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.
RTSports Super Bowl Preview
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt thinks the most likely outcome for New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) is that he retires this offseason, although there's still a chance he'll want to play elsewhere. Mosley played in only four games in 2024 due to various injuries, and even when he was available, he didn't look as good. If the Jets want to save money on his contract and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they'd save $4 million on the 2025 salary cap with an $8.78 million dead-cap penalty. If Mosley doesn't retire, there's a good chance the Jets will move on and release him. The 32-year-old veteran linebacker only played in two games for the Jets in his first year with the team in 2019 due to injury and then opted out of the COVID season in 2020. In his four games in 2024, he totaled 17 tackles (13 solo). Mosley has just one year left on his deal with the Jets.
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The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams is unlikely to want to return in 2025 with the team parting ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Adams' contract is structured in a way that would give him the power to ultimately force his release. Adams has a $38.25 million salary cap hit in 2025, although none of his $35.6 million salary is guaranteed. The expectation is that New York will cut or trade Adams and save $29.8 million in cap space while taking on $8.3 million in dead money. It's unclear where the 32-year-old veteran will end up, but it's possible he'll follow Rodgers to another team if Rodgers doesn't retire. Although the Jets couldn't turn things around after trading for Adams, he ended up finishing with his fifth straight 1,000-yard season despite playing in only 14 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is fully expected to be released after Year 2 of his disastrous four-year, $44 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Lazard was downright bad in 2023 and played only slightly better with quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year before getting hurt late in the season. The 29-year-old was one of the most drop-prone receivers in the league and admitted that he struggles when Rodgers isn't on the field. The Jets will sav $6.6 million in salary cap space if/when they cut Lazard while taking on $6.5 million in dead money. If he's a post-June 1 cut, the Jets would save $11 million with a $2.1 million dead-cap penalty. Lazard was a major miss, catching 60 passes for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in his two seasons with the Jets. If Rodgers retires this offseason, Lazard would be pretty bummed.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins informed former Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert of his release on Friday, according to his agent, Brett Tessler. Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and had a career-high 1,012 rushing yards on 209 carries for the Dolphins in 2023 as a first-time Pro Bowler, but he predictably came back down to Earth last season and finished with 85 carries, 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 catches for 161 additional yards in 13 games (one start). With the release of the 32-year-old veteran, Miami will clear $2.97 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season. De'Von Achane will once again enter the upcoming season as the Dolphins' primary back, but now he'll have Jaylen Wright as his primary backup. Mostert isn't likely to have a strong free-agent market and will most likely be a short-yardage, No. 2 back wherever he ends up.
From RotoBaller
Impending free-agent QB Jameis Winston (Browns) stated on the Up & Adams show that the Pittsburgh Steelers were among the teams he would interested in signing with this offseason.
Fantasy Spin: It seems like an unlikely marriage considering how aggressive Winston and how conservative the Steelers typically are offensively, but such a marriage could be huge news for George Pickens as Winston loves throwing downfield. To a lesser extent, Pat Freiermuth would also likely benefit. It seems more likely that the Steelers would try to keep either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, but they could do a lot worse than Winston as a bridge quarterback.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert was informed that he will be released on Friday, Feb. 14.
Fantasy Spin: While somewhat expected given his age (32) and the presence of De'Von Achane, the move is still a bit surprising Mostert is one season removed from scoring a team-record 21 touchdowns. Mostert is highly unlikely to find a starting job anywhere, but he still brings enough to the table to be a capable backup somewhere in the league. The move could also suggest Miami wanted to clear a path for 2024 draft pick Jaylen Wright to be the unquestioned 1B back to Achane.
From TheHuddle
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From TheHuddle
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed running back Keaontay Ingram to a Reserve/Futures deal on Thursday. Ingram will stick around with the Chiefs this offseason after inking a one-year deal with the team a year ago. The 25-year-old former sixth-round selection (201st overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 saw 62 rushing attempts for 134 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching eight of nine targets for 47 yards in 20 games (one start) in his first two years in the league with Arizona. He spent most of the 2024 season on the Chiefs' practice squad and was active for only one regular-season game on Sept. 22 in a win over the Atlanta Falcons, but he wasn't involved at all on offense. Ingram will continue to train with KC this offseason and will be hoping to do enough at training camp this offseason to win a 53-man roster spot as RB depth.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears TE Gerald Everett could be a candidate to be released this offseason because the team would save $5.5 million if they let him go, in the opinion of BearsWire's Brendan Sugrue.
From TheHuddle
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire began the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs but opened the year on the Non-Football Illness list while dealing with mental-health issues. The former 32nd overall pick by the Chiefs in 2020 out of LSU never played in a regular-season game for KC last year before being waived in December and picked up by the Saints as additional depth for a banged-up backfield. The 25-year-old ended up playing in two games for the Saints, carrying the ball 13 times for 46 yards and adding three catches for 24 yards. CEH, who has averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his five NFL seasons, will now work out with New Orleans this offseason and attempt to win a roster spot in training camp. He'll be facing an uphill battle for a significant role on offense in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is "on the right track" in his recovery from a devastating knee injury that he suffered in 2024. "We'll see where he ends up," Ryans said. Dell has a long way to go in his recovery from a torn ACL, MCL and LCL, but it's nice to hear that things are going well early on. Despite Ryans' statement, there remains a pretty good chance that the 25-year-old won't be able to play at all in 2025 after needing multiple surgeries to fix the extensive damage to his left knee. And when the speedy deep threat does return for the Texans, he may never be the same. In addition to tearing all those ligaments, he dislocated his knee and suffered damage to his meniscus. In 14 games before his injury, Dell had 51 catches, 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. We'll continue to provide updates on Dell's long road to recovery
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) said on Thursday that he's making good progress in his recovery from surgery for a left high-ankle sprain. "Got off the scooter, now I'm in a boot, and I'll get the boot off Monday. I'm A-plus across the board, as far as Dr. Anderson... I'm in a great place right now," Crosby said. The 27-year-old aggravated his ankle injury in Week 14 and eventually need a tightrope procedure on his ankle in December, which landed him on Injured Reserve to end the year. Barring a setback with his ankle recovery this offseason, Crosby figures to be a full-go for training camp this summer and for the start of the 2025 regular season in the fall. The former fourth-round pick in 2019 out of Eastern Michigan has made the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons and should remain a high-end D-line target in IDP leagues despite his ankle injury in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New head coach Kellen Moore made it absolutely clear on Thursday in his introductory press conference on Thursday that he plans to call the plays for the New Orleans Saints offense in 2025. "We like to use a lot of tempo every place that I've been," Moore said. "We'll use shifts and motions when we huddle, but we want to stress the defense." Moore had three top-10 passing offenses as the offensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, including a pair of No. 2 finishes. As the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, he helped the team win Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles ranked seventh in points and eighth in the NFL in yards, while running back Saquon Barkley had 2,000-plus rushing yards during the regular season. The Saints' No. 1 order of business with Moore in tow will be to figure out their QB situation and to decide if they want Derek Carr back.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said he has a specific plan to best use wide receiver DK Metcalf in the team's offense and to maximize is freakish physical talents. "Down-the-field threat. Strong, physical player. Extremely excited about getting to work with him, and his physical presence. Brings a lot, can bring a lot, to our offense," Kubiak said. Extra defensive attention for Metcalf freed second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba up for 100 catches and a breakout season, but the Seahawks want more out of the 27-year-old Metcalf, who finished with 992 receiving yards, his fewest since 2021. He also had his second straight 66-catch season after a career-high 90 catches in 2022 and a career-low five TDs. Kubiak was with the Vikings the first couple years of Justin Jefferson's career, and fantasy managers will be hoping Kubiak looks to target Metcalf as much as he did Jefferson back then.
From RotoBaller
It sounds like New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will remain a big part of the offense under new head coach Kellen Moore in 2025. "Obviously one of the premiere players in our league, his ability to play in the pass game and the run game, all the different versatile roles that he can play. And so that's been a really important piece. It'll continue to be a really important piece," Moore said at his opening press conference on Thursday. Kamara isn't getting any younger and is entering his age-30 campaign -- typically the age when RBs begin breaking down -- but he didn't slow down in 2024 and had 1,493 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns while remaining active as a pass-catcher (68 receptions). The quarterback position is a question mark for the Saints this offseason, but with Moore calling plays, Kamara should remain heavily involved and enter the fall as a low-end RB1 in fantasy, at worst.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce said he will be taking some time to decide on his playing future, but DE Charles Omenihu said he believes that Kelce will play for the Chiefs in 2025.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation over the next few weeks to see if Kelce will continue his playing career. He was a big part of the passing game again this season and will be a No. 1 fantasy tight end in 2025 if he plays.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | The Jets have informed Aaron Rodgers of his release. Dynasty Analysis: The combination of Rodgers being woefully ineffective and apparently unwilling to conform to the expectations of a new regime led to this expected outcome. Rodgers was apparently given some new parameters to abide by, including attending more off-season activities and staying away from his controversial media appearances on multiple shows. Rodgers clearly balked at these new expectations and that left the Jets little choice. As for A-Rod, he'll be a true free agent for the first time in his career. Unfortunately, it's hard to see many teams looking at him as a viable starter after he's proven to be a shell of his former self the past year or so. This ultimately could be the end. Rodgers is still roster worthy at the moment, but that could change soon.
Dynasty | Former Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has signed with the Chiefs. Dynasty Analysis: The Pats used a second round pick on Thornton in 2022 but he produced just 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns over 28 games and three seasons. He's unlikely to do much with the Chiefs and has little dynasty value, but he's still worthy of being on watch lists at the moment.
Dynasty | The Falcons have signed free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. Dynasty Analysis: Once a first round pick of the Indianapolis Colts, Dorsett has posted just over 2,000 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over 94 career games with Indianapolis, New England, Jacksonville, Seattle, Houston, and Denver. The journeyman wideout could add some depth to Atlanta, but he's still far off the dynasty map.
Philadelphia Eagles CB James Bradberry (Achilles, calf) revealed to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic on Thursday, Feb. 13, that he tore his Achilles and soleus muscle in late August. Bradberry also told Kubena that his recovery went well and the expectation is that he will be available to the team this spring.
From TheHuddle