The strength of the schedule for receivers lumps wide receivers and tight ends together as each team uses positions differently. The reality is that while the overall averages are interesting, no position is as sensitive to individual encounters as acknowledgments hitting specific defenders. This makes the analysis less accurate than running backs and quarterbacks.
The analysis also takes into account the venue. There’s a difference between how the defense reacts at home or away, and that leads to 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is being played.
See also:
Strength of the 2022 Fantasy Football Schedule – Quarterbacks
Strength of the 2022 Fantasy Football Schedule – Running Backs
Strength of the 2022 Fantasy Football Schedule – Receivers
The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses for receivers over the past year are at the bottom of this page for reference.
Table of Contents
total score
In fantasy competitions and some leagues only the total score counts. Below are the total points for each passing offense as per their schedule using the averages allowed by these defenses in 2021.
The NFC East all perform best, while the AFC North takes on the toughest games for receivers. However, these are totals for all recipients, so they are less meaningful for individual benefits.
weekly game
Below are three different views. Weeks 1 through 17 is the fantasy power of the entire season. “The Dorey Rulesays to Draft as if the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, weeks 15 through 17 represent the most common fantasy playoffs. ‘Good’ games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues over the last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22. Bye weeks were considered “bad.”
Notable schedules
Terry McLaurin / Jahan Dotson (WAS) – The commanders are transitioning to Carson Wentz as quarterback, while Terry McLaurin is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 1.16 pick Jahan Dotson is expected to start. McLaurin was easy on touchdowns, but that should bring some relief given the easiest receiver schedule. The Commanders are just three of the toughest venues and an NFL high ten game with cheap matchups. After Week 7 they only face one strong opponent while the new passing game should come together.
Marvin Jones / Christian Kirk / Evan Engram (JAC) – While the Jaguars aren’t the most noticeable starting wideouts, the 2021 disaster will set them back and Trevor Lawrence will use his trio of receivers to get back on track. Weeks 8-10 aside, the schedule features nine positive matchups, starting with six of the first seven games against weaker runners-up. After the first month of the season, it should be clear whether the Jaguars are on the road to improvement.
Kenny Golladay / Kadarius Toney (NYG) – A change of manager should help Daniel Jones’ lackluster exit and while the schedule isn’t packed with easy matchups, he’s nice with just one game against a tougher venue. It’s a mid-range of opponents but a chance for the new offense to come together.
AJ Brown / Devonta Smith / Dallas Goedert (PHI) – Expectations for the Eagles skyrocketed with the addition of AJ Brown to the passing offense. A favorable group of opponents only makes an improvement more likely. Their Week 13 schedule is as beneficial as any in the NFL with eight favorable matchups and no tough weeks. That goes away when three of the next four weeks face tight-fisted defensive ends as the fantasy playoffs begin.
Rashod Bateman / Devin Duverney / Mark Andrews (BAL) – The Ravens have lost Marquise Brown and are left with only Andrews as a tried and tested receiving weapon. What makes it worse – they have the worst schedule for recipients. You only have two cheap matchups ahead of you, and those will be taken care of in week 7. Bateman is a popular sleeper as the new No. 1 in the wideout, but he’s hitting eight of the worst defensive spots.
Diontae Johnson / Chase Claypool (PIT) – The Steelers are entering their new era without Ben Roethlisberger and could switch quarterbacks later this season. The receivers got used to the short-yard passes last year and can run downfield again, but are shadowed by mostly solid defensive backs. After Week 1, the next six games will feature five difficult venues. That should slow progress while the Steelers decide which quarterback to rely on.
DeAndre Hopkins / Marquise Brown (ARI) — Hopkins is already suspended for six weeks and upon his return, the Cardinals will only enjoy a softer matchup as they take on five of the tougher venues over the next seven weeks. With Christian Kirk gone, Kyler Murray must brace himself for fresh starting wideouts without Hopkins as he faces a tougher stretch of games in the first half of the season.
Week grid 2022
Fantasy points allowed per game for quarterbacks
These are the values that will be applied to this year’s schedule to determine the strength of the schedule for wide receivers and tight ends.