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.
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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 2
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis completed 19-of-28 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 24-17 loss to New York. He also rushed four times for 38 yards while losing a fumble in the defeat. Levis once again showed flashes of brilliance, but was doomed by inconsistent play and turnovers that lowered his fantasy numbers considerably. The constant pressure didn't help, but Levis accounted for three turnovers for the second consecutive week, which led to 10 points for the Jets. The QB did make some splash plays, including a 40-yard TD to Calvin Ridley, but struggled to connect with any other receiver in the game. Levis will have another tough test next Sunday with the Packers coming to town in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown in a loss vs. the New York Jets. It was a monster afternoon for the sixth-year pro, who was able to get in the end zone twice while battling one of the toughest secondaries in the NFL. His 40-yard touchdown reception from Will Levis was a thing of beauty, as Ridley made an incredible grab with First-team All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner right on his back. The former Pro Bowler once again led the Titans in receiving as the clear cut top option in a not-so-great passing attack. Even with quarterback Will Levis' struggles, Ridley should be started in all formats on a weekly basis given his role in the offense. He will look to keep the momentum going against the Packers stiff defensive unit in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 17 times for 62 yards, also securing five passes on six targets for 40 yards in a 24-17 loss to New York. For the second straight week, Pollard was the clear lead back for this Titans offense, out-touching Tyjae Spears 22-8 in Week 2. Although Spears left the game late with an ankle injury, Pollard was still dominating the time on the field up to that point and was more effective when given the ball. He was also tied for the team lead in targets with six, proving he still has a role carved out for him in the passing game even with Spears' ability in that department. With how much this coaching staff seems to trust Pollard, he should be locked into lineups moving forward as a mid-tier RB2 with a tinge of upside. Up next is the Packers vulnerable run defense in a Week 3 home matchup.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught one pass for nine yards in a 24-17 loss to the Jets in Week 2. It was the second straight near-dud for the veteran receiver, who could not get anything going on a day that where his teammate Calvin Ridley scored over 20 fantasy points. It's possible that Hopkins is still a bit slow to come back from the MCL injury, but it's concerning to record only two targets in an offense that is struggling to move the bar through the air. Levis and Hopkins showed some great chemistry last season, but Ridley seems to have snatched the crown from him in the Titans pecking order. With not many yards to go around, this is not a good sign for his rest-of-season outlook. Hopkins will look to rebound in Week 3 vs. Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) left the Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals, and he was unable to return. After the game, Kupp was in a walking boot on his left leg.
Fantasy Spin: We'll watch Kupp's practice status during the week before making a determination for Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. If he cannot go, it appears Demarcus Robinson would be the No. 1 wideout, with Tyler Johnson as the No. 2, and Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington as the others. Stay tuned.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled in the home opener, throwing two interceptions in a blowout 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Prescott went 27-for-39 with 293 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while rushing for 12 yards on two attempts. The Cowboys seemed to have plenty of momentum heading into Week 2 after Prescott agreed to a lucrative contract extension, and the team secured a win over the Cleveland Browns. However, Prescott looked completely out of sync, throwing two first-half interceptions and getting sacked three times. While it's still too early to overreact, Prescott has a good chance to bounce back next week against the Rams, who just surrendered 266 yards and three passing touchdowns to the Arizona Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) had a solid outing in Sunday's narrow win over the Bengals. Pacheco ran the ball 19 times, amassing 90 yards. He added five catches for 21 yards. However, the 25-year-old suffered an ankle injury late in the contest, with head coach Andy Reid stating the back would undergo further testing. Without question, Pacheco is featured in nearly every fantasy lineup imaginable. But he'll likely appear on the injury report heading into the Week 3, Sunday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons. If Pacheco can't suit up for that one, Carson Steele, who had seven touches for 24 yards, could be the preferred runner, with Samaje Perine potentially handling most of the pass-catching duties out of the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews posted four receptions for 51 yards on five targets in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fantasy Spin: It still wasn't a giant stat line which we've come to expect from the TE1, but he is rounding into form after being nearly invisible in Week 1. Andrews is making his way back from a major injury, and he should be just fine as he settles into the season. The Ravens travel to meet the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Agholor had one catch for 13 yards on three targets in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb scored his first touchdown of the season with an electrifying 65-yard reception in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. After signing a lucrative contract extension, the All-Pro was out to prove his worth, finishing the game with four receptions for 90 yards and a score. Lamb remained the focal point of the Cowboys' offense, seeing seven targets, the second-most on the team behind Jalen Tolbert's nine. He'll have a great opportunity next week against the Los Angeles Rams, who just gave up 41 points to the Arizona Cardinals. Lamb remains a must-start in all fantasy football lineups.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) won't play against the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday night. He didn't practice on Friday because of a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers already assumed he wouldn't be available for Week 2. However, with Joe Mixon coming off a 30-carry, 159-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 1 win over the Colts, Pierce wasn't expected to be a featured offensive option anyway. With Pierce out, Mixon should see another healthy workload, with Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers backing him up.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed 21-of-34 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while adding five runs for 45 yards.
Fantasy Spin: Well, Jackson isn't going to run for 100 yards every week, and this game looked more like a traditional game, as Derrick Henry led the run game. The Ravens will look to rebound in Week 3 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry rushed 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while posting a 12-yard reception on his only target.
Fantasy Spin: That's two games and two touchdowns for Henry. He was much more productive, from a yardage perspective, in this one, too. He might not necessarily be a bona fide RB1 week in and week out, but he remains a fantasy must-start in all formats. He'll look to keep up the scoring ways in Week 3 at Dallas.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy posted three solo tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith was good for a game-high 11 total stops with four solo tackles and a pass defensed in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey posted 10 total stops, including eight solo tackles, with a tackle for loss and a pass defensed with an interception in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (foot) exited Sunday's blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Puka Nacua (knee) is sidelined for the foreseeable future, so Kupp was projected to have a big game. However, he had just four grabs for 37 yards before exiting the contest with a foot injury. Unfortunately, Kupp was observed in a boot after the contest, so his health ahead of the Week 3 meeting with the 49ers will be on the minds of fantasy managers. If the wideout isn't out there for that one, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson will do their best to fill the void on the offensive end. Kyren Williams would also presumably see more work than the 12 carries he had in Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah rushed twice for one yard in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, while posting two receptions for one yard on two targets.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. There was a chance Jones' services would be needed for this one. However, while Keenan Allen (heel) won't play, the team at least has Rome Odunze (knee) active for Week 2. Either way, Jones likely wouldn't have seen much attention from fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams registered game bests with nine receptions, 110 yards and 12 targets while also scoring a touchdown in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Fantasy Spin: It appeared that the Raiders had a difficult matchup against the Ravens defense, but Las Vegas definitely went beyond projections in the pass game. The Raiders face the hapless Carolina Panthers in Week 3, but that is a double-edged sword. Adams and the pass game could get off to a big start, but if the team takes a giant lead, the offense could be more run-based, too. Still, Adams is always a must-start fantasy option when healthy.
From TheHuddle
