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QB Strength of Schedule

Thu May 23 11:12am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Prescott setup for big success


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. Miami Dolphins 313.6
2. Cincinnati Bengals 314.77
3. Los Angeles Chargers 317.32
4. Denver Broncos 317.38
5. Pittsburgh Steelers 320.33
6. Houston Texans 320.74
7. Buffalo Bills 321.01
8. Philadelphia Eagles 323.71
9. Kansas City Chiefs 325.08
10. Washington Commanders 325.12
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 326.4
12. Jacksonville Jaguars 328.45
13. New York Jets 329.06
14. New England Patriots 329.64
15. Cleveland Browns 330.31
16. Los Angeles Rams 330.72
17. Arizona Cardinals 331.54
18. Indianapolis Colts 331.69
19. Seattle Seahawks 332
20. Atlanta Falcons 332.73
21. Baltimore Ravens 333.05
22. San Francisco 49ers 333.05
23. Detroit Lions 334.13
24. Las Vegas Raiders 334.38
25. New York Giants 334.72
26. New Orleans Saints 336.27
27. Minnesota Vikings 337.2
28. Dallas Cowboys 339.64
29. Chicago Bears 340.70
30. Tennessee Titans 343.69
31. Carolina Panthers 345.54
32. Green Bay Packers 349.53


The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks. Jordan Love already had a breakout season last year and could take his game to an even higher level this season. Love is shaping up to be a really intriguing QB1 this season. He is a player on the rise and seems setup for even more success this year.

A couple second-year quarterbacks have really favorable schedules, Will Levis and Bryce Young. Both seem like good No. 2 fantasy quarterbacks to take a chance. Their teams did well in upgrading the talent around them this offseason and a favorable schedule bodes well for them to take some steps forward this year.

Caleb Williams was the No.1 overall pick and the Bears gave him plenty of firepower to work with in year one. Williams has a lot of good going for him this year and could be the C.J. Stroud of this year’s rookie class. And having a favorable fantasy schedule helps Williams even more.

A couple veterans with favorable schedules are Dak Prescott and Derek Carr. Prescott is the one that stands out the most. The Cowboys are lacking top options at the running back spot, so it would not surprise if the Cowboys are really pass-heavy offensively. Prescott could really rack up the numbers this year.

There are some big-name quarterbacks on the opposite side of things, having very tough fantasy schedules. Tua Tagovalioa has the toughest schedule of all. He struggled a little down the stretch last year and now has the most unfavorable schedule for any fantasy quarterback. This is a little concerning.

Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and whoever is starting in Pittsburgh, likely Russell Wilson, are other veteran quarterbacks that have a top-five unfavorable schedule for fantasy quarterbacks. Burrow is not a huge concern for us because we think they will still have success throwing the ball and he has a ton of talent around him at receiver. Herbert is a concern. The Chargers lost their top two receivers and could be a lot more run-heavy with a new coach in place. Herbert has some red flags for him this coming year, making him a bit of a risky pick for fantasy teams. Wilson is another veteran with a tough schedule. He also has Justin Fields pushing him to play, so Wilson is going to be a boom or bust fantasy pick.

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. Jacksonville Jaguars 292.02
2. Houston Texans 299.33
3. New York Giants 301.93
4. Miami Dolphins 307.48
5. Los Angeles Rams 308.45
6. Detroit Lions 312.4
7. Arizona Cardinals 313.15
8. Kansas City Chiefs 313.45
9. Buffalo Bills 313.6
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 317.53
11. Cincinnati Bengals 318.03
12. Baltimore Ravens 318.25
13. Green Bay Packers 322.48
14. Indianapolis Colts 322.83
15. Pittsburgh Steelers 328.78
16. Philadelphia Eagles 331.23
17. Cleveland Browns 331.95
18. Minnesota Vikings 334.68
19. Atlanta Falcons 336.18
20. Carolina Panthers 338.62
21. Seattle Seahawks 338.65
22. Las Vegas Raiders 341.18
23. Los Angeles Chargers 341.22
24. New York Jets 344.3
25. New Orleans Saints 346.68
26. Chicago Bears 347.07
27. Tennessee Titans 348.42
28. New England Patriots 355.23
29. Denver Broncos 355.35
30. Dallas Cowboys 359.62
31. Washington Commanders 359.92
32. San Francisco 49ers 363.47


There is just a team that makes both the top-five favorable quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. That team is the Cowboys. So Dak Prescott has the third easiest playoff schedule in addition to having the fifth easiest regular season schedule. Prescott was a player looking pretty good even before seeing these schedules, so you might want to bump him up a few spots in your rankings after seeing this. Prescott could be a league winner in 2024.

The 49ers actually have the easiest fantasy quarterback schedule for the playoffs. So Brock Purdy could have a great run during the fantasy playoffs. He always has a high weekly ceiling, so things are looking great for him this postseason.

Now some rookie quarterbacks round out the team of having top-five fantasy quarterback playoff schedules. Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Drake Maye are all likely starting for their teams later in the season, so they should help fantasy teams during the playoffs. They all have some question marks surrounding them but could be worth the gamble, especially if you have a dependable starter already on your roster. These rookies could make some noise late in the season.

On the opposite side of things, the Dolphins are the only team to have both a top-five unfavorable fantasy quarterback schedule for the regular season and playoffs. We already had a few concerns for Tagovalioa even before these schedules were released. And now seeing he has very challenging schedules for both the regular season and playoffs make him a player you might want to avoid come draft day.

Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have the toughest schedule for the playoffs. Lawrence has not lived up to expectations to date. He could have his best season to date this year, but his schedule during the playoffs is concerning. Lawrence could struggle when it matters most.

C.J. Stroud is the biggest name of any quarterback with a top-five unfavorable playoff schedule. We aren’t too concerned about this because some players can rise above the challenge. Stroud is one of those players. Things will be tougher for him in year two, but he will also progress and get better. Plus, he has Stefon Diggs added to the mix, which should improve that passing game even more.

Daniel Jones is another quarterback with a challenging playoff schedule. He is another fringe draft pick to begin with, so seeing him possibly have struggles down the stretch causes more trepidation when it comes to possibly drafting him. He might be another player to just steer clear of come draft day.

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 [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 10

Player Notes
D.K. Metcalf Nov 5 12:10pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

There has been speculation that the Seattle Seahawks could consider trading star wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) by Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Seattle will hang onto him. Metcalf suffered an MCL sprain in his knee in Week 7 and has missed two straight contests as a result heading into the team's bye in Week 10. As of right now, the team is optimistic that Metcalf will return in Week 11 to face the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. A trade of Metcalf would have been great news for both receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who blew up in Week 9 against the Rams, and veteran Tyler Lockett. However, it looks like the 26-year-old Metcalf will remain with the team and should be considered the WR1 in Seattle when he returns from his injury. In seven games before getting hurt, Metcalf had 35 catches, 568 yards (16.2 yards per catch) and three touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Desmond Ridder Nov 5 11:30am CT
Desmond Ridder

The Las Vegas Raiders hired former NFL head coach Norv Turner as an assistant to help guide their offense after the team parted ways with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy following a Week 9 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Turner, who previously served as the Raiders' head coach in 2004-05, will join his son Scott, who is the front-runner to take over for Getsy as the offensive coordinator. In addition to firing Getsy, the Raiders also cut loose quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello and offensive-line coach James Cregg. Norv Turner won two Super Bowls as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and went 114-122-1 with Washington, Oakland and San Diego in a head-coaching role over 15 seasons. He is one of the most respected offensive minds in the league and will now have a big challenge on his hands in Vegas, where the Raiders could be moving to quarterback Desmond Ridder.

From RotoBaller

Marshon Lattimore Nov 5 11:30am CT
Marshon Lattimore

According to sources, trade talks for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) are "warming up" and "multiple people are involved." Lattimore aggravated a hamstring injury in the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was held out in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers as a precaution. His injury obviously isn't serious enough to deter teams from trying to trade for him, and the 28-year-old veteran could be on the move before Tuesday's deadline. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year would be a solid addition to a contending team's secondary the rest of the way. In seven games in his eighth year with the Saints in 2024, Lattimore has compiled 30 tackles (22 solo) and two pass breakups. He has 15 career interceptions (two returned for TDs) and 88 pass breakups in his seven-plus NFL seasons.

From RotoBaller

K.J. Osborn Nov 5 11:20am CT
K.J. Osborn

According to sources, New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn has been involved in trade talks over the last several weeks and is now a target for a few teams ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Osborn had some productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings when quarterback Kirk Cousins was in town, but he's been an afterthought with the Pats and has only seven receptions on 17 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in his first six games with the team in 2024. The 27-year-old was a healthy scratch in the Week 9 loss to the Tennessee Titans in favor of DeMario Douglas, Kayson Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. With Osborn so far down the receiving depth chart in New England, it would make sense for the Pats to deal him to a team that would give him more opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Nov 5 11:10am CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that it's likely that quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) will be placed on Injured Reserve, which will require him to miss at least four games. If the Cowboys put Prescott on IR this week, the earliest he would be able to return would be on Dec. 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night to close out Week 14 action. The 31-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and the injury turned out to be worse than the team initially thought it was. Dallas has announced that Cooper Rush will take over under center with Prescott sidelined, which is obviously a downgrade for the Cowboys' entire offense, most notably for receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), who could be in danger of missing the Week 10 divisional clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Sterling Shepard Nov 5 11:10am CT
Sterling Shepard

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard caught four of five targets for 48 yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, adding two rushes for 21 yards. It was the second consecutive game that the 31-year-old earned five looks from Baker Mayfield and the fourth time this season he's caught at least three passes. Jalen McMillan (hamstring) was inactive for the game and should he miss another week, then Shepard could once again be one of the top receiving options for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a tough matchup with the 49ers in Week 10 so even so, he's still probably only a WR4/5.

From RotoBaller

Aidan Hutchinson Nov 5 11:10am CT
Aidan Hutchinson

As expected, the Detroit Lions acquired standout edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, according to sources. The Lions are adding a key pass-rusher to help make up for the loss of All-Pro defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who will miss the rest of the year with a broken leg. Along with Smith, the Lions are receiving a seventh-round pick in 2026 in exchange for a fifth-rounder next year and a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft. The 32-year-old Smith should help Detroit's defense immediately after recording five sacks, 23 tackles (15 solo), six tackles for loss and seven QB hits in nine games for the Browns this year. Smith's Lions debut will come this Sunday in a Week 10 showdown against the Houston Texans. The three-time Pro Bowler has 65 career sacks in 132 games played after debuting in 2015 with the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Nov 5 9:50am CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving led the backfield in touches in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, although it did not amount to much. The 22-year-old totaled 10 touches, seven rushes and six receptions, compared to Rachaad White's six touches and Sean Tucker's four, but the total gain on his opportunities was just 34 yards. With White nabbing the lone rushing touchdown, it was a fairly forgettable fantasy day for the youngster. Still, as long as the rookie out of Oregon remains involved in the passing game -- it was the third straight week he grabbed at least three catches -- then he should at least have a reliable floor in PPR leagues. There will surely be brighter fantasy days ahead, however, it may not come in Week 10 against a solid 49ers defense. Irving figures to be in the RB3/Flex conversation for that matchup.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Nov 5 9:23am CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) is going on the Reserve/Injured list, according to team owner Jerry Jones.

Fantasy Spin: That will cost him a minimum of four games, and Cooper Rush is thrust front and center. He was successful in his stint as a starter, but his fantasy prowess isn't very strong. He'll be a two-QB leaguer, and CeeDee Lamb loses some luster but remains a WR1.

From TheHuddle

Jonathan Mingo Nov 5 9:10am CT
Jonathan Mingo

The Carolina Panthers are trading wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Mingo was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but has struggled to make an impact for the rebuilding Panthers. Through his first 24 games, he has hauled in 55 of his 111 targets for 539 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker passed him up on the depth chart this season. Dallas is lacking pass-catching depth behind All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb and is taking a flyer on the Ole Miss product. However, given Mingo's struggles to begin his career and Dak Prescott likely headed to Injured Reserve, it would be a surprise if the sophomore wideout makes a significant fantasy impact in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Ryan Miller Nov 5 9:10am CT
Ryan Miller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ryan Miller caught just one of the three passes thrown his way on Monday night, but it was a big one. The 24-year-old caught the critical one-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield at the end of the fourth quarter that helped send the game into overtime, although the Bucs would go on to lose 30-24. The Furman product has received more playing time since the Bucs have been without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, hauling in three of five targets in Week 8's loss to the Falcons, now with a total of five catches on the year. The rookie receiver does not warrant a roster spot, however, could be a DFS dart throw again if Jalen McMillan misses another game or until red zone darling Mike Evans returns.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Nov 5 9:00am CT
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season due to a neck injury. The 26-year-old popped up on Friday's injury report with a neck issue and was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that Moss was "out indefinitely" on Monday. He will now miss the rest of the 2024 campaign. Moss finishes the season with 242 yards and two touchdowns on 74 rushing attempts while catching 23 passes for 187 yards and a score over eight games. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Moss doesn't need surgery but will be rested for the next two months and then be re-evaluated. The Bengals acquired running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday to add RB depth and help fill the void left by Moss. Herbert is only rostered in 7% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and should have a role once he becomes more familiar with the Bengals' offense. Chase Brown is expected to take over as Cincinatti's primary back after rushing for a season-high 120 rushing yards on 27 attempts while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Za'Darius Smith Nov 5 8:43am CT
Za'Darius Smith

Cleveland Browns DE Za'Darius Smith was acquired by the Detroit Lions Tuesday, Nov. 5, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, in exchange for 2025 fifth- and 2026 sixth-round picks.

From TheHuddle

Khalil Herbert Nov 5 8:20am CT
Khalil Herbert

The Cincinnati Bengals are trading for Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 26-year-old has been phased out of the Chicago offense as D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson occupy the RB1 and RB2 roles, and the team permitted Herbert to seek a trade. The former sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has rushed 372 times for 1,791 yards and nine touchdowns through the first 48 games of his career. With Cincy running back Zack Moss (neck) out indefinitely, Herbert could see touches alongside Chase Brown when he gets comfortable with the new playbook. While Herbert is not a must-add in all fantasy leagues, he now has a path to fantasy relevance and should be considered on the waiver wire in at least 14+ team leagues. If nothing else, he is now a handcuff RB for Brown in one of the league's best offenses.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Nov 5 3:50am CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 34 of 44 pass attempts (77%) for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the 30-24 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs quarterback added nine rushing yards on two carries in the contest. Mahomes followed up his best fantasy performance of the season with an even better game. The former MVP passed for three touchdowns for the first time this season. Mahomes also finished a game without an interception for the first time this season. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins gave Mahomes another reliable outlet to turn to, and he did not disappoint. Mahomes picked up an ankle injury on a touchdown pass to Samaje Perine in the fourth quarter and required assistance on the sideline. It was officially reported as an ankle injury, but it was minor enough that he returned on the team's next drive. Given that he returned to the game, the injury will likely not cause Mahomes to miss any time, but the injury reports will be telling. That said, Mahomes will look to continue this strong run against the Denver Broncos in Week 10. The Broncos rank 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season, so it will be a tough matchup. Nevertheless, the Chiefs quarterback has shown signs of improvement lately, and that strong play could continue into next week. Mahomes will likely find himself in the low-end QB1 range again for Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Nov 5 3:50am CT
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught 14 of 16 targets for 100 in the 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs star tight end was undoubtedly the focal point of the passing attack, earning seven more targets than the next closest pass catcher. Kelce improved on his season-best performance from last week with more catches, targets, and yards than any other game this season. The only negative was that the Chiefs tight end did not find the endzone, but he still reached 22 points in a full-PPR format. Kelce will look to keep the good times rolling against the Denver Broncos in Week 10. The Broncos rank 14th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, so it will be a challenging matchup for Kelce. That said, Kelce is the alpha in the Kansas City passing attack, and his volume of targets will likely negate most defensive matchups moving forward. Kelce will continue to be ranked as a top-tier TE1 for as long as he is healthy.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Nov 5 3:50am CT
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled 27 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown in the 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran running back scored his touchdown to win the game in overtime. Hunt also hauled in his only target for 11 receiving yards in the contest. Hunt once again handled nearly every carry out of the backfield as the undisputed lead back. Given the recent report that Isiah Pacheco is likely out until late November at the earliest, Hunt should remain a viable fantasy asset for at least a few more weeks. The Chiefs running back will look to extend his four-game scoring streak against the Denver Broncos in Week 10. The Broncos rank 14th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, so it will not be the best matchup at the position. That said, Hunt has at least 21 carries and a touchdown in four straight games, making his workload among the strongest at the position. Given his performances over the past month and strong utilization, Hunt should continue to be ranked as a strong RB2.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Nov 5 3:50am CT
DeAndre Hopkins

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught eight of nine targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hopkins was significantly more involved in his second game with the team, as he was second in targets amongst Chiefs pass catchers. Only Hopkins and Travis Kelce received more than five targets for Kansas City in this contest. The veteran receiver proved a trustworthy target for Patrick Mahomes as the two connected for a 35-yard completion on a crucial third down. Hopkins will look to continue his success against the Denver Broncos next week. The Broncos rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season, so it will be a difficult matchup for Hopkins. The Chiefs receiver will likely face Patrick Surtain II often in next week's matchup, which could limit his fantasy success. That said, Hopkins looks like a top target for Mahomes in the passing game, which bodes well for him moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Nov 5 3:50am CT
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy has zero catches in the 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Worthy also had two carries for -10 yards in the contest. The rookie receiver nearly had a long touchdown on the game's first drive but failed to get two feet down in bounds. After that early incompletion, Worthy only saw one more target for the rest of the game. Despite also being involved in the run game, Worthy ended the game with negative yardage. Given his inconsistencies, starting Worthy against the Denver Broncos next week will be difficult. The Broncos rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers thanks to their stout secondary. Worthy is playing behind Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game, and Kareem Hunt is seeing upwards of 20 opportunities in the last four games. There are not a lot of opportunities to go around, and the rookie has failed to capitalize on his. It will be challenging to rank Worthy as anything but a desperation flex play moving forward.

From RotoBaller