Fantasy Football Strength Of Schedule: Puka Nacua Has Favorable Matchups Among Wide Receivers

Michael Fabiano | May 13, 2025

Rams WR Puka Nacua averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game in his 11 contests from 2024. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The National Football League has a strength of schedule formula that's easy to understand ... take the opponents' records from the previous season, add up the wins and losses and calculate a percentage for all its upcoming opponents.

In the world of fantasy football, we use a similar method. Instead of using team records, we use the number of fantasy points allowed (FPA) by a defense the previous season against a single offensive skill position.

For example, the Minnesota Vikings allowed an average of 40.2 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers last season. So, any wideout to face the Vikings in the new campaign is “rewarded” 40.2 points. The more points a receiver has compiled based on their upcoming opponents, divisional and otherwise, the easier the projected schedule.

As you can see from the list below, the difference between the easiest schedule and the most difficult isn’t significant. In fact, I’ve said myself that strength of schedule analysis can be heavily flawed because one season can be vastly different than the next. A great example of this is the Philadelphia Eagles. After allowing an average of 44.6 fantasy points per game to wideouts in 2023, their defense allowed just 31 points per game in 2024.

So, an Eagles defense that was seen as a plus matchup for wideouts in terms of their 2024 strength of schedule projections was ultimately incorrect when used as a draft tool.

While flawed, this data is at the very least fun to look at from an informational standpoint. It can also be a useful tool in making decisions between non-elite players with similar value. DJ Moore and Zay Flowers, for example, will be listed in close proximity in most WR rank lists, but Moore gets a slight edge in value since his schedule is easier between the two.

Note: Players listed are the projected best fantasy players on each NFL team.

All Positions: QBs | RBs | TEs

2025 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Strength Of Schedule

RK	Player	Team
1	DJ Moore	CHI
2	Tetairao McMillan	CAR
3	Jayden Reed	GB
4	Puka Nacua	LAR
5	Garrett Wilson	NYJ
6	Drake London	ATL
7	Mike Evans	TB
8	Jaxon Smith-Njigba	SEA
9	Jauan Jennings	SF
10	Ja'Marr Chase	CIN
11	Calvin Ridley	TEN
12	Tyreek Hill	MIA
13	A.J. Brown	PHI
14	Marvin Harrison Jr.	ARI
15	DK Metcalf	PIT
16	Terry McLaurin	WAS
17	Amon-Ra St. Brown	DET
18	Rahsee Rice	KC
19	Khalil Shakir	BUF
20	Nico Collins	HOU
21	Justin Jefferson	MIN
22	Malik Nabers	NYG
23	Chris Olave	NO
24	Ladd McConkey	LAC
25	Stefon Diggs	NE
26	Zay Flowers	BAL
27	Michael Pittman Jr.	IND
28	Jakobi Meyers	LV
29	Jerry Jeudy	CLE
30	CeeDee Lamb	DAL
31	Courtland Sutton	DEN
32	Brian Thoams Jr.	JAC