Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 15 (2024)

Thursday Night Football disappointed in just about every way imaginable. The punt and field goal fest did offer some offense for fantasy football players, as Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua had themselves solid days. On the IDP side of things, Kobie Turner was the star with his two sacks, but Christian Rozeboom and Fred Warner also showed out. There was some good news in what amounts to a lost season for the San Francisco 49ers, as they welcomed back Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 15

Start em

Jordyn Brooks (LB – MIA)
Brooks was excellent in Week 14, racking up four solos, five assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Brooks has been on fire since Week 10 and should be treated as a borderline LB1 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Start Brooks everywhere.

Luke Gifford (LB – TEN)
Luke Gifford flashed in Week 14, racking up nine solos, three assists, and one tackle for loss. He drew the start due to the injuries to Kenneth Murray, Jerome Baker, and Jack Gibbens, and with Gibbens done for the year and Murray likely to miss at least another week, Gifford should draw another start. Tap Gifford as an LB3 option if Murray misses time as expected.

D.J. Wonnum (DE/LB – CAR)
Wonnum was solid in Week 14, tallying three solos, two assists, and one sack. Wonnum has recorded a sack in three of his four games since making his Panthers debut and should be considered a strong DL2 option for Week 15, thanks to a tasty matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Start Wonnum where needed.

Julian Blackmon (S – IND)
Blackmon was excellent in Week 13, racking up five solos, one interception, and one pass defended against the New England Patriots. Blackmon has had his share of spike weeks but has not lived up to expectations, especially after a Week 1 explosion seemed to validate hopes of a breakout. Still, Blackmon is a strong DB2/3 option and should be tapped as a DB2 for Week 15, thanks to a plus matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Kaevon Merriweather (S – TB)
Kaevon was excellent in Week 14, racking up four solos, three assists, and one sack on 82 percent of the snaps. The Buccaneers are dealing with injuries to both of their starting safeties, so Kaevon should get all the run he can handle down the stretch. Merriweather projects as a strong DB3 option and is someone those in the deeper leagues will want to give consideration to as a DB3/4 option who may still be floating on your waiver wire. Start Kaevon where needed.

Sit em

Donovan Wilson (S – DAL)
Donovan Wilson showed up again in Week 14, tallying five solos, four assists, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Wilson has been a massive disappointment this season and should be left on benches for the fantasy quarterfinals despite starting to heat up. There are no more byes, so there is no need to roll with such a low-floor option outside of 20-team leagues. Keep Wilson glued to benches for Week 15 for a tough on-paper matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Geno Stone (S – CIN)
Geno showed up in Week 14, racking up three solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Geno has been a boom-or-bust option this season and hasn’t come close to living up to the expectations thrust upon him after starring in a backup role to Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams while with the Ravens. Geno has upside but should be left on benches where possible for Week 15 despite the plus matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Look elsewhere for your DB3.

K’Lavon Chaisson (DE/LB – LV)
Chaisson showed up in Week 14, tallying three solos, one assist, 0.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. Chaisson has not done much despite Malcolm Koonce being lost for the season, but has now recorded two full sacks and an interception over his last two games. Still, Chaisson is not a fantasy option outside of 20-team plus 11 v 11 leagues. He is worth a stash in dynasty now that he is showing some signs of life, but should be far from lineups during the fantasy playoffs. Look elsewhere for your Week 15 DL3/4 despite the recent uptick in production.

Tershawn Wharton (DT – KC)
Tershawn Wharton showed up in Week 14, almost matching his season total in sacks with a three solo, two sack, two tackles for loss performance against the Los Angeles Chargers. Wharton is not much of a fantasy option for Week 15 unless you play in three DT leagues. Look elsewhere for Week 15 despite the strong production.

Khalen Saunders (DT – NO)
Khalen showed up in Week 14, tallying four solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Saunders is a rare athlete but has yet to translate his tools into consistent production. Saunders has started in his last five contests and is trending upwards. He has just two sacks on the season, but both have come in his last six contests. With that said, he is not an IDP option outside of three DT leagues and should remain far from lineups in all other formats. Saunders remains an intriguing deep league dynasty stash, but those looking for a Week 15 DT2 or DL3/4/5 should look elsewhere.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.