knowing that he could just go back to meager production with so many pass-catching options in Green Bay. In the Packers' next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Watson is a boom-or-bust flex option for fantasy managers.

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T.J. Hockenson Nov 17 6:20pm ET
T.J. Hockenson

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson brought in 2-of-3 targets for 13 yards in the team's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. It's a discouraging effort for the 27-year-old just one week after he registered eight receptions and 72 yards and was seemingly becoming more involved in the offense. However, Tennessee has been sound against opposing passing attacks all season, so we may chalk this one up to a poor matchup. Still, seeing Hockenson garner a bit more work would have been nice. If it's any consolation, the former first-round pick did match fellow TE Josh Oliver for the second-most targets on the team behind wideouts Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, who each collected eight. The former Iowa Hawkeye will get a slightly softer matchup next weekend when Minnesota lines up against the Chicago Bears on the road at Soldier Field.

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Justice Hill Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill wasn't able to put together much of a fantasy-relevant week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The pass-catching specialist registered two carries for 13 yards and caught four of his seven targets for 28 yards. He would have had one more catch for a good chunk of yards, but the Steelers took the ball right from his hands for an interception. Hill has only posted two relevant weeks so far this season, but he'll try to get going against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

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Jaylen Warren Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled nine carries for 41 yards and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Warren was given double-digit touches for a fourth consecutive game but still failed to make much of an impact for fantasy purposes. Although he did earn a season-high of four opportunities through the air, he was out-targeted and outgained by Najee Harris in the passing game. Warren is yet to score a touchdown in 2024 and will likely continue to offer limited upside so long as Harris stays healthy. He can be stashed as a handcuff but should remain out of starting lineups in most formats heading into a Week 12 meeting with the Cleveland Browns.

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Josh Jacobs Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs put up a excellent day en route to the Packers squeaking by the Chicago Bears 20-19 in Week 11. On the ground, Jacobs paced the Packers with 76 yards plus a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Jacobs not only paced the Packers in the rushing department, but also led the team in targets (5) and was second on the team with 58 receiving yards on the afternoon. With Jacobs' prowess on the ground and through the air, he should be looked at as a low-end fantasy RB1 for the Packers' next test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.

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Dustin Hopkins Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed both of his field-goal attempts and did not try an extra point in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Hopkins misfired on attempts from 51 and 27 yards out in the second quarter when the game was still close. The veteran kicker has now made 14 of his 20 field goals and added 10 extra points through 10 games. He will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.

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Taysom Hill Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Taysom Hill

The Cleveland Browns defense allowed 35 points while notching one sack and forcing two turnovers in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Cleveland's defense played well until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Saints to score three unanswered touchdowns to ice the game. They had no answer for Taysom Hill, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on eight catches for 50 yards. Cleveland's defense will be challenged again in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Mark Andrews Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took a backseat in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw fewer targets than Isaiah Likely in his first game back. Andrews finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards on three targets compared to Likely's five targets and four receptions for 75 yards. Whenever Likely and Andrews are both healthy, they're difficult to predict. This marks Andrews' seventh week with less than nine fantasy points which is two more than he had all of last season. He'll try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

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Lamar Jackson Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Lamar Jackson

The Pittsburgh Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points while recording two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in a Week 11 win. Baltimore has been a must-avoid matchup for fantasy DSTs this season, but Pittsburgh's defense proved itself against its toughest opponent yet. While the Steelers did allow running back Derrick Henry to find the end zone in the first half, MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was held scoreless until just over one minute remained in the fourth quarter. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles while star EDGE T.J. Watt tallied two QB hits and a sack. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made the defensive play of the game with an impressive interception in coverage with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The Steelers DST should be rostered in all formats and considered a must-start against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.

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Chris Boswell Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all six of his field-goal attempts in an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This contest was projected to be a relatively high-scoring affair, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Boswell saw plenty of action. The Ravens limited Pittsburgh's offense in the red zone, forcing the Steelers to lean on Boswell time and time again. Fortunately for the team and fantasy managers alike, he answered each call. Boswell nailed long kicks of 50, 52, and 57 yards as easily as he converted on three chip-shots. The 10th-year veteran is on pace for a career-best campaign and has solidified himself as a fantasy asset. He'll face another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week.

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Zay Flowers Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers salvaged his week with a late touchdown during the 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the game with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Steelers' pass rushers did a good job at making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable and they consistently had Flowers blanketed no matter where he went. On the plays where Jackson scrambles looking for an outlet, Flowers usually finds a way to get to the ball, but he was double-covered in some of those situations as well. He'll go up against another tough pass defense in the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

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David Njoku Nov 17 5:50pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught all nine of his targets for 81 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Njoku wound up first on the team in catches while finishing behind only Jerry Jeudy in targets and receiving yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. Njoku has now drawn at least seven targets in five straight games while notching two touchdown catches over that span. He has solidified himself as a top-six fantasy tight end going forward and should remain in lineups for Week 12's Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Jayden Reed Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was able to salvage a quiet day on the stat sheet with a touchdown in the Packers' 20-19 victory in Chicago against the Bears. Reed only earned two targets on the afternoon from quarterback Jordan Love, but he caught both of them for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that kicked off the scoring for the Packers. In addition to the receiving work, Reed also had a rushing attempt but lost five yards. With the Packers set for an NFC showdown with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Reed is more of a mid-range WR2 for fantasy football, as he has to compete with several other players for targets and attention from Love.

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Isaiah Likely Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving yards during their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In his first game back, Likely registered four receptions for 75 yards on five targets. He saw more targets and had a more successful day than his counterpart Mark Andrews. With Likely healthy again, the Ravens' tight end room remains the most difficult one to predict each week. They'll go up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

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Jordan Addison Nov 17 5:40pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 3-of-8 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The eight targets matched a season-high for the second-year wideout, and the score was his third on the season and second in three games. Addison's touchdown was a 47-yard catch-and-run in which he burned Tennessee's defense up the left sideline. It was a nice effort from the 22-year-old, who has had trouble building on his spectacular rookie season. However, seeing him match superstar Justin Jefferson's team-high of eight targets in the contest was encouraging. The former USC Trojan will get another staunch test next weekend when the Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Leading up to Week 11, the Bears had allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses (190.4).

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