Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season? In many league formats, this signals the start to the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial.
Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit, ‘em advice. Let’s break down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at DET)
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
Stronger starts
9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB): He should be healthy enough to deliver in a very favorable matchup with some potential volume battling the Bucs’ passing game.
10. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR): Purdy was back healthy flinging the ball around to the Bears and stays at home to rip the Rams.
11. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. IND): Nix should compile well on the Colts at home as they tend to give up a lot of downfield passing outside and rushing inside.
12. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE): Mahomes should connect on multiple TDs this week, including at least one deep shot.
13. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at LV): Cousins has been bad, but the Raiders’ pass defense is very giving and can’t contain his key weapons.
14. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): Mayfield slides down to the QB1 borderline because of some trickiness with the Chargers’ pass rush and coverage that can force more turnover issues.
WEEK 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
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DFS pick
15. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (at. JAX, $5,400 on DraftKings, $67,100 on FanDuel): Rodgers had only one TD pass but ended his long 300-yard dry spell in a tough matchup in Florida against the Dolphins. He has a good shot at giving 20-plus points again for near 4X return on investment in a much sunnier passing game matchup against the Jaguars.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at SF): The 49ers have been leakier vs. the pass, but the limited yardage can make his TNF modest.
17. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at SEA): Love has been riding a lot of the running game, and the Seahawks’ defense keeps playing better and gets an emotional prime-time boost.
18. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): He might be down George Pickens again, and that makes it difficult to trust him putting up enough numbers vs. a tough defense on the road.
19. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE): This looks like a promising rebounding spot, but his shaky recent play doesn’t inspire.
20. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN): He’s struggling more of late with pressure, and after the Jaguars’ whiff, it’s more difficult to trust his inexperience opposite Burrow.
21. Anthony Richardson, Colts (at DEN): He can run well to help his team stay in the game, but the Broncos should contain his deep passing.
22. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. MIA): The Dolphins are tough on such pocket QBs with their pressure and coverage.
23. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC): You can’t go here because the Chiefs’ defense can tee off well with good coverage everywhere except vs. the tight end.
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Fantasy Football Week 15 Start ‘Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT) J
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at SEA)
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (at LV)
- De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (vs. MIA)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN)
- Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (st SF)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. WAS)
- Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at DEN)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. TEN)
- Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if he plays, at LAC)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. BAL)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at DET)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at ARI)
Stronger starts
24. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (if he plays, vs. LAR): Guerendo might not be able to go with his foot injury on a short week, so desperate managers can pivot to Patrick Taylor Jr.
25. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. IND): He’s worth the dice roll given how good the rushing matchup is for his style of running.
26. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (at MIN): Swift should be busy to help Caleb Williams get the ball out quickly to avoid the Vikings’ pass rush and screens vs. the blitz.
27. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): The Eagles aren’t completely a shut-down run defense, and Harris should have success between the tackles.
28. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): You can also go with him as Wilson should involve him quite a bit in the passing game.
29. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets (at JAX): It’s not looking good for them to force Breece Hall back, and he gives them the best juice for Jacksonville.
Week 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTER MANAGEMENT
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DFS Picks
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR, $6,100 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Dowdle has taken over the backfield on pure merit with some explosive and powerful running leading to big production in recent weeks. Coming off his big game vs. the Bengals on Monday night, he should stay sizzling vs. the Panthers’ league-worst run defense on the road.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. IND, $5,200 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel): Williams is a total wild card in the sweet rushing matchup against the Colts. He could see little work touching the ball or plenty of running and receiving to exploit the opponents’ key weakness. Do you trust Sean Payton and/or Williams? Then it’s worth a dice roll to see if Williams can channel his game against the Saints.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
30. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): White would be a little tougher to like in a brutal matchup up front, even if Irving doesn’t play.
31. Travis Etienne Jr., and 32. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ): You can try them again, but it’s a difficult backfield to read, and the Jets have been better vs. the run.
33. Isiah Pacheco and 34. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE): The split has been weird, and the effectiveness has gone down of late while the Browns are easier to pass on.
35. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB): He scored last week, but this figures to be a pass-happier game.
36. Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. ATL): Sincerely, let’s hope you’re not this desperate in the playoffs.
37. Nick Chubb and 38. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC): Make that two committees to avoid in the same game.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. MIA)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. IND)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at JAX)
- Davante Adams, New York Jets (at JAX)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at LV)
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN)
- Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC)
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, vs. TB)
- DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (at MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at SEA)
Stronger starts
28. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI): He crushed them in the first matchup and is back to being white hot at home.
29. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at LV): He’s a hard cover for the Raiders with his speed and quickness all over the field.
30. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. ATL): The Falcons’ secondary is officially stinking everywhere vs. wide receivers.
31. Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE): You can roll out the Maserati out of the garage for like 6-60-1 on the Patriots.
32. Xavier Worthy and 33. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE): The Browns give up ample TDs and field-stretching balls to wideouts.
34. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at HOU): He’s back in the flow for sure again after two of the past three weeks, and the Texans will give up volume to him.
35. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at MIN): They’ll chuck it to Rome more on the outside playing off Moore.
36. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (at DET): This is a smoother outside matchup for the Bills’ wideouts and he was outstanding in Los Angeles.
Week 15 FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire List & FAAB recommendations | Top Waiver Wire Targets
DFS picks
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at NO, $7,200 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): He’ll be scary after a bye operating with Daniels against a secondary that traded Marshon Lattimore to the team it is playing.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at JAX, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): Wilson and Adams stay red-hot with Rodgers as the Jaguars have no answers in coverage against them.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE, $5,100 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): Worthy should score on a big-play TD to exploit the Browns’ weakness in deep coverage, finally connecting to pay off at this price with Mahomes.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
37. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (at DET): The Lions can tighten up to keep him from making big plays from the slot again.
38. Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL): Thielen might run into too much DaRon Bland.
39. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at MIN): The Vikings will give up more outside.
40. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF): The Bills will make it a point to stop downfield shots outside this week.
41. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR): He’s faded fast in their offense, and you can’t feel good about him here.
42. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at DEN): You can’t go here however you think about it regardless of situation, and the matchup isn’t good.
43. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (vs. CIN): When he doesn’t score on a near-miss from Levis, there’s little value there.
44. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (vs. WAS): No Derek Carr means keeping their deep threat parked in the garage.
45. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB): It’s either McConkey or Josh Palmer feeling like the better Charger play of choice.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE)
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. KC)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. ATL)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE)
- Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at HOU)
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
Stronger starts
9. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at SEA): The Seahawks can be tough on wide receivers but more vulnerable in coverage down the seam.
10. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at CAR): He looked fine in his return and should eat up some more regular work in a plus spot.
11. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. BUF): By the numbers, the matchup isn’t good, but he’s been too involved in key spots lately.
12. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at LV): He seems unplayable, but if there’s any time for him to bust out, it would be against the Raiders’ defense.
13. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, vs. TB): Here’s hoping they use him right for Herbert this week as the Buccaneers have a tough draw.
14. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (at NO): He’s been a big part of what they do scoring-wise of late, and the Saints have had more issues than usual vs. the position.
DFS pick
15. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (vs. WAS, $3,400 on DraftKings, $5,500 on FanDuel): Johnson is one of the few reliable veteran weapons left for the next QB up with Derek Carr down. The Commanders should lead and give up some garbage in the middle of the field in the second half, and Johnson is coming off a solid outing in a tough spot at the Giants.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
16. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI): The Eagles have been rather stingy on tight ends, so he’s a bit TD-dependent.
17. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at LAC): The Chargers have made things rough with Derwin James looming.
18. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ): He will be more of the Jonnu zero of regulation against the Jets.
19. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at ARI): The Cardinals are not that bad tight end coverage team from seasons past.
20. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at MIN): He can get forgotten in this offense fast.
21. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, at DET): The Lions are tough on tight ends and they’re just not throwing to him or Dawson Knox enough.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start ‘Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI))
- Kansas City Chiefs (at CLE)
- Baltimore Ravens (at NYG)
- Denver Broncos (vs. IND)
- New York Jets (at JAX)
- Washington Commanders (at NO)
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TB)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at PHI)
9. Miami Dolphins (at HOU): The Dolphins can rev up the pass rush a bit and also expect to get some takeaways in a sneaky good spot for them.
10. Arizona Cardinals (vs. NE): Jonathan Gannon’s group will come out and rebound vs. rookie QB Drake Maye at home.
11.Seattle Seahawks (vs. GB): They are feeling it with Macdonald and should be revved up to make some big plays in prime time in front of the loud crowd.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (at TEN): The Bengals stink, but the Titans are just so giving that Trey Hendrickson is a good reason alone to stream them.
DFS pick
Miami Dolphins (at HOU), $2,500 on DraftKings, $3,800 on FanDuel): They should be in line for a few sacks and maybe a pick or two off Stroud to pay off on their rather cheap price.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. PIT): The Eagles showed enough holes vs. the Panthers last week to have them exploited again by a much better team.
14. San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR): The Rams’ offense has too much pop to expect too much from the ‘Niners.
15. Green Bay Packers (at SEA): They can’t be trusted on the road vs. a hot opponent.
16. Dallas Cowboys (at CAR): In theory, they are appealing, but the Panthers’ offense keeps improving and will be at home.
Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer’s Week 15 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
