The fantasy football strength of schedule matrix helps identify the overall difficulty of position players' matchups from Weeks 1 to 17. The team ranked No. 1 is expected to see the easiest slate, while No. 32 will encounter defenses projected to allow the fewest fantasy points to that position.

My model factors in many variables, including historical defensive data, offseason roster changes, new coaching staffs, home/road splits, individual player matchups, dome games and more.

However, let me be clear — you shouldn’t decide whether to draft someone based on this table alone. Instead, let it serve as an additional data point to help break ties between players you're targeting.

It’s also important to note that the impact on players at the extremes (green or red) will be much more significant than the differences among those in the middle range (yellow).

Fantasy Strength of Schedule Results

Quarterbacks

• There seems to be an annual debate over Jalen Hurts’ abilities as a quarterback and the expected departure of his top wideout A.J. Brown will surely add fuel to that fire. However, Hurts will have a number of things working in his favor this year, including a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion, a pair of highly-drafted pass-catchers in Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers, as well as the easiest fantasy schedule among quarterbacks. The 27-year-old has finished as the QB8, QB6, QB2, QB1 and QB7 over the last five seasons and will be in the mix as a top-five fantasy producer at his position once again. Though it’s worth noting that his opponents in the fantasy playoffs could lower his ceiling in December, with matchups against the Seahawks (Week 15), Texans (Week 16) and 49ers (Week 17). 

• Cam Ward had a challenging rookie campaign that featured few highs and many lows in a talent-deficient Titans’ offense. Thankfully, his situation is much brighter heading into the 2026 season. Ward has been given a variety of upgrades, starting with some key additions to the receiving corps in first-round receiver Carnell Tate and high-priced free agent Wan’Dale Robinson. Tennessee also has a new coaching staff which includes a capable offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll. To top it off, Ward will get the third softest fantasy slate among quarterbacks. The 24-year-old will likely be more of a volatile fantasy QB2 this season, but there’s enough positive change to expect a major leap from him in Year 2. 

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• Don’t let yourself get too concerned about Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams being near the bottom of this list. Both passers are more than capable of overcoming tough matchups given their skill and the quality of offensive schemes around them. Even with the bad hand they've been dealt here, Williams is locked in QB1 after a strong first year under Ben Johnson and Mahomes is a solid QB2 who could easily flirt with top-12 numbers if his recovery from a torn ACL goes well. 

• Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Jaxson Dart and Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, Fernando Mendoza will have an uphill battle to produce for fantasy as a rookie. After the first-overall pick passes Kirk Cousins on the depth chart.

Running Backs

• Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are both well deserving of being the 1.01 in drafts this year, with fantasy managers splitting hairs to decide between the two. I still have Robinson ahead in my rankings and projections, but if you’re looking for a tiebreaker to justify taking Gibbs over him — the schedule could be that deciding factor. The Lions’ running backs don’t just have an easy string of opponents this season, it has the friendliest slate among all backfields. With David Montgomery now in Houston, Gibbs is poised for a monster workload against a generous collection of defenses. This even makes Isiah Pacheco a little more enticing as a flex option, who could get extra work late in games.
  

• Saquon Barkley wasn’t impervious to the Eagles’ offensive struggles last season, as his yearly production dropped from 2,083 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 (RB1 overall in fantasy) to 1,413 yards and nine scores in 2025 (RB15 finish). Fortunately, the arrival of new OC Sean Mannion should steer the offense back in the right direction. It also helps that Barkley will have the second-easiest fantasy running back schedule. While another 2,000-yard campaign is unlikely, there’s plenty of reason to expect Barkley will return to the top-10 at his position. 

• With Rico Dowdle now in Pittsburgh, there is a massive opportunity in the Panthers’ backfield for someone to emerge. It won’t be completely smooth sailing though, since Carolina will encounter the most difficult schedule for running backs in 2026. Even so, the veteran Chuba Hubbard is the clubhouse leader for the starting job and is just one year removed from being the RB12 in fantasy points per game with 1,195 rushing yards, 43 receptions, 171 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Many in the fantasy community are excited at the potential of Jonathan Brooks, who’s working his way back from multiple serious knee injuries. There are no guarantees Brooks will be the same player the Panthers drafted in the second round two years ago, but he’s well worth the dart throw at RB40 in the 10th round. I’m investing in both players, while acknowledging the schedule and possible timeshare could reduce their fantasy output. 

• Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Jonathan Taylor, Travis Etienne Jr., Kyren Williams/Blake Corum, Jadarian Price, and whoever emerges from the Commanders’ backfield trio of Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Kaytron Allen.

Wide Receivers

• Justin Jefferson was on my list of risky veterans worth drafting in 2026, in large part due to the arrival of Kyler Murray at quarterback and the hope for better offensive line health this season. Now we know he’ll also have the fourth easiest fantasy receiver schedule to work with. The 26-year-old (who will turn 27 in June) hasn’t forgotten how to be a top-tier NFL wideout. Prior to last season, Jefferson put up at least 1,400 yards and seven TDs in four of his previous five campaigns. He had also finished as a top-five fantasy wideout in four straight seasons. Get ready for Jefferson to be back competing for the fantasy WR1 overall crown. 

• Carnell Tate was the first receiver selected in this year’s NFL draft (fourth overall) and landed on an offense desperate for playmakers in the passing game. If that wasn’t enough to entice fantasy managers, he also has the wind at his back as a rookie with the fifth-softest fantasy schedule among wideouts. Tate is going off the board as the WR30 in ADP, but has a clear path to fantasy WR2 numbers in his first season. This is a player to target in all formats.

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• The Steelers’ passing attack has a math problem. DK Metcalf was the WR23 on a per game basis during his first season in Pittsburgh, but it’s worth noting that it was a down year for receiver production. For example, his 10.5 fppg would have made him the WR34 in 2024. Even with very little target competition, Metcalf only managed 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. Now he’ll have Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard fighting for targets with him. Even if new head coach Mike McCarthy convinces Aaron Rodgers to throw more, it will be difficult for the Steelers’ wideouts to pay off in fantasy. To make matters worse, the trio will have to deal with the second-worst fantasy schedule at their position. While the increased talent is great for the team’s real life outlook, it’s a hard situation to invest in for fantasy. 

• Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon and the Jaguars’ receivers. 

Tight Ends

• Mark Andrews is fresh off a down year where he finished as the TE23 in fppg and only topped double-digit fantasy points three times. However, the Ravens signed him to a three-year extension and let Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar walk in free agency. Looking forward, Andrews will get the second-friendliest fantasy schedule for tight ends in 2026, which should help him rebound. While it might seem like Andrews is old, he’s only entering his age-31 season. He’s also one year removed from finishing as the TE7 overall with 11 touchdowns in 2024. Baltimore added a pair of mid-round receivers in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, but Andrews will remain a big part of the offense, especially around the red zone. Consider him a high-end TE2 with definite top-10 upside at the position. 

• Even as a 36-year-old, Travis Kelce was able to produce the eight most fantasy points among tight ends last season, proving he’s still a capable starting option. The Chiefs didn’t make any significant additions to the pass-catching corps, which is surprising given Rashee Rice’s off-field issues and Xavier Worthy’s durability concerns. How long Kelce can continue to be a viable fantasy option is unknown, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he turns in another top-10 campaign. On top of his veteran savvy and connection with Patrick Mahomes, Kelce also gets the fifth-most favorable slate for fantasy tight ends in 2026. Though he might not be a sexy fantasy pick, if you miss out on the top producers at the position, Kelce is a strong stopgap.  

• The Strength of Schedule Matrix is normally used for finding edges that can be exploited in fantasy, but sometimes I have to preach caution so people don’t overreact to my findings. For example, Trey McBride has the hardest schedule of any tight end in 2026, but that shouldn’t be a reason to avoid him in fantasy drafts. While McBride should put together another solid campaign, he might not have the exact environment that led to his massive stat line a year ago. Marvin Harrison Jr. is healthy and will join Michael Wilson to give the Cardinals a quality one-two punch at receiver. First-round running back Jeremiyah Love is very proficient as a pass-catcher and will also create more target competition. And Jacoby Brissett, whose willingness to chuck the ball around the yard led to McBride’s fantasy eruption, isn’t currently with the team due to a contract dispute. McBride is still an excellent fantasy tight end, but a healthy Brock Bowers is my TE1 overall this year.

• Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert and Gunnar Helm.