Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players returning from injury, and defenses to consider in advance.
There are no more bye weeks; it is playoff time.
If you are still reading this article, congratulations, and I hope we helped you get to this point! This article will pivot slightly, given that the playoffs are only three weeks long. The player pool will narrow, and I have divided targets by week rather than by position.
Matchups are of the utmost importance, as managers no longer have the luxury to hold on to a player to see if they pop weeks later. As you evaluate players and their perceived value, make sure to consider weather in your matchups, team motivation (are they playoff-bound?), and players one injury away.
Let's go win a fantasy championship, shall we?
Beat the Waiver Wire: Week 15 Targets
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (24% rostered on Sleeper)
One of the main reasons I was stockpiling Vikings offensive players for the fantasy playoffs was their favorable schedule from Week 15 through Week 17. And with the offensive skill players goes the quarterback. J.J. McCarthy had a breakthrough game on Sunday with 163 yards passing and three TDs. I am not saying he will replicate this every week, but his schedule is strong moving forward, and if you were riding with Daniel Jones or hoping Jayden Daniels could carry you through the playoffs, McCarthy could be an option. You are looking at the Cowboys, Giants, and Lions for the fantasy playoffs; all teams giving up at least two points over expectation to the quarterback position.
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (59% rostered on Sleeper)
The Commanders will be playing for pride, and the players for their jobs, but Rodriguez is the main guy in Washington, with an RB share over 50% in his last three games. The Commanders have the best fantasy schedule for RBs; we are looking at the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys. These are all division rivals, and New York and Dallas give up the second and third most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
RB Devin Singletary, New York Giants (48% rostered on Sleeper)
The Giants were on bye in Week 14, so Devin Singletary might not be at the top of managers' minds. Tyrone Tracey went down with an injury in Week 13, but it was reported that it was a hip contusion and stinger, so he might be good to go this week. Even if he does play, Singletary seems to be the team's goal-line back, and the Washington Commanders have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (78% rostered on Sleeper)
The Niners are returning after a bye week. Before their time off, Jauan Jennings was making a strong case to be anointed the team's WR1, averaging a 45% wide receiver target share. San Francisco gets the Titans, Colts, and Bears in the fantasy playoffs, with two of the three at home at Levi Stadium. Brock Purdy looked like his old self after returning from injury, and the team will push for the playoffs and to win the NFC West.
TE Mark Andrews and TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (81% and 19% rostered on Sleeper)
The Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals this week, making all of the tight end options worth heavy consideration. The Bengals are giving up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends by a large margin, allowing two separate tight ends to score against them last week. Andrews is more heavily rostered, but I still think Likely is a startable option in this fantastic matchup. Baltimore faces New England after the Bengals, which is another great matchup. New England allows the ninth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
The Handcuffs
RB Ollie Gordon II and RB Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (13% and 30% rostered on Sleeper)
De'Von Achane went down with an injury in Week 14, and even though head coach Mike McDaniel said he could return, he did not. The backups in Miami if Achane misses time are Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II, and Wright ended his day on Sunday with 24 carries that resulted in 107 yards and one touchdown. Gordon had five carries. After the results from Week 14, it seems that Wright would be the primary beneficiary if Achane misses time.
