QB Strength of Schedule
Thu May 23 11:12am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
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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The Paur Report
Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Michael Gallup has retired. Dynasty Analysis: Wait. What!?! Gallup signed a one-year deal with the Raiders and was expected to be a key player but dropped this bomb the day before the Raiders' first training camp practice. Gallup had his ups and downs with Dallas but the move to Las Vegas looked like one that could rejuvenate his career. He's still just 28 and could change his mind but at this point, it looks like he's out and the values of players like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker may have just gone up in the process. You can give it a day or two but it seems Gallup can be dropped in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb won't report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. Lamb is in search of a contract that will make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league and has dug in his heels. Dallas is stuck at this point as they're going to have to find a way to get him an extension without sacrificing their future too much. Such is life in the NFL after rookie contracts expire. Lamb is in line to be the top receiver in fantasy this next season and he's fully expected to be in uniform on opening day one way or another.
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: It seems Aiyuk not only wants more money but values what he has as well. Not reporting to camp would have resulted in fines and Aiyuk isn't interested in paying them. The situation is still in flux and something is going to need to give. However, it looks like Aiyuk will be a distraction in person rather than on social media for the time being. He remains a hold in dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the team's unquestioned QB1 entering training camp this summer, but the Patriots are rolling with an open competition at the position, which will begin on Wednesday morning. Asked if he could envision third overall pick Drake Maye winning the job under center before Week 1 comes, head coach Jerod Mayo said it's "absolutely" a possibility. But right now, Brissett is easily the most "pro-ready" QB on New England's roster. Maye has high-end upside in the long-term, but he's seen as more of a project and could certainly benefit from sitting and learning behind Brissett for a while. Mayo said there's no plan to give the 21-year-old a redshirt season in 2024. We wouldn't be surprised if the North Carolina alum is starting by the end of the year, but Maye is a much better dynasty/keeper target this year than a redraft one in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed uncertainty on his player future beyond the 2024 season while on Pardon My Take on Tuesday. When asked how many more years he will play in the NFL, Rodgers said, "I don't know. This one, for sure. I'd like to do -- I wanted to do two good ones and give us a chance to retire a Jet. Win two Super Bowls." The 40-year-old's willingness to play beyond the 2024 season will likely come down to how this season goes and how well he plays while coming off a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of 2023. The odds of Rodgers having another MVP-like season at this point in his career are unlikely, but if anything can do it, it would be him. He'll have plenty of weapons around him on offense as he attempts a successful return from a serious injury, but fantasy managers need to temper their expectations and treat him as more of a low-end QB2.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and the team have agreed on a four-year contract extension worth up to $113 million, with $77 million in guaranteed money for the franchise tackle. A foundational piece for the Vikings since joining the team as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Virginia Tech Hokie has started 39 of 41 games in three seasons. The pact for the 25-year-old Darrisaw includes $43.7 million at signing and will keep him in purple and gold for the foreseeable future as a protector for Sam Darnold and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is set to practice on Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion. Olave (back) was put on the active/non-football injury list last week as he's been dealing with some minor back tightness but will be good to go to put in some practice work for the team on Wednesday. Olave has put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is the unquestioned top receiver in the New Orleans offense. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable selecting Olave in the early rounds of fantasy drafts yet again this season.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday night that the team has placed wide receiver Michael Gallup on the reserve/retired list. After six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, the 28-year-old Gallup signed a one-year pact with the Raiders, where he amassed 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gallup's 2023 saw his statistics take a sharp decline, with just 34 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders signed Gallup to add some depth to a receiving corps that, after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, was short on experience and a veteran presence. Instead, Gallup has called it a career before Raiders training camp opens on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp when it opens on Wednesday in Oxnard, CA. With the 25-year-old Lamb entering the final season of a deal that will pay him just shy of $18 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option, Lamb is looking for a long-term contract to secure him as one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. The concern is minimal for fantasy managers unless the holdout extends deeper into July and into August, but Lamb firmly remains an early-first-round wide receiver in fantasy this season after setting career bests in targets (181), receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12) in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, New York Giants CB Jalen Mills (calf) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list because of a calf injury, while CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (groin) was placed on the Active/NFI list because of a groin injury.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders WR Michael Gallup was placed on the Reserve/Retired list Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) is set to begin training camp on the PUP list. Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October of 2023. Before his injury, Bourne was on his way to a mini breakout with 406 receiving yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Given the timeline of his injury, Bourne should be ready for thestart of the season, but don't expect him to display the same level of production. Players in their first year removed from an ACL injury tend not to fare well statistically. Not to mention, this projects to be a bottom-half offense with a potential rookie quarterback. Bourne is mainly an option in deep-league formats.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/NFI list to start training camp. The 26-year-old was added to the Patriots backfield as a depth piece and potential third-down running back. Gibson has been relatively durable throughout his career. He has played in at least 15 games in three straight seasons. Players are often placed on the NFI list during training camp, so this could turn out to be nothing, but it is worth monitoring. Gibson had a career-low in carries (65), rushing yards (265), and rushing touchdowns (1) in 2023 as he ceded the starting running back job to Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson is joining a Patriots team amid a considerable rebuild, especially on offense. Gibson's skills as a pass-catcher should come in handy in 2024, but the presence of incumbent Rhamondre Stevenson will likely once again limit Gibson's rushing upside. Generally, running backs on bad offense perform poorly for fantasy, so it may be best to look in another direction as you build out RB depth during your draft.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford took the field on Tuesday at the team's training camp. Stafford was noticeably absent from Monday's practice due to a contract dispute involving a guaranteed money structure. It would appear that it only took one day for the Rams and Stafford to come to an agreement. Stafford finished 2023 with 3,965 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 15 games. Stafford helped propel Puka Nacua to his stellar WR4 finish. While Stafford only finished as the QB15, he got hot down the stretch with excellent games between Weeks 13 and 16. Stafford's days as a potential weekly fantasy starter are likely gone, but he could have some streaming value and is an excellent second quarterback in superflex leagues.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, because he received the day off.
Fantasy Spin: Allen probably will receive some practices off during the season but is on track to being a solid part of the passing game in 2024. He probably can be considered at least a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, but is moving closer to returning to the field, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks LB Jerome Baker (wrist), LB Tyrel Dodson (undisclosed) and CB Lance Boykin (undisclosed) passed their physicals Tuesday, July 23, and have been activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard appear poised to split reps in 2024. While discussing a potential starter at running back, new head coach Brian Callahan indicated that both players could be interchangeable and may even share the field simultaneously. It affirms what many of us suspected heading into training camp, which is that this backfield will likely be roughly a 50/50 split. Both players have similar skill sets and are electric to watch when they get hot. Their speed will be a necessity given that the Titans enter the season with the 30th-ranked offensive line, according to PFF. Both players will leech each other's fantasy value in 2024. If second-year quarterback Will Levis can take a solid step forward, the dump-off opportunities could be there for both players if the running lanes are clogged. Each player is drafted outside the top-24 running backs in fantasy drafts, which is in line with RotoBaller's running back rankings that have Pollard as the RB25 while Spears is RB30.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, July 23, despite his contract situation, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara left minicamp early because of his contract but seems to be ready to practice during camp. He is a big part of the Saints offense when healthy and will be a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
