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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

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 2

Player Notes
Will McDonald IV Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Will McDonald IV

The New York Jets defense played well in a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. New York forced two turnovers and notched four sacks while holding the Titans to 300 yards of total offense in the close win. The Jets got three sacks from Will McDonald IV while the fourth one came from Solomon Thomas. They did lose top linebacker C.J. Mosley to a toe injury in the game, which will be something worth monitoring with the team's next game coming on Thursday night against the New England Patriots. For what it's worth, head coach Robert Saleh sounded hopeful that Mosley will be able to play this week. Stay tuned.

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Jalen Nailor Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Jalen Nailor

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor caught 3-of-4 targets for 54 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It's the second week in a row with a TD for the 25-year-old, as despite him drawing just one target last week -- he made it count with a 21-yard score. Nailor saw his playing time tick up in Week 2 with the news that teammate Jordan Addison (ankle) was ruled out with a nagging injury. It was a solid performance by the former sixth-round pick as he builds off a strong preseason where he was one of the most productive Vikings' skill players. Addison's timetable for return is not exactly clear. However, he does still face potential disciplinary action from the league stemming from a Jul. 11 incident in which he fell asleep at the wheel while driving under the influence of alcohol. His court date is Oct. 7. Nailor seems to be the next man up and will be an intriguing asset if Addison is forced to miss more time. Minnesota will square up against the Houston Texans in Week 3.

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Kyren Williams Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams turned in a decent performance, all things considered, in the team's 41-10 loss at Arizona on Sunday afternoon. The Rams' lead back scored a touchdown, which ended up aiding him to a so-so outing in a disastrous day for L.A. in the desert. Williams carried 12 times for 25 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 27 yards on five targets out of the backfield. The involvement in the passing game is a good sign moving forward. The 2.1 yards per carry is not a good look for Williams. Backup running back Blake Corum (eight carries for 28 yards), while also inefficient, was more involved this week. The Rams' offense has been bit heavily by the injury bug, with top receivers Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) banged up. Williams will likely be the focal point of the depleted offense now with the team potentially down its top two receivers moving forward.

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Derek Carr Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr torched the Dallas defense in Week 2's 44-19 blowout win. Carr has been on fire to start the season, quarterbacking the team's hottest offense to an average of 45.5 points per game. Carr only had to throw 16 passes in the win, completing 11 for 243 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also rushed once for one yard. The veteran quarterback is now firmly in the streaming conversation as New Orleans gears up for next Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

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Isaiah Likely Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely couldn't replicate the same magic from Week 1 as he came up with a disappointing performance in the 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The third-year tight end recorded two receptions for 26 yards on three targets and was doubled up by Mark Andrews in receptions and almost in yards. Likely's fantasy value is going to be volatile as the passing game seems to have a different hot hand each week. On top of that, there will be changing tight end priorities while the offensive line goes through a rough patch to start the year. Likely will look to create more separation in Week 3 when the Ravens take on the Dallas Cowboys in a big road game.

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Chase Brown Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had a rough showing in Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. After an uneventful performance in Week 1 versus the Patriots, Brown finished Week 2 with just four carries for 31 yards. He also was held without a catch. Zack Moss was still the top rusher out of the backfield, with the 26-year-old going for 34 yards off 12 touches. While Moss may find himself in the doghouse at some point if he doesn't turn things around, Brown will need to prove his value to managers before working his way back into fantasy lineups. Keep him on the bench in Week 3 versus the Commanders.

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Alvin Kamara Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara had himself a day on Sunday in the 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran rushed 20 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns, adding two catches for 65 yards and an additional touchdown through the air. It was a vintage Kamara performance, as the 29-year-old has looked reignited in Klint Kubiak's offense. In the second quarter, he showcased his explosiveness on a 57-yard touchdown reception to go up 21-6. Despite the matchup being tough on paper, Kamara still finished as the RB1 on the day. He should be in all lineups next week against Philadelphia.

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Blake Corum Sep 15 10:30pm ET
Blake Corum

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Blake Corum was more involved during the team's blowout loss to the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon but did little to inspire too much confidence. The Michigan product rushed eight times for 28 yards, which made him the leading rusher in the game for L.A. The 3.5 yards per carry leave something to be desired and he was not targeted in the passing game at all. It should be noted that this game was well out of hand, so Corum's involvement might need to be taken with a grain of salt. But it was a good sign that he got some work in. With Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) now injured the team could become more of a run-first offense with Kyren Williams and Corum shouldered more of a load. Corum is largely touchdown-dependent as a standalone fantasy option but he could be worth stashing for later in the season.

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Tyler Conklin Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught one of his two targets for 10 yards in a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. Conklin was quiet in a game where Aaron Rodgers only completed 18 passes against the Titans. The veteran tight end has not been a major part of the New York offense through two games as he has drawn just four targets, turning those into two catches for 16 yards. Conklin should be on waivers in fantasy leagues heading into Week 3's Thursday night game against the New England Patriots.

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Mark Andrews Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews received the second-most targets in the team's three-point loss at home to the Las Vegas Raiders. While he received more work this time compared to Isaiah Likely, he was unable to turn it into that much. He finished with four receptions for 51 yards on five targets but couldn't find the end zone. The fact that Andrews was more involved in this game was encouraging, but the passing game has been lackluster so far outside of one pass-catcher per game. He'll need to be a big part of the offense if the Ravens want to find their first win on the road against a capable Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had a rough afternoon at Arizona after losing his top target Cooper Kupp (ankle) in the team's 41-10 loss on Sunday. Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He did lose a fumble in the game and was sacked five times. With Kupp exiting after four catches for 37 yards on six targets, Stafford found it tough sledding against the Cardinals' defense. The injuries to the Rams' offensive weapons are piling up and it's fair to wonder how the veteran QB will fare without his top two playmakers in Kupp and Puka Nacua (knee). The extent of Kupp's injury is still unknown but he was seen leaving the locker room in a walking boot. It was a disastrous day for the Rams in Arizona so they'll want to put this one behind them and regroup. Sean McVay and his staff will be busy this week figuring out how to get Stafford going with limited weapons.

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Zack Moss Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss had an underwhelming Week 2 showing versus the Chiefs. After finding the end zone in Week 1, the 26-year-old finished Sunday's contest by amassing 34 yards off 12 carries. With Tee Higgins (hamstring) sidelined, some believed Moss would have a more prominent role, especially as a pass-catcher. Yet, that didn't happen, with the 2020 No. 86 overall pick catching one pass for 13 yards. He still had more carries than Chase Brown, who had four touches for 31 yards. However, fantasy managers will still likely be nervous about Moss' potential in Week 3 against the Commanders. With that in mind, he still deserves at least flex consideration, although the topic can be revisited based on his performance after Monday night's showdown with Washington.

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Greg Zuerlein Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Greg Zuerlein

New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein made his lone field-goal try and added three extra points in a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. Zuerlein drilled a 33-yard try in the third quarter, his first field-goal attempt through the first two games of the season. It has been slow going thus far but the veteran kicker should start to see field-goal chances more frequently as the New York offense comes together. He will have a short turnaround as the Jets play the New England Patriots in Week 3's Thursday night game.

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Jordan Mason Sep 15 10:20pm ET
Jordan Mason

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason once again rewarded fantasy managers in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Minnesota. The second-year undrafted pro from Georgia Tech racked up exactly 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and caught his only target for four yards receiving. He fumbled once, in the second quarter, but quickly recovered it. Mason once again looked the part of a Shanahan zone running back, showing vision and burst with a one-cut downhill style throughout the game. With Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) out for the season and All-Pro starter Christian McCaffrey out until at least Week 6 and possibly even longer, those who have rostered Mason have to be excited about what he's doing with the keys to the backfield. Mason will run up against the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 3 next Sunday.

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Marvin Harrison Jr. Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Dynasty | Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr had four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in Arizona's demolition of the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: A week after Harrison had just one catch for four yards, he single-handedly roasted the Rams and amazingly did all his damage in the first quarter before the Cardinals went conservative in a blowout win. Harrison reminded everyone just what kind of talent he has and solidified his status as the top overall rookie in dynasty leagues this season. The "buy low" window was pretty quick and Harrison is a "locked and loaded" option moving forward. Dynasty managers can now breathe easy.

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Trey Benson Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Trey Benson

Dynasty | Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson had ten rushing yards on 11 carries in Arizona's blowout win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: Benson is playing a distant second behind James Conner (124 total yards and a touchdown on 22 touches today) and not doing much with the opportunities he's been given thus far. At this point, Conner (4.6 yards per carry and two scores) is simply outplaying Benson (1.7 yards per carry and no scores), making Benson simply a handcuff moving forward. This could open a solid "buy low" opportunity for dynasty managers but Benson has been relatively ineffective so far in his career and needs a big performance here soon.

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Kyler Murray Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Kyler Murray

Dynasty | Kyler Murray completed 17-of-21 passes for 266 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Cardinals blowout win over the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: With no turnovers, four touchdowns, 116 rushing yards, and a completion percentage over 70% on the season, it's fair to really say Murray looks back. With Marvin Harrison Jr erupting for two touchdowns on the day, the dynasty arrow on Murray is pointing up and he looks like a clear QB1 moving forward. In short, it really looks like the Cardinals made the right choice in staying the course with Murray this season, despite some speculation they'd move on from the talented signal caller. Dynasty managers should have no hesitation in playing Murray from this point forward.

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Blake Corum Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Blake Corum

Dynasty | Rams running back Blake Corum had 28 yards on eight carries in his Rams debut. Dynasty Analysis: The good news is it seems Corum may have already passed Ronnie Rivers as the RB2 in Los Angeles. The bad news is he really didn't do much even against a defense that was up by more than 30 points and daring the Rams to run the ball. There really isn't much to read into this, honestly. Corum should remain on dynasty benches as a high-end handcuff at the moment.

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Patrick Mahomes Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Dynasty | Chiefs rookie receiver Xavier Worthy had two catches for 17 yards in a win against the Bengals. Dynasty Analysis: Worthy added five rushing yards on the day. Patrick Mahomes was bottled up for just 151 passing yards on the day, so dynasty managers don't need to panic. Still, this goes to show what we though - Worthy is going to be a "boom or bust" option early on in his career until he establishes solid trust and rapport with Mahomes. Worthy won't be a strong consideration next week but he's clearly a strong dynasty asset who has more than justified his rookie draft slot thus far.

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Patrick Mahomes Sep 15 10:13pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice had five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs win against the Bengals. Dynasty Analysis: On a day where Patrick Mahomes was quiet, Rice showed he's becoming matchup-proof with another big game, highlighted by a 44-yard touchdown. Rice is a clear WR2 who is likely going to post some WR1 games moving forward. While his maturity (and possible looming suspension) are in question, his talent clearly is not.

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