Guest of the League
Dimes Best Ball 87
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

This Week in the TFC (8-1)

Player Notes
Tyson Bagent Aug 2 1:13pm CT
Tyson Bagent

Dynasty | Bears quarterback Brett Rypien went 11-for-15 for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the 2024 NFL Preseason Hall of Fame opener. Dynasty Analysis: The stats are a little empty based on the competition level but Rypien certainly did all he could to give Tyson Bagent a run as the QB2 behind Caleb Williams on the roster. Bagent will have his tine in the sun later this preseason as well but for now, file this away in deep 2QB leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Keenan Allen Aug 2 1:13pm CT
Keenan Allen

Dynasty | Bears receiver Collin Johnson had three catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns in this year's Hall of Fame game. Dynasty Analysis: Johnson is somehow 26 already and has bounced around the league with stops in Jacksonville, New York and Chicago. He only has 30 career catches to his name but has always been a bit of a sleeper. Suddenly buried on a depth chart behind DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and others, any dynasty manager still hoping for a breakout will likely need him to be released and sign elsewhere. Regardless, this performance was something to at least make note of as Johnson has always had some talent but never been given much of an opportunity in meaningful games.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Chris Olave Aug 2 1:10pm CT
Chris Olave

The New Orleans Saints signed wide receiver Samson Nacua on Friday, the team announced on X. The brother of 2023 breakout star Puka Nacua spent four seasons at Utah before one year at BYU in 2021 and tallied 103 receptions for 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns in 58 collegiate games. He went undrafted and last played for the Michigan Panthers of the UFL this spring, catching 11 passes for 125 yards. The 26-year-old is unlikely to be a fantasy football contributor in 2024, but he has an outside chance of making the team's roster given the lack of depth behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Aug 2 1:10pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce saw his fantasy stock drop after the team selected former Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Mitchell has struggled early in training camp, and Pierce remains ahead of him on the depth chart. As it stands now," James Boyd of The Athletic wrote. "Pierce remains firmly in place as the Colts' third starting receiver." Pierce, a second-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2022, has racked up 73 receptions for 1,107 yards and four touchdowns in his first 33 NFL games. Given the quarterback situation for the Colts since he joined the team, it hasn't been a horrible start, but the franchise likely hopes Mitchell will eventually surpass him in the offense. As the potential No. 3 target in Indianapolis, Pierce has limited fantasy upside and should be considered a late-round best ball flier.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Aug 2 1:00pm CT
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is struggling to make an impact early in his first NFL training camp, according to James Boyd of the Athletic. "Mitchell has not been the same playmaker he was during the spring when the rookie seemingly made a noteworthy catch every practice." Boyd wrote. "But the second-round pick has been relatively quiet throughout team periods, especially when he's been with the first unit. As it stands now, however, [Alec] Pierce remains firmly in place as the Colts' third starting receiver." While this isn't a promising report, it often takes time for rookie wideouts to transition to the pro game, so it's too early to overreact. That said, the speedster out of Texas will likely have limited fantasy upside in Year 1 while competing for targets with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Pierce in a potential low-volume passing offense led by quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Aug 2 12:50pm CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) is reportedly nursing a groin injury, but the former Las Vegas Raider said it's not really an injury, and he's dealing with a minor "tweak." He also said he would be ready to play in a game if it was this week. In all likelihood, the organization is simply being extra cautious with its new $48 million ball-carrier early in the preseason. Jacobs posted a career-low 3.5 yards per carry last season, but his change of scenery could provide him with more running room and opportunities in the open field as a part of the Packers' emerging young offense. The former first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft is being drafted in the low-end RB1 range in 2024 fantasy football, and he could have high-end RB1 upside if he sees a surplus of goal-line opportunities. AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd figure to mix in behind him, but he's the clear RB1 for Matt LaFleur.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Aug 2 12:40pm CT
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (hand) has been dealing with a hand injury and wearing a red non-contact jersey at the start of training camp. However, he took the field on Friday with a white jersey, signifying he has been fully cleared. It's promising to see him recover well before the start of the 2024 campaign, and he's looking to build off his solid rookie season. The 2023 sixth-round pick out of Liberty led the team's wide receivers in receptions (49) and receiving yards (561) but did not secure a touchdown reception last year. He's been labeled a sleeper candidate heading into 2024, and he's a risk-free selection at his draft spot after the first 175 players go off the board. That said, the entire New England offense is likely to have limited upside with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye at quarterback and a lack of high-end weapons.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Aug 2 12:30pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (head) exited Friday's practice after a collision with defensive back Denzel Ward, and he is being evaluated for a concussion. The 24-year-old suffered a scary-looking head or neck injury last December, so this is not a great development. Further information will likely come out on his status, so there is no fantasy football takeaway for now. Moore flashed as a rookie with the New York Jets, catching 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games. However, he has since compiled just 1,086 yards and three touchdowns in his last 33 games with the Jets and Browns. While playing alongside Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and David Njoku in 2024 and catching passes from a questionable quarterback in Deshaun Watson, he has limited fantasy upside heading into his fourth NFL campaign.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Aug 2 12:20pm CT
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (knee/hip) had testing done on his injured knee and hip, and tests did not reveal anything significant. According to one of Adam Schefter's sources, Smith "shouldn't miss any time." This is great news for the longtime journeyman turned solid starter heading into 2024. Smith has thrown for nearly 8,000 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions in his last 32 starts after taking over for longtime franchise quarterback Russell Wilson in Seattle. With D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Noah Fant, and Kenneth Walker III still on the roster, the 33-year-old has enough upside to be a solid QB2 in Superflex formats. However, fantasy managers should not count on him as a starter in single-QB setups given his lack of high-end rushing upside.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Aug 2 12:20pm CT
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is having his practice participation scaled back as he deals with general tightness in training camp, according to Dan Duggan of the Athletic. It sounds like the former Auburn Tiger does not have a serious injury, but the team is being cautious with him early in the preseason. Slayton entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2019, and he has led the organization in receiving yards in four of his first five seasons. However, he has never eclipsed 800 yards, and the team brought in former LSU receiver Malik Nabers to be the clear No. 1 wideout for Daniel Jones in 2024. Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson could also play significant snaps, so Slayton should be viewed as nothing more than a late-round flier or best-ball option heading into his sixth pro campaign.

From RotoBaller

Jarvis Landry Aug 2 8:00am CT
Jarvis Landry

Free-agent wide receiver Jarvis Landry is still looking for a new team, but might've found one with the New York Jets. The 31-year-old reportedly had a workout with the Jets this week. The nine-year veteran had a solid career during his time with the Miami Dolphins. Since he left Miami, Landry has started to go downhill. Injuries have kept Landry off the field and he hasn't played since the 2022 season with the New Orleans Saints. It's uncertain what exactly Landry has left in the tank to offer an NFL team. It's worth noting that the Jets signed UFL wideout Isaiah Winstead, which might mean bad news for Landry. However, there could be an injury in camp or an opening elsewhere for Landry before the 2024 season begins.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Aug 2 7:50am CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is hopeful to be out there playing in the preseason. The rookie wideout told reporters on Thursday that he wants to play during the preseason games. Head coach Jonathan Gannon agreed with Harrison saying that the first-round pick should be out there. Obviously, the Cardinals don't want to risk injury to their prized rookie receiver, but Harrison also needs game action to learn his new playbook. The assumption is that Harrison is going to have a significant target share during his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

Kylen Granson Aug 2 7:40am CT
Kylen Granson

Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson has reportedly been impressive early on in camp. It looks like the Colts are having an open tryout for starting tight end with no real standalone star in the picture. At the moment, Granson has appeared to take an early lead in the running for starter, but there's still plenty of time left in camp. Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods are also candidates, but they appear to offer a little less upside. Over the last two seasons, Granson has hauled in 30-plus receptions and 300 or more receiving yards in both campaigns. His fantasy value is going to be dependent on how the Colts decide to use the tight end position next season.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks Aug 2 7:30am CT
Treylon Burks

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks is going to see increased reps over the next month or so. The Titans took a significant hit this week with star wideout DeAndre Hopkins (knee) going down for four-to-six weeks. It's next man up in Tennessee, which means Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd move into the No. 1 and No. 2 roles. It also means that Burks gets to play first-team reps for at least a month. Burks is coming off two underwhelming campaigns in Tennessee. Through two seasons, Burks has recorded 49 receptions, 665 receiving yards, and one touchdown in 22 games. The loss of Hopkins does give Burks increased looks, but that doesn't mean much for his fantasy value. The expectation is that Hopkins is back by Week 1 or Week 2 of the regular season. The absence of Hopkins isn't going to raise the draft stock of Burks by too much.

From RotoBaller

Andy Dalton Aug 2 7:20am CT
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (quad) is currently in danger of missing the beginning of the regular season. The 36-year-old suffered a quad injury that is expected to hold him out for a few weeks. This doesn't mean too much for the Panthers considering Bryce Young is the starter in Carolina. Dalton is a 13-year veteran with a ton of experience, but he offers little upside on the field right now. He'll serve as the No. 2 quarterback once he's healthy, so fantasy managers can continue avoiding him.

From RotoBaller

Teagan Quitoriano Aug 2 5:10am CT
Teagan Quitoriano

Houston Texans tight end Teagan Quitoriano (lower body) had a notable performance in the Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears, catching two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. The Texans rested starter Dalton Schultz and backup Brevin Jordan. This left Quitoriano and rookie Cade Stover as the only tight ends on the roster. Quitoriano started the game, taking the first five plays before Stover rotated in for a few snaps. Quitoriano, a 2022 sixth-round pick from Oregon State, scored the touchdown but was carted off the field later due to an injury. The 24-year-old went for evaluation of a lower-body injury with no further update. Stover continued as the lone tight end for the remainder of the game. Neither Quitoriano nor Stover will have significant fantasy value unless Schultz and Jordan miss time.

From RotoBaller

Dare Ogunbowale Aug 2 5:00am CT
Dare Ogunbowale

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale started and recorded 14 yards on three carries while catching two passes for 21 yards on two receptions in Thursday's Hall of Game against the Chicago Bears. Following him, J.J. Taylor gained 16 yards on six carries without involvement in the passing game. Both Ogunbowale and Taylor took the field ahead of Cam Akers, who has been with the team for only a week. As Akers continues to acclimate, he could move up the depth chart. The Texans' new starting running back, Joe Mixon (quad), is dealing with a soft tissue injury that has kept him out of practice. Even if he were fully healthy, Mixon wouldn't have played in the game, and there are no concerns about his readiness for the regular season. The Texans also rested backup halfback Dameon Pierce, which suggests the team considers him a strong candidate to keep his role as the primary backup. Ogunbowale will continue to battle Taylor and Akers this preseason for a roster spot. None have fantasy value without injuries to both Mixon and Pierce.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Hutchinson Aug 2 5:00am CT
Xavier Hutchinson

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson led the team with five catches for 56 yards in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears. He started alongside John Metchie III, who, along with Hutchinson, was slotted in as the fifth and sixth wide receiver on Houston's depth chart last season. The snap counts indicate that Metchie is the current favorite, followed by Hutchinson. Metchie caught only one pass for 4 yards, suggesting Hutchinson may have narrowed the gap. Ben Skowronek was the third wide receiver, and Steven Sims also saw action. Skowronek and Sims continued into the second half, highlighting that Hutchinson and Metchie are clearly in contention for roster spots. Hutchinson stood out as the best wide receiver for Houston on Thursday night and is worth monitoring in fantasy leagues if a role opens up in the Texans' high-powered offense.

From RotoBaller

Davis Mills Aug 2 4:50am CT
Davis Mills

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills delivered an impressive performance, completing 10 out of 13 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's Hall of Game against the Chicago Bears. He capped a 13-play, 74-yard first drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Teagan Quitoriano. Mills guided the offense to 10 points and controlled the clock for over 13 minutes before his night ended after the second Texans' possession. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, Mills competes with veteran Case Keenum for the backup role and made a compelling case for the No. 2 spot on Thursday night. While neither backup quarterback has fantasy value unless C.J. Stroud is injured, it is reassuring that Houston's skill position players should still perform well if Mills or Keenum needs to step in temporarily.

From RotoBaller

Cam Akers Aug 2 4:50am CT
Cam Akers

The Houston Texans' running back Cam Akers (Achilles) rushed five times for 13 yards and caught both his targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears. He displayed quickness on a 14-yard reception that set up his touchdown catch. Akers is working to make a comeback with the Texans after suffering a torn Achilles tendon for the second time in three years, which cut his previous season short. Returning to the field just under nine months after the latest injury, which occurred in Week 9 of last season with the Vikings, is an impressive feat given the challenges of recovering from multiple Achilles tears. Akers is competing for the No. 3 running back spot with Dare Ogunbowale, rookie sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan, and J.J. Taylor. None of these backs hold significant fantasy value unless Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are injured.

From RotoBaller