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.
Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had an uneven game as the Packers suffered defeat at the hands of the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions 24-14. Watson led the Packers in targets with seven, only bringing in three receptions for 37 yards. In the fourth quarter, Watson added a successful two-point conversion with a catch to prop up his fantasy day a little more. It's been an up-and-down season for Watson and he's had a hard time separating from a talented group of pass-catchers in Green Bay, which limits his fantasy value. The Packers have a week off in Week 10 but against the division-rival Chicago Bears in Week 11, Watson should be a boom-or-bust flex play for fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft blended into the background a bit as the Packers suffered defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions 24-14. Kraft has been very productive for fantasy managers this season but his Week 9 output was very quiet. With six targets on the afternoon, Kraft put up just four receptions for 34 yards. Kraft also had one rushing attempt for two yards to convert a fourth-down conversion early on in the game. With the wide array of pass-catchers on the Packers, it can be a bit easier to blend in and with the Lions pressuring quarterback Jordan Love, that's exactly what happened. Kraft and the Packers will have Week 10 off on bye, but will be back on the field in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears. For fantasy purposes, Kraft should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in that matchup.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was one of the bright spots for the Packers as the team lost at home to the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions 24-14. Reed led the Packers in receptions (5) and receiving yards (113), while finishing second on the team in targets with six. Reeling in all three passes that traveled at least 20+ yards, Reed's role was stark compared to the last couple of weeks, where Reed had been used in a lot of short-area throws from quarterback Jordan Love. This impressive game was a great to see from his fantasy managers, but he'll have to wait to build upon that performance as the Packers are on bye in Week 10. Reed should be considered a mid-range WR2 for fantasy when Green Bay travels to take on their division rival Chicago Bears in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff delivered a subpar fantasy outing in the team's 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers, finishing with just 9.6 fantasy pointshis second-lowest total of the season and only his second game without reaching double digits. Despite the weather and a limited passing workload, Goff completed 18 of 22 passes for an efficient 81.8% completion rate. He totaled 145 yards with one touchdown and kept his streak of five straight games without an interception intact. While the game didn't yield high fantasy numbers for Goff, his consistency and ability to manage the game helped secure another win for the Lions, solidifying their spot atop both the division and conference standings. The Lions will look to keep their momentum going against the Houston Texans in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. With no DK Metcalf (knee) in the lineup, Smith-Njigba made the most of his increased opportunities. He once again led Seattle in targets and scored his second and third touchdowns of the season. Smith-Njigba continues his up-and-down season in 2024. He seems to deliver great fantasy output in random games. When he was the No. 1 wide receiver in Week 8, he had a modest output but he was the total opposite in Week 9. The Seahawks are headed into their bye and continue to be inconsistent on offense from week-to-week or even quarter-to-quarter. Perhaps the bye will give both the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba time to figure a few things out.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett scored for the second time in 2024 in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. As expected, Lockett was a safety valve for quarterback Geno Smith with DK Metcalf (knee) out of the lineup. While Smith struggled with interceptions all game long, Lockett was still able to deliver solid fantasy value. Lockett has rarely sunk your week in any given week in 2024. That should continue to be the trend once Metcalf returns and there is less attention on Lockett and fellow wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks head into a bye in Week 10 and need to sort things out on offense. Hopefully the reset helps all the skill players in this offense moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) was good to go to play in Week 9 after two limited practices and a questionable tag, but he was lackluster in the Packers' 24-14 loss at home to the Detroit Lions. Love was 23-of-39 passing for 273 yards, but did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season and threw an interception which led to a return for a touchdown by Kerby Joseph that broke the game open at the end of the first half. While Love was not sacked, he was pressured from the jump by the Lions' defense and fumbled the ball three times, but he didn't turn the ball over on those instances. The Packers get their bye at a great time as Love can rest up during Week 10 before heading to take on their oldest rival, the Chicago Bears, in Week 11. A healthy Love is still in the fantasy QB1 conversation despite Week 9's misstep.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III finally received high-end rushing volume once again in Week 9 when the Seahawks met the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, he was highly inefficient with his volume. Walker only averaged 3.3 yards per carry on 25 carries. However, he did manage to catch all three of his targets for 24 yards. Walker's receiving numbers in 2024 have given him a great base in fantasy football. After being on fire earlier in the season, Walker has faltered in recent weeks. While he is still delivering useable fantasy numbers, he has been nowhere near producing the top five weeks that he was providing fantasy managers earlier in the season. Some of it is not his fault as the Seahawks' offense has been unable to get out of its own way over the past couple of weeks. Turnovers and mental errors have derailed drives and put the Seahawks in unfortunate circumstances. With their bye ahead of them in Week 10, look for this offense to right the ship moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert rushed the ball ten times for 56 yards and added two receptions for 32 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also lost a fumble. While Mostert has been putting up solid rushing stats since his return in Week 5, his fumbling troubles have overshadowed some of the production. Miami is third in fumbles since 2023 (14). He contributed four of them in 2023 and has two more in 2024. Nonetheless, his yards per carry output remains solid, and he still received 12 touches. The 2023 rushing touchdown leader went empty on the day, but that won't be a regular occurrence. De'Von Achane was able to get in twice from inside the red zone, obviously hurting Mostert's production. He'll look to bounce back in Week 10 at the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith struggled once again in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. Without his top target in DK Metcalf (knee) for a second straight week, Smith threw three interceptions. He did continue his high-end passing yardage output and he threw multiple touchdowns in a game for just the second time this season. Despite the interceptions, Smith likely did not sink your fantasy team in Week 9. Due to a solid rushing baseline, Smith continues to be a useable asset in fantasy. Smith did find his footing towards the end of this game when he was able to find wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. Nobody seems to need Seattle's Week 10 bye more than Smith who clearly needs Metcalf back in the lineup. Hopefully, things will improve for Smith and Seattle's offense come Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) was questionable heading into Week 9 and was cleared to play against the Detroit Lions, where the Packers lost 24-14. Jacobs was efficient on the ground, totaling 95 rushing yards on just 13 attempts before the Packers were in catch-up mode for the sizable portion of the second-half. In the receiving game, Jacobs also added two catches for 13 yards on three targets. With the Packers on bye heading into Week 10, that will give Jacobs this week to get healthy before a divisional slugfest with the Chicago Bears in Week 11. For that contest, Jacobs should be considered a low-end RB1 for fantasy purposes given his huge chunk of the rushing volume for the Packers.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley took 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown, added three receptions for 40 yards and an additional score, and lost a fumble during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 27-year-old's 199 scrimmage yards were his most in a single game this season, and he posted his best numbers as a receiver this year as well. Quarterback Jalen Hurts did not take any goal line opportunities away from Barkley this week, and got things started for the Eagles and threw a 20-yard score to the star back to give Philadelphia its first points scored in the first quarter all season. The Eagles may be without A.J. Brown (knee) for the second time in 2024, but regardless of his status next week the Eagles will likely lean on Barkley again as they face a struggling Dallas team.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir caught six passes for 50 yards in the team's 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. The slot receiver only trailed rookie running back Ray Davis in receiving yards and led the team in receptions. As usual, Shakir was efficient with his targets. He missed one this week, bringing his total uncaught targets this season to three. Shakir has at least six catches in three straight games and will bring a safe PPR floor into Indianapolis in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman caught one pass for 21 yards on two targets in the team's 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. It was a disappointing afternoon for the rookie who had been breaking out in recent weeks. Coleman's uncaught target went right off his hands inside the 10-yard line and landed in cornerback Jalen Ramsey's lap. He was unofficially targeted on the Bills' game-winning drive, resulting in a penalty that set up a Tyler Bass field goal. Amari Cooper (wrist) may return in Week 10. His presence has helped the second-round pick. The Bills travel to Indianapolis next weekend.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, adding 13 carries for 67 yards and an additional score, during the team's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game marks the fourth in a row that the 26-year-old has not committed a turnover and he had a fantastic day as a passer despite losing A.J. Brown (knee) in the early third quarter. The brotherly shove was actually ineffective this week but Hurts still found his way into the end zone on an 18-yard run where he went over a defender to dive in for the score. We will need to wait for an update on Brown's status, but even if he is absent, Hurts will remain a must-start against a Dallas team that is reeling with injuries.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid caught four of 10 targets for 32 yards in the team's 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins. That was a season-high target mark for Kincaid but he could not reel in half of them. Kincaid has over 30 yards in every game except the opener this season but hasn't logged more than 52. It's a continuation of a disappointing 2024 campaign for the second-year tight end. He'll look to have his breakout game in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 25 of 39 pass attempts for 235 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He also threw one interception on a mishandled pass by wide receiver Keon Coleman. As has been the case for the last few weeks, Allen didn't do much with his legs (two carries for seven yards). Rookie running back Ray Davis did the heavy lifting on Allen's longest touchdown pass, turning a short gain into a 63-yard catch-and-run. Allen's other two scores were short completions to Mack Hollins and Quintin Morris. Allen will be ranked as a QB1 next weekend when the Bills travel to Indianapolis.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed the football 10 times for 44 yards and caught five passes for 25 yards in the team's last-second victory over the Miami Dolphins. It was the second-fewest carries that Cook has logged in a game this season (nine versus Baltimore). Backup running backs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson combined for seven carries. Cook's stat line was far from what he did against the Dolphins in Week 2 when he scored three touchdowns. Fantasy managers in PPR leagues got a double-digit performance out of Cook, but non-PPR and half-PPR managers weren't as fortunate. Cook draws a positive matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) will undergo an MRI to address an AC joint issue in his shoulder. The wideout exited Sunday's meeting with the Atlanta Falcons, although he still managed to return to finish with eight catches for 47 yards. Without a doubt, the Cowboys can't afford any more injuries, considering Dak Prescott (hamstring) will also need an MRI to address the hamstring injury suffered in Week 9. If Lamb can't play in the NFC East showdown with the Eagles, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and Jake Ferguson would all likely see more attention on the receiving end.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney hauled in five of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-21 win over Dallas. With fellow wideout Drake London going down with an injury early on in the game, Mooney and Bijan Robinson picked up the slack, accounting for 12 of Kirk Cousins' 19 completions. The 27-year-old has now earned six or more targets in seven of nine games and has gone over 80 yards receiving in four of them, with Sunday's TD giving him five on the season. An early look at next week's contest with New Orleans provides another favorable matchup with the Saints in the top third in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. If London were to miss any time, it would give an additional boost to Mooney and the rest of the receiving corps.
From RotoBaller