Guest of the League
TBL2 Est. 2008
FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Drew Lock Dec 23 11:21pm ET
Drew Lock

With quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) banged up again, the New York Giants have not made a decision on who will start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. Head coach Brian Daboll said that Lock went for an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Monday. "We'll see where he's at," Daboll said. Back in the starting role in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the 28-year-old was bad again, going 22-for-39 for 210 yards, one touchdown and two pick-sixes. So in addition to his underwhelming performances as the team's starter since Daniel Jones left town, Lock is injured again and could give way to Tommy DeVito for the starting job in Week 17 against the Colts. Regardless of who is starting under center for the G-Men this weekend, fantasy managers should be staying away. Lock has a touchdown and four interceptions in six games (three starts) in his first year in the Big Apple.

Tank Dell Dec 23 11:21pm ET
Tank Dell

Dynasty | Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is out for the season with a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap. Dynasty Analysis: This is yet another devastating injury for Dell, who just can't seem to catch a break. He was having his best game of the season before suffering a gruesome knee injury on a touchdown catch yesterday that proved to be of the season-ending variety. The question now will be if he's going to be fully healthy for the 2025 season, which honestly seems unlikely at this point. The Texans claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers, but that's going to be a short-term solution. Houston will need to make a decision on how to move forward in the off-season with their receiving corps, especially considering Stefon Diggs was lost for the year as well. Dell is going to see his dynasty value sink a ton this off-season.

Myles Bryant Dec 23 10:50pm ET
Myles Bryant

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Monday that safety Jimmie Ward (foot) will miss the rest of the year, while offensive guard Shaq Mason (knee) is considered week-to-week. Ward was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a foot injury in Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that will require season-ending surgery. M.J. Stewart or Myles Bryant are the options to fill Ward's role in Houston's secondary the rest of the way. The 33-year-old veteran finishes his second season with the Texans with 48 tackles (32 solo), five tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a TD) and four pass breakups in 10 starts. Mason suffered a knee injury in the first half on Saturday and is now questionable to play on another short turnaround in Week 17 on Christmas Day this Wednesday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans could be without their starting right guard this week.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 23 10:40pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday that he's open to taking a pay cut and is also willing to mentor a rookie if he continues to play in 2025. However, Rodgers also said that he remains undecided on whether he will continue his playing career. The Jets fell to a disappointing 4-11 after their Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams despite a recent stretch of improved play from Rodgers. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer carries a $23.5 million salary cap hit next year, and the Jets would be on the hook for a $49 million dead cap hit if Rodgers is released or if he retires. Rodgers has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions a year after tearing his Achilles in Week 1. The Jets offense is in the bottom third in the NFL in points per game (19.5) and yards per game (307.9). Rodgers will be a QB2 in fantasy in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Dec 23 10:30pm ET
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is considered questionable to return to Monday night's game against the visiting New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field due to a knee injury. Watson initially got up slowly after a 14-yard rushing attempt in the second quarter but eventually returned to the game in the first half. The 25-year-old was then being stretched out on the sidelines in the second half and is now questionable to return. The Packers are up big 24-0 with the Saints not mounting much of a challenge, so we'd be surprised if the team brings the receiver back into this contest. Before Watson was listed as questionable, he had 23 yards on two rushing attempts and didn't catch his only target. On a short turnaround in Week 17 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 29, Watson could have a tough time playing, depending on the severity of his knee injury.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Dec 23 10:20pm ET
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was non-committal on Monday as to whether wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) will practice this week. "I'm expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I've [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses. I don't know exactly what it will look like." Waddle suffered a knee injury in the Week 15 loss to the division-rival New York Jets and did not play in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. The fact that the team is unsure if the 26-year-old will even practice this week doesn't bode well for his availability in the upcoming Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. If Waddle cannot practice or play this week, Tyreek Hill and tight end Jonnu Smith should see a heavy dose of targets, with Malik Washington stepping up as the WR2.

From RotoBaller

Ben Skowronek Dec 23 10:10pm ET
Ben Skowronek

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) didn't suit up for practice on Monday. Skowronek injured his hip during the first half of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was cleared to return to the game, but clearly Skowronek is still dealing with the issue. He finished with two receptions on two targets for 25 yards. He has mainly been playing on special teams all season long, but has seen a few more chances on offense with George Pickens (hamstring) injured. However, Skowronek won't see enough snaps on offense to make him worth starting in fantasy formats this week.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Dec 23 10:00pm ET
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) was limited during Monday's practice session. This comes after Fields sat out of Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He picked up an abdomen injury in Week 15 and appears to still be dealing with the issue. The absence of Fields doesn't mean much considering he has barely played since being benched for Russell Wilson. That being said, Kyle Allen would be the primary backup if Fields is unable to play during Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Will Anderson Jr. Dec 23 9:50pm ET
Will Anderson Jr.

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (hand) was a limited participant during Monday's practice session. It's worth noting that it's a estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. Anderson appears to have suffered a hand injury, but played his normal amount of snaps during Saturday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This could be the Texans just being cautious with Anderson to begin the week. The assumption is that he'll be fine in time for Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Dec 23 9:40pm ET
Isaac Guerendo

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) is expected to get back on the practice field on Thursday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The rookie back is dealing with multiple injuries that kept him out of last week's game against the Miami Dolphins. His absence resulted in the 49ers using a committee approach in the backfield with two other backs sidelined as well. The hope is that Guerendo will be able to return for the Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. He could be a low-end RB2 if he's healthy in time for that contest.

From RotoBaller

Travis Homer Dec 23 9:20pm ET
Travis Homer

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (hamstring) was absent from Monday's practice session. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Homer missed Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. The loss of Homer doesn't mean much for this offense considering he has only played in three games this season. He'll continue to serve as the third string back to D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson in the backfield. That being said, Homer is unlikely to have much of a role even if he's cleared in time for the Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray Dec 23 9:00pm ET
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the team will not rest quarterback Kyler Murray in either of the final two games of the season despite being officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. The Cardinals have two divisional games remaining, at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17 on Saturday night and at home versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Because of his dual-threat abilities at the QB position, Murray has been a top-12 fantasy player at his position in 2024, but he's had mixed results for his fantasy managers in recent weeks, including in the Week 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in which he had two TDs (one throwing, one rushing) but also two interceptions. The 27-year-old will remain a low-end QB1 option in fantasy this Saturday against a Rams team that he threw for 266 yards and three TDs against way back in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Justice Hill Dec 23 8:40pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion) was not able to practice on Monday for the second straight day this week. Hill suffered a concussion on Saturday in the team's Week 16 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and now is likely fighting an uphill battle to be available on a short turnaround in Week 17 against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day on Wednesday. Even if the 27-year-old takes part in practice on Tuesday, he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist, which is unlikely to happen on a short week. Fantasy managers that have been using the pass-catching back in a flex spot should plan to be without Hill this week. Derrick Henry is Baltimore's clear lead back and will continue to be so on Wednesday, but if Hill is out, it will open the door for Keaton Mitchell and rookie Rasheen Ali to compete for change-of-pace work.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Dec 23 8:30pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) were both listed as non-participants at Monday's practice for the second straight day. However, head coach John Harbaugh was "pretty optimistic" on Sunday that Flowers would play on Christmas Day on Wednesday in Week 17 against the Houston Texans. Flowers had a 100-yard performance on five catches in Saturday's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday but also picked up a shoulder injury. Agholor, meanwhile, appears to be trending toward a second straight absence due to a concussion on another short week. If Flowers ends up being inactive on Thursday, Rashod Bateman would be Baltimore's No. 1 wideout, with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely also seeing expanded roles. Flowers ultimately could draw a questionable tag, but if he plays, he'll be a WR3/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Steven Sims Dec 23 8:20pm ET
Steven Sims

The Baltimore Ravens claimed wide receiver Steven Sims off waivers on Monday from the Houston Texans. The move to add Sims comes after the Ravens waived disgruntled wideout Diontae Johnson late last week, who was ironically claimed by the Texans. The two teams will face off against each other on Christmas Day on Wednesday. The 27-year-old mostly served in a special teams role with the Texans the last two years. In only seven games played this year, Sims was not targeted at all in the passing game and had just one carry for no gain. The Ravens are likely just bringing Sims in as extra receiver insurance on a short week with both Zay Flowers (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (concussion) banged up. Even if Flowers and Agholor are ruled out on Christmas Day, we'd be surprised if Sims played an immediate big role on offense for the Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Cade Stover Dec 23 8:10pm ET
Cade Stover

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder) and tight end Cade Stover (illness) were both upgraded to full practice participants on Monday after they were listed as limited for the first practice of Week 17 on Sunday. Metchie didn't practice at all last week and was ruled out of the Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. However, a return to a full practice on Monday gives the 24-year-old pass-catcher a great shot at being active on Christmas Day on Wednesday for the Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition to the Ravens defense being a great matchup for the Texans receivers, Metchie could have an expanded role if he's active this week now that Tank Dell (knee) is out for the year. Still, fantasy managers playing for a championship shouldn't consider Metchie, who had a 13-146-1 line in five games before his shoulder injury.

From RotoBaller

Alex Erickson Dec 23 8:03pm ET
Alex Erickson

New England Patriots WR Alex Erickson reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Dec. 23, after being on the active roster for the Week 16 game.

From TheHuddle

Brock Purdy Dec 23 8:00pm ET
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on a conference call with the media on Monday that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will miss the team's final two games of the regular season. Williams hasn't played since Week 11 and will end up missing the final seven games of the 2024 campaign due to an ankle injury that took much longer to heal than the team was expecting. And with the Niners being officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, there is no reason for the team to bring the veteran 11-time Pro Bowler back for meaningless games. The 36-year-old's injury-plagued season was one of many frustrating situations with the 49ers and some of their key players in 2024. Williams also dealt with the tragic death of his son this year. Jaylon Moore will protect quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side in the last two games.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 23 7:50pm ET
Kenneth Walker III

In the team's estimated practice report on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks listed running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) as a non-participant after he injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Walker missed the previous two games due to a calf injury but returned last weekend, only to be pulled in the second half with a new injury. The 24-year-old took over lead-back duties immediately against Minnesota over backfield mate Zach Charbonnet (elbow), but it only amounted to eight carries for 31 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy day with a season-high-tying eight catches for 28 yards. Sunday's game cemented the fact that Walker is still Seattle's preferred backfield option when healthy. The problem is Walker isn't healthy again and faces a short week to get right before a Thursday night game in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Right now, Charbonnet is the better bet to play on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Dec 23 7:50pm ET
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) was listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. The Seahawks didn't actually hold a practice on Monday, so Fant's status was merely an estimation. The 27-year-old was on the injury report last week as well with a minor knee injury before playing through it on Sunday and securing only three of his six targets for 50 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. He's probably not going to get much practice work in on a short week, but barring a setback with his knee, Fant should be available for Thursday night's clash against the Chicago Bears. Fant logged 75 percent of the offensive snaps against the Vikes and will continue to operate as a low-ceiling TE for fantasy managers this week behind receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Fant has only cleared 50 receiving yards three times in 2024 and doesn't have a TD.

From RotoBaller