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FFL: Week 10 | NFL: Week 10

TE Strength of Schedule

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

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Bowers could have big year one


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the tight end position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to tight ends last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the tight ends with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the tight ends that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  TE SOS  
1. Cincinnati Bengals 186.39
2. Miami Dolphins 193.98
3. Philadelphia Eagles 196.38
4. Washington Commanders 197.75
5. Houston Texans 198.15
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 199.18
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 199.68
8. New York Giants 201
9. Dallas Cowboys 201.18
10. Los Angeles Rams 201.38
11. Buffalo Bills 201.39
12. Chicago Bears 201.66
13. Arizona Cardinals 201.76
14. New York Jets 202.56
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 202.86
16. Baltimore Ravens 203.04
17. Denver Broncos 203.95
18. Los Angeles Chargers 204.02
19. Atlanta Falcons 204.25
20. Cleveland Browns 204.59
21. New Orleans Saints 205.62
22. Seattle Seahawks 205.73
23. San Francisco 49ers 206.80
24. Indianapolis Colts 206.89
25. Detroit Lions 207.92
26. New England Patriots 208.23
27. Kansas City Chiefs 210.92
28. Tennessee Titans 211.44
29. Green Bay Packers 212.07
30. Minnesota Vikings 212.23
31. Carolina Panthers 213.66
32. Las Vegas Raiders 213.81


A rookie led fantasy tight ends in scoring last year and the top rated rookie tight end this year gets the easiest fantasy schedule for tight end. Brock Browers and the Raiders have the most favorable schedule for tight ends. Sam LaPorta showed last year that a rookie can make an immediate fantasy impact, so don’t discount Browers to have big-time success in year one. He certainly looks the part of an elite tight end.

Another rookie with a good chance to start has the second easiest schedule for tight ends. Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with Tommy Tremble to start, but should emerge and be the top pass-catching tight end. He is looking like a good late-round gamble for fantasy teams.

The Vikings, Packers and Titans round out the top-five most favorable schedules for tight ends. T.J. Hockenson would be looking like a great pick if he wasn’t returning from a major injury. He is no sure thing to play early in the year. But once he is healthy, he could help fantasy teams in a big way once again.

Green Bay is likely to have Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft split a lot of the work at tight end, hurting both their value. They could produce some big games along the way, though, making them decent No. 2 fantasy tight ends this season. Both produced well in an expanded role last year.

Lastly, Chin Okonkwo didn’t quite have the breakout season many hoped last year, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Maybe he gets a few more chances this year and has some bigger games along the way with this favorable schedule. He is another decent tight end to grab as your backup.

The teams that top the list for toughest fantasy tight end schedules are teams that haven’t really utilized the tight end much in recent seasons. The Bengals have the toughest schedule followed bye the Dolphins. Mike Gesicki is the starter for the Bengals, but probably isn’t worth the risk with this schedule and the Bengals recent track record with tight ends.

Miami uses their tight ends to block more than anything in their offense. They have the occasional big game, but Jonnu Smith is going to be a risky weekly fantasy play. He would have looked much better landing with a different team.

There are a couple big-time fantasy tight ends that have unfavorable schedules. Dallas Goedert has the third toughest schedule. Goedert can be a little hit or miss to begin with in this offense, so this schedule gives him a little more concern. You might want to pass on him come draft day and go with another elite tight end with a better schedule and more consistency.

Dalton Schultz is the other elite tight end with a top-five unfavorable schedule. Schultz had a big first season with the Texans, becoming a favorite target of C.J. Stroud. He should get the targets this year. But he has a challenging schedule and more to compete with for targets, so his consistency might be a little off this year compared to last. 

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy tight ends. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the tight ends with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big-money contests.

  TE PLAYOFF SOS  
1. Atlanta Falcons 175
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 182.37
3. Philadelphia Eagles 184.73
4. Arizona Cardinals 187.67
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 187.77
6. New England Patriots 189.83
7. Miami Dolphins 190.37
8. New Orleans Saints 191.3
9. Los Angeles Rams 192.17
10. Pittsburgh Steelers 192.43
11. Cincinnati Bengals 196.1
12. Detroit Lions 196.12
13. Houston Texans 196.2
14. Indianapolis Colts 198.97
15. Buffalo Bills 199.63
16. Kansas City Chiefs 203.03
17. New York Jets 204.13
18. Carolina Panthers 205.7
19. Baltimore Ravens 205.9
20. Green Bay Packers 207.7
21. Chicago Bears 213.73
22. New York Giants 214.27
23. Seattle Seahawks 214.72
24. Cleveland Browns 214.97
25. Dallas Cowboys 215.8
26. Las Vegas Raiders 219.4
27. Washington Commanders 220.13
28. Denver Broncos 220.8
29. Minnesota Vikings 221.72
30. Tennessee Titans 223.73
31. San Francisco 49ers 225.53
32. Los Angeles Chargers 228.53


The Titans and Vikings are the only two teams with the most favorable fantasy schedule for tight ends during the regular season and playoffs. Hockenson is the intriguing one because he might not be fully healthy until late in the season. So while he might not be a huge fantasy factor for the regular season, Hockenson might be a difference maker in the playoffs.

Okonkwo is looking like a player worth grabbing as a No. 2 fantasy tight end, especially if you have an established starter ahead of him. Okonkwo has a high fantasy ceiling for the coming year because of a schedule that could facilitate a breakout season for him.

The Chargers actually have the best fantasy playoff schedule for tight ends. Donald Parham is the likely starter and has some potential in an offense looking for playmakers in the passing game. This could be his best season to date, making him an intriguing late-round gamble.

George Kittle is the biggest name on the list for top-five favorable fantasy tight end playoff schedules. He is going to produce big and could be even better down the stretch with a schedule setup for success.

The Falcons have the most challenging playoff schedule for fantasy tight ends. This is not good news for Kyle Pitts. He is already a polarizing fantasy player, so this schedule won’t do him any favors to get in good graces with more fantasy owners. Many think he could finally turn things around this year with a new coaching staff in place, but nothing is certain with this situation. Pitts could be a boom or bust pick once again.

The Eagles are the only team on both the top five most difficult fantasy schedules for tight ends for the regular season and playoffs. Goedert is looking like a player you might want to let someone else grab come draft day. There are a lot of good, young options at tight end this year. Going with one of those guys over Goedert might be the play on draft day.

Trey McBride is a favorite for many fantasy owners this year for a breakout season. He had a huge finish to last year and is shooting up draft boards. We wouldn’t avoid him come draft day because he has the fourth toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is a little bit of a concern, but not a huge red flag for the talented tight end. Maybe just prepare for his numbers to dip a tad during the playoffs.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 10

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Brian Daboll Nov 11 3:20pm ET
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According to Pat Leonard of the team, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll would not commit to quarterback Daniel Jones as the team's starter coming out of their Week 10 bye. Per Leonard, Daboll and the coaching staff are "evaluating everything" during the bye week. Despite the Giants scoring 17 points in the final two frames to tie the game and send it into overtime in Week 10, a costly fumble by rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. on New York's ensuing possession would lead to an Eddy Pineiro field goal. That would ultimately sink the G-Men, handing them their fifth straight loss as they fell to 2-8 on the year. Jones has completed 63.3% of his pass attempts in 2024, totaling ten touchdowns while racking up nine turnovers. New York has averaged the eighth-fewest pass yards per game this season. Stay tuned.

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Jeff Ulbrich Nov 11 3:00pm ET
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Per Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York Jets offensive tackle Tyron Smith (neck) will have an MRI exam early this week, according to interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. Smith picked up a neck injury in the Jets' 31-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals this past Sunday. As reported by Cimini, the 33-year-old had played every snap for the Jets this season before picking up the injury. The severity of the veteran's ailment is unknown at this time, but if he were forced to miss more action, it'd be a massive blow to New York's offensive line. Rookie offensive tackle Olu Fashanu took over for Smith when he went down, and the first-round pick projects to stand in for the eight-time Pro Bowler again if he cannot suit up for the team's Week 11 home tilt against the Indianapolis Colts.

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Jordan Hicks Nov 11 2:40pm ET
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski expects linebacker Jordan Hicks (triceps, elbow) to return to action in Week 11, as reported by Fred Greetham of the NFL. The 32-year-old has already missed four contests this year as he's worked through multiple injuries and hasn't been active since Week 7, with his most recent tricep/elbow ailment. However, it appears he's turned a corner in his recovery coming out of the team's Week 10 bye. His practice participation this week will be telling of his potential status on Sunday when the team visits the Caesars Superdome to square off against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran linebacker has recorded 24 tackles and one quarterback sack in five appearances this season.

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Tyler Allgeier Nov 11 2:30pm ET
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Isiah Pacheco Nov 11 2:20pm ET
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According to head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is "very close" to returning. Matt McMullen of the team reported the news. Pacheco has been on the shelf since fracturing his fibula back in Kansas City's Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It's unclear exactly when he may again be active, but the third-year back has yet to resume practicing, so one figures he will not be active this upcoming weekend. Kareem Hunt has filled in well for the 25-year-old since the team acquired him back in Week 3, and he'll continue to lead the Chiefs' backfield in Pacheco's stead. While this weekend's matchup against the Buffalo Bills would be a long shot for the Rutgers product to suit up, fantasy managers who have held onto him should be rewarded in short order.

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Kyle Pitts Nov 11 2:10pm ET
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After recording just one catch in Week 9, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts got back on track in Week 10, hauling in four of six targets for 55 yards in a 20-17 loss to the Saints. There have been more productive and consistent options at tight end, but Pitts is still top 10 at the position in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns, so while he can be a bit volatile, the 24-year-old remains a TE1 in a solid Falcons offense. He may even be in a better spot than his fellow receivers next week against the Broncos, who have been good against WRs but not as great against TEs, with Brock Bowers, Cade Otton, and Travis Kelce each catching at least seven balls against them. As such, Pitts will again be a volatile TE1 in Week 11.

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Younghoe Koo Nov 11 1:50pm ET
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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo's recent struggles proved costly in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints. The 30-year-old missed three of four field goals in Week 10, and after starting the season 13-for-15 over the first six games, he's now 2-for-7 over the last four. Thankfully he is a perfect 23-for-23 on extra-point attempts, but it may not matter if missed field goals will cost Atlanta games. For now, his job seems to be safe, but fantasy managers should monitor in the event something unexpected happens. The Falcons travel to Denver on Sunday in a game that has a fairly low expected total at this point (43.5), so opportunities may be limited and managers may want to consider pivoting to a more reliable option anyway in Week 11.

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Caleb Williams Nov 11 1:30pm ET
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Jake Ferguson Nov 11 1:00pm ET
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Jalen Tolbert Nov 11 1:00pm ET
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Rico Dowdle Nov 11 12:50pm ET
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Ezekiel Elliott Nov 11 12:50pm ET
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Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott only touched the ball six times in the blowout loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Elliott was returning from a one-game internal suspension related to team conduct. He gained 22 yards on the ground and was not targeted in the passing game. Elliott remains off the fantasy radar as a handcuff to Rico Dowdle in what is now a defunct Dallas offense without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring).

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CeeDee Lamb Nov 11 12:50pm ET
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Caleb Williams Nov 11 12:50pm ET
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Cooper Rush Nov 11 12:40pm ET
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Baker Mayfield Nov 11 12:40pm ET
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain after undergoing an MRI exam and is expected to miss a couple of weeks, according to a source. Although it's bad news that Wirfs will have to miss time, it's a sign of relief for the Bucs that the injury wasn't worse. The 25-year-old was injured in the 23-20 loss to the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 10. With Wirfs now out for a couple of weeks, the expectation is that Justin Skule become a starter for a Tampa defense that continues to be hurt by injuries. It's more bad news for the blind-side protection for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who continues to make the most of what has become a very thin receiving corps with both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) injured.

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Trey Lance Nov 11 12:40pm ET
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Dak Prescott Nov 11 12:40pm ET
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