Guest of the League
Road to Glory Dyno Est. 2021
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Tight End Preview

Player Notes
Najee Harris Jul 24 2:10pm CT
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the team declined his fifth-year option in the spring. Harris said he wants to remain in Pittsburgh on a long-term basis but noted that it's "a business" and isn't fretting about the future. In three seasons with the Steelers, Harris has exceeded the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each year, but he's averaged 3.9 yards per attempt on 834 carries over his career. The 26-year-old is set to split carries with the more explosive Jaylen Warren in 2024, but new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is likely going to ride Harris in early-down spots and goal-line situations. Harris is shaping up as a solid RB2 bet in the middle rounds fantasy drafts as the starter in a run-centric offense with improved quarterback play.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Jul 24 2:10pm CT
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe) came off the non-football injury list on Wednesday. After dealing with a minor toe injury, Reed was back at training camp for Wednesday's practice. The Packers sport a packed receiving corps for star quarterback Jordan Love in 2024, but it's Reed who's projecting as the signal-caller's favorite target while holding an ADP of 56 in fantasy drafts this summer, per RotoBaller. The 24-year-old former second-round pick was a standout in Green Bay's offense during his rookie campaign, ranking in the top 10 at his position in both PPR fantasy points per route run (0.56) and fantasy points per target (2.31) while totaling 10 touchdowns in 16 games (94 targets). Reed is an exciting WR2 bet in this upstart offense.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Jul 24 2:00pm CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) was officially placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Wednesday. Nothing has changed in terms of Chubb's timetable for a return from last year's Week 2 dislocated knee and torn MCL, as there remains no word regarding the likelihood of his Week 1 availability for this season. The 28-year-old Pro Bowl running back is being drafted 134th overall on average in fantasy drafts this summer, per RotoBaller, with the idea that he may not be ready for the outset of the campaign. Entering his age-29 year and coming off his second major knee surgery, Chubb is one of 2024's top wild cards with a wide range of potential outcomes as an RB3/4 gamble. At the moment, Jerome Ford looks like a decent value pick in the later rounds as the likely lead back for the Browns for any games Chubb may be inactive for.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Jul 24 1:50pm CT
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Wednesday that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) had an offseason surgery, and the Chargers are giving him a "longer runway" to be a full participant in practice. Edwards didn't participate in team drills on Wednesday, but he went through individuals. The 29-year-old power back is entering his first year away from the Baltimore Ravens as Los Angeles' presumptive lead back over J.K. Dobbins (knee), but the latter could make his case for a more prominent role if the former is eased back into action this summer. After scoring 13 touchdowns in 17 games with the Ravens last year, Edwards is still fine to draft in fantasy leagues as a touchdown-dependent RB3 until a clearer picture emerges of how the touches will be divvied up in this backfield, but rookie Kimani Vidal also looms as a threat.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Jul 24 1:40pm CT
Kendre Miller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) left Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. Miller strained his hamstring last year during the preseason to start off what was an injury-ruined rookie year. He should be considered day-to-day until more is known, but the Saints could certainly opt to take a cautious approach here. The 22-year-old TCU product was a third-round pick in last year's NFL draft, but he was held to eight just appearances, and he'd be missing out on valuable reps if this turns out to be a significant setback. Jamaal Williams would have a clearer path to No. 2 duties behind starter Alvin Kamara for any time Miller is absent from training camp, with gadget player Taysom Hill likely getting more involved in New Orleans' backfield.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Jul 24 1:20pm CT
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams took first-team reps in every drill at training camp on Wednesday. Head coach Sean Payton praised Williams, saying he lost weight and is in good shape with noticeably different conditioning. After looking a step slow all year and averaging 3.6 yards per carry over 217 rushing attempts in his first season following ACL, LCL, and PLC ligament tears, Williams is off on the right foot at practice despite rumors circulating that he could be a cut candidate this offseason. Still only 24 years old, Williams will still need to hold off the speedy Jaleel McLaughlin, rookie Audric Estime, and veteran Samaje Perine for a featured role in Denver's crowded backfield. If Perine ends up being a cap casualty, however, Williams' ADP of 115.5 would start to come up. For now, he should continue to be treated as an RB3 option in a weak Broncos offense.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Jul 24 1:00pm CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (lower body), who was dealing with an undisclosed lower-body issue during offseason workouts, took part in 11-on-11 drills during training camp practice on Wednesday. It's a great sign for Hall after he was held out as a precaution during OTAs and minicamp earlier this offseason. The 23-year-old former second-round pick (36th overall) in 2022 out of Iowa State tore his ACL in his first year in the NFL but nearly rushed for 1,000 yards on 223 rushing attempts in his sophomore season, adding nine total touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts). With quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) returning and with an improved offensive line in front of him, the sky is the limit for Hall in 2024 as a high-end RB1 as long as he avoids any serious injuries.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Graham Jul 24 12:40pm CT
Brandon Graham

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham made it clear at training camp on Wednesday that the 2024 season will be his last year in the league. Graham signed a one-year deal in the offseason with the Eagles for what will be his 15th and final season in the NFL. The 36-year-old veteran was the 13th overall pick by Philly way back in 2010 out of Michigan. He will end up playing all 15 years of his NFL career with the Eagles, which is extremely rare these days. Graham made his only Pro Bowl in 2020 and will enter his 15th season with a total of 467 tackles (344 solo), 73 sacks, 120 tackles for loss, 146 QB hits, 21 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries (one returned for a TD) in 195 regular-season games (105 starts). He had his first double-digit-sack season in 2022 but was only able to pick up three sacks in 17 games a year ago.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Jul 24 12:40pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) is back on the practice field at training camp on Wednesday. Jackson came down with a pretty serious illness over the weekend and missed a few days of practice, but he's back with the team now and will likely be eased into workouts early in camp. While the 27-year-old two-time MVP was out, veteran Josh Johnson worked with Baltimore's first-team offense. Jackson made the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career in 2023, when he threw for a career-high 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games, adding 821 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 148 rushing attempts. Staying healthy is the key for Jackson. Although new running back Derrick Henry could vulture plenty of goal-line touchdowns from Jackson in 2024, he should be a lock to be a top-five fantasy QB if he stays on the field.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Jul 24 12:30pm CT
Jameson Williams

The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner writes that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams looks like a completely different player from a year ago early in training camp. Williams looks stronger through the middle and more explosive with better body control in the air and near the sidelines. Head coach Dan Campbell already said earlier this offseason that the 23-year-old former first-rounder looks like "a man on a mission" in 2024. The former 12th overall pick was recovering from a torn ACL heading into his rookie season and missed time due to a suspension in 2023, so he's been a first-round bust to this point. Williams' big-play ability is undeniable, though, and he has a chance to solidify the WR2 role in Detroit this year behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, which would make him an interesting WR4/flex play in standard-scoring fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Jul 24 12:20pm CT
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Worthy (illness) is out of training camp practice for the third straight day on Wednesday. Worthy is under the weather and should be back with the Chiefs sooner than later, but any additional time the 21-year-old misses could hurt his chances of starting his first NFL season off strong, especially since he missed a lot of the offseason program due to a hamstring injury. The 28th overall pick in April's NFL draft has a real opportunity to become fantasy relevant in 2024, especially if fellow wideout Rashee Rice opens the year serving a suspension. Speed is Worthy's biggest asset, and if he can stay healthy, he'll be worth at least a late-round flier for wideout depth in fantasy drafts this fall in KC's offense.

From RotoBaller

Justin Watson Jul 24 12:20pm CT
Justin Watson

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson (foot) left training camp practice early on Wednesday with a foot injury, according to multiple reporters on the scene. The 28-year-old wideout is entering his third year with the Chiefs. He finished third on the team in 2023 with 460 yards on 27 receptions while scoring three touchdowns, and he should once again be a key offensive piece for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, especially with second-year pass-catcher Rashee Rice facing a potential lengthy suspension. With rookie first-round wideout Xavier Worthy (illness) missing his third straight practice on Wednesday, the Chiefs are a little short-handed at the position early in camp. While Watson has been reliable when on the field for KC, he can be left to the waiver wire to begin the year in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Jul 24 12:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's participation level at training camp will be "very fluid," and he's unlikely to fully participate in all practices as contract discussions between the two sides continue. The Dolphins and Tagovailoa have been in talks on a long-term contract extension worth north of $50 million per season. The 26-year-old former first-rounder out of Alabama was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2023 in his fourth year in the NFL, when he threw for a league-high 4,624 yards while tossing a career-high 29 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. Tagovailoa deserves a raise after last year's performance, but in terms of fantasy, despite leading the league in passing yards, he barely finished as a top-10 QB. He's extremely accurate and has one of the best one-two punches in the league at receiver, but his lack of rushing prowess makes him merely a low-end QB1/high-end QB2.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Jul 24 12:10pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters on Wednesday that second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) will be a full-go in training camp this summer. "I'm not expecting any limitations right now," Ballard said. This was the expectation all along after Richardson needed season-ending right-shoulder surgery just four games into his first NFL season in 2023. As long as the 22-year-old former first-rounder doesn't have a setback with his shoulder this summer and in the preseason, he'll enter the 2024 regular season as Indy's unquestioned starter under center with an extremely high fantasy ceiling, mainly because of his elite rushing abilities with the football in his hands. Even though he only has four games of experience in the NFL, Richardson is going to be expensive in fantasy drafts once the top tier of names at the position come off the board.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Jul 24 9:20am CT
Michael Pittman Jr.

After a slow start to his NFL career as a rookie, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been productive, especially considering his quarterback situation. The USC product has averaged 98.7 receptions, 1,053 receiving yards, and 4.7 touchdowns over the last three seasons despite playing with six quarterbacks over that stretch. Heading into Year 5, Pittman Jr. is looking to enter the next tier at the position. "I need to get to that next level and reach that next tier, Pittman said. "And I think that starts with probably more touchdowns." Having a healthy Anthony Richardson all season could help, but a healthy Richardson and Jonathan Taylor could mean the team will be among the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL. Additionally, Pittman is likely to face the strongest target competition of his career alongside wideouts Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce. The 26-year-old should remain the clear No. 1 option for the Colts, but he'll need to be extra efficient and strong in the red zone to post WR1 numbers in 2024 fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Jul 24 9:00am CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was franchise-tagged this offseason, and he requested a trade early in the process ahead of free agency. He ultimately decided to sign the franchise tag and stay put in 2024, but he knows this could be his last season with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and the organization. "This could be the last ride for me and the guys," Higgins said. "You never know. Instead of holding out and waiting and just watching from afar, I'd rather be in the mix with the guys and grind it out with them. That's how I've always been." The former second-round pick out of Clemson has been productive since entering the league in 2020, but he has battled injuries often and struggled to deliver a truly elite season while sharing targets with Chase. While his ceiling is likely capped in the WR2 range, a healthy Burrow could make him a draft steal at his ADP around the WR30 spot heading into his fifth NFL season. If he enters free agency next year, expect him to be highly sought after given the booming wide receiver market in today's NFL.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Jul 24 8:40am CT
Daniel Jones

According to New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) has been cleared for contact ahead of training camp. The former No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will participate in 11-on-11 drills this week, something he did not do in the spring. "He will play every snap the (first-team offense) is in," Daboll said. Jones suffered a torn ACL in early November of last year, so he's made a quick recovery and looks to be well on track to start in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Although Jones has been a below-average signal-caller for most of his career, he could be a value in Superflex drafts assuming his rushing upside is not completely zapped following the major injury. If Malik Nabers lives up to the hype and one of Wan'Dale Robinson or Jalin Hyatt can step up alongside the rookie and Darius Slayton, New York could surpass offensive expectations in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Randy Gregory Jul 24 8:40am CT
Randy Gregory

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed edge defender Randy Gregory on the reserve/did not report list after he did not report to training camp this week. The veteran signed with Tampa Bay this offseason after spending time with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers in 2023, but there is now uncertainty surrounding him. Overall, the 2015 second-round pick has accumulated 106 tackles (78 solo), 22 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, three pass deflections, and 11.5 run stuffs in 60 career games with the 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys. He's been somewhat productive, but he has been difficult to count on throughout his career.

From RotoBaller

Jerod Mayo Jul 24 8:30am CT
Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon is expected to participate in training camp that starts on Wednesday as he remains in contract talks with the organization. The 31-year-old is reportedly close to reaching a new deal with the Patriots, and it's a good sign to see he will not hold out or "hold in." The four-time Pro Bowler played in just four games last season before suffering a torn bicep, but he delivered four sacks in limited action. Overall, Judon has racked up 66.5 sacks in 114 career games, including 32 sacks in 38 games with New England. With the Patriots headed toward a full rebuild under new head coach Jerod Mayo, Judon's presence in the locker room as a leader could be significant.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Jul 24 8:20am CT
Tyreek Hill

Last season, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill looked to be on pace to be the first player in NFL history to post 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. However, his Week 14 injury against the Tennessee Titans limited him in that game and caused him to miss the Week 15 contest against the New York Jets. He ultimately finished the campaign with 1,799 yards. He was vocal about wanting to reach the 2,000-yard mark in 2023, but heading into 2024, he said chasing that individual goal would be "selfish." "That'd be great. Grand scenario, that'd be great," Hill said of reaching 2,000 this season. "But I feel like at the same time I have to understand that the position that I'm in and me being one of the leaders and just singling out an individual goal like that -- because I had time to go look at it and talk about it with my family; and that's very selfish of me." With Hill potentially entering the last few seasons of his career, a second Super Bowl is likely at the top of his goal list. All that said, the eight-time Pro Bowler should remain one of the most productive pass-catchers in the NFL and a high-end WR1 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller