The 2022 quarterback group seems as deep as ever. This will lead to a lot of waiting to address the most important position. FullTime Fantasy’s 2022 Fantasy Strength of Schedule: QB tools can help give you a significant edge on draft day.
Strength of schedule is an important tool in the arsenal of well-prepared fantasy football drafters. By knowing what players have easier schedules you’ll be able to make the hard decisions between multiple starters. It can be particularly useful in best ball, where the fantasy playoff slate is crucial.
Here is the 2022 fantasy strength of schedule for QBs, with analysis on how it will impact fantasy football this season.
Charts show average fantasy points allowed to QBs in 2021
Easiest QB Schedule
Daniel Jones (New York Giants) – 2022 is a pivotal year for Jones. New York’s new regime declined the embattled signal caller’s option so he’s set to enter free agency next spring. If Jones is ever going to make it, now is the time. In addition to a solid supporting cast, the Giants have the league’s easiest schedule for a quarterback.
Of course, Jones has not proven he can stay healthy, nor has he been a consistent NFL or fantasy option. New York’s porous offense line also doesn’t build confidence. Still. Jones has plus rushing ability and some fantasy upside but his value should be restricted to mediocre QB2 in Superflex formats. Jones and the Giants also boast the league’s easiest QB schedule in the playoff Weeks 14-17 for those of you in best-ball leagues.
Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Undoubtedly, Lawrence’s rookie campaign was a huge disappointment, which will make a lot of drafters avoid the sophomore signal caller. A lot of those first-year struggles can be attributed to the disastrous decision to hire Urban Meyer. With Meyer exiled and Doug Pederson now in town, Lawrence and the revamped Jaguars’ offense are looking up.
Jacksonville spent big bringing in Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. While we can’t project a rejuvenated Lawrence to compete for QB1 numbers, there’s enough potential there that we’re interested in him as a weekly streamer or solid QB2.
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) – The Eagles and most of the fantasy world are all in on Hurts. In terms of pure fantasy points per game, Hurst was a top-10 option in 2021 and things should only get better in 2022.
In addition to the shocking draft-day trade for A.J. Brown, Hurts also gets the third-easiest QB schedule. The slate looks particularly appealing down the stretch as the Eagles only face one team that ranked in the top-10 a year ago after the club’s Week 7 bye. There are still some experts skeptical of Hurts, but 2022 sets up to be a top-5 overall season.
Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos) – Wilson was s top-5 fantasy quarterback in both 2019 and 2020 before missing four games in 2021. Now, he finds himself on a contending roster with a deep and talented supporting cast and elite offensive line. Additionally, Wilson should feast off of a schedule ranked 4th for quarterbacks and 5th in the playoffs (14-17).
Wilson has worked all offseason with his new wideouts, who have a ton of potential. Jerry Jeudy is an elite route runner, while Courtland Sutton has the tools to excel outside. Regularly drafted outside of the top-10 in early ADP, Wilson looks poised to rebound in a big way.
Jameis Winston (New Orleans Saints) – There are major red flags on Winston as a viable quarterback. Despite the nifty 14-3 TD-to-INT ratio in 2021, Winston had the lowest fantasy points per game number of his career. He also was held under 200 passing yards in five of his seven starts. Nine of those 13 TD tosses came in two games. Not to mention, Winston is also recovering from a torn ACL.
Losing Sean Payton is also a major concern, but the Saints do have some intriguing weapons. Michael Thomas is back running routes and the addition of Jarvis Landry and first-round rookie Chris Olave gives New Orleans a deep and talented receiving corps. A top-5 schedule also awaits Winston, but fantasy drafters would be wise to approach with extreme caution.
Most Difficult Schedules
Zach Wilson (New York Jets) – No truth to the rumors that Wilson spent the offseason hiding out from Steve Stifler, but he remains a polarizing prospect. Accuracy was a big concern in Year One and will need to improve in a hurry for Wison’s career to stay (get) on track.
Fortunately, there is some good news. The Jets have compiled some intriguing young skill position talent to surround Wilson. Elijah Moore is a favorite of the community and the 2022 NFL Draft brought even more reinforcements. The Jets nabbed Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, but they’ll need Wilson to play far better. Unfortunately, that may be difficult in 2022 as Wilson faces the league’s toughest QB schedule.
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) – Clearly we’re not fading Lamar Jackson this year. He’s simply got too much upside. However, it will be interesting to see how the muscle Jackson reportedly added this offseason affects his game. 2022 is also a contract season for Jackson, who is poised to command the highest quarterback contract in the NFL next year.
Overall, the Ravens have the second most difficult schedule for their quarterbacks. In addition to six games against the tough AFC North foes, Jackson will face seven opponents that allowed 17 or fewer fantasy points to the position last season. Jackson is an obvious QB1 but being wary of a tough schedule might help undecided fantasy managers choose between Jackson or players with an easier slate. Like Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts, or even Tom Brady.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) – Speaking of elite passers with a tough slate, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will have to revamp the Kanas City offense without Tyreek Hill. Mahomes should be fine the schedule is another reason to be wary.
Mahomes is expected to be more of a dink-and-dunk passer in 2022. The Chiefs also have a rather unfavorable schedule overall, especially in the season’s first six weeks. The good news is during the playoffs. Mahomes’ final two games come against the Falcons and Steelers, who allowed over 19 fantasy points per contest in 2021.
Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) – The jury is still out on if Tua Tagovailoa can be a franchise-caliber quarterback. 2022 is a make-or-break campaign for the third-year signal caller. Miami broke the bank to acquire Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson, and Chase Edmonds. The Dolphins also are near the top in offensive pace, so there’s plenty of upside here.
Of course, there is plenty of risk, as well. Tagovailoa was PFF’s 29th graded quarterback in 2021 and 21st in true passer rating. 2022’s schedule also won’t be doing Tua many favors. He’ll face the fourth most difficult slate of games, including a playoff run Weeks 14-17 that ranks as the worst in football.
Derek Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) – The addition of Davante Adams has helped make Carr a popular choice as a mid-round value. But a tough schedule isn’t the only reason that fantasy footballers should be wary. In seven pro seasons, Carr has exactly one fantasy QB1 season. Coincidentally, that came last year when he barely crept in as QB12 with a lowly 23 TD strikes.
Besides recency bias, the aforementioned 2022 schedule could be an issue. Las Vegas plays six games against what be the toughest division in football and has the most difficult overall schedule in the league. The playoff slate is particularly brutal, with contests against the Rams, Patriots, Steelers, and 49ers to round out the 2022 season.
Easiest Playoff Schedule
These quarterbacks have the most appealing showdown slate during the fantasy playoffs, Weeks 14-17.
Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
Jacoby Brissett/Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns)
Trey Lance (San Francisco 49er)
Geno Smith/Drew Lock (Seattle Seahawks)
Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos)
Most Difficult Playoff Schedule
These five passers face the toughest slowdown slate during the fantasy playoffs, Weeks 14-17.
Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
Derek Carr (Las Vegas Raiders)
Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles)
If you have time to prepare, make sure you mock in our Mock Draft World Championships. No better way to practice for the real thing.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! GET THE LATEST ARTICLES & UPDATES
