Joe Pepe | Thu, Jun 13th 2024, 7:04am EDT

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Wide Receivers (2024)

Fantasy Football strength of schedule (SOS) is a crucial piece to the pie when it comes to your research for fantasy football. SOS can help you determine two players within the same tier or if you should fade an entire wide receiver core.

Today, we will break down all 32 teams from the easiest SOS to the hardest within the NFL.

Let’s break it down below.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: WR Edition

What is Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule?

What exactly is the SOS?

FantasyPros explains the SOS as each team’s strength of schedule (SOS) displays the relative ease or difficulty of their matchups for the season. SOS is based on each opponent’s fantasy points allowed to a position, adjusted for strength of schedule. Favorable matchups receive better matchup star ratings.

Now, let’s break down each level of our SOS while I provide some analysis to help you navigate their average draft position (ADP) with the SOS and make the perfect, informed decision on more than 64 players.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Five Stars

Carolina Panthers

Diontae Johnson + Adam Thielen + Xavier Legette (WR – CAR)

Carolina needs a hand this season and could use any help they could get in the NFL after their rough 2023 season. Diontae Johnson is attractive this season with his new team. Despite the transition in Pittsburgh, he remained productive, averaging ten points per game. At his average draft position (ADP) of 78, your team will receive a WR1 who racks up targets within an offense that needs an X receiver.

As for Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette, you can swing at either player in the 150’s ADP. However, one is an aging veteran who took advantage of blowouts last season, and the other is a rookie with a limited route tree. Tread carefully with anyone outside of Diontae Johnson.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Four Stars

Green Bay Packers

Jayden Reed + Christian Watson + Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)

The Green Bay Packers wide receiver core is deeper than anyone in the league. We didn’t even list Dontavion Wicks and Bo Melton, who will be waiver wire darlings for your fantasy league. In the slot, Jayden Reed is an intriguing wide receiver who is 64th overall. Reed produced a 25% target rate per route run and just under 2 yards per route run. He led this crew with 10.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG) and ten touchdowns.

Jordan Love loves Reed, but he can also target Christian Watson, who you can draft at 86th overall. Watson has been boom or bust for fantasy. He spends as much time in the top-10 as outside the top-24. However, the size/ speed combination is intriguing, especially when players like Rome Odunze and Jordan Addison are drafted before him.

Romeo Doubs (121 overall) showed us he can take over a game in his playoff run. However, figuring out when that game is going to happen is hard. At his ADP, take the shot on this solid offense with a strong SOS; don’t expect consistency weekly.

Tennessee Titans

Calvin Ridley + DeAndre Hopkins + Tyler Boyd (WR – TEN)

Seeing the Titans’ offensive weapons with a four-star SOS helps calm Will Levis‘s nerves and inaccuracy. However, there are still some risks baked into these weapons. Calvin Ridley, for example, goes one spot after Jayden Reed. You know our rule: select players from great offenses. You can also find a better SOS in Diontae Johnson at 78 over DeAndre Hopkins at 76th.

Tyler Boyd will be a waiver wire or last-round selection. Take advantage of the SOS in this position, as Boyd will continue playing within the slot as the safety net for the young Will Levis.

Atlanta Falcons

Drake London + Darnell Mooney + Rondale Moore (WR – ATL)

The only player you should look at in this combination is Drake London. He sits at 18th overall, providing you a 23% target share and 31% air yard share. Now, London has Kirk Cousins throwing to him, which can finally allow us to see his potential. Unless you draft Bijan Robinson in the first round, you should always leave the second round with Drake London.

Chicago Bears

DJ Moore + Keenan Allen + Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)

The Chicago Bears have a strong SOS and a trio of wide receivers who can break the game open on all three levels of the field. My favorite will be Rome Odunze, who is 49th overall. The reason behind choosing Rome is simple: I am playing this trio like the old New England Patriots RB rule: take the lowest ADP. Rome Odunze can help your team with a high ADP and allows you to build elsewhere in the early rounds.

Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman+ Josh Downs + Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND)

The Colts offense has a chance to soar with their superstar quarterback, Anthony Richardson, returning to the field. Pittman leads the way at 27th overall and will be an intermediate target machine. Josh Downs, at 142nd overall, can help you with a solid target share and be a substantial floor wide receiver for depth on your bench.

The most complex player for me is Adonai Mitchell, who can be drafted at 152nd overall. Mitchell brings a 6-foot-2 frame with 205 pounds to throw around. He can be a game changer, and you can draft at the end of your draft.

New York Jets

Garrett Wilson + Mike Williams + Malachi Corley (WR – NYJ)

There is one wide receiver we truly want here, and we will draft it with a smile. It is Garrett Wilson at 11th overall. Mike Williams is coming off an injury, and Malachi Corley needs to prove it to us and can be swiped off the waiver wire. If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, we can see Wilson transcending his game this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Christian Kirk + Brian Thomas Jr. + Gabe Davis (WR – JAC)

This wide receiver core has me very excited for 2024. It may be my favorite four-star SOS this season. You can grab yourself Christian Kirk, a technician at route-running who can be a PPR machine at 59th overall. Brian Thomas Jr provide an upside at 107th overall that could become a top-24 by the end of the season. Finally, we know Gabe Davis can take over games. At 140th overall, it’s worth the risk.

Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown + Jameson Williams + Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – DET)

Let’s simplify: Amon-Ra is a machine of a wide receiver. The SOS doesn’t matter when you are this good at your job. The four-star SOS helps former first-round pick Jameson Williams. Reports state that he has become a changed man this offseason. At 106th overall, you can take a shot on this speedy wide receiver in a potent offense.

We can avoid Donovan Peoples-Jones; it’s not worth discussing or drafting.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Three Stars

Los Angeles Rams

Puka Nacua + Cooper Kupp + Demarcus Robinson (WR – LAR)

Puka Nacua can be drafted at ninth overall, Cooper Kupp at 35th overall, and Demarcus Robinson at 202. It’s wild to think that the most risk lies in Puka Nacua due to his ADP. Can he produce a strong season again? Of course! However, you can lose your draft within the first few rounds by making the wrong selection. A.J. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and even Davante Adams can produce a safer floor for your fantasy team.

New England Patriots

DeMario Douglas + Ja’Lynn Polk + Javon Baker (WR – NE)

The Patriots have an average SOS, a rookie quarterback, and a bleak future. You can take the dart throws on these wide receivers, as their highest ADP is 176. However, this breaks our rule of drafting players from strong offenses. This team is a complete fade for me.

Houston Texans

Nico Collins + Tank Dell + Stefon Diggs (WR – HOU)

We just spoke of a complete fade; now, when it comes to this trio of wide receivers, we speak of a complete buy. These three wide receivers will be gone by pick 57, and Tank Dell at 57 is my favorite of the core. His ability to separate on routes will allow for more space for Stroud to zip a ball into his hands. All three will help your team, but give me the lowest ADP value from the Houston Texans wide receiver core.

Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd McConkey + Joshua Palmer + Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)

Ladd McConkey is a fade for me at 95th overall in an offense that will be run-centric. Joshua Palmer is a quintessential WR2/3 in the NFL and, therefore, is a floor play more than a ceiling play. Finally, Quentin Johnston has the most upside but drops balls faster than I dropped out of classes in college. It’s a rough trio to invest in, and you can do better elsewhere.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans + Chris Godwin + Trey Palmer (WR-TB)

Baker Mayfield has shown he can elevate some of the wide receivers around him. Chris Godwin heads back into the slot which should elevate his fantasy production this year. Unfortunately Mike Evans relies on touchdowns so we should see some regression this year.

Seattle Seahawks

DK Metcalf + Jaxon Smith-Njigba + Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)

This new offense can flourish under this new coaching staff. There is risk involved with the new coaching staff that can guide you elsewhere. Instead of DK Metcalf at 38, you can grab Amari Cooper at 46th overall. Instead of Tyler Lockett (115), you can draft Khalil Shakir, who is fighting for the top spot in Buffalo.

The best player to aim for is Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is 91st overall. He provides talent and upside in a round riddled with players like Keon Coleman and Courtland Sutton.

Baltimore Ravens

Zay Flowers + Rashod Bateman + Devontez Walker (WR – BAL)

A potent offense is always one to target, even if SOS doesn’t lean in their favor. Zay Flowers proved last year he can produce on the field. Now, he has to prove he can do it with a healthy Mark Andrew, which makes him risky at 45th overall when you could draft Keenan Allen, George Pickens, Tee Higgins, and Tank Dell after him.

Rashod Bateman is a fun dart throw late in your draft, while Devontez Walker is more of a DFS play.

Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper + Jerry Jeudy + Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)

Amari Cooper is disrespected every year. His ADP of 46 is too low for a playoff team that can produce points. As for his cohorts, Jerry Jeudy at 131 doesn’t interest me, and Elijah Moore is probably a waiver wire project. Both players must prove it before I waste my time facing off against their average SOS.

New York Giants

Malik Nabers + Wan’Dale Robinson + Jalin Hyatt (WR – NYG)

A weak offense combined with a lousy quarterback doesn’t sound fun for fantasy football. Malik Nabers is a great player, but at 47th overall, the risk is too high. As for the rest of his teammates, you can take a late-round dart throw with them, but you are aiming for floor shots more than ceiling play with either of them due to the lack of offense in New York.

Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb + Brandin Cooks + Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)

CeeDee Lamb will be a monster and could be the overall number 1 player in fantasy football by the end of the year. Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert are not as interesting. Instead of Cooks, you can draft Rashid Shaheed, Jahan Dotson, or Dontayvion Wicks at his ADP. Tolbert will be a waiver wire selection throughout the season that can help you elevate your team when needed.

Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin + Jahan Dotson + Luke McCaffrey (WR – WAS)

Rookie quarterbacks struggle to elevate their teammates to a high level of production. This statistic makes me nervous about Terry McLaurin, who needs to be drafted at 60th overall. At that position, you could draft Jayden Reed and be part of a more potent offense. Jahan Dotson can provide upside at 139 with his first-round pedigree, while Luke McCaffrey is a DFS play at best. With this average SOS and a rookie quarterback, look for fantasy players from other towns.

New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave + Rashid Shaheed + A.T. Perry (WR – NO)

Leaning into players with Derek Carr is scary. He is an average quarterback. I love the potential of Chris Olave, but at 17th overall, you could select DRake London, Nico Collins, or even Brandon Aiyuk and have a more substantial chance of upside within a high-flying offense.

Shaheed totaled 1,000 air yards last season and is intriguing in the last couple rounds of your fantasy draft to elevate your team’s depth at wide receiver. I won’t be drafting A.T. Perry, a last-round dart throw.

Kansas City Chiefs

Rashee Rice + Hollywood Brown + Xavier Worthy (WR – KC)

Don’t touch Rashee Rice. Now that we are past that, Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy can be fun, but they help the fantasy numbers of Patrick Mahomes more than they will help their own. You must skip players like DeAndre Hopkins, Diontae Johnson, and others to draft these Kansas City players. Just draft Patrick Mahomes if you want a Chief on your team.

Las Vegas Raiders

Davante Adams + Jakobi Meyers + Michael Gallup (WR – LAR)

Here is another example of an offense that will not be in the top 10. The Raiders want to be run-heavy, so the players will have few chances to help your fantasy team. This offense is one to avoid with their average SOS in 2024.

Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison + Michael Wilson + Zay Jones (WR – ARI)

Marvin Harrison is already being drafted at his ceiling and is facing an average SOS. Drafting Harrison at 16th overall is risky when you could have Nico Collins, Drake London, Brandon AIyuk, or even Deebo Samuel later in your draft. The rest of this wide receiver core is late-round dart throws that could give you depth. Wilson and Zay Jones will battle for WR2 and eat into each other’s production. It is best to avoid both players and find a higher ceiling elsewhere.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Two Stars

Buffalo Bills

Keon Coleman + Curtis Samuel + Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)

It is challenging to pinpoint this trio of wide receivers’ production in 2024. They face a harder-than-most SOS, and it may be best to draft Josh Allen and avoid the rest of Buffalo.

Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill + Jaylen Waddle + Odell Beckham (WR – MIA)

Never avoid Tyreek Hill. He can give you 40 points in a heartbeat before you even have Sunday dinner. Jaylen Waddle struggled with injury last year but is returning stronger this year. He should have a strong season, but you can draft Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, DeVonta Smith, and DK Metcalf after Waddle’s 30th overall ADP.

Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown + DeVonta Smith + Johnny Wilson (WR – PHI)

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will own the lion’s share of the pie in Philadelphia. The new offense with Kellen Moore should provide more motion, allowing the wide receivers to create more separation and fantasy points for your team. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it because the target share is split between two players.

San Francisco 49ers

Deebo Samuel + Brandon Aiyuk + Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)

All three are great players, but this offense has limited opportunities due to CMC leading the charge. Remember, the key to their game is efficiency. Efficiency is scary to bank on, but you want part of this An Francisco offense. Don’t avoid them, but be prepared to be frustrated at points during the season.

Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton + Marvin Mims + Troy Franklin (WR – DEN)

A tough SOS combined with either a rookie quarterback or Zach Wilson is enough for me to fade the whole group. If you want a Denver Bronco, draft their running backs.

Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase + Tee Higgins + Jermaine Burton (WR – CIN)

Even with a low SOS, you may not want to skip these players, as the passing game will be the focus this year without Joe Mixon. Just keep your eyes on their contract disputes, and if Chase or Higgins sit out, draft Burton easily at 181st overall.

Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: One Star

Pittsburgh Steelers

George Pickens + Roman Wilson + Calvin Austin (WR – PIT)

George Pickens is one of my favorite players to draft, especially with his 54th overall ADP. However, his one-star SOS and an aging Russell Wilson/inaccurate Justin Fields scare me. Pickens’ skills allow me to draft him, but I’ll avoid the rest of this wide receiver core at a cost due to the negatives within this offense.

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Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros, and good luck this offseason!

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