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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Waivering: Week 10
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Studs and Duds: Week 9
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 10
- Colts-Jets flexed out of Week 11 SNF in favor of Bengals-Chargers
- Falcons' Raheem Morris wary of Saints, praises their interim coach
- Bengals RB Zack Moss (neck) out indefinitely; TE Erick All tears ACL again
- 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey practices, could play Sunday
- Bears stand behind OC Shane Waldron
- Broncos extend Jonathon Cooper, trade Baron Browning to Cardinals
- QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) to miss several weeks
- Giants sticking with Daniel Jones at QB vs. Panthers
- Bengals rookie TE Erick All (torn ACL) out for season
- Take 5: Early candidates to be Saints' next head coach
- Titans lose two starters to season-ending injuries
- Bills WR Keon Coleman (wrist) undergoing tests
- Colts sticking with Joe Flacco as QB1 in Week 11
- Saints fire Dennis Allen with losing streak at seven games
- Week 9 MNF: Chiefs-Buccaneers Preview, Props & Prediction
- Raiders fire OC Luke Getsy, two other coaches
- NFL roundup: Rams top Seahawks in OT on one-handed catch
- Former Browns star ‘Dub’ Jones dies at 99
- Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb injures right shoulder
- Eagles WR A.J. Brown (knee) exits game vs. Jags
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 10 | Xavier Legette Makes a Case
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Waiver Wire Week 10 | Braden Fiske Starting to Shine
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Players to Drop Week 10 | Don’t Hold Dak Prescott
- Fantasy Six Pack: 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
- Fantasy Life: Guillotine League Mailbag: Week 10 Strategy & FAAB Targets
- Fantasy Life: Week 10 Fantasy Football Bold Predictions: Justin Herbert, DeAndre Hopkins
- Fantasy Life: Week 10 Rest Of Season Fantasy Football Rankings Updates
- Fantasy Life: Guillotine League Adds and FAAB Advice for Week 10
- Fantasy Life: Make A Playoff Push With These Adds
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Quentin Johnston, Mike Gesicki, And More
The Paur Report
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace (foot) was listed as a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. The 25-year-old played a season-high 35 percent of the snaps during last week's game, but picked up a foot injury in the process. He was limited to open the week, but Wallace is back to being a full participant on Tuesday. It sounds like Wallace should be ready to play in Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Wallace has mainly been playing on special teams and has only two receptions for 31 yards on the season. He's not worth rostering in fantasy formats, but his presence is a good sign for the Ravens special teams unit.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali (ankle) was upgraded to a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. Ali has missed the last three games due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 6. He was limited to start the week, but being upgraded to full practice means he should be ready for Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The rookie back figures to serve as the third string option behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. That being said, Ali is nothing more than a dynasty stash at the moment.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that he won't rule out newly acquired running back Khalil Herbert making his debut with the team on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens after being acquired from the Chicago Bears in a trade on Tuesday. Taylor said Herbert has been productive as a runner and is an able and willing pass-protector as well. Herbert should immediately become Chase Brown's backup in Cincy with Zack Moss (neck) done for the year. The 26-year-old won't be a recommended starting fantasy option in Week 10 if he's active in his first game with his new team, but he's certainly worth a waiver-wire pickup for any fantasy managers that need more RB depth or who need the new handcuff for Brown. Herbert saw only eight carries for 16 yards in six games with the Bears but did manage to find the end zone once.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running backs Keaton Mitchell (knee) and Rasheen Ali (ankle) both practiced in full on Tuesday as they prepare to face the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football In Week 10. Mitchell also practiced in full all of last week but was held out of the Week 9 win over the Denver Broncos. The 22-year-old is recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered last year but has a chance to be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list and make his 2024 debut on Thursday. He showed explosive ability out of Baltimore's backfield in his rookie campaign before his injury in 2023, but Mitchell will most likely be eased in behind Derrick Henry and alongside Justice Hill against Cincy if he's active. Mitchell deserves to be stashed in fantasy leagues for his upside as Baltimore's RB2 the rest of the season.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets traded wide receiver Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, meaning Xavier Gipson, who has four catches for 23 yards on the year on seven targets, will move into the WR3 role in New York behind Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson with Allen Lazard (chest) on Injured Reserve. While Gipson's role should expand in the short term, the 23-year-old probably still isn't worth a waiver-wire pickup in standard-sized, 12-team fantasy leagues. In his first NFL season in 2023, Gipson caught 21 of his 38 targets for 229 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (three starts). Expect the Jets to utilize more two-tight end sets with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert with Williams gone and Lazard still sidelined.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers released kicker Anders Carlson from their practice squad on Tuesday. It's a sign that Jake Moody (ankle), who has missed the last three games due to a sprained ankle, will be ready to return for the Week 10 contest this Sunday versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers in need of an improvement at the kicking position should be looking to add Moody if he's available on your league's waiver wire. The 26-year-old Carlson was cut by the Green Bay Packers in training camp this year after a shaky rookie season in 2023. In the two games that he filled in for Moody in San Fran, he was a perfect 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts while missing one of his four extra-point tries. Carlson will now hope to latch on with another team before the end of the 2024 season.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's practice for the second straight day this week. Higgins injured his quadriceps muscle on Oct. 25 and did not play in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 versus the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, it's looking like the 25-year-old will miss a second straight game unless he can return to the practice field on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should keep him on their benches for now. If Higgins misses Thursday's tilt, it will mean more opportunities for Ja'Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin, as well as tight end Mike Gesicki, who went for 100 yards and scored twice against the Raiders. Iosivas only caught one pass in Week 9, but it went for his fourth TD of the year.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Bengals running back Zack Moss will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a neck injury. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that escalated quickly. The Bengals traded for Khalil Herbert today and that move makes even more sense now. The loss of Moss puts Chase Brown squarely in the driver's seat to make a short and long-term impression as the starter. As for Moss, this is concerning as it was slated he was going to miss "at least" the rest of the regular season, meaning he may not even be back for the playoffs should the Bengals claw their way in. His dynasty value is trending in the wrong direction at this point.
Dynasty | The Dallas Cowboys have acquired wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. Dynasty Analysis: The Panthers will receiver a fourth round pick in exchange for Mingo and a seventh round selection. Mingo was a second round pick just last season, but has posted just 55 catches for 539 yards thus far in 24 career games. Dallas must see something they like here as their season doesn't exactly lend itself to be "buyers" at the trade deadline. Mingo is still a decent bench stash in dynasty leagues, but it's hard to see him being a difference maker, especially with Cooper Rush at the helm.
Arizona Cardinals WR Chris Moore was released from the practice squad on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys DT Jordan Phillips (wrist) was released from the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Phillips is expected to sign with the Buffalo Bills once he is allowed to do so.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills DL Dawuane Smoot (wrist) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers LB Preston Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft choice on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | The Colts have rebuffed trade inquiries for quarterback Anthony Richardson. Dynasty Analysis: Richardson has clearly not developed as quickly as the Colts had hoped he would, but it seems they're also not willing to sell him for pennies on the dollar, either. Had Joe Flacco ignited the offense yet again this week, things may have changed. However, Richardson could be in line to start again this year if Flacco struggles. Regardless, Richardson's dynasty value is falling quickly and he needs to show something soon to recoup it.
Dynasty | The Panthers are reportedly holding on to quarterback Bryce Young through the trade deadline. Dynasty Analysis: Young was famously benched earlier this season in favor of Andy Dalton. However, he's played better after replacing Dalton the past couple of weeks, perhaps instilling a glimmer of hope with a Carolina team that paid dearly for his services. Young will likely keep starting games until he regresses again (likely for the final time as a Panther) or shows enough for the franchise to continue building around him. Regardless, his dynasty value is near zero already after a disastrous start to his career.
Free-agent DT Brandon Williams (Ravens) officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Lamar Jackson (back, knee) "will be playing on Thursday night" to kick off Week 10 action against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson was not listed on Monday's practice report but did not practice on Tuesday after dealing with back and knee injuries last week. The 27-year-old front-runner for a second straight MVP award had a perfect passer rating in the Week 9 blowout win over the Denver Broncos, going 16-for-19 for 280 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, so his injuries didn't limit him whatsoever. In the first meeting against Cincy in an overtime win in Week 5, Jackson had a season-high 348 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 12 carries for 55 yards. Fantasy managers can't be expecting that again, but the dual-threat QB will be a must-start, high-end QB1 this Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams CB Tre'Davious White was traded along with a 2027 seventh-round draft choice to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round draft on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
From TheHuddle
The Las Vegas Raiders named Scott Turner as their new interim offensive coordinator on Tuesday and also named Joe Philbin as their interim offensive-line coach while adding Turner's father, Norv, as a senior offensive advisor. Scott Turner was previously the team's passing-game coordinator after joining the team last year following three years as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. He was a quarterback at UNLV in college and spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings during his NFL playing career. Turner will now be tasked with running an offense that could be benching QB Gardner Minshew II in favor of Desmond Ridder as they head into their Week 10 bye. With Jakobi Meyers as the team's WR1 as well, expect Vegas' offense to continue to struggle to move the ball consistently.
From RotoBaller
Despite NFL teams calling about quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick last year, the Carolina Panthers will keep him, according to a source. Teams were gauging if the Panthers were already ready to give up on the top pick from 2023, and the answer for now is no. The 23-year-old had a disastrous rookie campaign and was benched this year for veteran Andy Dalton after two poor showings to open his sophomore season. A thumb sprain for Dalton has opened the starting door back up for Young the last two weeks, and it seems likely he'll make a third straight start in Week 10 versus the New York Giants in Germany this Sunday after leading the team to their second win in Week 9 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Young still has lots of improvements to make and will be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues if he's starting in Europe.
From RotoBaller
