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
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (quadriceps) was limited in Wednesday's practice coming off scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Week 9 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday. Hunt was also listed on last week's injury report with a quad injury but managed to play on Monday and went over 100 yards rushing while scoring the walk-off touchdown to send the Chiefs to 8-0. As long as the 29-year-old doesn't suffer a setback later this week, he should be all systems go for a Week 10 divisional matchup against the Denver Broncos, where Hunt should be viewed as a solid RB2 play in fantasy lineups. Isiah Pacheco is recovering nicely from a broken leg suffered in Week 2 and is nearing a return to practice, but until he returns, Hunt will be KC's clear backfield leader.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) were both out for the first practice of the week on Wednesday as the team prepares for a Week 10 battle against the San Francisco 49ers. McMillan injured his hamstring last Friday and didn't play in the Monday night overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing Shepard and Trey Palmer to serve as the top wideouts with Mike Evans (hamstring) out and Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the season. Shepard had four catches for 48 yards on Monday, but now he's in danger of missing Week 10 against the Niners as well. It's worth noting the Bucs' bye comes in Week 11. Tight end Cade Otton has been the clear beneficiary in the passing game, while Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Ryan Miller could be the starters at receiver if McMillan and Shepard can't play this Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (toe) is dealing with an injury and was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, the first of the week. It's something worth monitoring, but Mayfield has two days left to return to practice and should be able to do so. The 29-year-old played all of the Week 9 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday and went 23-for-31 for 200 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) won't be returning in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, and Chris Godwin (ankle) is out for the rest of the year. Receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) are also banged up, so Mayfield has been using tight end Cade Otton as his top target through the air. With a very thin receiving corps, Mayfield will be a shakier QB1 streaming option in Week 10 against San Fran.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) remains on the Week 10 injury report and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Irving played in the Week 9 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday but will most likely be battling a toe injury for the rest of the season, according to head coach Todd Bowles. The 22-year-old saw 10 touches for 34 yards on Monday, with Rachaad White scoring the only rushing TD for the team. The Bucs will continue to split backfield touches between Irving, White and Sean Tucker moving forwards, which severely limits Irving's weekly upside as an RB3/flex. Irving has been Tampa's best ball-carrier in 2024, though, averaging 5.0 yards per carry for 419 yards and three TDs on 83 carries while also catching 23 passes for 174 additional yards in nine games in his first NFL season.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. (oblique, rib) and Jauan Jennings (hip) were both listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of their bye. Chris Conley (hamstring) was a DNP. Samuel was injured in the Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers but was able to rest up last week. Although he's not a lock to play this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 28-year-old pass-catcher is trending in the right direction. Jennings has missed the team's last two games due to a hip injury and is now hoping to return in Week 10. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the season and Samuel is also banged up, so when Jennings returns, he should see enough volume in San Fran's passing attack to be worth a look as a WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. Samuel is a must-start if he's active.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of their bye. A high-ankle sprain that Moody suffered in Week 5 has kept him out for the last three games, but he's now on track to make his return to kick against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. The Niners already cut fill-in kicker Anders Carlson on Tuesday, signaling that they are confident that Moody can play this weekend. He had the benefit of getting extra rest during the team's Week 9 bye. Fantasy managers not happy with their current kicking situation should scoop Moody up immediately if he's somehow on the waiver wire. Before getting hurt, Moody had made 13 of his 14 field-goal tries (2-for-3 from 50-plus yards) and all 12 of his extra points in five games. He's a high-end fantasy kicker when healthy.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Fellow wideout Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) was also limited on Wednesday. Davis was also limited last week before being ruled out in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old might need to get in a full practice on either Thursday or Friday to avoid a questionable tag going into the Week 10 contest versus the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He's been banged up pretty much all year but was only inactive for last weekend. Davis has mostly been a fantasy bust outside of a two-TD performance in Week 6, but he could have a safer floor and higher ceiling when he returns now that Christian Kirk (collarbone) is done for the year. He doesn't have more than five catches in a game in 2024 and has gone over 45 receiving yards once in eight games.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (non-injury) was limited during practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Ridley has been targeted at least eight times in each of the last four games and has totaled 216 receiving yards over the last two games. He will continue to be the main option in the passing game for the Titans and should be a weekly starting option in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (toe) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Mayfield is in any danger of missing the Week 10 game. He has thrown at least two touchdowns in each of the last six games even though he has been without several of his receivers. He can be a low-end No. 1 quarterback in most leagues if he plays.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) remains on the injury report for Week 10 and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday with an ankle injury. Bigsby may not be 100 percent for the rest of the year, but he should be fine to play in Week 10 versus the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. With Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) returning in the Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bigsby saw only eight carries and rushed for 22 yards while not seeing a single target. The 23-year-old has been Jacksonville's most productive ball-carrier on the ground in 2024, but D'Ernest Johnson is also used in passing situations, and the return of Etienne will hurt Bigsby's overall fantasy upside. It doesn't get any easier this Sunday against the Vikings, either, who have defended the run well. Bigsby is lining up as a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in Week 10.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd (shoulder) was limited during practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Boyd was active for the Week 9 game but was not targeted in the passing game. He probably will see a few targets if he is active for the game but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) put in a full practice on Wednesday. Goedert injured his hamstring in Week 6 and hasn't played since, and Wednesday was his first practice session as well. It's an indication that he'll be ready to go to play in this Sunday's divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. We'll have to see if Goedert can get through the rest of the practice week without suffering a setback, but if he does, he'll be on the low-end TE1/high-end TE2 map for fantasy managers, and he'll have even more upside if receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is unable to play. Grant Calcaterra has had a bigger role the last three weeks with Goedert on the sideline, but he'll lose all of his TE2 streaming intrigue if Goedert is back against Dallas. In the two games before his injury, Goedert had 17 catches on 19 targets for 232 yards and no touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) will go "thoroughly" through the league's concussion protocol. "We're more worried about Chris Olave the person at the moment," Rizzi said. The former first-rounder is visiting with head specialists this week, and no decision has been made yet on whether he'll be placed on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The 24-year-old suffered his second concussion of the year and the fourth of his career in the Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and was quickly ruled out after being carted off. It didn't look good. With the Saints considering putting him on IR, fantasy managers should expect Olave to miss multiple weeks, including Week 10 versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. With Olave hurt, rookie Mason Tipton should continue playing heavy snaps.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner (finger) was limited during practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Conner should have a good chance to play in the Week 10 game as long as he does not suffer any setbacks. He posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season last week and should be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
The Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams did a much better job in Week 9 compared to their performance against the Browns in Week 8. They only allowed 10 points, collected four sacks, and grabbed one interception. Their Week 10 opponent, however, has a much better offense than the Denver Broncos. Joe Burrow and company put up 38 points against this defense in Week 5 even though they did get another inception and three sacks. The Ravens are still one of the worst units against the pass, so fantasy managers are better off leaving them on the bench this week during the AFC North matchup.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (illness) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Carr returned to the lineup last week after missing time and finished with 236 yards and one touchdown. He probably will be without multiple of his receivers in Week 10 and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (hand) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara will continue to be a focal point in the Saints offense and should see plenty of touches this week. He should be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) and OG Lucas Patrick (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 6. S J.T. Gray (back), CB Rico Payton (back), RB Jamaal Williams (groin), DT John Ridgeway (oblique) and S Will Harris (hamstring) were limited during practice. OG Shane Lemieux (knee) and LB Nephi Sewell (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reports that running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) did not experience any pain issues or setbacks in his return to practice this week. The 49ers opened McCaffrey's 21-day practice window this week. It appears that the star running back is on track to make his season debut after suffering his injury during training camp. With McCaffrey likely back in Week 10, fantasy managers will be ecstatic to have the consensus No. 1 overall pick back in their lineups. The 49ers backup running backs stepped up admirably in McCaffrey's absence. However, neither Jordan Mason nor Isaac Guerendo has delivered much in the way of fantasy value since week four with the exception of Guerendo's 19.2-point Week 8. With McCaffrey likely to return in Week 10 in Tampa Bay, both players should be relegated to benches. However, McCaffrey is unlikely to play a full allotment of snaps in his first week back and is at risk of reinjury. As such, hold on to Mason and Guerendo for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The injury does not seem to be severe and Pitts' participation in any capacity is encouraging. Still, fantasy managers should monitor Pitts' participation throughout the week. Pitts is finally experiencing a breakout season with a quarterback in Kirk Cousins who can get him the ball. He currently sits as the TE7 in PPR formats and has displayed his big play ability all season. Pitts has caught 30 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace for his most receiving yards since his rookie season and he has already matched his previous career high in touchdown receptions. Pitts should be able to keep his momentum rolling in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints. He could be in line for even more targets with wide receiver Drake London (hip) battling his own injury.
From RotoBaller
