In most fantasy football leagues, we’re now down to the Final Four.
If you’re in one of those wacky leagues where they play the fantasy football finals in Week 17; well, I don’t know what to tell you. That’s just dumb. The obvious issue there is that many quality players are benched in the final week of the NFL regular season; therefore, you end up fighting for a fantasy championship with scraps and spare parts.
So, for we normal fantasy coaches out there, it’s time to put up or shut up. One game away from THE showdown. The ultimate battle for fantasy football glory is right there, within our reach…
… So let’s go grab this thing.
Potential Pickups for Week 15
Quarterbacks
(Always for Superflex or 2 QB)
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars: Mr. Moustache has been reinstalled as Jacksonville’s starting QB, and he clearly has Superflex appeal. He’s most certainly a better fantasy option than both Mike Glennon and Jake Luton, and he gives my Jets an even better chance at “earning” the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. I’m rootin’ for ya, Gardner!
Chase Daniel, Lions: Detroit “isn’t optimistic” about Matthew Stafford’s chances of playing this weekend. To me, Daniel has always been an overrated NFL backup, but the Lions will fall behind, giving Chase a chance to rack up cheap fantasy points. I could see him getting 12-15 points in relatively standard settings.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles: I’ve been covering him every single week. His time is finally here. You should have already had him on your SF roster.
Dwayne Haskins, Washington: The Football Team thinks Alex Smith will be ready to go this weekend, but ya just never know with him. I’m inclined to (mostly) believe them, but if you have the room, roster Haskins in 2 QB, just in case. When he plays well, he can get ya 10+ fantasy points in the right matchups.
Running Backs
Lynn Bowden Jr., Dolphins: Double position flexibility! Ah, it’s a beautiful thing. You can utilize Bowden at RB or WR, and Miami is currently decimated by offensive injuries. Bowden was heavily involved this past week, and he’s looking like a possible RB2 vs. the division-rival Pats in a Week 15 showdown.
Deandre Washington, Dolphins: I’m not a big proponent because it never seems to work out with him; however, there are always injury roadblocks when it comes to Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. The door is ajar, if the game script is relatively normal. Deandre is a Hail Mary play to me, but he could also dominate the goal line work if Bowden is splitting out wide.
Trayveon Williams, Bengals: Maybe head coach Zac Taylor just wants to see what he has in this kid. Cincy continues to be in rebuilding mode, and here’s a youngster who probably deserves an opportunity. Gio Bernard isn’t a long-term piece for this club, so I think I’d personally rather try Trayveon than Deandre Washington in the fantasy football realm.
Wide Receivers
John Brown, Bills: In shallow leagues, fantasy coaches may have given up on him. He’s back to practice this week, and we know he’s a savvy veteran who knows all the tricks of the trade at the wide receiver position.
K.J. Hamler, Broncos: Denver should think about peppering its young players with targets down the stretch. Hamler broke off a big one this past weekend, and he needs to get 5+ looks so the organization can take stock of what it has. Garbage time of the season, baby!
Keelan Cole, Jaguars: Minshew is back, and he seems to like Cole better than both Glennon and Luton. This is by no means a “safe” play, but maybe a stash for a potential championship matchup in a 14 or 16-team deep league.
Week 15 DFS Plays
Quarterbacks
Safe: Lamar Jackson $7,500 vs. JAX
Sleeper: Mitch Trubisky $5,500 @ MIN
Perfect Storm: Ryan Tannehill $6,700 vs. DET
Running Backs
Safe: Derrick Henry $9,500 vs. DET
Sleeper: Peyton Barber $4,400 vs. SEA
Perfect Storm: D’Andre Swift $6,400 @ TEN
Wide Receivers
Safe: Allen Robinson $7,400 @ MIN
Sleeper: D.J. Chark $5,000 @ BAL
Perfect Storm: Adam Thielen $7,100 vs. CHI
Tight Ends
Safe: Mark Andrews $5,500 vs. JAX
Sleeper: Dalton Schultz $3,200 vs. SF
Perfect Storm: Dan Arnold $3,500 @ ARI
Hope you move on to the Finals!
John Frascella is a published sports author and fantasy football analyst with over two decades of experience. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things fantasy football