FantasyPros Staff | Wed, Dec 11th 2024, 12:44pm EST

Fantasy Football Week 15 Start/Sit Advice: Sleepers & Duds (2024)

Identifying Week 15 sleepers and avoiding potential duds can make all the difference for your team. Whether you’re looking for under-the-radar players poised for a breakout or trying to dodge late-season letdowns, our team of Featured Pros has you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the key players you should start and those you might want to bench based on expert insights and analysis.

Week 15 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Sleepers

Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start, and why do you think he has upside this week?

Zach Ertz (TE – WAS)

“The Saints have allowed seven TE targets in three of four games since Darren Rizzi took over as interim head coach, including four catches for Kyle Pitts and five for Daniel Bellinger. The Commanders are battling for a wildcard spot, and Zach Ertz figures to be a key part of the short-passing attack in Week 15 at the Superdome. He has averaged about seven targets, five catches, and 40 yards over the past month and has scored in three consecutive games. If you’ve been streaming tight ends this season, there’s a chance one of your leaguemates dropped Ertz during the Commanders’ Week 14 bye. He’s a solid floor play in managed leagues that can give you an edge at the position if your opponent starts a more volatile option.”
– Brad Beatson (Bandit Fantasy Football)

Xavier Legette (WR – CAR)

“Xavier Legette may have cost the Panthers their bid for an upset victory over the Eagles with his drop on the final drive last Sunday. But the rookie receiver teased some brighter fantasy days with that red zone target. And Legette is tied for 16th among all wide receivers with seven end zone targets since Week 4 and has the third biggest receiver expected touchdown shortfall since Week 10. He’s a good bet for some positive touchdown regression starting in Week 15.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)

Isaiah Davis (RB – NYJ)

“Isaac Guerendo did his part, Zach Charbonnet did his part, and Braelon Allen didn’t. Part of that was because of the emergence of Isaiah Davis. They split carries with Davis playing 53% of the snaps and had the same number of opportunities (16). Davis had six targets and 10 carries. We have seen Davis get into the end zone two weeks in a row. He has nine targets in two weeks, and he saw his rush attempts go from 1 to 10. Oh, and he is playing the Jacksonville Jaguars this week.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

Devaughn Vele (WR – DEN)

“One player that’s a good sleeper start is Devaughn Vele. While he did put up a dud in Week 13, his finishes in the three weeks prior were WR19, WR39, and WR24, respectively. Against an average Indianapolis Colts defense fresh off of a bye week, Vele should again produce in fantasy.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)

Ray-Ray McCloud (WR – ATL)

“Ray-Ray McCloud just keeps getting it done. He had season highs for the second straight game, catching eight passes for 98 yards on 11 targets last week. He has 90-plus yards in two straight games. He has double-digit fantasy points three straight and four of five games. He has good spot start value for fantasy teams right now, especially this week against the Raiders. Las Vegas has allowed 240-plus passing yards in six straight games.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Sean Tucker (RB – TB)

“Pending the health of Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker may be a must-play this week. If Irving is unable to go with a back injury, Tucker would be elevated to the RB2 position behind Rashaad White. After Irving went out last week versus the Raiders, Tucker came in and averaged 15.7 yards on three carries, including a game-high rush of 34 yards. It also helps his case that under normal circumstances, Tucker does see some goal-line work for Tampa. If Tucker sees elevated play time due to an Irving absence, he is a very solid starting option for quarterfinals week.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Justice Hill (RB – BAL)

“The Giants have struggled to contain running backs, making this a favorable matchup for Justice Hill. With Baltimore’s strong ground game, Hill could see opportunities to exploit a vulnerable defense, especially in garbage time, if the Ravens control the game. His explosiveness and potential for a late touchdown make him a sneaky sleeper pick for Week 15.”
– Francisco (Chato) Romero (Estadio Fantasy)

Hunter Henry (TE – NE)

“If you’re looking for a solid plug-and-play sleeper for your Week 15 playoff matchup, Patriots TE Hunter Henry is your guy. The veteran bookend leads the team in targets (77), receptions (58), and receiving yards (610). Rookie QB Drake Mayer has targeted Henry 26 times in the last three weeks. Look for Henry to again be a primary target for Maye in a tough matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.”
– Nate Polvogt (Optimus Fantasy Football)

Patrick Taylor (RB – SF)

“Patrick Taylor, 49ers: We’ll see about the status of Isaac Guerendo, but it’d be a bit surprising if he can play through a foot sprain on Thursday night. If he’s out, Taylor should slide into lead-back work for a 49ers team implied for a solid 26.25 points.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

Chop Robinson (LB – MIA)

“Chop Robinson has a stellar opportunity this week as he faces the Houston offensive line. Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Texans run the ball with Joe Mixon more to the left edge of their offensive line than any other place. Robinson has been on the field for just under 60% of snaps in his last two games, so it may be a bit risky, but the opportunity is there for Robinson.”
– Mason (RPO Football)

Duds

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

James Cook (RB – BUF)

“The Lions have been stiff against the run all season and particularly against zone-blocking schemes, which the Bills like to run behind more often than not. Buffalo gets the ball to James Cook on first and second down but uses Ty Johnson on third and in obvious passing situations. Mix in the fact that Josh Allen is a threat to scramble on any dropback, and Cook’s outlook isn’t something managers should bank on in the first round of the fantasy playoffs. The Lions also play a lot of man coverage, and Terrion Arnold has been among the most penalized cornerbacks in the league this season, which could lead Joe Brady and the Bills offense to take more vertical outside shots instead of checking it down to the running backs. Managers would be wise to add some ceiling to their lineup to make up for a potential dud from the typically reliable Cook.”
– Brad Beatson (Bandit Fantasy Football)

Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)

“Tony Pollard has wrestled a featured carry share away from his sophomore teammate Tyjae Spears. But the former Cowboys back needs his Titans to remain balanced to excel in fantasy, and that may be difficult against a Bengals opponent that ranks sixth in both offensive DVOA and points scored. Pollard has fewer than 10 carries in three of the Titans’ last four losses, and he may struggle to reach 10 carries this Sunday if Joe Burrow builds an early lead against them.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)

Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)

“Tee Higgins is currently on a milk Carton in Dallas. The Cowboys made sure that he didn’t beat them. Jokes aside, Higgins has three games this season inside the top 12, and he is currently ranked WR12 and 32nd-ranked flex player in half PPR. In eight games this year, he has finished outside of the top 50 WRs twice and twice outside of the top 26 WRs. The Titans are a superb matchup, but Higgins has ranked aggressively with how inconsistent he has been. We have all 32 teams playing this week as well.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

“Tee Higgins had his worst game of the fantasy season last week, catching two passes for 23 yards on five targets. He had scored three straight games before this down showing. The big concern was Higgins was targeted just five times in the game, which was a season-low. I wouldn’t be surprised if Higgins struggles some again this week against a very good Titans pass defense. Tennessee is first overall against the pass, allowing just 175.5 passing yards per game.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)

“One player likely to disappoint is Alvin Kamara. Although the New Orleans Saints need to get him involved, they now are without Derek Carr and Kamara has hit his current RB10 projection just once since Week 4. I expect the Washington defense to key in on him and force the Saints to beat them another way, making for a bad outlook for Kamara in Week 15.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)

“Alvin Kamara could struggle in Week 15 due to the Saints’ depleted offense and Derek Carr‘s absence, which impacts efficiency and limits his receiving opportunities. Kendre Miller‘s growing role may also cut into Kamara’s workload, especially in key situations like the red zone. With defenses focusing on Kamara and a potentially unfavorable game script, his fantasy ceiling appears limited.”
– Francisco (Chato) Romero (Estadio Fantasy)

A.J. Brown (WR – PHI)

“The struggles of A.J. Brown are well documented at this point, but here they are. The Eagles are using Saquon Barkley much more (25+ touches in 3 of their last four games) and Jalen Hurts‘ arm way less (one 200-yard passing day in his last four games). The drop-off in passing has slowed Brown, with only one 100-yard outing in the last month. A tough matchup against Pittsburgh, who concede the 6th fewest points to opposing WRs this season, doesn’t look good for a Brown smash this week. He is too talented to not get the ball and produce eventually, but the game plan for Philly may not change all that much this week from what it has been.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)

“It hasn’t been pretty for the Indianapolis Colts this season, including a disappointing season from RB Jonathan Taylor. While there is no doubt Taylor is talented, he has been hamstrung by QB Anthony Richardson‘s hyper-mobility. Over the last six weeks, Taylor is the RB27 in half-PPR points per game (10.9). This week brings a difficult matchup against a stout Denver defense, and Taylor will be best served staying on your bench. ”
– Nate Polvogt (Optimus Fantasy Football)

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG)

“Tyrone Tracy draws a Ravens rush defense allowing the second-fewest yards per game. They’ve also allowed a league-low 20 runs of 10+ yards, per Next Gen Stats.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

Fred Warner (LB – SF)

“Fred Warner started hot early in the season but has been playing through an ankle fracture for a few weeks, and his fantasy production has taken a dip. The Rams are a team that is best through the air and Fred Warner is the 30th most-targeted linebacker through the air in the league. The 49ers have multiple injuries on their defense and I feel the Rams would rather attack De’Vondre Campbell through the air as opposed to Warner. I am not saying sit Warner, but don’t expect a phenomenal game from him this week.”
– Mason (RPO Football)

NFL

MLB

NBA

NHL