TE Strength of Schedule
Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Bowers could have big year one
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the tight end 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 tight ends last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the tight ends with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the tight ends that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| TE SOS | ||
| 1. | Cincinnati Bengals | 186.39 |
| 2. | Miami Dolphins | 193.98 |
| 3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 196.38 |
| 4. | Washington Commanders | 197.75 |
| 5. | Houston Texans | 198.15 |
| 6. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 199.18 |
| 7. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 199.68 |
| 8. | New York Giants | 201 |
| 9. | Dallas Cowboys | 201.18 |
| 10. | Los Angeles Rams | 201.38 |
| 11. | Buffalo Bills | 201.39 |
| 12. | Chicago Bears | 201.66 |
| 13. | Arizona Cardinals | 201.76 |
| 14. | New York Jets | 202.56 |
| 15. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 202.86 |
| 16. | Baltimore Ravens | 203.04 |
| 17. | Denver Broncos | 203.95 |
| 18. | Los Angeles Chargers | 204.02 |
| 19. | Atlanta Falcons | 204.25 |
| 20. | Cleveland Browns | 204.59 |
| 21. | New Orleans Saints | 205.62 |
| 22. | Seattle Seahawks | 205.73 |
| 23. | San Francisco 49ers | 206.80 |
| 24. | Indianapolis Colts | 206.89 |
| 25. | Detroit Lions | 207.92 |
| 26. | New England Patriots | 208.23 |
| 27. | Kansas City Chiefs | 210.92 |
| 28. | Tennessee Titans | 211.44 |
| 29. | Green Bay Packers | 212.07 |
| 30. | Minnesota Vikings | 212.23 |
| 31. | Carolina Panthers | 213.66 |
| 32. | Las Vegas Raiders | 213.81 |
A rookie led fantasy tight ends in scoring last year and the top rated rookie tight end this year gets the easiest fantasy schedule for tight end. Brock Browers and the Raiders have the most favorable schedule for tight ends. Sam LaPorta showed last year that a rookie can make an immediate fantasy impact, so don’t discount Browers to have big-time success in year one. He certainly looks the part of an elite tight end.
Another rookie with a good chance to start has the second easiest schedule for tight ends. Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with Tommy Tremble to start, but should emerge and be the top pass-catching tight end. He is looking like a good late-round gamble for fantasy teams.
The Vikings, Packers and Titans round out the top-five most favorable schedules for tight ends. T.J. Hockenson would be looking like a great pick if he wasn’t returning from a major injury. He is no sure thing to play early in the year. But once he is healthy, he could help fantasy teams in a big way once again.
Green Bay is likely to have Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft split a lot of the work at tight end, hurting both their value. They could produce some big games along the way, though, making them decent No. 2 fantasy tight ends this season. Both produced well in an expanded role last year.
Lastly, Chin Okonkwo didn’t quite have the breakout season many hoped last year, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Maybe he gets a few more chances this year and has some bigger games along the way with this favorable schedule. He is another decent tight end to grab as your backup.
The teams that top the list for toughest fantasy tight end schedules are teams that haven’t really utilized the tight end much in recent seasons. The Bengals have the toughest schedule followed bye the Dolphins. Mike Gesicki is the starter for the Bengals, but probably isn’t worth the risk with this schedule and the Bengals recent track record with tight ends.
Miami uses their tight ends to block more than anything in their offense. They have the occasional big game, but Jonnu Smith is going to be a risky weekly fantasy play. He would have looked much better landing with a different team.
There are a couple big-time fantasy tight ends that have unfavorable schedules. Dallas Goedert has the third toughest schedule. Goedert can be a little hit or miss to begin with in this offense, so this schedule gives him a little more concern. You might want to pass on him come draft day and go with another elite tight end with a better schedule and more consistency.
Dalton Schultz is the other elite tight end with a top-five unfavorable schedule. Schultz had a big first season with the Texans, becoming a favorite target of C.J. Stroud. He should get the targets this year. But he has a challenging schedule and more to compete with for targets, so his consistency might be a little off this year compared to last.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy tight ends. 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 tight ends with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big-money contests.
| TE PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | Atlanta Falcons | 175 |
| 2. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 182.37 |
| 3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 184.73 |
| 4. | Arizona Cardinals | 187.67 |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 187.77 |
| 6. | New England Patriots | 189.83 |
| 7. | Miami Dolphins | 190.37 |
| 8. | New Orleans Saints | 191.3 |
| 9. | Los Angeles Rams | 192.17 |
| 10. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 192.43 |
| 11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 196.1 |
| 12. | Detroit Lions | 196.12 |
| 13. | Houston Texans | 196.2 |
| 14. | Indianapolis Colts | 198.97 |
| 15. | Buffalo Bills | 199.63 |
| 16. | Kansas City Chiefs | 203.03 |
| 17. | New York Jets | 204.13 |
| 18. | Carolina Panthers | 205.7 |
| 19. | Baltimore Ravens | 205.9 |
| 20. | Green Bay Packers | 207.7 |
| 21. | Chicago Bears | 213.73 |
| 22. | New York Giants | 214.27 |
| 23. | Seattle Seahawks | 214.72 |
| 24. | Cleveland Browns | 214.97 |
| 25. | Dallas Cowboys | 215.8 |
| 26. | Las Vegas Raiders | 219.4 |
| 27. | Washington Commanders | 220.13 |
| 28. | Denver Broncos | 220.8 |
| 29. | Minnesota Vikings | 221.72 |
| 30. | Tennessee Titans | 223.73 |
| 31. | San Francisco 49ers | 225.53 |
| 32. | Los Angeles Chargers | 228.53 |
The Titans and Vikings are the only two teams with the most favorable fantasy schedule for tight ends during the regular season and playoffs. Hockenson is the intriguing one because he might not be fully healthy until late in the season. So while he might not be a huge fantasy factor for the regular season, Hockenson might be a difference maker in the playoffs.
Okonkwo is looking like a player worth grabbing as a No. 2 fantasy tight end, especially if you have an established starter ahead of him. Okonkwo has a high fantasy ceiling for the coming year because of a schedule that could facilitate a breakout season for him.
The Chargers actually have the best fantasy playoff schedule for tight ends. Donald Parham is the likely starter and has some potential in an offense looking for playmakers in the passing game. This could be his best season to date, making him an intriguing late-round gamble.
George Kittle is the biggest name on the list for top-five favorable fantasy tight end playoff schedules. He is going to produce big and could be even better down the stretch with a schedule setup for success.
The Falcons have the most challenging playoff schedule for fantasy tight ends. This is not good news for Kyle Pitts. He is already a polarizing fantasy player, so this schedule won’t do him any favors to get in good graces with more fantasy owners. Many think he could finally turn things around this year with a new coaching staff in place, but nothing is certain with this situation. Pitts could be a boom or bust pick once again.
The Eagles are the only team on both the top five most difficult fantasy schedules for tight ends for the regular season and playoffs. Goedert is looking like a player you might want to let someone else grab come draft day. There are a lot of good, young options at tight end this year. Going with one of those guys over Goedert might be the play on draft day.
Trey McBride is a favorite for many fantasy owners this year for a breakout season. He had a huge finish to last year and is shooting up draft boards. We wouldn’t avoid him come draft day because he has the fourth toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is a little bit of a concern, but not a huge red flag for the talented tight end. Maybe just prepare for his numbers to dip a tad during the playoffs.
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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- Week 10 Inactives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. He had been listed as questionable. McMillan missed two consecutive practices before returning in a limited capacity on Friday, so his availability for Week 10 is notable at the very least. The 22-year-old has appeared in six games this season, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. His best game came in Week 8 when he started with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle). In that contest, he played 81 percent of the offensive snaps, turning seven targets into a career-high four catches and 35 yards. He'll look to build on that stat line this week with Evans still sidelined and Godwin done for the year.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a healthy inactive yet again on Sunday in a Week 10 divisional matchup against the visiting Denver Broncos. It's the fourth straight game that Edwards-Helaire has been a healthy scratch for the Chiefs, with Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele ahead of him on the RB depth chart. The 25-year-old was on the Non-Football Illness list earlier this season due to personal issues and is well off the fantasy radar, especially Isiah Pacheco (leg) hoping to return from a broken leg before the end of the season. CEH has been one of the few Chiefs' draft busts in recent years after they took him 32nd overall in the first round in 2020 out of LSU. Edwards-Helaire has yet to see the field in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (groin) is officially inactive for Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable. The veteran running back logged two limited practices before downgrading to a non-participant Friday. He has appeared in eight games this season, tallying just 124 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. With Williams sidelined and Kendre Miller (hamstring) on injured reserve, the Saints will call upon a combination of Taysom Hill and Jordan Mims to back up Alvin Kamara on Sunday. Kamara is the only Saints running back currently on the fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), as expected, is officially inactive in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Lawrence was never expected to play this weekend after suffering an AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was reported on Sunday morning that Lawrence could also be in danger of missing the rest of the season because of his shoulder injury. It's just the second time in the 25-year-old's four-year career that he'll be missing a game, paving the way for backup Mac Jones to make his first start of 2024. The Jaguars have a bye in Week 12, so Lawrence will probably sit out the Week 11 contest against the Detroit Lions. With Jones now leading a struggling Jaguars offense, fantasy managers should downgrade all of the Jaguars' pass-catchers.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings have declared DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, OG Dan Feeney, CB Dwight McGlothern, DB Fabian Moreau, QB Brett Rypien and OT Walter Rouse inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The New England Patriots have declared S Kyle Dugger, DL Eric Johnson, OL Tyrese Robinson, QB Joe Milton III, LB Christian Elliss, WR Tyquan Thornton and DL Yannick Ngakoue inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The New Orleans Saints have declared QB Spencer Rattler, WR Cedrick Wilson, DT Khristian Boyd, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, RB Jamaal Williams, OG Lucas Patrick and LB Jaylan Ford inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The Indianapolis Colts have declared DL Adam Gotsis, WR Anthony Gould, WR Michael Pittman Jr., LB Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger and CB Darren Hall inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is officially active for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after the Niners activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. The star running back has not yet appeared in a game this season, so Sunday represents his much-anticipated return. Many fantasy managers who selected McCaffrey with the 1.01 pick in fantasy drafts felt betrayed by his long absence, but now, he has a chance to make it up with a strong stretch throughout the second half of the season. In case he has a reduced workload, McCaffrey ranks as a low-end RB1 in his first game back. In future weeks, though, he'll likely rank among the top three running backs, joining the conversation with Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, oblique) is officially active for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices in a row. Samuel has delivered modest production so far this season, catching just 24 passes for 406 yards and one touchdown through seven games. Fantasy managers should still deploy him, given his talent, role, and usage, but his days of being a surefire WR1 are over. For now, he's a riskier WR2 play.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been questionable heading into Week 10 after logging three limited practices in a row. Bosa continues to be one of the most effective defenders in his age-27 season, registering 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception through eight games this year. This week, Bosa will be tasked with taking down Baker Mayfield and the rest of his Buccaneers teammates.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) will miss a second straight game while recovering from a wrist injury in Week 10 versus the Indianapolis Colts. With rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) also out, Buffalo's receiving corps will be noticeably thin on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, with Khalil Shakir to serve as the No. 1 pass-catcher for quarterback Josh Allen. In addition to Shakir, tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox should see more run in Buffalo's passing attack, while veterans Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel should serve in starting three-receiver sets alongside Shakir. With Cooper out last week, Shakir caught six of seven targets for 50 yards and also had his first 100-yard game the week prior. Cooper's next chance to return will be for a Week 11 showdown on Nov. 17 against the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (hip) is officially active for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable after being limited in practice ahead of Week 10. London has been quite productive this season, catching 50 passes for 552 yards and six touchdowns while ranking as the overall WR6 in PPR leagues. The 23-year-old remains a strong fantasy option heading into Week 10. His matchup against the Saints is particularly favorable given that New Orleans traded away cornerback Marshon Lattimore last Tuesday.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) is considered a game-time decision for Week 10's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Fantasy Spin: Hill had been listed as questionable on the injury report after missing Miami's final two practice sessions of the week due to a wrist injury that he initially sustained during training camp but aggravated a few days ago. He will participate during pregame warmups Monday, Nov. 11, before a final decision is made about his status. Fantasy owners should make alternate plans in the event that Hill is held out of action.
From TheHuddle
The Washington Commanders have declared CB Marshon Lattimore, PK Austin Seibert, OT Cornelius Lucas, QB Jeff Driskel, S Darrick Forrest Jr., S Dominique Hampton and RB Brian Robinson Jr. inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
The Buffalo Bills have declared WR Amari Cooper, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, RB Reggie Gilliam, WR Keon Coleman, C Will Clapp and WR KJ Hamler inactive for Week 10.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) said he felt "close" to being available for Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he was ruled out and is instead eyeing a Week 12 return. That timetable would give Evans an extra week to get healthy during the bye before suiting up against the New York Giants on November 24. Evans has been sidelined since Week 7, the same week Tampa Bay also lost Chris Godwin (ankle) to a season-ending injury. As a result, Tampa Bay's passing attack has been forced to funnel through players like Cade Otton, Trey Palmer, and Jalen McMillan (hamstring). Evans' return will give Tampa Bay a reliable top receiver once again.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is expected to undergo season-ending surgery after testing revealed a partial tear of his hamstring tendon. The veteran quarterback is set to meet with a doctor on Monday to get a final opinion. Prescott won't play in Week 10 and is likely going to elect surgery to address the issue. This would certainly be a frustrating end to Prescott's season, but the team needs to do what is best for his health. Cooper Rush will start under center in Week 10 and figures to remain the starter going forward, assuming Prescott elects the surgery.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is set to make his return to the field ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons will take the field for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 4. His return to the field is a welcoming sight for this defensive unit. Parsons was able to get in three limited practice sessions this week. That being said, Parsons is expected to be on a snap count for this first game back. The Cowboys don't want to push Parsons too hard considering he has missed quite a bit of time.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (foot, ankle) is considered doubtful to return for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. It appears Sanders suffered some type of leg injury during the first half of this game. After further evaluation it sounds like the Panthers are likely going to hold him out for the rest of the game. Before exiting, Sanders rushed the ball twice as the primary backup to Chuba Hubbard. The absence of Sanders should mean a few more snaps for Hubbard during the second half of this game.
From RotoBaller
