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.
Free-agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney visited the Cleveland Browns for a tryout earlier on Friday, according to Field Yates of ESPN. Toney failed to make the Chiefs roster earlier this offseason and recently visited the Seahawks this week. Toney, who was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants in 2021, has struggled to find his footing at the professional level. He had a career-high 420 yards in his rookie campaign before joining the Chiefs, where he totaled just 169 receiving yards last fall. While Toney has flashed elite speed at times, he held an underwhelming 71% catch rate last season. If Toney were to sign with the Browns, he would likely only be deployed sparingly throughout the season and would not be worth a look in most formats.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is a high-risk, high-reward option as a borderline QB1 against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. Williams displayed impressive potential during the preseason, with notable throws on the run and exceptional arm angles. However, this will be his first official game, so some growing pains are to be expected. In the preseason, Williams showcased his significant upside with a 13% big-time throw rate and 8.5 yards per attempt despite an adjusted completion rate of 61.1%. Williams must utilize his talented offensive weapons, including DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet, to capitalize on his opportunities, especially given the Titans' potentially improved pass defense. Last year, Tennessee allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt and CPOE and had the seventh-highest adjusted completion rate. However, they've bolstered their secondary with Quandre Diggs, Chidobe Awuzie, and L'Jarius Snead. While the Titans' secondaryfeaturing Sneed (56.6 passer rating allowed in 2023), Roger McCreary, and Awuzie is seen as a strength, their safety corps could be a weak spot. The critical storyline will be how Williams performs in his debut, and leveraging his top targetsnotably Moore, Allen, and Odunzewill be crucial.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's season opener, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. The veteran pass catcher has been dealing with a lingering thigh injury through most of August. Lockett was a limited participant during this week's practices. Fantasy managers should continue to follow the 31-year-old's status prior to their Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Last season, Lockett once again operated as the No.2 receiver in the Seattle offense and tallied 894 yards and five scores on 79 catches. If Lockett were to miss Sunday's game or participate in the limited capacity, wideouts DK Metcalf and sophomore Jaxon Smith-Njigba should see an increase in targets.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) was ruled out for the season opener against the Denver Broncos, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Brown suffered a foot injury earlier in August during a team practice and has not returned to practice yet this week. As a result, the 30-year-old will remain sidelined during Week 1. Fantasy managers should expect Brady Russell and AJ Barner to compete for the No.2 tight end spot on Sunday while Noah Fant sees the lion's share of snaps and targets at the position. Fant has also been dealing with a toe injury but has practiced in a limited capacity this week. Last season as a Patriot, Brown caught just 13 passes for 208 yards a score. Brown will likely not have any fantasy value this season serving in a depth role on the Seattle offense.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (hamstring) was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The 35-year-old was limited at practice on Thursday due to tightness and was seen at practice again on Friday. The former Super Bowl champion expressed that he wants to take it "day by day" and that he "wants to play" if he is available. It was a good sign to see Wilson at practice again on Friday but fantasy managers should continue to follow any updates regarding his status entering the weekend. If Wilson were to miss Sunday's season opener, Justin Fields would slot in as the QB1 for Steel City. Fields will likely provide a safe floor from a fantasy perspective, given his ability to run, but a shaky ceiling, given his throwing inconsistencies.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) was ruled out for Week 1, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Michigan product suffered an ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for all training camp. However, he did begin to practice in a limited capacity this week, but the Steelers will lean on the side of caution for their third-round pick. The 23-year-old could be ready to make his regular-season debut in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. In his final season at Michigan, the wideout caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 scores en route to winning a national championship. Fantasy managers should expect Van Jefferson to serve as the No.2 receiver this weekend, opposite of George Pickens. However, tight end Pat Freiermuth will likely see the most significant target uptick due to Wilson's absence.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry (hand) was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. The 24-year-old did not participate in the past two practices, which leaves his status unknown for Sunday after hitting the injury report on Thursday with a hand injury. Perry did not show signs of a previous injury earlier in the week, so his placement on the injury report on Thursday seemed very sudden. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to any updates regarding the Wake Forest product's status entering the weekend. Perry should serve as the No.3 wideout in the New Orleans passing attack when on the field. As a rookie last fall, he caught 12 passes for 246 yards and four scores. If Perry were to miss Sunday's season opener, both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should see a slight uptick in targets.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is fully healthy to begin the season and has the potential to perform as a WR1 in a favorable matchup at the Lions in Week 1. Despite the emergence of last year's rookie breakout Puka Nacua, Kupp remains a favorite target of quarterback Matthew Stafford. His ability to move around the formation helps him get isolated in one-on-one coverage where he can use his shiftiness and route-running savvy to beat opposing defenders. The Lions drafted Terrion Arnold and signed Carlton Davis III in the offseason and each could see time defending Kupp in Week 1. In a potential shootout played in dome conditions, look for Kupp to score a touchdown and potentially get to 100+ receiving yards in the opening week of the season.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is taking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) as his pick as the biggest-name QB coming off an injury in 2024 to have a bounce-back performance. Cousins is recovering from an Achilles tear from last year, but the fact that he's a pure pocket passer will make his recovery from the injury that much more easier in 2024. The Falcons offense also has three former top-10 picks in receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts, and Cousins is fully expected to help take all of their games to the next level in his first year in Atlanta. Cousins is expected to be ready to go for Week 1 on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Vikings signal-caller isn't on the QB1 radar in fantasy this year while coming off his Achilles injury, but he has the potential to serve as a high-end backup if he stays healthy.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford could be in line to have a very productive week as he visits his old team in Detroit for an SNF matchup against the Lions. The game is expected to have one of the highest totals of the week and Stafford has his full array of weapons (aside from tight end Tyler Higbee) with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both healthy. Throw Kyren Williams and capable backup tight end Colby Parkinson into the fray and Stafford should have plenty of options to throw to against a Lions defense that allowed 19.4 points per game to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy last season. Stafford averaged nearly 20 points per game in games in which Kupp played last season. He should be plenty motivated in his return from Detroit and should be treated as a borderline QB1 in Week 1. He can be started with confidence in the right roster situation.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) was removed from the Week 1 injury report on Friday and will be active on Sunday in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Samuel has been dealing with turf toe but was set for a full practice session earlier this week on Wednesday, so his status for the regular-season opener was never really in much doubt. There is plenty of opportunity for the 28-year-old in Buffalo's receiving corps this year after Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis departed in the offseason, but tight end Dalton Kincaid and receiver Khalil Shakir are expected to be quarterback Josh Allen's top targets in the passing game. It still leaves opportunity for Samuel, but he'll be competing with impressive rookie Keon Coleman for WR3 duties early on. Entering Week 1 on Sunday against Arizona, Samuel is best left on benches as a WR5/flex play.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson is one of the biggest-name QBs coming off injury that is primed for a big year in 2024. There's nothing but upside for Richardson, but he's still learning and will make questionable decisions. Graziano thinks Richardson's pure ability to make plays other QBs can't, combined with head coach Shane Steichen's feel for how to tailor the offense to Richardson's strengths, will result in a breakout season for the 22-year-old in just his second year in the NFL. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Steichen loves Richardson's ability and football smarts and is ready to maximize his skill set. If Richardson stays healthy, which is a big if, the Colts and fantasy managers that invested in him as a QB1 will be in great shape with a star on their hands.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills agreed to a four-year contract extension with right tackle Spencer Brown on Friday, according to sources. Financial terms of the agreement weren't immediately disclosed. The deal was negotiated by Chase Callahan and Ryan Tollner of Excel Football and proves that the Bills value Brown as one of the best right tackles in the game. The 26-year-old offensive lineman had offseason surgery on his shoulder but is ready to rock for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season this Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals. Despite playing through his shoulder injury late in the 2023 season, Brown didn't miss a single offensive snap for Buffalo. With Brown on the right side and Dion Dawkins on the left side, the Bills have one of the stronger bookend tackle combinations in the NFL, which makes life easier on quarterback Josh Allen.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (toe) was upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was subsequently removed from the final injury report for Week 1 on Sunday at Soldier Field against the visiting Tennessee Titans. Johnson began the week on Wednesday with a limited practice and followed suit on Thursday before being a full-go on Friday. The 23-year-old missed valuable reps in training camp and the preseason with his toe injury, but he's ready for the start of the regular season and should be left on fantasy benches in the vast majority of leagues in Week 1. To open the 2024 campaign, Johnson is lined up as Chicago's RB3 behind D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert. The former fourth-rounder last year out of Texas, Johnson played in 15 games (zero starts) and compiled 352 yards on 81 carries (4.3 yards per tote) while scoring two TDs on the ground. He added 34 catches for 209 yards.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat (toe) was a full participant in practice on Friday but is still considered questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday at Soldier Field against the Tennessee Titans. Sweat was limited in practices on both Wednesday and Thursday. After practicing in full on Friday, it would be a surprise if the 28-year-old pass-rusher was inactive on Sunday, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues will need to have a backup plan in place. If Sweat is active, he should be in starting lineups at the defensive-line position against a new offense being led by second-year quarterback Will Levis, who is entering his first full year as the starter under center. Even if Sweat sits the opener out, Chicago's defense/special teams unit should be considered a top-five unit in fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Friday for the second day in a row and is not included on the final injury report for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. There was some panic about Pitts' status this week when he was limited on the first official injury report back on Wednesday, but that concern is now gone and he'll suit up this weekend. The 23-year-old former first-rounder had high expectations coming into the NFL as fourth overall pick in 2021 out of Florida. He responded immediately with a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year, but it came with just one touchdown. Pitts underwhelmed the last two years, but he also hasn't worked with great QBs. Many folks are expecting his fourth season to be his best in 2024 now that QB Kirk Cousins is leading the offense. Pitts should be locked into fantasy lineups in Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is questionable to play against the New England Patriots due to ongoing contract disputes. Speaking to reporters after practice, Chase said he'd play without his sought-after extension but he feels a deal is close. Coach Zac Taylor said "We'll see" in regards to his star receiver suiting up. Chase sat out of training camp and admitted that he'll be limited if he is active on Sunday. The Bengals' number two receiver, Tee Higgins, is listed as doubtful after tweaking his hamstring in practice. A lack of top options could spell trouble for Joe Burrow's Week 1 projections, but it will mean more opportunities for WR Andrei Iosivas and TE Mike Gesicki. Chase is still a WR1 if he's active but fantasy managers should temper expectations.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) said his hip responded well during Friday's practice session, and he's optimistic he'll be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, barring an unexpected turn of events. Gibson was added to the injury report on Thursday and was limited in practice with his hip injury. The 26-year-old could be questionable on Friday's final injury report, but Gibson appears to be on the right side of questionable right now. If he's active for his Patriots debut, Gibson will be the backup to starter Rhamondre Stevenson in an offense that isn't expected to be very dynamic while being run by either QB Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye. Gibson should be on fantasy benches if he's active in Week 1, while JaMycal Hasty could rise to a backup role behind Stevenson if Gibson is held out.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is officially listed as doubtful for the team's season opener on Sunday. Higgins tweaked his hamstring during Thursday's practice and missed practice on Friday, despite saying he felt "amazing" on Thursday. Higgins has a lengthy history of hamstring issues and it now appears that he'll miss his first game of 2024. Fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is listed as questionable due to ongoing contract disputes. Andrei Iosivas is in line for more playing time and could be the team's de-facto top wide receiver against the Patriots if Higgins and Chase don't suit up.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) is no longer on the team's injury report and is cleared to suit up against the New York Giants on Sunday. The second-year wideout was carted off the practice field in mid-August with a high-ankle sprain but returned to practice in full on Friday. After taking advantage of Justin Jefferson's extended absence in 2023 (70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns), Addison's production is expected to take a dip in 2024 with Sam Darnold quarterbacking the team. Addison should be viewed as a boom/bust WR4 against the Giants.
From RotoBaller