Fantasy Football Week 15 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2023)

Welcome to Week 15, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

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• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Week 15 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Mitch Trubisky: Last week, Mitch Trubisky pulled off his best smoke-and-mirrors high-wire act to finish as the QB8 in fantasy. His 30 rushing yards and one rushing score massively inflated his fantasy output. Trubisky is dreadful as a passer. He was tough to watch last week. In Week 14, among 31 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 23rd in yards per attempt and passer rating, 24th in CPOE, and 20th in highly accurate throw rate. Trubisky is set for a long day against Indy. Since Week 9, they have kept passers in check, allowing the seventh-lowest passer rating, the eighth-fewest passing touchdowns, and the sixth-fewest fantasy points via passing. The Colts have also ranked eighth in time to pressure over their last five games, so Trubisky won’t have much time in the pocket this week. Week 15 Positional Value: QB2

Gardner Minshew: Since taking over in Week 6, Minshew has been a solid QB2, running 26th in fantasy points per dropback and 23rd in fantasy points per game. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 21st in yards per attempt, 28th in passer rating, and 30th in CPOE. Since Week 9, the Steelers have been a neutral to below-average matchup for quarterbacks, depending on which metrics you are staring at. Over their last six games, the Steelers have ranked 17th in yards per attempt and 18th in adjusted completion rate allowed while also containing passers with the tenth-lowest pass rating and the 12th-lowest CPOE allowed. Don’t expect Minshew to post a difference-making score this week. Week 15 Positional Value: QB2

Russell Wilson: Wilson is the QB15 in fantasy points per game, but he’s been flirting with QB1 production almost weekly over the last few games. Over his last five contests, he has three QB1 finishes (QB11, QB12, QB11). Wilson has been playing good football since Week 10. Across his last five games, among 30 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks ninth in passer rating, sixth in CPOE, second in highly accurate throw rate, and 11th in fantasy points per dropback. Wilson looks poised for a strong outing this week against a team that should force Denver’s hand into more passing. Since Week 9, Detroit has allowed the sixth-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-most passing touchdowns, and the third-highest passer rating. Over the last five weeks, Detroit has been crushed by deep passing allowing the second-highest passer rating and the eighth-highest adjusted completion rate to passes 20 yards or more downfield. Week 15 Positional Value: QB1

Jared Goff: The Lions have been dialing back the pass attempts lately, as Goff has averaged only 30 attempts over his last two games. His per-play efficiency has remained pretty stable, but his volume reduction and some tough matchups have led him to post only two QB1 games over his last seven starts. Since Week 9, he ranks ninth in yards per attempt and 11th in passer rating and highly accurate throw rate. Look for Detroit to lean on their ground game this week against a formidable Denver pass defense. Since Week 9, they have contained passers with the fourth-lowest passer rating, the second-fewest passing touchdowns, and the eighth-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed. Week 15 Positional Value: QB2

Justin Fields: Since his Week 11 return, Fields has been the QB11 in fantasy points per game, with QB8 and QB4 performances in two of his last three games. Since Week 4, in his five full games played, he ranks sixth in yards per attempt, third in passer rating, third in adjusted completion rate, 10th in highly accurate throw rate, and third in fantasy points per dropback. The Browns have remained a tough pass defense. Since Week 9, they have allowed the fourth-lowest yards per attempt, the second-lowest passer rating, and the fourth-lowest CPOE. They have allowed some efficient outings to mobile quarterbacks, though. Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson combined to complete 64% of their passes with 8.4 yards per attempt while averaging 34 rushing yards and totaling three rushing scores. Since Week 9, the Browns have utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (59.6%). Across his last five games, Fields ranks sixth in fantasy points per dropback and fourth in yards per attempt against single-high. Week 15 Positional Value: QB1

Joe Flacco: The year is 2023, and Joe Flacco is turning in QB1 performances. Yeah, I said it. Over his last two starts, he has been the QB13 and QB10 in weekly fantasy scoring. Since Week 13, among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, Flacco ranked 20th in passer rating, 31st in CPOE, and 22nd in fantasy points per dropback. Each of his last two matchups has been plus or neutral pass defenses. That is not the case in Week 15. Since Week 9, the Bears have played stellar pass defense, allowing the second-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passer rating, and the eighth-lowest CPOE. Flacco is a QB2 who’s better off sitting on the bench this week. Week 15 Positional Value: Sit

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Week 15 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

D.J. Moore: Moore has surpassed nearly every expectation this season that Fantasy GMs had this offseason as the WR8 in fantasy points per game. Moore is 16th in targets, 12th in deep targets, 11th in receptions, and seventh in receiving yards. Since Week 9, the Browns have utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (59.6%). Against single-high, Moore has had a 26.6% target share, a 40.8% air-yard share, 2.87 YPRR, and a 37.8% first-read share. Moore will be peppered with targets once again this week. He’s seen at least nine in every game since Week 10. He does have a tough matchup this week, though. Since Week 9, Cleveland has allowed the third-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Moore opened this week with a DNP (ankle). It’s a situation worth monitoring the rest of the week. Week 15 Positional Value: WR1/2

Darnell Mooney: Mooney has had a disappointing season as the WR79 in fantasy. He has surpassed 50 receiving yards only once in his last eight games. Since Week 9, the Browns have utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (59.6%). Against single-high, Mooney has a 13.1% target share, 1.33 YPRR, and a 17.3% first-read share while leading the team with four end-zone targets. Mooney draws the best matchup on the board in the slot. Since Week 9, the Browns have allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target and second-most receiving touchdowns to slot receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: Deep league flex

Amari Cooper: Cooper is the WR35 in fantasy points per game, ranking 17th in deep targets and 33rd among wide receivers in red zone targets. Last week with Flacco, he had a 31.1% target share, a 51.2% air-yard share, 1.88 YPRR, and a 39.4% first-read share. He was fed volume in a smash matchup and walked away with an okay but not amazing day with 77 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. Cooper will walk a more difficult path this week. Since Week 9, Chicago has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per target and second-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR3

Elijah Moore: Last week Moore’s stock came crashing back to earth with Cooper back in the lineup with a 13.3% target share, a 24.2% air-yard share, 1.27 YPRR, and an 18.2% first-read share. He did retain his outside receiver role playing 78% of his snaps on the boundary. This isn’t the week to consider flexing him. Since Week 9, Chicago has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per target and second-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: Sit

Drake London: Well, I told you to start London last week. Good lord, he had a monster game, securing 10 of his 11 targets with 172 receiving yards. London’s talent has and should never be in question. He is one of the best young wide receivers in the game and a true alpha. The problem has always been and continues to be Atlanta’s offensive system and his usage. The last time he faced this secondary, he had only one target and goose-egged across the board. While I don’t foresee that happening again, I don’t think it will be a banner day. Since Week 2, London has had a 22.9% target share, a 32.2% air-yard share, 2.27 YPRR, and a 28.7% first-read share. Since Week 9, Carolina has utilized the second-highest rate of single-high (64.8%). Since Week 2, against single-high, Londan has seen his target share drop to 19.3% with a 27.5% air-yard share and 1.66 YPRR. He has still led the team with a 24.4% first-read share. Since Week 9, Carolina has allowed the ninth-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR3

Adam Thielen: After his miraculous start to the season, Thielen has cooled considerably as the Panthers’ passing attack has stalled. Since Week 8, he has seen a 23.0% target share and a 28.2% first-read share, which has amounted to 45.4 receiving yards per game and 1.25 YPRR. This is a solid matchup for Thielen to be considered a strong WR3/flex this week. Thielen will run about 69% of his routes against Dee Alfored (71.7% catch rate and 108.5 passer rating). Since Week 8, Atlanta has given up the seventh-most PPR points per target to slot receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR3

Jayden Reed: Reed has stepped up since Week 8 he has been the WR20 in fantasy points per game. Over the last four weeks, he has been “Dairy Belt Deebo Samuel” with at least 38 rushing yards twice and two rushing scores. Since Week 10, the Buccaneers have utilized single-high at the 12th-highest rate (58.3%). Since Week 8, against single-high, Reed has a team-high 20.4% target share and a 25% first-read share with 1.90 YPRR. Since Week 8, Tampa Bay has given up the sixth-highest PPR points per target and the fifth-most receiving yards to slot receivers. Reed should smash. Week 15 Positional Value: WR2/3

Romeo Doubs: Doubs is the WR36 in fantasy points per game, ranking 14th in red zone targets. Since Week 10, the Buccaneers have utilized single-high at the 12th-highest rate (58.3%). Since Week 8, against single-high, he has seen an 11.3% target share with only 0.58 YPRR and a 14.0% first-read share. None of these numbers paint a pretty picture for Doubs this week, but the weakness of the Tampa Bay corners could elevate Doubs to a decent fantasy day. Since Week 8, the Bucs have allowed the 10th-most PPR points per target and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR4

Noah Brown: Brown has not resembled the same player we fell in love with in Weeks 9-10 since his return from injury. Over the last two weeks, he has only drawn a 12.5% target share and has had zero receptions. In Weeks 8-10, Brown had a 17.1% target share, a 23.4% air-yard share, 4.55 yards per route run, and a 16.7% first-read share, as he averaged 127.3 receiving yards per game over that stretch. Last week, Brown led the team with a 21.1% first-read share while operating as a boundary receiver on 75% of his snaps. Brown is solid flex play this week if Collins is out against a Titans’ secondary that, since Week 9, has allowed the sixth-most PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR4

DeAndre Hopkins: After last week’s big game, Hopkins is the WR21 in fantasy points per game, ranking second in deep targets and eighth in red zone looks. With Levis under center, Hopkins has had a 26.0% target share, a 45% air-yard share, 2.69 YPRR, and a 32.5% first-read share. Since Week 9, Houston has deployed two-high at the fifth-highest rate (58.4%). Since Week 8, against two-high, Hopkins YPRR has ballooned to 3.61, and his first-read share has increased to 34.7%. Hopkins should feast again this week. Since Week 9, Houston has allowed the second-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 15 Positional Value: WR1/2

Week 15 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Breece Hall: Hall is the RB15 despite only averaging 17.1 touches and 76.8 total yards since Week 6. His fantasy value and his season have been made by the 5.5 receptions and 47 yards he has averaged since Week 6. Among 59 qualifying backs, Hall ranks 19th in explosive run rate and fifth in yards after contact per attempt. Hall will need every bit of his receiving role this week against a defense that, since Week 9, has allowed the fifth-lowest explosive run rate, the seventh-fewest missed tackles per attempt, and the third-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Week 15 Positional Value: RB2

Raheem Mostert: Last week Mostert led the way playing 64% of the snaps with 22 touches and 100 total yards. I’ll freshen up his projection on Friday once we know more about Achane. Overall this season, Mostert has averaged 15.8 touches and 84.2 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, Mostert ranks seventh in explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. Since Week 9, New York has allowed the 11th-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt and the 10th-lowest rushing touchdown rate. Week 15 Positional Value: RB2

Saquon Barkley: Barkley is the RB7 in fantasy points per game. Since his return, he has averaged 22.3 touches and 101.4 total yards. He ranks third in snap share, second in opportunity share, and tenth in weighted opportunities. Barkley ranks eighth in explosive run rate and 15th in yards after contact per attempt. The Giants should lean on their star back against a soft Saints run defense. Since Week 9, New Orleans has allowed the most rushing yards per game in the NFL, the 10th-highest explosive run rate, and the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 15 Positional Value: RB1

Alvin Kamara: Kamara is the RB3 in fantasy points per game. He ranks seventh in opportunity share, sixth in weighted opportunities, and tenth in red zone touches. Since Week 10, Kamara has averaged 17.5 touches and 87 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 47th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 56th in yards after contact per attempt. Kamara has retained his pass game usage, ranking first in targets and target share and ninth in routes run. Kamara should be able to stack a decent outing against a run defense that Since Week 9, has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, third-highest explosive run rate, and the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 15 Positional Value: RB1/2

James Conner: Since his Week 10 return, Conner has only once finished higher than RB27 in weekly scoring, as he has averaged 16.8 touches and 68.3 total yards. The problem hasn’t been Conner but a lack of volume and pass-game involvement. Since Week 10, among 30 qualifying backs, he ranks first in missed tackles forced per attempt and third in yards after contact per attempt. Sadly, Conner is slated for another flex/RB3 type of performance this week against a stout San Francisco run defense. Since Week 10, the 49ers have the fourth-lowest missed tackles per attempt, the second-highest stuff rate, and have given up the second-fewest rushing yards per game. Week 15 Positional Value: RB3

Tony Pollard: Pollard has hit his stride down the stretch. Since Week 11, he has averaged 20.3 touches and 90.6 total yards as the RB10 in fantasy points per game. I wish we had this version of Pollard all season. Yes, I was wrong about Pollard being THE RB1 this season, but this is the type of production that I envisioned all offseason. Since Week 11, among 44 qualifying backs, Pollard ranks 12th in explosive run rate and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Pollard will have a tough day on the ground against Buffalo, but he can make up for it in the passing game. Since Week 9, Buffalo has had the 11th-highest stuff rate, the sixth-lowest missed tackles per attempt, and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards per game and the third-highest yards per reception to backs this season. Since Week 11, Pollard ranks second for Dallas in target share (15.0%). Week 15 Positional Value: RB1

James Cook: With Joe Brady running the show, Cook has played 43-46% of the snaps weekly, averaging 19 touches and 114.3 total yards per game as the RB5 in fantasy. It’s been beautiful to see the Bills FINALLY lean on one of their best players and stop feeding carries to Latavius Murray. Cook ranks 25th in explosive run rate and 39th in yards after contact per attempt. Cook will have his work cut out for him this week, though. Dallas has also been strong against the run. Since Week 9, Dallas has allowed the second-lowest explosive run rate and missed tackles per attempt while also surrendering the sixth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Week 15 Positional Value: RB2

Week 15 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Isaiah Likely: In his last two starts as the Ravens’ starting tight end, Likely has TE18 and TE3 fantasy finishes. In those two games, Likely only saw one red zone target. In this short stint, Likely has a 16% target share, 1.76 YPRR, and a 15.9% first-read share. Jacksonville has been giving to tight ends this season, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game and the second-highest yards per reception. Week 15 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

Evan Engram: After last week’s surprising boom game, Engram is the TE6 in fantasy, ranking second in receptions and fifth in receiving yards and yards after the catch. He is also fourth in deep targets and 19th in red zone targets (four in his last four games). Engram has commanded a 21.5% target share and a 24.2% first-read share with 1.63 YPRR. We’ll see if he can defy the odds again in another tough matchup this week. Baltimore has given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game and the third-lowest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 15 Positional Value: TE1

Dallas Goedert: Last week, Godert returned to his full-time role. He had an 86.2% route run rate, a 14.3% target share, 1.20 YPRR, and a 17.4% first-read share. Each of those are TE1-worthy metrics. Goedert has eight red zone targets in his last eight games played. Seattle has allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game and the 10th-most receiving yards per game to tight ends. Week 15 Positional Value: TE1

T.J. Hockenson: Hockenson is the TE2 in fantasy points per game, ranking eighth in deep targets, fourth in red zone looks, and fourth in total touchdowns among tight ends. Among 40 qualifying tight ends, he ranks first in target share (23.9%), sixth in YPRR (1.96), eighth in end zone targets, and first in first-read share (26.9%). Cincinnati has been ripped to shreds by tight ends all season, allowing the most fantasy points per game and the most receiving yards per game to the position. If Mullens can at least offer league-average target quality this week, Hockenson should post a monster game. Week 15 Positional Value: TE1

Pat Freiermuth: In the last two games, since Freiermuth’s monster game, his numbers have fallen back to earth with a 69.4% route run rate, a 15.9% target share, 0.94 YPRR, and a 15% first-read share. He has failed to surpass 30 receiving yards in three of his last four games. Indy has been a fruitful matchup for tight ends all season. They have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game and the ninth-most receiving yards per game to the position. Freiermuth is a TE2 who could sneak back into the TE1 good graces this week. Week 15 Positional Value: TE2

Cole Kmet: Kmet is the TE7 in fantasy points per game, ranking seventh in red zone targets, sixth in raw target volume, fifth in receptions, and 10th in receiving yards. Since Week 9, the Browns have utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (59.6%). Among 60 qualifying tight ends against single-high, Kmet ranks 13th in target share (16.6%), 14th in YPRR and first-read share, and sixth in fantasy points per route run. Against single-high, he has run about 49% of his routes from the slot. Since Week 9, the Browns have allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target and second-most receiving touchdowns to slot receivers. If Mooney doesn’t produce from the slot this week, Kmet will. Week 15 Positional Value: TE1

David Njoku: With Flacco under center, Njoku has had a 15.7% target share, 1.57 YPRR, and a 13.1% first-read share. Since Week 7, Njoku has been the TE8 in fantasy points per game while ranking second among tight ends in end-zone targets and yards after the catch per reception. Chicago has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and receptions per game to tight ends. Njoku has another TE1 performance in Week 15. Week 15 Positional Value: TE1

Week 15 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 15 Kicker Start/Sit Grades