The National Football League has a strength of schedule formula that's simple to understand ... take the opponents' records from the previous season, add up wins and losses and calculate a percentage. In fantasy football, there's a different method that evaluates a player's value.
Instead of team records, we use the number of fantasy points surrendered by opponents the previous year against a single position -- fantasy points against (FPA). For example, the Miami Dolphins allowed an average of 24.02 fantasy points per game to running backs in 2015. As a result, any running back who faces them in 2016 receives 24.02 points. The bigger the overall point total, the easier the schedule.
While these ratings are not the be-all, end-all in determining a player's stock, owners can use them when picking between players with similar value and projecting potential sleepers or busts.
Fantasy points against rankings - RBs
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
2015 Rank: 47
2016 FPA: 19.19
2. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2015 Rank: 3
2016 FPA: 18.88
3. Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks
2015 Rank: 28
2016 FPA: 18.81
4. Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions
2015 Rank: 42
2016 FPA: 18.68
5. Rashad Jennings, New York Giants
2015 Rank: 20
2016 FPA: 18.67
6. Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears
2015 Rank: 23
2016 FPA: 18.53
7. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
2015 Rank: 16
2016 FPA: 18.48
8. DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
2015 Rank: 18
2016 FPA: 18.47
9. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2015 Rank: 2
2016 FPA: 18.44
10. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
2015 Rank: 25
2016 FPA: 18.41
11. Matt Jones, Washington Redskins
2015 Rank: 40
2016 FPA: 18.39
12. Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
2015 Rank: 1
2016 FPA: 18.14
13. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
2015 Rank: 30
2016 FPA: 18.12
14. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
2015 Rank: 7
2016 FPA: 18.11
T-15. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
2015 Rank: 15
2016 FPA: 18.07
T-15. Ryan Mathews, Philadelphia Eagles
2015 Rank: 33
2016 FPA: 18.07
17. Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers
2015 Rank: 53
2016 FPA: 18.06
18. Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
2015 Rank: 43
2016 FPA: 18.03
T-19. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
2015 Rank: 5
2016 FPA: 18.01
T-19. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
2015 Rank: 51
2016 FPA: 18.01
21. Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders
2015 Rank: 10
2016 FPA: 17.97
22. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 Rank: 46
2016 FPA: 17.95
23. Lamar Miller, Houston Texans
2015 Rank: 6
2016 FPA: 17.74
24. Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns
2015 Rank: 27
2016 FPA: 17.58
25. Matt Forte, New York Jets
2015 Rank: 9
2016 FPA: 17.54
T-26. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
2015 Rank: 55
2016 FPA: 17.48
T-26. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
2015 Rank: 14
2016 FPA: 17.48
28. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
2015 Rank: 17
2016 FPA: 17.32
29. T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015 Rank: 26
2016 FPA: 17.23
30. Dion Lewis, New England Patriots
2015 Rank: 48
2016 FPA: 17.20
31. Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts
2015 Rank: 12
2016 FPA: 17.05
32. Arian Foster, Miami Dolphins
2015 Rank: 54
2016 FPA: 16.45
Notes: Elliott faces several of the worst run defenses in the leagues based on 2015 FPA -- Dolphins, Eagles (twice), Giants (twice). He's a massive breakout candidate. ... Martin has been inconsistent in his career, but the slate does make him at least a bit safer as a second- or third-rounder. ... Potential breakout candidates like Rawls and Langford should be helped by a favorable schedule. ... Fantasy fans who like Matt Jones as a sleeper should also like his 11th-best schedule at the position. ... Forte should remain a borderline No. 1 or 2 fantasy runner, but his schedule won't do him many favors based on our 2015 FPA ranks. ... Ajayi looks like the main man in Miami's backfield, but he will have to face the Jets (twice), Patriots (twice) and the NFC West among his toughest 2016 opponents.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to **@Michael_Fabiano** or send a question via **Facebook**!