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
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns DE Za'Darius Smith (knee) left practice Monday, Aug. 5, because of a knee contusion.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele was a seventh-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning his path to making the opening-day roster will be challenging. However, Broncos reporter Benjamin Allbright said he is likely ahead of fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin on the depth chart, so he could have a realistic shot. The 26-year-old caught 98 passes for 1,288 yards and eight touchdowns in his final two seasons at Utah, but his solid showing at the 2024 NFL Combine was likely the primary factor in him being drafted. While it would be a nice surprise if he's on the Week 1 roster, he's unlikely to make a fantasy football impact as the potential WR4 or WR5 in an offense led by veteran Jarrett Stidham or rookie Bo Nix.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is listed ahead of first-round rookie Xavier Legette (foot) on the team's first unofficial depth chart. Mingo struggled in his rookie campaign after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Ole Miss product caught just 43 of his 85 targets for 418 yards and did not find the end zone. The organization added Legette and veteran wideout Diontae Johnson this offseason, and Adam Thielen remains on the roster, so it's tough to get excited about Mingo's fantasy prospects. That said, wide receivers often take a "Year 2 leap," and he could have more upside than expected if quarterback Bryce Young bounces back from an abysmal rookie campaign. Fantasy managers in traditional 12-team leagues can likely ignore him in drafts, but he could be a noteworthy waiver-wire option if he impresses early in the 2024 season.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars DT Arik Armstead (knee) is not ready to be activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list at this time, but the team believes he will be ready for the start of the regular season.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson is listed ahead of third-round rookie Malachi Corley as a starter on the team's first released depth chart. It's worth noting these depth charts aren't official yet, but team reporter Rich Cimini said Gipson has worked ahead of Corley during training camp. Gipson went undrafted out of Stephen F. Austin last year, but he was active for all 17 of New York's games and caught 21 passes for 229 yards. He also turned in 830 total return yards and one punt return for a touchdown. Star wideout Garrett Wilson figures to be the clear target hog in the New York offense, but Allen Lazard, Gipson, Corley, and Mike Williams (knee) could all make an impact as secondary options for Aaron Rodgers in what should be an improved passing attack.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (undisclosed) is reportedly dealing with "tightness" and is considered "day-to-day," according to head coach Zac Taylor. While it's never ideal to miss time or be limited in practice, this should not be much of a concern. The veteran from Penn State has racked up 260 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns through his first 98 games with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Although the Bengals selected Erick All Jr. in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Gesicki could begin the season as the clear TE1 for quarterback Joe Burrow as All works his way back from a torn ACL and adjusts to the NFL. That said, Gesicki likely has limited upside while competing for targets with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He is best served as a late-round flier in traditional fantasy leagues and best-ball setups.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (toe) did not participate in the team's joint practice with the New York Giants on Monday, as he is reportedly dealing with a toe injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell said the ailment is not a concern. At this point in the offseason, teams are likely to be extra cautious with their key players, but this should not ding LaPorta's standing ahead of the 2024 fantasy football season. The 2023 second-round pick out of Iowa set the record for the most receptions by a rookie tight end (86) last season and finished the year as the overall TE1. Detroit failed to add significant pass-catching weapons behind star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown this offseason, so many view LaPorta as the clear TE1 in upcoming fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns LB Jordan Hicks (undisclosed) and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Monday, Aug. 5.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) underwent an MRI on Monday after leaving practice early on Sunday, and tests revealed that he did not suffer a fractured foot. This is great news for the rookie first-rounder out of South Carolina, but he is being labeled "day-to-day" and is not expected to play in the team's preseason opener against the Patriots on Thursday. Legette was dealing with a hamstring issue earlier this offseason, so expect the organization to be cautious with him moving forward. While Legette's size-speed combination makes him an intriguing fantasy football option, Carolina could have one of the worst offenses in the NFL for the second consecutive season, and veteran wideout Diontae Johnson is expected to be the clear No. 1 wide receiver for Bryce Young.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day because of some tightness, according to head coach Zak Taylor.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker agreed to a four-year, $25.6 million deal that includes $17.8 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The deal makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL in terms of average salary ($6.4 million), passing Baltimore's Justin Tucker ($6 million) and Philadelphia's Jake Elliott ($6 million). The 29-year-old has been a part of all four Chiefs' squads that made it to the Super Bowl, and he has made 32 of his 35 field goal attempts in postseason action. Butker remains one of the best fantasy football and "real life" kickers in the NFL, and he is set to stay in Kansas City long-term.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns LB Za'Darius smith (undisclosed) was carted off the practice field Monday, Aug. 5.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs PK Harrison Butker agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $25.6 million, according to sources Monday, Aug. 5. The new deal includes $17.75 million guaranteed and ties Butker to Kansas City through the 2028 season.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith (hip/knee) returned to practice Monday, Aug. 5.
Fantasy Spin: As long as Smith is healthy, he's a viable QB2 option for fantasy managers.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent QB Jake Luton (Panthers) and TE Jesper Horsted (Saints) signed an undisclosed deal with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, Aug. 5. Also, DE Kemoko Turay (undisclosed) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list, and WR Tayvion Robinson was released.
From TheHuddle
Quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) entered training camp in "pole position," and it appeared that the starting job would be his to lose in his first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his calf injury has led to Justin Fields taking nearly all of the first-team repetitions. Fields struggled early on but has since looked better. Wilson is still likely in the lead for the starting job in Week 1, but if Fields can make routine and splash plays consistently, ESPN's Brooke Pryor thinks he might make this more of a competition that it initially appeared to be. Wilson is the safe option for Pittsburgh because of his experience and leadership qualities, but the aging signal-caller didn't look very good the last two years in Denver and has a low fantasy ceiling at this point. While Fields has been much too inconsistent early in his career, he undoubtedly has more big-play ability than Wilson, especially with his legs.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers are working hard on a trade to acquire wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers, according to sources, and a deal could get done soon. The 49ers now seem motivated to get something done, and the Steelers could use an upgrade at the position to help complement current WR1 George Pickens. Aiyuk is in a contract year and is looking to be traded after not being able to work out a long-term contract extension in the Bay Area. The 26-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State enters the 2024 season on the WR1/2 borderline after his second straight 1,000-yard season with 15 total touchdowns the last two regular seasons. If he were to land in Pittsburgh, he would immediately become the team's WR1 with quarterback Russell Wilson working with him, which would be a downgrade over Brock Purdy.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (hip, knee) has returned to training camp practice on Monday and is doing some throwing in full pads. Smith injured both his hip and knee during practice last week but is back on the field and should be just fine in time for the start of the 2024 regular season this fall. The 33-year-old probably won't play in the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers, though. Smith had by the far the best season of his career in 2022, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts, but he predictably came back down to Earth last year and finished with 3,624 passing yards, 20 TDs and nine picks in 15 games. He still has one of the best receiving duos in the league in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, so a bounce-back year is possible, just don't expect Smith to be a top-12 fantasy QB when all is said and done.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams ranked third in the NFL in rushing last year, but he also played in only 12 games, missing four contests with a sprained ankle and a fifth game due to rest purposes when the team had already clinched a playoff spot. LA averaged 94.25 rushing yards per game in the four games Williams missed due to injury. Williams is the team's lead RB, but drafting Blake Corum in the third round this year gives the Rams the ability to spell Williams after he averaged 22 touches per game in 2023. Both Williams and Corum have a physical style of running, and the coaching staff sees many similarities in the two of them. Allowing Williams to "stay fresh" this year is something the Rams are prioritizing. Williams had a big year in 2023, but his injury history and the addition of Corum to share the backfield make him a shaky RB1 target in 2024.
From RotoBaller
SI.com's Albert Breer writes that Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been impressive so far in training camp while running the second-team offense as he heads into his first NFL season as a backup to veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix has looked good getting guys in and out of the huddle and is getting a better feel for progressing to the backside of some of the team's new passing concepts. He has a knack for pushing the ball down the field and has had a handful of wo throws every week. The 24-year-old was a surprise as the eighth overall pick in April's draft after the team signed Cousins in free agency. There's a ton of long-term upside for Penix in fantasy if he can avoid the injury bug, but he'll be off the redraft radar as long as Cousins stays healthy.
From RotoBaller
