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
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) left Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns in the first half with a hamstring injury. The team has since ruled him out for the rest of the contest, so Grant Calcaterra will be the next man up. Jack Stoll could also see some snaps with Goedert out. The 29-year-old has suffered a few injuries in the past that have kept him out for an extended period of time, so his status next week could be up in the air. He finishes this contest with one target and no receptions.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) has officially been named inactive for the team's Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Davante Adams (hamstring) has also been ruled out so the team will roll with a very thin receiver group. Tre Tucker and DJ Turner will likely be the top two receivers while Brock Bowers is going to get all the snaps he can handle. This also comes at the time of Aidan O'Connell's first start of the year.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) has been ruled out of the rest of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ford appeared to have tweaked his hamstring in the first half and went back to the locker room. Now that he's officially listed out, Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman will split carries in the backfield. With hamstring injuries usually becoming a tricky injury, Ford's status will need to be monitored throughout the week to determine the severity. Nick Chubb (knee) could also return next week, so the backfield may look a lot different. Ford finished this contest with 14 yards on two carries.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (head) suffered a head injury in the second quarter when he went head-first into the defender's leg while being tackled. He left the game to be evaluated for a concussion and is currently questionable to return. The rookie only saw two targets before leaving the game. Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Zach Pascal will take over as the top three receivers unless Harrison is able to come back into the game against the Green Bay Packers. His status will be something to monitor if it is confirmed to be a concussion since he could miss Week 7's game.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) has exited Sunday's game with a shoulder issue and the team has tagged him as questionable to return. The 23-year-old was among the hottest waiver wire pickups over the last couple of weeks while the receiver corps had some injuries and suspensions. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs will be the top three receivers with Bo Melton seeing some extra action while Wicks is sidelined in this game.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Lions have signed David Montgomery to a two-year contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: The contract makes Montgomery the seventh-highest paid running back in the league and keeps him under team control through the 2027 season. This is a big development in dynasty leagues as it not only keeps Montgomery very relevant, but also takes any chance of Jahmyr Gibbs being a featured runner in the future and throws it out the window. At this point, both running backs are going to be very lineup worthy, but far from elite without an injury occurring. Montgomery's value should rise a touch while Gibbs is sure to fall as a result.
Dynasty | Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is the emergency quarterback today, despite practicing all week. Dynasty Analysis: Joe Flacco has given the Colts a spark off the bench as he has done for seemingly 58 other teams over the last six decades. Richardson practiced all week but the Colts have decided he wasn't ready to start. This seems to be a bit of an indictment on Richardson's early season struggles and the Colts may simply feel they need to determine if they can contend for a playoff spot with Flacco starting today. A win would put the Colts at 3-3 and in the thick of things while a loss would leave them at 2-4. The fact Richardson isn't starting in a critical game despite practicing all week is a bad sign for his dynasty value at the moment.
Dynasty | Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 23-of-35 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a loss to Chicago. Dynasty Analysis: Lawrence has been put in some awful situations during his four seasons in the NFL as the Jaguars have churned through their roster and coaching staff repeatedly. However, he's also looked consistently like an average to above average starter and not nearly the elite player many once thought he could be. After another inconsistent performance, dynasty managers need to really re-evaluate building around him as a QB1. Lawrence's dynasty value is starting to sink.
Dynasty | Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had three carries for -1 yard in the Jags loss to Chicago. Dynasty Analysis: Etienne failed to catch his lone target, though he was lucky that one wasn't called a catch and a fumble. Meanwhile , D'Ernest Johnson (6 carries) and Tank Bigsby (7) both played more in the game. At this point, Etienne is unplayable in fantasy leagues and looks like the biggest disappointment of the year. The Jags will stay in London and could be looking for yet another new Head Coach after next week if they get dismantled again. Etienne is going to plummet down the rankings at this point.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) won't return to Sunday's NFC South meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wideout didn't last long in this one, getting hit early in the contest after bringing in a catch for five yards, his only reception of the day. But now, Olave will join Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) on the sidelines. Fantasy managers could see Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau get more targets from Spencer Rattler, with Alvin Kamara also in line to get more looks out of the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's clash with the Browns. Philly just got DeVonta Smith (concussion) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) back in the lineup. However, the team could be without one of this season's top fantasy tight ends for at least the remainder of Week 6. If Goedert can't return, he'll finish without a catch (one target), with Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll in line to see more looks.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ford tweaked his hamstring early in the contest, forcing his abrupt exit to the locker room. If he doesn't return, he'll finish the day with two carries for 14 yards. If that's the case, Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman would likely split carries for the remainder of the contest.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) exited Sunday's divisional clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave made his first catch of the day, which was for five yards. However, the wideout took a hard hit, resulting in a Bucs scoop and score. Even worse, Olave was forced to undergo a concussion evaluation. With Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) sidelined, the Saints can't afford another injury. With that in mind, Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau could see more targets from Spencer Rattler if Olave doesn't return. Alvin Kamara would also presumably see more attention as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. For now, fantasy managers should consider Olave as questionable to return.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) is officially active for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 28-year-old remains productive despite the Patriots' 1-4 record, registering 18 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His presence will be key as the Patriots look to slow down C.J. Stroud and the Texans in Drake Maye's first career start.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) is officially active for Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 27-year-old defender has contributed eight tackles and zero turnovers through five games this season. He'll be tasked with slowing down a Philadelphia passing attack featuring A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receivers Kendrick Bourne (knee) and K.J. Osborn (shoulder) are active for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players were listed as questionable after being limited in practice all week long. Bourne made his season debut last weekend, turning his lone target into a six-yard catch. He played just 27 percent of the offensive snaps, but that could have been a product of him playing in his first game of the year. He's likely headed for extra snaps in Week 6. Meanwhile, Osborn has seen his workload scaled back with the emergence of rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. He caught one pass on five targets when last active in Week 4. Even with Drake Maye taking over as the Patriots' quarterback, neither Bourne nor Osborn can be trusted in fantasy football given their respective roles behind Polk and Demario Douglas.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (coach's decision) and Tyquan Thornton (coach's decision) are inactive for Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Both players are healthy scratches. Baker has repeatedly been inactive, failing to log an offensive snap since Week 2. He's still searching for his first NFL target and will have to wait at least one more week. Thornton, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors lately but lacks significant fantasy appeal; he hasn't registered a reception since catching two passes back in the season opener. Both players can be dropped in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals PK Matt Prater (knee) is not active for Week 6's game against the Green Bay Packers. PK Chad Ryland, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Oct. 12, will serve as the team's kicker.
Fantasy Spin: Prater had been listed as questionable on the injury report after being a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions during the week but will miss his second consecutive game. Fantasy owners should be able to find more reliable placekicking options for their lineups elsewhere.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is officially active for the Week 6 game.
Fantasy Spin: Mixon likely will be the starting running back for the Texans, but it is not known if he will be able to handle his normal workload. He should be a No. 2 back or flex option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (foot) is officially inactive on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 6. White missed the final two practices of the week on Thursday and Friday and was deemed doubtful to play this weekend, so fantasy managers should have already moved him to their benches. In addition to being hurt and inactive this week, White had already been losing most of his fantasy steam while being out-produced by rookie backfield mate Bucky Irving early on in 2024. If White is able to return for next Monday night's clash against the Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance he'll play in more of a backup role to Irving. With White on the sidelines on Sunday, Irving is basically a must-start RB2 for fantasy managers with upside for more. Through five games, White is averaging a mediocre 3.7 yards per carry and has no rushing TDs on 51 rushing attempts.
From RotoBaller
