WR Strength of Schedule
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.
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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Dynasty | The Chiefs are signing wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Dynasty Analysis: It used to be a little more exciting when any free agent signed with Kansas City, but the team's offense has changed dramatically, making it much different now. Thornton will try to stick with the club as a depth piece and clearly has the talent to do so. However, Thornton failed to live up to his second round draft stock in New England and his dynasty value is near zero. He could be worth a speculative add, but you'd need some clear roster space to take the plunge on him.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) could have his 21-day practice window opened this week. Greenlaw has been on the injured reserve all season after suffering a torn Achilles during the Super Bowl. It sounds like Greenlaw is close to making it back on the field. The expectation is that Greenlaw will need to practice for a few weeks before getting back into game action. This defensive unit could certainly use Greenlaw's help, but the team isn't going to rush him back to the field. Greenlaw getting back to practice this week would be a huge step forward in his recovery process.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (forearm) has been placed on Injured Reserve on Monday. This is another big hit to the Lions defense. Anzalone suffered a broken forearm during Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The organization said Anzalone is set to miss 6-8 weeks while he recovers from this injury. There's a chance he's ready by the end of the season or in time for the playoffs. Anzalone has 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and one sack through nine games this season. Jack Campbell figures to start in his place going forward. This Lions defense can't take too many more hits with a handful of defenders already on the injured reserve.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Monday's game against the Houston Texans. Yikes, the injuries continue to pile up on the Cowboys as Ferguson was forced to exit early in the first quarter with a head injury. He has now been ruled out for the rest of the contest and placed into the league's concussion protocol. Ferguson caught his lone target for 11 yards before exiting the contest. Luke Schoonmaker will take over as the primary tight end for the rest of this game. He has eight receptions for 56 yards coming into Monday's contest. He might have some streaming appeal next week if Ferguson is unable to play next Sunday.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers WR Jacob Cowing (concussion) is going through the concussion protocol, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
From TheHuddle
The New York Jets signed kicker Anders Carlson to their 53-man active roster on Monday after the Kansas City Chiefs swooped Spencer Shrader off their practice squad last week. In his debut with the Jets in the 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Carlson made both of his field-goal attempts (long of 58 yards) and all three of his extra-point tries. The 26-year-old struggled with the Green Bay Packers in his rookie season in 2023, making only 81.8% of his 33 field-goal attempts before the Packers cut him in training camp. Carlson had a two-game stint with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year while filling in for the injured Jake Moody and made all five of his field-goal opportunities while missing one of his four extra points. At best, Carlson will be a deep-league streaming option in fantasy with Greg Zuerlein (knee) still on Injured Reserve.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (shoulder) was listed as limited on the team's Monday practice estimation ahead of their Week 12 game on Thursday night versus the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Moore is most likely being rested on a short week and should be able to suit up on Thursday after catching six of his eight targets for 66 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Week 11. The 24-year-old pass-catcher has benefitted from the switch from quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to Jameis Winston, catching 17 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in the three games since Winston took over under center. Despite the recent uptick in production for Moore, fantasy managers should be looking to fade him in the upcoming Week 12 matchup against the Steelers on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) is on the Week 12 injury report and was listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report ahead of the Thursday night game versus the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Njoku's knee injury will be something to watch, but the Browns are likely just giving him some extra rest on a short week, and he should be available to play against Pittsburgh. Similar to last year, the 28-year-old's fantasy value has gone up after the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson (Achilles). In the three games since Jameis Winston has taken over, Njoku has 19 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown. He came down with all nine of his targets for 81 yards in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. The matchup against the Steelers won't be easy, but Njoku should at least garner attention as a low-end TE1 if he's active.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) hopefully will be able to participate in practice at some point this week, according to head coach Dan Quinn.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness on Monday and is considered day-to-day, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Purdy might be included on the team's Week 12 injury report but he should ultimately be fine to play this upcoming Sunday on the road at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. The 24-year-old was without tight end George Kittle (hamstring) in the Week 11 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and went 21-for-28 for a season-low 159 yards, one touchdown and his eighth interception of the year. His shoulder injury is something to watch throughout the week, but ultimately it shouldn't affect his Week 12 status. Purdy could certainly bounce back as more of a QB1 in fantasy against Green Bay, especially if Kittle is back in action.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (hips, obliques) will be evaluated throughout the week after being forced from the Week 11 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Bosa has been dealing with a hip/oblique injury and said he is now dealing with a similar injury on the other side after overcompensating for his previous injury. The Niners defense surely could have used the 27-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher late in Sunday's game against Seattle, and depending on how he recovers this week, they could be without him for a crucial NFC battle with the hosting Green Bay Packers in Week 12. "There's just as good of a chance for him to not play as play," Shanahan said about Bosa playing against Green Bay. It would be a significant downgrade for San Fran's pass rush if Bosa is inactive.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington joined the rest of the offense on Sunday in producing very little in the 52-6 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 11. Washington was targeted three times by quarterback Mac Jones and hauled in one of the three targets for a pickup of 10 yards. The 22-year-old should have a much bigger role moving forward now that Gabe Davis (knee) has been ruled out for the season, but Washington and the rest of the Jags' offense is desperately hoping that regular QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) will be ready to return following the team's Week 12 bye. Washington, a sixth-rounder in 2023, has just one catch for 10 yards in the two games that Mac Jones has started. He has only 10 catches (18 targets) for 118 yards and no TDs in 11 games this year and will primarily be a bench stash in deep leagues the rest of the way.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday after sitting out the Week 11 divisional loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday due to hamstring irritation that he picked up in the Week 10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle was "close" to playing on Sunday. Barring a setback once the 31-year-old returns to practice this week, he should be able to return in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. With elevated playing time against Seattle with Kittle out, Eric Saubert failed to take advantage and caught one pass for seven yards. Despite missing two games this year due to injury, Kittle is the TE2 in half-PPR scoring with 43 receptions, 560 yards and a league-leading seven touchdowns. If he's active in Week 12, he's a must-start in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. was the team's lead back in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions on Sunday with Tank Bigsby (ankle) inactive, but he wasn't able to do much with his 15 touches in the 52-6 blowout loss. Etienne finished with a team-high 12 rushing attempts for only 27 yards (2.3 yards per carry) and caught all three of his targets for just six receiving yards. On the road against a stout Lions defensive front with quarterback Mac Jones filling in for Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) for the second straight week amounted to the Jaguars' offense getting absolutely dominated all day. It was surely a disappointment for Etienne's fantasy managers that were hoping for more with Bigsby out. The 25-year-old has under 50 rushing yards in five straight games now and could be splitting carries again with Bigsby coming out of the team's Week 12 bye.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram hauled in five of his seven targets for only 28 receiving yards in the 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions on the road on Sunday in Week 11. Outside of rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who had five catches for a team-high 82 yards, nobody in Jacksonville's offense was able to produce much on a day where the team was held out of the end zone and quarterback Mac Jones threw for under 150 yards. The good news for the 30-year-old veteran tight end is that his seven targets and five receptions were both tied for the team lead with Thomas. He's also had three straight games with at least five catches, although it hasn't come with much yardage. Hopefully for Engram's sake, he'll be taking passes from quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) again after the Week 12 bye, which would vault him into firm TE1 range in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle was not able to play in the Week 11 game but seems to have a chance to be available against the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy players should monitor the situation because Kittle is a weekly starting option when healthy.
From TheHuddle
As expected, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back, shoulder) is officially active on Monday night to face off against the Houston Texans. Lamb came into Week 11 preparation nursing a shoulder injury but then popped up on the injury report on Saturday due to a back injury and was listed as questionable. The Cowboys never seemed terribly worried that Lamb would miss Monday's game, though. Although Lamb's fantasy ceiling and floor have dropped considerably with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the year, he still belongs in most starting fantasy lineups on a weekly basis. The 25-year-old caught six of his 10 targets for 21 yards in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and will look to do better on Monday with quarterback Cooper Rush throwing him the ball. Dallas will likely have to pass frequently to keep up with Houston.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys have declared FB Hunter Luepke, WR Jalen Brooks, LB Damone Clark, CB DaRon Bland, OT Matt Waletzko, CB Jourdan Lewis and DL K.J. Henry inactive for Week 11.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints WR Kevin Austin and WR Dante Pettis reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 18, after being on the injury report for the Week 11 game.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (ankle, rib) said he believes he will be able to play in Week 12 even though he is dealing with ankle and rib injuries.
From TheHuddle
