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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
Calvin Ridley Oct 14 12:10pm ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley did not record a catch in the loss to Indianapolis on Sunday, rushing one time for nine yards. It was only the third time in Ridley's six-year NFL career that he failed to record a reception. Quarterback Will Levis targeted the veteran eight times in the game, but could not connect even once, setting a new low bar for this already awful passing attack. It was only the 13th time in franchise history that a player recorded eight targets and had zero receptions. The fact that Ridley put up this kind of a dud against arguably the league's worst pass defense is as concerning as it gets for his fantasy prospects. He is unplayable in all formats until Tennessee proves they can move the ball through the air, which may not happen with the current state of the offense. Up next is a stiff test against Buffalo's formidable pass defense in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Oct 14 11:50am ET
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 17 times for 93 yards and a touchdown, adding three receptions for negative five yards in a loss to the Colts on Sunday. On a day in which the Titans passing attack looked the worst it has all season, Pollard was heavily relied upon to move the chains, and did so efficiently with a healthy 5.5 yards per carry mark. It's worth noting that Pollard and his RB teammate Tyjae Spears were splitting work fairly evenly until Spears left the game at halftime and did not return. From then on, Pollard was once again the workhorse, his day highlighted by a 23-yard touchdown scamper on a 3rd-and-19 that game Tennessee the lead. The speedster has been the only consistent part of this offense in 2024, and will likely be the focal point when the Titans head to Buffalo next week to face the Bills, who are allowing a league-low 5.2 yards per carry.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Oct 14 11:40am ET
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston was forced to miss some time in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos due to an ankle injury. Johnston left in the first quarter but was eventually able to return. Still, he didn't end up doing much, as the sophomore wide receiver was targeted just four times, making three catches for 22 yards. He also recorded a rushing attempt, but did not gain any yardage on his run. Johnston has pretty solidly entrenched himself as the WR2 on this offense, but it's a run-first offense that tries to control clock and spreads the ball around plenty when they do throw (Just Herbert targeted nine different pass catchers in this game). Johnston will have more big games like he did earlier this season, but he's unlikely to be a consistent source of WR2/3 production most weeks.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Oct 14 11:40am ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had five catches for 72 yards in Sunday's win over the New York Giants. The 24-year-old had five touchdowns in the three previous games leading up to Week 6. He also had 10 catches for 193 yards in the overtime loss to the Ravens. However, Chase wasn't as productive on Sunday night. Of course, he's still one of the best wideouts in the league, so he remains a must-start in Week 7 against the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Oct 14 11:40am ET
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney caught three passes for 38 yards in Sunday's 38-20 victory over the Panthers. The wideout accumulated the second-most targets on the team with five, but with Atlanta's backfield racking up 200 yards on the ground along with three scores, the Falcons did not need to take to the air as much in this one. Mooney has a solid role as the No. 2 receiver in this offense, totaling 27 receptions, 368 yards, and three TDs on the season, and should continue to provide value in PPR formats in the weeks ahead despite the quiet outing. With a bout against Seattle in Week 7 that carries a 49.5 over/under, there should be plenty of offense and Mooney figures to be a WR3 for fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Oct 14 11:30am ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer had another pedestrian game in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos. Palmer was targeted three times, making two catches for 38 yards. Before the season, there was tons of hype around Palmer as Justin Herbert's presumed WR1 on an offense that was expected to improve. Instead, Palmer has become the third option at best in an offense that severely prioritizes the running game. Palmer could have some big weeks in games the Chargers trail and are forced to throw more often, but he won't be a major part of the game plan most weeks and usually won't return more than long shot WR4 value.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Oct 14 11:30am ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins caught all seven targets for 77 yards in Sunday's win over the Giants. The wideout had two touchdowns in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. While he didn't find the end zone in this one, he still had a solid showing for fantasy managers. Higgins looks far removed from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the lineup to begin the year. However, he has looked good in the last two games. Keep him going for Week 7 against the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Oct 14 11:20am ET
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (ankle) managed to suit up for Sunday's meeting with the New York Giants. However, he didn't do much, amassing 13 yards off six carries, adding one catch for two yards. The Bengals offense had a tough time against the Giants defense. But Moss likely wasn't 100%, resulting in Chase Brown being more productive. With that in mind, Moss remains at least a flex option for the Week 7 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Oct 14 11:10am ET
Justin Herbert

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit is now rostered in 80 percent of Yahoo fantasy football leagues after a strong start in 2024, but they disappointed their fantasy managers in the 23-16 Week 6 loss at home to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. A week after recording three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in the win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos failed to turn the Chargers over while allowing 350 total yards of offense to the Bolts and sacking quarterback Justin Herbert only three times. The Broncos' D still checks in as the No. 5 fantasy unit after the first six games of the season, though, and will certainly be in play as a starting unit for their Week 7 matchup in a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who will be making just his second NFL start. Rattler threw two picks and was sacked five times in his debut in Week 6 against the Bucs.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Oct 14 11:10am ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson struggled along with the rest of the team in the 47-9 loss to Detroit. Ferguson was targeted four times, catching three passes for just 11 yards. The 25-year-old tight end put up his first dud of the season since Week 1, when he left early with an injury. Given that the entire Dallas offense struggled, Ferguson's output can be taken with a grain of salt. He remains one of the top tight end options for fantasy and will remain a top-five option after Dallas' Week 7 bye week.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Oct 14 11:00am ET
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was the lone productive offensive player in Sunday's 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. Lamb was targeted 14 times (32.5% target share) and secured seven receptions for 89 yards. Quarterback Dak Prescott showed that Lamb is his most trustworthy receiver, proving again that the 25-year-old is matchup proof and should be started in all formats every week. Lamb and the Cowboys are entering a bye week in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Oct 14 11:00am ET
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert proved that he is locked into the WR2 role in the offense after his big Week 5 game in the 47-9 loss to Detroit. Tolbert was targeted five times, securing four receptions for 43 yards. He finished second on the team in receiving behind CeeDee Lamb on a day where the Cowboys' offense struggled to get anything going. Tolbert will remain a matchup-dependent flex option for as long as Brandin Cooks (knee) remains out. The Cowboys are off in Week 7 before a Week 8 matchup with San Francisco.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Oct 14 11:00am ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had 53 yards and a touchdown off 10 carries in Sunday night's win over the New York Giants. He added two catches for 11 yards. This was a low-scoring contest, with the Bengals defense holding the Giants to seven points. However, Brown still did enough to give his fantasy managers a little something. With the 24-year-old finding the end zone in each of the Bengals' last three games, he's a must-start in any format for the Week 7 divisional clash with the Browns.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Oct 14 10:50am ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled in the 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Prescott completed 17-of-33 passes for 178 yards and two interceptions, unable to get anything going through the air. He was sacked four times and was eventually pulled for Cooper Rush late in the game. Prescott also scrambled once for one yard. The 31-year-old quarterback was unable to put a single touchdown up in the shellacking as the Cowboys dropped to 3-3 on the season. He remains a low-end QB1 heading into the Cowboys' bye week.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Oct 14 10:50am ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was targeted five times in Sunday's 38-20 victory over the Panthers, hauling in three passes for 70 yards. The yardage was good, but 52 of the 70 came on a single play and the 24-year-old was held out of the end zone for the fifth consecutive game. Still, the targets were tied for second-most on the team and Atlanta leaned heavily on the run game, so outside of Drake London, the air attack underwhelmed overall on Sunday. Pitts will take on the Seahawks defense in Week 7 that has been hit or miss in regards to covering TEs, but George Kittle just went 5-58-2 this past Thursday, and with a high projected total for that game, everyone should be involved.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Oct 14 10:50am ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz surprisingly entered the Week 6 divisional clash against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday as a top-10 fantasy kicker. However, we warned fantasy managers to avoid him as a streamer in a tough matchup against a stout Chargers defense. In the 23-16 loss, Lutz only attempted two kicks, making his lone field-goal attempt from 40 yards out and his only extra-point try in the contest. The Broncos offense was unable to do anything all day until the fourth quarter, when they scored all 16 of their points in a comeback bid that fell short. Lutz has missed just one of his 14 field-goal tries through six weeks, and his 14 attempts are tied for seventh in the league. However, he's also attempted just nine extra points, which is tied for 23rd in the league. The veteran kicker should bounce back in Week 7 on Thursday night against the Saints in the Caesars Superdome, but Denver's low-scoring offense makes him a volatile fantasy streamer.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Oct 14 10:50am ET
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle led the team in rushing in the 47-9 loss to Detroit, although that isn't saying much given that the team had just 53 rush yards. Dowdle carried the ball just five times for 25 yards. He also caught five passes for 30 yards. Dowdle's ability to mix in as a pass-catcher will keep him relevant week-to-week but as evidenced by this weekend, he can be sat in tough matchups. Although Dowdle was the more efficient of the two Cowboys' backs, Ezekiel Elliott had three more rush attempts. Dowdle and the Cowboys are on bye this coming week before another tough matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Oct 14 10:50am ET
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott saw eight carries in the blowout loss to Detroit. Elliott only gained 17 yards, rushing at an abysmal 2.1 yards per carry against the tough Lions' front. He saw no passing game usage, severely limiting both his fantasy floor and ceiling. Elliott was severely outplayed by Rico Dowdle, who gained 5.0 yards per carry and also saw receiving usage. The 29-year-old is not a usable fantasy option and can safely be dropped in all formats heading into Dallas' bye week.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Oct 14 10:40am ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis went 16-of-27 for a mere 95 yards, with one touchdown and one interception in a 20-17 home loss vs. Indianapolis on Sunday. Coming off of a bye at home against one of the league's worst pass defenses, there was a bit of optimism that Levis would be able to get going in this one, but it was quite the opposite. Conservative play calling and poor overall play doomed this offense yet again, as Levis registered a 3.5 yards per attempt on the afternoon, the worst mark of his career. What's even more disappointing about the performance is that Levis faced pressure at a season-low rate, was not sacked once in the game, and still could not reach 100 yards passing against a bottom-five defensive unit. This offense may have just hit rock bottom, and because of that, no one can be trusted for fantasy right now outside of Tony Pollard. Up next is a tough road test in Buffalo next week.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Oct 14 10:40am ET
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 208 yards in Sunday's win over the New York Giants. The signal-caller didn't do much as a passer. However, he got it done on the ground by amassing 55 yards, although most of that was due to a 47-yard scramble in the first quarter for a score. After a five-touchdown outing against the Ravens, Burrow was quiet in Week 6, with the defense doing most of the heavy lifting. At any rate, the Bengals will look to keep it going in a Week 7 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Burrow remains a must-start for that one.

From RotoBaller