We are past the midway point of the offseason. More importantly, training camps start in about four weeks. That means the 2023 fantasy football season isn’t too far away.
Meanwhile, there is still plenty of preparation to do for the upcoming season. One useful tool to evaluate is the strength of schedule (SOS). Let’s look at a few quarterbacks using the strength of schedule tool.
- Strength of Schedule Analysis & Takeaways: RB | WR | TE
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- Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
- Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
Strength of Schedule Rankings & Advice: Quarterbacks (2023 Fantasy Football)
What is Fantasy Strength of Schedule?
Each team’s strength of schedule displays how easy or tough their matchups are for the 2023 season. The SOS is based on each opponent’s fantasy points allowed to a position, adjusted for the strength of schedule. Easier matchups get a better star rating, while tougher ones get a lower rating. You can read more about the matchup ratings here.
Easiest Schedule
These quarterbacks have the easiest strength of schedule in 2023.
While the Packers turn the page from Aaron Rodgers to Love, the former Utah State quarterback has one of the easiest schedules this season. The NFC North has three teams with subpar defenses. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings were excellent matchups for opposing quarterbacks last year. All three teams ranked top eight in points given up per game to quarterbacks in 2022.
Unfortunately, fantasy players don’t know much about Love. The quarterback is heading into his fourth NFL season but has only made one start in his career. However, Green Bay has provided him with multiple weapons. After drafting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs last year, the Packers added Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft during the 2023 NFL Draft. While it might take a few weeks, Love should become a streaming option for fantasy players.
Last year Fields was a fantasy star. He ended the season as the QB6, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game. However, the second-year quarterback only had 17 passing touchdowns. Yet, he averaged 10.8 fantasy points per game on the ground, totaling 1,143 rushing yards. However, the Bears added DJ Moore a few months ago. The young quarterback and Moore have reportedly already built a strong connection this offseason.
Meanwhile, Fields has a similar situation to Jordan Love. The Bears’ quarterback has four matchups against the Vikings and Lions. He also faces the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Both teams were a positive matchup for quarterbacks last season. Furthermore, the contest against the Chiefs should be a high-scoring matchup. Meanwhile, Chicago should have one of the worst defenses in the NFL this year. That will lead to more high-scoring games for Fields.
After spending the first nine years of his career with the Raiders, Carr signed with the Saints this offseason. While he has never been an elite fantasy quarterback, the veteran joined one of the weaker divisions in the NFL. Last year all four NFC South teams ended the year with a losing record. More importantly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons don’t have elite defenses. While none were a positive matchup for quarterbacks last season, all three were neutral opponents.
However, Carr has a fantasy-friendly schedule. The veteran has only one matchup against a tough team this year. His other 15 matchups during the fantasy season are either neutral or positive. Carr faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. They surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2022, giving up 20.5 per contest, thus making him a solid Week 1 streaming option. Meanwhile, the veteran has five other matchups against top-eight friendly teams this year. Three of those matchups are against the weak defenses in the NFC North.
Toughest Schedule
These quarterbacks have the toughest strength of schedule (one star) in 2023.
Sam Howell (WAS) & Jacoby Brissett (WAS)
Washington has an open competition at quarterback this offseason. Howell started only one game as a rookie. However, the former North Carolina star was the QB7 that week, scoring 19.3 fantasy points in the win. Meanwhile, Brissett has bounced around the NFL as a career journeyman. Last year the veteran started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns with Deshaun Watson suspended. While he wasn’t a fantasy start, Brissett was a serviceable streaming option last season.
The Commanders have a talented supporting cast led by Terry McLaurin. Jahan Dotson is a popular breakout candidate. Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas are solid veteran starting players for the team but lack individual fantasy value. Unfortunately, Washington has the toughest strength of schedule for quarterbacks this year. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have elite defenses with outstanding pass rush units. Meanwhile, the New York Giants were not an easy matchup last season. More importantly, the Commanders have only two positive matchups this year, with the first coming against the Bears in Week 5.
Jones was considered an NFL bust a year ago. However, Brian Daboll turned the former Duke star into a franchise-caliber quarterback. More importantly, he made Jones a fantasy-relevant quarterback despite the lack of pass catchers. The veteran ended the 2022 season as the QB9, averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game. He had a higher fantasy points per game average than Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert despite not having a pass catcher with over 725 receiving yards. Thankfully, the Giants improved Jones’ receiving core this offseason, trading for Darren Waller.
Despite having a breakout year last season, there is a concern with the star quarterback – his strength of schedule. Jones has the same problem as the Washington duo – he plays in the NFC East. The Cowboys and Eagles are two of the top defenses in the league, thanks to their elite pass-rush units. Meanwhile, the Commanders were a neutral matchup last year and should be better this season with a healthy Chase Young. Unfortunately, Jones has only two easy matchups this season. Furthermore, his fantasy playoff schedule includes three tough matchups against the Saints, Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.