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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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Player Notes
Rashee Rice Sep 29 4:10pm CT
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) was carted to the locker room during the first quarter of Week 4 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. He has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Rice suffered the injury after taking friendly fire from quarterback Patrick Mahomes during a Chargers interception return. At the time of his departure, Rice had not been targeted. Mahomes still has plenty of pass-catchers at his disposal amidst Rice's absence, including tight end Travis Kelce. Wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, and JuJu Smith-Schuster are all candidates to earn extra opportunities in the passing game, too. From a big-picture perspective, fantasy managers should stay tuned for postgame updates on Rice's status, including information on the severity of the injury and a timetable for Rice's return.

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Stefon Diggs Sep 29 4:00pm CT
Stefon Diggs

Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs finished with a solidly productive five catches for 69 yards and a rushing touchdown in a 24-20 victory against Jacksonville on Sunday. The veteran receiver drew nine targets, but found the end zone in the first quarter on a trick play that went awry. Houston handed the ball to Diggs with the intention of having him throw a pass, but he bailed on the idea and weaved his way through the Jags' defense for a six-yard touchdown run instead. The former Buffalo Bill now has three total touchdowns on the season. He'll play his former squad in Week 5 when Buffalo visits Houston.

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Nico Collins Sep 29 4:00pm CT
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Another week, another impressive stat line from Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who compiled 12 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 victory against Jacksonville. The NFL's receiving yards leader was productive from the outset. Once again the target leader for Houston with a whopping 15, the former Michigan Wolverine caught a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud in the first half for the Texans' second touchdown. Collins will look for yet another big performance when the Texans play host to the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.

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Cam Akers Sep 29 4:00pm CT
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Houston Texans running back Cam Akers had the backfield mostly to himself on Sunday in a 24-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing with 53 yards on 13 carries without a touchdown or a catch. For the second straight week, the Texans were without starting running back Joe Mixon, thrusting the former L.A. Ram into spot duty. With the game on the line, however, running back Dare Ogunbowale drew the key target from quarterback C.J. Stroud, a one-yard touchdown inside the final minute. Akers likely will return to a backup role if Mixon returns in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.

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C.J. Stroud Sep 29 4:00pm CT
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud led his team to a dramatic 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, finishing 27-of-40 for 345 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. The second-year quarterback completed a productive day with a one-yard touchdown connection to Dare Ogunbowale with 18 seconds to play. Houston had a scoreless second half until the nine-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that secured the win, though Stroud remained mistake-free throughout. The Houston quarterback will look for a second straight win next week against the Buffalo Bills.

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Jacoby Brissett Sep 29 3:50pm CT
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New England Patriots center David Andrews (shoulder) exited during the first quarter of Week 4 versus the San Francisco 49ers. He was taken to the locker room and is officially questionable to return. The Patriots already have one of the weakest, most inexperienced offensive lines in football, so losing Andrews, a 10-year veteran, is far from ideal. His injury is bad news for New England's playmakers, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett and running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. Nick Leverett, who played just two offensive snaps through the first three weeks, will now take over at center for the duration of Andrews' absence.

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Dalton Schultz Sep 29 3:50pm CT
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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz hauled in three passes for 34 yards on five targets in his team's 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Frustratingly, Schultz was close to scoring the game-winning touchdown, but was brought down at the two-yard line before the Texans eventually scored. The former Dallas Cowboy has been the odd man out next to a talented receiving corps, sitting in fourth place on the team in targets. The tight end will look for better when Houston plays host to Buffalo in Week 5.

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Dallas Goedert Sep 29 3:33pm CT
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Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert caught seven passes for 62 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. He was targeted eight times during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Goedert was the main option in the passing game since A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were unavailable and had a solid performance. He will still see a decent amount of targets when the receivers return to the lineup and can be a No. 1 tight end most weeks.

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Trey Hendrickson Sep 29 3:30pm CT
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. At the time of his departure, he had registered two tackles and one pass defended. Hendrickson is a key piece of the Bengals' defense, so losing him for any amount of time is bad news. In all likelihood, the Bengals' coaching staff will provide an update on his status in the aftermath of Sunday's game. In the event that he misses additional time, Joseph Ossai would be in line to earn more snaps.

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Alvin Kamara Sep 29 3:23pm CT
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New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara rushed 19 times for 77 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, while adding seven receptions for 42 yards on nine targets.

Fantasy Spin: The 29-year-old has totaled 110 or more total scrimmage yards in each of his first four games, while totaling six scores (five rushing, one receiving). He has returned to RB1 fantasy status in all leagues this season. He'll look to keep up the good work in Week 5 at Kansas City on Monday night.

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Taysom Hill Sep 29 3:23pm CT
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New Orleans Saints TE Taysom Hill (abdomen) had six runs for 24 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons before leaving with an abdominal injury. He was not targeted in the pass game. Hill was unable to return after departing early.

Fantasy Spin: Hill was on his way to a pretty decent fantasy stat line due to the touchdowns. The extent of his injury is not certain. When more details become available, we'll pass along to try and help determine his status for Week 5 in Kansas City on Monday.

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Jamaal Williams Sep 29 3:23pm CT
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New Orleans Saints RB Jamaal Williams rushed three times for 11 yards while adding two receptions for eight yards on two targets in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons

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Saquon Barkley Sep 29 3:23pm CT
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Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. He also caught two passes for 32 yards during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Barkley did not receive a lot of touches this week because the team was trailing for most of the game but was still productive in his limited work. He will continue to be a big part of the offense for the Eagles and is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues.

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Derek Carr Sep 29 3:13pm CT
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New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr completed 28-of-36 passes for 239 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, while adding five rushing yards on three attempts.

Fantasy Spin: After a red-hot start to the season, posting at least three total touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) in the first two games, Carr has regressed to the mean. He has just one touchdown pass, two picks and just 381 passing yards across the past two games. After putting up QB1-type numbers in the first couple of weeks, Carr is back in QB2 fantasy territory. He'll look to get back on track in Week 5 at Kansas City on Monday Night Football.

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Jonathan Taylor Sep 29 3:10pm CT
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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, Taylor had registered 88 rushing yards, 20 receiving yards, and one touchdown. The Colts enjoyed a balanced offensive attack even after Joe Flacco came off the bench to replace Anthony Richardson (hip) on Sunday afternoon. The Colts are leaving the door open for Taylor to return in Week 4, but in the event that he remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect some sort of injury update from the coaching staff after the game. Trey Sermon will handle the bulk of touches out of the backfield until Taylor can return.

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Shaq Thompson Sep 29 3:10pm CT
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Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He is officially listed as doubtful to return. At the time of his departure, he had registered seven tackles, so his absence is tough news for Carolina's defensive core. To add insult to injury, the Panthers are also currently without Shaq Thompson (leg), who was carted to the locker room in Week 4. With both Jewell and Thompson currently sidelined, depth linebackers Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace will likely earn more defensive snaps.

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Tyrann Mathieu Sep 29 3:03pm CT
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New Orleans Saints S Tyrann Mathieu (groin) suffered a groin injury during the Week 4 game and is considered questionable to return.

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Shaq Thompson Sep 29 3:00pm CT
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Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (leg) was carted to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team has not yet announced any sort of update or designation pertaining to the veteran's injury. At the time of his departure, he had recorded five tackles. Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace are candidates to earn more snaps for the duration of Thompson's absence.

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Myles Cole Sep 29 3:00pm CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Josh Hines-Allen (head) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. He was quickly evaluated and ultimately diagnosed with a concussion. As a result, he has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. At the time of his departure, he had registered three tackles, including two quarterback hits. We will likely get an update on his status in the aftermath of the game, but Hines-Allen should be considered a longshot to play in Week 5 versus the Indianapolis Colts given the typical recovery time for a concussion in the NFL. Rookie Myles Cole could see more snaps until Hines-Allen is able to return to the mix.

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Myles Cole Sep 29 2:50pm CT
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Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Josh Hines-Allen (head) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans and is being evaluated for a concussion. At the time of his departure, he had registered three tackles, including two quarterback hits. Hines-Allen is merely being evaluated right now, but if he were to officially enter concussion protocol, he'd be a longshot to suit up in Week 5 versus the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Myles Cole could see more snaps until Hines-Allen is able to return.

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