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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The Miami Dolphins announced on Friday that they released tight end Durham Smythe and cornerback Kendall Fuller. Smythe was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round in 2018 out of Notre Dame. The 29-year-old caught 132 of his 175 targets for 1,228 yards and only three touchdowns in his 112 games (74 starts) with the team over seven seasons, but now he'll head to the open market after catching just nine passes for 53 yards and no scores on 17 targets in 17 games in 2024. He played just 32% of the offensive snaps last year after the addition of Jonnu Smith. Miami saves $2.175 million in salary cap space with the move. Fuller, 30, suffered multiple concussions and a knee injury that limited him to 11 games in 2024 in his first year in Miami after he began his career with eight years with the Washington Commanders. His release clears $2.761 million against the cap with $5.412 million in dead money.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants signed wide receiver Montrell Washington and cornerback Nic Jones to Reserve/Futures deals on Friday. Washington was originally a fifth-round selection (162 overall) by the Denver Broncos in 2022 out of Samford. The 25-year-old pass-catcher made his NFL debut in his rookie year with Denver and caught four of his nine targets for only two yards while carrying the ball five times for 30 yards in 15 contests (one start). He hasn't appeared in an NFL game since and spent most of last season on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. Washington will now train with the Giants this offseason and attempt to make their 53-man roster as receiver depth out of training camp this summer. Jones, 23, was a seventh-rounder by the Chiefs in 2023 out of Ball State. He has four solo tackles in 10 NFL games since debuting with KC in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Dolphins have released running back Raheem Mostert. Dynasty Analysis: Mostert was a dynasty game changer in 2023 when he set career highs in rushing yards (1,012) and led the league with a whopping 18 rushing touchdowns. Injuries have always been his downfall and while he's played in 44 games the past three years, he's pushing 34 and hard to trust. Regardless, he should get a shot as a platoon player somewhere else. His dynasty value is certainly dropping and while he should remain on most rosters, he's looking like a player who could be released to make room for a dynasty rookie this Spring.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Denver Broncos hired former New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their special teams coordinator on Friday, per a source. Rizzi took over the Saints midway through the 2024 season after previous head coach Dennis Allen was fired. The 54-year-old gave the Saints an initial spark and was a finalist for the full-time job before New Orleans gave it to Kellen Moore. Rizzi will now reunite with head coach Sean Payton in Denver after the two worked together for three years. He spent the last six seasons as the special teams coordinator in the Big Easy after a 10-year stint with the Miami Dolphins. Payton fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica after the season, and Mike Westhoff retired due to health reasons. Assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo was hired to be the New York Jets' special teams coordinator.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt thinks the most likely outcome for New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) is that he retires this offseason, although there's still a chance he'll want to play elsewhere. Mosley played in only four games in 2024 due to various injuries, and even when he was available, he didn't look as good. If the Jets want to save money on his contract and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they'd save $4 million on the 2025 salary cap with an $8.78 million dead-cap penalty. If Mosley doesn't retire, there's a good chance the Jets will move on and release him. The 32-year-old veteran linebacker only played in two games for the Jets in his first year with the team in 2019 due to injury and then opted out of the COVID season in 2020. In his four games in 2024, he totaled 17 tackles (13 solo). Mosley has just one year left on his deal with the Jets.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams is unlikely to want to return in 2025 with the team parting ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Adams' contract is structured in a way that would give him the power to ultimately force his release. Adams has a $38.25 million salary cap hit in 2025, although none of his $35.6 million salary is guaranteed. The expectation is that New York will cut or trade Adams and save $29.8 million in cap space while taking on $8.3 million in dead money. It's unclear where the 32-year-old veteran will end up, but it's possible he'll follow Rodgers to another team if Rodgers doesn't retire. Although the Jets couldn't turn things around after trading for Adams, he ended up finishing with his fifth straight 1,000-yard season despite playing in only 14 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is fully expected to be released after Year 2 of his disastrous four-year, $44 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Lazard was downright bad in 2023 and played only slightly better with quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year before getting hurt late in the season. The 29-year-old was one of the most drop-prone receivers in the league and admitted that he struggles when Rodgers isn't on the field. The Jets will sav $6.6 million in salary cap space if/when they cut Lazard while taking on $6.5 million in dead money. If he's a post-June 1 cut, the Jets would save $11 million with a $2.1 million dead-cap penalty. Lazard was a major miss, catching 60 passes for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in his two seasons with the Jets. If Rodgers retires this offseason, Lazard would be pretty bummed.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins informed former Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert of his release on Friday, according to his agent, Brett Tessler. Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns and had a career-high 1,012 rushing yards on 209 carries for the Dolphins in 2023 as a first-time Pro Bowler, but he predictably came back down to Earth last season and finished with 85 carries, 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 catches for 161 additional yards in 13 games (one start). With the release of the 32-year-old veteran, Miami will clear $2.97 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season. De'Von Achane will once again enter the upcoming season as the Dolphins' primary back, but now he'll have Jaylen Wright as his primary backup. Mostert isn't likely to have a strong free-agent market and will most likely be a short-yardage, No. 2 back wherever he ends up.
From RotoBaller
Impending free-agent QB Jameis Winston (Browns) stated on the Up & Adams show that the Pittsburgh Steelers were among the teams he would interested in signing with this offseason.
Fantasy Spin: It seems like an unlikely marriage considering how aggressive Winston and how conservative the Steelers typically are offensively, but such a marriage could be huge news for George Pickens as Winston loves throwing downfield. To a lesser extent, Pat Freiermuth would also likely benefit. It seems more likely that the Steelers would try to keep either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, but they could do a lot worse than Winston as a bridge quarterback.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert was informed that he will be released on Friday, Feb. 14.
Fantasy Spin: While somewhat expected given his age (32) and the presence of De'Von Achane, the move is still a bit surprising Mostert is one season removed from scoring a team-record 21 touchdowns. Mostert is highly unlikely to find a starting job anywhere, but he still brings enough to the table to be a capable backup somewhere in the league. The move could also suggest Miami wanted to clear a path for 2024 draft pick Jaylen Wright to be the unquestioned 1B back to Achane.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert ($2.9 million), TE Durham Smythe ($2.2 million), FB Alec Ingold ($1.7 million), LB Bradley Chubb ($19.6 million, post-June 1) and OT Terron Armstead ($15 million, post-June 1) are among the players the team may have to consider to clear space under the salary cap for 2025, according to DolphinsWire's Adam Stites.
From TheHuddle
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed running back Keaontay Ingram to a Reserve/Futures deal on Thursday. Ingram will stick around with the Chiefs this offseason after inking a one-year deal with the team a year ago. The 25-year-old former sixth-round selection (201st overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 saw 62 rushing attempts for 134 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching eight of nine targets for 47 yards in 20 games (one start) in his first two years in the league with Arizona. He spent most of the 2024 season on the Chiefs' practice squad and was active for only one regular-season game on Sept. 22 in a win over the Atlanta Falcons, but he wasn't involved at all on offense. Ingram will continue to train with KC this offseason and will be hoping to do enough at training camp this offseason to win a 53-man roster spot as RB depth.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears TE Gerald Everett could be a candidate to be released this offseason because the team would save $5.5 million if they let him go, in the opinion of BearsWire's Brendan Sugrue.
From TheHuddle
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire began the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs but opened the year on the Non-Football Illness list while dealing with mental-health issues. The former 32nd overall pick by the Chiefs in 2020 out of LSU never played in a regular-season game for KC last year before being waived in December and picked up by the Saints as additional depth for a banged-up backfield. The 25-year-old ended up playing in two games for the Saints, carrying the ball 13 times for 46 yards and adding three catches for 24 yards. CEH, who has averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his five NFL seasons, will now work out with New Orleans this offseason and attempt to win a roster spot in training camp. He'll be facing an uphill battle for a significant role on offense in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is "on the right track" in his recovery from a devastating knee injury that he suffered in 2024. "We'll see where he ends up," Ryans said. Dell has a long way to go in his recovery from a torn ACL, MCL and LCL, but it's nice to hear that things are going well early on. Despite Ryans' statement, there remains a pretty good chance that the 25-year-old won't be able to play at all in 2025 after needing multiple surgeries to fix the extensive damage to his left knee. And when the speedy deep threat does return for the Texans, he may never be the same. In addition to tearing all those ligaments, he dislocated his knee and suffered damage to his meniscus. In 14 games before his injury, Dell had 51 catches, 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. We'll continue to provide updates on Dell's long road to recovery
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle) said on Thursday that he's making good progress in his recovery from surgery for a left high-ankle sprain. "Got off the scooter, now I'm in a boot, and I'll get the boot off Monday. I'm A-plus across the board, as far as Dr. Anderson... I'm in a great place right now," Crosby said. The 27-year-old aggravated his ankle injury in Week 14 and eventually need a tightrope procedure on his ankle in December, which landed him on Injured Reserve to end the year. Barring a setback with his ankle recovery this offseason, Crosby figures to be a full-go for training camp this summer and for the start of the 2025 regular season in the fall. The former fourth-round pick in 2019 out of Eastern Michigan has made the Pro Bowl each of the last four seasons and should remain a high-end D-line target in IDP leagues despite his ankle injury in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New head coach Kellen Moore made it absolutely clear on Thursday in his introductory press conference on Thursday that he plans to call the plays for the New Orleans Saints offense in 2025. "We like to use a lot of tempo every place that I've been," Moore said. "We'll use shifts and motions when we huddle, but we want to stress the defense." Moore had three top-10 passing offenses as the offensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, including a pair of No. 2 finishes. As the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, he helped the team win Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles ranked seventh in points and eighth in the NFL in yards, while running back Saquon Barkley had 2,000-plus rushing yards during the regular season. The Saints' No. 1 order of business with Moore in tow will be to figure out their QB situation and to decide if they want Derek Carr back.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said he has a specific plan to best use wide receiver DK Metcalf in the team's offense and to maximize is freakish physical talents. "Down-the-field threat. Strong, physical player. Extremely excited about getting to work with him, and his physical presence. Brings a lot, can bring a lot, to our offense," Kubiak said. Extra defensive attention for Metcalf freed second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba up for 100 catches and a breakout season, but the Seahawks want more out of the 27-year-old Metcalf, who finished with 992 receiving yards, his fewest since 2021. He also had his second straight 66-catch season after a career-high 90 catches in 2022 and a career-low five TDs. Kubiak was with the Vikings the first couple years of Justin Jefferson's career, and fantasy managers will be hoping Kubiak looks to target Metcalf as much as he did Jefferson back then.
From RotoBaller
It sounds like New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will remain a big part of the offense under new head coach Kellen Moore in 2025. "Obviously one of the premiere players in our league, his ability to play in the pass game and the run game, all the different versatile roles that he can play. And so that's been a really important piece. It'll continue to be a really important piece," Moore said at his opening press conference on Thursday. Kamara isn't getting any younger and is entering his age-30 campaign -- typically the age when RBs begin breaking down -- but he didn't slow down in 2024 and had 1,493 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns while remaining active as a pass-catcher (68 receptions). The quarterback position is a question mark for the Saints this offseason, but with Moore calling plays, Kamara should remain heavily involved and enter the fall as a low-end RB1 in fantasy, at worst.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce said he will be taking some time to decide on his playing future, but DE Charles Omenihu said he believes that Kelce will play for the Chiefs in 2025.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation over the next few weeks to see if Kelce will continue his playing career. He was a big part of the passing game again this season and will be a No. 1 fantasy tight end in 2025 if he plays.
From TheHuddle