Fantasy football Week 15 cheat sheet: PPR rankings, sleepers

steve gardner, usa today

Sun, 15 Dec 2024, 11:48 am·11-min read

Fantasy football season continues, but only for the fortunate few. So if you're reading this, congratulations on making it to the playoffs in your league.

Now comes the hard part: winning a championship. The first step is surviving Week 15, so let's see which players can help you do just that.

Fantasy football rankings are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. One point is awarded for every 10 rushing and receiving yards and one point for every 20 passing yards. Six points are awarded for touchdowns scored, four points for passing TDs and one point for receptions.

Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish, TheHuddle.com.

(*-check status before kickoff)

Fantasy football Week 15 quarterback rankings

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been efficient this season, going interception-free in five of his last six games. But fantasy managers expected more than 1.4 touchdowns per game.

Derek Carr (concussion) has been ruled out. Jake Haener will start in his place.

Rank	Player	Team	Opp
1	Lamar Jackson	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
2	Josh Allen	Buf.	at Det.
3	Joe Burrow	Cin.	at Ten.
4	Baker Mayfield	T.B.	at L.A.-C
5	Jalen Hurts	Phi.	vs. Pit.
6	Jared Goff	Det.	vs. Ind.
7	Patrick Mahomes	K.C.	at Cle.
8	C.J. Stroud	Hou.	vs. Mia.
9	Tua Tagovailoa	Mia.	at Hou.
10	Justin Herbert	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
11	Jayden Daniels	Was.	at N.O.
12	Bo Nix	Den.	vs. Ind.
13	Kyler Murray	Ari.	vs. N.E.
14	Matthew Stafford	L.A.-R	at S.F.
15	Geno Smith	Sea.	vs. G.B.
16	Russell Wilson	Pit.	at Phi.
17	Sam Darnold	Min.	vs. Chi.
18	Kirk Cousins	Atl.	at L.V.
19	Jameis Winston	Cle.	vs. K.C.
20	Jordan Love	G.B.	at Sea.
21	Brock Purdy	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
22	Bryce Young	Car.	vs. Dal.
23	Caleb Williams	Chi.	at Min.
24	Aaron Rodgers	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
25	Cooper Rush	Dal.	at Car.
26	Drake Maye	N.E.	at Ari.
27	Desmond Ridder	L.V.	vs. Atl.
28	Anthony Richardson	Ind.	at Den.
29	Will Levis	Ten.	vs. Cin.
30	Tommy DeVito	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
31	Mac Jones	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
32	Jake Haener	N.O.	vs. Was.

Fantasy football Week 15 running back rankings

With seven rushing touchdowns in his last three games, the Packers' Josh Jacobs now ranks seventh among running backs in fantasy points for the season.

Tony Pollard (ankle) was limited on Friday in practice, but should play.
Breece Hall (knee) did go through a full practice on Friday and is expected to suit up on Sunday vs. Jacksonville. Team officials have insisted they aren't planning on shutting him down for the season.
Bucky Irving left last week's game early with back spasms. The Bucs travel to Los Angeles for this week's game against the Chargers so he could be a game-time decision.
Kenneth Walker (calf) is doubtful. He missed Week 14 while backup Zach Charbonnet racked up 193 total yards and two scores. Charbonnet would be a top-15 start with Walker out.
D'Andre Swift (groin) didn't practice Thursday and Friday, but was able to go on a limited basis Saturday. He'll have an extra day of rest with the Bears playing Monday night. Backup Roschon Johnson (concussion) is also questionable after missing last week. Travis Homer could be a desperation pickup as insurance.
Isaac Guerendo (foot) did not participate in Tuesday's walk-through. He'll have a tight window to get ready this week with the Niners playing Thursday night, but he plans to give it a go.

Rank	Player	Team	Opp
1	Saquon Barkley	Phi.	vs. Pit.
2	Derrick Henry	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
3	Bijan Robinson	Atl.	at L.V.
4	Alvin Kamara	N.O.	vs. Was.
5	Jahmyr Gibbs	Det.	vs. Buf.
6	Joe Mixon	Hou.	vs. Mia.
7	Josh Jacobs	G.B.	at Sea.
8	De'Von Achane	Mia.	at Hou.
9	Kyren Williams	L.A.-R	at S.F.
10	David Montgomery	Det.	vs. Buf.
11	James Cook	Buf.	at Det.
12	Jonathan Taylor	Ind.	at Den.
13	Chuba Hubbard	Car.	vs. Dal.
14	James Conner	Ari.	vs. N.E.
15	Rachaad White	T.B.	at L.A.-C
16	Tony Pollard	Ten.	vs. Cin.
17	*Isaac Guerendo	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
18	*Kenneth Walker III	Sea.	vs. G.B.
19	*Breece Hall	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
20	Najee Harris	Pit.	at Phi.
21	Isiah Pacheco	K.C.	at Cle.
22	Brian Robinson Jr.	Was.	at N.O.
23	*D'Andre Swift	Chi.	at Min.
24	Aaron Jones	Min.	vs. Chi.
25	Rhamondre Stevenson	N.E.	at Ari.
26	Zach Charbonnet	Sea.	vs. G.B.
27	Chase Brown	Cin.	at Ten.
28	*Bucky Irving	T.B.	at L.A.-C
29	Jaleel McLaughlin	Den.	vs. Ind.
30	Rico Dowdle	Dal.	at Car.
31	Tyrone Tracy Jr.	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
32	Jerome Ford	Cle.	vs. K.C.
33	Travis Etienne	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
34	Devin Singletary	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
35	Nick Chubb	Cle.	vs. K.C.
36	Justice Hill	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
37	Ray Davis	Buf.	at Det.
38	Jaylen Warren	Pit.	at Phi.
39	Gus Edwards	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
40	Kareem Hunt	K.C.	at Cle.
41	Braelon Allen	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
42	Cam Akers	Min.	vs. Chi.
43	Antonio Gibson	N.E.	at Ari.
44	Tank Bigsby	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
45	Emanuel Wilson	G.B.	at Sea.
46	Sincere McCormick	L.V.	vs. Atl.
47	Javonte Williams	Den.	vs. Ind.
48	Sean Tucker	T.B.	at L.A.-C
49	Patrick Taylor	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
50	*Raheem Mostert	Mia.	at Hou.
51	Ty Johnson	Buf.	at Det.
52	*Roschon Johnson	Chi.	at Min.
53	Ameer Abdullah	L.V.	vs. Atl.
54	Kimani Vidal	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
55	Blake Corum	L.A.-R	at S.F.

Fantasy football Week 15 wide receiver rankings

The Commanders' Terry McLaurin is tied for second among NFL wide receivers with nine touchdown receptions through 14 weeks. Only Ja'Marr Chase of the Bengals (15) has more.

Ladd McConkey (knee) has been practicing on a limited basis, but is still questionable for Sunday.
George Pickens (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Philadelphia. He was listed as questionable last week before being declared inactive following pregame warmups. Mike Williams and Van Jefferson would seem to be the main beneficiaries with Pickens out.
Josh Downs (shoulder) missed Week 13 and is coming off a bye week. He practiced in full on Friday and should be good to go..

Rank	Player	Team	Opp
1	Ja'Marr Chase	Cin.	at Ten.
2	Amon-Ra St. Brown	Det.	vs. Buf.
3	Justin Jefferson	Min.	vs. Chi.
4	CeeDee Lamb	Dal.	at Car.
5	Terry McLaurin	Was.	at N.O.
6	Courtland Sutton	Den.	vs. Ind.
7	Garrett Wilson	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
8	Drake London	Atl.	at L.V.
9	Jaxon Smith-Njigba	Sea.	vs. G.B.
10	Zay Flowers	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
11	Malik Nabers	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
12	Jerry Jeudy	Cle.	vs. K.C.
13	Nico Collins	Hou.	vs. Mia.
14	A.J. Brown	Phi.	vs. Pit.
15	Cooper Kupp	L.A.-R	at S.F.
16	Tyreek Hill	Mia.	at Hou.
17	Puka Nacua	L.A.-R	at S.F.
18	DJ Moore	Chi.	at Min.
19	Darnell Mooney	Atl.	at L.V.
20	*Ladd McConkey	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
21	Mike Evans	T.B.	at L.A.-C
22	Brian Thomas Jr.	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
23	DK Metcalf	Sea.	vs. G.B.
24	Jayden Reed	G.B.	at Sea.
25	Jameson Williams	Det.	vs. Buf.
26	Marvin Harrison Jr.	Ari.	vs. N.E.
27	Jauan Jennings	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
28	DeVonta Smith	Phi.	vs. Pit.
29	Calvin Ridley	Ten.	vs. Cin.
30	Tee Higgins	Cin.	at Ten.
31	Khalil Shakir	Buf.	at Det.
32	Jordan Addison	Min.	vs. Chi.
33	Wan'Dale Robinson	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
34	Davante Adams	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
35	*Josh Downs	Ind.	at Den.
36	Adam Thielen	Car.	vs. Dal.
37	Keenan Allen	Chi.	at Min.
38	Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	Ten.	vs. Cin.
39	Deebo Samuel	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
40	Mike Williams	Pit.	at Phi.
41	Jakobi Meyers	L.V.	vs. Atl.
42	Jalen McMillan	T.B.	at L.A.-C
43	Joshua Palmer	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
44	DeAndre Hopkins	K.C.	at Cle.
45	Allen Lazard	N.Y.-J	at Jac.
46	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	N.O.	vs. Was.
47	Jaylen Waddle	Mia.	at Hou.
48	Tyler Lockett	Sea.	vs. G.B.
49	Brandin Cooks	Dal.	at Car.
50	Rome Odunze	Chi.	at Min.
51	Michael Pittman Jr.	Ind.	at Den.
52	Elijah Moore	Cle.	vs. K.C.
53	Alec Pierce	Ind.	at Den.
54	Demario Douglas	N.E.	at Ari.
55	Calvin Austin	Pit.	at Phi.

Fantasy football Week 15 tight end rankings

Despite ranking third among tight ends in receptions and second in yardage, the Cardinals' Trey McBride has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season.

David Njoku (hamstring) is inactive vs. Kansas City.
Evan Engram (shoulder) has a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season.
Will Dissly (shoulder) has been ruled out and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Stone Smartt is the next man up for the Chargers and a deep sleeper in fantasy.

Rank	Player	Team	Opp
1	Brock Bowers	L.V.	vs. Atl.
2	George Kittle	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
3	Trey McBride	Ari.	vs. N.E.
4	Travis Kelce	K.C.	at Cle.
5	Tucker Kraft	G.B.	at Sea.
6	Jonnu Smith	Mia.	at Hou.
7	Mark Andrews	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
8	Sam LaPorta	Det.	vs. Buf.
9	Hunter Henry	N.E.	at Ari.
10	Cade Otton	T.B.	at L.A.-C
11	Zach Ertz	Was.	at N.O.
12	Cole Kmet	Chi.	at Min.
13	Jake Ferguson	Dal.	at Car.
14	Pat Freiermuth	Pit.	at Phi.
15	Mike Gesicki	Cin.	at Ten.
16	T.J. Hockenson	Min.	vs. Chi.
17	Dalton Schultz	Hou.	vs. Mia.
18	Grant Calcaterra	Phi.	vs. Pit.
19	Kyle Pitts	Atl.	at L.V.
20	Noah Gray	K.C.	at Cle.
21	Isaiah Likely	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
22	Jordan Akins	Cle.	vs. K.C.
23	Chigoziem Okonkwo	Ten.	vs. Cin.
24	Dawson Knox	Buf.	at Det.
25	Stone Smartt	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
26	Michael Mayer	L.V.	vs. Atl.
27	Brenton Strange	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
28	Colby Parkinson	L.A.-R	at S.F.
29	Daniel Bellinger	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
30	Juwan Johnson	N.O.	vs. Was.

Fantasy football Week 15 kicker rankings

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders connected on the longest field goal made in Week 14, a 57-yarder against the New York Jets.

Zane Gonzalez (foot) is inactive. Greg Joseph has been elevated from the practice squad.

Rank	Player	Team	Opp
1	Chris Boswell	Pit.	at Phi.
2	Ka'imi Fairbairn	Hou.	vs. Mia.
3	Brandon Aubrey	Dal.	at Car.
4	Cameron Dicker	L.A.-C	vs. T.B.
5	Jake Bates	Det.	vs. Buf.
6	Chase McLaughlin	T.B.	at L.A.-C
7	Wil Lutz	Den.	vs. Ind.
8	Justin Tucker	Bal.	at N.Y.-G
9	Jason Sanders	Mia.	at Hou.
10	Tyler Bass	Buf.	at Det.
11	Younghoe Koo	Atl.	at L.V.
12	Blake Grupe	N.O.	vs. Was.
13	Daniel Carlson	L.V.	vs. Atl.
14	Matt Gay	Ind.	at Den.
15	Joey Slye	N.E.	at Ari.
16	Jake Elliott	Phi.	vs. Pit.
17	Cairo Santos	Chi.	at Min.
18	Jake Moody	S.F.	vs. L.A.-R
19	Joshua Karty	L.A.-R	at S.F.
20	Greg Joseph	Was.	at N.O.
21	Cade York	Cin.	at Ten.
22	Harrison Butker	K.C.	at Cle.
23	Will Reichard	Min.	vs. Chi.
24	Brandon McManus	G.B.	at Sea.
25	Jason Myers	Sea.	vs. G.B.
26	Graham Gano	N.Y.-G	vs. Bal.
27	Nick Folk	Ten.	vs. Cin.
28	Eddy Pineiro	Car.	vs. Dal.
29	Chad Ryland	Ari.	vs. N.E.
30	Cam Little	Jac.	vs. N.Y.-J
31	Dustin Hopkins	Cle.	vs. K.C.
32	Anders Carlson	N.Y.-J	at Jac.

Fantasy football Week 15 defense/special teams rankings

Chargers linebackers Khalil Mack, right, and Tuli Tuipolutu sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Sunday's 19-17 loss. The Chargers lead the NFL in scoring defense through 14 weeks.

Rank	Team	Opp
1	Denver Broncos	vs. Ind.
2	Minnesota Vikings	vs. Chi.
3	Pittsburgh Steelers	at Phi.
4	Buffalo Bills	at Det.
5	Houston Texans	vs. Mia.
6	Seattle Seahawks	vs. G.B.
7	Detroit Lions	vs. Buf.
8	Los Angeles Chargers	vs. T.B.
9	Arizona Cardinals	vs. N.E.
10	Green Bay Packers	at Sea.
11	Dallas Cowboys	at Car.
12	Philadelphia Eagles	vs. Pit.
13	Chicago Bears	at Min.
14	Los Angeles Rams	at S.F.
15	Indianapolis Colts	at Den.
16	New York Jets	at Jac.
17	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	at L.A.-C
18	San Francisco 49ers	vs. L.A.-R
19	Cleveland Browns	vs. K.C.
20	Washington Commanders	at N.O.
21	Baltimore Ravens	at N.Y.-G
22	New Orleans Saints	vs. Was.
23	Cincinnati Bengals	at Ten.
24	New England Patriots	at Ari.
25	New York Giants	vs. Bal.
26	Tennessee Titans	vs. Cin.
27	Kansas City Chiefs	at Cle.
28	Jacksonville Jaguars	vs. N.Y.-J
29	Miami Dolphins	at Hou.
30	Atlanta Falcons	at L.V.
31	Carolina Panthers	vs. Dal.
32	Las Vegas Raiders	vs. Atl.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Week 15 rankings: Top plays at QB, RB, WR, TE, K, DST