2021 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule Analysis: Running Backs

The success of a fantasy player has a lot that goes into it: overall skill, injury history, surrounding cast, coaching, etc. I am of firm belief more and more over the last few years that strength of schedule plays a significant role in how well a team and a fantasy player does. This year I am digging into each position’s strength of schedule to see where there might be opportunity hidden underneath a rock.

Below you will see the RB Strength of Schedule rankings. The methodology for this was – taking opposing teams’ rushing yards & touchdowns allowed from last year (in QB rankings I ran it on sum of rank, but I’m adjusting to sum of yards and TDs going forward). I ran that against each team’s schedule to come up with the easiest and toughest schedule for each team’s run game.

The Good:

• Looking below, it will be a favorable season for the Chargers (facing off against Bengals Broncos, Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, Raiders, Texans and Vikings – all among the 10 worst in rush defenses for yards) and Browns (Bengals, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Lions and Raiders all poor in Rush yards for defense).
• Favorability in Rush TDs are Chargers (Broncos, Cowboys, Eagles, Raiders and Jaguars were porous on Rush TDs) and Chiefs (Bills, Broncos, Cowboys, Eagles, Raiders and Titans).

The Bad:

• A difficult season is ahead in Rush Yards for the Buccaneers (facing off against Colts, Falcons, Giants, Rams and Saints, all top 10 in fewest rush yards allowed) and Bears (49ers, Giants, Ravens, and Seahawks).
• A difficult path in Rush TDs lies ahead for the Lions (49ers, Bears, Bengals, Cardinals, Rams, Ravens and Steelers) and Packers (49ers, Bears, Bengals, Cardinals, Chiefs, Rams, Ravens, and Steelers).

In a Nutshell:
The schedule this year favors: Austin Ekeler, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The schedule this year does not favor: D’Andre Swift, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones II, Aaron Jones, and David Montgomery