Strength of schedule is a valuable tool in fantasy football. It can help make those tough tie-breaking decisions on draft day that every manager faces.
It’s not just important to know the schedules of these players, but also how to properly use this information.
We will be using FantasyPros’ strength of schedule rankings to find the most favorable and concerning opponent groups for each position.
Then, we’ll provide context on what to do with this information in your fantasy drafts and subsequent inseason management.
QB Fantasy Strength of Schedule Rankings
Easiest QB SOS
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
- New Orleans Saints
While none of these teams offer a comfortable starter for single QB fantasy football leagues, we can find value here with such favorable schedules.
We’ve seen what Tua Tagovailoa can do in fantasy when he is healthy. In 2023 he finished as the QB9 with 4624 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.
Justin Fields’ rushing ability covers for the lackluster passing game. In 2022, Fields ran for 1143 yards and finished as the QB6 overall.
Tagovailoa and Fields offer some upside in 1QB leagues and an excellent value in two QB or superflex leagues.
As far as whoever starts for the Saints, a good schedule or not, stay away from the Saints QBs unless you need to dive into the muck in superflex/QB2 games.
Toughest QB SOS
- New York Giants
- Cincinatti Bengals
- Green Bay Packers
The most notable starting QB here is Joe Burrow of the Bengals. Burrow is someone who is being drafted this year at his ceiling. Unless you draft Ja’Marr Chase and can get the deadliest stack in fantasy football, avoid paying full price for Burrow in 2025.
Whoever is the Giants starting QB come Week 1, there shouldn’t be much concern. No one is drafting Russell Wilson to be their starter in single QB leagues.
Facing tougher opponents hopefully means the Giants will be down and have to throw the ball at a high rate.
Jordan Love is a fine fantasy starting QB. He probably won’t win you weeks but he’s a safe play with some upside. None of these tough schedules should be the deciding factor in drafting any of these QBs, but if you are nervous on them, this can help cement your doubt.
2025 FANTASY DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST
RB Fantasy Strength of Schedule Rankings
Easiest RB SOS
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Cleveland Browns
Between Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, there is plenty of opportunity at the Jets RB position. Hall is going higher for a reason, his receiving work. But Allen will take a jump in touches this year, assuming in short yardage situations.
TreVeyon Henderson is going to smash his ADP. With Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling issues, expect Henderson to get a massive share of the touches against a favorable schedule against the run.
TreVeyon Henderson 70-yard TD in joint practice against the Vikings, via @vikingzfanpage:pic.twitter.com/e4JsVEf1ea
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 13, 2025
When it comes to the Browns RBs, Quinshon Judkins is still (as of mid-August) the most expensive fantasy draft pick. With a suspension looming for him and all around a lackluster RB room, don’t let the positive SOS for Cleveland lure you into a bad selection.
Toughest RB SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Denver Broncos
- Dallas Cowboys
Is it a coincidence that the three toughest RB schedules are three of the murkiest backfields to predict?
Most of these options are late-round picks in drafts besides RJ Harvey. Regardless of the hardest schedule and lack of clarity, Harvey’s receiving ability (especially in a Sean Payton offense) makes him worth that price.
As far as the rest of these backs go, a late-round dart throw to land the potential starter is a fine decision. Just don’t overpay on any of these guys.
WARNING: Avoid these fantasy draft busts
WR Fantasy Strength of Schedule Rankings
Easiest WR SOS
- Tennessee Titans
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
All three of these teams offer legit WR options when it comes to fantasy. Calvin Ridley is the top target in what’s going to be a pass-heavy team with the easiest SOS to WRs.
Cam Ward ➡️ Calvin Ridley
This duo will be fun to watch this season!
(via @Titans)pic.twitter.com/cGjb5f7iq4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 10, 2025
Between Juan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall, there will be a ton of available targets with the departure of Deebo Samuel Sr. and absence of Brandon Aiyuk.
The Jags have two of the most exciting WRs in football. Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. should have huge target shares. Target these guys for positive matchups and good volume.
Toughest WR SOS
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
- Chicago Bears
The only team to focus on here is the Bears and their receivers. Certain players override tough matchups and schedules, Malik Nabers and CeeDee Lamb are those types of players.
There is some concern when it comes to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The idea that Ben Johnson is going to seamlessly translate his offensive success from Detroit to Chicago in his first year is not realistic.
For a young QB such as Caleb Williams, it’s going to take time to learn these schemes and this will affect the receivers’ production. Combine that with a tough schedule and division, there are plenty of risks involved with taking a Bears receiver.
NON-PPR RANKINGS: TOP 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE
TE Fantasy Strength of Schedule Rankings
Easiest TE SOS
- Arizona Cardinals
- Carolina Panthers
- Los Angeles Rams
Reason No. 100 why you should draft Trey McBride in Round 2. There are some concerns with QB Kyler Murray, but if you end up with McBride, you’ll be happy.
Ja’Tavion Sanders for the Panthers and Terrance Ferguson for the Rams both are younger TEs with a cheap ADP. If you don’t grab one of those TEs at the top, these players’ SOS can be favorable if you want to pass on the middle-round guys such as Tucker Kraft and Jake Ferguson.
Toughest TE SOS
- Dallas Cowboys
- Green Bay Packers
- Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers could have to play the “Legion of Boom” every week and he should still be drafted as the TE1. Don’t let a tough SOS sway you to fade the TE1 this season.
The other tough schedules for players like Tucker Kraft and Jake Ferguson should be taken more into account. When looking at late-round TEs, picking a guy with a favorable schedule is never a bad idea.
Defensive Team Strength of Schedule Highlights
The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Chargers all have great schedules. This does not mean they are an every-week start, but they’ll provide several valuable weeks.
- The Chargers rank as the most draftable name in this batch.
The Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants have brutal schedules. Again, this does not mean you can’t ever play them, but mostly you’ll be avoiding them due to tough matchups.
- Only the Lions are worth drafting in this Tough SOS group, and they’re borderline.
How to use Strength of Schedule in Fantasy Football
With all the information that was just thrown at you, here is the most important piece of advice. Do not let strength of schedule solely determine if you are in or out on a player.
Relying on last year’s statistics doesn’t always paint the correct picture.
SOS changes throughout the season based on so many factors, including defensive injuries, reassessing player personnel ratings, improvements with new systems, and much more.
On top of that, elite players such as Lamb, Nabers, Bowers, or Burrow are matchup-proof. If you like them, draft them and start them every week regardless of the matchup.
Where this tool can come into your decision-making is elevating one guy over another if you want to draft both.
Let’s say you are looking for a late-round TE and are between Tucker Kraft and Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson’s easier schedule can be the tie-breaking stat between those two. This can go for any two players and at any position.
