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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.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 5

Player Notes
Darnell Mooney Oct 2 11:40am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is surprisingly the team's leading receiver after four weeks, and he'll look to maintain that position when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Mooney has shown good chemistry with his quarterback, Kirk Cousins, and as a result, he is averaging six targets per game, hauling in 15 total for 225 yards and a touchdown. Mooney is firmly the team's No. 2 wide receiver, having earned 24 targets to lead receiver Drake London's 31. The 26-year-old will still have a role, and if Cousins can return to his 2023 ways, Mooney could have a solid day. Mooney is still a WR3/FLEX only in 14+ team leagues and looks to build on his production in 2024 in a tough matchup against the Bucs in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Oct 2 11:30am CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts will be set on getting back on track when his team faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Pitts laid a goose egg in Week 4, drawing three targets but failing to catch a single pass. The 23-year-old is amid an incredibly disappointing season, hauling in just eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He won't have the easiest matchup, as the Bucs have allowed just 7.8 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends this season. The former No. 4 overall pick is unlikely to have a breakout game in Thursday's matchup. Pitts struggles with separation and is regularly blanketed by opposing defensive backs and linebackers. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for tight end production in Week 5. Pitts is not a definite drop from fantasy rosters yet, but he's approaching that.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Oct 2 10:50am CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will do what he can to improve his play when the Falcons take on the Tampa Buccaneers on Thursday night. Cousins has a 4:4 TD: INT ratio in 2024, so he's hardly earning the $180 million contract he signed in the offseason. Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth most points to opposing quarterbacks this year. However, the numbers can fool you as they've allowed just one passing touchdown, which is tied for the least amount in the league. The Bucs had to face quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, and their rushing production accounted for a large portion of those points. Tampa Bay isn't an easy team to pass against, and with Cousins and the entire Falcons pass-catching corps being massively disappointing so far, it might be difficult for them to put together good drives consistently. Cousins isn't worth starting in single-quarterback leagues against the Bucs in Week 5. He has no rushing upside, has mediocre production, and is facing a formidable defense against the pass.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Oct 2 9:50am CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots center David Andrews (shoulder) needs surgery that would end his season but is deciding whether to play through the injury, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. The veteran center is a big part of New England's offense and would be a significant loss for the fantasy prospects of running back Rhamondre Stevenson and could potentially affect whether the Patriots move to rookie Drake Maye at quarterback.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 2 9:30am CT
Davante Adams

The Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed preliminary interest in a trade for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams according to Josina Anderson. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter reports that the Chiefs are not one of the teams interested in a potential trade for the star receiver. The Steelers are among the growing teams interested in a trade for Adams while the Chiefs are not likely to pursue Adams. Adams has requested a trade out of Las Vegas as soon as possible. Schefter also mentions that Adams has an interest in the Jets and Saints as a potential destination. This is a situation to continue to monitor for fantasy implications with a potential move to the Steelers slating Adams opposite George Pickens as a weapon for Justin Fields. Adams missed last week's game with a hamstring injury and has 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games this season. Fantasy managers will want this situation resolved as quickly as possible.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Oct 2 9:00am CT
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expressed his confidence in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, saying "It just hasn't quite happened yet". Mitchell has been good in one-on-one situations according to the Colts OC and he still expects big plays to come for the rookie receiver. Mitchell has just two receptions for 32 yards on the season on 13 targets. With Michael Pittman, Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs all in the mix now, Mitchell will be reliant on his big-play ability and will have to convert on a better percentage of his targets in order to be fantasy-relevant. It might take time for the rookie to find himself in this offense, so he could be an option by the end of the season. But right now he is not worth rostering until he shows more.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 2 8:50am CT
Davante Adams

The New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have checked in on Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams' trade situation according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Adams reportedly wants out of Las Vegas as soon as possible. Russini notes that many teams have checked in on the talented receiver, so the Raiders will be patient in ensuring their asking price is met before dealing Adams. The Fresno State product missed last week's game with a hamstring injury and has 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. Fantasy managers of Adams will hope for a trade as quickly as possible to resolve a messy situation in Las Vegas. A trade to the Jets would mean a reunion with his former quarterback Aaron Rodgers who he teamed up with in Green Bay. A move to Dallas would slot him opposite CeeDee Lamb and provide another target for Dak Prescott.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Oct 2 8:40am CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (back) was sore after the team's Week 4 game against Baltimore but should be fine for Week 5 against Houston according to coach Sean McDermott. It looks like Allen avoided a serious injury and is on track to face Houston in Week 5 but it will be worth monitoring the injury report this week. Allen is the QB4 on the season, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game. Allen was 16-of-29 for 180 yards and no touchdown passes against Baltimore in his toughest outing of the season. He will try to bounce back against the Texans this week.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Oct 2 8:20am CT
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) has a bye week to recover from his shoulder injury and should be able to return to the field as the team's starter in Week 6 according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has said that Levis will remain the starter when healthy and Rapoport says that should be the case following the team's bye week. Levis hurt his shoulder early in the Monday night game against the Dolphins and the team turned to Mason Rudolph who led them to a win. So far this season, Levis ranks as the QB31 so he should not be on the fantasy radar even upon a return. He still has some potential in dynasty leagues but should not be counted on in one-quarterback leagues this season.

From RotoBaller

Jeffery Simmons Oct 2 2:40am CT
Jeffery Simmons

Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (elbow) revealed that he suffered a Tommy John ligament injury in his left elbow, which caused him to miss Tennessee's 31-12 victory over Miami on Monday night. The injury occurred due to "friendly fire" during a collision with a teammate. Fortunately, Simmons was informed that he wouldn't need surgery, but he had to wear a large brace on his left arm last week. He missed practice on Thursday and Friday but still traveled with the team to Miami for "Monday Night Football." On Friday, he informed the Titans' medical staff that he felt ready to play, but the team decided to hold him out to prevent further risk, as he couldn't fully extend his arm. The upcoming bye week is well-timed for Simmons as he focuses on regaining full mobility in his arm. He has been working with the team's training staff to manage the injury and has been doing strengthening exercises. So far this season, Simmons has recorded 12 tackles, including two for a loss, along with a sack and a quarterback hit. He will return in Week 6 when the Titans face the Colts at Nissan Stadium.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Oct 2 2:30am CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady emphasized, "Curtis Samuel has to play more. I need to find ways to get the ball in his hands because good things happen." Despite this, Samuel has struggled through four games, failing to record more than three catches in a single game and not exceeding 22 receiving yards. He's averaging just 12 yards per game, which is concerning for a player who signed a three-year, $24 million deal as a free agent. Additionally, Samuel ranks last among Bills receivers with only 68 snaps. During his time with Brady in Carolina, Samuel had his best professional season, totaling 851 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 200 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. However, that productive version of Samuel has yet to appear in Buffalo, making him look like a disappointment early on. As the Bills approach Week 5, Samuel must receive more targets and be more involved to help the offense advance. Until he shows greater involvement, he's not a recommended fantasy option heading into the matchup against the Texans.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Farley Oct 2 2:30am CT
Caleb Farley

The Carolina Panthers have signed former Titans first-round cornerback Caleb Farley to their practice squad after he tried out for the team earlier in the day. Drafted by the Titans in 2021, Farley's career was hindered by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games in Tennessee, where he recorded 14 tackles. After releasing him in the offseason, the Titans faced a $4.29 million dead money charge. Now, with the Panthers, Farley has another chance to revitalize his career and become the player the Titans envisioned. Carolina's secondary needs significant help, and if Farley can remain healthy, he could quickly earn a role on the field. He's a player to watch moving forward, aiming to make an impact with this new opportunity.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Oct 2 2:20am CT
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson expressed concerns about the team's offensive approach, stating, "I watch football on Sundays and see a lot of teams mixing it up. I don't think we do that." The Jets' offense struggled during their disappointing 10-;9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4, scoring only nine points in a lackluster performance. Wilson also had a forgettable game, catching five passes on eight targets for just 41 yards, failing to make a significant impact. This season has been a slow start for the third-year receiver, who has recorded 20 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown on 34 targets across four games. He's on track for 764 receiving yards, a drop from his previous two seasons, where he surpassed 1,000 yards. Wilson was expected to thrive alongside a healthy Aaron Rodgers, but so far, he hasn't exceeded 60 receiving yards in any game this year and hasn't caught more than six passes in a single outing. He's reached the end zone once and has not had a reception longer than 26 yards. Speculation about a potential trade for Davante Adams to the Jets could further complicate Wilson's disappointing 2024 season. Ultimately, the Jets need to make changes to revitalize their offense, especially with tough matchups on the horizon.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 1 9:13pm CT
Davante Adams

Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has told Las Vegas he prefers to be traded. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that escalated quickly. Adams has seemingly had enough of what the Raiders have had to offer and would like to move on. In addition, the Raiders are reportedly telling teams they'd like at least a second round pick and additional compensation in return. Teams like the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Commanders and a few others could all be in the market for a top receiver, so this could materialize quickly. Adams' dynasty value will hinge on where he ends up for sure with staying in Las Vegas quickly becoming the worst of all options.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Justin Watson Oct 1 9:00pm CT
Justin Watson

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson could find himself with a larger role on offense going forward. The Chiefs are going to be shorthanded for some time after Rashee Rice (knee) went down on Sunday. The expectation is that rookie Xavier Worthy and tight end Travis Kelce are going to be the focal points in the receiving game. However, Watson might end up seeing more work as well. He hauled in two of his three targets for 27 yards during Sunday's win. Watson knows the offense well and finished with nearly 500 yards in a part-time role last season. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Chiefs give Watson more responsibility with the team limited on offensive weapons. Fantasy managers shouldn't rush to add Watson, but keep him on their radar, especially in deep leagues.

From RotoBaller

Trey Sermon Oct 1 8:40pm CT
Trey Sermon

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon is likely to take over as the lead back heading into the Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) exited early on Sunday and is now a candidate for the injured reserve. That being said, Sermon figures to see an expanded role in the offense with Taylor undoubtedly going to miss time. Last week, Sermon rushed five times for eight yards in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sermon has bounced around the league quite a bit since being taken in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He has never been able to establish himself in the league, but this appears to be his best chance. The 25-year-old is going to be one of the most popular waiver wire additions this week. Fantasy managers who are desperate for help at running back should take a look at Sermon as he could be a viable option due to the volume of carries he could see.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Oct 1 8:30pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) missed his third game in a row on Sunday. Brown missed most of practice last week before returning for a limited session on Friday. The team ultimately held him out for the Week 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luckily, the Eagles have a bye in Week 5 and Brown's injury is not considered to be a long term issue. The hope is that Brown can rest and prepare for their next matchup against the Cleveland Browns on October 13. That is nearly two weeks from now, so the assumption is that Brown should be able to get back on the field by then. When healthy, Brown is a stud and a must-start in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 1 8:20pm CT
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has reportedly been considering a trade for the last few weeks. The 31-year-old originally came to the organization to be paired with his friend Derek Carr. The Raiders decided to make a change at quarterback and moved on from Carr after the 2022 season. The veteran wideout no longer has a desire to play for the Raiders, so a trade could be coming in the next few weeks. One of Adams' preferred destinations is the New York Jets. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise as Adams could be paired up with former teammate Aaron Rodgers. Both players were together for many years on the Green Bay Packers. A trade to the Jets should be an immediate boost to Adams' fantasy value. He'll have to fight for targets with Garrett Wilson, but the team as a whole is an upgrade over the Raiders current roster.

From RotoBaller

Chigoziem Okonkwo Oct 1 8:10pm CT
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo recorded one catch for five yards in the team's win over the Dolphins on Monday night. With quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) exiting early, Okonkwo was not a factor, seeing just three targets in the game as the Titans relied heavily on the running game. The three targets were actually a season-high for the tight end, who has not become a big part of the Titans' offense yet. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for options at the position, and Okonkwo can be left on the waiver wire.

Austin Ekeler Oct 1 7:10pm CT
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) said on Tuesday that he is tracking toward being able to play in Week 5 on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. It sounds like Ekeler expects to be back on the field this weekend and said he's feeling more like himself as he goes through all of the steps in the league's concussion protocol. With Ekeler out in the Week 4 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals, Jeremy McNichols had a fruitful day as the backup to Brian Robinson Jr. while playing 38% of the offensive snaps. McNichols had eight carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns and added a six-yard reception. With Ekeler on his way back sooner than later, fantasy managers may not want to spend too much to pick up McNichols off the waiver wire. Ekeler should dominate passing-game work out of the Commanders' backfield when he returns.

From RotoBaller