Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete PPR Player Rankings for Week 15
All the way back in the long-ago days of September, every single fantasy manager started the 2022 season with the same goal. Winning a championship. To achieve that goal, first they needed to assemble a team capable of earning a playoff spot.
Now, as we move further into December, those playoffs have arrived in many leagues—and in the ones where it hasn't, teams have one final week to position themselves for a playoff run.
At this point in the season, the edict is clear. As Red Sanders put it so eloquently, "Winning isn't everything…it's the only thing." The next loss of the 2022 season will be the last one. The end of the line. It will mean coming up short of that singular goal.
Getting that win means fielding the best lineup possible amid a shifting fantasy landscape that just saw a handful of starting quarterbacks get hurt. This article aims to help you navigate that landscape successfully with position-by-position PPR rankings and some matchups to consider targeting or avoiding.
Now let's get the playoffs started right.
Quarterbacks
Week 14 was a rough one for NFL quarterbacks. Russell Wilson's best game as a member of the Denver Broncos was cut short by a nasty-looking concussion. Tyler Huntley of the Ravens and Kenny Pickett of the Steelers suffered the same injury. Mike White of the Jets wound up in the hospital after taking multiple shots to the ribs Sunday in Buffalo. And while Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins didn't get hurt, the 145 passing yards he amassed on 10-of-28 passing left more than a few fantasy managers holding the bag in a critical week.
Monday night brought the biggest gutpunch of all—three plays into his matchup with the Patriots, Kyler Murray of the Cardinals was carted off the field with what is believed to be a torn ACL.
With that said, it wasn't all bad in Week 14. For the second time in three weeks, Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars topped 300 passing yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Lawrence's 368 passing yards and three scores against the Tennessee Titans landed the second-year pro the top spot in fantasy points for the week, and no quarterback in the AFC has more fantasy points over that three-week span.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN) (DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200)
After a mostly disappointing season statistically, Herbert's 367 passing yards last week was more along the lines of what we expected from Herbert in 2022. Another big game should be coming Sunday against a leaky Titans secondary that just got carved up by Trevor Lawrence.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at JAX) (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200)
Prescott struggled last week against the Texans, throwing a pair of interceptions. But that came against a sneaky-good pass defense. In Week 15, Prescott and the Cowboys get a matchup with a Jaguars team allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2022.
BAD MATCHUPS
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CIN) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500)
Given the precipitous drop in Brady's production, it doesn't take a bad matchup for him to be a shaky fantasy play. But he has one anyway—the Bengals have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. If this is the end, Brady's going out with a whimper instead of a bang.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000)
That's right. The fantasy gods giveth, and the fantasy gods taketh away. Part of Lawrence's big Week 14 line came courtesy of an excellent fantasy matchup with the Titans. The Cowboys sit at the other end of the matchup spectrum—30th in points per game given up to quarterbacks.
SLEEPER
Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200)
The notion of trotting out Dalton in the fantasy playoffs is not one that leaves managers brimming with confidence. But the "Red Rifle" has shown some ability to take advantage of shaky pass defenses, and the Falcons have surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
WEEK 15 QUARTERBACK RANKINGS
1. Jalen Hurts, PHI (at CH)
2. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. MIA)
3. Patrick Mahomes, KC (at HOU)
4. Justin Herbert, LAC (vs. TEN)
5. Justin Fields, CHI (vs. PHI)
6. Joe Burrow, CIN (at TB)
7. Dak Prescott, DAL (at JAX)
8. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (at BUF)
9. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. LAR)
10. Kirk Cousins, MIN (vs. IND)
11. Daniel Jones, NYG (at WAS)
12. Mike White, NYJ (vs. DET) [INJURED]
13. Geno Smith, SEA (vs. SF)
14. Jared Goff, DET (at NYJ)
15. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (vs. DAL)
16. Derek Carr, LV (vs. NE)
17. Deshaun Watson, CLE (vs. BAL)
18. Matt Ryan, IND (at MIN)
19. Tom Brady, TB (vs. CIN)
20. Andy Dalton, NO (vs. ATL)
21. Brock Purdy, SF (at SEA)
22. Russell Wilson, DEN (vs. ARI) [INJURED]
23. Mac Jones, NE (at LV)
24. Tyler Huntley, BAL (at CLE) [INJURED]
25. Ryan Tannehill, TEN (at LAC)
26. Taylor Heinicke, WAS (vs. NYG)
27. Sam Darnold, CAR (vs. PIT)
28. Kenny Pickett, PIT (at CAR) [INJURED]
29. Baker Mayfield, LAR (at GB)
30. Desmond Ridder, ATL (at NO)
Running Backs
At this late juncture in the season, getting a viable fantasy starter back at running back can be a game-changer. A season-saver. The injection of fantasy points that keeps the team in the hunt or puts them over the top.
It's Christmas come early. And J.K. Dobbins of the Baltimore Ravens could be the gift that keeps on giving in 2022.
It had been mostly a lost season for Dobbins before this week—35 carries for 123 yards over four games before an aggravation of his surgically repaired knee landed him back on injured reserve. But after a two-month absence, Dobbins was back out there last week against the Steelers. For just the second time this season, Dobbins received double-digit touches, and he made the most of them with 120 rushing yards and a score on 15 carries.
Per the team's website, Dobbins said that game was just the tip of the iceberg.
"It's still not me all the way yet and I'm going to continue to get better," Dobbins said. "Hopefully those 100-yard games will turn into 200-yard games. I'm going to keep getting healthier."
With a plus matchup against the Browns on tap, Dobbins is on the RB2 radar in Week 15.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900)
Pacheco didn't find the end zone last week for the first time in three games, but he has at least 13 carries and 65 rushing yards in three straight and draws a Texans defense this week allowing a league-high 165.8 rushing yards per game.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (at CHI) (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500)
In gouging the Giants for 144 rushing yards and two scores last week, Sanders became the first Eagles running back since 2014 to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season. The good times should continue against a Bears team allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs.
BAD MATCHUPS
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. DAL) (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,0000
Etienne has had his moments this season, but he gained less than two yards per carry last week against the Titans' stout run defense, and the sledding won't be much easier against a Cowboys team surrendering the fourth-fewest PPR points to running backs.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (at TB) (DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200)
Mixon was back on the field last week and eclipsed 100 total yards against the Browns. But Mixon also played less than 60 percent of Cincinnati's snaps and draws a Tampa run defense in Week 15 giving up the fifth-fewest PPR points to running backs.
SLEEPER
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200)
McKinnon was the highest-scoring running back in fantasy football last week thanks to 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He's not going to post those numbers every week, but McKinnon has double-digit PPR points in two of his past three games and four of the past six.
WEEK 15 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS
1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (at SEA)
2. Austin Ekeler, LAC (vs. TEN)
3. Derrick Henry, TEN (at LAC)
4. Dalvin Cook, MIN (vs. IND)
5. Tony Pollard, DAL (at JAX)
6. Nick Chubb, CLE (vs. BAL)
7. Josh Jacobs, LV (vs. NE) [INJURED]
8. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at MIN)
9. Saquon Barkley, NYG (at WAS) [INJURED]
10. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. ATL)
11. Miles Sanders, PHI (at CHI)
12. David Montgomery, CHI (vs. PHI)
13. Joe Mixon, CIN (at TB)
14. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (at LV) [INJURED]
15. Aaron Jones, GB (vs. LAR)
16. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at HOU)
17. Najee Harris, PIT (at CAR)
18. JK Dobbins, BAL (at CLE)
19. Kenneth Walker, SEA (vs. SF)
20. Travis Etienne Jr., JAX (vs. DAL)
21. Jamaal Williams, DET (at NYJ)
22. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS (vs. NYG)
23. James Conner, ARI (at DEN)
24. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at JAX)
25. Zonovan Knight, NYJ (vs. DET)
26. Antonio Gibson, WAS (vs. NYG)
27. Cam Akers, LAR (at GB)
28. D'Andre Swift, DET (at NYJ)
29. Jerick McKinnon, KC (at HOU)
30. Raheem Mostert, MIA (at BUF)
31. Rachaad White, TB (vs. CIN)
32. AJ Dillon, GB (vs. LAR)
33. Latavius Murray, DEN (vs. ARI)
34. Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL (at NO)
35. Leonard Fournette, TB (vs. CIN)
36. D'Onta Foreman, CAR (vs. PIT) [INJURED]
37. James Cook, BUF (vs. MIA)
38. Damien Harris, NE (at LV) [INJURED]
39. Gus Edwards, BAL (at CLE)
40. Samaje Perine, CIN (at TB)
41. Devin Singletary, BUF (vs. MIA)
42. Rex Burkhead, HOU (vs. KC)
43. Travis Homer, SEA (vs. SF)
44. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. PIT)
45. Tyler Allgeier, ATL (at NO)
46. Michael Carter, NYJ (vs. DET)
47. Jordan Mason, SF (at SEA)
48. Kareem Hunt, CLE (vs. BAL)
49. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (at CHI)
50. Kyren Williams, LAR (at GB)
Wide Receivers
The leaderboard at wide receiver this year has been a four-man battle royal—a heavyweight fight in which a quartet of elite options trades haymakers and jockeys for position.
After catching 11 passes for a whopping 223 yards last week against the Lions, Justin Jefferson of the Vikings is currently the top dog. Just behind him is Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins, who was the first wide receiver in the league to log 100 receptions in 2022. Then comes Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, who is tied for the league lead in targets (142) with Jefferson. The final member of the Fantastic Four of fantasy pass-catchers is Buffalo's Stefon Diggs, who is on track for another massive season with the Bills.
The drop-off from the No. 4 receiver (Diggs) to No. 5 is over 50 PPR points, so it's unlikely that this year's points leader at the position will come from outside that group.
But we may not know which receiver will wear the crown until the final Sunday of the season.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN) (DraftKings DFS Value: 6,800)
Allen piled up reception points last week against the Dolphins, hauling in 12 passes for 92 yards. This week brings an even better matchup, as the Titans lead the league in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL) (DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500)
Olave is just 113 yards shy of posting 1,000 as a rookie, and he leads all first-year wideouts in that category. He may get that this week alone—the Falcons are 27th in the league against the pass and fifth in PPR points surrendered to wide receivers.
BAD MATCHUPS
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals (at DEN) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500)
Given that DeAndre Hopkins is seventh in PPR points per game among wideouts, he's an every-week start no matter the matchup. Brown also ranks inside the top 12, but most of his damage was done while Hopkins while serving a six-game PED suspension. This week's matchup with Denver is awfully tough for a second banana—especially given Kyler Murray's injury.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU) (DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800)
Smith-Schuster was solid last week against the Broncos, reeling in nine passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. But the Texans have quietly been a rotten fantasy matchup for receivers this season and sit 29th in PPR points allowed.
SLEEPER
Chris Moore, Houston Texans (vs. KC) (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,200)
With both Brandin Cooks (calf) and Nico Collins (foot) sidelined last week, Moore led the Texans in targets (11), catches (10) and receiving yards (124). The Chiefs are a plus matchup, and the odds that Houston will be playing from behind are, um, good.
WEEK 15 WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS
1. Stefon Diggs, BUF (vs. MIA)
2. Tyreek Hill, MIA (at BUF) [INJURED]
3. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. IND)
4. Davante Adams, LV (vs. NE)
5. A.J. Brown, PHI (at CHI)
6. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (at TB)
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at NYJ)
8. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at JAX)
9. Keenan Allen, LAC (vs. TEN)
10. Chris Olave, NO (vs. ATL)
11. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. SF)
12. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (at MIN)
13. Amari Cooper, CLE (vs. BAL)
14. DK Metcalf, SEA (vs. SF)
15. Tee Higgins, CIN (at TB) [INJURED]
16. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (at DEN)
17. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (at BUF)
18. Chris Godwin, TB (vs. CIN)
19. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (vs. DET)
20. Terry McLaurin, WAS (vs. NYG)
21. Christian Kirk, JAX (vs. DAL)
22. Mike Williams, LAC (vs. TEN)
23. Jerry Jeudy, DEN (vs. ARI)
24. DeVonta Smith, PHI (at CHI)
25. Mike Evans, TB (vs. CIN)
26. DJ Moore, CAR (vs. PIT) [INJURED]
27. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (at SEA)
28. Christian Watson, GB (vs. LAR)
29. Zay Jones, JAX (vs. DAL)
30. Diontae Johnson, PIT (at CAR)
31. Jakobi Meyers, NE (at LV)
32. Marquise Brown, ARI (at DEN)
33. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC (at HOU)
34. Gabriel Davis, BUF (vs. MIA)
35. Allen Lazard, GB (vs. LAR)
36. Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (vs. BAL)
37. George Pickens, PIT (at CAR)
38. Drake London, ATL (at NO)
39. Parris Campbell, IND (at MIN)
40. Adam Thielen, MIN (vs. IND)
41. Curtis Samuel, WAS (vs. NYG)
42. Alec Pierce, IND (at MIN)
43. Chris Moore, HOU (vs. KC)
44. Treylon Burks, TEN (at LAC) [INJURED]
45. Michael Gallup, DAL (at JAX)
46. DJ Chark, DET (at NYJ)
47. Jarvis Landry, NO (vs. ATL)
48. Darius Slayton, NYG (at WAS)
49. Joshua Palmer, LAC (vs. TEN)
50. Elijah Moore, NYJ (vs. DET)
Tight Ends
There are two types of fantasy managers in the playoffs. Those who have Travis Kelce rostered, and those who do not. The gap between Kelce and the rest of the pack has only widened since Mark Andrews of the Ravens hit a slump.
The have nots are a much bigger group than the haves, and each week is a gamble for them—a spin of the roulette wheel in the hope they hit the jackpot.
Last week, it was Evan Engram of the Jaguars whose number came up. Engram was the highest-scoring tight end in fantasy by a wide margin, hauling in a jaw dropping 11 catches for 162 yards and two scores against the Titans.
It's not an exaggeration to call that stat line a week-winner, and the fantasy managers who are able to unearth similar surprise stars in the playoffs are going to be the ones who bring home the championship.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN) (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300)
Everett had a decent game last week against the Dolphins, catching five passes in a Chargers victory. Everett isn't likely to be one of those week-winners, but he has a reasonably high floor and faces that same Titans defense that Engram just shredded this Sunday.
Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (at JAX) (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,400)
Since Week 7, Schultz has been exactly what fantasy managers hoped he would be when they drafted him—a top-five fantasy option. He should be a solid start in Week 15 against a Jaguars team giving up the ninth-most PPR points to tight ends this year.
BAD MATCHUPS
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. DAL) (DraftKings DFS Value: $3,800)
Given the ridiculous numbers that Engram posted last week against the Titans, plenty of fantasy managers will be looking to him as a streaming option. But chasing last week's production can be a dangerous proposition—especially with Engram drawing a bad fantasy matchup in Week 15.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. PHI) (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000)
Like the Chicago passing game as a whole, Kmet has been hit-or-miss this season, although he's coming off a solid 6/72/0 line in Week 13. That's a best-case number this week against the Eagles, who have allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points to tight ends in 2022.
SLEEPER
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (vs. ARI) (DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400)
The uncertain status of Russell Wilson (concussion) is a concern here. But Dulcich has posted at least 10 PPR points in four of eight games, and this week he gets the fantasy bonanza for the tight end position that is the Arizona Cardinals.
WEEK 15 TIGHT END RANKINGS
1. Travis Kelce, KC (at HOU)
2. Mark Andrews, BAL (at CLE)
3. George Kittle, SF (at SEA)
4. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (vs. IND)
5. Dalton Schultz, DAL (at JAX)
6. Darren Waller, LV (vs. NE) [INJURED]
7. David Njoku, CLE (vs. BAL)
8. Gerald Everett, LAC (vs. TEN)
9. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (at CAR)
10. Greg Dulcich, DEN (vs. ARI)
11. Evan Engram, JAX (vs. DAL)
12. Robert Tonyan, GB (vs. LAR)
13. Hunter Henry, ME (at LV)
14. Cole Kmet, CHI (vs. PHI)
15. Juwan Johnson, NO (vs. ATL)
16. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (at LAC)
17. Tyler Conklin, NYJ (vs. DET)
18. Dawson Knox, BUF (vs. MIA)
19. Hayden Hurst, CIN (at TB) [INJURED]
20. Noah Fant, SEA (vs. SF)
21. Tyler Higbee, LAR (at GB)
22. Taysom Hill, NO (vs. ATL)
23. Mike Gesicki, MIA (at BUF)
24. Logan Thomas, WAS (vs. NYG)
25. Cameron Brate, TB (vs. CIN)
26. Daniel Bellinger, NYG (at WAS)
27. Kylen Granson, IND (at MIN)
28. Brevin Jordan, HOU (vs. KC)
29. Foster Moreau, LV (vs. NE)
30. Trey McBride, ARI (at DEN)
Kickers and Defenses
The Kansas City Chiefs were an object lesson in the unpredictability of team defenses in fantasy football last week.
The Chiefs aren't a great defensive football team. But Kansas City's matchup with the woeful Denver offense appeared too good to pass up. Sure enough, the Chiefs jumped all over Denver, and it looked like the defense was on the way to a truly gonzo stat line when Willie Gay plucked a Russell Wilson pass out of the air and took it back for a touchdown to make the score 27-0.
So, of course the Broncos then peeled off three unanswered touchdowns in less than four minutes of game action, because whatever.
Everything worked out in the end—Kansas City's two takeaways, six sacks and that touchdown netted the Chiefs the second-best fantasy stat line of the week defensively. But Denver's season high in points was a reminder that where fantasy defenses are concerned, expect the unexpected.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
With rookie Desmond Rider about to make his first ever professional start, there's more than a little uncertainty surrounding the Atlanta offense. But Koo is one of the best kickers in the NFL, and the Saints have been a favorable matchup for the position this season.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense (at HOU) (DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000)
If you picked up the Chiefs defense for last week's matchup with the Broncos, you might as well keep them for this week's go-round with the Texans. Houston is dead last in total offense, and only one team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing defenses.
BAD MATCHUPS
Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (at BUF)
There's quite a bit working against Sanders this week. The Miami offense struggled mightily last week, the weather in Buffalo could be a factor and the Bills have surrendered the fewest fantasy points in the AFC to opposing kickers this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense (vs. CIN) (DraftKings DFS Value: $2,600)
Last week in San Francisco, the Buccaneers defense finally buckled under the weight of carrying the team this season. Given how badly the team fared last week, expecting them to have success against a loaded and red-hot Bengals offense isn't especially wise.
SLEEPER
Atlanta Falcons Defense (at NO) (DraftKings DFS Value: $2,500)
The Falcons aren't good defensively—the team is 30th in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense. But the Saints have struggled just as badly offensively in recent weeks, and New Orleans has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to defenses this season.
WEEK 15 KICKER RANKINGS
1. Justin Tucker, BAL (at CLE)
2. Daniel Carlson, LV (vs. NE)
3. Harrison Butker, KC (at HOU)
4. Brett Maher, DAL (at JAX)
5. Younghoe Koo, ATL (at NO)
6. Tyler Bass, BUF (vs. MIA)
7. Greg Zuerlein, NYJ (vs. DET)
8. Evan McPherson, CIN (at TB)
9. Nick Folk, NE (at LV)
10. Jason Myers, SEA (vs. SF)
11. Robbie Gould, SF (at SEA)
12. Graham Gano, NYG (at WAS)
13. Cameron Dicker, LAC (vs. TEN)
14. Ryan Succop, TB (vs. CIN)
15. Michael Badgley, DET (at NYJ)
16. Greg Joseph, MIN (vs. IND)
17. Jake Elliott, PHI (at CHI)
18. Chase McLaughlin, IND (at MIN)
19. Cade York, CLE (vs. BAL)
20. Riley Patterson, JAX (vs. DAL)
21. Jason Sanders, MIA (at BUF)
22. Wil Lutz, NO (vs. ATL)
23. Joey Slye, WAS (vs. NYG)
24. Eddy Pineiro, CAR (vs. PIT)
25. Brandon McManus, DEN (vs. ARI)
WEEK 15 DEFENSE RANKINGS
1. Philadelphia Eagles (at CHI)
2. Denver Broncos (vs. ARI)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (at HOU)
4. Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)
5. Green Bay Packers (vs. LAR)
6. New England Patriots (at LV)
7. San Francisco 49ers (at SEA)
8. Dallas Cowboys (at JAX)
9. Arizona Cardinals (at DEN)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (at CAR)
11. Washington Commanders (vs. NYG)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (at TB)
13. Minnesota Vikings (vs. IND)
14. Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF)
15. Carolina Panthers (vs. PIT)
16. Cleveland Browns (vs. BAL)
17. New York Giants (at WAS)
18. Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
19. New York Jets (vs. DET)
20. New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL)
21. Detroit Lions (at NYJ)
22. Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CIN)
24. Indianapolis Colts (at MIN)
25. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. NE)
Top 100 Overall/Flex Rankings
Before we get to this week's list of the top 100 players overall (a list that can aid in making lineup decisions for flex spots), the always-popular disclaimer and handy tip must be dispensed with.
The disclaimer is the same as every other week. There are no quarterbacks included on this list. If your fantasy league features a "superflex" spot, then you have to work well until the teens before you hit a quarterback who shouldn't be started in that spot.
The advice is this. Fantasy football is a different game this time of year. Every week is a one-game season unto itself. If you win that game, you move on. If you don't, that's that—game over. There are also no easy wins this time of year. The teams still playing are all solid.
Don't be afraid to be aggressive when setting your lineup—to prioritize upside over floor. And if you have a gut feeling about a guy (for better or worse) that you just can't shake, go with it. Don't let me or Twitter or anyone talk you out of it.
Losing is hard enough to swallow. Losing because you were talked out of starting a guy who blows up (or into starting a guy who just blows) is excruciating.
TOP 100 PLAYERS OVERALL/"FLEX" RANKINGS
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF (at SEA)
2. Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF (vs. MIA)
3. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (at BUF) [INJURED]
4. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. IND)
5. Davante Adams, WR, LV (vs. NE)
6. Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC (vs. TEN)
7. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (at CHI)
8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (at TB)
9. Derrick Henry, RB, TEN (at LAC)
10. Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN (vs. IND)
11. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (at NYJ)
12. Tony Pollard, RB, DAL (at JAX)
13. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (at JAX)
14. Nick Chubb, RB, CLE (vs. BAL)
15. Keenan Allen, WR, LAC (vs. TEN)
16. Josh Jacobs, RB, LV (vs. NE) [INJURED]
17. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (at MIN)
18. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. HOU)
19. Chris Olave, WR, NO (vs. ATL)
20. Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG (at WAS) [INJURED]
21. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (vs. SF)
22. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (at MIN)
23. Amari Cooper, WR, CLE (vs. BAL)
24. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (vs. ATL)
25. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (vs. SF)
26. Miles Sanders, RB, PHI (at CHI)
27. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (at TB) [INJURED]
28. David Montgomery, RB, CHI (vs. PHI)
29. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, ARI (at DEN)
30. Joe Mixon, RB, CIN (at TB)
31. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (at BUF)
32. Chris Godwin, WR, TB (vs. CIN)
33. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE (at LV) [INJURED]
34. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ (vs. DET)
35. Aaron Jones, RB, GB (vs. LAR)
36. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. NYG)
37. Christian Kirk, WR, JAX (vs. DAL)
38. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC (at HOU)
39. Mike Williams, WR, LAC (vs. TEN)
40. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (at CAR)
41. Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN (vs. ARI)
42. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (at CHI)
43. JK Dobbins, RB, BAL (at CLE)
44. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL (at CLE)
45. Kenneth Walker, RB, SEA (vs. SF)
46. Mike Evans, WR, TB (vs. CIN)
47. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX (vs. DAL)
48. Jamaal Williams, RB, DET (at NYJ)
49. D.J. Moore, WR, CAR (vs. PIT) [INJURED]
50. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, WAS (vs. NYG)
51. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (at SEA)
52. Christian Watson, WR, GB (vs. LAR)
53. James Conner, RB, ARI (at DEN)
54. Zay Jones, WR, JAX (vs. DAL)
55. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL (at JAX)
56. George Kittle, TE, SF (at SEA)
57. Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT (at CAR)
58. Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE (at LV)
59. Marquise Brown, WR, ARI (at DEN)
60. Zonovan Knight, RB, NYJ (vs. DET)
61. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, KC (at HOU)
62. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN (vs. IND)
63. Gabriel Davis, WR, BUF (vs. MIA)
64. Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS (vs. NYG)
65. Cam Akers, RB, LAR (at GB)
66. Allen Lazard, WR, GB (vs. LAR)
67. Dalton Schultz, TE, DAL (at JAX)
68. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, CLE (vs. BAL)
69. D'Andre Swift, RB, DET (at NYJ)
70. Jerick McKinnon, RB, KC (at HOU)
71. George Pickens, WR, PIT (at CAR)
72. Darren Waller, TE, LV (vs. NE) [INJURED]
73. Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA (at BUF)
74. David Njoku, TE, CLE (vs. BAL)
75. Rachaad White, RB, TB (vs. CIN)
76. Drake London, WR, ATL (at NO)
77. AJ Dillon, RB, GB (vs. LAR)
78. Parris Campbell, WR, IND (at MIN)
79. Latavius Murray, RB, DEN (vs. ARI)
80. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, ATL (at NO)
81. Adam Thielen, WR, MIN (vs. IND)
82. Curtis Samuel, WR, WAS (vs. NYG)
83. Leonard Fournette, RB, TB (vs. CIN)
84. D'Onta Foreman, RB, CAR (vs. PIT) [INJURED]
85. Alec Pierce, WR, IND (at MIN)
86. James Cook, RB, BUF (vs. MIA)
87. Gerald Everett, TE, LAC (vs. TEN)
88. Damien Harris, RB, NE (at LV) [INJURED]
89. Chris Moore, WR, HOU (vs. KC)
90. Gus Edwards, RB, BAL (at CLE)
91. Treylon Burks, WR, TEN (at LAC) [INJURED]
92. Samaje Perine, RB, CIN (at TB)
93. Michael Gallup, WR, DAL (at JAX)
94. Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT (at CAR)
95. DJ Chark, WR, DET (at NYJ)
96. Devin Singletary, RB, BUF (vs. MIA)
97. Jarvis Landry, WR, NO (vs. ATL)
98. Rex Burkhead, RB, HOU (vs. KC)
99. Darius Slayton, WR, NYG (at WAS)
100. Travis Homer, RB, SEA (vs. SF)
Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter at @IDPSharks.