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 Cleveland Browns placed safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Tony Fields II (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (ankle), and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (hip) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. All four players will now have to miss at least the next four games, meaning they are ineligible to return until at least Week 6 ahead of the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Thornhill is the biggest loss for the Cleveland defense that gave up 33 points in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The team signed three defenders from its practice squad and signed two more players to the practice squad in corresponding moves. This is obviously not an ideal development, but Cleveland could still play strong defense with a healthy Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday and will be "day-to-day," according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Reports earlier this week had Odunze labeled as week-to-week due to an MCL sprain that he suffered in his NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. This new report is much more optimistic, but fantasy managers should still consider the 22-year-old very questionable for the Week 2 game in Houston against the Texans. And with Keenan Allen (heel) also banged up, Chicago's deep receiving corps could suddenly be thin this weekend. Odunze played 77% of the offensive snaps in his first regular-season NFL game last Sunday but caught just one pass for an 11-yard gain. As long as both DJ Moore and Allen remain healthy, Odunze figures to be an inconsistent fantasy option on a weekly basis despite all of his upside.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that they are "definitely trending in the right direction" to have wide receiver Noah Brown read to make his team debut in Week 2 in a divisional matchup versus the New York Giants this Sunday. Brown hasn't had enough time to learn the playbook after joining the Commanders recently, but it appears as though he could be active this weekend after being a healthy scratch in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 28-year-old could immediately compete for a role as the WR3 behind Terry McLaurin and Olamide Zaccheaus, which would be bad news for rookie Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown in the receiving pecking order. If Brown is active, don't expect him to play many offensive snaps in his first game. He can remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues for now.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is making strides in his recovery but deferred to the injury report that will come out later on Wednesday after practice. Higgins tweaked his hamstring in practice last Thursday and was ruled out of the season-opening upset loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. It sounds like Higgins might be limited in practice on Wednesday, which still puts him up in the air to play in Week 2 versus the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. If the 25-year-old makes his season debut this weekend, he could also be on a pitch count, making him a shaky WR3/flex play. With Higgins out in Week 1, Andrei Iosivas played 100% of the offensive snaps but hauled in only three passes for 26 yards on six targets, which tied for the team lead with Ja'Marr Chase.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday that wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol and won't practice. Slayton suffered a concussion in the season-opening blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings and had only three catches on four targets for 26 yards. Right now, he's on the wrong side of questionable as the team prepares for a Week 2 divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders. Even if Slayton returns to practice later this week and clears the NFL's concussion protocols by Sunday, fantasy managers should look to leave him out of their lineups in deeper leagues. He's currently rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues. If Slayton misses this weekend's contest, expect Jalin Hyatt to have the best shot at picking up more snaps in a bad offense behind rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) is "good to go," head coach Shane Steichen said on Wednesday. It's unclear what Gay's practice status is to begin the week, but apparently he will be ready to make his 2024 debut this Sunday at Lambeau Field in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. Gay recently had surgery to fix a sports hernia and was unable to suit up in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. With Gay out last weekend, rookie Spencer Shrader made his NFL debut and made all three of his extra-point attempts. The 25-year-old didn't attempt a single field goal. The 30-year-old Gay will be Indy's primary kicker in 2024 when healthy after making 80.5% of his 41 field-goal attempts in 17 games for the Colts a year ago. It's nice that Gay only had to miss one game, but fantasy managers should have better options at the position in Week 2.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said in his opening statement on Wednesday that wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) will be the only player on the team that won't practice. However, Reid said it's still possible for Brown to be in uniform for his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. "He won't be out there today," Reid said. Hollywood suffered a sternoclavicular injury to his shoulder in the preseason opener in August and missed the season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. The former Arizona Cardinals receiver is trending in the right direction and could play this Sunday if he can get back on the practice field on Thursday or Friday, but right now, consider him to be on the wrong side of questionable. With Brown out in Week 1, both Rashee Rice and rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy feasted as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' primary weapons.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, released a statement on his client's behalf on Wednesday denying recent allegations of more sexual misconduct against him. "Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday. We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated," Hardin wrote in the statement. "We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don't intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course." In the meantime, the NFL doesn't plan to put Watson on the commissioner's exempt list, so he will be active as a QB2 in fantasy in Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars after a poor showing in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain back on Aug. 7 and missed the team's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans last weekend. However, the 23-year-old continues to make strong progress and said late last week that he felt he was close to making a return. If he can make more progress in practice on Thursday and Friday, there's a chance he could suit up in Week 2 this Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. When healthy, Downs could be the team's No. 2 wideout behind Michael Pittman Jr., which is bad news for those that just plucked Alec Pierce off the waiver wire after he went for over 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Downs is worth scooping up off the waiver wire if he's available.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle injury. Njoku suffered the ankle injury in Week 1 and is considered week-to-week. The 28-year-old limped off the field after being rolled up on by an opposing defender in Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys and was feared to have a high ankle sprain. He has a history of foot and ankle issues, which is concerning for his future production. However, there aren't many good options for fantasy at tight end, so he's a must-start when he plays. Fellow Browns tight end Jordan Akins is the only other TE on the depth chart, but he logged just three receptions in 2023, so Njoku managers should look elsewhere for a replacement this week.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) feels like a long shot to play in Week 2, per sources on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Fantasy Spin: It's not entirely surprising the Niners are being cautious with their star player with it being so early in the season, although it's a bummer for fantasy owners. If you have not already, go out and get Jordan Mason immediately. He's a locked-in RB1 as long as McCaffrey is sidelined.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent CB Ahkello Witherspoon is signing with the Los Angeles Rams, per source on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The terms of the contract were not immediately disclosed.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 2, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Fantasy Spin: The next man up on the depth chart is Jordan Akins, who does have some history with Deshaun Watson from their days together in Houston. However, with Watson's struggles, and with it being so early in the season, you can probably find a better option on the waiver wire.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) did not practice on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and were ruled out for Week 2. In addition, DE Javon Solomon (oblique) was limited and is doubtful, and QB Josh Allen (hand), RB Ty Johnson (knee), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full and were removed from the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson (forearm) and DE Dawuane Smoot (toe) have been ruled out for Week 2.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (hand) will play Thursday, Sept. 12, against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
Fantasy Spin: Allen was the QB1 after Week 1, and while there should be some concern about the short week, he's still a top-flight play.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out for Week 2.
Fantasy Spin: De'Von Achane (ankle) is also a game-time decision Thursday night, which means Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright are worth picking up and could both be flex options.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Thursday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. The second-year speedster is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Monday or Tuesday. Veteran running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has already been ruled out. Fantasy managers should pay close attention up until Thursday, as we may not know if Achane will play or not until the team releases its official inactive report 90 minutes before kickoff on Thursday. If Achane is active, he's a risky starter, but the upside outweighs the risk. If he's out, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright are both intriguing RB3 or flex options. Check your waiver wire now for Wilson Jr. or Wright. Wilson Jr. is likely the "safer" option, but Wright has more upside moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. The 32-year-old missed practice on Monday and Tuesday with a chest injury. Mostert did not have a promising start to the season in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing six times for nine yards and catching two passes for 10 yards. De'Von Achane (ankle) was also held out on Monday and Tuesday due to an ankle injury, so the injury concerns in this backfield are already coming to life. McDaniel said Achane's status could be up in the air. If Achane plays, he's a must-start option in all leagues. That said, either or both Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wright could see work behind him in Mostert's absence, making them low-end flex plays. If Achane can't suit up, both of Miami's backup running backs are flex dice rolls in leagues of 12 teams or more. Wright was a healthy inactive in Week 1, but he could get involved with injuries already piling up.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said this week that Tutu Atwell is ready to get more opportunities with Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined. McVay noted that with Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson as the outside receivers, Atwell, Tyler Johnson, and rookie Jordan Whittington all have similar skill sets that can complement Kupp and Robinson. While Johnson was the standout in Week 1 against the Lions once Nacua exited, McVay's thoughts hint that it could be Atwell who comes through in Week 2 against the Cardinals. It would be speculative to add Atwell because of these comments but it is a situation that is worth monitoring and could fluctuate each week while Nacua misses time. Right now Johnson is the popular waiver-wire add but maybe Atwell will be next week.
From RotoBaller