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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

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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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11

Player Notes
Wil Lutz Nov 16 10:40am ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has been hit or miss for fantasy purposes in 2024, but in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons at home, he represents a solid top-12 streaming option. Lutz has one of the best matchups for kickers this week, as the Falcons have allowed 9.2 fantasy points per game to the position, which is tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for most in the league. The 30-year-old veteran should be able to bounce back after one of his worst performances of the year, when he missed both of his field-goal attempts -- one was blocked and the other attempt was from 60-plus yards -- while making two extra points in the loss to the Chiefs. Despite the two misses last week, Lutz has made 85.7% of his field-goal tries in 2024 and ranks as the No. 12 fantasy kicker in overall fantasy points through the first 10 weeks.

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Devaughn Vele Nov 16 10:30am ET
Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele is looking to stay more involved in the Week 11 contest against the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after catching his first career touchdown pass in the Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Vele's 35 offensive snaps he played last Sunday were the most in his first six NFL games, and he caught all four of his targets for 39 yards and the TD. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah is actually third on the Broncos in receiving yards (215) this year behind Courtland Sutton and running back Javonte Williams and he should continue to have a role with Josh Reynolds (finger) on Injured Reserve. The Falcons secondary is inconsistent and vulnerable, too, although the lack of consistent volume for Vele makes him hard to recommend for starting fantasy lineups. He's caught 22 of his 27 targets on the year for 215 yards and one TD.

From RotoBaller

Lil'Jordan Humphrey Nov 16 10:30am ET
Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey is 0% rostered in Yahoo fantasy football leagues and is not a recommended play for the Week 11 tilt in Denver against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Humphrey does have some impressive after-the-catch abilities, but Denver's offense just hasn't had enough firepower this year to really support another fantasy-relevant pass-catcher behind Courtland Sutton. The 26-year-old Humphrey only had two receptions (three targets) for 23 yards in last week's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, and he's currently fourth on the team in receiving yards (211) on the year. Humphrey also has yet to find the end zone in 2024. He hasn't eclipsed 50 receiving yards in a single game despite seeing a bigger role on offense ever since the injury to Josh Reynolds (finger).

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Nov 16 10:10am ET
Anthony Richardson

The New York Jets defense struggled in Week 10, allowing the Arizona Cardinals to rack up 31 points against them in a blowout loss. They will look to bounce back at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The Colts have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to fantasy defenses this season and will turn back to struggling second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson after starting Joe Flacco in the previous two games. New York's defense has plenty of talent but they have been a mild disappointment this season. That being said, they are four-point home favorites in a game with a reasonably low 43.5-point over/under, putting New York in the position to post a useful fantasy outing on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Tutu Atwell Nov 16 10:00am ET
Tutu Atwell

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is off the fantasy radar heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Atwell played admirably in the absences of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua earlier this year, but he has fallen back down the depth chart upon their returns. He has caught just one pass in each of his last three games, playing less than 35 percent of the snaps in all of those contests. Even against a Patriots defense allowing the 11th-most catches and receiving yards to opposing receivers, Atwell can be ignored in fantasy football. In fact, he's droppable in redraft leagues with 14 or fewer teams.

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Tyquan Thornton Nov 16 10:00am ET
Tyquan Thornton

The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (personal), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Thornton had missed Thursday's practice with a personal matter, but he returned in a full capacity on Friday. The former 50th overall pick was underwhelming in two-and-a-half seasons with the Patriots, catching just 39 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns over 28 games. This year alone, he had just four catches for 47 yards. A divorce between Thornton and the Patriots seemed inevitable after the team looked to trade him earlier this month. Nothing came to fruition, and Thornton ended up being a healthy scratch for each of the last two weeks. Despite his underwhelming stats in New England, the 24-year-old still has the allure of draft capital less than three years removed from being a second-round pick. He should generate some interest in free agency.

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Demarcus Robinson Nov 16 9:50am ET
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson should be viewed as a low-floor, high-ceiling option heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Robinson had strung together an impressive two-game stretch with eight catches, 129 yards, and four touchdowns, but he came crashing back down to earth with just one reception for 23 yards last week. Still, he was targeted by Matthew Stafford five times, reaffirming the veteran's interest in getting the ball into Robinson's hands. Given that Robinson is a big-play deep threat, there are going to be some times when he just can't seem to get a spark offensively. Other times, he'll repeatedly catch deep passes and add a score or two. The Patriots aren't dominant against receivers, so Robinson could certainly be capable of breaking off a huge play (or even a touchdown) this week. The alternative, though, is a one-catch game with just a couple fantasy points. Managers should evaluate Robinson against other bench players on their roster, keeping in mind that Robinson ranks as a fantasy WR4.

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Colby Parkinson Nov 16 9:50am ET
Colby Parkinson

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson appears to have been demoted to the No. 2 role on offense amidst the recent emergence of fellow tight end Davis Allen. In his last two games, Allen has averaged 55 percent and 80 percent of the offensive snaps, respectively. Parkinson, on the other hand, played just 42 percent and 16 percent, respectively. This is a major fall from grace for Parkinson, who had been a respectable streaming option earlier in the year, catching at least three passes in four of his first five games. As long as Allen and the rest of the Rams' pass-catchers stay healthy, Parkinson lacks fantasy appeal.

From RotoBaller

Davis Allen Nov 16 9:50am ET
Davis Allen

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen has snuck onto the lower end of the fantasy radar after two impressive games. The 23-year-old has seemingly taken over as the Rams' top tight end, replacing 25-year-old Colby Parkinson. Allen has simply looked more talented and promising than Parkinson, catching five of his six targets for 34 yards as recently as last week versus Miami. It's a little too early to scramble and add Allen off the waiver wire, but his increased role and productivity are certainly intriguing. He's worth monitoring going forward as a potential midseason waiver claim.

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Puka Nacua Nov 16 9:40am ET
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will look to maintain his steady volume and production during Sunday's Week 11 contest against the New England Patriots. Nacua has been impressive so far this season, averaging eight catches and 102 yards in the two games for which he's been healthy. He remains off the injury report against the Patriots and figures to have a full workload. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a merely modest matchup on tap, Nacua has shown that he can handle all challenges and should be treated as a low-end WR1 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Nov 16 9:30am ET
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams saw his nine-game rushing touchdown streak come to an end in Week 9, and he hasn't been able to find the end zone in either of his last two contests. He'll look to pick back up and restart his streak this week against the New England Patriots. New England presents a favorable matchup for Williams given that the Rams are favorites to win (and therefore could run the ball more often) and the Patriots' defense has struggled to contain the rushing attack. In fact, the Patriots have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing touchdowns, and sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Fantasy managers should fire up Williams as a strong, mid-range RB1 option.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Nov 16 9:30am ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks to continue his impressive stretch of games this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Kupp has totaled 23 catches, 235 yards, and one touchdown through three games since returning from injury, giving him 15+ fantasy points (PPR) in all three of those contests. This week, Kupp faces a Patriots defense that has been susceptible to the pass when tested. Of course, the Patriots have trailed for most of this season, so it's common for their opponents to run the ball more than they pass, especially as the clock winds down later in the game. With that said, the Patriots have still been thrown against. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a modest matchup on tap, Kupp has proven that he is matchup-proof and should be deployed in all leagues. Fantasy managers can trust him as a low-end fantasy WR1 this weekend.

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Joshua Karty Nov 16 9:20am ET
Joshua Karty

Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty faces the New England Patriots in Week 11, and he'll look to build on last week's impressive outing in which he drilled five of six field goals, including one from beyond 50 yards. Although New England has merely ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers, Karty figures to benefit from the Rams being favored to win. The lines put Los Angeles in a position to score plenty of points, which means several field-goal opportunities for Karty. He's a fine streamer this week, ranking as a fringe top-12 fantasy kicker.

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Matthew Stafford Nov 16 9:20am ET
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford can continue to be benched in most single-QB leagues as he faces the New England Patriots in Week 11. While the Rams enter Sunday's game as favorites and the Patriots' defense hasn't been a major turnover machine this year, it should be emphasized that New England has allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. They've also allowed the 11th-fewest touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks, which could be a result of both their solid goal-line defense and other teams' tendencies to run the ball at a greater rate of frequency. All in all, the stars don't appear to be aligning for Stafford in fantasy football this week. He's outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks, making him startable only in deeper or 2-QB leagues.

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Anders Carlson Nov 16 9:10am ET
Anders Carlson

The New York Jets are expected to deploy Anders Carlson as their kicker heading into Week 11's home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets went with rookie Spencer Shrader as their kicker in Week 10 but the Kansas City Chiefs signed him from New York's practice squad on Thursday after losing Harrison Butker to injured reserve with a knee injury. That means the Jets will have their fourth kicker in as many weeks when they face off against a Colts defense that is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season. Carlson is not a recommended fantasy option this weekend.

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Garrett Wilson Nov 16 9:00am ET
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson turned in his slowest game since Week 4 with a five-catch, 41-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. He will look to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 11. The Colts have struggled to contain opposing receivers this season, allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Wilson has seen at least eight targets in all but two of his games this season and is safe to deploy as a solid WR1 in fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Nov 16 9:00am ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin has been quiet of late, having caught just two passes for five yards over his past two games. The veteran tight end will look to bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 11. The Colts represent an excellent matchup for Conklin as they are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. That being said, Conklin is not a major piece of the passing attack for the Jets and he may struggle to get the targets needed to take advantage of this cake matchup. Treat Conklin as a low-end TE2 who is worth a look as a streaming option if desperate in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Nov 16 8:50am ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall has been held out of the end zone for three straight games and ran for just 52 yards on 10 carries last week. He will look to break that streak in Week 11's home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been an average matchup for running backs this season as they are allowing the 17th-fewest fantasy points per game this season. Despite his recent struggles, Hall remains an explosive player with the potential to do damage in the passing game, which keeps him in the conversation as a mid-range RB1 heading into Week 11.

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Aaron Rodgers Nov 16 8:40am ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (hamstring, knee) is coming off one of his slowest games of the year as he threw for just 151 scoreless yards in a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. He has a chance to bounce back at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The Colts have struggled to slow opposing passing attacks this season as they are allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks thus far. Despite the plus matchup, Rodgers has not been fantasy-relevant very often this season, leaving him as a low-end QB2 for Week 11.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Nov 16 6:20am ET
Jameis Winston

The New Orleans Saints D/ST had a bit of a rebound against the Falcons in Week 10. For the first time since Week 3, they held their opponent to 17 points or fewer and they also racked up three sacks and an interception. The team has at least one pick in all but two games this season. In Week 11, they have a favorable matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland's offense is averaging 16.4 points per game, fourth lowest in the league, and is allowing a league-worst 4.8 sacks per game. New Orleans' pressure rate ranks in the middle of the pack but they should have an easier time getting to quarterback Jameis Winston as the Browns' O-line concedes pressure at the fourth-fastest rate in the league. New Orleans is a quality candidate for streamers looking for a D/ST unit in Week 11.

From RotoBaller