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.
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers made the team's final 53-man roster on Tuesday, signing just a week after training camp had started. Akers doesn't present much value on special teams, so that means if he's active, he will be pushing for carries on game days to spell workhorse starter Joe Mixon. If the Texans opt to trade away presumed No. 2 back Dameon Pierce as well, Akers would become Houston's preferred backup and fantasy's clear-cut handcuff to Mixon. It's hard to envision Akers, 25, having much upside or standalone value this season, after rushing for a mere 2.8 yards per carry over 60 attempts and coming off his second career Achilles tear in 2023, but the former second-round pick is at least trending up this summer over Pierce.
From RotoBaller
There is hope that Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) will return sometime in November. Mitchell is on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the season and will miss at least the first four games of the year after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December of last year. This could lead Baltimore to add a RB who was cut from another team, but for the time being, veteran receiving back Justice Hill is all set to handle the change-of-pace role behind workhorse starter Derrick Henry in the early stages of 2024. Fantasy managers can stash the 22-year-old Mitchell if they have the space, considering he racked up 8.4 yards per carry across 47 attempts in his rookie season last year, but he's unlikely to be an option until the second half of the campaign.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell finally started showing some of his potential last season, starting 14 games and looking to be a dangerous weapon early in the season. His effectiveness tapered off after a hot start, however, and the 24-year-old former second-rounder's role diminished down the stretch before missing time while in concussion protocol. The Rams are fairly loaded at WR, with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson set to line up as the wideouts in three-receiver sets. The emergence of rookie Jordan Whittington, along with a good training camp from journeyman Tyler Johnson, gives LA the kind of depth in the receiving corps where they could consider floating Atwell's name in trade talks. It's been reported the Rams are not looking to deal Atwell, but they still might be open to a respectable offer to improve other areas of the roster.
From RotoBaller
There's still no sign of Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers (foot) at practice on Wednesday. Bowers hasn't practiced since the middle of August due to a foot injury, but there remains optimism that his lack of activity is precautionary. Fantasy managers will want to see the 21-year-old first-rounder back on the field soon, however, as Las Vegas' regular-season opener is less than two weeks away against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8 at SoFi Stadium. In the meantime, Michael Mayer and Harrison Bryant figure to be handling the first-team reps at tight end in practice sessions for the Raiders. Unless something significant emerges about his injury, Bowers remains safe to choose as a late-round pick for fantasy managers waiting until the end of drafts to grab a TE.
From RotoBaller
It doesn't look like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is practicing on Wednesday. After head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday that Chase was going to continue to practice amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Bengals, the wideout got to practice 13 minutes after it has started in street clothes. Taylor also said Tuesday that he expects Chase to suit up for Cincinnati's regular-season opener against the visiting New England Patriots on Sept. 8 at Paycor Stadium, so fantasy managers shouldn't be moving the 24-year-old All-Pro around in their first-round rankings for the final week of drafts. Despite missing star quarterback Joe Burrow for half of the season last year, Chase put up a career-high 100 receptions (145 targets) in 16 appearances.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers have named quarterback Russell Wilson their Week 1 starter against the hosting Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, so Justin Fields will begin the season as the team's backup. The Steelers left the door open for Fields to potentially win the starting job after Wilson missed the early part of training camp due to a calf injury, but the incumbent veteran will ultimately get the nod for the opening week of the campaign. Wilson gives Pittsburgh a stabilizing presence under center that should help keep the offense on schedule, but his fantasy value is going to be very limited during his starts in 2024 with a weak receiving corps and a major emphasis on the ground game in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's attack. Fantasy managers shouldn't look at the 35-year-old veteran signal-caller as anything more than a low-upside QB2 option.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson will be the team's starter to begin the season, head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Fantasy Spin: This was always expected, as Tomlin said on numerous occasions throughout the offseason that Wilson was the favorite for the job. Wilson finished as QB14 overall in 2023 and is a QB2 and fringe starter in 12-team leagues.
From TheHuddle
The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) to their practice squad on Wednesday, according to sources. Ridder returns to the desert just a day after he was waived as the Cardinals cut their roster down to 53 players. The 24-year-old signal-caller failed to prove to the Atlanta Falcons that he was their franchise QB in his two seasons, and now he'll enter the 2024 regular season as the QB3 in Arizona behind Kyler Murray and Clayton Tune. The former second-rounder out of Cincinnati is no longer on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues after completing only 64% of his 503 pass attempts in his two years in Atlanta while throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In addition to his 12 picks, Ridder was turnover-prone with 15 total fumbles, including 12 in 2023.
From RotoBaller
The Steelers have decided on Russell Wilson to be their starting quarterback to open the season. He beat out Justin Fields for the job.
The Los Angeles Rams are signing defensive end Neville Gallimore, according to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. The 2020 third-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys signed with the Miami Dolphins at the start of free agency, but he was surprisingly released ahead of the 53-man roster cutdown deadline on Tuesday. Gallimore played in 52 games for Dallas from 2020 to 2023 and racked up 90 total tackles (40 solo), four sacks, three pass deflections, and 12 run stuffs during his tenure. He'll now join the Los Angeles 53-man roster and a young defensive line that is tasked with replacing future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Free-agent RB Samaje Perine (Broncos) is signing an undisclosed deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
From TheHuddle
A resolution between the San Francisco 49ers and star left tackle Trent Williams isn't close at this time as he looks for more guaranteed money and a raise on his current deal. Williams plans to continue his holdout until his contract is addressed, and it's possible it seeps into the start of the 2024 regular season. The 36-year-old veteran never reported to training camp this summer, so he's not currently counting towards one of the team's 53 spots on the active roster. One of the best left tackles in the game wants a raise after seeing both Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell sign new deals this offseason worth $28 million per year. Williams currently has three years left on his six-year, $138 million deal that carries an average annual value of $23 million. He's scheduled for a $20.5 million base salary in 2024 and $22.5 million next year. Not having Williams to kick off the season will be a major downgrade for Brock Purdy's protection.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs are signing veteran running back Samaje Perine to their active roster on Wednesday, according to sources. Perine quickly lands on his feet after he was cut by the division-rival Denver Broncos on Tuesday. The 28-year-old veteran will slot in as the RB4 for KC behind Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Carson Steele, but he could have the opportunity to find a bigger role as the season progresses. It's certainly an upgrade for Perine due to the offense alone, but the former fourth-rounder in 2017 out of Oklahoma is still probably no better than a late-round flier in very deep point-per-reception leagues at the moment. In his only year in Denver in 2023, he handled 53 carries for 238 yards and one touchdown on the ground while adding a career-high 50 receptions for 455 yards in 17 games.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remain in a contract standoff with the 2024 regular season quickly approaching. The ongoing offseason saga between the Niners and Aiyuk somehow has not been resolved one way or another with a long-term contract extension or a trade, so we continue to wait. Aiyuk is on the 53-man roster, unlike left tackle Trent Williams, because he reported to training camp this summer. San Francisco will begin their normal practice schedule this week, but it's uncertain whether Aiyuk will actually return to the practice field for the first time this offseason. Either way, the two sides aren't any closer to an extension, and at this point, it seems pretty unlikely he'd be traded with the start of Week 1 just over a week away. Aiyuk's fantasy value remains the highest if he sticks in San Fran, but at this point fantasy managers have to worry about him starting off slow since he hasn't been working with the starting offense at all.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon (hamstring) is practicing with the team on Wednesday. With Sermon returning to practice on Wednesday, he should be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener in the first week of September. The 25-year-old injured his hamstring in the team's preseason opener on Aug. 11 and sat out the final two preseason contests as a result. Before his injury, though, he was trending as the club's RB2 behind starter Jonathan Taylor. It remains to be seen if that's still the case and if he's ahead of Tyler Goodson on Indy's RB depth chart. The former third-rounder out of Ohio State is probably nothing more than a handcuff option in the very deepest of fantasy leagues for managers that have Taylor rostered. In his first year in Indy in 2023, Sermon had 35 carries for 160 yards (4.6 yards per tote) and caught three passes for 13 yards in 14 games.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers claimed running back Hassan Haskins off waivers from the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, according to the league's transaction wire. The former Michigan product wasn't able to make the Titans' 53-man roster out of training camp and will now join the Bolts for the 2024 campaign, most likely starting on the practice squad. In LA, Haskins will provide extra RB depth behind Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Jaret Patterson and rookie Kimani Vidal. The 24-year-old former fourth-round selection in 2022 missed all of last season due to an upper-body injury after seeing 25 carries his rookie season that he turned into 93 scoreless yards in 15 games (one start). He also caught 11 passes for 57 yards in 2022. Haskins remains well off the fantasy radar for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, according to his agency. It's a big addition to a Cowboys backfield that currently has veteran Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle listed as co-starters. Cook will start his tenure with Dallas on the practice squad and will need to work his way to the active roster after missing all of training camp and the preseason while on the open market. It means the 29-year-old won't immediately challenge for a substantial role in Dallas' backfield and he may not even be active in Week 1. The 29-year-old was coming off injury in 2023 and averaged a meager 3.2 yards per carry with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens. However, he's had a fully healthy offseason and enters a RB picture with plenty of opportunity. At best, Cook will a late-round flier in very deep fantasy leagues to begin 2024.
From RotoBaller
Former New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe, who has plenty of starting experience in the NFL, has a deal in place to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad, according to a source. The Patriots just cut Zappe on Tuesday to get down to 53 players, and he lands on his feet quickly with the defending Super Bowl champions to give them QB depth behind Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz. Zappe, a former fourth-rounder in 2022 out of Western Kentucky, wasn't able to stick around in New England after the team drafted both Drake Maye and Joe Milton III in April. The 25-year-old played in 14 games (eight starts) in his two seasons with the Pats, going 192-for-304 (63.2%) for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Zappe ends up starting for the Chiefs in 2024, they're probably unlikely to three-peat.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent DT Lawrence Guy (Patriots) is working out for the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, Aug. 28, per source.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent RB Boston Scott (Rams) is signing to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad, per source on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
From TheHuddle