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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 10
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 10
- NFL roundup: Chiefs block Broncos' FG to stay unbeaten
- Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) out vs. Colts
- Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence to sit out vs. Vikings
- Chargers activate Gus Edwards (ankle) off IR; RB questionable vs. Titans
- Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (ankle) to return
- Texans activate WR Nico Collins (hamstring) off IR
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott likely to have season-ending surgery
- 49ers' Christian McCaffrey off IR, slated to make season debut vs. Bucs
- Roger Goodell: NFL working on adding Berlin game
- Former first-rounder Terrell Edmunds released as Steelers shuffle roster
- Panthers DL D.J. Wonnum expected make season debut vs. Giants
- Colts promote WR Laquon Treadwell to roster for game vs. Bills
- Dolphins coach on Tyreek Hill: 'If his body lets him, he'll play'
- Saints WR Chris Olave (concussion) to land on IR
- Top 10 Player Props for NFL Week 10
- 49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey questionable, will come off IR
- Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) out vs. Steelers
- Falcons WR Drake London (hip) questionable vs. Saints
- Titans tab QB Will Levis to start vs. Chargers
- Eagles coach: QB Jalen Hurts limited by ankle, or just resting
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 10 | Is Russell Wilson Still Cooking?
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Players to Stash Week 10 | Gonzo For Jonnu
- Fantasy Life: Week 10 MNF Best Bets: Dolphins-Rams, Catch Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Takeaways From Week 10: Kyler Murray Bounces Back
- Fantasy Life: Week 11 Early NFL Betting Lines: Get In On Ravens-Steelers
- Fantasy Life: Best Bets For Sunday Night Football Week 10: Texans vs Lions
- Fantasy Life: Important Week 10 News Updates
- Fantasy Life: Betting Edges For The Week 10 Late Slate
The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 10
- RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 10
- Injury Status: Week 10
- The Weekly Bender: NFL Trade Deadline Fantasy Fallout
- Lineup Prep: Week 10
- Waivering: Week 10
- Studs and Duds: Week 9
- Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pick Em Picks: Week 9
- Week 10 Player Rankings
- Week 10 Inactives
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert converted his three targets into two catches for 25 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 10 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Although his volume was quite low, he salvaged his fantasy performance by finding the end zone in Philadelphia's big 34-6 win. The 29-year-old is averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game (PPR) this year and should be treated as a mid-to-low TE1 heading into Week 11 versus the Washington Commanders.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara came into Week 10 needing 12 yards to overtake Mark Ingram as the franchise's all-time leading rusher and achieved that milestone on his second touch of the game. On the day he took 17 carries 55 yards on the ground and caught five of his six targets for 54 receiving yards. With the Saints' receiving corps depleted by injury, Kamara led the team in receptions and targets. With just under two minutes left in the game, Kamara was left wide open downfield but what would have been the game-sealing touchdown pass bounced off his hands. The Saints held on for a 20-17 win over the Falcons but Kamara's scoreless streak extends to four games. His next chance will come against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Taysom Hill had four rushing attempts for 14 yards and caught both of his targets for 36 receiving yards in the New Orleans Saints 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons. Hill could have had a much more lucrative fantasy score had it not been for a teammate's miscue. The 34-year-old utilityman was on the receiving end of the Saints' opening play, a play-action bootleg that he took 88 yards to the end zone, but the score was nullified due to a holding penalty on Foster Moreau. Hill's usage disappointed fantasy managers hoping he would build off of a solid Week 9 performance, especially with the Saints' offense decimated by injuries. Hill has at least six touches in five of the six games where he has been active. A similar workload can be expected in Week 11 when the Saints face the Browns, with his fantasy value hinging on him finding the end zone.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Haskins only carried the ball twice and gained four yards total, but one of those runs was a goal-line plunge in the fourth quarter. He remains third at best on the depth chart, with both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards well ahead of him. Haskins is a solid depth piece on an NFL team, but isn't worth consideration in any fantasy formats at this point.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr went 16-for-25 for 269 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons. He also picked up 17 yards on the ground. Overall, it was his best performance (fantasy or otherwise) since the season's opening weeks when the Saints looked like an offensive powerhouse in the making. Carr also avoided being sacked for the first time this season and also did not throw an interception. Ironically, he set a new season-high in passing yards even with the Saints' wide receiver room thinned out by a spate of injuries. Journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the big winner, catching both of Carr's touchdown passes and running back Alvin Kamara remained his favorite target, seeing six balls thrown his way. In Week 11, Carr will face the Cleveland Browns who will be coming off their bye but gave up 282 yards and two touchdowns to Justin Herbert in Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made all five of his kicks in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dicker made all three extra points along with two field goals in another solid performance. His first field goal was a 21-yard kick in the first quarter and his second was a 37-yarder in the second quarter. Dicker has been exceptionally accurate and has added some distance to his kicks this season, making him a solid and reliable fantasy kicker despite it being fantasy football's least projectable positions.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly led the team in catches and targets in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dissly made five catches on six targets for a total of 30 yards. Quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them. Dissly returned to a heavily involved role in the passing game after a down game last week. He may continue with similar involvement going forward, but he's very much just a floor play without much of a ceiling. The Bolts will take on the Bengals in Week 11 for a Sunday Night Football contest.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston scored the only receiving touchdown for the Bolts in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Johnston was targeted twice, making both catches for a total of 24 yards. His touchdown was on a 16-yard pass near the end of the third quarter. The Chargers went extremely run-heavy in this game, recording just 18 pass attempts compared to 39 rushes. Next week against the Bengals on Sunday Night Football should require a few more passes, making Johnston a possible WR3 in that contest.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey made just two catches in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards though, gaining 52 yards on the day. McConkey only saw two targets on a day where quarterback Justin Herbert attempted only 18 passes. McConkey had a long 37-yard gain and combined that with a 15-yard play to compile his yardage. McConkey is likely to see more than just two targets on Sunday Night Football in Week 11, when the Chargers will face the Cincinnati Bengals.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered 27 points to the Washington Commanders while recording three sacks and a fumble recovery in a Week 10 victory. It was far from a dominant showing for Pittsburgh's defense, especially from a fantasy perspective, but its pass rush continued to make an impact. Newly-acquired linebacker Preston Smith logged a sack in his Steelers debut while Patrick Queen made numerous plays to limit Washington's potent offensive attack. Unfortunately, standout linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was injured late in the contest and could be forced to miss some time. Fantasy managers may want to hang on to the Steelers DST for a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns, but it won't be a recommended option next week against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer made just one catch in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Palmer was targeted twice, making his one catch for a 36-yard gain. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert only attempted 18 passes in this extremely run-heavy game, leaving Palmer tied for third on the team in targets with his pair and second on the team in receiving yards with the 36. Palmer has seemingly worked his way into a boom-or-bust type role but has yet to have a significant boom week. He's not a reliable fantasy starter and should remain on most fantasy benches in Week 11 when the Chargers take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings bolstered his fantasy value in a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound wideout led the game with 11 targets, which he turned into seven receptions for 93 yards. Today's contest could be treated as something of a bellwether concerning San Francisco's post-Brandon Aiyuk passing attack, as Jennings himself was also absent due to injury for the Week 8 victory over Dallas. With Jennings nearly doubling the target total of rookie Ricky Pearsall and Deebo Samuel Sr. -- each with six -- it appears that Jennings is here to stay as a weekly starting option in fantasy. Jennings and the 49ers will take on the rival Seattle Seahawks at home in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins didn't do all that much in a Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Dobbins carried the ball 15 times, gaining 50 yards. He was targeted in the passing game three times, making all three catches but gaining a total of just five yards through the air. Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from IR and took 10 carries of his own, eating into the workload of Dobbins. The Chargers were nursing a lead for most of the second half though, presumably in a closer game Dobbins will still be the top option in the backfield. That closer game could happen on Sunday Night Football in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) returned from Injured Reserve and played well in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Edwards spent the minimum four games on IR and returned to take 10 carries, gaining 55 yards. He ended up leading the team in rushing yards and finishing second in rushing attempts. Edwards will remain in a backup role behind J.K. Dobbins, but after a slow start to the season before landing on IR, it was good to see a slightly more efficient Edwards move the ball well.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had his third straight strong game for the team in the 16-14 loss on Sunday to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. Sutton snapped his two-game streak with 100-plus receiving yards, but he still put forth an impressive game for his fantasy managers with a team-high six receptions on a team-high nine targets for a team-leading 70 receiving yards and his third touchdown of the year. The 29-year-old's touchdown grab came on a 32-yard pass that put the Broncos up 14-3 at the time in the second quarter. The Broncos have been involving Sutton much more ever since his zero-catch game in the Week 7 win over the Saints. That should continue next Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons, where fantasy managers should consider Sutton a high-volume WR3/flex option.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell connected on all four of his extra-point attempts in a 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders. For the first time this season, Boswell did not register a field goal attempt as the Steelers' offense was able to punch the ball into the end zone on three of its four red zone visits. Pittsburgh is scoring at a much higher rate with Russell Wilson under center, but fantasy managers should not expect Boswell to be this quiet most weeks. He should bounce back in Week 11 in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an efficient and effective game in a Week 10 win against the Tennessee Titans. Herbert attempted 18 passes, completing 14 of them for 164 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Herbert did not take a sack, adding 32 yards on nine carries, including a four-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Herbert's other score was a passing touchdown on a 16-yard play to Quentin Johnston. It was an extremely run-heavy script for the Chargers offense, who saw 18 pass attempts and 39 runs. Herbert and the Bolts will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele found paydirt for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on the road, finishing the contest with four receptions for 39 yards and the touchdown. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah caught everything thrown his way on the day, and his four targets were tied for second on the team with Marvin Mims Jr. behind WR1 Courtland Sutton. It was nice to see Vele pick up his first NFL touchdown on the first touchdown of the day in this game, but he has gone over four receptions just once and exceeded 50 receiving yards once in his six games played. Expect quarterback Bo Nix to keep spreading the ball around through the air outside of Sutton, which makes it hard to recommend Vele as a flex option in fantasy, even in much deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, head coach Dan Campbell said after Sunday night's win over the Houston Texans. LaPorta exited in the third quarter and did not return. He finished Week 10 with six targets, three catches, 66 yards, and one touchdown. It doesn't sound like LaPorta will be sidelined for too long, but Campbell did note that the tight end could miss Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If so, Brock Wright would step up as the Lions' primary tight end, ranking as a low-end fantasy TE2.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a solid game in the win over the New York Jets, connecting with quarterback Kyler Murray on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Harrison Jr.'s official stat line was five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Despite the Cardinals taking a commanding lead and shifting to a run-first approach, Harrison Jr. was still productive. The Cardinals made it clear that a point of emphasis was to get Harrison Jr. the ball often, singling him out in man-to-man situations and targeting him near the red zone. This was a sign of good things to come, but the Cardinals will have to wait a week to build on it, as they have a bye week in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
