Week 15 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Target

Kristopher Knox@@kris_knoxX.com LogoCorrespondent IDecember 12, 2024

Week 15 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Deep Sleepers to Target

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    Raiders RB Sincere McCormick
    Raiders RB Sincere McCormickJulio Aguilar/Getty Images

    It's playoff time, fantasy fans! Week 15 has arrived, which means it's win-or-go-home season in most fantasy leagues. It also means that bye weeks are over, and managers should have most of their top options available.

    It doesn't mean, however, that managers should ignore the waiver wire. Injuries are still a potential issue, and more than a few managers have likely limped into the postseason without injured stars like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Chris Godwin and J.K. Dobbins.

    Even if managers don't need to rely on a waiver-wire pickup in Week 15, improving bench depth is always a good idea.

    Here, you'll find a look at some of the top waiver targets for Week 15, along with updated flex rankings based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Week 15 PPR Flex Rankings

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    Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase
    Bengals WR Ja'Marr ChaseRon Jenkins/Getty Images

    1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

    2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

    3. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

    4. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

    5. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

    6. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

    7. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

    8. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

    9. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans

    10. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

    11. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

    12. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

    13. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

    14. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

    15. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

    16. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

    17. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

    18. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

    19. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

    20. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

    21. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

    22. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

    23. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

    24. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

    25. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    26. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

    27. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

    28. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

    29. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

    30. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

    31. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

    32. Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers

    33. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

    34. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

    35. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

    36. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

    37. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

    38. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

    39. Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys

    40. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

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    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 08: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
    Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

    While casual fans may not be keeping up with the Carolina Panthers, it's no secret that Bryce Young is beginning to shine. The 2023 first overall pick still works with an underwhelming supporting cast, but he's started to establish himself as a play-making quarterback.

    Young nearly engineered an upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14, and he had a solid fantasy outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the week before. Against Tampa, Young tallied 298 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 17 rushing yards and a rushing score.

    This week, Young has a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Managers who have been streaming at quarterback should consider the second-year star a viable option in Week 15, and Young can provide solid depth for the rest of the postseason.

    Young is still available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other QBs to consider on the wavier wire include:

    • Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
    • Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
    • Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

Sincere McCormick, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

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    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 17: Sincere McCormick #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs up field after a catch during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
    Ian Maule/Getty Images

    Managers usually can't find a starting-caliber running back this late in the season, but Sincere McCormick is exactly that. The 2022 undrafted free agent has spent most of the season on the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad, but he's emerged as their top rushing option in recent weeks.

    Against the Buccaneers last week, McCormick logged 78 yards on 15 carries and added two receptions for another 11 yards.

    McCormick could be in store for an even bigger workload this week, as the Raiders are likely to start third-string quarterback Desmond Ridder against his former team. Even if Aidan O'Connell (knee) is healthy enough to face the Atlanta Falcons, he probably won't be at 100 percent.

    It's not an ideal matchup for McCormick, as the Falcons have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. However, a high volume should make him a viable flex option in Week 15.

    McCormick is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other RBs to consider include:

    • Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
    • Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

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    KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 08: Quentin Johnston #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a catch during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 8, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
    Perry Knotts/Getty Images

    Managers short on receiver options should see if Quentin Johnston is available. He's rostered in roughly 60 percent of ESPN leagues but is still available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.

    The second-year pass-catcher has been inconsistent in the Los Angeles Chargers offense this season but has had the occasional big game. With Ladd McConkey sidelined in Week 14, for example, Johnston tallied five receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown.

    McConkey has remained limited in practices this week with knee and shoulder injuries.

    This week, the Chargers will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Johnston is worth flex consideration, and fellow wideout Joshua Palmer could be as well if McConkey can't go.

    Palmer, who caught six passes for 78 yards last week, is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues. Other WRs to consider include:

    • Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
    • Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans
    • Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

    *Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.

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