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.
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle didn't have the best start to his 2024 season. The 26-year-old was expected to split up the touches with veteran Ezekiel Elliott during Sunday's season opener. The two of them did split up the carries, but Dowdle failed to do much with them. He rushed eight times for 26 yards while hauling in one reception for six yards in the blowout win. Elliott didn't do much better on the ground with 40 yards, but he was able to find the end zone. The expectation is that these two will continue to split up the job until one of them pulls away with it. That being said, Dowdle should still have some streaming value in Week 2, but he has lost some appeal after that lackluster start.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Sean Clifford is set to be the backup option for the Week 2 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. It was uncertain who was going to start for the Packers with Jordan Love (ankle) facing a multiple week absence. Head coach Matt LaFleur cleared that up on Monday by naming Malik Willis the starter for Week 2. He also mentioned that Clifford is set to back him up, so he'll be elevated from the practice squad. Normally, someone becoming the backup isn't noteworthy, but this case is a little different. Willis has only been with the Packers for a few weeks and has yet to prove himself at the professional level. Clifford has been with the Packers for a full season and he should know the offensive scheme fairly well. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Packers turn to Clifford if Willis fails to impress them. Fantasy managers don't need to be jumping at the waiver wire to grab the former fifth-round pick. However, it wouldn't be shocking if Clifford does get snaps at some point in the next few weeks. Neither quarterback is going to be a viable fantasy option in most formats.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed safety Terrell Edmunds on Monday. The former first-round pick has been snagged by Pittsburgh off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Edmunds did suit up for the Jaguars in Week 1, but he only saw a handful of snaps. This is a welcoming sight for Edmunds as he played his first five years of his career with the Steelers. The 27-year-old was a full-time starter then, but now he figures to serve as depth in the secondary. This is a low-risk move for Pittsburgh as Edmunds could end up being a legitimate help on the defensive side of the ball as the season goes on.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) was a limited participant during Monday's practice. This doesn't comes as much of a shock after Phillips was on a snap count during the season opener. The Dolphins don't want to push anything with Phillips dealing with a serious injury. He played 33 snaps on Sunday and recorded one sack and two tackles during his time on the field. The expectation is that Phillips will be on a snap count again with the short week. The Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, so Phillips doesn't have a ton of time to get back to full speed. The former first-round pick should give this defense a nice boost once he's back to full health.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (abdomen) looked good on the field during the season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Walker rushed for over 100 yards, but also picked up an injury in the fourth quarter. This doesn't sound like an injury that is going to sideline Walker for a lengthy amount of time. Head coach Mike Macdonald said on Monday that the team doesn't have much of an update on his status, but they're taking it day-by-day. Walker said he was fine after Sunday's game, but we'll see if the Seahawks limit him at all during practice this week. For now, fantasy managers should expect Walker to be fine in time for the Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Rams have placed wide receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Uh oh. Nacua will now miss at least the next four weeks and we won't see him until week seven at the earliest after the Rams have their bye week - this means dynasty managers will be without him until at least October 20th, a brutal blow to just about any dynasty franchise this year. Cooper Kupp will soak up a massive amount of targets and dynasty managers need to plan accordingly. As for Nacua, this is a short-term issue and won't affect anything other than his short-term outlook.
Dynasty | Free agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney has signed with the Cleveland Browns. Dynasty Analysis: Toney will start his Cleveland tenure on the practice squad but certainly intends to be elevated to the active roster in short order. This is a decent landing spot for Toney, who also visited Seattle in the last few days. Toney has little dynasty value at the moment but he's certainly worth watching as the weeks move forward.
Dynasty | Deshaun Watson has been named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2020. Dynasty Analysis: As if the week couldn't get worse for Watson, who was putrid in Cleveland's season opener. This case will simply be added to the mound of 25 (yes, 25) different civil lawsuits that have come his way. Watson has settled 23 of those thus far. The NFL will monitor the situation and it may be unlikely he faces further discipline since he's already been punished for the other large group of lawsuits. Regardless, this is yet another red flag against Watson, whose career looks to be spiraling down the tubes since his trade to Cleveland. Stay tuned.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) is set to miss some time after getting injured in the Week 1 season-opening loss in Miami to the Dolphins on Sunday, according to head coach Doug Pederson. When asked if Campbell could be back in time for a trip to London in Week 6, Pederson said he didn't want to put any kind of timeline on his return. We don't have any idea just yet how many weeks the 24-year-old will have to miss, but either way, it's a serious blow to Jacksonville's secondary, as Campbell came into the year as their top corner. For the foreseeable future, the Jags will have to turn to some combination of Deantre Prince and Montaric Brown in the starting lineup, beginning in Week 2 at home against the Cleveland Browns. Campbell, a second-round pick in 2021 out of Georgia, had 145 solo tackles, six interceptions and 30 pass breakups in 43 games (42 starts) in his first three seasons.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener at Levi's Stadium on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Abanikanda enters the 2024 season as the team's RB4 behind starter and bell-cow Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. As such, the 21-year-old is obviously off the fantasy radar in most single-year leagues for the time being unless injuries push him into a relevant game-day role. The former fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh last year was also buried on the depth chart in his rookie season and finished with 22 carries for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards in only six games. Abanikanda has breakaway speed but is once again buried on the depth chart and will have to wait for his opportunity beyond Week 1.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is dealing with a minor hamstring injury that he suffered in the Week 1 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, according to a source. Lattimore said he wasn't concerned about his injury, but it's still in question whether he'll be able to suit up in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys on the road to potentially try and shut down receiver CeeDee Lamb. The 28-year-old left the game in the second half on Sunday and never returned, and his status for Week 2 will ultimately come down to how much he can practice later this week. If Lattimore doesn't play this weekend, it will make the Saints' underrated defense much more vulnerable against one of the best receivers in the league. Expect rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry to see his role increase dramatically against Dallas if Lattimore is eventually ruled out.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is officially inactive for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night versus the New York Jets. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL late last year and was listed as doubtful for this week's game, so fantasy managers in IDP leagues should have already had the 24-year-old defensive back on their benches. Hufanga is no lock to make his 2024 debut in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, either, and he very well could be eased into a full-time role again when he does find his way back onto the field. The Niners' already strong defense/special teams will remain a must-start on a weekly basis for however long Hufanga is out. When healthy, Hufanga is a ball-hawking defensive back worth holding onto in IDP leagues. George Odom could start in his place on Monday.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers lifted All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams' roster exemption and he is active for the Week 1 contest on Monday night against the visiting New York Jets. Williams was in a contract holdout all during training camp over the summer, but he and the 49ers agreed to a new contract last Tuesday, so he's been back with the team ever since and is ready to go for the regular-season opener. The 36-year-old's conditioning could very well be less than par after being away from the team for all that time, but his presence on the field at Levi's Stadium is certainly a plus for quarterback Brock Purdy and the entire San Fran offense, which will be without star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) on Monday. The 49ers' offensive line will need all the help they can get to slow down New York's vaunted pass rush.
From RotoBaller
The initial belief is that Chicago Bears rookie first-round wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain in the Week 1 season-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Odunze will seek a second opinion after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday, but this is a best-case scenario for the talented rookie pass-catcher. For now, the 22-year-old is being considered week-to-week, but fantasy managers should probably already be expecting him to sit out in Week 2 versus the Houston Texans on the road. In addition to his injury, Odunze had a very quiet NFL debut against Tennessee, catching just one of his four targets for an 11-yard gain. The future is bright for Odunze, but it was always going to be an uphill battle in terms of target load in his rookie season. For any time that Odunze misses, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and tight end Cole Kmet will likely benefit the most.
From RotoBaller
With the San Francisco 49ers surprisingly ruling running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) out for Monday night's showdown against the New York Jets, backup Jordan Mason will now get the start in the backfield. Patrick Taylor Jr. and rookie Isaac Guerendo will also be active and available as depth, with Guerendo likely returning kicks on special teams. Fantasy managers that were fully expecting CMC to play on Monday could be in trouble if they don't already have Mason on their roster or he's not immediately available to pluck off the waiver wire. The 25-year-old Mason has had limited opportunities in his two NFL seasons in San Fran, but he has averaged 5.6 yards per carry and has scored four times in 33 total games (zero starts). In a strong Niners offense, Mason is an appealing handcuff with upside as a plug-in-play option for those that have McCaffrey rostered.
From RotoBaller
In a big surprise, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles), the reigning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, is inactive for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the visiting New York Jets, according to sources. McCaffrey practiced on a limited basis with the team last week before being handed a questionable tag for Week 1, but he expressed optimism that he would play over the weekend and handle a near-normal workload. CMC was apparently more optimistic than the coaching staff, and they have decided to hold him out for another week. If CMC's fantasy managers don't already have backup Jordan Mason handcuffed, they could find themselves in a bind on Monday night. Mason is starting on Monday, with Patrick Taylor Jr. and rookie Isaac Guerendo also active and available. Guerendo will likely return kicks.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle, foot) suffered an ankle/foot sprain in the Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday and will miss a couple of weeks as a result, according to sources. It's a big loss for the Buccaneers secondary, but it's obviously not a worst-case scenario. Fantasy managers using in IDP formats will have to pivot for several weeks while keeping Winfield stashed on their benches. The loss of Winfield will make Tampa's secondary more vulnerable, starting with a tough Week 2 Divisional Round rematch this weekend against the Detroit Lions. The 26-year-old safety was seen wearing a walking boot on Monday. With Winfield expected to miss time, Christian Izien is going to see extra playing time. In Sunday's convincing win over the Commanders, Winfield had seven tackles (four solo).
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders released kicker Cade York on Monday and are expected to replace him by signing free-agent kicker Austin Seibert, according to sources. The Commanders cut York on Monday after he missed both of his field-goal tries in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 23-year-old made both of is extra-point attempts, but he gets the axe after just one week after missing from 47 and 56 yards out in the season opener in Tampa. Seibert comes to D.C. after being cut by the New York Jets in training camp. The 27-year-old should take over immediately as the replacement for York, but fantasy managers should ignore him in an offense being run by a rookie QB. Seibert entered the league as a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 out of Oklahoma. He has made 80.4% of his 56 field-goal tries in five years with four different teams.
From RotoBaller
Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney signed with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, according to sources. Toney also visited with the Seattle Seahawks and had visits with other teams lined up, but he'll head to Cleveland for now as the Browns look to add another playmaker. The 25-year-old former first-round pick by the New York Giants will start with the Browns' practice squad as he tries to work his way up to the active 53-man roster. Toney has always had elite playmaking ability because of his quickness, but he has not lived up to his draft pedigree, mainly because of nagging lower-body injuries. For the time being, Toney is just a player to watch in most fantasy leagues as he adds depth to Cleveland's receiving corps behind Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman. Only in the deepest of fantasy leagues with large benches should fantasy managers add Toney off the wire.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running backs De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) were both listed as not practicing on the estimation of Monday's practice report. Heading into a short week, the Dolphins are likely just being cautious with their top two backs. However, if either of them remain DNPs on Tuesday, fantasy managers may want to start getting worried for Thursday's contest against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. If one or both of Achane and Mostert cannot play this week, it would thrust Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright into much bigger backfield roles. Wright was a healthy scratch in the Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Achane had only 24 yards on 10 carries but found the end zone and added seven catches for 76 yards in Week 1. He will continue to split touches with Mostert, but Achane is the better upside RB play in fantasy on a weekly basis.
From RotoBaller