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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The Paur Report
Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 18
The Los Angeles Rams defense and special teams unit has been a huge part of their late-season success, and they'll look to finish the season strong in a matchup with the Seahawks. The Rams are resting multiple offensive starters, but it isn't clear how many defensive stars could also have a lighter workload. The young unit has held opponents under 10 points in three straight games while forcing four turnovers and totaling eight sacks. They had two goal-line interceptions against Kyler Murray last year to seal the win that earned them the NFC West title, which is why they have already clinched the playoffs. Seattle has been a pretty good matchup for DST this season, turning the ball over 24 times in 16 games and giving up 52 sacks. The Seahawks only scored six points last week in Chicago, and the Rams will hope to keep them in check again on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip), outside linebacker Amare Barno (shoulder), linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion), safety Lonnie Johnson (neck, shoulder) and outside linebacker DJ Johnson (personal) have all been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Additionally, defensive end A'Shawn Robinson (neck) and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (rest) are listed as questionable. Horn, a former first-rounder in 2021, will end up missing the final two games of his fourth and best season in the NFL. In 15 starts, Horn compiled a career-high 68 tackles (49 solo), two sacks, five tackles for loss, an interception and a career-high 13 pass breakups. With Horn out again, Caleb Farley will get another start. Despite the Falcons starting a rookie QB, Carolina's defensive unit should be well off the fantasy radar in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is not worth a fantasy roster spot in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. While Lockett would likely like to have a good game in what could be his final game in a Seahawks uniform, the fact is that he has been completely phased out of Seattle's offense with the emergence of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Week 17 against the Chicago Bears was Lockett's best game in weeks. He caught three passes for 20 yards last Thursday. It was encouraging to see Lockett earn more than three targets for the first time since Week 9. However, his four targets were not exactly groundbreaking. Unless Lockett finds the end zone, he will be a useless fantasy asset this week. Leave him on waivers once again in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant has built some momentum in recent weeks. He has earned at least five targets in three straight games. He has also reached at least 43 yards in two straight games. Fant will look to carry that momentum into a Week 18 road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams. Fant's issue recently has been his inability to find the end zone. The Seahawks have had trouble throwing touchdowns all season with quarterback Geno Smith having only tossed 17. While Fant has never scored more than four touchdowns in a season, he has been especially dry over the last couple of years. Fant has not scored a touchdown since the 2022 season. In Week 18, Fant will play a Rams defense that is No. 27 against opposing tight ends in fantasy. It feels like a game in which he could get loose. With many teams resting players and a few quarterback injuries around the league affecting the output of their skill players, Fant could be a desperation option for fantasy managers in need of a tight end this week.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is in another great spot to succeed in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. With Kenneth Walker III (ankle) on injured reserve, Charbonnet will have the backfield all to himself. With the exception of Week 17 against the Chicago Bears, Charbonnet has put up massive numbers in his starts in place of Walker this season. Even his outing against the Bears was serviceable, and his lack of high-end output was more a product of the offense's inefficiencies as a whole. The Rams are middle-of-the-road against opposing running backs in fantasy this season. They have allowed 19.5 PPR points per game to opposing backfields. Expect the Seahawks to lean on Charbonnet early and often in both the running and passing games. He should be in every championship lineup in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is potentially a strong fantasy option in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers will either be locked into the No. 6 seed or have a chance at the No. 5 seed in the final game of the regular season, depending on the results of Saturday's games. If the Bolts have a chance to better their playoff position, Herbert will certainly play and should be a top-10 option at the position against a Raiders defense with nothing to play for. Fantasy managers should have a backup option available, however, as Herbert and other Chargers starters could sit out if the team is locked into the sixth seed, which would give the start to backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said he'd "do what's best for the team" when asked about whether starters would play.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST is a potential fantasy option in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are resting several key starters ahead of this matchup. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is slated to start with a crew of backup weapons around him. The Seahawks have improved defensively as the season has worn on. With the Rams short-handed this week, this unit should have no trouble getting to the quarterback and creating turnovers. They are an excellent streaming option and will look to build momentum heading into the offseason. With head coach Mike Macdonald already showing that he has made a mark on this defense, expect bigger things from the Seahawks D/ST in 2025. For now, you can safely deploy them in fantasy championships.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has played limited snaps in the last two weeks, and his workload against the Seahawks is very uncertain. The veteran tight end worked his way back after a catastrophic knee injury suffered in the playoffs last year. He played 14 snaps against the Jets and 17 snaps against the Cardinals, and in those two games, he had three catches for 20 yards and a memorable touchdown. With the Rams resting key starters in Week 18 like Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp, Higbee could continue to ramp up, or he could sit entirely. Even if he does play, though, the Rams will likely avoid putting him in harms way if at all possible. Higbee is RotoBaller's TE34 this week, so he's not a great start in any format.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first start of the season when the Rams host the Seahawks in their regular season finale. With their playoff spot secure, the Rams will rest multiple starters including Matthew Stafford, letting Jimmy G see his first action of the season. The 33-year-old backup signed a one-year deal with the Rams and will be a free agent after this season. He last played in 2023 for the Raiders when he completed 110 of 169 pass attempts (65.1%) for 1,205 yards in 12 games with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. He's RotoBaller's QB29 this week and is not a good fantasy option since the Rams won't have their starters on offense, but they'll likely face most of the Seahawks' regulars.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba enters Week 18 five receptions short of fellow wide receiver Tyler Lockett's single-season team record. Smith-Njigba is in prime position to break the record in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith-Njigba is entering the final week of what has become a breakout season. In 16 games, JSN sits as the WR7 with 1,121 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He has been nothing short of excellent as he has stepped into Seattle's No. 1 wide receiver role. The Rams have been relatively generous to opposing wide receivers in fantasy so Smith-Njigba should have no problems getting loose in the final game of the season. Additionally, JSN had his best outing of his career against the Rams in Week 9. He caught seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He has been nothing short of excellent ever since. Deploy JSN as a WR1 this week.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf will look to top 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. Metcalf is currently 61 yards short. Unfortunately, Metcalf has been very quiet of late. He has not exceeded four receptions since Week 11, and he has not exceeded 70 yards since Week 7. His fantasy output has been heavily impacted by the lack of production. Metcalf's best outing since Seattle's Week 10 bye is 14.7 PPR fantasy points. If you have made it this far in your league, it is likely not because of Metcalf's performances. He is a risky flex play with limited upside this week. Soon, we will need to start considering Metcalf's future as a fantasy asset given the massive fall in production during the second half of this season.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is a solid option as your fantasy kicker in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. While the Seahawks do not have much to play for as far as playoff seeding is concerned, they can push the Rams down to the No. 4 seed in the NFC and finish the season with 10 wins. As such, expect the offense to fight hard throughout this game. That should put Myers in scoring positions often. Myers has scored in the single digits in each of the last three games. This week provides him an opportunity to get back into double-digit scoring. He has been incredibly accurate all season long, having only missed four field goals. All he needs is a chance. He can safely be deployed in fantasy championships this week.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice but is still considered questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Sanders also practiced in full on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday. The Panthers opened the 27-year-old's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but they'll have to officially activate him from IR on Saturday if they want to let him play in the final game of the season on Sunday. Despite having not played since Week 10, Sanders could be the favorite to lead Carolina's backfield this weekend in Atlanta if he's activated since Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) is on IR. However, if Sanders does return, we wouldn't recommend relying on him for fantasy purposes with Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone also likely being involved for Carolina.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith checks in as a QB2 in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith has been a poor fantasy quarterback recently. He has only exceeded 13.32 fantasy points once since Seattle's Week 10 bye. The Seahawks will face a middle-of-the-road Rams defense in Week 18. Neither team has a lot to play for with the Rams guaranteed to win the NFC West and the Seahawks eliminated from playoff contention. However, Smith has several attainable incentives in his contract. Most notably, Smith will receive a bonus if the Seahawks reach 10 wins. Despite the lack of playoff motivation, expect Smith to come out and put his best foot forward this weekend. He also needs to prove to the Seahawks that he can be their quarterback of the future. He has a releasable contract at the conclusion of this season and he will likely want a contract extension should he remain with the team. Still, recent weeks have shown us that Smith is not a trustable fantasy asset right now. Deploy him as a QB2 in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (abdomen) popped up on the Week 18 injury report on Thursday and is now questionable to play on Sunday in the regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans. Okonkwo was limited in Thursday's practice and missed Friday's session, so he should be considered on the wrong side of questionable. The Titans are only playing for draft positioning in the regular-season finale, so there's a good chance they'll hold out any injured players that are questionable like Okonkwo. If the 25-year-old doesn't play this weekend, look for Nick Vannett and Josh Whyle to get some more run at the tight end position for Tennessee. Although Okonkwo started making some noise in recent weeks as a pass-catcher, he was mostly off the fantasy radar in 2024 and will finish with 52 catches for 479 yards and only two TDs in 16 games if he doesn't play in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable to play in a must-win game in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Shepard was inactive for the team's Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers but is hoping to return to help the Bucs secure a playoff berth and the NFC South title. If he does return, he'll return to his role as the WR3 behind Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan, giving him little fantasy upside. Despite another phenomenal season from quarterback Baker Mayfield and the season-ending injury to Chris Godwin (ankle), Shepard has failed to produce consistently for fantasy managers, catching a total of 31 passes on 49 targets for 323 yards and only one score. If he's active, consider him a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR4/5 against the Saints.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (concussion) and safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the Patriots defense for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Additionally, safety Kyle Dugger (ankle, quadriceps), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), linebacker Titus Leo (ankle) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee) are questionable to play. The Patriots will secure the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft if they lose to the Bills on Sunday, so they won't be rushing any key players back onto the field this one. Even though the Bills don't plan to keep their key starters on offense in this contest for long, fantasy managers with something still on the line in Week 18 shouldn't have the Patriots defense/special teams unit as a consideration.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Chicago Bears. Friday's practice session was the first Watson was able to attend since suffering a bruised left knee in the 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. "It was good, it really was," said head coach Matt LaFleur of Watson's return. "It was good to get him back out there, kind of get him back in the flow of things. So that was, that was encouraging." The 25-year-old's return to practice on Friday means he's making progress, but we still expect the Packers to play it safe and hold the oft-injured receiver out in the regular-season finale so that he'll be ready to go for the playoffs next week. It's unclear how long Green Bay might play their starters on Sunday, giving them all considerably more risk in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) was a limited participant in practice all week and is listed as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Henry will enter the final week of the regular season as a shaky fantasy TE on the TE1/2 borderline. Aside from his injury, the Patriots and Bills have nothing on the line on Sunday besides draft positioning, so there's a chance that Henry doesn't see the field all that much if he's active. If he's ruled out on Sunday morning, Austin Hooper would be a TE sleeper in DFS lineups. Henry has been a low-ceiling, low-floor fantasy TE in 2024 in the low-scoring Patriots offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye leading the show. He currently ranks as the TE19 in half-PPR points per game (5.0) with 66 catches for 674 yards and only two touchdowns in 16 games played.
From RotoBaller
