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
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Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 7 game on Sunday against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Simmons didn't practice on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday before picking up a questionable tag on the final injury report. The 30-year-old won't end up missing a game after suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers. It's good news for the Falcons defense as they take on a talented group of Seahawks receivers this weekend. Simmons will start at strong safety for Atlanta. In his first year with the team in six games played, the two-time Pro Bowler has 23 tackles (10 solo), one interception and two pass breakups. Against a potent Seahawks offense, fantasy managers should be fading Atlanta's defense/special teams unit in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (head) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was officially listed as questionable but ultimately did not return to the contest. He finished Week 7 with zero catches on three targets. He continues to be plagued by drops and also fell down while being targeted on a two-point conversion attempt on Sunday. The Patriots are struggling to stay healthy on the offensive side of the ball with Polk off the field and Demario Douglas (illness) playing a reduced role. Douglas should be good to go for Week 8 against the New York Jets, but Polk is less of a sure thing. He'll presumably be evaluated for a potential concussion and closely monitored ahead of next week's contest. For the time being, Polk is off the fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (illness) is officially active for the Week 7 contest against the hosting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Walker was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday due to an illness and was listed as questionable, but apparently he's feeling better and will suit up. However, there's a chance we could see backup Zach Charbonnet spell Walker a bit more in what could be a high-scoring affair between two high-paced offenses. Although there might be a bit more bust potential for Walker this weekend, there's no reason for fantasy managers to pull him out of their starting lineups as an RB1. The 24-year-old will look to bounce back on his birthday on Sunday after averaging just 2.68 yards per carry on 19 rushing attempts the last two weeks. The good news is Walker has five touchdowns already in 2024 and has scored in three of his four games.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hip) and linebacker Brian Burns (groin) are both active for the Week 7 divisional contest on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Lawrence and Burns were both listed as questionable coming into Sunday's contest. Meanwhile, cornerback Adoree' Jackson (neck) is out, while safety Dane Belton (illness) is active. With Lawrence officially active, he's in play in IDP fantasy leagues as a starting defensive lineman. The two-time Pro Bowler already has seven sacks in six games in 2024 and is well on his way to setting a new career-high in the category. Burns, who is eligible as a D-lineman and linebacker in many leagues, is also worth a start as a defensive lineman in IDP leagues now that he's officially active. Burns has three sacks and 23 combined tackles so far this year for the Giants defense.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. He is the odd man out as the Dolphins enter Week 7 with a backfield featuring De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Wright. Wilson will continue to be inactive as long as those three are healthy. He should be dropped in most fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (illness) returned to Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London during the fourth quarter. According to the NFL Network broadcast, Douglas is working through an illness and will continue trying to play, but he may be limited for the remainder of the contest. Hunter Henry and Kayshon Boutte should earn additional opportunities if Douglas isn't 100 percent.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (knee) is officially active for Week 7 on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Slay was limited on Wednesday, didn't practice on Thursday and returned to a full practice session on Friday before being listed as questionable on the final injury report for the week. Slay was injured in the Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, but the injury wasn't serious enough to keep him out of this week's game. The 33-year-old veteran defensive back could have a tough task on hand this week while trying to slow down impressive first-round rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who is returning to the field after missing the last two games due to a concussion suffered in Week 4. Despite the return of Nabers, the Eagles' defense/special teams unit should be considered a top-10 fantasy option against the Giants offense.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) is active for Week 7's game against the Detroit Lions.
Fantasy Spin: Jones had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in two of the team's three practice sessions during the week. He can be a starting option in fantasy leagues this afternoon.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee) is officially active for the Week 7 game.
Fantasy Spin: Chubb probably will see a limited workload this week since he has not played since last season but could still be a possible flex option in some fantasy leagues. He should have more fantasy value as the season goes on.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins WR Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring, personal) is officially active for the Week 7 game.
Fantasy Spin: Beckham returned to the lineup last week but did not have any receptions. He should see a few more targets this week but should be avoided in fantasy leagues until Tua Tagovailoa returns to the lineup.
From TheHuddle
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
