WR Strength of Schedule
Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Lamb could top last season
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the receiver 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 receivers last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the receivers with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the receivers that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| WR SOS | ||
| 1. | Denver Broncos | 531.34 |
| 2. | Los Angeles Chargers | 536.08 |
| 3. | Miami Dolphins | 537.31 |
| 4. | Kansas City Chiefs | 549.96 |
| 5. | Las Vegas Raiders | 552.89 |
| 6. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 554.85 |
| 7. | New England Patriots | 555.93 |
| 8. | Buffalo Bills | 556.13 |
| 9. | Houston Texans | 561.75 |
| 10. | San Francisco 49ers | 565.73 |
| 11. | New Orleans Saints | 566.06 |
| 12. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 566.19 |
| 13. | Cincinnati Bengals | 566.32 |
| 14. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 570.07 |
| 15. | Baltimore Ravens | 571.77 |
| 16. | Seattle Seahawks | 573.41 |
| 17. | Minnesota Vikings | 573.91 |
| 18. | Philadelphia Eagles | 574.46 |
| 19. | Carolina Panthers | 575.49 |
| 20. | Los Angeles Rams | 575.79 |
| 21. | Washington Commanders | 575.91 |
| 22. | Detroit Lions | 576.36 |
| 23. | Atlanta Falcons | 577.76 |
| 24. | New York Jets | 577.99 |
| 25. | Tennessee Titans | 578.06 |
| 26. | Indianapolis Colts | 578.18 |
| 27. | Cleveland Browns | 583.5 |
| 28. | Arizona Cardinals | 586.09 |
| 29. | New York Giants | 586.93 |
| 30. | Chicago Bears | 601.21 |
| 31. | Dallas Cowboys | 608.4 |
| 32. | Green Bay Packers | 610.22 |
The Packers have the easiest fantasy schedule for receivers. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson could be setup for career best seasons with this schedule. These are guys you can get a little later come draft day and mid-round options that could be difference makers for fantasy owners.
CeeDee Lamb is considered the No. 1 overall fantasy receiver for many and his schedule helps make that claim even stronger. Lamb has the second most favorable schedule for receivers. Lamb was huge last year and could improve on that even more, especially since the Cowboys could struggle to run the ball with their current options.
The Bears, Giants and Cardinals also round out the top-five most favorable receiver schedules. Chicago has a great trio of receivers with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze. These guys could produce big as long as rookie Caleb Williams gets the job done at quarterback in year one. Moore has more to compete with for targets this year, but you still have to like his chances for a big season in year two with the Bears.
The Giants and Cardinals both have some question marks at receiver, but a couple rookies lead the way for both teams. Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison could have big rookie seasons with their new teams. These guys both have a chance to lead all rookie fantasy receivers in scoring.
On the opposite side of things, the Broncos have the most challenging schedule for receivers. The Broncos have all sorts of questions at receiver outside of Courtland Sutton. This is a unit of receivers you just might want to avoid come draft day. This schedule won’t make anything easier for this group.
The Chargers are a similar team to the Broncos, having openings and questions at receiver. So once again, it might be best to let someone else put Chargers receivers on their roster. Plus, the Chargers could be a lot more run heavy with a new coach running the show. The tough schedule and new offense make taking any Chargers receiver a bit of a risk.
There are two really good offenses on the list that have tough schedules for receivers. Both the Dolphins and Chiefs have a top-five least favorable schedule for receivers. The Dolphins have one of the best receiver duos in football, so it is tough to fade them because of this schedule. Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should be able to produce big numbers once again in this offense.
The Chiefs are a little more concerning. This offense is a little matchup proof, but don’t have that elite receiver on their roster. Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown lead the way. Brown hasn’t been great in recent seasons and Rice is facing a suspension. These guys will carry some risk come draft day, especially after seeing this schedule.
Davante Adams is usually another star receiver that is matchup proof, but you have to wonder a little this year. He has some question marks at quarterback, which could hurt his production when you pair it with this schedule. Adams is dealing with the fifth toughest fantasy schedule for receivers.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy receivers. 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 receivers with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
| WR PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | Los Angeles Rams | 501.93 |
| 2. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 515.53 |
| 3. | Kansas City Chiefs | 519.43 |
| 4. | New York Giants | 521.63 |
| 5. | Miami Dolphins | 532.77 |
| 6. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 534.53 |
| 7. | Houston Texans | 538 |
| 8. | Buffalo Bills | 540.87 |
| 9. | Las Vegas Raiders | 541.9 |
| 10. | Carolina Panthers | 549.33 |
| 11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 552.17 |
| 12. | Detroit Lions | 553.73 |
| 13. | Arizona Cardinals | 555.27 |
| 14. | Cleveland Browns | 555.4 |
| 15. | Minnesota Vikings | 560.93 |
| 16. | New England Patriots | 573.03 |
| 17. | Los Angeles Chargers | 573.1 |
| 18. | Tennessee Titans | 575.17 |
| 19. | Baltimore Ravens | 581.27 |
| 20. | Seattle Seahawks | 585.08 |
| 21. | New York Jets | 585.5 |
| 22. | Denver Broncos | 587.2 |
| 23. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 587.8 |
| 24. | Philadelphia Eagles | 589.73 |
| 25. | Green Bay Packers | 590.85 |
| 26. | Washington Commanders | 591.57 |
| 27. | New Orleans Saints | 604.13 |
| 28. | Dallas Cowboys | 609.73 |
| 29. | Indianapolis Colts | 614 |
| 30. | San Francisco 49ers | 641.53 |
| 31. | Atlanta Falcons | 644.93 |
| 32. | Chicago Bears | 647.98 |
The Bears and Cowboys are the teams that make both the top five easiest receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. Chicago has the easiest for the entire playoffs. Once again, their top trio of receivers are looking pretty good come draft day.
Lamb continues to make his case to be the first receiver selected come draft day. He could have a monster season and finish strong as well with the fifth easiest schedule for the playoffs. Lamb might be the most surefire first-round pick come draft day.
The Falcons, 49ers and Colts also have a top-five favorable playoff schedule for receivers. Atlanta receivers were looking up to begin with, getting a legit quarterback throwing them passes this year. And this schedule makes their options look even better, especially Drake London. He could have a breakout season.
San Francisco has great options at receiver in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. They are pretty safe picks come draft day. And they get a very favorable playoff schedule that could make them even more appealing to fantasy owners. These guys both have really solid floors come draft day in this offense.
Michael Pittman keeps getting it done as the No. 1 option for the Colts. If Anthony Richardson can become that true No. 1 at quarterback for Indy, Pittman would look even better. Pittman has produced in recent year despite having some quarterback issues. His game could go to a higher level this year if Richardson breaks out. Pittman could be a league winner if everything breaks his way in 2024.
The Chiefs and Dolphins are two of the best offenses in football but also the only two teams to make the top five most unfavorable receiver schedules for both the regular season and playoffs. This is a tad concerning for both teams, Again, it is tough to bet against Hill, but maybe you drop him down your rankings just few spots behind the other elite guys because of this. You hate to use an early round pick on a receiver to see him maybe not produce what he should come playoff time.
And as mentioned with the Chiefs, their top two receivers already face a few question marks, so maybe their tough schedules make them players to let someone else draft. Both Brown and Rice could be a little erratic.
The Rams actually have the toughest playoff schedule for receivers. They are another team with two of the best receivers in football. It is tough to bet against either Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp, but the playoff schedule is a little scary, especially for Kupp. He seems to be trending down at this stage of his career.
The Jaguars and Giants are the two other teams with a top-five unfavorable fantasy schedule for the playoffs. The Jags have Christian Kirk and Gabriel Davis as their top two receivers. Kirk is normally pretty steady but Davis can be boom or bust. Seeing his playoff schedule should bump him down a few spots in your rankings. It could be more of the same for Davis with his new team.
And the Giants are an outlier here, having an easy schedule for receivers during the regular season but the fourth toughest for the playoffs. This makes it tough come draft day. Their receivers could be good values for the regular season but disappoint when it counts. You do have to just make the playoffs, though, so we aren’t sure we shy away from Giant receivers just because of their tough playoff schedule. You still might be able to get good value with their options that help you win during the season.
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
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan (hamstring) is officially out for Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles after he was listed as doubtful on the final injury report on Friday. McMillan tweaked his hamstring during practice on Friday and will miss the first game of his career after going for three receptions on six targets for 59 yards and one touchdown in his first three games. He has averaged 19.7 yards receiving per game and has effectively become the No. 3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But for Sunday's game at Raymond James Stadium, expect Trey Palmer to take over McMillan's duties against Philly. It's unclear if McMillan will be able to return on a short week in Week 5 versus the Atlanta Falcons next Thursday. For now, McMillan is merely a deep-league stash for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still several weeks away from playing, barring an injury to Jacoby Brissett, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. While Maye did see the field in garbage time against the New York Jets last week, the No. 3 overall pick has not yet been ramped up to NFL speed and continues to see roughly 30 percent of snaps in practice. The Patriots evidently aren't ready to make a change at quarterback yet, which means the starting job still belongs to Brissett. The veteran has completed 61 percent of his passes for 368 yards and one touchdown so far. Despite the low offensive numbers, Patriots fans and fantasy managers in deep leagues have to be excited that he hasn't turned over the football through three weeks. On a less positive note, he's taken nine sacks between a porous offensive line.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (back) is officially active for the Week 4 game on Sunday against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Allen was listed as questionable for this weekend's game but will suit up as the team looks for their second straight victory on the road in a hostile environment. Even with both receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) missing another game, Allen is off the fantasy radar as he works behind starting tight end Colby Parkinson. Parkinson himself has been disappointing in recent weeks with both Kupp and Nacua injured, and the Rams offense could struggle on the road against a tough Bears defense in Week 4. Through three games in 2024, Allen has only been targeted once, in the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, and he was unable to haul in the pass. Not much will be expected of him against Chicago.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (knee), who was listed as questionable, is officially active for the Week 4 contest on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Vea suffered a knee injury in Week 2 and missed last week's loss against the Denver Broncos. Getting Vea back will be a much-needed boost to Tampa's defensive line as they look to slow down Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who has gotten off to a strong start early in his Eagles tenure. Although the Broncos didn't really impose their will on the ground last week, Vea's absence from a pass-rush perspective was felt, as they were unable to sack rookie quarterback Bo Nix at all. Vea could have his snaps limited in his return to action against the Eagles, but his presence alone is a big boost for the Bucs' D as they look to slow the Eagles down.
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen (heel) is officially active for the Week 4 game.
Fantasy Spin: Allen will return to the lineup after a two-week absence and should have a good role in the passing game against the Los Angeles Rams. He can be a starting option in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
The Los Angeles Rams have declared WR Cooper Kupp, QB Stetson Bennett, DL Desjuan Johnson, DE Brennan Jackson, OT Geron Christian and RB Cody Schrader inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson is not active for Week 4's game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Wilson will only be available in this afternoon's game if a third quarterback is needed. QB Justin Fields will receive his fourth start of the season but should only be a starting option in deeper two-quarterback fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) is officially active for the Week 4 game.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara should continue to be a significant part of the Saints offense this week and is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
As expected, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) will return for a Week 4 divisional showdown on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings after spraining his left knee in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Love has been limited in practices the last two weeks and has been given the green light to return after missing two games. The Packers could have some packages for backup QB Malik Willis after he led the club to two wins with Love out, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect Love to be moving as well in his first game back as he wears a brace on his knee. Expect an aggressive Vikings defense to bring plenty of blitzes to test Love's mobility in and out of the pocket. Love's return surely makes Green Bay's receiving weapons intriguing again in fantasy, while Love will be a more volatile QB1 option for managers in his first game back.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) and wide receiver Roman Wilson (coach's decision) are both inactive for Week 4 versus the Indianapolis Colts. Russell Wilson has yet to make his Steelers debut, and he'll operate as the team's emergency third quarterback for the fourth consecutive week. Justin Fields will start at quarterback for Pittsburgh while Kyle Allen backs him up once again. As for Roman Wilson, the rookie has missed two games due to injury and two games as a healthy scratch so far. He has yet to make his NFL debut, instead remaining buried on the depth chart behind George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs Rachaad White (illness) and Bucky Irving (hamstring) are both officially active on Sunday for a Week 4 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. White was a late addition to the injury report this week and was listed as questionable on Saturday due to an illness, but he will play. Through the first three weeks of the season, White has underwhelmed as Tampa's lead back, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry on 31 rushing attempts for 66 yards and no touchdowns, adding 12 catches for 98 yards. Meanwhile, the rookie Irving has averaged 6.2 yards per tote on 25 carries for 154 yards while catching five passes for 28 yards. Irving has looked more spry and has obviously been more productive, potentially leading to a more even split this weekend in Tampa. Both backs should be considered RB3/flex plays against the Eagles as the Bucs look to bounce back after a lackluster showing against Denver in Week 3.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared OG Cole Van Lanen, S Darnell Savage, OT Javon Foster, LB Myles Cole, LB Devin Lloyd, DT Jordan Jefferson and TE Evan Engram inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
The Minnesota Vikings have declared CB Dwight McGlothern, DB Fabian Moreau, WR Trishton Jackson, QB Brett Rypien, OT Walter Rouse, LB Ivan Pace Jr. and DT Levi Drake Rodriguez inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson (knee) is officially inactive for Week 4 versus the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable but will ultimately miss his third consecutive contest. Hudson hasn't played since Week 1 when he caught two passes for 18 yards and lost a fumble. Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Erick All have looked solid at the tight end position this year, so even when Hudson is healthy, he might not have much of a role on offense. He should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) is officially inactive for Week 4 versus the Denver Broncos. He had been listed as doubtful, so his absence Sunday is not much of a surprise. The 32-year-old will miss his second consecutive contest. Through the first two weeks of the year, he registered 12 tackles. Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams will be tasked with anchoring the Jets' linebacking core against Denver on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets have declared LB Braiden McGregor, OT Morgan Moses, RB Israel Abanikanda, LB C.J. Mosley, OT Carter Warren, DT Leonard Taylor III and CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
The Houston Texans have declared RB Dameon Pierce, LB Jamal Hill, WR Tank Dell, SS Jimmie Ward, RB Joe Mixon and OG Nick Broeker inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
The Cincinnati Bengals have declared DL Sheldon Rankins, TE Tanner Hudson, TE Tanner McLachlan and DT B.J. Hill inactive for Week 4.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets LB Haason Reddick is not a trade option for the Dallas Cowboys even though LB Micah Parsons (ankle) and DE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) are dealing with injuries, according to sources.
From TheHuddle
Updating previous reports, Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (hamstring) is considered week-to-week because of a hamstring injury sustained during the closing minutes of practice Thursday, Sept. 26, according to multiple league sources.
Fantasy Spin: Adams has already been ruled out for Week 4's game against the Cleveland Browns and fantasy owners will have to check back regularly to see his status for Week 5's game versus the Denver Broncos. In the meantime, WR Jakobi Meyers should see an increased number of targets and can be a possible flex option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
