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FFL: Week 7 | NFL: Week 7

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 DFS Pickem Plays: Week 7

Player Notes
Jerry Jeudy Oct 19 8:20am ET
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) will get a chance to slide over to the WR1 chair after the team traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills earlier in the week. As has been the procedure for much of the season, Jeudy practiced fully all week despite being listed on the injury report with a knee injury. Listed without an injury status on the Browns' final injury report, Jeudy will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 7. The Bengals have been solid against wide receivers this season, allowing just the 21st-most fantasy points per game to the position through their first six games. Jeudy gets a slight bump in fantasy value moving forward but a dysfunctional Cleveland passing attack doesn't inspire much confidence. Treat him as a low-end WR3 in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Tre Tucker Oct 19 8:20am ET
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has an easier matchup in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams, so he has a solid chance of bouncing back after getting blanked in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He should have expanded opportunity for targets with star WR Davante Adams leaving for the Jets and Jakobi Meyers (ankle) being unlikely to play with a "doubtful" designation. The second-year pro is a speedster with intriguing upside as a deep threat and on gadget plays. The rams are middle-of-the-pack in PPR fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. The lack of other WRs to draw coverage away from Tucker could hurt his production, though. He's a decent FLEX option in deep leagues.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Oct 19 8:20am ET
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore has been a forgotten man in his team's offense for much of the season. With the recent trade that sent Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, Moore will get his chance to slide over to the No. 2 receiver role starting in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been tough on receivers this season, allowing just the 21st-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Moore settles in as a WR5 in fantasy but his performance in Week 7 is worth monitoring in case he can turn his additional opportunities without Cooper in town into added fantasy production.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Carlson Oct 19 8:10am ET
Daniel Carlson

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson should have some opportunities to score points when his tame takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. The Rams have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, ranking around the middle of the league. It may be tough for the Raiders to get much going, though, as they'll field a depleted offense. Star WR Davante Adams has left for the Jets and new lead WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) is unlikely to play. The Raiders have struggled offensively in both phases of the game. Carlson has a history of great accuracy, though. He's hit 87.6% of field goal attempts in his career, so he could be worth starting in very deep leagues.

From RotoBaller

Pierre Strong Jr. Oct 19 8:00am ET
Pierre Strong Jr.

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. should be in line for a larger role heading into a Week 7 home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jerome Ford (hamstring) will not play in Week 7, leaving the third-down role open for Strong against Cincinnati. The Browns are expected to get Nick Chubb (knee) back for the game but he could be eased into action in his first game since tearing his ACL early in the 2023 season. With the struggling Browns likely to be playing from behind for much of this game, Strong has some appeal as an RB3/flex option in PPR leagues heading into Week 7.

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Zamir White Oct 19 7:50am ET
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison will square off against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. He's had two consecutive solid fantasy weeks, but the return of Zamir White (groin), who practiced in full on Friday, could cap his upside yet again. Mattison averaged 2.5 and 2.4 yards per carry in his two weeks with White absent. That level of inefficiency won't earn him a workhorse role. The Rams defense allows the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, but in a split role, the former Viking isn't likely to be startable. He profiles as an RB4, mostly due to pass-catching upside, if White returns. If not, he'll be a fringe RB3/FLEX option in PPR.

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Sean McVay Oct 19 7:50am ET
Sean McVay

The Las Vegas Raiders will play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, and they will face a tough test against a good NFL offense. Rams head coach Sean McVay is an elite offensive mind, and his team has turned the ball over just six times in five games, one of the lower rates in the league. If wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is able to return, it will be even tougher. Los Angeles is around the middle of the league in offensive yards gained per game, but Kupp's return would be a huge boost for the offense. The Raiders defense has allowed 27.2 points per game to opposing offenses, fifth-worst in the league. The Raiders D/ST shouldn't be started in fantasy this week.

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Brock Bowers Oct 19 7:30am ET
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers could reclaim his spot as the overall TE1 in fantasy scoring in a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. The Rams have allowed the second-most PPR fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, and they should have trouble slowing down one of the NFL's finest at his position. The rookie leads all tight ends in targets (46), receptions (37), and receiving yards (384). He's also scored one touchdown. He'll likely have an expanded role for the rest of the season after former Raiders WR Davante Adams' departure to the New York Jets. He's a stud and must be started in any leagues that have tight end slots on their rosters.

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Deshaun Watson Oct 19 7:20am ET
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will look for his first 200-yard passing game of the season when he squares off against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 7. The Watson-led Cleveland offense has struggled greatly this season, ranking 30th in the league in points per game and last with just 240.2 yards per game. The Bengals have been generous to opposing quarterbacks so far, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Amari Cooper is now a member of the Buffalo Bills and Watson's play has not inspired confidence in fantasy regardless of how friendly the matchup is. Treat him as a low-end QB2 heading into Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Zamir White Oct 19 7:20am ET
Zamir White

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, and it's unlikely he'll have much success. He's averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this season and appears to be set to lose volume to fellow RB Alexander Mattison. White doesn't have much pass-catching upside, hasn't scored a touchdown this season, and has lost two fumbles. His highest scoring outing totaled just 6.8 PPR fantasy points in a game where he had four targets. He's had just seven targets all year. The Rams defense has been one of the league's worst, but Las Vegas' offense won't have Davante Adams, who was traded, or Jakobi Meyers (ankle), who is doubtful to play. White should not be started except in the deepest of fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Oct 19 7:10am ET
Aidan O'Connell

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. While they have a much softer defense than the Pittsburgh Steelers he played against in Week 6, he will be missing two important offensive weapons. Wide receiver Davante Adams is now with the New York Jets, and his now-top receiver, Jakobi Meyers (ankle), is doubtful to play. The second-year passer will now have to work with rookie tight end Brock Bowers and sophomore WR Tre Tucker as his top pass-catching options. Bowers has played admirably, but it could be yet another low-volume offensive performance for the black and silver on Sunday. O'Connell profiles as a fringe starter in 2QB fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 19 5:10am ET
Drake Maye

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit has a chance for decent fantasy production in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. Third-overall pick Drake Maye will get his second consecutive start after throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions last week against the Houston Texans. Maye is a young QB with a big arm, so he will take chances, meaning a potential for multiple turnovers. However, the Jaguars defense is one of the worst in football, so in general, it is hard to trust them in fantasy. They did get their first interception of the season last week against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, but it is hard to imagine a ceiling beyond that. Even Deshaun Watson didn't turn the ball over against them. In about as good a matchup as they will get this season, the Jaguars D/ST is a decent play in Week 7.

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George Kittle Oct 19 3:30am ET
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle enters a Week 7 home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in the midst of one the hottest streaks of his career. Last week in a win versus Seattle he hauled in five of six targets for 58 yards and two touchdowns. He is now on a four-game touchdown streak and tied for the most receiving touchdowns in the league at any position, with five. Kansas City's pass defense in fantasy has been mediocre but has taken an interesting route to get there. The Chiefs have been the ninth-toughest on wide receivers, but have been taken to task by opposing tight ends. They have given up 14.3 TE points per game, good for league-worst, while the second-easiest team -- the Rams -- are averaging 11.3 in Yahoo default scoring, by far the biggest margin between any two consecutively-ranked teams in the NFL. Kittle will certainly be fired up to take on the Chiefs given San Francisco's loss in Super Bowl LVIII and is a no-doubt fantasy TE1.

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Cam Little Oct 19 3:20am ET
Cam Little

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little is worth considering in starting lineups in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. The rookie kicker only had one field goal and one extra point last week in London against the Chicago Bears, but should have a busier week in London against a worse Patriots defense. Since missing a field goal in Week 2, Little has hit every attempt, so efficiency is not a worry. His longest field goal on the year is 53 yards, so he has a decent leg. Little's fantasy inconsistency has come down to the Jaguars offense not playing that well this season. However, with some of their weapons returning from injury and the offense steadily playing better, a much better matchup for the Jaguars offense should mean more points than the 16 they scored last week. Fantasy managers should be fine starting Little in their fantasy lineups in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Oct 19 3:00am ET
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram is a must-start in Week 7 against the New England Patriots in London. With no injury designation this week, Engram's hamstring injury seems to be behind him. The veteran tight end made a splash on his return with 10 catches for 102 yards on 10 targets. Despite returning from injury, Engram was the top target for Trevor Lawrence on the day. While the plethora of receiver options may make it hard for that trend to continue, Engram easily profiles as a TE1 given this week's solid matchup with the Patriots. The Bears have one of the best defenses in the league so far this season, so the Patriots should serve as an easier matchup for the Jaguars offense. Even if Lawrence spreads the ball around more than last week, Engram should put up mid to high-tier TE1 numbers in Week 7.

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Christian Kirk Oct 19 2:40am ET
Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk makes for a decent flex play in London against the New England Patriots in Week 7. The veteran receiver was overshadowed by Evan Engram and Gabe Davis last week but has the potential to return to previous form in a good matchup. Engram dominated the targets and could continue to do so, but Kirk going forward should be more involved than his three catches for 39 yards on six targets from last week against the Chicago Bears. He combined for 22 targets in Week 3 and Week 4, so he has shown capable of earning plenty of targets to be a good fantasy option. As long as Trevor Lawrence spreads the ball around more than last week, expect Kirk to return to form as a solid flex option against a much weaker Patriots secondary in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Oct 19 2:30am ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has great upside once again in Week 7 against the New England Patriots in London. There is a chance BTJ is shadowed by talented young corner Christian Gonzalez, but given the rookie receiver out of LSU has the potential for a long touchdown on any given play, there is no way that means fantasy managers should bench him. BTJ has been stellar to start his rookie campaign but was held quiet by the terrific Bears secondary last week. As long as Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense continue to improve on a rough start to the season, BTJ has a chance for a big day, even with top target tight end Evan Engram (10 receptions for 102 yards last week) now back from injury. Start BTJ with confidence as a WR2 with WR1 upside in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

D'Ernest Johnson Oct 19 2:10am ET
D'Ernest Johnson

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get more touches than usual with Travis Etienne Jr. questionable for Week 7's London matchup with the New England Patriots. Johnson has been third string behind Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, but after Etienne Jr. went down with injury last week, Johnson had increased opportunities, garnering six carries for 28 yards and two receptions for 16 yards. The former Cleveland Brown isn't an exciting option but should get some chances against a weak Patriots run defense that got gashed by Joe Mixon last week. There is a possibiliTy Johnson gets only a couple of touches and Bigsby gets most of them, or Etienne Jr. does play and it's a dreaded three-way split, but it's also possible Johnson gets double-digit touches, and some goal-line carries. He is risky, but Johnson serves as an interesting flex play in deeper leagues in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Oct 19 2:00am ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will look for his first touchdown of the season when the team hosts the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. So far, Aiyuk has disappointed fantasy managers, to say the least. In Week 5 versus Arizona, Aiyuk popped for eight catches on 12 targets for 147 yards but has failed to reach eight half-PPR points in each of his other five games. As one searches for an explanation, it's worth considering whether the absence of Christian McCaffrey is allowing defenses to play back more often, affecting Aiyuk's ability to get open deep. Whatever the cause, it's time to make Aiyuk prove he's back before considering him a WR1 or even a WR2. Kansas City represents the seventh-toughest matchup for fantasy wide receivers in Yahoo default scoring. Given the slump and matchup, to call Aiyuk a WR2 this week is probably generous.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Oct 19 1:10am ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell will look to continue his excellent start to the season against the New York Jets in Week 7. This could prove to be a difficult home matchup for Pittsburgh as the Jets are surrendering just 18 points per contest, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, the Steelers are yet to officially announce whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will serve as the team's starting quarterback on Sunday night. While a change under center may raise the ceiling of Pittsburgh's offense, it is also possible that it backfires and negatively impacts Boswell. The 33-year-old has been consistent and can still be started in a pinch, but fantasy managers may want to consider other options this week.

From RotoBaller