Guest of the League
Dynasty Legends Est. 2019
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

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

Top 3 Busts

Player Notes
Dallin Holker Aug 11 9:10am CT
Dallin Holker

New Orleans Saints rookie tight end Dallin Holker caught all three targets for 24 yards in his NFL debut. The 24-year-old undrafted rookie has an opportunity to earn a roster spot with Juwan Johnson (foot) currently on the PUP list. Holker was the only Saints tight end aside from Michael Jacobson (one catch for four yards) to record a catch in the preseason win over Arizona. He will be an intriguing name to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the preseason as he competes with Johnson, Foster Moreau, Jacobson, and Kevin Rader for a roster spot.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Aug 11 9:10am CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave drew four targets in Saturday's win over Arizona, but only caught one for 10 yards. Olave was the target of Derek Carr's first three pass attempts, indicating that he will be targeted early and often this season. With Rashid Shaheed (hamstring) sitting out, Olave was by far the most trusted receiver on the field with the starters for New Orleans. It remains unclear whether the third-year receiver will see any more preseason action prior to Week 1's matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

From RotoBaller

A.T. Perry Aug 11 9:00am CT
A.T. Perry

New Orleans Saints second-year receiver A.T. Perry impressed in Saturday night's preseason win over Arizona. Perry caught all four of his targets for a total of 85 yards, connecting with rookie Spencer Rattler for a 58-yard bomb for the night's longest play. The 24-year-old flashed as a deep threat last season and is currently competing for a starting role in the offense. He remains on the fantasy radar as a deep sleeper.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Aug 11 8:50am CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler strung together an impressive showing in Saturday's 16-14 preseason win over Arizona. Rattler was third in the pecking order behind Derek Carr and Jake Haener, but was able to play the entire second half. The rookie completed 9-of-17 passes for 70 yards while also rushing twice for eight yards and a touchdown. The game-winning drive was strung together in the game's final minute, which was capped off with a Charlie Smyth field goal. Rattler will continue to compete with Haener for the backup job.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Aug 11 8:50am CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints veteran running back Jamaal Williams played early on, toting the ball six times for 20 yards on the ground. Following a disappointing 2023 campaign after leading the league in touchdowns in 2022, Williams is looking to mix into the backfield more in 2024. The 29-year-old is currently running behind Alvin Kamara with Kendre Miller (hamstring) on the shelf. He will likely see more preseason action in weeks to come.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Aug 11 8:50am CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara drew the start in Saturday's 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran running back did not see much action, carrying the ball twice for three yards before exiting the game. Kamara remains in line to see a significant workload in his age 29 season, especially with second-year running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) already hurt.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Aug 11 8:40am CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr started on Saturday in the 16-14 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals. Carr didn't have a great showing, completing 2-of-6 passes for 12 yards prior to being pulled for second-year quarterback Jake Haener. The 33-year-old is locked in as New Orleans' Week 1 starter and it is unclear if he will see any more preseason action prior to the season opener against Carolina.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 11 8:40am CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Jake Haener was the first quarterback off of the bench behind Derek Carr in Saturday's preseason victory. Haener had a cancerous spot removed on Monday and impressively returned to play the same week. The 25-year-old completed 9-of-13 passes for 107 yards, playing the entire first half aside from the first two drives. He led New Orleans to a 6-0 halftime lead, converting two field goal drives. The Fresno State product will continue to compete with rookie Spencer Rattler for the backup job.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Aug 11 8:30am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is emerging as the team's No. 3 option behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The veteran pass-catcher entered camp in a competition with Tutu Atwell for the WR3 role, but Robinson has been "emerging" as the better option so far. This isn't necessarily a surprise given that Robinson edged out Atwell in production at times last year. The 29-year-old put together a solid 2023 campaign, catching 26 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns. His experience and expected volume could make him a worthwhile option in deeper fantasy leagues this year.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Aug 11 8:30am CT
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss got sick on Friday night, which is why he wasn't involved in Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Zac Taylor told Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Moss and Chase Brown are competing for touches in Cincinnati this season, so any sort of absence for Moss is less than ideal. With that said, he has impressed the coaching staff in camp and still has two more preseason games to showcase himself within the Bengals' offense. If Moss' performance with the Indianapolis Colts last season is any indication, he still has plenty of fuel left in the tank. Through 14 games (eight starts) with the Colts, he posted 794 rushing yards, 192 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. He's an appealing high-end RB3 option in fantasy football this year.

From RotoBaller

Jake Bates Aug 11 8:20am CT
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates "had a rotten day [on a Friday in early August], missing at least a half-dozen field goals," according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who attended training camp that day. (It bears mentioning that he converted his lone attempt in Week 1 of the preseason from 53 yards out.) Bates latched on with the Lions after an impressive run in the UFL, and while he's currently Detroit's only kicker, the team could look to bring in competition or a replacement. As Graziano writes, "It doesn't sound like this was a new problem, and you wonder if the Lions will end up looking elsewhere for their kicker before camp is out." Randy Bullock is the consensus top kicker available in free agency at the moment, but that could change as teams shake up their rosters over the next few weeks.

From RotoBaller

Tutu Atwell Aug 11 8:20am CT
Tutu Atwell

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is losing ground on the competition for WR3, but even if he drops to fourth on the depth chart, the team still has a plan for him. "The Rams run enough 11 personnel that the fourth receiver should get a healthy run," writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Atwell's quickness and speed make him a unique matchup, and he can play all three receiver spots in the Rams' offense. So barring a great offer, the Rams would rather ride out his contract year with hopes that he maximizes his role." Atwell hasn't quite lived up to expectations in three years since the Rams drafted him with a second-round pick, but he did start to come on strong last year (39 catches, 483 yards, and three touchdowns) when Cooper Kupp missed time due to injury.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Aug 11 8:10am CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints versatile playmaker Taysom Hill's role could look "slightly different" this season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, the team still expects to take advantage of his versatility. "Hill could play up to five positions fullback, running back, quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver," the two insiders wrote. "That doesn't mean he will play all five, but the Saints have those options available." Hill was an intriguing threat on offense once again last year, catching 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 401 yards and four touchdowns, and passing for 83 yards and a touchdown. His production often fluctuated on a week-to-week basis, but managers benefitted from his big-play ability. He remains an appealing fantasy option given his positional eligibility at tight end.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 11 8:10am CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (skin cancer) "are in a true battle for QB2," according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. While some teams say the role is up for grabs but have a clear favorite, that doesn't appear to be the case in New Orleans, where it truly is up for grabs between Rattler and Haener. "The key is, do we have a [QB2] or do we have two [QB3s]?" head coach Dennis Allen asked. "Two [QB3s] doesn't help you. So you want to see who steps up and earns the job. And that's what training camp is all about." In terms of the competition, Rattler has draft capital on his side; the Saints spent a fifth-round pick on him less than four months ago. Haener, meanwhile, has experience in the New Orleans system after spending all of 2023 in their organization. It's also worth noting that Haener, a fourth-round pick last year, recently underwent treatment for a rare form of skin cancer on his cheek, but it's not expected to impact his playing ability. This will be a fascinating positional battle to watch, though neither quarterback has much redraft appeal.

From RotoBaller

Dalvin Cook Aug 11 8:00am CT
Dalvin Cook

The Dallas Cowboys could have running backs Miles Sanders and Dalvin Cook on their short list of targets as the regular season gets closer, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The insiders note that the Cowboys are still evaluating their backfield, which is currently headlined by Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and have started monitoring a few external options in case they feel the need to make an addition. Sanders is one of those players, and there's also a connection with Cook, who previously expressed interest in playing for the Cowboys. The latter is currently a more feasible option than the former given that Sanders is still under contract with the Panthers, but there's been speculation that he could be on Carolina's roster bubble. If the Cowboys do make a move at running back, it would add another confusing element for fantasy managers to decipher. Elliott, Dowdle, and the addition would presumably all be thrust to the low-end RB3 range while we try to figure out each back's expected usage.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Aug 11 8:00am CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert appears ready to have a big season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Tolbert looks the part of an NFL receiver now after a few early-career hiccups," they wrote. "[Dak] Prescott looks his way early and often in practice. Look for a big Year 3 for him." Tolbert appeared in all 17 games last season, making six starts along the way. He ultimately caught 22 passes for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now, the 25-year-old is competing for the No. 3 receiver role with Jalen Brooks, and it sounds like Tolbert might have the early advantage. Even if he's stuck playing behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, Tolbert could display some fantasy relevance given that the Cowboys have a successful offense and are expected to throw the ball a lot. He's an intriguing end-of-draft option in deeper redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jelani Woods Aug 11 7:50am CT
Jelani Woods

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods "has yet to put together a day where he stood out" in training camp, according to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports. Woods missed all of last season due to injuries to his hamstrings, making it crucial that he use this summer's training camp and preseason to showcase himself. That hasn't happened, though, as the 25-year-old continues to drop passes and run with the second-team offense. As of now, Adams speculates that Woods is behind Moe Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory in the pecking order. Such a dynamic would certainly leave Woods on the roster bubble with less than a month until the NFL regular season kicks off.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Aug 11 6:30am CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow completed five of seven passes for 51 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star quarterback (and the primary offense as a whole) only played the first drive of the game, but they took advantage of their limited playing time by putting seven points on the board. For Burrow, injuries have been a major storyline throughout his young career. He missed six games as a rookie and seven last year, creating significant problems for the Bengals and fantasy managers alike. The wrist injury he suffered late in 2023 seems to have healed, but Cincinnati will likely continue to exercise caution with their franchise quarterback as Week 1 approaches. Once the season kicks off, Burrow will rank as a strong QB1 option for as long as he can stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Logan Woodside Aug 11 6:30am CT
Logan Woodside

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Logan Woodside completed eight of 12 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Woodside didn't enter the game until the fourth quarter, which means he's third on the depth chart behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Nevertheless, Woodside might have inched a bit closer to the backup job by limiting incompletions, racking up yards, and leading a scoring drive. He still faces a challenge to surpass Browning on the depth chart, but Saturday's game was a step in the right direction. He'll presumably get two more opportunities to showcase himself as the Bengals move through their preseason schedule this month.

From RotoBaller

Jake Browning Aug 11 6:30am CT
Jake Browning

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning completed just 10 of 18 passes for 52 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also rushed for an additional five yards on two attempts. Browning re-signed with Cincinnati as their No. 2 quarterback this offseason, and while he remains in position to be Joe Burrow's backup, the competition got a little more interesting as Browning struggled and Logan Woodside excelled against the Buccaneers. Browning should get additional opportunities to separate himself from Woodside over the Bengals' two remaining preseason games. Even if Browning does win the backup job, he'll remain off the fantasy radar as long as Burrow is healthy.

From RotoBaller