TE Strength of Schedule
Tue Jun 11 11:11am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Bowers could have big year one
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the tight end 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 tight ends last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the tight ends with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the tight ends that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
| TE SOS | ||
| 1. | Cincinnati Bengals | 186.39 |
| 2. | Miami Dolphins | 193.98 |
| 3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 196.38 |
| 4. | Washington Commanders | 197.75 |
| 5. | Houston Texans | 198.15 |
| 6. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 199.18 |
| 7. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 199.68 |
| 8. | New York Giants | 201 |
| 9. | Dallas Cowboys | 201.18 |
| 10. | Los Angeles Rams | 201.38 |
| 11. | Buffalo Bills | 201.39 |
| 12. | Chicago Bears | 201.66 |
| 13. | Arizona Cardinals | 201.76 |
| 14. | New York Jets | 202.56 |
| 15. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 202.86 |
| 16. | Baltimore Ravens | 203.04 |
| 17. | Denver Broncos | 203.95 |
| 18. | Los Angeles Chargers | 204.02 |
| 19. | Atlanta Falcons | 204.25 |
| 20. | Cleveland Browns | 204.59 |
| 21. | New Orleans Saints | 205.62 |
| 22. | Seattle Seahawks | 205.73 |
| 23. | San Francisco 49ers | 206.80 |
| 24. | Indianapolis Colts | 206.89 |
| 25. | Detroit Lions | 207.92 |
| 26. | New England Patriots | 208.23 |
| 27. | Kansas City Chiefs | 210.92 |
| 28. | Tennessee Titans | 211.44 |
| 29. | Green Bay Packers | 212.07 |
| 30. | Minnesota Vikings | 212.23 |
| 31. | Carolina Panthers | 213.66 |
| 32. | Las Vegas Raiders | 213.81 |
A rookie led fantasy tight ends in scoring last year and the top rated rookie tight end this year gets the easiest fantasy schedule for tight end. Brock Browers and the Raiders have the most favorable schedule for tight ends. Sam LaPorta showed last year that a rookie can make an immediate fantasy impact, so don’t discount Browers to have big-time success in year one. He certainly looks the part of an elite tight end.
Another rookie with a good chance to start has the second easiest schedule for tight ends. Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders will compete with Tommy Tremble to start, but should emerge and be the top pass-catching tight end. He is looking like a good late-round gamble for fantasy teams.
The Vikings, Packers and Titans round out the top-five most favorable schedules for tight ends. T.J. Hockenson would be looking like a great pick if he wasn’t returning from a major injury. He is no sure thing to play early in the year. But once he is healthy, he could help fantasy teams in a big way once again.
Green Bay is likely to have Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft split a lot of the work at tight end, hurting both their value. They could produce some big games along the way, though, making them decent No. 2 fantasy tight ends this season. Both produced well in an expanded role last year.
Lastly, Chin Okonkwo didn’t quite have the breakout season many hoped last year, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Maybe he gets a few more chances this year and has some bigger games along the way with this favorable schedule. He is another decent tight end to grab as your backup.
The teams that top the list for toughest fantasy tight end schedules are teams that haven’t really utilized the tight end much in recent seasons. The Bengals have the toughest schedule followed bye the Dolphins. Mike Gesicki is the starter for the Bengals, but probably isn’t worth the risk with this schedule and the Bengals recent track record with tight ends.
Miami uses their tight ends to block more than anything in their offense. They have the occasional big game, but Jonnu Smith is going to be a risky weekly fantasy play. He would have looked much better landing with a different team.
There are a couple big-time fantasy tight ends that have unfavorable schedules. Dallas Goedert has the third toughest schedule. Goedert can be a little hit or miss to begin with in this offense, so this schedule gives him a little more concern. You might want to pass on him come draft day and go with another elite tight end with a better schedule and more consistency.
Dalton Schultz is the other elite tight end with a top-five unfavorable schedule. Schultz had a big first season with the Texans, becoming a favorite target of C.J. Stroud. He should get the targets this year. But he has a challenging schedule and more to compete with for targets, so his consistency might be a little off this year compared to last.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy tight ends. 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 tight ends with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big-money contests.
| TE PLAYOFF SOS | ||
| 1. | Atlanta Falcons | 175 |
| 2. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 182.37 |
| 3. | Philadelphia Eagles | 184.73 |
| 4. | Arizona Cardinals | 187.67 |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 187.77 |
| 6. | New England Patriots | 189.83 |
| 7. | Miami Dolphins | 190.37 |
| 8. | New Orleans Saints | 191.3 |
| 9. | Los Angeles Rams | 192.17 |
| 10. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 192.43 |
| 11. | Cincinnati Bengals | 196.1 |
| 12. | Detroit Lions | 196.12 |
| 13. | Houston Texans | 196.2 |
| 14. | Indianapolis Colts | 198.97 |
| 15. | Buffalo Bills | 199.63 |
| 16. | Kansas City Chiefs | 203.03 |
| 17. | New York Jets | 204.13 |
| 18. | Carolina Panthers | 205.7 |
| 19. | Baltimore Ravens | 205.9 |
| 20. | Green Bay Packers | 207.7 |
| 21. | Chicago Bears | 213.73 |
| 22. | New York Giants | 214.27 |
| 23. | Seattle Seahawks | 214.72 |
| 24. | Cleveland Browns | 214.97 |
| 25. | Dallas Cowboys | 215.8 |
| 26. | Las Vegas Raiders | 219.4 |
| 27. | Washington Commanders | 220.13 |
| 28. | Denver Broncos | 220.8 |
| 29. | Minnesota Vikings | 221.72 |
| 30. | Tennessee Titans | 223.73 |
| 31. | San Francisco 49ers | 225.53 |
| 32. | Los Angeles Chargers | 228.53 |
The Titans and Vikings are the only two teams with the most favorable fantasy schedule for tight ends during the regular season and playoffs. Hockenson is the intriguing one because he might not be fully healthy until late in the season. So while he might not be a huge fantasy factor for the regular season, Hockenson might be a difference maker in the playoffs.
Okonkwo is looking like a player worth grabbing as a No. 2 fantasy tight end, especially if you have an established starter ahead of him. Okonkwo has a high fantasy ceiling for the coming year because of a schedule that could facilitate a breakout season for him.
The Chargers actually have the best fantasy playoff schedule for tight ends. Donald Parham is the likely starter and has some potential in an offense looking for playmakers in the passing game. This could be his best season to date, making him an intriguing late-round gamble.
George Kittle is the biggest name on the list for top-five favorable fantasy tight end playoff schedules. He is going to produce big and could be even better down the stretch with a schedule setup for success.
The Falcons have the most challenging playoff schedule for fantasy tight ends. This is not good news for Kyle Pitts. He is already a polarizing fantasy player, so this schedule won’t do him any favors to get in good graces with more fantasy owners. Many think he could finally turn things around this year with a new coaching staff in place, but nothing is certain with this situation. Pitts could be a boom or bust pick once again.
The Eagles are the only team on both the top five most difficult fantasy schedules for tight ends for the regular season and playoffs. Goedert is looking like a player you might want to let someone else grab come draft day. There are a lot of good, young options at tight end this year. Going with one of those guys over Goedert might be the play on draft day.
Trey McBride is a favorite for many fantasy owners this year for a breakout season. He had a huge finish to last year and is shooting up draft boards. We wouldn’t avoid him come draft day because he has the fourth toughest fantasy playoff schedule. It is a little bit of a concern, but not a huge red flag for the talented tight end. Maybe just prepare for his numbers to dip a tad during the playoffs.
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
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is being placed on the Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games. The star wideout suffered a hamstring injury after catching a 67-yard touchdown pass in the Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. Collins was No. 2 in total PPR fantasy points heading into Week 5, so this is obviously a crushing blow for his fantasy managers. He will be ineligible to return until Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. With Collins sidelined, Stefon Diggs could be a top-five fantasy wideout during his absence, and Tank Dell, who has struggled so far, will likely have a WR2/WR3 outlook in most matchups. Deep-league fantasy managers might want to kick tires on veteran Robert Woods, but youngsters Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III could become fantasy factors. Tight end Dalton Schultz could also benefit in this situation.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is unlikely to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The hamstring issue may be more of an excuse at this point to keep Adams off the field while the Raiders search for a trade partner. A report earlier this week stated that Adams is nearing full health. The Jets, Saints, and Steelers seem to be the teams pursuing Adams the hardest. However, the Saints just lost Derek Carr (oblique) for a few weeks. The Jets fired their head coach. Other teams don't seem as eager to match the Raiders' asking price. This will be the third straight game Adams has missed. He likely won't see the field again until he's on a different roster.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has failed to catch a pass in the last two games (although he did get 20 yards and a receiving touchdown on a lateral in Week 3). It's the first time in his young career that he's failed to log a reception in back-to-back games. Thankfully for fantasy football, he's averaging 13.5 carries and 71 rushing yards per game and has failed to score a touchdown just once. The Dallas Cowboys have allowed 17 receptions to running backs this season, the fifth-lowest mark in the league. However, the 222 yards they've given up to the position is the sixth-most. Even if Gibbs can't break off a long reception, the Cowboys' defense is banged up and has been susceptible against the run. Gibbs and his counterpart David Montgomery should be viewed as top-12 running backs this week.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery looks to continue his scoring ways against the Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 6. The veteran runner has scored a touchdown in all four of Detroit's games this season, despite splitting duties with Jahmyr Gibbs. He's averaging 15.75 carries per game. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs and surrendered six touchdowns on the ground through five games. The defensive front-seven is banged up and the Lions' elite offensive line should have little issue opening holes for Monty and Gibbs. Both backs are ranked as RB1s this week in what should be a high-scoring affair in Texas.
From RotoBaller
Free agent pass rusher Shaq Lawson has signed with the Carolina Panthers. The veteran visited the team on Tuesday and left with a new contract. It's Lawson's first time out of the AFC East. He began his career with Buffalo in 2016, played one season each in New York and Miami, and spent the last two seasons in Buffalo again. The Panthers are desperate for defensive playmakers. Due to injuries and bad play, Carolina is one of the worst defenses in football. They have recorded six sacks in five games in 2024. Lawson logged one sack in 16 games last season.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) was designated a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice. The 49ers travel to Seattle for Thursday Night Football and haven't held a full practice this week. Warner practiced just once last week, and he dealt with this same ankle injury and still played. The expectation is that Warner will be active for the divisional tilt. The 49ers' defense is banged up, the most notable of which is Talanoa Hufanga (wrist), who will miss a few weeks. Warner is the linebacker with the best odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
From RotoBaller
Free agent wide receiver Dante Pettis visited the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday with the hopes of landing a new contract. Former Jet Denzel Mims also tried out for Dallas. The Cowboys are looking to bolster their wide receiver depth with Brandin Cooks (knee) on injured reserve and set to miss at least three more games. Pettis camped with the Chicago Bears this summer but failed to make the final roster. He last appeared in a regular season game in 2022, catching 19 passes for 245 yards with the Bears. Even if Dallas signs one of these receivers, they won't be on the fantasy football radar in any format.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has been the hottest name in the trade market over the last week or two. The veteran wideout has been sidelined since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury, but it doesn't appear to be serious. That being said, Adams figures to be dealt relatively soon. The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints were the favorites to land the superstar wideout. However, those trade talks may have slowed down, according to Adam Schefter. The Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh and their season is headed in the wrong direction quickly. While the Saints just lost quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) for likely multiple weeks, which could put their season in jeopardy. Both the Jets and Saints aren't likely to give up assets to acquire Adams if they aren't going to be competitive this season. The assumption is both teams probably still have interest, but it sounds like trade discussions have slowed down a bit.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) missed practice for the second straight day on Tuesday. It's worth noting that the organization held a walkthrough during both days. That means that practice report is an estimation, so Murphy's lack of participation shouldn't be taken too seriously. The rookie defensive tackle has been sidelined since Week 3. When healthy, Murphy figures to continue serving as a rotational player at defensive end and defensive tackle. He has six combined tackles, one tackle for loss, and 0.5 sacks across three games this season. The Seahawks used the 16th overall pick on Murphy during this year's draft, so they have high hopes for the young tackle. It remains to be seen if Murphy will be healthy enough to suit up for the Thursday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have signed wide receiver A.T. Perry to their practice squad on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was recently released by the New Orleans Saints after spending his rookie campaign with them in 2023. The former sixth-round continued to be a healthy scratch on gameday, so the team eventually decided to move on. Perry hauled in 12 receptions for 246 yards and four touchdowns across 10 games with the Saints last season. He'll be extra depth for the Broncos right now, but could find his way to the active roster at some point. For now, fantasy managers can leave Perry on the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (groin) returned to practice as a full participant during Tuesday's session. The 30-year-old was a limited participant during Monday's walkthrough, but appears to be feeling better now. That is good news for Brown as the Seahawks head into a Thursday night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Brown has been quiet this season and had only one reception for seven yards last week. He figures to serve as depth with Noah Fant being the primary tight end and AJ Barner has started getting involved as well. Brown can be left on the waiver wire ahead of this Week 6 matchup.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent DE Shaq Lawson (Bills) signed an undisclosed contract with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Also, DL DeShawn Williams was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks LB Derick Hall (foot), DT Byron Murphy II (hamstring), LB Uchenna Nwosu (thigh) and CB Riq Woolen (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Also, S Julian Love (hamstring) was limited and TE Pharaoh Brown (groin), LB Boye Mafe (knee), S Rayshawn Jenkins (hand), TE Noah Fant (toe), WR DK Metcalf (hand), TE Brady Russell (shoulder), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (shin), DL Cameron Young (knee), DL Johnathan Hankins (hand) and DE Leonard Williams (ribs) practiced in full. The injury report was an estimation, as the Seahawks only held a walkthrough.
From TheHuddle
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the New York Jets don't plan on firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after surprisingly firing head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as the team's interim head coach, beginning with a divisional showdown against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football In Week 6. Ulbrich said "everything will be assessed" regarding play-calling on the offensive side. "We're going to take a deep dive on that. We're going to look at all possibilities," Ulbrich said. Although Hackett is going to stick around with his buddy Aaron Rodgers, the Jets may pull the plug on Hackett calling plays on offense. The Jets were expecting their offense to be much better with a healthy Rodgers in 2024, but that hasn't really been the case. They are averaging only 18.6 points a game through five weeks, which is part of the reason why they are the favorites to trade for Raiders receiver Davante Adams.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers should be another solid start in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks should find themselves in scoring positions consistently given how often the offense has operated in opponent territory in 2024. Myers has only missed three kicks in 2024. He sits as the K17 primarily due to a two-point dud in Week 4. However, he has scored at least seven fantasy points in every other game this season. Ironically, even though the Seahawks offense has been effective, they have stalled in opponent territory several times which has given Myers great chances to kick field goals. The Seahawks should be able to put up points against a good but not great 49ers defense in Week 6. Given the Seahawks' injuries on defense, they will likely need to score to keep up. You could do a lot worse than Myers as your kicker in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
The Philadelphia Eagles released Devin White on Tuesday after he signed a one-year deal with the club in free agency in the offseason. White was inactive in each of the first four games of the season (the Eagles had a bye in Week 5). He worked with the first-team defense in training camp over the summer but lost out on the starting job to Nakobe Dean to begin the regular season and also dealt with an ankle injury that hampered him. The 26-year-old missed the team's Week 4 contest due to personal reasons. White was originally the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of LSU by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2021 but broke a streak of three straight seasons with 100-plus combined tackles in 2023, when he had 83 tackles (49 solo), 2.5 sacks, a career-high two interceptions and six pass breakups in 14 games with the Bucs.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST has had trouble containing opposing teams in recent weeks as the injuries mount. The Seahawks project to be without key defensive starters Byron Murphy II and Uchenna Nwosu in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, Riq Woolen and Derick Hall appear to be in jeopardy of missing this game as well. This group came out hot to start the season. They did not allow more than 20 points in any of their first three games. However, they have allowed 29 and 42 points in each of the last two games. A lot of that can be attributed to injuries, but the Seahawks have also faced stiffer competition over the last two weeks. With a solid 49ers offense coming to town in Week 6, you should look elsewhere for your D/ST. This unit should have better days ahead, but they will need to get some of their personnel back from injury first.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III enters Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers after only recording five carries in Week 5 against the New York Giants. Although the Seahawks were in a close game, they decided to more or less abandon the run early. It is unlikely that this inexperienced coaching staff will make that mistake again. The 49ers have been middle-of-the-road against opposing running backs in fantasy in 2024. They are allowing 110.8 rushing yards per game to opposing teams. This is not the same defense that it used to be, and Walker should receive a huge workload with a chance at RB1 numbers once again. If the Seahawks defense can keep this game close, Walker should have no problem providing points to your fantasy team. Fire him up as a high-end RB2 and low-end RB1 in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand) will check in as a WR2 in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. He is currently listed on the injury report with a hand injury but should be good to go in Week 6 as he has been nursing the injury for a couple of weeks now. Metcalf has been excellent in 2024 and currently sits as the WR11 in fantasy. The 49ers are the 10th-best defense against wide receivers in fantasy, but Metcalf's big play ability gives him major upside. The 49ers as a whole have not been the same juggernaut as they have been in recent years. They will visit Seattle with a 2-3 record. This game feels like it could be a close one. Metcalf is coming off two straight games with a lost fumble. Fantasy managers can only wonder if it has something to do with his injury. However, if he can clean up the turnovers, he should have a nice game. He has recorded 28 receptions for 421 yards in five games this season. He should be in your lineup once again in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is a great bye week fill-in in Week 6. He has had a great fantasy floor in 2024, scoring at least 9.6 fantasy points in four of five games. He has also earned at least six targets in four of five games. This game should be a close one but there is no doubt that the Seahawks will need to put the ball in the air if they want to best the division-rival 49ers. With players such as Tyreek Hill, Aaron Jones, and Kyren Williams on bye, you could do a lot worse than Lockett in your flex position. Lockett has also been mysteriously lacking touchdowns this season. If that trend starts to turn around, then Lockett could become an every-week starter in fantasy. He deserves to have a place in lineups in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
