Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 15: Who should I start, lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

Vinnie Iyer

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Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 15: Who should I start, lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks image

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Welcome to the Week 15 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from AllSportsPeople.

"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

  • There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
  • For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
  • We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of daily fantasy sports games on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical Week 15 game with tips on starts and sits this week.

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Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 15 QBs

  1. Josh Allen, Bills (at NE)
  2. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. BUF)
  3. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. DET)
  4. Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. BAL)
  5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. LV)
  6. Jared Goff, Lions (at LAR)
  7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. MIN)

Strong Week 15 QB starts

8. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. WAS): He's back from a bye to pick apart a defense that couldn't contain J.J. McCarthy on the road last week.

9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CIN): There were some needed positive flashes against the Steelers to the point you can trust him more in the Bengals rematch.

10. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. TEN): The Titans just helped Shedeur Sanders go off on the road, so yes.

11. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. NYJ): He's putting it all together with the right weapons in Liam Coen's offense.

12. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): This screams get-well game at home against the reeling Falcons D.

13. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. IND): The Colts are giving to tight ends and wide receivers downfield so go for it.

14. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. MIA): He can pick apart another iffy D with plenty more of his wide receivers and backs.

DFS QB Week 15 pick

  • Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. WAS, $5,600 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): For some reason, Dart is well undervalued despite his rookie compiling so far when healthy, so jump on it.

Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 15 QB plays

15. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at KC): You can't go here with the line crumbling in front of him and the team more dependent on the run.

16. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC): This can't feel good when thinking about his Week 14 vs. Houston and that of Hurts vs. This team.

17. Jordan Love, Packers (at DEN): He goes back down to earth with only a modest at best game on the road.

18. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. GB): This is a Mile High battle of two tough defenses.

19. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. CLE): He can win with the running game and defense this week and might need to do so.

20. CJ Stroud, Texans (vs. ARI): It's tempting, but the high volume can't be expected for him.

21. Shedeur Sanders, Browns (at CHI): Love carved up the Bears and Sanders revved up, but that was at home vs. The Titans' D.

🗒️ BEST PICKUPS: Week 15 Waiver Wire

Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 15 RBs

  1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. TEN)
  2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at TB)
  3. James Cook, Bills (at NE)
  4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at LAR)
  5. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
  6. Travis Etienne Jr. Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
  7. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. LV)
  8. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (if he plays, at PIT)
  9. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. BAL)
  10. Josh Jacobs, Packers (at DEN)
  11. Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. DET)
  12. Derrick Henry, Ravens (at CIN)
  13. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at SEA)
  14. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. MIN)
  15. Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. NO)
  16. D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. CLE)
  17. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at PHI)
  18. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (at CHI)
  19. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (vs. BUF)
  20. RJ Harvey, Broncos (vs. GB)
  21. Breece Hall, Jets (at JAX)
  22. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. MIA)
  23. Devin Neal, Saints (at CAR)
  24. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at KC)

Strong RB Week 15 plays

25. Woody Marks, Texans (vs. ARI): He should be busy running well with a positive game script at home.

26. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. IND): He's the only one of the Seattle backs to even play as a FLEX because of burst and TD potential.

27. Tony Pollard, Titans (at SF): He did plenty last week to think he's worth a streaming play against the 49ers.

28. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (vs. MIA): He once again be FLEXed in a great matchup alongside Warren.

29. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. LAC): It's not pretty but he gets it done most of the time with help from scoring.

30. Devin Singletary, Giants (vs. WAS): He should get the key touches in the running game in the second half.

DFS RB Week 15 Picks

  • Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. NYJ, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Etienne should crush another matchup as Jacksonville is heavy favorites to play with a big lead.
  • Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. NO) $6,600 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Dowdle comes off a bye ready for key volume against the Saints, who just wilted against Irving.

Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 15 plays

31. David Montgomery, Lions (at LAR): He is TD-dependent and the Rams don't give up much at all on the ground.

32. Chris Rodriguez Jr. Commanders (at NYG): He looks playable on paper but this game could get out of hand, too.

33. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. IND): He's just getting enough work in key areas to play with confidence.

34. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (at KC): Hampton is bound to take out a bigger chunk of touches in this tough spot.

35. Jordan Mason, Vikings (at DAL): The split stinks and the Cowboys can contain the run well now when it's not Gibbs.

36. Kyle Monangai, Bears (vs. CLE): You can't expect two productive Bears backs against the Browns defense, even at home.

👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts

Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 15 WRs

  1. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. DET)
  2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. IND)
  3. Davante Adams, Rams (vs. DET)
  4. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. BAL)
  5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at LAR)
  6. Nico Collins, Texans (vs. ARI)
  7. A.J. Brown, Eagles (at LV)
  8. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (if he plays, vs. MIN)
  9. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. BAL)
  10. Jameson Williams, Lions (at LAR)
  11. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. MIN)
  12. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
  13. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at PIT)
  14. Chris Olave, Saints (at CAR)
  15. DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. MIA)
  16. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYG)
  17. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. NO)
  18. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at KC)
  19. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. BUF)
  20. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (avs. GB)
  21. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. LV)
  22. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at SEA)
  23. Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at NYG)
  24. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
  25. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. NYJ)

Strong WR Week 15 starts

26. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DAL): Here's hoping the matchup is so awesome enough that he can somehow produce passable WR numbers with the other JJ.

27. Darnell Mooney, Falcons (at TB): He's feeling it a bit with Cousins and should score on TNf.

28. Darius Slayton and 29. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. WAS): These dudes both can make some plays for Dart as the Commanders are giving up plenty downfield.

29. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (vs. TEN): He's the wideout most to trust for Purdy when not throwing to McCaffrey or George Kittle.

30. Jayden Higgins, Texans (vs. ARI): He should be active again as a solid No. 2.

31. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): He needs to pick up more slack and the Falcons can give it up

32. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, Packers (at DEN): Be careful with Love, but it's fair to deploy his two best versatile weapons as WR3s.

DFS WR Week 15 picks

  • A.J. Brown (vs. LV, $6,200 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): There's no reason to think his heater stops vs. The Raiders' secondary.
  • Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYG, $5,400 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): He actually felt it with Marcus Mariota in Week 13 and should rip his favorite opponent downfield.
  • Nico Collins, Texans (vs. ARI, $6,700 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel): He's the sneaky pay-up player who should have a huge receiving game at home.

Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 15 WR plays

33. Rome Odunze, Bears (if he returns, vs. CLE): This is a catch-all for him, D.J. Moore and Luther Burden III — you can't trust any Bears wideout at the moment.

34. Alec Pierce, Colts (at SEA): Not without Daniel Jones, you don't.

35. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at CIN): Oh what not fun it is to play him every week.

36. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): Don't expect sudden slump-busting here.

37. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at KC): The Chiefs will contain him but will struggle more with McConkey.

38. Troy Franklin, Broncos (vs. GB):  He can be contained downfield after the Bears' wideouts did little as a whole.

39. Michael Wilson, Cardinals (at HOU): It's either him or Marvin Harrison Jr. As the "X" getting shut down by these Texans cornerbacks.

40. Khalil Shakir, Bills (at NE): He was blah and meh against them the first time so no.

↕️ Fantasy Rankings, Week 15: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | Flex Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 15 TEs

  1. George Kittle, 49ers (vs. TEN)
  2. Brock Bowers, Raiders (at PHI)
  3. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at HOU)
  4. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at NE)
  5. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. MIN)
  6. Tyler Warren, Colts (at SEA)

Stronger Week 15 TE starts

7. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. ARI): The Cardinals are still giving to the position and struggled with the Rams' committee.

8. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (at CHI): He's kind of their top wide receiver, too, with his size and downfield speed and the Bears have issues with that type of target.

9. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC): He was terrible against the Texans but here's hoping his history vs. The Chargers help him come through.

10. Isaiah Likely, Ravens (at CIN):  The matchup is superior and he crushed it the first time, getting the due key playing time over Mark Andrews.

11. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. NYJ): He's involved with the wide receiver injuries and with Lawrence hot and Strange fully healthy.

12. Theo Johnson, Giants (vs. WAS): The Commanders couldn't stop either Viking last week and Johnson should score for Dart.

13. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DAL): He should stay involved as a key target for J.J. McCarthy against weak overall coverage.

DFS TE Week 15 pick

  • George Kittle, 49ers (vs. TEN, $5,400 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): Here's going back for a titanic performance for a field-stretching tight end for Kittle coming off a bye,

Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 15 starts

14. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at TB): Pitts had a big game against the Seahawks, which says don't play him here given his inconsistency.

15. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. CLE): It's getting tough to trust any target in this spread-out passing game with more running now.

16. Darren Waller, Dolphins (at PIT): He was forgotten in the offense in a good matchup so not here, either.

17. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at CAR): He did well the first time but can't go there again.

18. Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. GB): The Packers have gotten better vs. The tight end of late.

19. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at LV): The Raiders actually do defend this position well.

20. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CIN): This is a likely bad play because of Likey's reemergence for another smash spot.

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Fantasy Football Week 15: Defense/special teams best starts

  1. Houston Texans (vs. ARI)
  2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. IND)
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
  4. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. LV)
  5. Dallas Cowboys (vs. MIN)
  6. Chicago Bears (vs. CLE)
  7. San Francisco 49ers (vs. TEN)
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIA)
  9. Carolina Panthers (vs. NO)
  10. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC)
  11. Los Angeles Chargers (at KC)
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
  13. New York Giants (vs. WAS)
  14. Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)

DFS Week 15 D/ST pick

  • Carolina Panthers (vs. NO, $3,100 on DraftKings, $3,600 on FanDuel): The Panthers are coming off a bye and should be strong defensively to support their offense and they tend to play better at home. Tyler Shough can't have two good road games in a row, can he?

🎙️LISTEN: Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly fantasy football analysis five days a week by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.

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