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
Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Michael Gallup has retired. Dynasty Analysis: Wait. What!?! Gallup signed a one-year deal with the Raiders and was expected to be a key player but dropped this bomb the day before the Raiders' first training camp practice. Gallup had his ups and downs with Dallas but the move to Las Vegas looked like one that could rejuvenate his career. He's still just 28 and could change his mind but at this point, it looks like he's out and the values of players like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker may have just gone up in the process. You can give it a day or two but it seems Gallup can be dropped in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb won't report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. Lamb is in search of a contract that will make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league and has dug in his heels. Dallas is stuck at this point as they're going to have to find a way to get him an extension without sacrificing their future too much. Such is life in the NFL after rookie contracts expire. Lamb is in line to be the top receiver in fantasy this next season and he's fully expected to be in uniform on opening day one way or another.
Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: It seems Aiyuk not only wants more money but values what he has as well. Not reporting to camp would have resulted in fines and Aiyuk isn't interested in paying them. The situation is still in flux and something is going to need to give. However, it looks like Aiyuk will be a distraction in person rather than on social media for the time being. He remains a hold in dynasty leagues.
New England Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the team's unquestioned QB1 entering training camp this summer, but the Patriots are rolling with an open competition at the position, which will begin on Wednesday morning. Asked if he could envision third overall pick Drake Maye winning the job under center before Week 1 comes, head coach Jerod Mayo said it's "absolutely" a possibility. But right now, Brissett is easily the most "pro-ready" QB on New England's roster. Maye has high-end upside in the long-term, but he's seen as more of a project and could certainly benefit from sitting and learning behind Brissett for a while. Mayo said there's no plan to give the 21-year-old a redshirt season in 2024. We wouldn't be surprised if the North Carolina alum is starting by the end of the year, but Maye is a much better dynasty/keeper target this year than a redraft one in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed uncertainty on his player future beyond the 2024 season while on Pardon My Take on Tuesday. When asked how many more years he will play in the NFL, Rodgers said, "I don't know. This one, for sure. I'd like to do -- I wanted to do two good ones and give us a chance to retire a Jet. Win two Super Bowls." The 40-year-old's willingness to play beyond the 2024 season will likely come down to how this season goes and how well he plays while coming off a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of 2023. The odds of Rodgers having another MVP-like season at this point in his career are unlikely, but if anything can do it, it would be him. He'll have plenty of weapons around him on offense as he attempts a successful return from a serious injury, but fantasy managers need to temper their expectations and treat him as more of a low-end QB2.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and the team have agreed on a four-year contract extension worth up to $113 million, with $77 million in guaranteed money for the franchise tackle. A foundational piece for the Vikings since joining the team as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Virginia Tech Hokie has started 39 of 41 games in three seasons. The pact for the 25-year-old Darrisaw includes $43.7 million at signing and will keep him in purple and gold for the foreseeable future as a protector for Sam Darnold and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is set to practice on Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion. Olave (back) was put on the active/non-football injury list last week as he's been dealing with some minor back tightness but will be good to go to put in some practice work for the team on Wednesday. Olave has put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is the unquestioned top receiver in the New Orleans offense. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable selecting Olave in the early rounds of fantasy drafts yet again this season.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday night that the team has placed wide receiver Michael Gallup on the reserve/retired list. After six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, the 28-year-old Gallup signed a one-year pact with the Raiders, where he amassed 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gallup's 2023 saw his statistics take a sharp decline, with just 34 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders signed Gallup to add some depth to a receiving corps that, after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, was short on experience and a veteran presence. Instead, Gallup has called it a career before Raiders training camp opens on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp when it opens on Wednesday in Oxnard, CA. With the 25-year-old Lamb entering the final season of a deal that will pay him just shy of $18 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option, Lamb is looking for a long-term contract to secure him as one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. The concern is minimal for fantasy managers unless the holdout extends deeper into July and into August, but Lamb firmly remains an early-first-round wide receiver in fantasy this season after setting career bests in targets (181), receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12) in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, New York Giants CB Jalen Mills (calf) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list because of a calf injury, while CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (groin) was placed on the Active/NFI list because of a groin injury.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders WR Michael Gallup was placed on the Reserve/Retired list Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) is set to begin training camp on the PUP list. Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October of 2023. Before his injury, Bourne was on his way to a mini breakout with 406 receiving yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Given the timeline of his injury, Bourne should be ready for thestart of the season, but don't expect him to display the same level of production. Players in their first year removed from an ACL injury tend not to fare well statistically. Not to mention, this projects to be a bottom-half offense with a potential rookie quarterback. Bourne is mainly an option in deep-league formats.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/NFI list to start training camp. The 26-year-old was added to the Patriots backfield as a depth piece and potential third-down running back. Gibson has been relatively durable throughout his career. He has played in at least 15 games in three straight seasons. Players are often placed on the NFI list during training camp, so this could turn out to be nothing, but it is worth monitoring. Gibson had a career-low in carries (65), rushing yards (265), and rushing touchdowns (1) in 2023 as he ceded the starting running back job to Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson is joining a Patriots team amid a considerable rebuild, especially on offense. Gibson's skills as a pass-catcher should come in handy in 2024, but the presence of incumbent Rhamondre Stevenson will likely once again limit Gibson's rushing upside. Generally, running backs on bad offense perform poorly for fantasy, so it may be best to look in another direction as you build out RB depth during your draft.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford took the field on Tuesday at the team's training camp. Stafford was noticeably absent from Monday's practice due to a contract dispute involving a guaranteed money structure. It would appear that it only took one day for the Rams and Stafford to come to an agreement. Stafford finished 2023 with 3,965 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 15 games. Stafford helped propel Puka Nacua to his stellar WR4 finish. While Stafford only finished as the QB15, he got hot down the stretch with excellent games between Weeks 13 and 16. Stafford's days as a potential weekly fantasy starter are likely gone, but he could have some streaming value and is an excellent second quarterback in superflex leagues.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears WR Keenan Allen did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, because he received the day off.
Fantasy Spin: Allen probably will receive some practices off during the season but is on track to being a solid part of the passing game in 2024. He probably can be considered at least a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23, but is moving closer to returning to the field, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
From TheHuddle
Seattle Seahawks LB Jerome Baker (wrist), LB Tyrel Dodson (undisclosed) and CB Lance Boykin (undisclosed) passed their physicals Tuesday, July 23, and have been activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard appear poised to split reps in 2024. While discussing a potential starter at running back, new head coach Brian Callahan indicated that both players could be interchangeable and may even share the field simultaneously. It affirms what many of us suspected heading into training camp, which is that this backfield will likely be roughly a 50/50 split. Both players have similar skill sets and are electric to watch when they get hot. Their speed will be a necessity given that the Titans enter the season with the 30th-ranked offensive line, according to PFF. Both players will leech each other's fantasy value in 2024. If second-year quarterback Will Levis can take a solid step forward, the dump-off opportunities could be there for both players if the running lanes are clogged. Each player is drafted outside the top-24 running backs in fantasy drafts, which is in line with RotoBaller's running back rankings that have Pollard as the RB25 while Spears is RB30.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, July 23.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, July 23, despite his contract situation, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara left minicamp early because of his contract but seems to be ready to practice during camp. He is a big part of the Saints offense when healthy and will be a weekly starting option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
