X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

NFC South: Strength of Schedule Analysis & Players to Target or Avoid

We’ve previously published an article series analyzing and grading all the NFL defenses, division by division. Now we’re going to look at the strength of schedules of each NFL team, division by division, to help you identify players with the best matchups vs. the league’s weakest defenses.

Today we provide NFC South strength of schedule analysis. For each team, we will identify players that we like and don’t like. You will see four categories: players to target, players to avoid, players to buy and players to sell. Let’s get to it.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to read more about fantasy football strength of schedule (SOS) analysis, broken down by division and team, to prepare for your drafts and dominate your leagues. 

 

NFC South – Strength of Schedule Breakdown

NFC South Opponents in 2015: NFC South, NFC East, AFC South

 

Atlanta Falcons - Players to Target and Avoid

The Falcons can put up points with stud receiver Julio Jones and second receiver, Roddy White. The Falcons get to play half of their games in a dome, which will definitely help boost the fantasy point totals, especially for quarterback Matt Ryan. Having one of the easiest overall schedules in the league can't hurt either.

The Falcons open up their season with a trio of NFC East team’s, at home versus the Eagles on Monday night and follow that up with games at the Giants and Cowboys. All teams look to be high scoring and low to mediocre in defensive resistance.

Atlanta might see the easiest playoff stretch in the league though. Starting with week 14 the Falcons play at Carolina, then at Jacksonville, and in week 16 they return home to face the Panthers. Those are some of the leagues weakest secondaries and pass rushers, with the only true saving grace for those defenses being that Jacksonville isn't horrible against the run.

Players to Reach For

Devonta Freeman is falling low in the draft for a guy who's likely going to be starting for his team. A better fit for the Kyle Shanahan scheme than Tevin Coleman (who hasn't been able to impress in preseason) and on a potentially high powered offense, Freeman could be a great value.

Players to Avoid

Roddy White is turning 34 in November and has already seen his share of injuries and downturns. Although last year was a bit of  a resurgence for White, the easy schedule might not help a player on the final stretch of his career.

Players to Look to Buy Low

It doesn't look like the Falcons have a schedule that will result in anyone being a buy low.

Players to Look to Sell High

Matt Ryan starts off playing against high powered offenses with mediocre defenses. It's a great combination that could easily turn into Ryan coming into week 4 as a top 3 scoring QB. If that's the case, you should see what the market thinks of him.

 

Carolina Panthers - Players to Target and Avoid

Cam Newton didn’t have anyone to throw the ball to besides Kelvin Benjamin last season, and this year he'll have pretty much no one to throw to except Devin Funchess. Oh and the timeless Greg Olsen. With the unfortunate news of Benjamin tearing his ACL, Newton will have to lean on the two of them to carry the weight this season. Meanwhile, Jonathan Stewart has the backfield all to himself (DeAngelo Williams left to Pittsburgh) as long as he can stay healthy, which has been an issue for him over his career.

Carolina has four easy games to kick off its season before their week 5 bye. The Panthers begin in Jacksonville, return home to face Houston and New Orleans, and then play in Tampa. The Texans can be a tough matchup, but that is Carolina’s first home game so look for them to bring 110 percent.

The fantasy playoffs have the Panthers playing the Falcons twice with a game against the Giants in New York sandwiched inbetween.

Players to Reach For

I would take the chance that Jonathan Stewart stays healthy and has a career year playing one of the weakest schedules and with a QB who once peppered him with 47 catches in the one season he remained healthy.

Players to Avoid

Cam Newton becomes a potential avoid if his price remains high. Losing Benjamin can only hurt his value.

Players to Look to Buy Low

Jacksonville and Houston both have strong run defenses that could lower the price of Jonathan Stewart. He could be a quick buy-low early in the year.

Players to Look to Sell High

Any receiver that starts off strong. The Panthers will rely heavily on the run game and their tight ends.

 

New Orleans Saints - Players to Target and Avoid

The Saints will be looking to run more behind their newly acquired center from Seattle, Max Unger, and their first round pick, offensive lineman Andrus Peat. That will not bode well for Brees’ high volume numbers, and a drop-off should be expected. Mark Ingram will likely be the number one back, but the Saints also brought in C.J. Spiller so who knows how Sean Payton will handle the workload distribution. The Saints have never had trouble bringing two RBs to value though. Brandin Cooks could be in for a good year with the amount of opportunities he's bound to have.

The Saints open in Arizona, a tough matchup, followed by their home opener against the Bucs. They then head to face Carolina in what's been some very surprising scores most recently.

The Saints go to Tampa in week 14, return home for Monday Night Football against the Lions, and then get Jacksonville at home in week 16. It's a pretty good playoff run for this team.

Players to Reach For

Brandin Cooks was lost to injury last year, but now with the loss of Jimmy Graham- he's at the forefront of the target totem pole in New Orleans.

Players to Avoid

Every player on this team is realistically priced and worth taking a flier on.

Players to Look to Buy Low

All three of the Saints season openers have strong front 7's in talent with varying degrees of success. With at least two new pieces on the starting O-line for the Saints, the run game could see an early struggle making either or both of Ingram and Spiller cheap buys.

Players to Look to Sell High

On the flip side, Ingram and Spiller also have the chance to becoming hugely unreliable as the backfield switches around and constantly has unreliable usage. If someone breaks out early on it might be better to see if you can move them for a more reliable player along with a buy-low option.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Players to Target and Avoid

Number one overall pick, Jameis Winston, has been getting rave reviews at training camp. Winston has several big weapons to throw to, from Vincent Jackson, to Mike Evans, and Austin Seferian- Jenkins. Even Doug Martin can get in on the action.

The Bucs open their season at home facing Marcus Mariota and the Titans, a game that everyones hoping turns into a rookie shootout. Weeks 2 and 3 sees the Bucs hit the road to take on the Saints and Texans. Week 2 could be a high scoring one also, but the Texans defense should be a real challenge for the Tampa Bay offense.

The Bucs take on the Saints at home in week 14 which again, should result in another high scoring game. On a quick three days rest, the Bucs travel to St. Louis for a Thursday night game, which is going to be a difficult test on a short week. The Bucs will have a hard time putting up points in that one. To wrap up the fantasy football playoffs the Bucs get the Bears at home, who look like they'll be amongst the bottom feeding defenses this year.

Players to Reach For

Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson finally have a real quarterback in Tampa Bay to throw to them.

Players to Avoid

Jameis Winston will throw a ton of interceptions this season. Additionally, why draft a rookie quarterback when there are much better options? Don’t try to be the cool sly guy drafting the number one overall pick.

Players to Look to Buy Low

This is an offense that can only get higher. Almost everyone on this team comes at a cheap price minus Mike Evans, and it's doubtful that the schedule keeps him from performing.

Players to Look to Sell High

It's hard to imagine someone's willing to buy on any of the players here if their stock rises.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Toronto Raptors

Sandro Mamukelashvili Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Riley Greene

Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Wednesday
Max Muncy

Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish