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.
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The Paur Report
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) did not practice Wednesday in the team's first session of the week. It's another day spent on the sidelines for him after being diagnosed with a fractured rib a week ago. It's a good sign for the 34-year-old that his injury has not required a trip to the injured reserve, but it appears he still needs some time to recover after sustaining the injury early in the Saints' Week 4 contest against the Falcons. Teammate Juwan Johnson should continue to see an uptick in snaps while Hill is sidelined, with Foster Moreau also mixing in. The duo could be in store for a busy day in a potential shootout against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad that's put up 30 or more points in 3-of-5 outings. However, the Bucs allow just the tenth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends per game (4.8) in the league thus far, making them one of the less favorable matchups.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy faces the division-rival Seahawks in Seattle for a Week 6 matchup on Thursday night. In a surprising one-point home loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, Purdy left something to be desired with a 19-for-35, 244-yard effort, including a touchdown, two interceptions, and 33 yards rushing. Seattle is 11th-best in the NFL at limiting fantasy quarterbacks in Yahoo default scoring. However, the Seahawks are dealing with significant injuries on defense, which boosts Purdy's outlook. Starting defenders CB Riq Woolen, DT Byron Murphy II, and LB Uchenna Nwosu have all been ruled out, plus two linebackers and a safety have been tagged questionable. Running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) remains on Injured Reserve, but Purdy is otherwise equipped with a fully healthy offense. He'll look to beat projections for just the second time this year as a mid/low QB1.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (foot) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week. The third-year back was efficient in the Buccaneers' 36-30 loss to the Falcons last Thursday night, averaging 7.2 yards per carry over his ten rush attempts. However, he appeared to be bent awkwardly while being taken to the ground by an Atlanta defender. White returned to the contest after leaving the field but did not look to be 100%. It's an encouraging sign that he could practice in at least a limited fashion, but fantasy managers will want to monitor his status over the coming days. Rookie running back Bucky Irving will handle most of the running back touches if White can't play. The 25-year-old has improved his efficiency on the ground over the last two weeks and still leads this backfield in snaps. However, the former fourth-round pick has closed the snap-share gap since Week 3. Atlanta gets a formidable opponent in Week 6 when they take on the New Orleans Saints on the road.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (concussion) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first practice of the week. The 23-year-old has been on the shelf since Tampa Bay's Week 4 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles when he picked up a concussion. Palmer will have two more opportunities to upgrade his practice participation ahead of a Week 6 road tilt against the New Orleans Saints. If he can't, he'll be at risk of missing his second-straight contest. Wideouts Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Kameron Johnson (ankle) were each able to get in limited sessions on Wednesday. If Palmer can't play on Sunday, that duo would be in line to pick up more snaps behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Sterling Shepherd. Shepherd has the third-most WR snaps for the team over the last two weeks.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent QB C.J. Beathard (Jaguars) and free-agent QB Nate Sudfeld (Lions) worked out for the Tennessee Titans Wednesday, Oct. 9.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Fantasy Spin: Adams is not expected to play this week, but fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation to see if anything changes. Brock Bowers may be the only Raiders pass catcher that is a must-start option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns S Grant Delpit (concussion), DE Myles Garrett (Achilles), S Ronnie Hickman (ankle), OT James Hudson (shoulder), C Ethan Pocic (knee) and CB Denzel Ward (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9. OT Jack Conklin (hamstring), LB Mohamoud Diabate (hip), LB Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), RB Nyheim Hines (knee), DT Maurice Hurst (ankle), RB Pierre Strong (hamstring), OT Jedrick Wills (knee) and OG Zak Zinter (knee) were limited during practice. DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (illness) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns RB D'onta Foreman (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Fantasy Spin: Foreman has been sharing playing time with Jerome Ford, so fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Foreman will be available. He could be a possible flex option in leagues if he plays.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Fantasy Spin: Cooper has been targeted at least eight times in every game so far this season and should continue to see a good amount of targets. The Browns passing game has not had a lot of success, but he can still be at least a flex option in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Fantasy Spin: It is not known when Chubb will be added to the 53-man roster, so fantasy players should continue to monitor the situation. He may not receive a normal workload when he returns but likely will take over the starting job at some point. He should be a starting fantasy option in the near future.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers LB Joey Bosa (hip), PK Cameron Dicker (illness), CB Kristian Fulton (knee), S Derwin James (non-injury), CB Deane Leonard (hamstring) and CB Ja'Sir Taylor (leg) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9. OT Joe Alt (knee), LB Junior Colson (hamstring), LB Daiyan Henley (shoulder), TE Hayden Hurst (Achilles), LB Khalil Mack (non-injury), LB Denzel Perryman (shoulder), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) and OT Rashawn Slater (pectoral) were limited during practice.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) is on the injury report again in Week 6 after putting in a limited practice on Wednesday. Etienne was also limited in practice all of last week before being active in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, seeing nine touches for 60 yards. He aggravated his shoulder injury and barely played in the second half, watching backfield mate Tank Bigsby once again take over and provide 128 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. The 25-year-old Etienne should be fine to play in Week 6 in London against the Chicago Bears, but it's a bad matchup, and he could continue to cede touches to the more productive and explosive Bigsby. As things currently stand, Etienne's fantasy arrow is pointing down. If he's active in London, he'll be a shaky RB2 for fantasy managers at risk of losing more playing time to Bigsby.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) was once again limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Davis led all Jaguars receivers in offensive snaps in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, but it led to only three receptions on four targets for 38 yards. In his first year in Jacksonville, Davis has been more of an afterthought for the 1-4 Jags, catching 12 of 25 targets for 159 yards and no touchdowns. The 25-year-old's chances of breaking out this Sunday in London against a stout Chicago Bears defense don't seem great, especially if tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) returns for the first time since the season opener. Davis should be just fine to suit up in Week 6 this weekend, but fantasy managers should have better options to use in their flex spot. Davis isn't even among the top-50 receivers in half-PPR fantasy scoring through five weeks.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos WR Josh Reynolds (hand) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Fantasy Spin: Reynolds has received only six targets in the last three games and only had nine receiving yards in Week 5. He probably will see a few targets this week but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
After being suspended for the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs returned to practice on Wednesday and wasn't limited in any fashion. Doubs decided to skip a few practices last week because he was unhappy with his role in the offense, so the Packers suspended him for a game due to conduct detrimental to the team. The 24-year-old reportedly is back on the same page with the team and should be active for Week 6 against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. It's possible Green Bay could look to involve him more this Sunday in a good matchup, although receiver Christian Watson (ankle) could also make his return. The Packers have a lot of mouths to feed in the receiving corps among Doubs, Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Fantasy managers will be rolling the dice if they use Doubs as a WR4/flex in Week 6 against the Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. The Jaguars are optimistic that Engram can return to action in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears in London this Sunday after not playing since the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins. Engram injured his hamstring during pre-game warmups before Week 2 and hasn't played since. The 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler had a career-best 963 receiving yards in 2023 in his second year in Jacksonville, but so far in 2024 he's been a fantasy bust due to his hamstring injury. Engram caught just one pass for five yards in Week 1. If he ends up returning to the field this Sunday in London, he'll be a low-end TE1 in fantasy, at best. Brenton Strange has filled in nicely for the Jags in Engram's absence and has found the end zone twice.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is expected to miss multiple weeks. The Colts have also suggested that Pittman may be placed on injured reserve. Pittman was a non-participant in practice on Wednesday and is listed as doubtful heading into this weekend. This is unfortunate news for fantasy managers as Pittman had just started to come alive. He had at least 113 receiving yards or a touchdown in his last two games. That may be attributed to the presence of quarterback Joe Flacco in the lineup rather than a struggling Anthony Richardson. However, it could be some time before fantasy managers find out if Pittman is able to build on that momentum. Pittman has recorded 22 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown in 2024. For now, fantasy managers will have to stick him in their IR spot and hope for the best.
Dynasty | The Texans have placed wide receiver Nico Collins on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Collins has gone from an afterthought, to a serviceable receiver, to a possible lineup staple, to a WR1, to perhaps the best receiver in fantasy leagues over the past three years. This is a major buzzkill as he has been flat-out dominant. Savvy owners who aren't competing right now could make a "buy low" play for his services to a team desperate to win, but you're not likely to get him. Unfortunately, he's going to be out for at least four weeks and that should open up targets for Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, Dalton Schultz and others.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers C Graham Barton (hamstring), S Christian Izien (elbow, groin) and WR Trey Palmer (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9. WR Kameron Johnson (ankle) S Jordan Whitehead (groin) and S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) were limited during practice. DE Earnest Brown (ribs), DE William Gholston (knee), OT Luke Goedeke (concussion) and DT Calijah Kancey (calf) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints OG Cesar Ruiz (knee), DE Payton Turner (knee), QB Derek Carr (oblique), OG Lucas Patrick (chest), S Will Harris (hamstring) and LB Pete Werner (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 9. LB Willie Gay (hand) was limited during practice, while RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
