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FFL: Playoff Week 3 | NFL: Week 17

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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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 17

Player Notes
Brenton Strange Dec 27 11:20pm ET
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange is tough to trust in fantasy championship lineups in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. The sophomore tight end put up just two catches for 22 yards and fumbled last week against the Las Vegas Raiders after an 11 catch, 73 yard performance against the New York Jets in Week 15. That all came after a one catch, 21 yard performance in Week 14, the last time he faced the Titans. Strange also has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the past few weeks, which limited him at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he fully practiced Friday and has no injury tag heading into Sunday. For fantasy managers looking for a tight end to stream this week, Strange is just too unpredictable and a bit banged up to boot to put in fantasy lineups in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Dec 27 11:00pm ET
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught a single pass last week, the fifth time in the last seven games in which he's caught just one pass or fewer. Bijan Robinson, whose involvement in the passing attack has diminished recently, has 27 targets over the last seven games compared to Pitts' 24. As the fifth option in an offense that has a quarterback making only his second career start in Michael Penix Jr., Pitts makes for quite the gamble in Week 17 against a Commanders defense that has been fairly good at limiting production to TEs, not having allowed any single tight end to surpass more than 66 receiving yards on the year. The former first-round draft pick has theoretical upside, but hits his floor more often than not, so should not be trusted at this critical time of the fantasy season. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher is a low-end TE2 for Sunday's matchup in Washington, D.C.

From RotoBaller

Ray-Ray McCloud Dec 27 10:40pm ET
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught three of four targets in Michael Penix Jr.'s first career start last week, but totaled only 19 yards on those receptions. The 28-year-old has had a pretty reliable target share in this offense all season, working as the third option behind receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney but ahead of tight end Kyle Pitts. While the yardage totals won't typically amount to much and he's scored only once all season, the sixth-year pro's usage can be somewhat useful in PPR formats. With Penix Jr. making only his second career start this Sunday, McCloud's short 6.08 aDOT could again come in handy if the young QB is looking for a safety valve. Unless desperate, however, fantasy managers vying for championships shouldn't be relying on the Clemson product as he projects as a WR5/6 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Dec 27 10:10pm ET
Allen Lazard

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught two of his five targets for 20 yards in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Lazard will look for a bigger performance on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. The Bills represent a middle-of-the-road matchup for Lazard as they are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to the position this year. Lazard could see a larger role heading into Week 17 as the Jets have listed Davante Adams (hip) as questionable. While Adams expressed optimism that he would be able to take the field, Lazard would slot in as the team's No. 2 receiver if the former ultimately can't play. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the situation leading up to Sunday as Lazard could be used as a sneaky flex option if Adams is ruled out. Lazard went for 114 yards and a touchdown back when the Jets faced the Bills in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Dec 27 10:10pm ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin was productive in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, catching five passes for 59 yards. He will look to keep rolling in Week 17's road matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been solid against tight ends this season, allowing the 15th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin has 12 catches over his past three games but he hasn't shown much of a ceiling in fantasy this year, leaving him as a low-end TE2 heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Dec 27 10:00pm ET
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen saw just three touches in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He will look to bounce back in a road matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. The Bills have struggled to contain opposing running backs this season, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Allen is now sharing backup running-back touches with fellow rookie Isaiah Davis, making both players difficult to trust heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Dec 27 10:00pm ET
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught six of seven targets for 54 scoreless yards in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With just one touchdown over his past six games, Wilson will look to finish the final two games of the season on a high note, starting with a Week 17 road matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been average against opposing receivers this season, allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Fantasy managers rostering Wilson will want to monitor the status of Davante Adams (hip) heading into the weekend. Adams is listed as questionable with a hip injury. If he ultimately ends up playing, Wilson can be considered a low-end WR1 in fantasy but if Adams does suit up, Wilson downgrades to a low-end WR2. Stay tuned.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 27 9:50pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) injured his knee but played the entire game in a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the injury, Rodgers practiced fully all week and is listed without an injury designation heading into Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been tough on quarterbacks this season, allowing the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Rodgers was solid when these two teams met earlier in the season, throwing for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He sets up as a low-end QB2 in fantasy heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jake Bates Dec 27 9:50pm ET
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates is afforded one of the better matchups of Week 17 when he lines up against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The 25-year-old has been excellent this season -- driving through all but one of his 59 extra-point attempts and knocking in 23-of-26 field goal tries across 15 games. Coincidentally, all three of his missed field goals have come over the last four contests. He gets a 49ers defense this Monday night, which has been tough on opposing offenses but is one of the more favorable ones for fantasy kickers. San Fran is letting up the twelfth-most points per game to opponents in 2024, and Detroit should come out swinging as they're still fighting for first place in the NFC North. Bates ranks as RotoBaller's K2 ahead of this weekend's action.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Dec 27 9:50pm ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall appears to be over his early-month knee injury as he practiced fully all week heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been generous to opposing running backs this season, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Hall has found the end zone three times over his past four games but a struggling Jets offense is a bit of a concern for him. Fantasy managers should treat Hall as a high-end RB2 heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 27 9:40pm ET
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins is struggling through a tough season as he has made just 16 of his 25 field-goal attempts. He will hope to finish out the final two games of the season on a high note, starting with a Week 17 home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have been generous to kickers this season, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Hopkins' struggles paired with Cleveland's issues moving the ball on offense make him a low-end fantasy option heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Dec 27 9:40pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran for a season-high 218 yards and scored three times last week. When Taylor is in the backfield, he monopolizes the touches and typically handles a workhorse load, logging 20-plus carries in eight of the 12 games he's played in. The only competition he faces is usually from quarterback Anthony Richardson, which is partly why the 25-year-old hadn't scored a rushing TD since Week 8 prior to last week's outburst. Richardson hasn't practiced all week due to back and foot ailments, and if he were to miss the game it should provide a boost to Taylor's chances of finding paydirt in back-to-back weeks. Regardless of QB, Taylor should handle a heavy load against a Giants rush defense that is bottom-third in the NFL in allowing fantasy production to RBs, making him a mid-range RB1 in this matchup.

From RotoBaller

Craig Reynolds Dec 27 9:40pm ET
Craig Reynolds

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds won't be a recommended fantasy option this Monday in his team's meeting with the San Francisco 49ers. The 28-year-old had been used sparsely this season until Week 16, when he was thrust into a backup role to fill in for injured backfield mate David Montgomery (knee). Reynolds handled four carries -- commanding one target -- in Detroit's 34-17 win over the Bears, working behind teammate Jahmyr Gibbs. He received one more touch than Jermar Jefferson -- out-rushing him by five -- and played twice as many snaps than the latter's five in the victory. While the Lions' RB situation could be fluid from week to week behind Gibbs, Reynolds is currently listed as the team's second-string rusher and deserves to be rostered as a high-end handcuff. He clocks in at RotoBaller's PPR RB48 ahead of this week's slate of action.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Dec 27 9:30pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will square off with the San Francisco 49ers in a difficult matchup this Monday night. The Alabama product has been a bit all or nothing in 2024 but vastly improved from his prior two seasons in the pros. He's currently third-best in the league, with a ludicrous 18.94 yards per reception. Volume and consistency have been Williams' bugaboos this season, but he's been better lately -- commanding seven or more targets and five receptions in four of five contests. He'll line up against a staunch 49ers defensive unit in Week 17 that's tied for the fewest fantasy points allowed per game to wideouts (29.3). Fantasy managers could be displeased with his performance if the former first-round pick doesn't break free for a long score in the Monday night clash. Still, Williams should be involved as the passing attack's third option at worst, and this meeting projects with a favorable 50.5-point over/under. He comes in at RotoBaller's PPR WR29 in this week's ranks.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Akins Dec 27 9:30pm ET
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins will step in as the team's starter after David Njoku (knee) was ruled out of Week 17's game against the Miami Dolphins. Akins draws a plus matchup against a Miami defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024. While Akins should play a full complement of snaps, he will be tough to trust in a Dorian Thompson-Robinson-led passing attack. Akins sets up as a TE3 who should only be started out of desperation in fantasy heading into Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Chase McLaughlin Dec 27 9:30pm ET
Chase McLaughlin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin is coming off a somewhat quiet, but clean outing against the Dallas Cowboys last week. McLaughlin connected on all three of his extra point attempts and his lone field goal in the loss. McLaughlin is now 8-of-9 on field goal attempts over his last four games. He'll now head into a game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. McLaughlin knocked down four field goals last time these two teams played in Week 13. The assumption is that this game will be a high-scoring affair, which makes McLaughlin a viable kicking choice for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Trey Palmer Dec 27 9:20pm ET
Trey Palmer

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer has moved into the third wideout role heading into the Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs are without Sterling Shepard (foot, hamstring) for Sunday's game, which means Palmer should get more looks. Palmer hauled in two of his four targets for 31 yards during last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. A majority of his playing time came after Shepard exited the contest, so it might've been a bigger night if he had played the whole game. Regardless, it's going to be tough to trust Palmer for fantasy purposes. He hasn't done much this season and isn't guaranteed a ton of targets with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan both healthy. Possibly, Palmer could offer desperation flex value in deep leagues for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Dec 27 9:20pm ET
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee/shin) is coming off a slow two-catch, 20-yard outing in a Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. After being limited in practice throughout the week, Jeudy is listed without an injury designation and will look to bounce back at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins have been tough on wide receivers this season, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Jeudy's slow performance in Week 16 coincided with the Browns giving Dorian Thompson-Robinson the start, a move that severely limits the entire team's passing ceiling. One glimmer of hope for Jeudy is that the Browns will be without Thompson-Robinson's favorite target, David Njoku (knee), who was ruled out on Saturday. Jeudy sets up as a high-end WR4 option heading into Week 17 against Miami.

From RotoBaller

Payne Durham Dec 27 9:20pm ET
Payne Durham

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham saw an expanded role last week with Cade Otton (knee) sidelined. That is likely to happen again with Otton remaining on the sideline for the Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Last week, Durham hauled in five of his seven targets for 29 yards in the loss. The 24-year-old played 93 percent of the offensive snaps and did a fine job as the sole passing-catching option at tight end. Despite his success, Durham is a risky streaming option for this weekend. There is no guarantee he'll get seven targets again, so fantasy managers should probably look elsewhere for help. At best, Durham is a desperation deep league choice for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Dec 27 9:20pm ET
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore has been struggling to produce over his past two games, combining to catch just four passes for 20 yards over that span. He will look to bounce back at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins represent a tough matchup for Moore as they are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season. Cleveland's decision to bench Jameis Winston for Dorian Thompson-Robinson ahead of Week 16 has negatively affected the entire passing attack, making Moore impossible to trust in fantasy championships this weekend.

From RotoBaller