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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.

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Parris Campbell Sep 28 3:30pm CT
Parris Campbell

The Philadelphia Eagles have elevated wide receivers Parris Campbell and John Ross from the practice squad prior to Sunday's Week 4 game against Tampa Bay. With A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) ruled out, the Eagles' are looking for depth at the position. Campbell had some promising stints with the Colts and is a former second-round draft pick. Ross has seen time with the Giants and Chiefs since he was drafted by the Bengals as the No. 9 overall pick of the 2017 draft. The duo will join Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson as the main healthy receivers for the Eagles.

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A.J. Brown Sep 28 3:20pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) is officially out for the team's Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. This will be the third straight game that Brown misses with his hamstring injury after going for five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against Green Bay. With DeVonta Smith (concussion) also out, the Eagles wide receiver corps is depleted. Parris Campbell and John Ross have been elevated from the practice squad to add more receiver depth.

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Jordan Love Sep 28 3:10pm CT
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) is expected to play in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Love has missed the past two weeks after suffering an MCL sprain against the Eagles late in their opening game. It was initially feared to be a longer absence for the starting Green Bay signal caller. Love returns to the field in what will be a tough matchup against the surprising Vikings defense but he should elevate the entire Packers' offense in his return. He was 17-of-34 with 260 yards passing and two touchdowns with one interception in the Week 1 loss to the Eagles. With plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal, the Utah State product should immediately be a starting fantasy quarterback despite a challenging matchup.

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Kirk Cousins Sep 28 2:40pm CT
Kirk Cousins

The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 4. The Chiefs defense has been disappointing, but there are reasons for optimism. The Kansas City unit gave up 17 points to the Atlanta Falcons last week, their fewest points allowed this season. The Chiefs defense also came down with their first interception of the year against Kirk Cousins. With multiple sacks in back-to-back games, the Chiefs are trending upwards. Kansas City will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers and their rush attack. The Chargers have the seventh-most rushing yards per game this season, but their efficiency will likely drop this week. The Chargers have two injured offensive linemen this week. Rashawn Slater has already been ruled out this week, and Joe Alt is listed as questionable but seems unlikely to suit up. The run game will suffer from the potential loss of both tackles, and the passing game could also be at risk. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is also listed as questionable for this matchup. The Chargers offense is full of injuries, and their defense is also banged up. The Chiefs defense could capitalize if the Chargers run game fails and Herbert misses this contest. The Kansas City defense should be a start-worthy unit this week.

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Kenneth Walker III Sep 28 2:40pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) has been removed from this week's injury report and is set to play on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. This will mark his return after missing the last two games due to an oblique injury he sustained late in his 103-yard rushing performance in Seattle's season opener against Denver on Sept. 8. Walker practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, indicating he was on track to return. With his comeback, Zach Charbonnet is expected to take on the backup running back role. Walker faces a formidable Lions defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards this season. Nevertheless, he remains a must-start option, even after his injury and in a challenging matchup.

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Aaron Rodgers Sep 28 2:30pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Through the first three games of the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos defense/special teams has been a top-10 fantasy unit on the back of 11 sacks, four total takeaways (two fumbles, two interceptions) and two safeties (both in Week 1). They've allowed 15.3 points per game (sixth-fewest) and only 259.3 yards per game (third-fewest) against Seattle, Pittsburgh and Tampa. Their underrated defense is in for a big test on the road in Week 4 in New York, though, against a Jets offense that has been getting better with each passing week under future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Jets offense got off to a slow start in the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but Rodgers looked much better moving around in last week's convincing win over the division-rival Patriots. Denver's D/ST will be a streaming candidate again in 2024, but this is a week to look for better options.

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Harrison Butker Sep 28 2:30pm CT
Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and will face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Butker nailed all three field goal attempts and split his two extra-point attempts in last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons. Butker scored 10 points for Kansas City in Week 3, his highest scoring output this season. Butker has consistently contributed this season, scoring at least eight points in each contest. Butker will look to continue his production on the road in Los Angeles. The Chiefs are considered heavy favorites in this contest, which could make for an uncompetitive second half of play. If the Chiefs run out to an early lead, the Kansas City offense could be less inclined to extend drives and take the points. Butker could match or exceed his scoring output from last week in this contest. Butker is a starting-caliber kicker every week.

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Xavier Worthy Sep 28 2:20pm CT
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Worthy had two catches for 17 yards and three carries for 13 yards in last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons. Worthy has had two catches in the team's first three games. The rookie wide receiver has also been involved in the run game every game this season, which bodes well for him since the team is manufacturing touches for him. Worthy has been unable to do much with those touches since his strong Week 1 performance. As the season goes on, the hope is that Worthy will become a more significant part of the offense, but we have not seen a dramatic jump in usage yet. This week's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers should be a good opportunity for Worthy to capitalize on his touches. The Chargers offense and defense have been decimated with injuries, and this week's matchup should be a non-competitive contest. The Chiefs should be able to have their way on offense, and Worthy could benefit from that. Worthy remains a low-end, high-upside flex option in the Chiefs passing attack.

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Carson Steele Sep 28 2:20pm CT
Carson Steele

Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Steele had 17 carries for 72 yards in last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie running back also had one reception for two yards in his first career start. Steele was the unquestioned lead back for the Chiefs, as Samaje Perine only had six carries in the contest. The Chiefs rookie may have more competition for touches this week since Kansas City signed Kareem Hunt to their active roster before their trip to Los Angeles. Hunt figures to be involved on the ground and in the passing game for the Chiefs. Steele should still see the majority of touches out of the backfield, but the split remains to be seen. Steele should be productive with his opportunities since the Chargers are dealing with several significant injuries. The loss of Joey Bosa and Derwin James should downgrade the Chargers unit significantly and open up more opportunities for Steele to succeed. The Chiefs should win this game by a large margin, and Steele should be the primary back draining the clock to end the game. The Chiefs rookie running back should be viewed as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 in this week's contest.

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Foyesade Oluokun Sep 28 2:20pm CT
Foyesade Oluokun

The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially ruled safety Darnell Savage (quad) out for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Head coach Doug Pederson had indicated earlier this week that Savage would be back on the field after missing the last two contests due to a quadriceps injury. However, it appears he hasn't fully recovered, resulting in his third consecutive game on the sidelines. Savage made an impact in his only game of the season against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, playing 49 defensive snaps and recording two passes defensed, including a crucial stop on a fourth-down conversion attempt. In Savage's absence, Antonio Johnson is expected to see increased playing time in Jacksonville's first-team secondary. The Jaguars' defense is already thin, with Foyesade Oluokun also placed on IR, which could boost the Texans' offense this week.

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Ventrell Miller Sep 28 2:10pm CT
Ventrell Miller

The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed standout linebacker Foye Oluokun on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. Oluokun was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, an injury he sustained during the Jaguars' Week 3 loss to the Bills. Although he had already been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Texans, his move to IR will prevent him from playing for the next four regular-season games. Fortunately, Oluokun will not require surgery for the injury. He started all three games this season, recording 22 tackles and a sack. Since joining the Jaguars before the 2022 season, he has started every game and boasts an impressive streak of 69 consecutive starts overall. In his career, Oluokun has played in 100 of a possible 101 games, with his only absence coming in Week 3 of 2020 due to a hamstring injury. The earliest he could return is Week 8 against the Packers on October 27. In his absence, Ventrell Miller will take over the starting outside linebacker role opposite Chad Muma, with Yasir Abdullah providing additional depth.

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Travis Kelce Sep 28 2:10pm CT
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will take on the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 4. Kelce had four catches for 30 yards in last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons. Kelce has been one of the most disappointing draft picks this season, accumulating only eight catches for 69 yards in three games. The former TE1 overall is ranked 24th amongst tight ends in PPR points per game. Despite his nightmarish start to the season, the stars are aligning for Kelce's breakout performance. The Chargers defense is missing Joey Bosa, attacking from the edge, and star safety Derwin James, who would likely pick Kelce up in coverage. The Chargers could also be missing key pieces on their offensive line and quarterback. The Chiefs should be able to pick apart the Los Angeles defense in this contest. However, given the likelihood that the Chiefs win, the run game could be heavily involved, limiting Kelce's upside. Nevertheless, the matchup is juicy, and the stage is set for Kelce to perform. The Chiefs tight end should still be considered a TE1 in this matchup.

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Rashee Rice Sep 28 2:10pm CT
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Rice caught 12 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons. Rice has far and away been the top target in the Kansas City passing attack, catching more passes in Week 3 than Travis Kelce has caught all season. That trend should continue this week against the Chargers, who are missing several key pieces on offense and defense. The Chargers will show up to play, but it likely won't be a competitive contest. That said, Rice is averaging eight receptions and 96 receiving yards a game through three games, so he is an obvious must-start candidate. The Chargers defense has allowed the 10th-fewest passing yards this season, but they will likely see diminished success while missing some star players. Rice is an easy WR1 regardless of matchup until proven otherwise.

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Wil Lutz Sep 28 2:00pm CT
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz enters a Week 4 road matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday as the No. 6 fantasy kicker. Lutz has made all nine of his field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries through the first three games. The Jets defense has allowed 9.3 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers so far, which is tied for the fifth-most in the league. However, the Jets defense has also allowed just 17.3 points per game and could be pinning their ears back on Sunday in a matchup against rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has yet to throw a touchdown pass in 2024. At best, Lutz should probably be viewed as a deep-league streaming option at the kicking position in a Broncos offense that is averaging a below-average 17.3 points per game and 292.7 total yards per game through the first three weeks.

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Patrick Mahomes Sep 28 2:00pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Mahomes passed for 217 yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons. Mahomes has been disappointing as a fantasy quarterback, but his team is undefeated, so there is no motivation to change how the offense operates. The Chargers defense has allowed the 10th-fewest passing yards this season, but that could be skewed by their level of competition in the first three weeks. The Los Angeles defense faced Gardner Minshew and the Raiders in Week 1, Bryce Young and the Panthers in Week 2, and Justin Fields and the Steelers in Week 3. Mahomes and the Chiefs will be the first real test for the Chargers defense, who will also be without stars Derwin James due to a suspension and Joey Bosa due to injury. The Chargers are also dealing with three massive offensive injuries. Rashawn Slater has been ruled out, while Justin Herbert and Joe Alt are both questionable for the matchup. The stars are aligning for the Chiefs to breeze through this contest, which could benefit Mahomes in the first half, but the Chiefs may not need to push the envelope on offense in the second half. Mahomes is likely still a QB1, but towards the lower end of that range, considering the run game could salt the game away.

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Chris Olave Sep 28 1:50pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) will travel with the Saints to Atlanta and reportedly still has a good chance to play on Sunday. Typically, players who will not play do not accompany the team and are marked out by Saturday. After suffering a hamstring injury during Friday's practice, Olave is listed as questionable on the injury report; however, the injury is not considered severe, and he is reportedly day-to-day. As a vital part of the Saints' offense, Olave has a history of playing through injuries. Last season, he played through a significant ankle injury, even leaving the stadium in a walking boot after some games. The Saints face a challenging situation in their wide receiver room this week, with Olave's status uncertain and several backups unavailable. A.T. Perry has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. is officially questionable after missing Friday's practice due to an ankle issue. If both Olave and Wilson cannot play, rookie Mason Tipton will need to step up significantly, likely serving as the WR2, while Rashid Shaheed would take on WR1 responsibilities. If Olave is sidelined, Shaheed becomes a must-start option.

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Greg Dulcich Sep 28 1:50pm CT
Greg Dulcich

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich should be nowhere near starting lineups for a Week 4 road matchup against the New York Jets, let alone on fantasy rosters in 12-team leagues. Dulcich produced five receptions on 11 targets for 28 yards and no touchdowns in the first two weeks of the 2024 season before not being targeted at all in the Week 3 road victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played just 17 of the team's 68 offensive snaps last Sunday, with both Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins out-snapping him. The 24-year-old UCLA product was being talked up in training camp this summer, but it hasn't amounted to much so far in the regular season while quarterback Bo Nix has mostly struggled to move the offense consistently through three weeks. The Jets defense has allowed just 5.2 half-PPR fantasy points to TEs through three games, the 24th-fewest in the league. Fantasy managers should have much better streaming options at the position.

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Brandon Aiyuk Sep 28 1:40pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

A Los Angeles Rams coach said after the team's Week 3 win over the division-rival San Francisco 49ers that the Niners' defense isn't the same this year. The focus in the offseason was on the team's offensive holdouts (receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams) while the team was quietly breaking in another new defensive coordinator in Nick Sorensen, who was promoted after the team parted ways with Steve Wilks after one season. Through the first three weeks in 2024, the Niners D has the third-worst third-down defense in the league, allowing a 52.9% conversion rate. Over head coach Kyle Shanahan's first seven seasons, his defenses allowed opponents to convert 39% of their third downs. It's something to watch as the season progresses, but it doesn't help that defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) is likely to miss the rest of the year.

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Haason Reddick Sep 28 1:30pm CT
Haason Reddick

There is no resolution in sight for the New York Jets with defensive end Haason Reddick as the two sides continue to communicate. If Reddick continues to hold out as he seeks a new long-term deal, his fines will reach $10 million by Halloween. The two sides have been in a stalemate for months, with Reddick convinced the Jets had promised him a new contract after they acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade. The Eagles traded Reddick after they were unwilling to pay him what he was seeking, believed to be in the $25 million per year range. The 30-year-old pass-rusher skipped all of the team's offseason workouts and even requested a trade in August. Reddick's holdout has extended through the first three weeks of the regular season, and there is no indication he'll report anytime soon. The Jets previously said they have no intentions of trading Reddick, so the staredown continues. New York doesn't want to give in, but the belief is the Jets may have no choice but to trade Reddick eventually.

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Nick Bosa Sep 28 1:20pm CT
Nick Bosa

The San Francisco 49ers defense/special teams unit will have a plus matchup when they host the New England Patriots in Week 4. Last week in Los Angeles, the 49ers allowed 27 points to the Rams while collecting three sacks and forcing zero turnovers. The Niners have disappointed fantasy players so far in 2024. They are currently in a three-way tie for 15th place in Yahoo default D/ST fantasy points. New England has had an issue with keeping opposing rushers out of the pocket in the early going, allowing the eighth-most sacks but they've done a great job protecting the football. They've lost one fumble and have yet to throw an interception. That hasn't necessarily led to production though, as New England is dead last in the NFL in offensive yards per game. The Patriots come into Sunday with a left tackle problem and are expected to start waiver-wire addition Trey Jacobs after the three players ahead of him were ruled out, so edge rusher Nick Bosa and San Francisco's pass rush should create plenty of backfield havoc. It's worth noting that San Francisco will be without run-stuffer Javon Hargrave (triceps) and defensive back Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is questionable. The Niners' D/ST has underperformed so far but better luck should be coming. Start them as a Top-5 option in Week 4.

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