I know what you want — Week 15 fantasy football rankings. The playoffs are here, or start next week, so no fluff for you. Let’s get to the ranks, sleepers, game notes and everything else.
Reminder! I always have some fun ranks! This can be anything from cartoons to players from the 80s to things not to do when you’re over 30 — feel free to suggest yours. And, I try to answer as many comments as humanly possible… however… if it’s a simple WDIS within a position or “Who should I trade for?” type question, those are 99% covered with the ranks and link to the trade charts. Let’s duckin’ go!
#CheckTheLink-age
Week 15 Waiver Wire
Week 15 SOS Ranks
Fantasy 101 (weather, start/sit, trading, more)
🎙️All in Fantasy Podcast🎙️
PRO TIP to get to the ranks quickly once you’ve read the piece: Click the little comment box at the top right, and it drops all the way to the comments, just below a small scroll up to the rankings
WEEK 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Rams at 49ers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
► The Rams and 49ers defenses are Top 6 in allowing TD/Drive (Rams 27.6%; 49ers 26.9%).
► If the 49ers play Isaac Guerendo, you have to take the chance they believe he’s okay and treat him as a high-end RB2 (with risk, admittedly). If Guerendo is out, Patrick Taylor is a high-upside/high-risk RB2/3 given the potential involvement of other backfield options.
► If you take the four games after Brandon Aiyuk’s injury, and when Brock Purdy wasn’t hurt going in (Week 13), Jauan Jennings is WR4 in FPPG (19.1) with a league-high 34.1 TmTGT% — Deebo Samuel is WR64 (6.2) and WR40 (18.2%).
Chiefs at Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Since his second game with the Chiefs, DeAndre Hopkins has never run more than 68.0% of the routes, has bounced around from 12.5-25.0 TmTGT% and has posted fantasy tallies of 34.6, 7.6, 4.4, 12.0, 11.0 and 11.2 points. Hopkins is more of a floor option, but his ceiling makes him the one Chiefs wideout to start.
► In Isiah Pacheco’s second game back, Kareem Hunt fell to 25.0 RBTouch%, dropping him out of Flex consideration, especially with Samaje Perine also mixed in. And Nick Chubb has topped 62.5% of the Browns rushes just twice, both in wins.
► Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore haven’t seen much of a usage difference without Cedric Tillman on the field outside of increased red zone and touchdown opportunities. Obviously, that’s significant, but I wouldn’t downgrade Jeudy if Tillman plays, and Moore would remain a boom/bust WR4.
Bengals at Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Week 14 was Tee Higgins’ first non-double-digit fantasy score since Week 4 and the lowest TmTGT% of the year (11.6).
► Week 14 was also just the second time Nick Westbrook-Ikhine didn’t score a touchdown or have at least two receptions since Week 4. The good news is that according to FTN Data, the Bengals allow the third-highest wide-open rate to outside receivers (10.3%) — you saw this first-hand on MNF — and the second-most FPPG (21.4). I’m not calling him a must-start after last week, but if you need NWI’s ceiling, it’s still in play.
Commanders at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Jeremy McNichols is a decent deep-league option. The Saints have allowed the most YPC (5.0) and a nice 7.8 YPR to running backs this year, and they have the third-best APA for opposing RBs.
► With Derek Carr behind center, Marquez Valdes-Scantling was worth the ceiling as a WR4, but now, Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson (maybe) are the only Saints worth starting.
Ravens at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► The Ravens are still a favorable matchup for the passing game, but they have been better in their past three games, and Malik Nabers is an injury risk. There is a near-zero floor here.
► The Ravens are a nightmare for opposing running backs, which means Tyrone Tracy Jr. is just an RB3 given the matchup and the Giants’ woes (also lost another offensive lineman, Jon Runyan, this week).
► Gambling on Rashod Bateman is a matchup decision — games with 9+ points: TB, CIN (x2), LAC, DAL, WSH — games with 6 or fewer points: KC, LV, DEN, PIT, CLE, BUF, PHI. Only LAC and LV are a bit unordinary, and the Giants haven’t been beaten much in the passing game… though, teams haven’t needed to pass much to beat them.
Cowboys at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► Rico Dowdle has nearly 20 touches in each of his past three games and is RB12 in FPPG (13.4). In his five games with at least 16+ touches, Dowdle is averaging 16.3 FPPG, which would be RB8 on the year.
► Adam Thielen’s past two games: 28.4 TmTGT%, 17.3 FPPG, 100.5 YPG and 2.72 YPR. It’s a small sample, but if you want the year-long pace applied to where he’d rate: third, second, third and fifth, respectively.
Jets at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► If Breece Hall plays, consider him an RB2 given the risk, but his Top 10 upside would still be in play. Braelon Allen would be an RB3, and Isaiah Davis wouldn’t be far behind. If Hall is out, Allen would be an RB2 and Davis an RB3. Despite his ability and upside, the Jets should be in control, allowing them to lean on Allen a tad more.
► The Jaguars go 3-and-Out the most (41.8%), and the Jets defense has the fourth-highest forced 3&O% (36.6). It’s not a great week to need either running back.
Dolphins at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
► This year’s Dolphins offense doesn’t operate the same as last year’s — I discussed this on my podcast a few weeks ago — and Jaylen Waddle is better against man-heavy defenses than zone (due to how defenses are playing them and adjustments made to counteract). Unfortunately for Waddle, the Texans are the fifth-heaviest zone team (76.8%).
► C.J. Stroud has actually been more accurate when blitzed this year, with similar Comp%, Time to Throw and Sack% marks, but the big differences are lower YD/Comp (13.3 to 11.5) and TD/Att% (6.9 to 4.8). Stroud was without Nico Collins for much of the year, but defenses taking away Tank Dell with/without Collins on the field has also hurt.
Colts at Broncos, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
► The Broncos blitz the second most (25.5%), and Anthony Richardson hasn’t been great throwing the ball in those situations, but he’s evaded it quite a bit — low 4.3 Sack% (sixth-lowest) and fifth-most rushing yards (72).
► The last time Courtland Sutton didn’t have double-digit fantasy points in a game? Week 7, when he had zero targets against the Saints — he also had double-digit tallies in three of four games before that. While Sutton has topped 20 points just once, he’s as stable of a WR2 as you can find.
Bills at Lions, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
► If Keon Coleman returns, he’s in play as a Hail Mary option. Coleman is WR13 in YPRR against man coverage (2.81), and the Lions are the man-heaviest team (41.3%).
► Week 14 was James Cook’s worst fantasy outing of the season, but the Bills were pass-happy — and then some — and Cook still had 100% of the RB rushes (Josh Allen and Curtis Samuel had the other rushing attempts). The risk with this matchup is the Bills deploy a similar strategy, making Cook a riskier RB2 than usual.
Steelers at Eagles, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
► The Eagles have the fourth-highest QBPressure% (38.7) with only four rushers, and the Steelers allow the fourth-highest QBPressure% with just four rushers (37.3). Further, Russell Wilson is completing just 30.0% of his passes when under pressure (22nd).
► George Pickens sounds unlikely to play. If he’s out there, he’s worth the gamble in a WR3 way, similar to Malik Nabers last week. If out, Pat Freiermuth gets a modest bump, but you should avoid anyone else not named Jaylen Warren. Yes, I’d find a way to sit Najee Harris if possible.
Patriots at Cardinals, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
► The Cardinals have given up decent numbers in the passing game to running backs, giving Rhamondre Stevenson a decent floor.
► Marvin Harrison Jr. has been more involved against man coverage (31.4 TmTGT%), plus he has a higher TD/TGT% (9.4) compared to 19.1 and 5.8, respectively, against zone coverage. This is all very good news for the rookie. The Patriots run the third-most man at 40.9%.
Buccaneers at Chargers, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
► With the 11th-best YPRR against Cover-3 (2.98), Quentin Johnston could be worth the risk again this week — the Buccaneers use Cover-3 fifth-most at 43.4%.
► If Bucky Irving plays, he’s a must-start. If he’s out, Rachaad White is a must-start, and Sean Tucker would be a Flex upside gamble (given the stingy Chargers defense, you’d mostly be hoping for a touchdown).
► If Ladd McConkey returns, you don’t sit him. His return would push Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston into WR4/5 territory with the hope of a touchdown. If McConkey is out, you can boost both into the WR3/4 range with that same ceiling/risk but slightly higher floors.
Packers at Seahawks, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
► If Romeo Doubs returns, Jayden Reed would be the top Packers wideout, followed by Doubs and Christian Watson, though all three would be closely ranked…
► The Seahawks defense has turned a corner since midseason, and you can see it in the APA numbers. They are -2.9 for QBs and -3.0 for WRs compared to the league average.
► If Kenneth Walker is out, Zach Charbonnet is in the RB1 conversation, and if Walker returns, I’d consider Walker and Charbonnet as we do Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Walker may be safer, but Charbonnet has the upside, and he could even lead the way given his recent performance.
Bears at Vikings, Monday, 8 p.m. ET
► The Vikings blitz a league-high 26.9%. Caleb Williams is just 28th in TD+1D/ATT when blitzed (15.6%), with the second-highest Sack% (13.7).
► As you saw previously, Williams handled the Vikings well — zero sacks when blitzed. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen had big games, and while I would go back to Moore and Allen this week, I wouldn’t lock Williams into a repeat given the likely adjustments by DC Brian Flores and the Vikings defense.
Falcons at Raiders, Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
► The interceptions were drive-killers, but Kirk Cousins looked better than he has in weeks, especially given it was a tough matchup. Now he gets the Raiders, and they run zone just 59.9% of the time — fourth lowest (also, Giants next week, and they’re seventh lowest). It’s not without risk, but Cousins has some streamability this week.
► If Alexander Mattison returns, stay away from the backfield. If he remains sidelined, Sincere McCormick is a volume-reliant RB2/3.
WEEK 15 SLEEPERS
QUARTERBACK
- Kirk Cousins, ATL — We’ve seen the floor, but that’s why Cousins is a sleeper (per above).
RUNNING BACK
- Rico Dowdle, DAL — Also, see above.
- Justice Hill, BAL — Giants can’t stop running backs, plus hope for garbage-time touchdown.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Keenan Allen, CHI — If the Bears plan to rebound, Allen will be needed.
- Adam Thielen, CAR — Not a sleeper — or, well, he shouldn’t be — Thielen is a must-start.
- Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI — Another one from the above notes, he’s been inconsistent, but the matchup is promising.
TIGHT END
- Jake Ferguson, DAL — Good matchup. He saw six targets against the Bengals, even though he only caught half.
FUN WITH RANKS
What’s this? No “real” list this week? Nope. I want to put the onus on all of you this week. Nicole and I had never watched Schitt’s Creek, and we just burned through it in a month. With the offseason coming, I want some good… no, great!… shows to watch, and if it’s a comedy, bonus points! I’ll give you a list of shows we have on our “to-watch” list so you know what’s already planned. Try to keep it to the past five years, maybe 10 — we have seen a lot before that.
- Watching when we can: Shrinking (S2), Penguin and Silo (S2)
- Also on the list: Special Ops (S2), Day of the Jackal (maybe? Tell us if it’s not worth it), Cross (same as Jackal), Skeleton Crew, Dexter: Original Sin, LOTR (S2), Squid Game (S2)
WEEK 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
Projections Download Link – SATURDAY
WEEK 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
(Top photo of Rico Dowdle: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images)
