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.
Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 5
Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) popped up on the injury report this week on Thursday and was labeled as a DNP. Woods returned to practice in limited fashion on Friday but is now questionable to play in Week 5 against the visiting Buffalo Bills. The good news for Texans' receiving corps is that they are getting back second-year wideout Tank Dell (concussion) after he missed the Week 4 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. With Dell sidelined last weekend, Woods caught just one of his three targets for 10 yards. He was not targeted at all in the first two weeks of the season and has only three catches (five targets) for 28 yards through the first four weeks of 2024. The 32-year-old veteran is buried too far down on Houston's receiver depth chart to make a difference in the vast majority of fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) was missing from practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. Hill fractured his ribs in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons and is now looking doubtful to be able to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. He will need to return to some form of practice on Saturday to give himself a shot to suit up this week. Hill has already missed one game due to injury in 2024 and could be well on his way to another absence. The 34-year-old versatile offensive piece had his best game of the year last week, carrying the ball six times for 24 yards and two touchdowns, but he wasn't targeted in the passing attack. Hill has mostly been used as a runner (14 carries) moreso than a receiver (three targets) this year and remains a volatile boom/bust TE2 in fantasy when he's active.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (concussion) missed the Week 4 win over the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars due to a concussion but he has cleared the league's protocol and will play in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans removed Dell from the final injury report on Friday after he upgraded to a full participant in practice. It's good news for a Houston offense that will be without starting running back Joe Mixon (ankle) for the third straight week. Dell impressed in his rookie season in 2023 with 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 47 catches in just 11 games, but so far in his sophomore campaign he's been playing third fiddle behind teammates Nico Collins and newcomer Stefon Diggs. There's no denying Dell's big-play abilities, but there is another big mouth to feed this year in Diggs. Dell has nine catches on 17 targets for 99 scoreless yards through three games and will be more of a boom/bust WR4/flex in his return against the Bills.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (heel) is not listed on Friday's final injury report and has been cleared to play in Week 5 on Sunday at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks. Robinson was limited in practices on Wednesday and Thursday but is fine to suit up and should be quarterback Daniel Jones' top aerial target with rookie Malik Nabers (concussion) ruled out. Running back Devin Singletary (groin) is doubtful to play, so the Giants will be without two of their best playmakers in a tough road tilt. Expect the G-Men to have to throw plenty in this one. Because of that, Robinson feels like a lock for double-digit targets against Seattle. The 23-year-old has already seen double-digit targets in two of his four games and had a season-high 11 receptions for a season-high 71 yards in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. Robinson is a solid flex play with upside for more.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, Dameon Pierce (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is questionable to play this Sunday. Mixon will miss his third straight game after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. Pierce hasn't played since the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts but has a shot to return this weekend. Even if Pierce suits up against Buffalo, it's looking like another week of Cam Akers in Houston's backfield. Akers is merely an RB3/flex, though, in deeper leagues in Week 5. In the two games he's started with both Mixon and Pierce out, the 25-year-old has had 22 carries for 74 yards while catching an eight-yard touchdown pass. The good news is that Mixon appears to be close to returning, perhaps for a Week 6 matchup against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants WR Malik Nabers (concussion) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. RB Devin Singletary (groin) was upgraded to a limited practice on Friday, Oct. 4, but is listed as doubtful. CB Adoree' Jackson (calf) and CB Dru Phillips (calf) were limited in practice on Friday and are listed as questionable. LB Matthew Adams (quad) practiced in full all week but is also listed as questionable. LB Brian Burns (groin) and WR Wan'Dale Robinson (heel) were limited in practice all week but have been removed from the injury report.
From TheHuddle
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) is currently listed as doubtful for the Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The good news is that Singletary returned to practice on Friday after sitting out the first two practices of the week. Sadly, it doesn't seem like it was too encouraging of a practice considering he's unlikely to suit up this weekend. His absence would likely mean that Tyrone Tracy Jr. would be in line to see extended run. Tracy has rushed for 29 yards on 12 attempts in his limited role this season. The Giants will likely see some type of committee role between Tracy and Eric Gray.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) is currently considered doubtful to suit up for the Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos. White was limited on Wednesday and didn't suit up for practice at all on Thursday. The Raiders already said fellow back Alexander Mattison was going to get increased reps this week. Now, Mattison could be the lead back with White unlikely to play. Mattison did a nice job last week as he rushed for 60 yards on five carries. He won't get an easy task against the Broncos defense, but increased snaps should help his value. He should be considered a low-end flex option, assuming White is unable to play.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals DT Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) did not practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Week 5 versus the Baltimore Ravens. CB Mike Hilton (knee) also did not practice all week but is listed as questionable. DT McKinnley Jackson (knee) and DE Myles Murphy (knee) practiced in full all week but are also listed as questionable. QB Joe Burrow (wrist), DE Trey Hendrickson (neck, back), DT B.J. Hill (hamstring), TE Tanner Hudson (knee), DT Kris Jenkins (thumb), LB Germaine Pratt (ankle) and OG Cordell Volson (ankle) practiced in full on Friday, Oct. 4, and have been removed from the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (knee) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Kmet popped up on the injury report on Wednesday as a limited participant. However, Kmet has been removed now after getting in back-to-back full practice sessions. Kmet has 18 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown through four games. A bulk of his stats came from one game, which makes him a shaky weekly option. He should be on the TE2 radar for this Week 5 contest.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears DL Zacch Pickens (groin) and DB Terell Smith (hip) did not practice all week and have been ruled out for Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. WR DeAndre Carter (ribs) and OL Teven Jenkins (ribs) were limited in practice on Friday, Oct. 4, and are listed as questionable. TE Cole Kmet (knee), DL Gervon Dexter (undisclosed), TE Marcedes Lewis (rest) and DE Montez Sweat (ankle) practiced in full on Friday and no longer appear on the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (personal) was absent for the second straight practice on Friday. Doubs remains away from the team due to a personal matter. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the organization is hopeful to get Doubs back in time for Sunday's game. If not, Bo Melton could be asked to take on a bigger role with the Packers already shorthanded at wideout. Melton hauled in one of his three targets for 28 yards last week. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks figure to benefit the most in the receiving game.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) was limited in practice Friday, Oct. 4, but has been ruled out for Week 5 versus the New York Jets. TE Josh Oliver (wrist), WR Brandon Powell (chest), QB Sam Darnold (knee), CB Akayleb Evans (illness) and LB Ivan Pace Jr. (ankle) practiced in full Friday and no longer appear on the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills DT Austin X. Johnson (oblique), DT Ed Oliver (hamstring), S Taylor Rapp (concussion) and WR Khalil Shakir (ankle) did not practice on Friday, Oct. 4, and have been ruled out for Week 5 versus the Houston Texans. LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral) and CB Taron Johnson (forearm) were limited in practice all week and are listed as questionable. QB Josh Allen (hand), OT Dion Dawkins (hamstring), DT DaQuan Jones (rest), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder) and QB Mitchell Trubisky (knee) practiced in full on Friday and have been removed from the injury report.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) is considered questionable for the Week 5 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Njoku has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the season opener. He returned to practice last week, but was ultimately ruled out for Week 4. Njoku practiced on Wednesday and appears to be headed in the right direction. If active, Njoku should be considered a low-end TE1 for Week 5. Otherwise, Jordan Akins figures to make another start, but he was held to one reception on two targets last week. Akins doesn't offer much upside right now, so fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help if Njoku is sidelined again.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran signal-caller sat out of Wednesday's practice, but returned to the field on Thursday and Friday. That being said, Rodgers will be fine heading into their matchup in London. This isn't an ideal matchup for the Jets against a tough Vikings defense that is allowing less than 15 points per game. Rodgers will be on the lower end of the QB2 radar for this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 19-of-24 passes for 180 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a loss against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: With 11 touchdowns, two interceptions, and 1,164 passing yards through four weeks, it's clear Mayfield's resurgence last year was no fluke. He's in complete control of the offense and is a QB1 option moving forward. While his age (29) dampens his dynasty value, he's turning into more than just a streaming option. You simply have to wonder just how much the Browns regret moving on from Mayfield in favor of an expensive and ineffective Deshaun Watson.
Dynasty | Bucs running back Bucky Irving had 44 rushing yards, two catches and 12 receiving yards in a loss against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: #timeshare. With Rachaad White (66 yards on 13 touches), this has officially turned into a 50/50 timeshare with the two running backs. Irving clearly has more juice, but White has also been effective at times this season. This looks like great news for the Bucs, but a frustrating development in dynasty leagues. At this point, each of these runners is a Flex play at best unless the other misses time. Irving is a solid dynasty hold at the moment.
Dynasty | Bucs receiver Mike Evans had five catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns in a loss against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: Yep. Just another day, week, month, and season at the office forming for Evans, who is clearly warming up and on pace for his 11th straight 1,000 yard season. While his career is on the back-end of the slope, he remains a prime trade target for contending teams and his consistency continues to be undervalued.
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 42-of-58 passes for 509 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in a win against Tampa Bay. Dynasty Analysis: With the Falcons seemingly playing catch-up most of the night, Cousins just started dealing. His first month was sub-par at best as he threw for around 800 yards and four touchdowns in his first four games. Thursday night was different as he nearly doubled his fantasy output in one night. We can hope this is a sign of things to come as he comes back from a season-ending injury, but we'll need to see a few more weeks before trusting him as a true QB1.