We've made it through all of the bye weeks, and tight end is one of the rare positions that's actually getting healthier. Those two factors strengthen our Week 15 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues just in time for the fantasy football playoffs. Whether you're getting back a healing star or you're looking for a waiver-wire sleeper with a better matchup than your usual starter, you have plenty of options this week.
There's a good chance that Darren Waller (hamstring) returns this week, and Dallas Goedert (shoulder) is eligible to return, as well. We'll also be monitoring Hayden Hurst (calf) and Juwan Johnson (ankle), who missed their last games. Goedert (vs. Bears in Week 15) would be a "must-start" if he's back, and all three of Waller (vs. Patriots), Hurst (@ Buccaneers), and Johnson (vs. Falcons) would return to favorable matchups and be worth starting.
Waller, Hurst, and Johnson aren't the only "sleepers" in good situations. Greg Dulcich (vs. Cardinals) has the best possible matchup, and Hunter Henry (@ Raiders) isn't far behind. Both have been inconsistent this season, but they have higher floors and ceilings in Week 15. In deep leagues, you could also try Jonnu Smith (@ Raiders), though his targets have dropped off the past two games after seeing a bit of an uptick in Weeks 8-11.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Going a bit deeper, Tyler Conklin (vs. Lions), Robert Tonyan (vs. Rams), Logan Thomas (vs. Giants), Kylen Granson (@ Vikings), and Austin Hooper and Chig Okonkwo (vs. Chargers) also face below-average TE defenses. All have had their ups and downs this year, but they should see at least five targets in favorable matchups. Okonkwo is better suited for standard leagues than PPR leagues, especially if WR Treylon Burks (concussion) is back, but he has a knack for making at least one big play per game. That gives him a solid ceiling and decent floor. The rest have decent floors and can easily have a top-five TE week with a touchdown.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Of course, it's not enough to just identify potential sleepers -- we also have to find some busts. Bubble guys like Gerald Everett (vs. Titans), Dalton Schultz (@ Jaguars), and even Dawson Knox (vs. Dolphins) have favorable matchups, so we'd stick with them in many circumstances, but you might want to take a second look at Pat Freiermuth (vs. Panthers) in shallow leagues. He usually gets enough targets and yards to merit a start in all formats, but in a sleeper-rich week with your season on the line, it never hurts to weigh your options. The Panthers entered Week 14 allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to TEs, so Freiermuth is riskier than usual.
WEEK 15 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
In deeper leagues, we'd avoid Evan Engram (vs. Cowboys), Noah Fant (vs. 49ers), Tyler Higbee (@ Packers), and Cole Kmet (vs. Eagles). All have been inconsistent this year, and all face defenses that entered Week 14 in the bottom 10 for FPPG allowed to TEs. Engram will tough to bench after he went off last week -- and the rest could always catch a short TD -- but the risk isn't worth it when there are so many widely available sleepers with similar profiles in much more favorable matchups.
WEEK 15 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
We'll have to monitor the injury reports all week, but there's a good chance this is the most stacked TE week we've had since very early in the season. Sometimes, the extra options make start 'em, sit 'em decisions even more difficult, but that's a good problem to have. Track the targets, study the matchups, and decide whether you need to go for big points or simply need a high floor. Whatever your situation, you should be able to find a TE that works for you.
WEEK 15 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
We'll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
Week 15 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Texans
2 George Kittle, 49ers @ Seahawks
3 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Colts
4 Greg Dulcich, Broncos vs. Cardinals
5 David Njoku, Browns vs. Ravens
6 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys @ Jaguars
7 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Browns
8 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Titans
9 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Panthers
10 Darren Waller, Raiders vs. Patriots
11 Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Falcons
12 Chig Okonkwo, Titans @ Chargers
13 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Raiders
14 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Lions
15 Robert Tonyan, Packers vs. Rams
16 Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Dolphins
17 Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Giants
18 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Cowboys
19 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Falcons
20 Jeff Driskel, Texans vs. Chiefs
21 Kylen Granson, Colts @ Vikings
22 Austin Hooper, Titans @ Chargers
23 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. 49ers
24 Jonnu Smith, Patriots @ Raiders
25 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Packers
26 Jordan Akins, Texans vs. Chiefs
27 Brevin Jordan, Texans vs. Chiefs
28 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Eagles
29 Cameron Brate, Buccaneers vs. Bengals
30 Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Broncos
31 Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Commanders
32 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Bills
33 Ian Thomas, Panthers vs. Steelers
34 MyCole Pruitt, Falcons @ Saints
Week 15 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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