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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

TE Strength of Schedule

Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11

Player Notes
Ladd McConkey Nov 17 9:30pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) was forced from Sunday's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals and is questionable to return. The rookie wideout caught a 20-yard pass on the Chargers' second drive of the game but was pushed out of bounds hard and was immediately seen writhing in pain after the play. Before his exit, he caught his sole target. If McConkey does not return, wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer and tight end Will Dissly are projected to benefit the most from his absence in LA's passing attack.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Nov 17 9:30pm ET
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams caught six of his seven targets for 72 yards in a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Adams led the Jets in receiving yards while finishing behind only Breece Hall in catches in the heartbreaking loss to the Colts. The veteran wideout has been trending up in recent weeks as he has caught at least six passes in three straight games while 31 targets over that span. Settling in as an upside WR2 in fantasy with his new team, Adams will be on bye in Week 12 before he takes on the Seattle Seahawks at home in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Nov 17 9:30pm ET
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught four of his eight targets for 18 yards in a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Wilson led the Jets in targets but he managed just a meager 4.5 yards per catch in the close loss to Indy. The veteran wideout has been quiet over his past two games as he has only nine catches for 59 yards and no touchdowns over that span. Wilson will be on bye in Week 12 before he takes on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Nov 17 9:30pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) has returned to the team's outing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. McConkey got shaken up a bit after hauling in a 20-yard pass, but after a brief exit to the locker room, he was able to return to the field. He should slot back in as a top-two option for quarterback Justin Herbert.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Nov 17 9:20pm ET
Geno Smith

Per beat writer Tracy Sandler of FGSN, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (obliques) is now having trouble with both obliques. Bosa was forced from the team's 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 after injuring his oblique. The 27-year-old came into Sunday's home tilt after missing practice due to a hip/oblique ailment and reported overcompensating on his second sack of quarterback Geno Smith and injuring the other one. Unfortunately, the superstar pass-rusher noted that he's concerned he'll have to miss some time but said, "We're going to see." San Francisco had not let up a touchdown to their division rivals on Sunday until the former first-round pick exited the game. He will almost certainly miss practice again this week, but the 49ers will hope to have him back for their Week 12 road matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

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Jake Bates Nov 17 9:20pm ET
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates delivered another strong performance in Week 11, converting his lone field goal attempt and all seven extra points in a 52-6 win over the Jaguars. Bates remains perfect on field goals this season, going 15-for-15, while leading the league with 39 extra points on 40 attempts. His consistent production continues to shine as part of Detroit's high-powered offense. Heading into Sunday night, Bates ranks as the K3 for the week and has scored 12 or more fantasy points in four of his last six games. He remains a reliable fantasy starter heading into Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Aaron Rodgers Nov 17 9:20pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of his 29 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns while adding a seven-yard run in a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Rodgers tossed touchdown passes to Breece Hall and Kenny Yeboah in the contest but he was held under 200 passing yards for the second straight game. It has been tough going for Rodgers and the Jets this season as he will take 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions into the bye week. He does not need to be rostered in single quarterback leagues moving forward.

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Josh Downs Nov 17 9:20pm ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs reeled in all five of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in a 28-27 win over the Jets on Sunday. With Anthony Richardson showing a bit more accuracy this week, Downs maintained his status as the Colts' most reliable pass catcher, leading Indy's receiving corps in yardage while scoring the only offensive touchdown outside of Richardson's two rushing scores. It was the third straight game with at least five catches for the 23-year-old and sixth time in nine games. The former third-round draft pick will face off with the Lions in Week 12, a defense that is easier to throw on than run against, and could be playing from behind all day which should afford him plenty of opportunities again.

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Breece Hall Nov 17 9:20pm ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall carried the ball 16 times for 78 yards and a touchdown while catching all seven of his targets for 43 yards and another score in a 28-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. Hall was a bright spot for the Jets in the heartbreaking loss as he broke a three-game scoreless streak with his pair of touchdowns. The veteran running back heads into his Week 12 bye with six all-around touchdowns. His next game will be Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks at home.

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Kalif Raymond Nov 17 9:10pm ET
Kalif Raymond

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond caught both of his targets for 30 yards in the team's dominant 52-6 victory over the Jaguars in Week 11. Raymond's role was fairly limited, finishing fifth on the team in receptions. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams commanding the majority of targets, Raymond remains difficult to trust as a fantasy option. Even with Sam LaPorta sidelined, Detroit's crowded offense limits Raymond's opportunities to deliver consistent fantasy value. Raymond should remain on waivers as the Lions are set to play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

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Kenneth Walker III Nov 17 9:10pm ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III scored a touchdown in Week 11 for the first time since Week 7. The San Francisco 49ers were able to hold Walker in check on the ground, but his two receptions and his touchdown kept him afloat in fantasy. Walker has now scored at least 13.9 PPR fantasy points in every game but one this season. He has scored seven total touchdowns in seven games played, and he now has a career-high in receptions with a little under half a season to go. While Walker is not delivering the top five weeks he was at the beginning of the season, he has still been a high-end RB2. The Seahawks seem to have found defensive success in Week 11 as they held the 49ers to just 17 points. If that keeps up, then Walker should have plenty of opportunities on the ground and through the air. Look for him to keep up his scoring in a Week 12 clash with the Arizona Cardinals.

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Tyler Lockett Nov 17 9:10pm ET
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett caught just two of three targets for 19 yards in a Week 11 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks' passing offense ran almost solely through wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf (knee). While Lockett has consistently operated as the third target this season, that usually still resulted in solid volume. With quarterback Geno Smith only throwing the ball 32 times in this game, Lockett was the odd-man out as Metcalf and Smith-Njigba combined for 20 targets. Lockett now has four games this season with less than 9.6 PPR fantasy points. It is discouraging to see that when the Seahawks' passing volume is down, Lockett is likely to miss out on the fantasy fun in this wide receiver core. With the Seahawks looking much sharper coming out of their bye, they were able to hold San Francisco's offense in check. As such, the Seahawks' offense did not need to generate much output to win the game. This will be an interesting situation to monitor if the Seahawks have made significant offensive and defensive changes coming out of their bye. If they are able to play better defense moving forward, then Lockett could experience more games like this.

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D.K. Metcalf Nov 17 9:10pm ET
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) recorded seven receptions for 70 yards in his return from an MCL sprain in Week 11. In a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Metcalf was able to deliver a solid day from an efficiency perspective as he finished second on the team with nine targets. Metcalf continued his solid season. Metcalf and fellow wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba accounted for most of the Seahawks' receiving yards and have formed a relatively dynamic duo in 2024. Although Smith-Njigba earned more targets in this game, Metcalf's nine were his fourth-most of the season. Metcalf should continue to deliver in fantasy as he gets more comfortable in his return from injury. He has a chance to go on a nice run over the next few weeks with the Arizona Cardinals and the struggling defense of the New York Jets on the docket. Metcalf should have a safe floor as a WR2 in fantasy with major upside to finish as a WR1 in any given week.

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Jameson Williams Nov 17 9:00pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams exploded in Week 11, catching four of six targets for 124 yards and a touchdown in a 52-6 blowout win over the Jaguars. Williams continues to prove himself as one of the NFL's premier deep threats, recording his third touchdown in five games. Heading into Sunday night, Williams ranks as a Top-6 WR for the week, delivering yet another standout fantasy performance. The explosive wideout has now scored 16 or more PPR fantasy points in five of his eight games this season. Williams remains a WR2 with big-play upside heading into Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Nov 17 8:50pm ET
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 10 of 11 targets for 110 yards in a Week 11 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Smith-Njigba led the Seahawks in targets and dominated the middle of the field. The question coming out of the Seahawks' bye was how they might use Smith-Njigba moving forward. If the last two games are any indication, he is going to be a focal point in the offense. Prior to his last two games, Smith-Njigba had been relatively inconsistent. He had a decent target share, but he was a middle-of-the-road wide receiver in fantasy. On a day in which quarterback Geno Smith only threw for 221 yards, it is encouraging that Smith-Njigba had 110 receiving yards. He is starting to build a lot of momentum in this offense.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster Nov 17 8:40pm ET
JuJu Smith-Schuster

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster caught one pass for eight yards in the 21-30 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Smith-Schuster returned to the team after missing the last three games. Despite being available, the veteran receiver was not a factor in the passing attack. Smith-Schuster only saw one target in the team's first loss of the season. Before the team's Week 6 bye, Smith-Schuster appeared to be the top receiver on the Chiefs, but it has been a long time since then. The Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins in the absence of Smith-Schuster, and rookie Xavier Worthy has been more involved lately. Smith-Schuster will look to be a factor in next week's game against the Carolina Panthers, who rank 14th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. It will be difficult for fantasy managers to trust Smith-Schuster in starting lineups, considering the other talented pass catchers on the team.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Nov 17 8:40pm ET
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith had a modest day as a passer against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. However, Smith had a great afternoon rushing the ball and ran for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown for the Seahawks. This was a classic November divisional matchup in the NFL. Both defenses showed up and held the opposing offenses to 20 points or less. Smith only threw for 221 yards and an interception, but he was surgical on the Seahawks' final drive of the day. Smith did not have the biggest day from a fantasy perspective, but he was able to deliver QB2 numbers as expected. Smith has now led several game-winning drives for the Seahawks this season. Those drives have seen Smith rack up fantasy points in what would have been otherwise modest days. Even so, Smith continues to be a high-floor quarterback in fantasy whether the Seahawks win or lose. He will look to carry the momentum from this win into an important Week 12 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Jahmyr Gibbs Nov 17 8:30pm ET
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs excelled in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing 11 times for 69 yards and a touchdown while adding a 54-yard reception on his lone target in a 52-6 blowout victory. Gibbs has now surpassed 100 total yards in four of his last five games, further solidifying his role in Detroit's explosive offense. His consistent production, with 16 or more PPR fantasy points in seven of 10 games and no single-digit performances all season, makes him a reliable RB1 option. Gibbs posted a Top-7 RB performance this week going into Sunday night, and will look to continue his stellar season in a favorable Week 12 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller

Noah Gray Nov 17 8:30pm ET
Noah Gray

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray caught four passes for 23 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-30 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs collected their first loss of the season, but it was to no fault of Gray. The Chiefs backup tight end was one of the team's most productive players in the passing game. Gray's two touchdowns in this game were his first and second scores of the year. Gray will look to find the endzone again in next week's contest against the Carolina Panthers, who rank 32nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season. Despite his big game, Gray is not involved enough to be considered a usable fantasy asset in any matchup. Fantasy managers should leave Gray on the waiver wire.

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David Montgomery Nov 17 8:30pm ET
David Montgomery

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery delivered a dominant performance in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing 15 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 yards on three receptions in a 52-6 victory. Montgomery posted his season-best fantasy outing, ranking as the RB3 going into Sunday night. This marks his third multi-touchdown game of the season and his eighth game with a touchdown in 10 appearances. Montgomery continues to maximize his opportunities in Detroit's high-powered offense, thriving alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in a dynamic backfield. He remains a strong RB option with TD upside heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller