Guest of the League
Alliance FFL Est. 2005
FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Fantasy Preview: Week 2

Player Notes
Myles Garrett Sep 12 4:40pm ET
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (foot) did not practice on Thursday due to a foot injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Garrett was surprisingly added to the injury report as he did not show any signs of an injury earlier in the week. The Browns could be exercising caution with their superstar pass rusher. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues should follow any updates regarding Garrett's status before Sunday's game. In the season opener, the former first-overall pick made two solo tackles, one of which was a sack. He also forced a fumble. The Texas A&M product has tallied double-digit sacks in all but one season throughout his career. Garrett remains one of the top IDP options in leagues that value sacks.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Sep 12 4:40pm ET
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker has a strong matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Coming off a game in which he made all three of his field goals and his only extra point try, Dicker could see even more chances to kick against a team that just gave up 47 points to the New Orleans Saints. Dicker's Week 1 field goals came from 53, 24, and 25 yards out. He doesn't have the strongest leg in the NFL in terms of distance, but he's shown excellent accuracy and was the overall K10 in fantasy last season. He's a top-10 option again for Week 2 lineups.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Sep 12 4:30pm ET
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston will look to increase his momentum from a relatively solid performance in Week 1 when the Chargers take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Johnston drew five targets in the season's opening game, making three catches for 38 yards. He was on the field for 67% of the team's offensive snaps. Johnston has shown that he is certainly able to get open against an NFL secondary, but actually catching the ball when it is thrown perfectly to him by an NFL quarterback has proven to be a challenge. Week 1 was a positive sign but certainly not yet enough to move him into starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Sep 12 4:30pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. Williams appeared on the injury report on Wednesday with an ankle injury and remained in the same status on Thursday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's report as it should provide some clarity on the severity of his injury. For now, Williams should be considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's matchup. The Alabama product enjoyed a breakout game in Week 1 as he caught a team-high 121 yards and a touchdown. Williams should be valued as a high-end WR3 in Week 2, as the Lions will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what could be a high-scoring affair.

From RotoBaller

Hayden Hurst Sep 12 4:30pm ET
Hayden Hurst

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst is a low-end floor play at best in a Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. In the first game of the season, Hurst saw three targets and made two catches for 33 yards. He was on the field for 61% of the team's offensive snaps while fellow tight end Will Dissly showed up on the field for 44% of them. Dissly had a few costly penalties which may have led to him playing fewer snaps, but this looks to still clearly be a tandem tight end situation. Hurst would be the pass catching side of that group, but his production will be limited by a run-first approach and several wide receivers who traditionally excel at shorter routes. Hurst is touchdown-dependent in terms of being any kind of a fantasy difference maker, but should at least have a decent floor each week based on his role.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Sep 12 4:20pm ET
Robbie Chosen

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Robbie Chosen was elevated to the active roster ahead of their matchup on Thursday against the Buffalo Bills. Chosen rejoined the Miami Dolphins practice squad in August after appearing in nine games for the Dolphins last season. During that small stint, the 31-year-old caught four passes for 126 yards and a score. Anderson was brought up from the practice squad before their Week 1 matchup as well. On Sunday, he logged just 11 snaps, which was tied for the lowest among Miami wideouts, and did not see a target. Fantasy managers should expect Anderson to serve in a similar depth role on Thursday evening. He should not be considered for any DFS competitions given his current placement on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Sep 12 4:20pm ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) had a rough game in Week 1, picking up a knee injury and getting ejected while only putting up two catches for 15 yards. Assuming he's healthy after picking up a limited tag in practice, Palmer should be in a much better place to perform against a Panthers defense that coughed up 47 points in the season opener. Palmer should operate as the team's WR1 and was on the field for 81% of the offensive snaps in Week 1. As long as he plays, he's essentially a lock to outscore his 2.5 fantasy point performance from the Raiders matchup. If healthy, Palmer is a fairly safe WR3 with decent upside.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 12 4:10pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was added to the injury report on Thursday with a knee injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This is a surprise, as the 21-year-old did not appear to be dealing with an injury earlier in the week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's report, as it could suggest how serious this injury is. In his regular-season debut, the former sixth overall pick in this year's draft caught five of his seven targets for 66 yards. He saw 18.4% of the team's targets, which suggests he could be in store for a big rookie season. If Nabers were to be limited or miss Sunday's game against the Commanders, Wan'Dale Robinson should serve as the No. 1 pass catcher for quarterback Daniel Jones against a weak Washington secondary.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Sep 12 4:00pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is set to repeat his solid NFL debut performance in a Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. McConkey scored his first touchdown in Week 1 and caught a total of five passes for 39 yards. The rookie slot receiver had a 26.9% target share and was the first read on 25% of Justin Herbert's drop backs. McConkey will run a lot of underneath routes for planned short gains, making him much more valuable in PPR formats, but his usage in Week 1 showed that he can certainly develop into a weekly WR3/FLEX option even in a run-first offense.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Sep 12 3:50pm ET
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will look for a repeat performance of his outstanding Week 1 game when the Chargers take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Dobbins played on 58% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 1 and put up 139 yards on 13 touches. He also ran 17 pass routes and most importantly, looked completely healthy after injuries forced him to play in just nine games in the past two seasons combined. Dobbins put up his gaudy Week 1 numbers against a Raiders defense that was supposed to be strong against the run. In Week 2, he gets to face a Panthers defensive unit that allowed the third-most rushing yards in the season's opening week. Dobbins has RB1 upside this week, but is safer as a higher-end RB2.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Sep 12 3:50pm ET
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards will look to establish himself in his role in a Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers. Edwards and J.K. Dobbins were expected to have an almost even share of the backfield this season, but in Week 1, Dobbins put up 139 combined yards while Edwards gained just 28. Edwards was on the field for 42% of the offensive snaps and ran just six passing routes compared to 17 for Dobbins. The way Edwards plays always makes him a threat to score a goal line touchdown, but he'll likely need to find the end zone in order to put up a decent fantasy performance. He's a risky RB3 even with an excellent matchup against a Panthers offense that was torched on the ground in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Sep 12 3:40pm ET
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) continued to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, according to Jason B. Hirschhorn of NFL.com. The former third-round pick in this year's draft was unable to play in Week 1 and remains questionable heading into Week 2. The USC product suffered a hamstring injury back in August and is still experiencing some lingering limitations. As a result, Emanuel Wilson served as the No. 2 running back in the opener behind Josh Jacobs. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Lloyd's status heading into the weekend. If Lloyd makes his professional debut on Sunday, he should be expected to slot in behind Jacobs and serve as a solid change-of-pace option. He is worth stashing on your bench in deeper formats, as he could play a prominent role in the offense as the season progresses.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Sep 12 3:40pm ET
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert could have another mediocre performance in a Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Herbert led the Chargers to a win over the Raiders in Week 1, but it was mostly the running game and defense that did the work. Herbert put up just 10.4 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues, completing 17 of his 26 pass attempts for 144 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers attempted 26 passes and 27 runs, and it seems likely that a similar pattern will continue, greatly limiting Herbert's fantasy production. He'll likely have some huge games this season if the Chargers find themselves trailing and forced to throw, but it appears the game plan for the Bolts offense will be to run the ball and win the field position battle on defense. Herbert should be a steady, high-floor QB2, but the top-tier upside his talent implies is unlikely to be on display in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Sep 12 3:30pm ET
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (back) was limited on practice again on Thursday with a back issue. Jacobs was deemed limited on Wednesday as well. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it should clarify any serious injury concerns for Jacobs heading into the weekend. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The 26-year-old saw a heavy workload in the season opener on Friday evening, running the ball 16 times for 84 yards. He also caught two passes for 20 yards. If Jacobs were to be limited at any point during Sunday's game, fantasy managers should expect Emmanuel Wilson to see an uptick in work. However, Jacobs should be locked into all starting lineups as a solid RB2 with upside if he suits up.

From RotoBaller

Emmanuel Forbes Sep 12 3:00pm ET
Emmanuel Forbes

Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (thumb) will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a torn UCL in his thumb, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. It's unclear how much time Forbes will miss, but having the procedure now will fix what could have been an issue all season long. The 2023 first-round pick out of Mississippi State has compiled 38 tackles (35 solo), one interception, and 11 pass deflections through his first 15 NFL games. He struggled mightily last season as a rookie, but his absence could still be meaningful and cause depth issues in the Washington secondary.

From RotoBaller

Tommy Tremble Sep 12 3:00pm ET
Tommy Tremble

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) put in another limited practice on Thursday, marking his second day in a row with that designation. The Notre Dame product did not practice at all last week with hamstring and back injuries, so he's in a better spot to potentially play in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 24-year-old has not cracked the 200-yard mark in a single season and has just 548 receiving yards through his first 49 career games. That said, he's far from the fantasy radar, especially as a part of arguably the worst offense in the NFL led by former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

From RotoBaller

Javon Baker Sep 12 2:50pm ET
Javon Baker

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker was a healthy scratch for the Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While this is a concern for his future outlook, some first-year players take longer to adjust to the NFL than others. Patriots wide receiver coach Tyler Hughes said, "I think we'll see him more and more as the season goes on." Four Patriots wideouts saw targets in Week 1, including K.J. Osborn (six), Demario Douglas (three), Tyquan Thornton (three), and Ja'Lynn Polk (one). It's worth noting Kendrick Bourne (knee) is on the PUP list, but he could return as soon as Week 5. Fantasy managers should probably expect Baker to have little to no fantasy value in Year 1, but he could make noise later in his career and should continue to be stashed in deep dynasty leagues.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Sep 12 2:40pm ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had a fantastic NFL debut in last week's Thursday night win over the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie out of Texas posted 68 yards and two touchdowns on just three touches. However, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is not worried about the matchup in Week 2. "Speed. That's about it. He can run straight," Taylor-Britt said of Worthy on Thursday. "Run jet sweeps and just run straight. Can't do too much else. That's about it. I feel like you put your hands on him -- he's only 100-something pounds -- you put hands on him, you'll stop the speed. So basically get hands on him." While the Bengals allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last week, a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium is an entirely different challenge than hosting the Patriots. All that said, Worthy has a boom-or-bust fantasy football outlook until he puts up games with more targets and touches. With Marquise Brown (shoulder) still not practicing, he could have the opportunity to do so in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Tyson Campbell Sep 12 2:30pm ET
Tyson Campbell

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. Campbell picked up a hamstring injury during the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, and he was expected to miss significant time. The 2021 second-round pick out of Georgia has racked up 207 tackles (149 solo), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six interceptions, and 30 pass deflections in his first 44 career games. After placing him on IR, the Jaguars signed Tre Flowers to the active roster, who will provide depth in the secondary for the next few games. Rookie fourth-round pick De'Antre Prince could start in Campbell's place in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 12 2:20pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) is working off to the side with team director of rehabilitation Britt Brown during Thursday's practice, according to Ed Werder. The third-year pro out of Wisconsin suffered a bone bruise in his left knee in the Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up for the Week 2 NFC battle against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, but Ferguson is unlikely to be close to 100% of he suits up. If he's out, backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker will likely play the most significant role of his career, but Ferguson's absence probably helps the outlook of wide receiver Brandin Cooks more than anyone else.

From RotoBaller