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
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins had 60 yards off a team-high six catches in Sunday's win over the Panthers. The wideout returned from a two-game absence for the Week 3 loss to the Commanders. However, he had only three receptions in that one. But with 10 targets in Week 4, it appears Higgins still has the attention of Joe Burrow, making him worthy of a starting spot in all fantasy formats when the Bengals meet the Ravens in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets defense played well in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. The Jets were unable to notch any sacks but did force a turnover while holding the Broncos to just 186 yards of total offense in the close loss on a rainy afternoon in New Jersey. New York's defense got their lone takeaway when they recovered a Tyler Badie fumble in the contest. The Jets will have their work cut out for them when they take on a red-hot Minnesota Vikings offense in London in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins was bottled up again in a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Dobbins led the backfield in carries with 14 and also led in rushing yards, but with just 32. He was targeted four times in the passing game, making three catches for 30 yards. It was a rough day for the Chargers running game in general, as the longest play on the ground was a 12-yard run by Dobbins. For the first time this season, the Chargers offense threw the ball more times (27) than they ran it (24). Dobbins will have better games ahead, and his usage remains encouraging going forward, as no other Charger back had more than six carries in this game. The Bolts head into their bye week and will come out in Week 6 to take on the Broncos in Denver.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards received only six touches in a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Edwards ran the ball six times, gaining 19 yards with a long gain of five. He was not targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins wasn't particularly effective (14 carries for 32 yards), but he clearly remains the RB1 in the Chargers backfield while Edwards fades further and further into a backup/change of pace role. Edwards is droppable in most formats right now and likely won't have much fantasy value this season unless Dobbins is forced to miss time.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson rushed six times for 12 yards on the ground during Sunday's Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He left much more of an impact in the receiving game, hauling in three of four targets for an additional 67 yards through the air. He finished as the Patriots' receiving yards leader. Gibson now has 219 scrimmage yards over the last three weeks, but he's still searching for his first touchdown as a member of the Patriots. Nevertheless, he has demonstrated a tendency for breaking off big plays within a Patriots offense desperately searching for a spark after a 1-3 start. Gibson is still operating as the Patriots' No. 2 running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but given that Stevenson has lost two fumbles in the last two games and Gibson has impressed lately, the latter could be in line to earn more snaps going forward. He'll rank as a low-end RB3 heading into Week 5 against a suspect Miami Dolphins squad.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss had 15 carries for 51 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He added four catches for 27 yards and a touchdown. Although Chase Brown was much more involved than he had been all season, Moss still had an efficient fantasy showing in Week 5. With a touchdown in three of the Bengals' four games on the year, Moss remains at least a flex option for the AFC North clash with the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein made three of his four field goals in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Zuerlein provided all of the offense for the Jets on a rainy day in New Jersey in the close loss. The veteran kicker made field goals from 23, 35, and 40 yards out while missing on a 50-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter that would have given the Jets the lead. Zuerlein has struggled with his accuracy this season, missing on two of his seven field-goal attempts through four weeks. He will look to regroup ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had another solid showing in Sunday's win over the Panthers. After finding the end zone twice in Week 3, the wideout scored again in Week 4. Although Tee Higgins was more productive from a volume standpoint, Chase still had 85 yards off his three catches. With the Bengals offense returning to form, the former LSU Tiger is obviously a lock for all fantasy lineups when Cincinnati meets Baltimore in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield started off the season hot with a great performance in the season opener. After that, Mayfield and the Bucs hit a cold patch, but they found their footing on Sunday. Mayfield completed 30-of-47 passing attempts for 347 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also added a third touchdown to his total with a read-option end zone keeper. It will be a short week for the Bucs as they turn around with a Thursday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy managers can consider Mayfield a high-end QB2 for that one.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) had another pedestrian game in a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert was listed as questionable all week with a high ankle sprain, but was able to play although clearly slowed by the injury. He ended up attempting 27 passes, completing 16 of them for 179 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice and fumbled once, but it was recovered by a teammate. He also "added" three carries, but totaled zero yards on the ground. Herbert's touchdown came on an outstanding throw and catch to rookie Ladd McConkey. The Chargers head into their Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record and Herbert will get a much needed week of rest before taking on the Broncos on the road in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 19 of 32 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during a Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He also rushed for three yards and took six sacks behind a depleted offensive line. Furthermore, Brissett fumbled three times, with one of those fumbles being recovered by the defense. The veteran quarterback had not allowed a turnover through the first three games this season, but then he coughed up the football twice on Sunday. New England falls to 1-3 as buzz continues to grow for Drake Maye. For now, though, the offense still belongs to Brissett. He remains the Patriots' starting quarterback heading into a Week 5 clash with the ailing Miami Dolphins. Perhaps this favorable matchup next Sunday will be enough to get the Patriots back in the win column. However, Brissett is still off the fantasy radar given the Patriots' run-heavy approach on offense.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard caught five of his eight targets for 58 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Lazard wound up finishing second on the team in receiving yards while tying for the lead with his eight targets and five catches. The veteran has looked reinvigorated this season, having gone for at least 48 receiving yards in three of his four games while hauling in three touchdowns. Firmly established as a weekly flex option, Lazard will now get ready to take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin caught four of his eight targets for 17 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Conklin ultimately didn't do much in the box score but his eight targets tied him with Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard for the team lead. Conklin has seen his target share tick up over the past two weeks, drawing 14 over that span as Aaron Rodgers has been looking his way often of late. Conklin will be on the fantasy radar as a TE2 heading into Week 5's London game against the Minnesota Vikings.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams caught four of his five targets for 67 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Williams managed to lead the Jets in receiving yards despite finishing second on the team in catches and targets in the low-scoring loss to Denver. Williams has slowly gotten better each game this season as he did not record a target while playing sparingly in Week 1. Fantasy gamers should continue to be patient with Williams, who has yet to score a touchdown this season but has been a prominent part of the New York offense in the red zone. Williams will be on the fantasy radar as a flex option heading into Week 5's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will have an MRI on Monday after exiting Sunday's matchup with the Chargers. There hasn't been a firm update on the wideout's condition. However, with head coach Andy Reid indicating things don't look promising regarding Rice's condition, fantasy managers are already bracing for the worst, including what the team fears to be a torn ACL. It's unfortunate, considering he had 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the first three weeks of the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, with Rice's anticipated absence moving ahead, Skyy Moore, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce are in line to see more attention from Patrick Mahomes.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen carried the ball eight times for 34 yards and added a 12-yard catch in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Allen didn't post a great final stat line but he outproduced starter Breece Hall, who managed just four yards on 10 carries in the close loss to Denver. The rookie running back has been productive on a small workload thus far this season, going for at least 33 rushing yards in three of four games while scoring two touchdowns over that span. Allen has shown himself to be a talented NFL running back who should be treated as a high-end handcuff in fantasy moving forward. He will take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson caught five of his eight targets for 41 yards and lost a fumble in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. Wilson and the Jets offense struggled on a rainy day, failing to score any touchdowns in the low-scoring loss. The veteran wide receiver wound up finishing third on the Jets in receiving yards despite tying for the team lead in targets and catches. Wilson has underwhelmed as Aaron Rodgers' No .1 receiver thus far this season, failing to top 60 receiving yards in a game and scoring just one touchdown on the year. Looking more like a fantasy WR2 instead of the WR1 he was drafted to be, Wilson will look to bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had 15 carries for a team-high 80 yards in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers. He added two grabs for 12 yards. Brown wasn't relevant for fantasy managers throughout the first three weeks of the year. However, the 24-year-old had a big outing in Week 4, which also included two trips to the end zone. Zack Moss was still involved (and productive), so it remains to be seen if Brown will get opportunities to produce in Week 5 versus the Ravens. With that in mind, he deserves flex consideration for that one based on his performance on Sunday, although his presence in fantasy lineups is still risky.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall carried the ball 10 times for four yards and caught two of his five targets for 14 yards in a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4. It was a rough afternoon for Hall and the rest of the New York offense as they were unable to cross the goal line at any point, instead settling for three field goals in the low-scoring loss. Hall's performance easily goes down as his worst of the season as he had found the end zone in each of his previous three contests before running into the Broncos on Sunday. The veteran running back will now begin preparations to take on the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5. Fantasy gamers should count on him to bounce back and deliver an RB1 performance for them in that matchup.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow finished Sunday's win over the Panthers by throwing for 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick off 22-for-31 passing. While the 2020 No. 1 overall pick wasn't as productive as in Week 3, he still did enough to lead the Bengals to their first victory of the 2024-25 campaign. His increase in production has also resulted in Ja'Marr Chase picking up his third touchdown of the year in Week 4. The Bengals will meet the Ravens in Week 5 in an AFC North clash. While Burrow and the Bengals offense could be tested, the signal-caller remains a starting fantasy option for that one.
From RotoBaller
