Guest of the League
Talladega Nights Est. 2019
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 5 | NFL: Week 5

WR Strength of Schedule

Fri May 31 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 5

Player Notes
Tua Tagovailoa Oct 7 5:50pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is scheduled to meet with an expert on head injuries during the team's bye in Week 6. It was reported last week that Tagovailoa has been symptom-free since suffering another scary concussion in the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, the 26-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve, and there's currently no timetable for his return. Tagovailoa will be eligible to come off IR for Week 8, but expecting him to return that soon would be foolish. The good news is that it sounds as though Tagovailoa has a shot to play again this year, which seemed unlikely at the time of his injury. At least for Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Huntley is expected to make a second straight start under center for the Dolphins. Tagovailoa deserves to be stashed as a QB2 in single-year fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Huntley Oct 7 5:50pm CT
Tyler Huntley

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that he would "guess to forecast" that quarterback Tyler Huntley will remain the team's starting quarterback, regardless of Skylar Thompson's (ribs) status. The Dolphins are on bye in Week 6, but if Thompson is fully recovered from his rib injury coming out of the bye, it still sounds like Huntley will given a second straight start in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) won't be eligible to come off Injured Reserve until Week 8, but there's a good chance he won't be cleared by then. Huntley went 18-for-31 for 194 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in the Week 5 win over the division-rival New England Patriots. Miami's offense will be a shell of its former self until Tagovailoa can return. Huntley will remain a desperation QB2 play in superflex leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Oct 7 5:48pm CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert had seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in a win against Pittsburgh. Dynasty Analysis: Tolbert led the team in catches and targets while the Steelers focused much of the defensive game plan on CeeDee Lamb. Tolbert now has double digit fantasy points in three of four games and is quickly emerging as a legitimate option in fantasy leagues. With Brandin Cooks on injured reserve, Tolbert has a chance to take the WR2 job in Dallas and run with it. He'll be a flex consideration moving forward and maybe more if he can keep it up.

Rico Dowdle Oct 7 5:48pm CT
Rico Dowdle

Dynasty | Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle had 87 rushing yards, two catches, 27 receiving yards, and a touchdown in a win against the Steelers. Dynasty Analysis: After beginning the season in a rotation with Ezekiel Elliott, Dowdle has now taken over the backfield in Dallas. He had 22 touches this week compared to just six for Elliott. While his production has been far from dominant, his workload merits him to be in consideration each week. The Cowboys could still bring up Dalvin Cook but it seems Dowdle is going to finally get a chance to earn the job. He's a solid hold in dynasty leagues.

Trent Taylor Oct 7 5:43pm CT
Trent Taylor

San Francisco 49ers WR Trent Taylor reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Oct. 7, after being on the active roster for the Week 5 game.

From TheHuddle

Travis Etienne Oct 7 5:40pm CT
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) "got popped pretty good" on his shoulder in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Etienne had only six carries for 17 yards in the game but did help salvage some of his fantasy day with six receptions for 43 yards. Peterson said Etienne's carries from scrimmage were limited to keep him out of harm's way. The 25-year-old played 22 offensive snaps to Tank Bigsby's 23, while Bigsby had 13 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Bigsby also had a 28-yard catch. Etienne should be good to go for the Week 6 game in London against the Chicago Bears, but even if/when he puts his shoulder injury in the rearview mirror, it's looking like Bigsby will continue to demand a larger share of the backfield touches next to Etienne

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Oct 7 5:30pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) came out of the Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a sore back, but it shouldn't impact Stafford's availability coming out of the Week 6 bye. It's something to note, but Stafford should be fine to play next against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 at SoFi Stadium. The 36-year-old definitely has had much more of a challenge putting up points the last several weeks without both of his top receivers, Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee). Through the first five weeks of the 2024 season, Stafford has been the QB25 in fantasy with 1,238 passing yards, only three touchdowns and three interceptions. You aren't getting any rushing production from the aging veteran, either. Stafford isn't guaranteed to have Kupp or Nacua back in Week 7, although the matchup is a nice one at home against Vegas' D.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Oct 7 5:20pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs plans to attend practice on Wednesday coming out of his meeting with the team on Monday, according to a source. The source said that Doubs' meeting with the team "went well" after he was suspended for the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams for conduct detrimental to the team. Doubs decided not to show up to a few practices last week because he has been upset with his role in the offense, which led to him being suspended for Sunday's contest. It sounds like the 24-year-old will return to the mix in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals in a solid matchup, and if Christian Watson (ankle) misses a second straight game, Doubs could get the squeaky wheel treatment and be fed plenty of targets by quarterback Jordan Love. Doubs was a big part of Green Bay's offense last year and finished with 674 yards and eight touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Oct 7 5:20pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that a Week 7 return for wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) "would be an ideal target" while adding that was the "optimistic target date" from a few weeks ago. "By no means is that guaranteed," McVay said. The head coach declined to say whether Kupp would be back at practice after the team's bye in Week 6. A sprained left ankle suffered back in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals has kept the 31-year-old sidelined ever since. Fantasy managers are desperately waiting for Kupp's return, as he was looking like his 2021 self when he was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Through two games before spraining his ankle in 2024, Kupp had 18 catches on 27 targets for 147 yards and one touchdown. With Puka Nacua (knee) on Injured Reserve as well, Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Whittington have seen role boosts.

From RotoBaller

Geoff Swaim Oct 7 5:13pm CT
Geoff Swaim

Cleveland Browns TE Geoff Swaim reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Oct. 7, after being on the active roster for the Week 5 game.

From TheHuddle

Evan Engram Oct 7 5:10pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson thinks that tight end Evan Engram (hamstring), who hasn't played since the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, is likely to return for the Week 6 contest in London against the Chicago Bears. "I think the chances of him getting back in here this week are pretty good," Pederson said. Engram injured his hamstring before the Week 2 game and hasn't played since. However, the 30-year-old was able to practice last week and is nearing his return. Fantasy managers are probably going to be hesitant to use him as a TE1 in London against a strong Bears defense if he returns, but remember that the former first-rounder did lead all TEs in catches a year ago. In four weeks that Engram hasn't played, backup Brenton Strange has filled in nicely as a TE2 in fantasy with 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Oct 7 4:00pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott called wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) day-to-day on Monday. The Bills will continue to evaluate Shakir's ankle injury after he was forced to sit out of the Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The 24-year-old will hope to make some progress in practice this week and hopefully have a chance to return this Sunday against the division-rival New York Jets in Week 6. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of whether Shakir can return later on in the week. In his absence in Houston, quarterback Josh Allen and Buffalo's offense really struggled to sustain drives and put up points in a 23-20 loss. Allen threw for a season-low 131 yards on just nine completions, and rookie receiver Keon Coleman led the team in receiving on a 49-yard touchdown reception.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Oct 7 4:00pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) came out of the Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns "well." Robinson didn't have a carry in the second half of the game on Sunday, which Quinn said was "a coaching decision" as they monitor his knee. In the first half, B-Rob had seven carries for only 18 yards, but he saved the day for his fantasy managers by finding the end zone twice in an easy win over Cleveland. With the Commanders up big in the second half, there was really no need to push the 25-year-old after he came into the game questionable due to a knee injury. Robinson has five rushing touchdowns through five weeks, but fantasy managers have to be a little concerned that his workload will continue to be monitored heading into a Week 6 contest versus the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Chris Conley Oct 7 3:53pm CT
Chris Conley

San Francisco 49ers WR Chris Conley (oblique) and WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder) are considered day-to-day because of injuries, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

From TheHuddle

Nico Collins Oct 7 3:50pm CT
Nico Collins

After initially being deemed day-to-day on Monday, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that the team will evaluate wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) "week-to-week." "It takes a hamstring a couple weeks," Ryans said. Collins managed to catch both of his targets for 78 yards and his third touchdown of the season in the Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills before leaving the game, and now his status for the Week 6 contest against the New England Patriots is firmly up in the air. Fantasy managers should already be preparing as if he won't be available this week. The 25-year-old's status will be more clear once the Texans hold a few practices later this week. He currently has a league-high 567 receiving yards through five weeks and would be a big loss for Houston's offense. Second-year wideout Tank Dell, would be the biggest beneficiary in the Texans offense from a fantasy standpoint if Collins misses any time.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Oct 7 3:50pm CT
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still being evaluated this week. "Definitely improving, see where he is as the week goes on," Ryans said. Mixon tweaked his ankle in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears and hasn't played since. The Texans are going to play it coy with Mixon's status for now, but we should have a better idea of his status for Week 6 versus the New England Patriots once the team resumes practicing on Wednesday. There's also the status of Dameon Pierce (hamstring) to take into account in this backfield. Pierce hasn't played since Week 1 but is apparently getting close to a return. Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been splitting the backfield for Houston in each of the last three weeks, but Mixon will be the Texans' primary back once he's fully healthy.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Oct 7 3:40pm CT
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) will remain on Injured Reserve and will not be available to make his 2024 debut this Thursday night against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on the road in Week 6. McCaffrey is dealing with Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs and has yet to play so far in 2024. However, he did do some on-field work last week and didn't have any setbacks to his legs. The 49ers will continue to take things slow with last year's leading rusher, but it's been reported that CMC could be ready to make his season debut at the earliest in Week 7 for a rematch of last year's Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. But there's also a possibility that San Fran decides to hold McCaffrey out through their Week 9 bye. He needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats, while Jordan Mason maintains RB1 status for however long McCaffrey is sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Doug Pederson Oct 7 3:33pm CT
Doug Pederson

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne (shoulder) was held out during the later stages of the Week 5 game because of a shoulder injury but is expected to be fine moving forward, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

Fantasy Spin: Etienne was dealing with a shoulder injury leading up to the game, so he may have aggravated the injury. Fantasy players will need to monitor his practice participation during the week. He has been sharing playing time with Tank Bigsby over the last few weeks but should still be at least a flex option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Evan Engram Oct 7 3:33pm CT
Evan Engram

Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) has a good chance to play in the Week 6 game, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

Fantasy Spin: Engram has missed multiple games because of the injury but should see a decent amount of targets once he returns to the lineup. He can be a No. 1 tight end in fantasy leagues when he returns to the lineup.

From TheHuddle

Ricky Pearsall Oct 7 3:30pm CT
Ricky Pearsall

The San Francisco 49ers are not opening the practice window for rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) this week because the team isn't going to have a full-speed practice this week as they prepare to take on the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on a quick turnaround to kick off Week 6 action on Thursday night at Lumen Field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall will continue to undergo physical therapy while he stays on the Non-Football Injury list. Pearsall sustained a gunshot wound to his chest on Aug. 31 during an armed-robbery attempt and he also missed the majority of training camp due to a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old is getting close to rejoining practices, but the Niners will likely take the full 21-day window before activating him from the NFI list. Pearsall is fighting an uphill battle to make an impact in redraft fantasy leagues in 2024 after already missing a lot of time.

From RotoBaller