Guest of the League
Road to Glory Est. 2018
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 9 | NFL: Week 9

RB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Robinson setup for big season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back 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 running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  RB SOS  
1. Green Bay Packers 356.01
2. Houston Texans 361.46
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 361.46
4. Las Vegas Raiders 361.48
5. Seattle Seahawks 362.28
6. Buffalo Bills 363.19
7. Arizona Cardinals 363.76
8. Dallas Cowboys 363.9
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 364.51
10. Washington Commanders 364.86
11. Chicago Bears 364.89
12. Indianapolis Colts 365.41
13. San Francisco 49ers 365.86
14. New Orleans Saints 366.49
15. New York Jets 368.23
16. Detroit Lions 368.49
17. Philadelphia Eagles 369.05
18. Minnesota Vikings 369.06
19. Carolina Panthers 369.88
20. Cleveland Browns 370.34
21. Kansas City Chiefs 371.71
22. New York Giants 372.21
23. Los Angeles Chargers 373.19
24. Denver Broncos 373.32
25. Cincinnati Bengals 373.66
26. Los Angeles Rams 374.09
27. Baltimore Ravens 374.16
28. New England Patriots 375.60
29. Atlanta Falcons 376.19
30. Miami Dolphins 377.49
31. Tennessee Titans 378.2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers 378.72


The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.

The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.

The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.

The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.

The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.

Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.

The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.

Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. 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 running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  RB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. San Francisco 49ers 291.43
2. Washington Commanders 325.2
3. Houston Texans 327.8
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 332.03
5. New York Jets 337.57
6. Cleveland Browns 340.8
7. Las Vegas Raiders 341.1
8. Miami Dolphins 348.27
9. Chicago Bears 350.37
10. Buffalo Bills 350.53
11. Arizona Cardinals 352.8
12. Dallas Cowboys 358.87
13. Detroit Lions 359.7
14. New York Giants 365.67
15. Kansas City Chiefs 366.53
16. Green Bay Packers 368.97
17. Seattle Seahawks 370.23
18. Carolina Panthers 377.15
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 378.37
20. Los Angeles Chargers 380.73
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 381
22. Baltimore Ravens 381.43
23. Cincinnati Bengals 383.50
24. Philadelphia Eagles 391.07
25. New England Patriots 397.95
26. Indianapolis Colts 398.40
27. Denver Broncos 399.53
28. Tennessee Titans 401.63
29. Los Angeles Rams 403.92
30. New Orleans Saints 406.33
31. Minnesota Vikings 407.87
32. Atlanta Falcons 422.4

 

There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.

And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.

Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.

One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.

Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.

So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.

Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.

The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.

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

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 9

Player Notes
Rachaad White Nov 5 12:00am CT
Rachaad White

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White carried the ball just three times for 19 yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs but was able to score his first rushing TD of the 2024 campaign. The 25-year-old has three receiving TDs already this season, and even though he did not score through the air on Monday, he was involved in the passing game again, snagging all three of his targets for 16 yards. Thankfully for fantasy, White is used as a pass catcher and around the goal line, as it was the second consecutive week that he's ceded more carries to fellow back Bucky Irving. With Sean Tucker in the mix as well, there just aren't as many carries to go around. It'll be a grind in next week's matchup at home versus the 49ers, so look for him to land in the low-end RB2/3 range with at least a solid floor in PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Nov 4 11:40pm CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton led his team in targets, receptions, and yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, the third consecutive week he's led the Bucs in each of those categories. Otton caught eight of 11 targets for 77 yards and a score on Monday night, now with double-digit targets and at least eight receptions in three straight games. The TD was his fourth of the season but his third in the last two games. The 25-year-old has clearly been the top receiving option in the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and he'll probably need to be again in Week 10 when the Bucs take on the 49ers at home. Jalen McMillan was inactive on Monday with a hamstring injury and should that linger into next week, Tampa will again have to rely on Otton and Co. Despite the tough matchup, the former fourth-round draft pick will be a TE1 again on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Baker Mayfield Nov 4 11:20pm CT
Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, adding 20 yards on four rushes as well. Of the 200 yards passing, 69 came on Tampa's final drive in regulation, culminating with a critical touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Miller. But instead of going for two points and the win, the Bucs kicked the extra point to tie the game and force OT. The Chiefs won the toss and Patrick Mahomes never let Mayfield touch the ball again, leading the Chiefs on a game-winning touchdown drive on their first possession in the extra frame. While there were a few very close calls, it was the first time since Week 5 that the 29-year-old did not throw a pick, tossing seven of them in the three games prior to Monday night, but it was also the sixth consecutive game in which he threw for multiple TDs, now with a 23:9 TD:INT on the season. Believe it or not, the former first-overall draft pick has thrown the most TDs in 2024, three more than the next closest (Lamar Jackson). Week 10 brings a tough home matchup with the 49ers, but the veteran signal-caller likely still projects as a borderline QB1.

From RotoBaller

Desmond Ridder Nov 4 11:00pm CT
Desmond Ridder

After firing three offensive coaches on Sunday night after their Week 9 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Las Vegas Raiders are considering bringing in veteran NFL coach Norv Turner in an undisclosed offensive role, according to a source. Turner's son, Scott, the current passing-game coordinator, is the leading candidate to replace offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. The father-son combination worked together under head coach Ron Rivera with the Carolina Panthers the late 2010s. The 72-year-old Norv Turner spent 15 seasons as a head coach in the NFL, including two years with the Raiders in 2004-05, when he went 9-23 during that span. The Raiders' season is spiraling at 2-7 and in last place in the AFC West, and they could be considering benching quarterback Gardner Minshew III in favor of Desmond Ridder.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Nov 4 10:50pm CT
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on the team's Monday practice estimate. It's the first time that Likely has "missed" a practice all year, putting him in danger to suit up in a quick turnaround this Thursday night against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. We'll have a better idea if the 24-year-old will be able to play based on his practice status on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he isn't able to play in Week 10, it will mean more opportunities for both Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar. Likely was a popular waiver-wire pickup after going for nine catches, 111 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, but that's been the outlier, and he has gone over 27 yards just once in eight games since. He put up a donut in the Week 9 win over the Denver Broncos and should be benched by fantasy managers this week, even if he's active against the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Nov 4 10:40pm CT
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he is hopeful that this is the week that quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) will return. The Titans plan on increasing Levis' workload in practice this week as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. An AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder has kept him out of the last three games. Mason Rudolph has gone 1-2 in his absence, and the Titans have said that Levis will return to the starting role once he's healthy. The second-year signal-caller wasn't exactly looking good before his shoulder injury while making questionable decisions, but the strong-armed QB does give the Titans' offense more overall upside. If the 25-year-old gets the green light to play this Sunday against the Chargers, he'll be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues against a stingy defensive unit.

From RotoBaller

Keaton Mitchell Nov 4 10:40pm CT
Keaton Mitchell

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) has a chance to make his season debut in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Mitchell was also listed as a full participant in Monday's practice estimate, so he's clearly tracking towards a return this week. The 22-year-old second-year back also practiced in full all of last week but wasn't activated for the Week 9 blowout win over the Denver Broncos. Make no mistake that Baltimore's backfield will continue to be led by the NFL's rushing leader in Derrick Henry, but Mitchell will give Baltimore yet another explosive change-of-pace weapon in an already stacked offense. Mitchell's return will make Justice Hill less interesting in deeper fantasy leagues. Mitchell will likely be eased in if he returns Thursday, but he's worth rostering in most leagues as RB depth.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Nov 4 10:30pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that the team would love to reduce running back Tony Pollard's workload because his heavy usage lately is wearing on him. Backfield mate Tyjae Spears (hamstring) has missed the last three games due to injury but could return in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers to take more backfield touches away from Pollard, who had a season-high 28 carries for a season-high 128 rushing yards while also catching three passes for 26 yards in the Week 9 overtime win over the New England Patriots. The 27-year-old played through a questionable designation due to a foot injury that limited him in practice leading up to the game. Pollard should still be Tennessee's lead back going forward, but it sounds like the Titans may look to distribute more of his touches, which will give fantasy managers less volume heading into a tough matchup against the Bolts.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Nov 4 9:00pm CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is expected to be back on the field for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons has been sidelined for the last four games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain. This return is a welcoming sight for this Cowboys defensive unit. Parsons has 14 tackles and one sack through the four games that he's played in this season. The Cowboys offense took a huge hit with Dak Prescott (hamstring) going down for multiple weeks. However, Parsons should be able to give them a lift on the defensive side of the ball.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Rush Nov 4 8:50pm CT
Cooper Rush

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has been named the starting quarterback in the absence of Dak Prescott (hamstring) over the next few weeks. Prescott suffered a significant hamstring injury that is going to force him to miss multiple weeks. Rush came in for Prescott during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 13-of-25 passing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He didn't look awful under center and has proven to be able to hold his own in the league. However, Rush isn't exactly an appealing streaming option against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.

From RotoBaller

Ezekiel Elliott Nov 4 8:50pm CT
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was a healthy scratch from Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys decided to elevated Dalvin Cook and make Elliott a healthy scratch after his rough start to the season. However, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Elliott would be available for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran back is averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 48 attempts this season. He figures to serve as the change-of-pace back to Rico Dowdle in the backfield. It's hard to imagine Elliott having reliable value anymore at this point.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Nov 4 8:40pm CT
Amari Cooper

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is currently considered day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McDermott. This news comes after Cooper was inactive ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He was able to get through limited practice sessions, but the Bills ultimately decided to hold him out. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see what Cooper does during practice this week. If he sits again, Keon Coleman (wrist), Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir figure to have expanded roles. The fact Cooper is listed as day-to-day means he shouldn't have an extended absence.

From RotoBaller

Mecole Hardman Nov 4 8:30pm CT
Mecole Hardman

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Mecole Hardman Nov 4 8:20pm CT
Mecole Hardman

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Nov 4 8:20pm CT
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dulcich Nov 4 7:30pm CT
Greg Dulcich

The Denver Broncos have been open to trading tight end Greg Dulcich. We wonder if there is any interest around the league in Dulcich, a former third-rounder in 2022 out of UCLA. Dulcich has been very injury-prone early in his NFL career and has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos since Week 5. In the first four games of the season, he did very little, catching five of his 12 targets for 28 scoreless yards. The 24-year-old just hasn't been a big part of head coach Sean Payton's offense and is currently behind both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull on the team's TE depth chart. In two-plus NFL seasons, Dulcich has 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (10 starts). He will remain well off the fantasy radar in all leagues unless he's traded before Tuesday's deadline to a team that will utilize him as a pass-catcher.

From RotoBaller

Darius Robinson Nov 4 7:20pm CT
Darius Robinson

The Arizona Cardinals acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from the Denver Broncos on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to sources. Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks in three-plus NFL seasons, will now head to the desert. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of Ohio State has missed four games in 2024 due to injury but has been healthy each of the last three weeks for Denver. In his five games played (two starts) this year, Browning has recorded only seven tackles (one solo) and one tackle for loss. If he can stay healthy, Browning could have a bigger role in Arizona with rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) injured. Browning has 114 career tackles (66 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 43 career games (28 starts).

From RotoBaller

Zach Sieler Nov 4 7:13pm CT
Zach Sieler

Miami Dolphins DT Zach Sieler (eye) has a chance to be available for the Week 10 game, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

From TheHuddle

Luke Musgrave Nov 4 7:10pm CT
Luke Musgrave

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) underwent ankle surgery. "He will hopefully be back later this season," LaFleur said. Musgrave was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 11 due to his ankle injury, but barring a setback in his recovery, he'll have a chance to return to the team later this season. The 24-year-old quickly took a back seat to fellow TE Tucker Kraft as a pass-catcher in the early portion of 2024 before injuring his ankle. The second-round pick in 2023 out of Oregon State had five catches for 22 yards in four games before getting hurt after putting up a 34-352-1 line in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign. When Musgrave returns later this season, he'll most likely go back to playing second fiddle to Kraft. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to ignore him.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Nov 4 7:00pm CT
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (rib) suffered a bruised rib in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it sounds like he'll be OK for the Thursday night game in Week 10 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Zack Moss (neck) is out indefinitely with a neck injury, which will open up a bigger backup role for Trayveon Williams behind Brown moving forward. Brown has been trending up in fantasy in recent weeks and went off for a season-high 27 carries for a season-high 120 rushing yards while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in the blowout win over the Raiders in an excellent matchup on Sunday. He'll be a must-start on Thursday versus Baltimore. In Week 5 against the Ravens, Brown had 12 carries for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown.

From RotoBaller