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It’s a simple goal for fantasy managers: get to where the points are. Identify the NFL’s juiciest offenses and eliminate as many players as you can.
Now that we’re in mid-November, it’s a good time to take stock of the crimes we trust and those we don’t. Here’s how I view all 32 teams for the fantasy value they collectively offer.
All weekly fantasy ratings are from FantasyPros and use a half-point PPR score.
No, they are not the best team in the NFL or even the NFC. They might not even win their division. But Christian McCaffrey instantly returned to form and Jauan Jennings is already a WR2 for fantasy purposes, fitting into the X role vacated by Brandon Aiyuk.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (5)
Jalen Hurts has become unfair with his goal-line success, and there is more than enough left for Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.
3. Baltimore Ravens (7)
It’s hard to believe this is a age-30 season for Derrick Henry; He’s second in broken tackles and second in yards after contact (to be fair, there’s double counting when you mention both stats). And Henry’s career trend shows that he generally improves as the season progresses. The Ravens have been slow to add Diontae Johnson, and even as Johnson gets more snaps, this passing game has several other legitimate options. I wouldn’t blame anyone for cutting Johnson.
4. Detroit Lions (1)
The backfield has two easy plays, but Amon-Ra St. Brown has been the only constant in the passing game. Jameson Williams is their x-factor, the boom-and-bust guy.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (10)
The Bengals are the clear leaders in passing rate, so Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are ready to tip your fantasy seasons. Chase Brown will also have an impact; The acquisition of Khalil Herbert was simply a depth play.
6. Buffalo Bills (2)
All summer we wondered who the right answer was in the pass-catching room. But sometimes there are no right answers.
7. Minnesota Vikings (4)
Sam Darnold consistently pushes the ball downfield and most of his passing metrics are well above league average. But he’s lagging in two critical areas: His sack and interception rates are below code. When you can’t avoid negative plays, you play with a limited advantage. Kevin O’Connell is a dream playmaker, but eventually Darnold’s error-prone nature will bring this team down.
8. Green Bay Packers (6)
Green Bay’s pass-through cake always smells good, but that cake is cut into several pieces. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft and Christian Watson have between 39 and 47 targets. Jordan Love has increased his touchdown rate and YPA this year, but he has also seen a significant increase in interceptions.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8)
If a strong schedule is one of your concepts, the Buccaneers could be your team. Tampa Bay has faced the toughest schedule in football to this point, and now it’s the easiest to move forward. The Cowboys and Panthers await the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
10. Seattle Seahawks (9)
The Seahawks finally unlocked Jaxon-Smith Njigba, but the offense isn’t the same without DK Metcalf. You have to give Seattle credit for keeping up: they play at the second-fastest pace in the league.
11. Atlanta Falcons (10)
Kirk Cousins went crazy in both of his starts against Tampa Bay. In his other starts this year, he’s averaging a QB20 finish. For some reason, the Falcons gave Tyler Allgeier three consecutive goal-line carries last week, all unsuccessful, before Bijan Robinson finished the job.
12. Arizona Cardinals (14)
Could we get some consistency from Kyler Murray? Consider your weekly finishes: QB15, QB1, QB17, QB24, QB5, QB25, QB5, QB12, QB30, QB4. James Conner has been the most underrated running back in football for a couple of years now.
13. Los Angeles Rams (28)
Most rankings have Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp close together each week, but Nacua’s advantage is greater when you consider how often the Rams prioritize him in a passing route.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (17)
Travis Kelce did very little the first three weeks, but Rashee Rice got hurt in Week 3. Kelce since: TE5, TE7, TE30, TE4, TE3, TE1. The original plan was to save Kelce more for the playoffs, but plans have to be flexible when you hit a bump.
15. Washington Commanders (11)
Jayden Daniels has been everything we dreamed of and the long-awaited season of Terry McLaurin’s career has been glorious. But surprisingly there isn’t a second receiver on this list coming home.
16. Houston Texans (15)
Joe Mixon has five 100-yard games and eight touchdowns, surviving despite a Houston offensive line that hasn’t played well. Nico Collins is desperately needed to return to fix the passing game, but perhaps John Metchie III’s Week 10 breakout will have some stiffness.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (19)
The Steelers have the lowest passing rate in the league, meaning Najee Harris is an automatic fantasy starter for the year and Jaylen Warren has some flex appeal. George Pickens has WR3 and WR5 finishes in his last three starts, clearly better now that Russell Wilson is Pittsburgh’s starter. It’s not that Pittsburgh has had an easy schedule up to this point; is about to get considerably more difficult.
18. Miami Dolphins (25)
Tua Tagovailoa is back but it hasn’t been much fun: QB22, QB19, QB22. The Dolphins don’t trust their offensive line and are concerned about Tua’s health, and it shows in the plays.
19. Indianapolis Colts (20)
The Colts played the 11th toughest schedule through the first 10 weeks, but as of right now they face the third easiest schedule. So it’s the perfect time to get back with Anthony Richardson, even if it’s not the best news for anyone who has tickets to this WR room.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (27)
The Chargers will never be a proactive passing team, but Justin Herbert’s efficiency stats are a dream. As we move through the intense bye week season, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey are worth considering. TE Will Dissly too.
21. Denver Broncos (31)
Audric Estimé was rightly pursued in the free agent pool this week, the newest two-chance player in Denver. But he had a limited receiving profile in college and has yet to catch a pass in the NFL, so understand that we’re talking about limited upside. Courtland Sutton is starting to click with Bo Nix, hitting WR7 and WR7 the last two weeks.
22. Chicago Bears (21)
Chicago’s offensive line is obviously a problem, but remember that sacks are more of a quarterback statistic than an offensive line statistic. Caleb Williams is holding the ball too long, not that OC Shane Waldron has done him any favors. Chicago played the second-easiest schedule to this point; It is the most difficult thing in football to advance.
23. New York Jets (22)
The coaches have been fired. The game sheets have changed hands. Exclusive exchanges have been made. There are no more cards to play. Fold your hand.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (23)
There’s really nothing wrong with Tank Bigsby, but the situation around him is falling apart. Trevor Lawrence is not healthy, the team is losing games and many game scripts are getting out of control. The Jaguars don’t use Bigsby much in the passing game and Travis Etienne Jr. is also back. That’s why Bigsby could be a justified cut in some leagues right now.
25. New York Giants (24)
No one sees Drew Lock as a savior, but Daniel Jones probably deserves to be benched when the Giants return from their bye. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has pushed Devin Singletary out of the way, notable considering Singletary’s history with head coach Brian Daboll.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (26)
Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers are fantasy playable, Alexander Mattison too if you want an empty volume. But there are no right answers in this quarterback room, and the Raiders defense is also getting walked on most weeks.
27. Cleveland Browns (30)
I hope Jameis Winston beats New Orleans this week, because this fantasy offense is much more interesting with Winston than it is with Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cedric Tillman’s last three games: WR14, WR3, WR12.
28. Tennessee Titans (29)
Calvin Ridley has proven he can produce with both quarterbacks, so welcome back to the Circle of Trust. Tony Pollard is playing valiantly every week despite injuries that keep him out of practice; Keep an eye on Tyjae Spears.
29. New Orleans Saints (12)
Their spectacular 2-0 start seems like it was 15 years ago. Alvin Kamara has been fantasy royalty all year, but his heavy workload is concerning given his build and professional resume.
30. New England Patriots (32)
Drake Maye checks all the boxes: athletic, competitive and precise. The mediocre offensive line in front of him hasn’t slowed him down much. Rhamondre Stevenson has been a credit RB21 through the first 10 weeks.
31. Dallas Cowboys (13)
It’s not fun to shut down an offense, but we have no choice. You play CeeDee Lamb, sure, and maybe hold your nose and use Rico Dowdle. Jake Ferguson plays tight end, so you might be stuck there. But this offense probably doesn’t have a chance with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
32. Carolina Panthers (18)
Chuba Hubbard has been one of the fantasy steals of the year, but he is the only playable player on the roster. Imagine what Hubbard could do if he could face his own defense, the league’s biggest rushing gift.