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FFL: Week 8 | NFL: Week 8

TE Strength of Schedule

Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 8

Player Notes
Jakobi Meyers Oct 28 10:30am ET
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers looked healthy against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, his first game back from a two-week absence due to an ankle injury. He was targeted seven times by his quarterback, Gardner Minshew II, and hauled in six of those passes for 52 yards and the game's only non-garbage-time touchdown. He played reasonably well in the WR1 role left vacant by the departure of Davante Adams. He's the clear lead receiver for the team moving forward, though he faces substantial target competition from tight end Brock Bowers. He's a solid WR3/FLEX option with WR2 upside, depending on how the offense fares overall, ahead of a Week 9 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Tre Tucker Oct 28 10:30am ET
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker touched the ball just three times in his Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was targeted only three times, catching two passes for 26 yards, while rushing one time for seven yards. It was a brutal matchup against one of the league's best defenses in which his team mustered just 158 yards of offense outside of a garbage-time touchdown drive. Tucker is the clear second wide receiver on this offense, but his upside is capped by target-hogging tight end Brock Bowers. He should be viewed as a bench-stash in deeper leagues in his upcoming Week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. They're a much softer defense, but Tucker is a risky start for now.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Oct 28 10:20am ET
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison seemed to have wrested control of the lead running back role for his team in their Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was highly inefficient with his touches, though. He carried the ball 14 times for 15 yards (a paltry 1.1 yards per carry), and caught five passes on five targets for 29 yards. Most notably, he rushed for two yards, no gain, and negative-two yards after Las Vegas took possession due to an interception by opposing QB Patrick Mahomes II. The goal-line stand took away Mattison's best chance at scoring a touchdown. The majority of his fantasy value appears to be tied to PPR points from high target volume, but he'll have an easier matchup in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals and profiles as a FLEX option in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Oct 28 10:20am ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was able to corral just one of his six targets in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Texans, gaining a measly 16 yards in the contest. Fellow wide receiver Josh Downs was the only Colt who snared more than one pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson, who completed just 10 of 32 passes in the game. Pittman was a DNP at practice on Friday, but it was Richardson's inefficiency that was more to blame than his lingering back issue as the six targets were the most he'd seen since Week 5. Unless Joe Flacco gets back under center for the Colts, this receiving corps looks poised to be very volatile for the foreseeable future and it will be hard to predict which one of the pass catchers will lead the team each week. Having a Week 9 date with the Vikings on the road in Minnesota likely won't make things any easier near-term, although several receivers have posted solid fantasy performances against that group, but with Richardson at the helm, the 27-year-old is probably nothing more than a boom/bust WR3/4.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Oct 28 10:20am ET
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a quieter day than usual in his team's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 after he caught all five of his targets for 58 yards. He caught two of those passes, totaling 19 yards, during the garbage-time drive the Raiders put forth near the end of the game. It was a relatively pedestrian day for the breakout superstar. The Chiefs appeared to make it a priority to slow him down, and rightly so, as he's their best offensive weapon. He'll still be a must-start top-5 TE in all fantasy leagues heading into a softer Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and their struggling defensive unit.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Oct 28 10:10am ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter of the Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Heading into Week 8, however, Jordan Raanan reports that the starting QB is not expected to be on a short leash and participated in all of the first-team reps at practice in preparation for this game. Fellow teammates weren't pushing for a change either, but some did note that "it might be different if Tyrod Taylor was still on the roster." Jones will look to get back on track in a tough game on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Gardner Minshew II Oct 28 10:10am ET
Gardner Minshew II

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II completed 24 of 30 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' 20-27 loss to the rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. He also lost one fumble on a sack. In typical Raiders fashion, they drove down the field and scored on their first drive of the game before their offense stalled. They couldn't get much of anything else going until a garbage-time drive for another touchdown near the end of the game. Minshew looked better than he did in Week 7, when he turned the ball over four times, but he didn't give Las Vegas a spark and padded his stats in the fourth quarter. He'll start again in Week 9 when the Raiders take on the Cincinnati Bengals, and he'll still profile as a starting option in fantasy football only for 2QB leagues.

From RotoBaller

Zamir White Oct 28 10:10am ET
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White wasn't a significant part of the game plan in the Raiders' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. He carried the ball just two times for negative-one yard and was not targeted. Las Vegas' coaching staff is likely responding to his ineffectiveness this season by severely restricting his total touches in an effort to help the offense. He now averages just three yards per carry on the season, and it looks like he slid from a bench stash in extremely deep leagues to not worth rostering. While game script could have had something to do with his lack of involvement, he should not be started in any leagues going into his Week 9 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. It looks like the starting job now belongs to Alexander Mattison.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 28 9:50am ET
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (concussion) was forced to leave Sunday's game with a head injury. Head coach Jerod Mayo said on Monday that the rookie signal-caller has entered the NFL's concussion protocol so his status for their Week 9 matchup against the Titans is now in doubt. Jacoby Brissett stepped in as the QB for Maye and led the team to a 25-22 win over the Jets. If Maye is unable to make it back in time, Brissett will likely be under center again.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Oct 28 9:30am ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is currently "ramping up" and set to take part in practice during the team's Week 9 bye. According to Ian Rapoport, McCaffrey has targeted Week 10 for his return and he is currently on track to hit that date. The superstar back hasn't played in a regular season game yet this year, and with Jordan Mason (shoulder) getting banged up, it's the perfect time to rejoin the backfield. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status through the bye week and into Week 10 before committing to him in their starting lineup.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Oct 28 9:30am ET
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (groin) was forced to leave their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury and did not return. According to Ian Rapoport, the star QB seemed to avoid a major injury but his status for the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions is "in doubt." The Packers go into their bye in Week 10, so they could play it safe to give him an extra week of rest before returning in Week 11. If that's the case Malik Willis would make another start against a strong Lions defense.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Oct 28 9:20am ET
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram saved his fantasy day with a late touchdown in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The veteran tight end finished with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, which he scored to tie the game with a minute and 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Engram was outgained by backup tight end Brenton Strange, who finished with five receptions (team-high) and 59 yards (1 off the team lead). While it is reassuring Engram caught a touchdown, he has been very up and down this season. After missing a few games, Engram returned with a 10 reception performance, but now has just nine receptions combined in the last two games. Despite that, Engram should be considered a top tight end play in fantasy in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Oct 28 9:20am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ribs) left Sunday's game with a chest injury and he will now have an MRI on his ribs to determine the severity. According to Ian Rapoport, there isn't much more information at this time, so the MRI will be the best source for fantasy managers to find out if he'll need to miss extended time. Christian Kirk (collarbone) has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, so the Jaguars receiving corps will be reduced to Gabe Davis (shoulder), Parker Washington, and Tim Jones if Thomas has to miss any games.

From RotoBaller

Brenton Strange Oct 28 9:20am ET
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange surprised in Week 8 with a solid outing backing up Evan Engram. The second year tight end finished with five catches for 59 yards. Strange surprisingly led the team in receptions in what was somewhat of a down game for Engram. He also was just one yard shy of the team lead, behind Brian Thomas Jr.'s 60 receiving yards. While anyone who for some reason started Strange should be happy with this performance, it doesn't mean much for his fantasy prospects going forward. With Christian Kirk out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, Strange could be next in line to step up, but that still leaves him behind BTJ, Engram, Gabe Davis, and the running backs on the target order for Trevor Lawrence. Strange and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Oct 28 9:10am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the year in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The rookie receiver finished with just three catches on four targets but made the most of them with 60 yards and a touchdown. Despite the now 6-2 Packers having a top passing defense, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense were able to move the ball through the air on the back of some long receptions. BTJ led the team with 60 yards on 20 yards per reception. The young receiver out of LSU has already established himself as a reliable fantasy option and real-life receiver for Lawrence through 8 weeks. BTJ and the Jaguars passing offense will look to continue their upward trajectory when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday afternoon.

From RotoBaller

Tank Bigsby Oct 28 9:10am ET
Tank Bigsby

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby had a solid fantasy day in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The second-year running back finished with 78 yards rushing on 18 carries and eight receiving yards on two receptions. With Travis Etienne Jr. out, Bigsby dominated touches once again. In fact, backup running back D'Ernest Johnson touched the ball just two times. Bigsby wasn't as efficient as he has been, producing 4.3 yards per carry, but the volume he got was enough to provide a solid fantasy output despite no touchdowns. This has been a bit of a breakout year for the young back out of Auburn, who whether Etienne Jr. has been in the lineup or not, has been a startable fantasy running back. Bigsby and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Oct 28 9:00am ET
Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a good fantasy outing in a 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The former top pick finished with 21 completions on 32 attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble. The Packers have been one of the top teams and passing defenses in the NFL this year, so this effort from Lawrence and the Jaguars should leave people optimistic about their season going forward. The offense has steadily improved as the season has gone on, especially now that top target Evan Engram has returned from injury and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has developed. Lawrence did lose Christian Kirk for the season with a broken collarbone, but he still has great weapons to continue playing like he did against the Packers. Lawrence and the Jaguars take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Oct 28 7:50am ET
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette caught his third touchdown of the season in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Legette, a striking 6-foot-2, 227-pound figure, is proving to be a solid red-zone threat, with all three of his touchdowns coming inside the 10-yard line. Legette's game has shades of A.J. Brown, as he can physically dominate defensive backs at the point of attack. However, his down-to-down consistency still leaves much to be desired. He finished with four receptions for 34 yards and has recorded just one 50+ yard game this year. Granted, the quarterback situation in Carolina has been among the most questionable in the league. With New Orleans up in Week 9, it would be encouraging if the South Carolina product started to show week-to-week consistency but is on the flex radar in deep league formats.

From RotoBaller

Miles Sanders Oct 28 7:30am ET
Miles Sanders

For several weeks, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders had been rendered insignificant in their offense, recording just four touches in three straight games. However, Sanders was Carolina's receptions leader in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching all seven targets for 38 yards. Still, his lack of rushing opportunities remains discouraging, especially considering he produced a productive, gritty third-down conversion early in this game and did not receive another carry. Sanders averages 4.6 yards per carry, but Carolina brass views him as a pure receiving back, as he has averaged just two carries per game over his last four bouts. Despite facing a poor Saints defense in Week 9, Sanders remains off the fantasy radar next week.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 28 6:30am ET
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard recorded his worst fantasy outing since Week 1 in the Panthers' 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Hubbard finished the day with 15 carries for 56 yards and two receptions for 15 yards. He did not reach the end zone. While still the featured back in Carolina, Hubbard has been trending down in recent weeks as he has recorded progressively fewer points since his Week 3 explosion against Las Vegas. Still, this is his first sub-10-point performance since the season opener. Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) completed his first whole week of practice in the ramp-up to this game, indicating his debut should be on the horizon. Hubbard should remain Carolina's primary back if Brooks doesn't suit up for Week 9's matchup against the Saints.

From RotoBaller