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.
The Miami Dolphins' backfield depth could be tested early on in 2024 on a short week heading into their Week 2 matchup against the division-rival Buffalo Bills this Thursday night. Running backs De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) were both listed as not practicing for the second straight game during the team's walkthrough on Tuesday. Miami still has one more practice on Wednesday before they release their final injury report for Week 2, but as of right now, this is a situation worth monitoring closely. If one or both of Achane and Mostert are out or limited against Buffalo, it will open things up for Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wright to have much bigger roles against a a Bills defense that isn't nearly as stout as its been in years past. Wright was a healthy scratch in the Week 1 win over the Jaguars, but he's a better long-term speculative stash in fantasy leagues over Wilson.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips is signing a two-year contract extension worth up to $19 million on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The deal includes $13 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old former third-round pick by the Buffalo Bills has totaled 263 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, seven pass deflections, and 28 run stuffs through his first 80 NFL games. Phillips anchors the middle of Brian Flores' defense.
From RotoBaller
Veteran free-agent defensive end/linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson signed to the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad on Tuesday, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. The 2020 first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars posted just 73 tackles, five sacks, two pass deflections, and 9.5 run stuffs in 57 career games with the Jaguars. He spent this offseason with the Carolina Panthers but was released on September 3. With defensive end Malcolm Koonce (knee) on Injured Reserve, the signing of Chaisson provides Las Vegas depth behind Maxx Crosby, Janarius Robinson, and Tyree Wilson.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) is being considered day-to-day with an ankle injury heading into the Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Jennings was banged up in the preseason, but he played and led the team in receptions (five) and receiving yards (64) in the win over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. The team is likely to be careful with Jennings, especially while Brandon Aiyuk knocks off the rust following an offseason hold-in and Ricky Pearsall (chest) recovers from a gunshot wound. Assuming Jennings suits up in Week 2, he's a decent deep-league flex option, but he has a low fantasy football floor.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers are signing Mike Boone to the active 53-man roster, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 29-year-old was called up to the active roster in Week 1 and rushed four times for seven yards. He has totaled 546 rushing yards and four rushing scores since entering the league in 2018. Carolina is fresh off a disastrous 47-10 blowout at the hands of the New Orleans Saints and running backs Miles Sanders, Chubba Hubbard, and Boone combined for just 43 total rushing yards. There could be a three-man committee in Carolina until Jonathon Brooks (knee) comes off the PUP list, but with how bad the offense looked in Week 1, there's a good chance none of them have fantasy value in 12-team leagues.
From RotoBaller
On Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers played in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season. The 40-year-old completed 13 of his 21 passing attempts for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It wasn't a great showing and he looked hobbled at times, but it could take him a few weeks to get in rhythm. On an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers alluded to getting wide receiver Garrett Wilson involved more moving forward. "I don't know how many targets he finished with, but we gotta up that number," Rodgers said. Wilson caught six of his 11 targets for 60 yards after being heavily involved early in the loss. Rodgers should be expected to attempt more than 21 passes in the coming weeks, so Wilson is in play to lead the league in targets any given week.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) was somewhat of a surprising inactive during Monday's game against the New York Jets. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year was labeled as questionable with a calf and Achilles injury on Saturday's final injury report, but fantasy managers did not know he wouldn't play until the inactives list came out 90 minutes before kickoff. While McCaffrey's Week 2 status is still up in the air, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he would have played if it was a playoff game, which means his aliment could be manageable. The team is likely to be careful with McCaffrey early in the 2024 campaign, so Jordan Mason could be on the fantasy radar even when CMC returns to action.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns are hosting free-agent tight ends Irv Smith Jr., Tommy Sweeney and Geoff Swaim for visits/workouts on Tuesday, according to a source. The Browns are suddenly in the market for a tight end after starter David Njoku (ankle) injured his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It's unclear if the 28-year-old suffered a dreaded high-ankle sprain, but he's currently considered week-to-week, and there's a good chance he won't be cleared to play in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fact that Cleveland is searching for more TE depth could mean that they expect Njoku to miss multiple games. Smith would be the most intriguing addition to the Browns' offense, but he'd still just be depth behind Jordan Akins, who is fully expected to be the team's primary pass-catching tight end for however long Njoku is out.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders officially signed free-agent kicker Austin Seibert to their active roster on Tuesday. The former fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2019 has played in 31 games over his five-year NFL career and was most recently with the New York Jets in 2023. The move to add Seibert comes after the Commanders released Cade York, who missed both of his field-goal tries in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old Seibert has made 80.4% of his 56 field-goal attempts in his time in the NFL while also making 90.3% of his 62 extra points in 31 total games for the Browns, Bengals, Lions and Jets. Seibert will immediately take over the starting kicking duties in D.C., beginning with a Week 2 matchup against the division-rival New York Giants. Fantasy managers already streaming kickers should look elsewhere.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (knee) will be a limited participant in the team's practice on Tuesday as they prepare for a short week in Week 2 with a Thursday night matchup against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. Johnson was injured in the season-opening win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and could be questionable to suit up against Miami on a short week. If the 26-year-old isn't cleared by Thursday night, rookie Ray Davis will have a bigger role as the change-of-pace back behind starter James Cook. In Week 1 against Arizona, Johnson was second in Buffalo's backfield while playing 23% of the offensive snaps compared to 61% for Cook and only 10% for Davis. Johnson saw just two carries for seven yards and missed his only target in the passing game. He's only stash-worthy as a handcuff in the deepest of fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
The NFL doesn't plan on placing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on the commissioner's exempt list in light of a new civil lawsuit stemming from a 2020 allegation since there have been no criminal charges, and the league's review of the situation has just begun. "We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy," an NFL public-relations person said. The 28-year-old served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage sessions, but this new lawsuit accuses him of sexual assault and batter in 2020. Another suspension for the Browns QB could be coming, but it most likely will be delayed until the legal process plays out. In addition to new legal issues, Watson looked terrible in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and he'll be firmly on the QB2 radar for a Week 2 meeting with Jacksonville.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said there wasn't a correlation between quarterback Kirk Cousins' (Achilles) health and his play-calling decisions in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 of last year with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Atlanta in free agency back in March. After Cousins signed, both he and Morris reiterated that he was fine physically. "I feel like Kirk is healthy," Morris said. "He's been healthy since he's been here, since he's been back." The veteran signal-caller went 16-for-26 for 155 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for a QB rating of 59.0, the eight-lowest of his starting career. Questions about Cousins' health won't go away if he struggles again in a Week 2 Monday night showdown in Philadelphia against the Eagles, where Cousins will be on the QB2 radar for fantasy managers in his second start for Atlanta.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) is "healthy enough," but that it would be a "slippery slope" to say that Warren is fully healthy heading into a Week 2 road tilt against the Denver Broncos. In the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Najee Harris handled 56% of the offensive snaps, while Warren was in on just 31% and finished with only two carries for seven yards while catching both of his targets for 13 yards in a game in which the Steelers offense didn't produce a single touchdown. The 25-year-old battled a hamstring injury throughout the preseason and doesn't appear to be fully healthy. He proved last year that he can be a productive weekly RB3/flex for fantasy managers, but in an offense now being led by quarterback Justin Fields with Russell Wilson (calf) hurt, Warren's fantasy stock is down, especially while trying to overcome a lower-body injury.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's optimistic about tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) playing in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Ferguson was injured in the Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise. For now, the 25-year-old is being called week-to-week, but if he's able to practice later this week, he could have a shot to suit up this Sunday to face the Saints. Fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place at the position in case Ferguson is out, which is probably more likely. If Ferguson misses Week 2, Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke should be more involved in Dallas' offense, although it's tough to recommend them as starting fantasy options, even in the deepest of leagues. After a Pro Bowl season in 2023 in which he had 761 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Ferguson needs to be stashed in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are "preparing as Justin Fields is our QB" ahead of their Week 2 road matchup in Denver against the Broncos this coming Sunday. All offseason, Pittsburgh's coaching staff reiterated that veteran quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was their starter, but a calf injury suffered in training camp has resurfaced, causing him to miss the season-opening win against the Atlanta Falcons, and it's looking like he'll start the year with two straight games on the sidelines. He's not on track to start practicing again until Thursday, so Pittsburgh may play it safe and sit him out again against his former team, the Broncos. Fields, 25, didn't lead the offense to a single touchdown in the win over Atlanta, but he also didn't turn the ball over. If he makes a second straight start against Denver, he'll be in play as a QB2 in superflex leagues, but the ceiling is low in this offense.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | 49ers running back Jordan Mason had 147 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's blowout win over the Jets. Dynasty Analysis: With Christian McCaffrey out for the game (and maybe longer), Mason dominated the Jets defense, averaging over five yards per carry and controlling the game. While he's not going to make anyone forget about McCaffrey, Mason proved he can (and will) carry the load when CMC can't play. Even more promising is the fact Mason had every single running back touch in the game for the 49ers. He's a must-start RB1 next week should McCaffrey miss another week, as expected. In fact, this performance does nothing but buy CMC time to get healthy. Plan accordingly.
Dynasty | Jets running back Breece Hall had 54 rushing yards, five catches, 39 receiving yards and a touchdown in New York's loss to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: Hall had little chance against a stout 49ers defense that dominated the line of scrimmage. The fact he was able to post a decent line in this one was borderline amazing. Hall will certainly be better as the season goes on and remains an elite-level RB1 despite what looks like a bit of a slow start.
Dynasty | Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 13-of-21 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception in New York's MNF loss to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: Rodgers and the offense had little chance to be successful as San Francisco carved up the Jets defense en route to a 39:21 advantage in time of possession. When the Jets did have the ball, Rodgers looked like his old self in terms of arm strength and accuracy, though he did look a little out of sorts at time. There's no need to panic as better days are surely ahead for this group. Rodgers himself is a habitual slow starter, so the story here is him simply making it through the game healthy. He remains a low-end QB1 at the moment.
Dynasty | Jets running back Braelon Allen had eight rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards in his NFL debut. Dynasty Analysis: Allen was the talk of the dynasty rookie sleeper town for the past couple of months but it's clear the Jets are going to make Breece Hall a true workhorse. Allen has immense dynasty upside and is a great rookie stash on a roster. However, early returns from him are not going to be good and dynasty managers will need to be very patient. He'd be a borderline RB1 should Hall miss time, however.
Dynasty | Kirk Cousins is already under the microscope after a rough week one performance in his Atlanta debut. Dynasty Analysis: There's no need to panic here, but this is life in the NFL when a team drafts your eventual replacement. Cousins completed just 16-of-26 passes for 155 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in his Falcons debut - an ugly loss to the Steelers. This is likely due to him sitting out the entire preseason and missing most of last year after being injured, so there's no real legitimate concern. However, a few more clunker games like this and Cousins may start to be evaluated. This is simply something to keep in the back of the minds of dynasty managers as the season moves forward and Michael Penix continues to progress.