Now that we're entering the fantasy football playoffs, you can't miss on any start 'em, sit 'em decisions in order to keep your championship hopes alive. With zero teams on bye, a larger player pool can make rounding out your starting lineup a bit more challenging. If you're searching for a potential "boom" play or injury fill-in, our Week 15 fantasy sleeper picks, including Rex Burkhead, Chig Okonkwo, and Jerick McKinnon, can help you advance to the next round.
Always remember that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint this week. We force ourselves to take chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of highly owned "must-starts" doesn't help anyone. You shouldn't start the players below over proven stars, but if your roster is full of studs, then you shouldn't need our help anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
Last week, we nailed most of our picks, predicting effective performances from Jared Goff, DJ Chark, Zay Jones, Jameson Williams, Okonkwo, Cam Akers, Samaje Perine, and Hunter Henry. This week, we'll look to lead to you the winners' circle and keep your fantasy season alive.
WEEK 15 FANTASY PICKS: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Let's get to our Week 15 sleeper picks.
Week 15 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Bills (Nick Musial). With Jeff Wilson Jr. (hip) exiting last week and labeled as “day-to-day,” Mostert’s in line to receive the bulk of the backfield duties against Buffalo. The Bills allow the ninth-fewest fantasy points to RBs, but Mostert’s projected workload without Wilson Jr. in the fray makes him a must-start. A high snap share and a handful of receptions can lead him to an RB2 finish.
Latavius Murray, Broncos vs. Cardinals (Vinnie Iyer). What’s red and green and not that good? A Cardinals run defense that’s bleeding on grass. It’s Latavius for the rest of us!
Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Texans (Matt Lutovsky). McKinnon has posted 14 carries and nine receptions (11 targets) over the past two games, and even though we don’t expect a repeat of last week’s 134-yard, two-TD outburst, he has plenty of upside. Houston allows by far the most fantasy points to RBs, so McKinnon should pick up more rushing yards than usual in addition to a solid performance through the air. Consider him a high-end flex in PPR leagues.
BONUS: Rex Burkhead, Texans vs. Chiefs (Lutovsky). With Dameon Pierce (ankle) out and Eno Benjamin waived, Houston's backfield should be a two-man show with Dare Ogunbowale and Burkhead. Ogunbowale actually played more snaps than Burkhead last week, but Burkhead was the one called on late in the game for goal-line carries. That's why we think he'll see the bulk of the RB touches and put up flex-worthy numbers in a favorable matchup.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 15 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Mac Jones, Patriots @ Raiders (Musial). Jones and the Patriots' offense have had their struggles all season, but a favorable matchup against a Raiders defense that allows the fourth-most passing yards per game (254.5) makes him a viable streaming option for owners of Lamar Jackson (knee) and Kyler Murray (knee). If New England’s offensive line can hold up in pass protection, Jones will have an effective performance, as he currently sports the eighth-highest clean pocket completion percentage (72.7 percent). Two-plus passing TDs could result in a top-15 finish for Jones.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans at Chargers (Iyer). O Tannehill, O Tannehill, how underrated are your weapons playing off Derrick Henry in a smashing running game?
Matt Ryan, Colts @ Vikings (Lutovsky). Do you really want to start Ryan in the fantasy playoffs? Probably not, especially after he tanked in a similarly favorable matchup in Week 12 (199 yards, TD against Pittsburgh). That said, the Vikings allow the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs, so even Ryan should have a high floor and potentially high ceiling against them. If you’re in a bind in a deep league, Ryan should produce for you.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 15 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
Van Jefferson, Rams @ Packers (Musial). Jefferson's emerged as Los Angeles’ go-to option in the passing game, seeing 14 targets over his past three weeks while hauling in two TDs over that span. Jefferson’s high snap share can result in a six-plus target game in Baker Mayfield’s first start with LA. The cold weather in Green Bay is certainly a concern, but expect the Rams to still pass at a relatively high clip.
Alec Pierce, Colts @ Vikings (Iyer). When the weather outside is frightful, look for Alec to snowPierce his way to a second big game in a row in garbage time vs. Minnesota's porous secondary.
Chris Moore, Texans vs. Chiefs (Lutovsky). There’s no reason for Brandin Cooks (calf) to rush back, and Nico Collins (foot) could once again be out, too. Even if just one returns, Moore should see ample targets against a Chiefs’ defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs. He caught 10-of-11 targets for 124 yards last week, and more of the same could be in order in a much more favorable matchup.
WEEK 15 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Week 15 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Dolphins (Musial). Knox draws a juicy matchup against a Dolphins defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to TEs, giving him a shot to put up double-digit fantasy points for a second-straight week. Knox did draw seven targets in Week 14, and it's never a bad thing to own some stock in the Bills’ offense.
Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Falcons (Iyer). Silver bells, silver bells … it’s Taysom time in Crescent City with Mark Ingram (knee) out.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans @ Chargers (Lutovsky). Okonkwo has seen at least five targets in each of the past three games, catching 13 total for 148 yards and a TD. He’s been a big-play guy all year, and now he’s playing right around 50 percent of snaps. Even if Treylon Burks (concussion) returns, he’s in a good spot to continue to produce against a middling Chargers’ pass defense.
WEEK 15 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Week 15 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense
Carolina Panther vs. Steelers (Musial). This pick is predicated on Mitchell Trubisky getting the start with Kenny Pickett still in the league’s concussion protocol. Trubisky had trouble mustering much offense in relief duty last week, tossing three interceptions, and another multi-INT day could be in the works on the road against Carolina.
Green Bay Packers vs. Rams (Iyer). They’re about to Baker some Christmas cookies in the forms of sacks and turnovers.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Broncos (Lutovsky). Russell Wilson had his best game as a Bronco last week … and he still took six sacks and turned it over once before exiting early because of a concussion. Even if he clears protocol, Arizona’s aggressive, playmaking defense will be able to produce some sacks and takeaways. If Brett Rypien starts, even better.
