RB Strength of Schedule
Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Training Camp Preview: AFC South
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Training Camp Preview: AFC East
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: The Weekly Bender: Welcome to the Year of the Tight End
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Training Camp Preview: AFC West
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Training Camp Preview: NFC North
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Training Camp Preview: NFC West
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb expected to hold out
- Eagles CB Cooper DeJean (hamstring) out 3 weeks
- WR Michael Gallup retires on eve of Raiders' first practice
- Vikings, OT Christian Darrisaw agree to 4-year contract extension through 2029
- Bucs LB Randy Gregory placed on reserve/did not report list
- Giants OT Evan Neal (ankle) to start camp on PUP list
- Rams, QB Matthew Stafford 'find solution' to contract
- Browns guarantee Amari Cooper $20M for 2024
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson misses third straight practice due to illness
- Tyreek Hill eyes extension, wants to stay with Dolphins
- 49ers GM: Brandon Aiyuk to report, remain 'integral part of team'
- Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa at camp with contract in flux
- Bengals' Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase feature new looks
- Packers add QB Jacob Eason with Jordan Love not participating
- Jags, CB Tyson Campbell reach 4-year, $76.5M deal
- Commanders 'will know' when QB Jayden Daniels' time arrives
- Patriots coach Jerod Mayo: Jacoby Brissett opens camp as QB1
- Dolphins re-sign DE Emmanuel Ogbah
- Play 18? NFL, NFLPA talking expanded regular season
- Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick sitting out in contract dispute
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Late-Round Quarterback and Tight End Strategy
- Fantasy Six Pack: How Fantasy Football Mavericks Win
- Fantasy Six Pack: ie Luvu vs Jamin Davis | 2024 IDP Camp Battles
- Fantasy Six Pack: sh Palmer Worth His Rising ADP? | 2024 Best Ball ADP Market Shifts 7-23
- Fantasy Six Pack: ou Need To Roster Justin Fields | 2024 Dynasty Football Most Important Handcuffs
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Streaming Defenses Strategy
The Paur Report
Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Michael Gallup has retired. Dynasty Analysis: Wait. What!?! Gallup signed a one-year deal with the Raiders and was expected to be a key player but dropped this bomb the day before the Raiders' first training camp practice. Gallup had his ups and downs with Dallas but the move to Las Vegas looked like one that could rejuvenate his career. He's still just 28 and could change his mind but at this point, it looks like he's out and the values of players like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker may have just gone up in the process. You can give it a day or two but it seems Gallup can be dropped in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb won't report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. Lamb is in search of a contract that will make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league and has dug in his heels. Dallas is stuck at this point as they're going to have to find a way to get him an extension without sacrificing their future too much. Such is life in the NFL after rookie contracts expire. Lamb is in line to be the top receiver in fantasy this next season and he's fully expected to be in uniform on opening day one way or another.
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: It seems Aiyuk not only wants more money but values what he has as well. Not reporting to camp would have resulted in fines and Aiyuk isn't interested in paying them. The situation is still in flux and something is going to need to give. However, it looks like Aiyuk will be a distraction in person rather than on social media for the time being. He remains a hold in dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the team's unquestioned QB1 entering training camp this summer, but the Patriots are rolling with an open competition at the position, which will begin on Wednesday morning. Asked if he could envision third overall pick Drake Maye winning the job under center before Week 1 comes, head coach Jerod Mayo said it's "absolutely" a possibility. But right now, Brissett is easily the most "pro-ready" QB on New England's roster. Maye has high-end upside in the long-term, but he's seen as more of a project and could certainly benefit from sitting and learning behind Brissett for a while. Mayo said there's no plan to give the 21-year-old a redshirt season in 2024. We wouldn't be surprised if the North Carolina alum is starting by the end of the year, but Maye is a much better dynasty/keeper target this year than a redraft one in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed uncertainty on his player future beyond the 2024 season while on Pardon My Take on Tuesday. When asked how many more years he will play in the NFL, Rodgers said, "I don't know. This one, for sure. I'd like to do -- I wanted to do two good ones and give us a chance to retire a Jet. Win two Super Bowls." The 40-year-old's willingness to play beyond the 2024 season will likely come down to how this season goes and how well he plays while coming off a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of 2023. The odds of Rodgers having another MVP-like season at this point in his career are unlikely, but if anything can do it, it would be him. He'll have plenty of weapons around him on offense as he attempts a successful return from a serious injury, but fantasy managers need to temper their expectations and treat him as more of a low-end QB2.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and the team have agreed on a four-year contract extension worth up to $113 million, with $77 million in guaranteed money for the franchise tackle. A foundational piece for the Vikings since joining the team as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Virginia Tech Hokie has started 39 of 41 games in three seasons. The pact for the 25-year-old Darrisaw includes $43.7 million at signing and will keep him in purple and gold for the foreseeable future as a protector for Sam Darnold and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is set to practice on Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion. Olave (back) was put on the active/non-football injury list last week as he's been dealing with some minor back tightness but will be good to go to put in some practice work for the team on Wednesday. Olave has put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is the unquestioned top receiver in the New Orleans offense. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable selecting Olave in the early rounds of fantasy drafts yet again this season.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday night that the team has placed wide receiver Michael Gallup on the reserve/retired list. After six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, the 28-year-old Gallup signed a one-year pact with the Raiders, where he amassed 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gallup's 2023 saw his statistics take a sharp decline, with just 34 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders signed Gallup to add some depth to a receiving corps that, after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, was short on experience and a veteran presence. Instead, Gallup has called it a career before Raiders training camp opens on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp when it opens on Wednesday in Oxnard, CA. With the 25-year-old Lamb entering the final season of a deal that will pay him just shy of $18 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option, Lamb is looking for a long-term contract to secure him as one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. The concern is minimal for fantasy managers unless the holdout extends deeper into July and into August, but Lamb firmly remains an early-first-round wide receiver in fantasy this season after setting career bests in targets (181), receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12) in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, New York Giants CB Jalen Mills (calf) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list because of a calf injury, while CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (groin) was placed on the Active/NFI list because of a groin injury.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders WR Michael Gallup was placed on the Reserve/Retired list Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) is set to begin training camp on the PUP list. Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October of 2023. Before his injury, Bourne was on his way to a mini breakout with 406 receiving yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Given the timeline of his injury, Bourne should be ready for thestart of the season, but don't expect him to display the same level of production. Players in their first year removed from an ACL injury tend not to fare well statistically. Not to mention, this projects to be a bottom-half offense with a potential rookie quarterback. Bourne is mainly an option in deep-league formats.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/NFI list to start training camp. The 26-year-old was added to the Patriots backfield as a depth piece and potential third-down running back. Gibson has been relatively durable throughout his career. He has played in at least 15 games in three straight seasons. Players are often placed on the NFI list during training camp, so this could turn out to be nothing, but it is worth monitoring. Gibson had a career-low in carries (65), rushing yards (265), and rushing touchdowns (1) in 2023 as he ceded the starting running back job to Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson is joining a Patriots team amid a considerable rebuild, especially on offense. Gibson's skills as a pass-catcher should come in handy in 2024, but the presence of incumbent Rhamondre Stevenson will likely once again limit Gibson's rushing upside. Generally, running backs on bad offense perform poorly for fantasy, so it may be best to look in another direction as you build out RB depth during your draft.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford took the field on Tuesday at the team's training camp. Stafford was noticeably absent from Monday's practice due to a contract dispute involving a guaranteed money structure. It would appear that it only took one day for the Rams and Stafford to come to an agreement. Stafford finished 2023 with 3,965 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 15 games. Stafford helped propel Puka Nacua to his stellar WR4 finish. While Stafford only finished as the QB15, he got hot down the stretch with excellent games between Weeks 13 and 16. Stafford's days as a potential weekly fantasy starter are likely gone, but he could have some streaming value and is an excellent second quarterback in superflex leagues.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, because he received the day off.
Fantasy Spin: Allen probably will receive some practices off during the season but is on track to being a solid part of the passing game in 2024. He probably can be considered at least a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, but is moving closer to returning to the field, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks LB Jerome Baker (wrist), LB Tyrel Dodson (undisclosed) and CB Lance Boykin (undisclosed) passed their physicals Tuesday, July 23, and have been activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard appear poised to split reps in 2024. While discussing a potential starter at running back, new head coach Brian Callahan indicated that both players could be interchangeable and may even share the field simultaneously. It affirms what many of us suspected heading into training camp, which is that this backfield will likely be roughly a 50/50 split. Both players have similar skill sets and are electric to watch when they get hot. Their speed will be a necessity given that the Titans enter the season with the 30th-ranked offensive line, according to PFF. Both players will leech each other's fantasy value in 2024. If second-year quarterback Will Levis can take a solid step forward, the dump-off opportunities could be there for both players if the running lanes are clogged. Each player is drafted outside the top-24 running backs in fantasy drafts, which is in line with RotoBaller's running back rankings that have Pollard as the RB25 while Spears is RB30.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, July 23, despite his contract situation, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara left minicamp early because of his contract but seems to be ready to practice during camp. He is a big part of the Saints offense when healthy and will be a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
