The fantasy playoffs have officially arrived for most leagues! If you’re facing tough lineup decisions for this upcoming must-win matchup, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s break down my start/sit fantasy football picks for Week 15 of the NFL season.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em: Sam Darnold (Vikings) vs. Bears
Now QB7 on the year, Darnold still isn’t getting the respect he deserves from a total start percentage across fantasy platforms. That said, if you roster him, you should be plugging him into your lineup after his ridiculous 34.6-point performance against the Falcons.
Darnold has now scored at least 17 fantasy points in seven of his last eight outings, providing a safe floor with legitimate QB1 upside. The Bears have been tough against quarterbacks all year, but Brock Purdy just picked them apart last Sunday. Fire up Minnesota’s signal caller with confidence.
Sit ‘Em: C.J. Stroud (Texans) vs. Dolphins
Due to his name value, Stroud still has a very high rostered percentage across fantasy platforms heading into Week 1 of the playoffs. However, his start percentage is quite low, and that should remain the case this Sunday.
Houston is in decent position as a team, but the reigning Rookie of the Year has been immensely underwhelming, failing to score 20 fantasy points in a game since Week 4. Even with the myriad of talented weapons at his disposal, you should bench Stroud against a Dolphins defense that allows the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Running Back
Start ‘Em: Rachaad White (Buccaneers) at Chargers
Both members of Tampa Bay’s two-headed backfield monster have been productive from a fantasy perspective, with Bucky Irving racking up the points as of late. However, a back injury to Irving firmly planted White in the lead back role, and he excelled, scoring 24.9 points.
The 25-year-old took his 19 touches for 109 yards and two touchdowns, feasting against the Raiders. This week, White draws the Chargers, who are a tough matchup on paper. That said, Tampa Bay is going to continue to pound the rock. If Irving remains out with his back issue, White is a must-start, but the third-year back still has high-end RB2 upside with Bucky in the equation.
Sit ‘Em: D’Andre Swift (Bears) at Vikings
Using game script as an excuse can only take you so far.
Yes, Swift has seen a reduction in touches as of late due to how Chicago’s games have panned out. However, his efficiency has drastically dipped compared to his streak of success earlier this year. The 25-year-old has now failed to score double-digit fantasy points in four of the Bears’ last five games.
It’s hard to justify starting Swift against a Vikings defense that allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing backfields.
Check out all of my Week 15 running back start/sit picks here!
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em: Khalil Shakir (Bills) at Lions
The addition of Amari Cooper appears to have made Shakir even more potent.
Now with fewer eyes on him from opposing secondaries, the speedy slot receiver has scored double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games. Shakir’s target share has been consistently sizable as well, with the third-year receiver seeing at least seven balls from Josh Allen come his way in each of Buffalo’s last seven outings.
Fire up Shakir as a solid WR2 in a matchup against the Lions, who allow the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers.
Sit ‘Em: Jayden Reed (Packers) at Seahawks
It’s only right that the receiver who has appeared as my sit of the week the most this season earns that nod in the first fantasy playoffs slate.
Of course, this isn’t the nod managers who roster Jayden Reed want to see, but it shouldn’t shock you at this point. At his best, Reed has legitimate WR1 potential as an explosive playmaker. At his worst, he’s virtually nonexistent. The latter happened in Green Bay’s last outing against Detroit, as the second-year receiver failed to catch his only target of the game.
That’s the fifth time Reed has failed to score double-digit fantasy points in his last seven games. Regardless of talent, I’m not playing the boom-or-bust game in a playoff matchup.
Check out all of my Week 15 start/sit wide receiver picks here!
Tight End
Start ‘Em: Hunter Henry (Patriots) at Cardinals
Henry has been a beacon of consistency in an otherwise underwhelming group of pass catchers, clearly standing alone as Drake Maye’s top target. Now, he did virtually gift the Colts an interception in the end zone last week, but the veteran will bounce back.
Henry has now seen at least eight targets in five of New England’s last seven outings, giving him an incredibly solid floor. He’ll sit in the low TE1 range once again this week in Arizona.
Sit ‘Em: Kyle Pitts (Falcons) at Raiders
I didn’t think I would have to tell people not to start Kyle Pitts considering his recent production — or should I say, lack thereof — but here we are.
The former fourth overall pick still has a shockingly high start percentage across major fantasy platforms, despite failing to score a whopping THREE fantasy points in four of his last five outings. Even if the Raiders are a favorable matchup, do not start Pitts with Atlanta’s offense in its current state of disarray.
There are better options out there.
Check out all of my Week 15 start/sit tight end picks here!
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 15 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice and Week 15 start/sit picks over the next few days.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
