Tue May 16 11:43am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Fields has favorable schedules
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the quarterback 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 quarterbacks last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the quarterbacks with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the quarterbacks that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| QB SOS | ||
| 1. | Cardinals | 306.38 |
| 2. | Rams | 310.07 |
| 3. | Steelers | 311.41 |
| 4. | Browns | 317.33 |
| 5.. | Giants | 317.62 |
| 6. | 49ers | 318.15 |
| 7. | Commanders | 318.63 |
| 8. | Seahawks | 321.21 |
| 9. | Ravens | 321.91 |
| 10. | Dolphins | 322.79 |
| 11. | Titans | 323.06 |
| 12. | Cowboys | 323.75 |
| 13. | Bengals | 324.01 |
| 14. | Patriots | 324.76 |
| 15. | Jets | 324.87 |
| 16. | Jaguars | 324.89 |
| 17. | Colts | 326.57 |
| 18. | Eagles | 327.66 |
| 19. | Bills | 328.78 |
| 20. | Chiefs | 330.32 |
| 21. | Texans | 331.97 |
| 22. | Lions | 335.42 |
| 23. | Vikings | 336.23 |
| 24. | Buccaneers | 336.54 |
| 25. | Raiders | 338.15 |
| 26. | Broncos | 338.86 |
| 27. | Falcons | 340.01 |
| 28. | Bears | 342.46 |
| 29. | Panthers | 343.98 |
| 30. | Saints | 345.59 |
| 31. | Chargers | 346.54 |
| 32. | Packers | 350.83 |
The Packers have the most favorable fantasy quarterback schedule in the league this year, so that could bode well for Jordan Love as he takes over the starting duties in Green Bay. Justin Herbert and the Charges have the second easiest schedule for fantasy quarterbacks. This is great news for new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who already seems to be pass happy when calling plays. Maybe Herbert makes a run at top fantasy quarterback in the league this year.
The Saints, Panthers and Bears round out the top five easiest schedules. Derek Carr could do well in year one in New Orleans. Rookie Bryce Young is likely to have some growing pains, but also could have some big games with this favorable schedule. And Justin Fields had his issues throwing the ball last year, but could take some more steps forward this year with some new receivers and a favorable schedule. Things are sure looking up for Fields.
On the flipside, the Cardinals gets the toughest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. Kyler Murray is already returning from a torn ACL and likely to miss some time. He also could move to a more balanced offense, so he has several strikes against him this year. He might be best served on a roster other than your own.
The Rams, Steelers, Browns and Giants also get tough schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford is another quarterback with some question marks even without the tough schedule, so he is another player you might want to just avoid. Many think Deshaun Watson could get back to his old ways this year, but it might not be so easy with a tough fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. And lastly, Daniel Jones made huge strides last year, but gets a much tougher fantasy schedule this season. He could be a little more up and down despite taking big strides last year.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. 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 quarterbacks with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
| QB PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | Giants | 294.86 |
| 2. | Commanders | 299.55 |
| 3. | Rams | 305.64 |
| 4. | Chargers | 310.39 |
| 5. | Jets | 310.46 |
| 6. | Jaguars | 313.73 |
| 7. | Chiefs | 314.00 |
| 8. | Titans | 315.40 |
| 9. | Steelers | 317.85 |
| 10. | Cardinals | 318.13 |
| 11. | Browns | 322.15 |
| 12. | Saints | 323.01 |
| 13. | Eagles | 323.15 |
| 14. | Panthers | 324.81 |
| 15. | Buccaneers | 324.81 |
| 16. | 49ers | 325.84 |
| 17. | Dolphins | 326.83 |
| 18. | Colts | 327.40 |
| 19. | Patriots | 327.48 |
| 20. | Seahawks | 329.15 |
| 21. | Texans | 332.49 |
| 22. | Lions | 336.23 |
| 23. | Vikings | 336.36 |
| 24. | Ravens | 336.60 |
| 25. | Bills | 339.35 |
| 26. | Packers | 341.80 |
| 27. | Broncos | 346.53 |
| 28. | Bears | 348.53 |
| 29. | Cowboys | 351.88 |
| 30. | Falcons | 352.74 |
| 31. | Raiders | 357.93 |
| 32. | Bengals | 364.06 |
The Bengals have the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for quarterbacks. This makes Joe Burrow even more intriguing this year. He could be a difference maker in the playoffs. The Raiders, Falcons, Cowboys and Bears also have good schedules. Fields is a little more intriguing, making both regular season and playoff lists for easiest schedules. And Dak Prescott is a big name on the playoff list, so he is another player to consider in those big money games. He could finish strong.
Jones makes both lists, which is a concern. He has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for quarterbacks. This makes taking him as your No. 1 quarterback a little more difficult come draft day. The Commanders, Rams, Chargers and Jets round out the top five for toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is intriguing to see the Chargers on the list after having one of the easiest fantasy season regular schedules for quarterback. It is tough to bet against Herbert, though, so he might be worth the high pick despite some tougher matchups in 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.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has had a solid season, catching 29 of his 39 targets for 389 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. Tucker could see a boost in value after the trade deadline on November 4th, as well as with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers appearing in multiple trade rumors. Star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will make his return and earn a high number of targets, but Tucker has carved out a meaningful role in the Raiders offense as a solid YAC guy, plus the ability to win vertically. The 24-year-old could be a solid flex option over the second half of the season, but the Raiders' passing attack with Geno Smith will also need to show more to support multiple fantasy viable pass catchers.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has enjoyed a strong start to his first season with the team, completing 68.2% of his passes for 1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions through seven games. Darnold has established a strong connection with star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and has peppered him with a league-high 34.7% target share. The 28-year-old has been the league's most efficient passer, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt, but it's come on limited volume, with just 27.4 pass attempts per game, ranking 29th in the league. Darnold has appeal as a weekly streamer in the right matchups, but he doesn't have the pass volume to be a reliable weekly starter for fantasy. He does have a great matchup in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders and is ranked as RotoBaller's QB15.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsdenhas taken off over the last three weeks, recording 19 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 22 targets. Gadsden ranks as the TE2 in PPR points per game with 61.9, trailing only Green Bay Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft by half a point in that span. The 22-year-old is emerging as one of Justin Herbert's go-to targets along with sophomore wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The Chargers should continue to lean more pass-heavy with their elite crew of pass catchers, and now that left tackle Joe Alt is back to protect Herbert's blindside. Gadsden had an excellent prospect profile at Syracuse with strong athletic traits as a former wide receiver, and he has all the makings of a stud at the tight end position for years to come. He is ranked as RotoBaller's TE5 for Week 9 against the Titans.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson caught four of his five targets for 74 yards and his first career touchdown in Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Wilson has been earning trust from his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, saying in a press interview that he told Wilson that "this is going to be your week" last Wednesday ahead of their Week 8 matchup. The 24-year-old led the Steelers in receiving and was third in targets behind Calvin Austin III and D.K. Metcalf. There have been plenty of rumors regarding the Steelers trading for a wide receiver ahead of the deadline on November 4th, which would obviously impact Wilson's outlook. Wilson could still potentially emerge over the second half of the season as a second-year player with day two draft capital out of Michigan. He is a player to put on the watch list for now and see how he performs in Week 9 against the Colts.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson led the team in receiving with 69 yards and his third touchdown of the season on a season-high six targets in the Week 8 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. It was a career-best day for the 25-year-old pass-catcher, but will it continue? Hutchinson's career day came with both Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring) out due to injuries. Going into Week 8, the former sixth-round pick had only 13 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 18 targets in six games. Whether Hutchinson continues to see elevated volume in Houston's passing attack will depend entirely on whether Collins and Kirk can return this weekend to face the visiting Denver Broncos. Collins and Kirk both practiced on Wednesday, so they could be on track to return. Despite Hutchinson's career day last weekend, he's still only rostered in 1% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin has drawn real attention off the waiver wire in fantasy leagues over the last two weeks after catching nine of his 18 targets for 108 yards and three touchdowns in wins over the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Franklin's chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix from their days in college at Oregon is starting to manifest itself after a lackluster rookie campaign in 2024. Through eight weeks, the 22-year-old ranks second behind Courtland Sutton in receiving yards for Denver with 358, and he leads the Broncos with his four touchdowns. Franklin is now rostered in just under 50% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo, and with Marvin Mims Jr. now dealing with a concussion and questionable to play in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, he could find the end zone for a third straight week. Disclaimer: Since Franklin's last 89-yard performance in Week 2, he failed to eclipse 50 receiving yards in four of five games.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine had easily his best game of the year in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets, carrying the ball a season-high nine times for a season-high 94 rushing yards and his first touchdown of 2025. He also caught his only target for a six-yard gain. The 30-year-old veteran's touchdown came on a 32-yard scamper to put the Bengals up comfortably at the time in the third quarter. Perine also had seven carries in Week 7 for 31 yards, which at the time represented a high mark for the season. It was a nice showing for the veteran back this past Sunday, but Chase Brown also continued his upward trend with 108 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 15 touches. Brown will continue to be Cincy's RB1, though, making Perine nothing more than a deep-league handcuff. He is only rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns are on their bye in Week 9, but rookie running back Dylan Sampson could be in line for the lead-back role in Week 10 when the team takes on the New York Jets. Fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins left the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots in the third quarter with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder that could keep him sidelined coming out of the bye week. Sampson didn't have any rushing yards on only three carries in the blowout loss to the Patriots, but he did contribute five receptions for 29 yards, and he figures to be the Browns' first choice for RB1 duties in Week 10 if Judkins isn't ready to go. The 21-year-old fourth-round pick out of Tennessee is only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, but that number should jump up next week if Judkins does not return to practice. The Browns also have Jerome Ford, but he's a candidate to be dealt by next Tuesday's trade deadline.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receivers Luther Burden III (concussion) and Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. Both receivers' statuses are in doubt ahead of Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Burden faces an uphill battle to play, as he'd first need to clear concussion protocol. The rookie entered protocol last Sunday, and while a player can be cleared in less than seven days, it's certainly improbable. Managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday, when the Bears publish their final injury report. As for Zaccheaus, the 28-year-old appears to be banged up after posting a season-high seven catches for 33 yards in Week 8. He'd likely need to log a limited session over the next two days in order to have any shot at playing this coming Sunday. DJ Moore (hip, groin) and Rome Odunze (heel) also missed Wednesday's practice, leaving Chicago at risk of playing without its top four receivers. Even if some of them are healthy in time for kickoff, we'll likely still see depth receivers like Jahdae Walker and Devin Duvernay take on expanded roles in Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. As the Chargers begin preparing for a matchup against the Tennessee Titans, it appears there's a chance they could be without Haskins for the second week in a row. He has spent most of this season in a depth role but did handle a slightly increased workload after Omarion Hampton (foot) was placed on IR, peaking with 14 rushing yards and nine receiving yards in Week 6. If Haskins' status improves and he's able to play Sunday, he'd serve as the clear backup to Kimani Vidal. If he can't play, Jaret Patterson would likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Bolts' No. 2 option out of the backfield. Vidal remains the only fantasy starter among the Chargers' running backs.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's Week 9 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Hill had been trending in the wrong direction after missing three consecutive practices this week. His absence leaves Miami extra short-staffed at tight end, as they're also without Darren Waller (pectoral). Tanner Conner and Greg Dulcich should step up as the Dolphins' top two tight ends, but neither of them possesses significant fantasy intrigue for Week 9.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) was listed as a limited participant following Wednesday's practice. The 26-year-old has been a steady target for Cameron Ward this season, so his absence would hurt the passing game. Okonkwo has at least four catches in five of eight contests this year, ranking as the overall TE24 in PPR leagues. He should continue to rank as a fringe top-24 fantasy tight end against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9, assuming he's active. Managers should monitor his status over the next two days of practice. If he can't suit up, we would expect more volume for Gunnar Helm, who had 23 yards and a touchdown last Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (back) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Although the 26-year-old wasn't able to practice in a full capacity, he still took a step in the right direction, as this was his first recorded on-field work since exiting the Bears' Week 7 contest. With four days until Chicago's game against the Bengals, it looks like there's a real chance that Kmet could suit up this weekend. If so, he'd likely step back into his role as the team's 1A tight end alongside the 1B, rookie Colston Loveland. The exact usage is a bit unclear, though, as Kmet had played at least 90% of the snaps in the Bears' first four games, but his snap share dropped to 52% following the bye. Regardless of the exact split, there is an opportunity for both tight ends to carve out fantasy-relevant roles this week against the Bengals. Cincinnati has been exposed by the position, allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, as well as a league-high 10 touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Unsurprisingly, Watson is limited to begin the week after making his season debut last Sunday. Watson missed the beginning of the season while recovering from an ACL tear dating back to Week 18 of last season. The Packers are going to be careful with Watson, so having him limited to begin the week makes sense. The assumption is that Watson should be ready to go for the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The Packers might ease Watson back into action, but that hasn't stopped him from making an impact. He hauled in all four of his targets for 85 yards in his season debut. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday and Friday for more updates on his status.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (ankle) was listed as a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Diggs has been dealing with a chest injury throughout most of the season. Now, Diggs is dealing with an ankle problem, but it doesn't sound like a serious issue. Barring any setbacks, Diggs should be out there for the Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Diggs scored his first touchdown of the season last week. Despite the lack of scoring, Diggs has been a viable option most weeks. He should offer low-end WR2 value for this weekend's contest.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (hip) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. It appears that Shaheed picked up a hip injury during last weekend's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old hauled in a season-high nine receptions on 12 targets for 75 yards in the defeat. This was a nice performance for Shaheed who has been held in check recently. It doesn't sound like this hip issue should hold him out in Week 9, but fantasy managers should check back on Thursday and Friday. If active, Shaheed should be considered a flex option for the Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Kamara played a season-low 51 percent of the offensive snaps during last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's unclear if that was because the game was a blowout or because Kamara was battling this ankle issue. It doesn't sound like something that is going to cause Kamara to sit out in Week 9. However, fantasy managers should check back on Thursday and Friday for more updates. Devin Neal (ankle) would be asked to take over as the lead back if Kamara sits out against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. This is a new injury for Pitts who played 92 percent of the offensive snaps during last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins. During that game, Pitts hauled in all nine of his targets for 59 yards. This limited session sounds like the Falcons are just being cautious with the 25-year-old tight end. Barring any setbacks, Pitts should be out there for the Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. Pitts has hauled in 16 receptions for 121 yards over his last two games. There's TE1 value here especially if Drake London (hip) misses another game.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (quad) was unable to take the field during Wednesday's practice. Freiermuth appears to have picked up a quad injury during the Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He did leave the game in the third quarter, but returned and finished out the contest. That being said, this seems like something Freiermuth can play through, but his status will need to be monitored throughout the week. If he sits, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington will become more appealing streaming options for the Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals worked out free-agent WR Jalen Brooks, free-agent TE Oscar Cardenas, free-agent QB Jeff Driskel, free-agent WR Brenden Rice, free-agent TE Messiah Swinson, free-agent WR Roc Taylor, free-agent QB Kyle Trask, free-agent WR Jalen Virgil and free-agent QB Logan Woodside Wednesday, Oct. 29.
From TheHuddle