If you’re reading this, you’re in your league’s playoffs. First of all, congratulations. Now, let’s get down to business. The waiver wire at this time in the season is often meant to strengthen your bench, block your opponent’s from picking up useful players, and, in case of emergency, finding players to plug into your playoff lineup. Ahead of Week 15, there are a few players at each position worth considering for these reasons. There are likely six teams left competing for your league’s title, too, so this is the most competition you’ll have in adding those available. Set those claims and good luck!
Week 15 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire By Position
Running Back
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
Let me start by saying that none of the running backs on a typical Week 15 waiver wire are worth starting unless truly desperate. The players you have stashed on your bench are probably better options. However, it’s obligatory to pick up a guy like Zamir White given the injury to Josh Jacobs’ quad/knee. If Jacobs is unable to play on a short week this Thursday, White figures to see the bulk of the Raiders’ backfield carries and any goal line work they may have. This offense is somewhat dysfunctional, though. That should be evident from the 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. Ameer Abdullah is a deeper, Points Per Reception league add that shouldn’t be in Week 15 starting lineups, either. Hopefully we get good news on Jacobs prior to submitting waiver wire claims.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
Another running back you must add on the Week 15 waiver wire due to injury to another is Ty Chandler. It looks like Alexander Mattison could miss time with an ankle injury. Chandler led the team with 12 carries, adding three receptions as well, in Week 14. Without Mattison, Chandler is going to see upwards to 15-20 touches in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, as well. He is a low-end RB2 that could post double-digit points based on expected volume.
Other Running Backs to Consider
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon could remain busy in the Chiefs’ backfield assuming Isiah Pacheco’s shoulder injury keeps him out another week or so. McKinnon is the trustworthy veteran who scored a touchdown in Week 14, but Edwards-Helaire is touted as “the number one guy.” Both should be on rosters if available on the Week 15 waiver wire, but neither are more than a flex simply for the upside of being on the Chiefs.
- Chase Brown looks like he could be a thing emerging out of the Cincinnati Bengals’ backfield. He has 20 touches on just 29 snaps over the last two weeks. Even with limited playing time, Brown looks more explosive than Joe Mixon at times and could work into the gameplan more in Week 15. Stash him in case his usage increases.
- Handcuff Running Backs are those that serve as the obvious backup on their own team, as well as the stud on your team’s roster. As you dive into the fantasy football playoffs, you’ll be happy to have key handcuffs on your roster. Players like Kenneth Gainwell (PHI), Rico Dowdle (DAL) and Dalvin Cook (NYJ) come to mind.
Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
I’ll admit that Odell Beckham Jr. is one of my most overlooked players in fantasy football this season. His history of knee injuries is enough to make anyone nervous. However, in the back half of this season, OBJ is starting to put together a steady streak of fantasy-noteworthy performances. Beckham now has 11.0 or more PPR points in four of his last five games. That includes a touchdown in three of those games and 100+ receiving yards in another. He has 31 targets over this span and should have another solid outing in Week 15 when the Ravens head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. Their defense is tied for the sixth-most points allowed to wide receivers including the fifth-most yards and third-most touchdowns.
Noah Brown, Houston Texans
If you left Noah Brown on waivers before based on volume concerns, it’s time to add him on the Week 15 waiver wire based on a likely volume boost. We know Tank Dell is done for the season, but it looks like Nico Collins could now be unavailable after reinjuring his calf. If so, Brown becomes a top option in the Houston Texans’ passing game. Unfortunately, quarterback C.J. Stroud is in concussion protocol and we have no indication if he will clear for Week 15. That said, Brown could be drawing targets from Davis Mills in Week 15. So, while Brown is one of the top wide receiver waiver wire adds, starting him gives me pause if Mills is his quarterback. Robert Woods would be the other Texans beneficiary in the passing game if Collins remains out.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
- Zay Jones‘ 14 targets for the Jacksonville Jaguars led the team accounting for a 28.5% target share. Unfortunately, Jones caught just five of them for 29 scoreless yards scoring 7.9 fantasy points. The volume is worth investing in especially with Christian Kirk on Injured Reserve. Jones shouldn’t be available on the waiver wire following Week 15.
- Curtis Samuel remains a waiver wire add especially now coming out of the Commanders’ bye week. Samuel has 29.5 PPR points on 17 total targets in his last two games. Assuming the Commanders continue with a pass-heavy game script against the Rams and Jets out of their bye, Samuel should remain a high-end flex receiver.
- Elijah Moore remains an interesting waiver wire add as long as Joe Flacco is under center for the Cleveland Browns. In two games with Flacco, Moore has 12 and six targets respectively. He’s averaging 9.75 PPR points per game. However, if Amari Cooper misses time for any reason, Moore’s value will rise. He is a bench stash in 12 or more team leagues.
Tight End
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cade Cotton now has 8.5 points in six of his last eight games. He’s only reached double-digit fantasy points once in that span, but the floor is there if you need a tight end off of the Week 15 waiver wire. Otton is still pacing for close to 80 targets this season. He’s not a typical weekly winner at the position, but if he scores a touchdown in Week 15, you’ll be plenty happy.
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Though heading on the road in Week 15, Thomas comes off of the Commanders’ bye with an excellent matchup on tap. He is heading to Los Angeles to take on the Rams who allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. They just allowed Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely to catch five of seven targets for 83 yards and a score! The Commanders are approximately one touchdown underdogs in this game. I expect a pass-heavy approach with Logan Thomas seeing a healthy dose of targets.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford is no longer just a streamer for fantasy football. If he is available on your Week 15 waiver wire, it’s worth scooping him up. Depending on who you plan to start, plugging in Stafford could be worth it. He has three straight games of 22.96 or more points. In two most recent games, Stafford has tossed seven total touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens defenses, two of the better units in the league. He’s set to face the Washington Commanders in Week 15 who allow the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks including a league-high 30 touchdown passes.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Over the last two weeks, Brock Purdy has been the best quarterback in fantasy football. The QB2 on a points-per-game average over the same span is Jake Browning. He has yet to score less than 24.7 fantasy points in two starts as Joe Burrow’s replacement! Browning does have a rushing touchdown in each game which is hard to rely on. However, given the weapons at his disposal in the passing game, Browning is a bit easier to trust than most streamers if desperate heading into Week 15.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
I know he’s currently on the Browns’ practice squad, but Flacco will elevate one more time and start for the Browns in Week 15. As their starter, Flacco is averaging 19.25 points per game in two starts. He is simply the best option Cleveland has under center at this point in the season. Flacco and the Browns will host the Chicago Bears in the opening round of the fantasy football playoffs. The Bears defense is playing better as of late, but ranks third in passing touchdowns allowed (24) this season. Flacco is only worth a waiver wire add in 2QB leagues.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty