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.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson comes off his bye week to face the division-rival Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday in Week 11. Before the bye, Watson led the team with seven targets and hauled in three of them for 37 yards in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. The 25-year-old saw 13 targets in the two games before the bye, which equaled the number of targets he saw in the first six games of the year. Jayden Reed is easily the most trustworthy fantasy wideout in a crowded Packers receiving corps because of his frequent involvement as a rusher as well. It was good to see Watson get more involved in the last two games, but he's likely to remain a volatile boom/bust, touchdown-dependent WR4/flex against a Bears defense that has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points to receivers this year.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders activated tight end Michael Mayer (personal) from the Non-Football Illness list on Saturday before the Week 11 contest on Sunday on the road against the Miami Dolphins. It's a big lift for the Raiders offensively, but Mayer is a poor TE2 streamer given the team's offensive struggles this year under quarterback Gardner Minshew II. Mayer has also taken a clear back seat to impressive rookie tight end Brock Bowers in 2024. The 23-year-old was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, so he still isn't a lock to suit up on Sunday, although being activated from the NFI list is a good sign for his availability this weekend. Mayer hasn't played since the Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers and hasn't even reached 2.0 half-PPR points in his three games played in 2024. He only has four catches on seven targets for 21 yards this year.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) returned to a full practice on Friday and was removed from the final Week 11 injury report, so he will be available this Sunday night to face the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Edwards returned in the Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday after missing the previous four games with his ankle injury and played only 15 offensive snaps while carrying the ball 10 times for 55 yards. The 29-year-old should have a bigger role in his second game back, but he's not relied on in the passing game and will remain the clear backup to J.K. Dobbins, making him impossible to rely on as a starter in fantasy lineups. Unless Dobbins goes down with an injury, Edwards is mostly a deep-league handcuff. After scoring a career-high 13 TDs last year in Baltimore, Edwards has 48 carries for 168 yards and no scores in five games with the Bolts.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little is not a great fantasy kicking option this week against the Detroit Lions. After the Jaguars offense scored just seven points last week against the Minnesota Vikings and Little scored just one fantasy point, it is hard to imagine things will be much different this week with Mac Jones still starting at quarterback. The rookie kicker has also scored one fantasy point each of the last two weeks, so in general, expectations should be low. Unless the Jaguars can somehow move the ball enough to get field goal attempts against a good Lions defense, Little shouldn't be expected to produce much more than he has recently. It is best to bet against Little from a fantasy perspective in Week 11 against the Lions.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne Jr.'s previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this season. In the weeks when Etienne Jr. missed due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses this season. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperate fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington will look to produce more in a good matchup this week against the Detroit Lions. Washington played 52 percent of the snaps in Week 10 but did not register a single catch. To be fair, Mac Jones and the entire Jaguars offense struggled, but with Jones starting this week in place of Trevor Lawrence once more, that likely won't change this week. The most likely way Washington and the passing offense put up solid fantasy numbers is if the Lions take an early lead and sit back on defense during garbage time. That could lead to at least a solid PPR outing for the young receiver even if the offense struggles to score. After zero catches last week, it is hard to trust Washington in fantasy lineups in Week 11 against the Lions.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams has been a top-five unit in overall fantasy points through 10 weeks, but they have slowed down of late and are tied for 23rd in the last three weeks. They held the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs to only 16 points in Week 10 but failed to create any turnovers. This Sunday, they'll face an Atlanta Falcons offense that has given the ball away 12 times, which is tied for 12th most in the NFL. Denver's D, meanwhile, has 12 takeaways on the year and is going up against an Atlanta team that has allowed 20 sacks (tied for 23rd). They'll certainly have a challenge on their hands against an offense that has put up 375.1 yards per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Broncos' defense should be able to get to immobile quarterback Kirk Cousins, though, and they should be considered a top-12 fantasy unit in Week 11.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has been hit or miss for fantasy purposes in 2024, but in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons at home, he represents a solid top-12 streaming option. Lutz has one of the best matchups for kickers this week, as the Falcons have allowed 9.2 fantasy points per game to the position, which is tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for most in the league. The 30-year-old veteran should be able to bounce back after one of his worst performances of the year, when he missed both of his field-goal attempts -- one was blocked and the other attempt was from 60-plus yards -- while making two extra points in the loss to the Chiefs. Despite the two misses last week, Lutz has made 85.7% of his field-goal tries in 2024 and ranks as the No. 12 fantasy kicker in overall fantasy points through the first 10 weeks.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele is looking to stay more involved in the Week 11 contest against the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after catching his first career touchdown pass in the Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Vele's 35 offensive snaps he played last Sunday were the most in his first six NFL games, and he caught all four of his targets for 39 yards and the TD. The 26-year-old seventh-rounder out of Utah is actually third on the Broncos in receiving yards (215) this year behind Courtland Sutton and running back Javonte Williams and he should continue to have a role with Josh Reynolds (finger) on Injured Reserve. The Falcons secondary is inconsistent and vulnerable, too, although the lack of consistent volume for Vele makes him hard to recommend for starting fantasy lineups. He's caught 22 of his 27 targets on the year for 215 yards and one TD.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey is 0% rostered in Yahoo fantasy football leagues and is not a recommended play for the Week 11 tilt in Denver against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Humphrey does have some impressive after-the-catch abilities, but Denver's offense just hasn't had enough firepower this year to really support another fantasy-relevant pass-catcher behind Courtland Sutton. The 26-year-old Humphrey only had two receptions (three targets) for 23 yards in last week's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, and he's currently fourth on the team in receiving yards (211) on the year. Humphrey also has yet to find the end zone in 2024. He hasn't eclipsed 50 receiving yards in a single game despite seeing a bigger role on offense ever since the injury to Josh Reynolds (finger).
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets defense struggled in Week 10, allowing the Arizona Cardinals to rack up 31 points against them in a blowout loss. They will look to bounce back at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The Colts have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to fantasy defenses this season and will turn back to struggling second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson after starting Joe Flacco in the previous two games. New York's defense has plenty of talent but they have been a mild disappointment this season. That being said, they are four-point home favorites in a game with a reasonably low 43.5-point over/under, putting New York in the position to post a useful fantasy outing on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is off the fantasy radar heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Atwell played admirably in the absences of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua earlier this year, but he has fallen back down the depth chart upon their returns. He has caught just one pass in each of his last three games, playing less than 35 percent of the snaps in all of those contests. Even against a Patriots defense allowing the 11th-most catches and receiving yards to opposing receivers, Atwell can be ignored in fantasy football. In fact, he's droppable in redraft leagues with 14 or fewer teams.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (personal), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Thornton had missed Thursday's practice with a personal matter, but he returned in a full capacity on Friday. The former 50th overall pick was underwhelming in two-and-a-half seasons with the Patriots, catching just 39 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns over 28 games. This year alone, he had just four catches for 47 yards. A divorce between Thornton and the Patriots seemed inevitable after the team looked to trade him earlier this month. Nothing came to fruition, and Thornton ended up being a healthy scratch for each of the last two weeks. Despite his underwhelming stats in New England, the 24-year-old still has the allure of draft capital less than three years removed from being a second-round pick. He should generate some interest in free agency.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson should be viewed as a low-floor, high-ceiling option heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Robinson had strung together an impressive two-game stretch with eight catches, 129 yards, and four touchdowns, but he came crashing back down to earth with just one reception for 23 yards last week. Still, he was targeted by Matthew Stafford five times, reaffirming the veteran's interest in getting the ball into Robinson's hands. Given that Robinson is a big-play deep threat, there are going to be some times when he just can't seem to get a spark offensively. Other times, he'll repeatedly catch deep passes and add a score or two. The Patriots aren't dominant against receivers, so Robinson could certainly be capable of breaking off a huge play (or even a touchdown) this week. The alternative, though, is a one-catch game with just a couple fantasy points. Managers should evaluate Robinson against other bench players on their roster, keeping in mind that Robinson ranks as a fantasy WR4.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson appears to have been demoted to the No. 2 role on offense amidst the recent emergence of fellow tight end Davis Allen. In his last two games, Allen has averaged 55 percent and 80 percent of the offensive snaps, respectively. Parkinson, on the other hand, played just 42 percent and 16 percent, respectively. This is a major fall from grace for Parkinson, who had been a respectable streaming option earlier in the year, catching at least three passes in four of his first five games. As long as Allen and the rest of the Rams' pass-catchers stay healthy, Parkinson lacks fantasy appeal.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen has snuck onto the lower end of the fantasy radar after two impressive games. The 23-year-old has seemingly taken over as the Rams' top tight end, replacing 25-year-old Colby Parkinson. Allen has simply looked more talented and promising than Parkinson, catching five of his six targets for 34 yards as recently as last week versus Miami. It's a little too early to scramble and add Allen off the waiver wire, but his increased role and productivity are certainly intriguing. He's worth monitoring going forward as a potential midseason waiver claim.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua will look to maintain his steady volume and production during Sunday's Week 11 contest against the New England Patriots. Nacua has been impressive so far this season, averaging eight catches and 102 yards in the two games for which he's been healthy. He remains off the injury report against the Patriots and figures to have a full workload. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a merely modest matchup on tap, Nacua has shown that he can handle all challenges and should be treated as a low-end WR1 on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams saw his nine-game rushing touchdown streak come to an end in Week 9, and he hasn't been able to find the end zone in either of his last two contests. He'll look to pick back up and restart his streak this week against the New England Patriots. New England presents a favorable matchup for Williams given that the Rams are favorites to win (and therefore could run the ball more often) and the Patriots' defense has struggled to contain the rushing attack. In fact, the Patriots have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing touchdowns, and sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Fantasy managers should fire up Williams as a strong, mid-range RB1 option.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks to continue his impressive stretch of games this Sunday against the New England Patriots. Kupp has totaled 23 catches, 235 yards, and one touchdown through three games since returning from injury, giving him 15+ fantasy points (PPR) in all three of those contests. This week, Kupp faces a Patriots defense that has been susceptible to the pass when tested. Of course, the Patriots have trailed for most of this season, so it's common for their opponents to run the ball more than they pass, especially as the clock winds down later in the game. With that said, the Patriots have still been thrown against. The Patriots' defense is allowing the 11th-most receptions and touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers, but the 15th-fewest fantasy points to the position. Even with a modest matchup on tap, Kupp has proven that he is matchup-proof and should be deployed in all leagues. Fantasy managers can trust him as a low-end fantasy WR1 this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty faces the New England Patriots in Week 11, and he'll look to build on last week's impressive outing in which he drilled five of six field goals, including one from beyond 50 yards. Although New England has merely ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers, Karty figures to benefit from the Rams being favored to win. The lines put Los Angeles in a position to score plenty of points, which means several field-goal opportunities for Karty. He's a fine streamer this week, ranking as a fringe top-12 fantasy kicker.
From RotoBaller