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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 5

Player Notes
Malik Nabers Oct 2 12:30pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday as he is still in the early stages of the league's concussion protocol. The Giants are taking it day-to-day with the impressive young pass-catcher from LSU. Nabers suffered a concussion in last Thursday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys but said after the game that he'd be alright. The fact that the 21-year-old remains in the concussion protocol means he's not a lock to be given the green light to play this Sunday in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks on the road. If Nabers is ultimately questionable to play, it will make life more difficult on fantasy managers with New York's game coming in the later window on Sunday. The sixth overall pick this year has burst onto the scene in his first four games and has become a must-start in fantasy quickly. He has a league-high 35 catches (52 targets) for 386 yards and three touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Oct 2 12:30pm CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) will not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Singletary is on the injury report with a groin injury that isn't considered a long-term concern, but it could affect his availability for the Week 5 contest this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks. If the 27-year-old is limited or out this weekend, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray would both be asked to take on more in the backfield at Lumen Field. In his first year in the Big Apple, Singletary has been the RB23 in half-PPR scoring with 56 carries for 221 yards (career-low 3.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while adding 10 catches on 11 targets for 72 additional yards. Right now, Singletary is shaping up as a shaky RB2 option for fantasy managers against a Seahawks defense that has been much better at defending the run so far in 2024 than they were last year.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Oct 2 12:20pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (abdomen, oblique) is feeling much better on Wednesday but will be held out of the first practice of the week. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Richardson could still play in Week 5 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars even if he doesn't practice at all this week. Richardson left the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was initially called a hip pointer and was replaced by veteran Joe Flacco, who finished off the victory. The 22-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, so fantasy managers should expect him to be able to play this coming Sunday if he's able to return to practice on either Thursday or Friday. In four weeks in 2024, Richardson has been a disappointment for fantasy managers with a league-high six interceptions and a 50.6 completion percentage. The good news is he has a nice bounce-back matchup against the Jags' porous defense this week if he's able to play.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Oct 2 12:20pm CT
Brandin Cooks

The Dallas Cowboys will be without wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for at least the Week 5 tilt on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he could potentially miss more time after an infection developed in his right knee after a procedure he had after remaining in New York following last Thursday night's win over the division-rival New York Giants, according to multiple sources. Fantasy managers that are in need of receiving help with byes starting in Week 5 may want to look to the waiver wire and pick up Jalen Tolbert, who will serve as Dallas' WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb with Cooks sidelined this weekend. Tight end Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in targets from quarterback Dak Prescott. The 31-year-old Cooks has caught nine of his 19 targets for 91 yards and one touchdown through four weeks in his second season with Dallas. It sounds like he could miss time beyond Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Oct 2 12:10pm CT
Nick Chubb

The Cleveland Browns officially designated running backs Nick Chubb (knee) and Nyheim Hines (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday. The Browns were expected all along to open the 21-day practice windows for both Chubb and Hines this week as they recover from their respective devastating knee injuries. Both players opened the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be eligible to come off the PUP and play in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, but that is unlikely to happen. Cleveland will ease both Chubb and Hines back in at practice, and there remains no definitive timetable for their return to game action. Before Chubb's gruesome injury in Week 2 of last year, he was firmly on the RB1 radar, but it remains to be seen if he can get back to that level of production in 2024. For now, Jerome Ford will continue to handle lead-back duties.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Oct 2 12:10pm CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday. Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, although his high-ankle sprain is considered relatively mild. Still, Taylor's status for the Week 5 contest this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars is firmly up in the air, which has made backup Trey Sermon a popular speculative waiver-wire pickup this week. The 25-year-old Taylor has two more days to get back on the practice field, but as of right now, fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place in case he doesn't get the green light to suit up. In addition to Sermon, Tyler Goodson would also have an elevated role in Indy's backfield if Taylor cannot play in Week 5. The good news is that Taylor's injury doesn't appear serious enough to land him on Injured Reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Oct 2 11:40am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is surprisingly the team's leading receiver after four weeks, and he'll look to maintain that position when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Mooney has shown good chemistry with his quarterback, Kirk Cousins, and as a result, he is averaging six targets per game, hauling in 15 total for 225 yards and a touchdown. Mooney is firmly the team's No. 2 wide receiver, having earned 24 targets to lead receiver Drake London's 31. The 26-year-old will still have a role, and if Cousins can return to his 2023 ways, Mooney could have a solid day. Mooney is still a WR3/FLEX only in 14+ team leagues and looks to build on his production in 2024 in a tough matchup against the Bucs in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Oct 2 11:30am CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts will be set on getting back on track when his team faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Pitts laid a goose egg in Week 4, drawing three targets but failing to catch a single pass. The 23-year-old is amid an incredibly disappointing season, hauling in just eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He won't have the easiest matchup, as the Bucs have allowed just 7.8 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends this season. The former No. 4 overall pick is unlikely to have a breakout game in Thursday's matchup. Pitts struggles with separation and is regularly blanketed by opposing defensive backs and linebackers. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for tight end production in Week 5. Pitts is not a definite drop from fantasy rosters yet, but he's approaching that.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Oct 2 10:50am CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will do what he can to improve his play when the Falcons take on the Tampa Buccaneers on Thursday night. Cousins has a 4:4 TD: INT ratio in 2024, so he's hardly earning the $180 million contract he signed in the offseason. Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth most points to opposing quarterbacks this year. However, the numbers can fool you as they've allowed just one passing touchdown, which is tied for the least amount in the league. The Bucs had to face quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, and their rushing production accounted for a large portion of those points. Tampa Bay isn't an easy team to pass against, and with Cousins and the entire Falcons pass-catching corps being massively disappointing so far, it might be difficult for them to put together good drives consistently. Cousins isn't worth starting in single-quarterback leagues against the Bucs in Week 5. He has no rushing upside, has mediocre production, and is facing a formidable defense against the pass.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 2 9:50am CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots center David Andrews (shoulder) needs surgery that would end his season but is deciding whether to play through the injury, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. The veteran center is a big part of New England's offense and would be a significant loss for the fantasy prospects of running back Rhamondre Stevenson and could potentially affect whether the Patriots move to rookie Drake Maye at quarterback.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 2 9:30am CT
Davante Adams

The Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed preliminary interest in a trade for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams according to Josina Anderson. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter reports that the Chiefs are not one of the teams interested in a potential trade for the star receiver. The Steelers are among the growing teams interested in a trade for Adams while the Chiefs are not likely to pursue Adams. Adams has requested a trade out of Las Vegas as soon as possible. Schefter also mentions that Adams has an interest in the Jets and Saints as a potential destination. This is a situation to continue to monitor for fantasy implications with a potential move to the Steelers slating Adams opposite George Pickens as a weapon for Justin Fields. Adams missed last week's game with a hamstring injury and has 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games this season. Fantasy managers will want this situation resolved as quickly as possible.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Oct 2 9:00am CT
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expressed his confidence in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, saying "It just hasn't quite happened yet". Mitchell has been good in one-on-one situations according to the Colts OC and he still expects big plays to come for the rookie receiver. Mitchell has just two receptions for 32 yards on the season on 13 targets. With Michael Pittman, Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs all in the mix now, Mitchell will be reliant on his big-play ability and will have to convert on a better percentage of his targets in order to be fantasy-relevant. It might take time for the rookie to find himself in this offense, so he could be an option by the end of the season. But right now he is not worth rostering until he shows more.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 2 8:50am CT
Davante Adams

The New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have checked in on Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams' trade situation according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Adams reportedly wants out of Las Vegas as soon as possible. Russini notes that many teams have checked in on the talented receiver, so the Raiders will be patient in ensuring their asking price is met before dealing Adams. The Fresno State product missed last week's game with a hamstring injury and has 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. Fantasy managers of Adams will hope for a trade as quickly as possible to resolve a messy situation in Las Vegas. A trade to the Jets would mean a reunion with his former quarterback Aaron Rodgers who he teamed up with in Green Bay. A move to Dallas would slot him opposite CeeDee Lamb and provide another target for Dak Prescott.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Oct 2 8:40am CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (back) was sore after the team's Week 4 game against Baltimore but should be fine for Week 5 against Houston according to coach Sean McDermott. It looks like Allen avoided a serious injury and is on track to face Houston in Week 5 but it will be worth monitoring the injury report this week. Allen is the QB4 on the season, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game. Allen was 16-of-29 for 180 yards and no touchdown passes against Baltimore in his toughest outing of the season. He will try to bounce back against the Texans this week.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Oct 2 8:20am CT
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) has a bye week to recover from his shoulder injury and should be able to return to the field as the team's starter in Week 6 according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has said that Levis will remain the starter when healthy and Rapoport says that should be the case following the team's bye week. Levis hurt his shoulder early in the Monday night game against the Dolphins and the team turned to Mason Rudolph who led them to a win. So far this season, Levis ranks as the QB31 so he should not be on the fantasy radar even upon a return. He still has some potential in dynasty leagues but should not be counted on in one-quarterback leagues this season.

From RotoBaller

Jeffery Simmons Oct 2 2:40am CT
Jeffery Simmons

Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (elbow) revealed that he suffered a Tommy John ligament injury in his left elbow, which caused him to miss Tennessee's 31-12 victory over Miami on Monday night. The injury occurred due to "friendly fire" during a collision with a teammate. Fortunately, Simmons was informed that he wouldn't need surgery, but he had to wear a large brace on his left arm last week. He missed practice on Thursday and Friday but still traveled with the team to Miami for "Monday Night Football." On Friday, he informed the Titans' medical staff that he felt ready to play, but the team decided to hold him out to prevent further risk, as he couldn't fully extend his arm. The upcoming bye week is well-timed for Simmons as he focuses on regaining full mobility in his arm. He has been working with the team's training staff to manage the injury and has been doing strengthening exercises. So far this season, Simmons has recorded 12 tackles, including two for a loss, along with a sack and a quarterback hit. He will return in Week 6 when the Titans face the Colts at Nissan Stadium.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Oct 2 2:30am CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady emphasized, "Curtis Samuel has to play more. I need to find ways to get the ball in his hands because good things happen." Despite this, Samuel has struggled through four games, failing to record more than three catches in a single game and not exceeding 22 receiving yards. He's averaging just 12 yards per game, which is concerning for a player who signed a three-year, $24 million deal as a free agent. Additionally, Samuel ranks last among Bills receivers with only 68 snaps. During his time with Brady in Carolina, Samuel had his best professional season, totaling 851 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 200 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. However, that productive version of Samuel has yet to appear in Buffalo, making him look like a disappointment early on. As the Bills approach Week 5, Samuel must receive more targets and be more involved to help the offense advance. Until he shows greater involvement, he's not a recommended fantasy option heading into the matchup against the Texans.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Farley Oct 2 2:30am CT
Caleb Farley

The Carolina Panthers have signed former Titans first-round cornerback Caleb Farley to their practice squad after he tried out for the team earlier in the day. Drafted by the Titans in 2021, Farley's career was hindered by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games in Tennessee, where he recorded 14 tackles. After releasing him in the offseason, the Titans faced a $4.29 million dead money charge. Now, with the Panthers, Farley has another chance to revitalize his career and become the player the Titans envisioned. Carolina's secondary needs significant help, and if Farley can remain healthy, he could quickly earn a role on the field. He's a player to watch moving forward, aiming to make an impact with this new opportunity.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Oct 2 2:20am CT
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson expressed concerns about the team's offensive approach, stating, "I watch football on Sundays and see a lot of teams mixing it up. I don't think we do that." The Jets' offense struggled during their disappointing 10-;9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4, scoring only nine points in a lackluster performance. Wilson also had a forgettable game, catching five passes on eight targets for just 41 yards, failing to make a significant impact. This season has been a slow start for the third-year receiver, who has recorded 20 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown on 34 targets across four games. He's on track for 764 receiving yards, a drop from his previous two seasons, where he surpassed 1,000 yards. Wilson was expected to thrive alongside a healthy Aaron Rodgers, but so far, he hasn't exceeded 60 receiving yards in any game this year and hasn't caught more than six passes in a single outing. He's reached the end zone once and has not had a reception longer than 26 yards. Speculation about a potential trade for Davante Adams to the Jets could further complicate Wilson's disappointing 2024 season. Ultimately, the Jets need to make changes to revitalize their offense, especially with tough matchups on the horizon.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 1 9:13pm CT
Davante Adams

Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has told Las Vegas he prefers to be traded. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that escalated quickly. Adams has seemingly had enough of what the Raiders have had to offer and would like to move on. In addition, the Raiders are reportedly telling teams they'd like at least a second round pick and additional compensation in return. Teams like the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Commanders and a few others could all be in the market for a top receiver, so this could materialize quickly. Adams' dynasty value will hinge on where he ends up for sure with staying in Las Vegas quickly becoming the worst of all options.

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