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Top Players to Add in Week 15
If you’re reading this, you’re in playoff mode. There are a lot of injuries to sort through and plenty of desperate managers looking for a miracle flex play. It goes without saying, but this is the time to spend your FAAB if you still have any. You know your team better than I do, so take the order of players as a suggestion and fill the holes you need to get by this week.
If your starting roster is set or if you have the coveted Week 15 bye, then shore up your roster with backups to your running backs or even a second defense that you like in Week 16.
Note: Zay Jones doesn’t qualify for this series, but he’s still available in over 40% of Yahoo and Sleeper leagues. Check your waiver wire for Jones.
1. Nico Collins, Houston – I should have labeled this as Nico Collins OR Chris Moore. It seems likely that Brandin Cooks won’t play again for the Texans, and whoever operates as the WR1 in Houston has a chance to see a lot of targets against the Chiefs. I prefer Collins if he’s healthy, but Chris Moore is widely available and can slot into the role again if Collins remains sidelined.
2. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina – Hubbard is still behind D’onta Foreman in the pecking order, but the Panthers should be able to stay hyper-focused on the run game in Week 15 against Pittsburgh. Hubbard has flex appeal in what projects to be a low-scoring affair in Charlotte.
3. D.J. Chark, Detroit – The Lions’ offense is humming lately, and Chark has put together three solid weeks in a row. The arrival of Jameson Williams could give you pause, but I expect Detroit to bring Williams along slowly and not threaten Chark’s workload in Week 15.
4. Gus Edwards, Baltimore – The Ravens face Cleveland, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh in the next three weeks. J.K. Dobbins is back in the lead role, but Baltimore is going to run the ball a lot, especially while Lamar Jackson is sidelined. Edwards is an excellent handcuff for Dobbins, but he can provide standalone value for the rest of the season.
5. Marlon Mack, Denver – Hold on. I’m not telling you to put your playoff hopes on Marlon Mack’s surgically-repaired Achilles tendon this week. There are better, safer options. However, Mack was impressive in his first action for the Broncos and looked more explosive than Latavius Murray. That’s not saying a lot, I know. The most likely scenario is that Mack and Murray destroy each other’s fantasy value. But if you have the luxury of empty bench spots, I’d consider stashing Mack on the off chance he takes the lead role by Week 17.
Streaming Positions
Tight End
Juwan Johnson (18% rostered) was a touchdown machine for New Orleans before missing Weeks 12 and 13. If he’s back on the field against the lowly Falcons defense, he could provide the spike week you’re looking for. Tyler Conklin (26%) has provided serviceable performances more often than not this season and should be a relatively safe option. Chigoziem Okonkwo (15%) is a high-risk, high-reward option this week as Tennessee takes on Dallas.
Quarterback
Tyler Huntley (28% rostered) has to clear concussion protocol to play this week against Cleveland, but he’s my preferred streamer if he suits up and Lamar Jackson remains sidelined. If Jackson misses extended time, Huntley could be a set-and-forget quarterback for the entirety of the fantasy playoffs. Baltimore faces Atlanta and Pittsburgh in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively. Mac Jones (18%) is also worth a look in a plus matchup against the Raiders.
Defense
I like a lot of matchups this week for defenses. The important thing is to stay flexible, as injury updates will have a huge bearing on streaming this position in Week 15. Carolina (7% rostered) has been solid in recent weeks and faces a low-scoring Pittsburgh squad that may not have its starting quarterback. Now for a trifecta of great matchups: Green Bay (36%) gets an early Christmas present in the form of the Rams offense, Arizona (25%) might be taking on a Denver team with no quarterback, and Minnesota (41%) faces off against a Colts team that is giving up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season. And if all that weren’t enough, the New Orleans Saints (25%) get to welcome Desmond Ridder to the NFL in a divisional game at home. Into the fire, indeed.
(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire)