TE Strength of Schedule
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.
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The Paur Report
Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 7
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to play after being activated from the PUP list on Saturday. Chubb will make his season debut this week, just over one year after a gruesome injury that tore numerous ligaments and abruptly ended his 2023 campaign. The 28-year-old is likely headed for a reduced role as the Browns phase him back into the offense, but there are plenty of touches available to him with Jerome Ford (hamstring) sidelined. Chubb figures to split time with D'Onta Foreman on Sunday, and Pierre Strong Jr. could also see some work. Given the poor state of Cleveland's offense, it's tough to justify starting any of their running backs in 12-team fantasy leagues this week.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) is officially active for the Week 7 contest on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Houston Texans. Wicks was limited in practice all week and picked up a questionable tag on the final injury report, but he will suit up after getting injured in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old only caught one of his three targets for nine yards before getting hurt last week and had two receptions for 20 yards the week prior against the Los Angeles Rams. Wicks has found the end zone three times this year, including twice in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, but he'll continue to be a boom/bust WR4/flex for fantasy managers in a crowded receiver corps in Green Bay that also includes Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (coach's decision) is inactive for Week 7 and has been listed as the team's emergency third quarterback. As a result, Dorian Thompson-Robinson is active, presumably as the backup quarterback behind Deshaun Watson. It's possible that this development is merely the result of Thompson-Robinson having a good string of practices, but it could also be preparation for a potential Watson benching, which has been speculated time and time again over the last few games. In the event that Cleveland, currently 1-5, does pull Watson from Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, they would turn to Thompson-Robinson, not Winston.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) is officially active on Sunday for a big divisional showdown against the visiting Detroit Lions in Week 7. Jones was injured in Week 5 in London against the New York Jets but had the Week 6 bye to heal up and will now return to action this weekend despite being listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report. Fantasy managers can leave the 29-year-old in their starting lineups against Detroit, but Jones could lose some touches to both Ty Chandler and Cam Akers. As a result, Jones should be considered a bit more volatile as an RB2 coming out of the bye week. Jones has just two total touchdowns in five games in his first year in Minnesota, with his last rushing score coming back in Week 1. It's not a great matchup, either, with the Lions allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing RBs in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have declared OG Chris Hubbard, P Jamie Gillan, CB Adoree' Jackson, CB Anthony Johnson, QB Tommy DeVito and DE Carlos Basham Jr. inactive for Week 7.
From TheHuddle
The Houston Texans have declared LB Azeez Al-Shaair, WR Steven Sims, SS Jimmie Ward, LB Henry To'oTo'o, OG Nick Broeker, CB Kamari Lassiter and WR Robert Woods inactive for Week 7.
From TheHuddle
The Atlanta Falcons have declared CB Antonio Hamilton, OG Jovaughn Gwyn, OT Brandon Parker, LB Troy Andersen, DE Brandon Dorlus, OT Elijah Wilkinson and DE Kentavius Street inactive for Week 7.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (illness) is questionable to return against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He was involved in the first half but then exited around halftime. At the time of his departure, he had caught two of three targets for 14 yards. Douglas was Drake Maye's favorite target last week, but the rookie quarterback will now turn to tight end Hunter Henry as his preferred option in the passing game. Kayshon Boutte and Ja'Lynn Polk should also see additional opportunities with Douglas on the sideline.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) is officially active for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. He's widely viewed as the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver but has actually been more productive than Michael Pittman Jr. over the last three weeks. We'll see whether that holds true this Sunday as the Colts return to a healthy Anthony Richardson under center. Richardson replacing Joe Flacco is less than ideal for all of the Colts' receivers, but Downs is still talented enough to be a reliable fantasy WR3 on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is officially active for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Pittman averaged 3.7 catches, 29.3 yards, and zero touchdowns per game with Anthony Richardson under center, and those averages jumped to 4.7 catches, 61.7 yards, and 0.7 touchdowns when Joe Flacco replaced the injured Richardson. Now that Richardson is healthy and has reclaimed his starting job, we'll see whether Pittman can keep up his hot stretch of games. Even if the passing offense does take a step backward under Richardson, Pittman is still talented enough to be deployed as a fantasy WR3/FLEX.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (shoulder) is officially active for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Pierce is listed third on the depth chart even though he leads the team in receiving yards this season. This is a direct product of the 24-year-old's big-play upside, which has allowed him to explode in some games while being somewhat of a non-factor in others. Pierce is one of the only Colts receivers who seems to have played better while catching passes from Anthony Richardson rather than Joe Flacco this year, so perhaps Richardson's return to the lineup this week is good news for the Cincinnati product. Still, he ranks outside the top 36 fantasy receivers for this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring, personal) is officially active for Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday, and it's unclear whether the hamstring injury or the personal matter was the reason for his designation heading into the weekend. Regardless, Beckham is going to suit up this week as the Dolphins' No. 3 receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. He's off the fantasy radar, especially now that Miami's passing attack is struggling with Tyler Huntley under center.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (calf) is officially active for Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. He had been listed as questionable, and there was real doubt about his availability for Sunday's game. In the end, though, he'll suit up as the No. 2 running back behind James Cook. Davis is coming off the best game of his young career when he broke free for 152 scrimmage yards on 23 touches when Cook was sidelined. Now that Cook is back, Davis' volume will be scaled back. He'll still earn some touches, but not enough to justify starting him in 12-team leagues this week.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles have declared TE Dallas Goedert, OG Darian Kinnard, QB Tanner McKee, OG Trevor Keegan, CB Eli Ricks and DL Byron X. Young inactive for Week 7.
From TheHuddle
The Indianapolis Colts have declared RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Anthony Gould, LB E.J. Speed, LB Genard Avery, QB Sam Ehlinger, DB Chris Lammons and OG Danny Pinter inactive for Week 7.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (groin) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. This is good news for the Browns backfield that will be without Jerome Ford (hamstring) this weekend. However, Nick Chubb (knee) should be back in the mix and be the primary back for Week 7. It's worth noting that this would be Chubb's first game back since suffering that horrible season-ending knee injury last year. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Browns limit Chubb during his first game back. That being said, Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. should both be in the mix in the backfield. Foreman has seen 19 carries over the last two weeks, which is solid for a backup. However, he hasn't offered much fantasy value, so fantasy managers should consider him a desperation option in deep leagues.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III saw his stats take a dip during last week's matchup against the Carolina Panthers. McCloud finished with a season-high 66 yards in Week 5, but was only able to haul in three receptions for 30 yards last week. He remains third or even fourth on the pecking order, which doesn't guarantee solid weekly value. McCloud should still see a handful of targets as he has been thrown to five times or more in four of his first six games this season. Fantasy managers should consider McCloud a low-end flex option for Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (concussion) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Palmer suffered a concussion in Week 4 and as a result he has missed each of the last two games. It sounds like Palmer still needs to clear concussion protocol, so fantasy managers should prepare to be without him for at least one more game. Sterling Shepard figures to move into the WR3 role if Palmer is unable to play. He has seven receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown over the last three games. However, Shepard won't be a recommended fantasy option for Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (hamstring) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Monday's Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Vea popped up on the injury report on Saturday due to a hamstring issue. The loss of Vea would be a significant hit to this defensive unit. The 29-year-old is one of the better run stopping tackles in the league. He has 12 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks in five games this season. Greg Gaines would likely be asked to step in and start if Vea is unable to go. The Bucs are likely going to wait until Monday to decide on whether or not Vea will play.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) is expected to suit up for Week 7 despite being listed as questionable coming into this game. Simmons has missed time in practice this week, but appears to still be in good enough shape to play. The All-Pro safety has 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception in six games this season. The absence of Simmons would likely mean that Richie Grant would get the start at strong safety. The loss of Simmons would be a significant hit to this secondary, but it sounds like Simmons is in line to play.
From RotoBaller
