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.
Dynasty | The Green Bay Packers have released wide receiver Samori Toure. Dynasty Analysis: Toure was one of the odd men out on a loaded Green Bay receiving corps. He lasted a couple of years on the roster but wasn't able to crack it this season. It's probably best he find a different team with a greater need at the position but his dynasty value is non-existent at the moment,
Dynasty | The Vikings have released running back Myles Gaskin. Dynasty Analysis: Gaskin was attempting to earn a depth spot with Minnesota but failed to impress throughout camp. Once a fairly productive runner in Miami, Gaskin hasn't been able to make much of an impression over the last couple of seasons. He could latch on elsewhere but this is a bad sign for his future dynasty value.
Dynasty | The Giants have released wide receiver Allen Robinson. Dynasty Analysis: Robinson ended up lasting just a few months with New York and has clearly lost a step (or more) at this point. He will now look to latch on to his fifth team in four years after stops in Chicago, Los Angeles (Rams), Pittsburgh, and now with the Giants. Robinson simply may be cooked at age 31 and his dynasty value has long since evaporated.
Dynasty | The Patriots have released quarterback Bailey Zappe. Dynasty Analysis: Remember when Zappe was outplaying Mac Jones and looked like he could be a future starter for New England? Yep, that seems like light years ago now. Zappe was brought back after final cuts last year but that likely won't be the case with the Patriots having Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett (now unlikely to be traded with this move) on the roster. It certainly looks like Maye is going to win the job and this may seal it.
Dynasty | The Eagles have released wide receiver John Ross. Dynasty Analysis: The former Cincinnati first round pick was attempting a comeback with the Eagles but didn't quite do enough to stick. Once the NFL's fastest man, Ross has simply been a bust during his time in the NFL. He may get a chance on a practice squad or get a call up as an injury replacement but he doesn't belong on a dynasty roster.
Dynasty | The Saints have released running back James Robinson. Dynasty Analysis: Robinson simply isn't the same player he once was in Jacksonville after his torn Achilles. Now having spent time with five different teams over the past two years, it's hard to see this as anything but a possible end to a career that once very promising. Robinson can safely be released from any deep dynasty rosters.
Dynasty | The Bears have released quarterback Brett Rypien. Dynasty Analysis: Rypien actually played quite well this preseason but apparently wasn't able to overtake Tyson Bagent as the backup to Caleb Williams. He should find some quick work as a backup somewhere in the coming days based on how he's played, though he may need to settle for a practice squad spot if he can't find what he wants. Regardless, Rypien has no dynasty value at the moment.
Dynasty | The Commanders have released wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Dynasty Analysis: Bryant was hoping to ignite a comeback story with the Commanders after missing the last few years after a multitude of suspensions. It clearly was not meant to be as he would have to really impress for a team to trust him moving forward. Bryant may get another chance somewhere but at this point, that seems a bit unlikely. He has no dynasty value at this point.
Dynasty | The Texans have released wide receiver Noah Brown. Dynasty Analysis: Brown had a dynasty cup of coffee last year when he posted 325 receiving yards and a touchdown in the span of two weeks. Unfortunately, the rest of his season yielded just 242 yards and one other score. Brown has shown some flashes and should land on his feet somewhere. This move makes it unlikely the Texans move on from John Metchie via trade as well. Brown can stay on a deep dynasty roster until we see where he may end up.
Dynasty | The Bills have released wide receiver Andy Isabella. Dynasty Analysis: Isabella has been a deep dynasty league roster staple for years but has never really put it all together. He may end up latching on somewhere else but the fact he couldn't make it on to a roster this thin at receiver is a bad sign for his career.
Dynasty | The Panthers have released wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Dynasty Analysis: Wow. Marshall had a good camp by all accounts but the Panthers have clearly soured on their 2021 second round pick. He has clear talent but has simply never really put it all together so far in his career. He was a popular trade candidate going into cutdowns so it seems logical he'll land on his feet quickly. A fresh start was needed here, so Marshall can stay on a dynasty roster at the moment.
Dynasty | The Chargers have released running back Isaiah Spiller. Dynasty Analysis: Spiller was once a highly touted dynasty prospect but fell hard in the NFL Draft and was never able to make much of an impression with the Chargers. He may have a hard time finding work out there since there isn't a lot of great tape on him out there. At this point, Spiller can be dropped in even the deepest of leagues.
The Los Angeles Chargers released running back Isaiah Spiller on Tuesday, according to a source. Spiller, who was a former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of Texas A&M, lost out on the competition as backfield depth behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to the likes of rookie Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson and Elijah Dotson. The 23-year-old should be able to latch on with another team before the start of the 2024 regular season, though, as backfield depth. In his two seasons with the Bolts, Spiller underperformed to the tune of a weak 2.5 yards per carry while gaining 137 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 55 carries. He also caught all nine of his targets in the passing game for 47 yards but wasn't able to find the end zone. Last year, Spiller had 37 carries for 96 rushing yards, adding 34 receiving yards on his six receptions.
From RotoBaller
The Chiefs have released WR Kadarius Toney. The talented receiver has not lived up to expectations but likely will get another chance with a new team.
The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) on Tuesday, according to a source. Ridder, who was put in the league's concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, had been in a competition with Clayton Tune for the backup job behind Kyler Murray this summer. That job will obviously fall to Tune now to begin the 2024 regular season. The Cardinals acquired Ridder in an offseason trade in March with the Atlanta Falcons after the 24-year-old failed to deliver in two seasons in Atlanta. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati struggled with turnovers in his 19 games (17 starts) while also completing 64% of his 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Ridder doesn't join Arizona's practice squad, he'll look for backup work elsewhere.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Tuesday that they have released quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin) with an injury settlement. Beathard was injured in the team's second preseason game and was released after losing the backup competition to former New England Patriots QB Mac Jones. Jones will now begin the 2024 regular season as the primary backup to starter Trevor Lawrence. The 30-year-old Beathard will now look for work as a veteran backup somewhere else, as long as he's healthy. Originally a third-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 out of Iowa, Beathard is in his sixth NFL season. He spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville, going 49-for-66 (74.2 completion percentage) with 417 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in only 13 games played (one start).
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. on Tuesday, according to a source. The former second-rounder had a strong training camp this summer and should be a good waiver option for other NFL teams looking to build extra receiving depth heading into the start of the 2024 regular season in just under two weeks. Marshall finds himself on the open market after catching 64 passes for 767 yards and only one touchdown on 110 targets in his three seasons in Carolina over 36 games played (16 starts). The 24-year-old pass-catcher became the odd-man out in the receiving corps after the Panthers added Diontae Johnson via trade and rookie Xavier Legette in the first round of April's NFL draft. Marshall played in only nine games in 2023 in a terrible Panthers offense and finished with only 19 receptions for 139 yards and no scores.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots waived quarterback Bailey Zappe on Tuesday, according to a source. Zappe became the odd-man out in New England's QB room leading up to the start of the 2024 regular season after rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton III showed enough in training camp and the preseason to earn the QB3 role behind first-round rookie Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Maye and Brissett are still competing for the starting gig under center with less than two weeks to go before Week 1 kicks off. Zappe, 25, should find a new home sooner than later as QB depth. He was initially a fourth-round selection by the Pats in 2022 out of Western Kentucky. In his two years in Boston, he completed only 63.2% of his 304 pass attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games (eight starts).
From RotoBaller
The Indianapolis Colts placed tight end Jelani Woods (toe) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to his recent toe surgery, according to a source. It's a tough break for Woods, who also missed all of the 2023 campaign due to hamstring issues. The 25-year-old specifically needed surgery to fix turf toe and won't be able to contribute for the Colts until 2025. The third-round pick in 2022 caught 25 of his 40 targets in his rookie season in 2022 for 312 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (two starts). Woods was going to have more of a shot at an elevated role in Indy in 2024, but those opportunities will now most likely fall to Kylen Granson. However, Granson isn't really on the TE radar in standard 12-team leagues among a committee approach to the position in Indy that also includes names like Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) will begin doing team reps at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to head coach Robert Saleh. Williams wasn't among some of the names to be put on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of the 2024 regular season, giving more hope to the possibility that he will be active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old tore his left ACL in Week 3 with the Los Angeles Chargers last year and has been rehabbing ever since. It's a good sign that he's returning to team reps this week, and he'll have just under two weeks now to build himself up for the start of the season. When healthy, Williams is expected to be the WR2 behind Garrett Wilson and could be one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' primary red-zone targets because of his size.
From RotoBaller