Welcome to our 2026 IDP Strength of Schedule article!
I’m not going to lie…this was one of the toughest articles I’ve put together, let alone the toughest scheduling. IDP Strength of Schedule is one of those topics that sounds great in theory, but it’s not something I’ve always been a firm believer in. At times, putting this together felt a lot like Peter Vincent in Fright Night Part 2, trying to convince himself the Vampire was real before heading back into battle.
Or maybe it’s more like Hulk Hogan staring across the ring at Zeus in No Holds Barred. Deep down, you know the fight is coming whether you like it or not, so eventually you have to lace up the boots and step into the ring. As the ring collapses, getting knocked off an overhead catwalk. Very obscure referencing, so go ahead and look that up.
So grab your rosaries, say your prayers, take your vitamins, and follow me as we dive into the data. While I may not believe strength of schedule is the be-all and end-all of IDP analysis, there are still some valuable takeaways here that could help you gain an edge over your league mates.
Despite my skepticism, I did come away with some interesting observations and a handful of insights that could provide a competitive advantage in your IDP leagues. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the data.
In summation, while Strength of Schedule (SOS) should never be the only factor in IDP rankings, it’s not a bad way, as it can serve as a useful tiebreaker when deciding between similarly ranked players. Looking at the 2026 SOS data, several trends immediately stand out for defensive ends, linebackers, and defensive backs.
*The following charts have information provided by Pro Football Reference, Draft Sharks, and FFtoolbox. The chart is based on the IDP123 Scoring premise, though.
2026 IDP Strength of Schedule: Key Takeaways for DE, LB, and DB
Defensive Ends: Jets Lead the Way
| # | Team | DE Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NY Jets | 1 |
| 2 | New Orleans | 2 |
| 3 | Denver | 3 |
| 4 | Seattle | 4 |
| 5 | Detroit | 5 |
| 6 | LA Rams | 6 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 7 |
| 8 | Houston | 8 |
| 9 | Miami | 9 |
| 10 | Las Vegas | 10 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 11 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 12 |
| 13 | Cleveland | 13 |
| 14 | San Francisco | 14 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 15 |
| 16 | New England | 16 |
| 17 | Tampa Bay | 17 |
| 18 | LA Chargers | 18 |
| 19 | Washington | 19 |
| 20 | Cincinnati | 20 |
| 21 | Jacksonville | 21 |
| 22 | Philadelphia | 22 |
| 23 | Buffalo | 23 |
| 24 | NY Giants | 24 |
| 25 | Dallas | 25 |
| 26 | Pittsburgh | 26 |
| 27 | Kansas City | 27 |
| 28 | Arizona | 28 |
| 29 | Carolina | 29 |
| 30 | Green Bay | 30 |
| 31 | Chicago | 31 |
| 32 | Minnesota | 32 |
Best DE Schedules
- New York Jets
- New Orleans Saints
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
- Detroit Lions
If you’re looking for a slight boost for pass rushers, the Jets stand out. Their DE schedule ranks first overall, giving players like the Jets’ EDGE defenders a favorable slate throughout the season.
Other notable teams with strong DE schedules include the Rams, Colts, Texans, and Raiders.
Toughest DE Schedules
- Minnesota Vikings (32)
- Chicago Bears (31)
- Green Bay Packers (30)
- Carolina Panthers (29)
- Arizona Cardinals (28)
Fantasy managers should not fade elite pass rushers based solely on schedule, but this could be enough to break ties between players in the same tier.
Linebackers: Miami Gets the Dream Draw
| # | Team | LB Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | 1 |
| 2 | LA Rams | 2 |
| 3 | LA Chargers | 3 |
| 4 | Las Vegas | 4 |
| 5 | NY Jets | 5 |
| 6 | Kansas City | 6 |
| 7 | Baltimore | 7 |
| 8 | New England | 8 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 9 |
| 10 | Detroit | 10 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 11 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | 12 |
| 13 | New Orleans | 13 |
| 14 | Seattle | 14 |
| 15 | Buffalo | 15 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh | 16 |
| 17 | Cleveland | 17 |
| 18 | Carolina | 18 |
| 19 | Green Bay | 19 |
| 20 | Tennessee | 20 |
| 21 | Denver | 21 |
| 22 | Cincinnati | 22 |
| 23 | Minnesota | 23 |
| 24 | Houston | 24 |
| 25 | NY Giants | 25 |
| 26 | Tampa Bay | 26 |
| 27 | Washington | 27 |
| 28 | Philadelphia | 28 |
| 29 | Chicago | 29 |
| 30 | Arizona | 30 |
| 31 | Dallas | 31 |
| 32 | San Francisco | 32 |
The linebacker rankings reveal some major opportunities.
Best LB Schedules
- Miami Dolphins
- Los Angeles Rams
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
Miami’s linebackers receive the top-ranked schedule, making Dolphins defenders particularly intriguing in tackle-heavy formats.
The Rams and Chargers also appear in the top three, suggesting the AFC West and NFC West could provide favorable environments for linebacker production.
Toughest LB Schedules
- San Francisco 49ers (32)
- Dallas Cowboys (31)
- Arizona Cardinals (30)
- Chicago Bears (29)
- Philadelphia Eagles (28)
The NFC West shows a dramatic split, with the Rams enjoying the second-best linebacker schedule while the 49ers face the worst.
Defensive Backs: Pittsburgh Sits at the Top
| # | Team | DB Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | 1 |
| 2 | Baltimore | 2 |
| 3 | Green Bay | 3 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 4 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5 |
| 6 | Chicago | 6 |
| 7 | Miami | 7 |
| 8 | Washington | 8 |
| 9 | Kansas City | 9 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 10 |
| 11 | Detroit | 11 |
| 12 | Tampa Bay | 12 |
| 13 | NY Giants | 13 |
| 14 | Carolina | 14 |
| 15 | Houston | 15 |
| 16 | Cleveland | 16 |
| 17 | New Orleans | 17 |
| 18 | Cincinnati | 18 |
| 19 | Las Vegas | 19 |
| 20 | New England | 20 |
| 21 | Buffalo | 21 |
| 22 | Dallas | 22 |
| 23 | Arizona | 23 |
| 24 | Denver | 24 |
| 25 | Philadelphia | 25 |
| 26 | Indianapolis | 26 |
| 27 | LA Chargers | 27 |
| 28 | Jacksonville | 28 |
| 29 | San Francisco | 29 |
| 30 | NY Jets | 30 |
| 31 | Seattle | 31 |
| 32 | LA Rams | 32 |
Defensive backs often benefit from aggressive passing opponents, and the Steelers come out with the most favorable DB schedule.
Best DB Schedules
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Green Bay Packers
- Tennessee Titans
- Minnesota Vikings
The AFC North dominates the top of the list, with both Pittsburgh and Baltimore ranking inside the top two.
Toughest DB Schedules
- Los Angeles Rams (32)
- Seattle Seahawks (31)
- New York Jets (30)
- San Francisco 49ers (29)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (28)
One thing I noticed, looking at the Chart and identifying patterns, was that several teams with excellent DE or LB schedules have difficult DB schedules, highlighting how offensive tendencies can impact positions differently.
Biggest Team Winners
New York Jets
- DE Rank: 1
- LB Rank: 5
- DB Rank: 30
The Jets are a clear winner for front-seven production. Their pass rushers and linebackers receive elite schedules, although the defensive backs face a tougher road.
Miami Dolphins
- DE Rank: 9
- LB Rank: 1
- DB Rank: 7
Miami may offer one of the most balanced environments for IDP production, especially at linebacker.
Los Angeles Rams
- DE Rank: 6
- LB Rank: 2
- DB Rank: 32
Fantastic for edge rushers and linebackers, but potentially challenging for defensive backs.
Baltimore Ravens
- DE Rank: 15
- LB Rank: 7
- DB Rank: 2
One of the best all-around schedules among playoff contenders.
Biggest Team Losers
San Francisco 49ers
- LB Rank: 32
- DB Rank: 29
A difficult draw for two major IDP positions.
Minnesota Vikings
- DE Rank: 32
- LB Rank: 23
- DB Rank: 5
Excellent for defensive backs but brutal for pass rushers.
Chicago Bears
- DE Rank: 31
- LB Rank: 29
One of the roughest front-seven schedules in the league.
Final Thoughts
Before I get ridiculously overjoyful, my biggest thoughts and takeaway from the 2026 IDP Strength of Schedule data is that the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Rams appear positioned to provide favorable environments for IDP scoring. Meanwhile, San Francisco, Chicago, and Minnesota face some of the toughest paths at key positions.
As I mentioned, use SOS as a secondary factor rather than a primary ranking tool. Talent, snap volume, role stability, and health remain the biggest drivers of fantasy production. However, when you’re deciding between similarly ranked IDPs, this data can provide the edge needed to make the right call on draft day. Having tools at your disposal shouldn’t be anything other than a rule or guide.
