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.
Green Bay Packers running back La'Mical Perine has been released by the organization on Tuesday. Perine joined the Packers a few weeks ago after getting cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of August. Perine was on the Packers practice squad, but they needed to move him in order to make room for tight end Johnny Lumpkin. Through three seasons, Perine has 340 rushing yards and two touchdowns between the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old will look to catch on elsewhere as a depth option.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Bryce Hall (ankle) has been placed on the injured reserve on Tuesday. This knocks him out for at least the next four games, but he's likely done for the rest of the season. The former fifth-round pick suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula during the Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders. Hall signed with the Bucs this past offseason after playing the last four seasons with the New York Jets. He was expected to be a depth option in the secondary, but now his season is most likely over. In a corresponding move, the Bucs have signed defensive back Keegan Isaac who figures to take over Hall's role on defense.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Phillips tore his Achilles during the 2023 season. The Dolphins have been managing his reps early in the season as a result. Phillips is a game-breaking pass rusher. He recorded one sack in Week 1 during the Dolphins' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Dolphins will need more excellent play out of Phillips in Week 2 if they have any hope of slowing down Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (undisclosed) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, Sept. 11, per sources.
From TheHuddle
The Carolina Panthers placed defensive end Derrick Brown (knee) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, and he will miss the rest of the 2024 season after injuring his knee in the season-opening loss to the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Brown is expected to undergo a full repair of his meniscus. The former seventh overall pick in 2020 out of Auburn was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2023, when he finished with a career-high 103 tackles (57 solo), two sacks, seen tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, an interception and six pass breakups in 17 starts for the Panthers. Carolina's season had already gotten off to a terrible start after getting blow out by the Saints in Week 1, and now they are losing their best pass-rusher heading into Week 2. Things are setting up for another long season in Carolina. Fantasy managers can obviously continue to avoid the Panthers defense/special teams unit.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry wasn't brought in to get 30 carries per game, head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday, Sept. 9. 'We didn't bring Derrick in here to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game,' Harbaugh said. 'He's done that before. That's really not the plan. The plan is Derrick, Lamar, Mark (Andrews), Isaiah (Likely), Zay (Flowers), Bate (Rashod Bateman) and Nelly (Nelson Agholor). That's kind of the plan in this offense going forward.'
Fantasy Spin: Henry wasn't necessarily expected to get the kinds of massive workloads he got in Tennessee, if for no other reason than Lamar Jackson takes a lot of carries himself, as he did in Week 1. The biggest concern for Henry was his lack of involvement on passing downs, which makes him reliant on game script to get a big workload. Henry remains a borderline RB1, but that will change if he proves to be touchdown-dependent.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson will not be placed on the commissioner's exempt list following the latest sexual assault allegation against him, per source on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Ramsey has been battling the injury since before Week 1 but was able to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Ramsey is one of the defensive pillars for the Dolphins. His absence would significantly affect their ability to cover the Buffalo Bills' wide receivers this coming Thursday. However, given that he was able to play this past week, his limitations in practice are likely precautionary.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions signed kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad on Tuesday. Joseph spent the offseason with the Green Bay Packers but was cut at the conclusion of the preseason. The Lions have second-year player Jake Bates on their roster as the current starter. He connected with all four of his kicks on Sunday night against the Rams. The addition of Joseph to the practice squad may have simply been a depth move by the Lions.
From RotoBaller
In case fantasy managers were at all concerned, quarterback Josh Allen (left hand) was a full participant in Tuesday's walk-through. Head coach Sean McDermott had previously confirmed that Allen was cleared to practice and ultimately play in Thursday's upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins. Allen is an iron man and is no stranger to playing through injury. The good news is that his injury occurred to his non-throwing hand. While it may affect ball security, it should not affect Allen's ability to perform. Allen threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. He will look to build on those numbers in Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent CB Kevon Seymour (Ravens) worked out for the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps) did not practice on Tuesday. Washington has been battling a quadriceps injury that ultimately cost him the game on Sunday. With running backs Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane also banged up, the Dolphins offense is already fraying. Washington has a chance to make a name for himself in an offense that suits his skill set. He will have to hope he can ramp up his practice participation to have any chance of playing on Thursday night against the Bills.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated that running back Derrick Henry will not be overloaded this season like he has in years past with the Tennessee Titans. Henry finished Week 1 with 13 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. That is a far cry difference from his former workload. It is understandable that the Ravens would curb Henry's workload. They are playing for February rather than September. Still, it is unfortunate for fantasy managers that Henry will not receive the same volume we have grown accustomed to. Hopefully, he can be efficient with his touches in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is next in line to receive an extension from the team. After quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb received top-of-market extensions, Parsons appears poised to receive a similar deal as a defensive pillar. Parsons is relishing in the opportunity to play free and prove that he is worthy of a high-end contract extension. Parsons stated on Tuesday "I just want to prove to the front office that I'm the best player, and I can do it consistently at an all-time high". Look for Parsons and the Cowboys D/ST to wreak havoc yet again in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins WR Malik Washington (quad) did not practice on Tuesday, Sept. 10. OL Liam Eichenberg (shoulder), LB Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and CB Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) were limited. LB David Long Jr. (finger) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins RBs Raheem Mostert (chest) and De'Von Achane (ankle) did not participate in the team's walk-through on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Fantasy Spin: Mostert and Achane each missed time last season, which likely prompted Miami to move up in the draft to select Jaylen Wright this spring. While Wright was inactive in the opener, it was likely one because teams rarely have four running backs active on game day and Jeff Wilson brings value on special teams. If Mostert and Achane cannot play on Thursday against the Buffalo Bills, there is a distinct possibility Wright finishes as a top-15 back and Wilson is worth a flex play.
From TheHuddle
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
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) practiced in full on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Fantasy Spin: It appears Allen will be good to go for Thursday's AFC East showdown against the Miami Dolphins. The good news is the injury to his non-throwing hand, so his accuracy should not be compromised. While it is possible he could opt to run less to protect himself, it should not be enough to keep Allen from being anything other than an elite QB1 consideration in Week 2.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) did not participate in practice on Tuesday, Sept. 10. RB Ty Johnson (knee) and DE Javon Solomon (oblique) were limited. TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full.
From TheHuddle
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