Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Robinson setup for big season
Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back 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 running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.
RB SOS | ||
1. | Green Bay Packers | 356.01 |
2. | Houston Texans | 361.46 |
3. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 361.46 |
4. | Las Vegas Raiders | 361.48 |
5. | Seattle Seahawks | 362.28 |
6. | Buffalo Bills | 363.19 |
7. | Arizona Cardinals | 363.76 |
8. | Dallas Cowboys | 363.9 |
9. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 364.51 |
10. | Washington Commanders | 364.86 |
11. | Chicago Bears | 364.89 |
12. | Indianapolis Colts | 365.41 |
13. | San Francisco 49ers | 365.86 |
14. | New Orleans Saints | 366.49 |
15. | New York Jets | 368.23 |
16. | Detroit Lions | 368.49 |
17. | Philadelphia Eagles | 369.05 |
18. | Minnesota Vikings | 369.06 |
19. | Carolina Panthers | 369.88 |
20. | Cleveland Browns | 370.34 |
21. | Kansas City Chiefs | 371.71 |
22. | New York Giants | 372.21 |
23. | Los Angeles Chargers | 373.19 |
24. | Denver Broncos | 373.32 |
25. | Cincinnati Bengals | 373.66 |
26. | Los Angeles Rams | 374.09 |
27. | Baltimore Ravens | 374.16 |
28. | New England Patriots | 375.60 |
29. | Atlanta Falcons | 376.19 |
30. | Miami Dolphins | 377.49 |
31. | Tennessee Titans | 378.2 |
32. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 378.72 |
The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.
The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.
The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.
Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.
The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.
The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.
Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.
The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.
Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.
We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. 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 running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.
RB PLAYOFF SOS | ||
1. | San Francisco 49ers | 291.43 |
2. | Washington Commanders | 325.2 |
3. | Houston Texans | 327.8 |
4. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 332.03 |
5. | New York Jets | 337.57 |
6. | Cleveland Browns | 340.8 |
7. | Las Vegas Raiders | 341.1 |
8. | Miami Dolphins | 348.27 |
9. | Chicago Bears | 350.37 |
10. | Buffalo Bills | 350.53 |
11. | Arizona Cardinals | 352.8 |
12. | Dallas Cowboys | 358.87 |
13. | Detroit Lions | 359.7 |
14. | New York Giants | 365.67 |
15. | Kansas City Chiefs | 366.53 |
16. | Green Bay Packers | 368.97 |
17. | Seattle Seahawks | 370.23 |
18. | Carolina Panthers | 377.15 |
19. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 378.37 |
20. | Los Angeles Chargers | 380.73 |
21. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 381 |
22. | Baltimore Ravens | 381.43 |
23. | Cincinnati Bengals | 383.50 |
24. | Philadelphia Eagles | 391.07 |
25. | New England Patriots | 397.95 |
26. | Indianapolis Colts | 398.40 |
27. | Denver Broncos | 399.53 |
28. | Tennessee Titans | 401.63 |
29. | Los Angeles Rams | 403.92 |
30. | New Orleans Saints | 406.33 |
31. | Minnesota Vikings | 407.87 |
32. | Atlanta Falcons | 422.4 |
There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.
And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.
Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.
One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.
Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.
So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.
Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.
The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.
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 jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. This was expected to happen given the fact Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 of last year. Normally, this kind of injury takes around 10-12 months of rehab before getting back on the field. He posted a video earlier this summer of him running routes, but he's still not close to being ready to play. It's unclear at this point how much the Packers are going to get from Watson this season. Without Watson available, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Romeo Doubs figure to be the primary wideouts to begin the season.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson signed his four-year rookie deal on Friday. According to Aaron Wilson, Henderson will get a fully guaranteed contract. The second-round rookie has reportedly looked good in practices, which is raising his draft stock. Henderson figures to split up the backfield duties with Rhamondre Stevenson to begin the season. The potential is certainly there for Henderson, but he's unlikely to be a workhorse back with Stevenson healthy. There should still be high-end RB3 value with Henderson likely getting involved in the passing game as well.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. The second-year wideout tweaked his hamstring in late-May. The hope is that Pearsall would be ready to return by training camp, but the 49ers don't want to push it. Pearsall missed time in the summer last year due to a hamstring injury. When healthy, Pearsall figures to be an important part of the 49ers offense to start the season. Fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has also been placed on the PUP list on Friday. Also, Jauan Jennings is uncertain to suit up as he wants a new contract or to be traded. Pearsall might find himself being a top wideout alongside Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing early in the season.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. This isn't shocking news given Aiyuk is still recovering from ACL and MCL tears from October of last year. The timetable for Aiyuk's return to the field is unclear right now. Some reports have him being ready by the start of the season, but that seems unlikely. Aiyuk probably misses the first month of the season. The 49ers are likely going to be limited to start the season with Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) also landing on the PUP list. Fellow wideout Jauan Jennings is unhappy with his contract and wants a new deal or to be traded. The 49ers could be forced to rely on Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing early in the season. Aiyuk is certainly worth stashing given he might only miss the first month of the season, if he does miss that much time.
From RotoBaller
According to Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears and wide receiver Luther Burden III have agreed on a four-year deal. The second-round pick will get a four-year, $10.9 million contract that is fully guaranteed. This is the first time in NFL history that the 39th overall pick has secured a fully-guaranteed deal. Burden has been off to a slow start as he missed spring practices due to a soft tissue issue. Head coach Ben Johnson isn't concerned and believes Burden will be fine in time for training camp. Burden figures to serve as the No. 3 wideout behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The Bears have a handful of options on offense, so Burden might get lost in the shuffle during his first year in Chicago.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson has already said that he will not play on his current contract, and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero does not believe Hendrickson will report to training camp next week. Pelissero also thinks that Hendrickson will miss preseason games if he doesn't have a new deal, and he wouldn't be surprised if he sits out regular-season games. The 30-year-old has been a Pro Bowler each of the last four years and has back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks for the Bengals. Hendrickson is due $15.8 million in base salary for the 2025 campaign, but he's seeking a multi-year commitment from the Bengals and has so far been very disappointed with their efforts to re-sign him. He's only going to dig in even more after seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers make pass-rusher T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback this week.
From RotoBaller
When asked to pick an offensive player who needs to step up in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard named wide receiver Jalen McMillan on The Ronde Barber Show. McMillan came on strong to close out the 2024 season with Chris Godwin (ankle) injured, but he'll have plenty of competition for playing time with Mike Evans, Godwin and rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka in the receivers room. The 23-year-old finished his second NFL season with 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. In the final five games, he had 24 receptions, 316 yards and seven touchdowns. "I think that where (McMillan) left last season and the progress he showed on and off the field, and you could see that carry over into the spring with not having Chris out there and bringing Emeka along and him showing Emeka the ropes," Grizzard said.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions placed defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike (undisclosed) on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, which means he will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the 2025 regular season this fall. The Lions re-signed the 27-year-old interior defensive lineman to a one-year deal in the offseason. Despite having spinal-fusion surgery, Onwuzurike started in 10 of his 16 appearances with the Lions last year and finished with 28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a career-high 13 QB hits. The former second-rounder (41st overall) in 2021 out of Washington played a career-high 594 defensive snaps last year, but now he's just trying to get healthy and return to play in Week 5. When Onwuzurike does return to the Lions in the middle of the season, he'll likely be in a rotational role on the D-line.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks and second-round safety Nick Emmanwori reached an agreement on Thursday night on a fully guaranteed rookie contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Emmanwori becomes the first player in NFL history drafted 35th overall to receive a fully guaranteed contract. Seattle traded up 17 spots to take Emmanwori, who was a three-year starter at South Carolina that impressed during the scouting combine back in February. The Seahawks plan to use the 21-year-old defensive back at nickelback in 2025 in his first year in the NFL, with Julian Love and Coby Bryant serving as the team's starting safeties. In addition to Emmanwori, the Seahawks also reached an agreement with rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo, who was taken 50th overall in the second round back in April.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks signed second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo to a four-year, $8.813 million deal on Friday, including $6.872 million guaranteed, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O'Dare. Arroyo was the fifth tight end off the board in April's NFL draft at 50th overall. The Seahawks still have Noah Fant at tight end, but they'll feature a new offense in 2025, and Fant has just one touchdown catch in the last two years in Seattle. The 22-year-old Arroyo could be involved in the passing attack in his first year in the NFL if he can avoid anymore knee injuries, something that plagued him in college. He has good size (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and speed and could be the team's top pass-catching tight end by the end of the 2025 campaign. Arroyo won't be drafted in most single-year fantasy leagues, but he's a name to keep track of.
From RotoBaller
In a recent Locked on Cowboys podcast appearance, former Dallas Cowboys coach Glenn Smith said that coaches with the Cowboys have expressed that rookie fifth-round running back Jaydon Blue is "borderline lazy" and that the team isn't happy with his work habits. Blue is expected to have a big role on offense and is very explosive, but it's not a great sign for him heading into training camp. The 21-year-old is also under 200 pounds and comes with ball-security issues from his college days. The Cowboys like Blue's speed and explosiveness, but he didn't work at all with the first-team offense in spring workouts, suggesting Dallas could open the year with a backfield consisting mostly of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. The Cowboys will be hoping that Blue can mature quickly, but he's also no lock to make the roster out of training camp.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills signed second-round defensive tackle T.J. Sanders to his rookie contract on Friday, according to BuffaloBills.com's Maddy Glab. With the signing, the Bills have locked up all of the players from this year's draft class. Buffalo moved up 15 spots to take Sanders with the 41st overall selection back in April after he spent his college days at South Carolina. The 21-year-old interior defensive lineman is known for his twitch and explosiveness after recording 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss with the Gamecocks. He earned AP second-team All-SEC honors in 2024. Despite his pedigree, Sanders is likely to be a rotational player on Buffalo's defensive line in his first year in the league with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones likely to play most of the snaps at defensive tackle.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions signed free-agent running back Jabari Small to an undisclosed deal on Friday to add depth to their backfield ahead of training camp, a source tells FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The former Tennessee Volunteer was with the Tennessee Titans in 2024 as a rookie but didn't see any time on the field in a regular-season game. The 23-year-old will now be battling to make the 53-man roster out of training camp this summer and will be fighting an uphill battle. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are Detroit's top two running backs, while they also have Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki and Kye Robichaux in their RB room. Small spent the majority of last season on the Titans' practice squad before being let go by the team back in May.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders placed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Friday. Wilkins suffered a foot injury in Week 5 of last year against the Denver Broncos and didn't play the rest of the season. The 29-year-old also didn't take part in minicamp this offseason, and now he won't be ready for the start of training camp. The former 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 NFL draft out of Clemson spent the first five years of his NFL career in South Beach before joining the Raiders last year. In his five games played in 2024, Wilkins had 17 tackles (11 solo) and two sacks before his foot injury. When healthy, Wilkins has been a reliable run-stuffer in his time in the NFL. However, he'll turn 30 in December and might be in danger of missing the start of the regular season if he can't get on the field soon.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned and won't report to training camp with the rest of the team's rookies on Friday, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Right now, Judkins is focusing more on his legal matter after being arrested last week in Florida on domestic-violence charges. The Browns aren't in any rush to sign the 21-year-old to get him to camp, so Judkins could miss plenty of development time in camp this summer. His off-field situation is the most pressing matter, and one that could get him suspended in his first NFL season. It's all bad news for the Ohio State product's fantasy value in 2025. As of now, he's a shaky RB3/flex, while Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson have become much more attractive in Cleveland's backfield. Stay tuned for more information on Judkins' legal situation.
From RotoBaller
It would be "surprising" if Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker loses the backup job behind Jared Goff to veteran Kyle Allen, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Detroit drafted Hooker out of Tennessee in the third round back in 2023, and he spent the majority of his rookie season rehabbing from a torn ACL. Hooker was the team's nominal backup for most of 2024, but Detroit signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater to take over the job down the stretch of the season, signaling a lack of comfort with Hooker in the role. Pouncy writes that while Hooker should be considered the favorite entering camp, he "needs to show development." It would take an injury to Goff for either of Detroit's backup quarterback options to be fantasy-relevant.
From RotoBaller
The New York Jets and tight end Mason Taylor have agreed to terms on a four-year rookie contract, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. The Jets drafted Taylor out of LSU in the second round of the 2025 draft, and he appears to be the favorite to start at tight end as a rookie. In his final college season at LSU, Taylor had 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns. Previous reporting has indicated that the Jets expect him to contribute to the offense immediately, and there's certainly an opportunity for pass-catchers behind star wide receiver Garrett Wilson to emerge. New York's other options at tight end entering camp are Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Zack Kuntz. Now that he's under contract with the team, Taylor will have a full training camp to build chemistry with Jets quarterback Justin Fields.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders and rookie wide receiver Jack Bech have come to terms on a four-year contract, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Bech was one of the many second-round selections in this year's draft who had extended rookie-contract negotiations. However, it appears that he'll be in camp when the Raiders begin full-team activities on July 22. Bech played two years in college at LSU before transferring to TCU for his final two collegiate seasons. He had a breakout senior campaign in 2024, recording 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games played. He'll be competing with third-year receiver Tre Tucker and fellow rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott for the WR2 job in Las Vegas behind veteran Jakobi Meyers. Opportunity exists for Bech to emerge as a fantasy-relevant rookie, so it's positive news that he'll have a full training camp to build chemistry with Raiders quarterback Geno Smith.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart remains unsigned with training camp just around the corner, and reports surfaced earlier this week that Stewart has been practicing with his former college team at Texas A&M. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway clarifies that Stewart is a Texas native and is training at A&M by himself while using the school's facilities to get himself ready for his first NFL season. The 21-year-old isn't practicing with his old college team and doesn't appear to be considering returning for another college season in 2025, which was previously reported. Stewart is the only first-rounder that remains unsigned as he continues a dispute with the Bengals over guaranteed money. Bengals players will start reporting to camp this weekend, but it remains to be seen if Stewart will be present.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions placed defensive linemen Alim McNeill (knee) and Mekhi Wingo (knee), offensive tackle Taylor Decker (undisclosed), cornerback Khalil Dorsey (undisclosed), offensive guard Miles Frazier (undisclosed) and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, per the team. The Lions also put defensive lineman Josh Paschal (undisclosed) and cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (undisclosed) on the Non-Football Injury list. Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (undisclosed) went on the Reserve/PUP list, and running back Anthony Tyus went on the Non-Football Illness list. Onwuzurike will miss at least the first four games of the regular season, while the others on the PUP can be activated at any time during training camp. McNeil suffered a torn ACL in December and may not be ready for Week 1.
From RotoBaller