Fantasy Football Week 15 Rankings: Waiver-Wire Targets for Players on Injury List
Week 15 kicked off with the San Francisco 49ers defeating the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. That win made San Francisco the first NFL team to clinch a division title in 2022 and punched the 49ers' ticket to the postseason.
Most season-long fantasy leagues have already turned the page to the postseason, making this week a critical one for managers still alive. No teams are on bye in Week 15, but injuries continue to be a factor.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, for example, suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Monday. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has already been ruled out for the week with a knee injury. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will also not feature.
Here, you'll find the latest injury-related buzz from Friday's reports and a look at the updated point-per-reception (PPR) rankings. You'll also find a look at a few waiver-wire targets to consider for the postseason.
Quarterback
1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
7. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
8. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
9. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Overview
In addition to noting the Murray, Wilson and Jackson absences, we should acknowledge that the New York Jets are turning back to quarterback Zach Wilson because of Mike White's rib injury.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is doubtful after suffering a concussion in Week 14.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was a decent pickup this week, and he finished Thursday night's game with 217 passing yards and two touchdowns. For managers looking ahead, Purdy is rostered in only 20 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Managers in need of a Week 15 fill-in should target Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan. While Ryan hasn't been great this season, throwing a league-high 13 interceptions, he does have a favorable matchup.
The Colts play the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Ryan is rostered in only 13 percent of Yahoo leagues and 7 percent of ESPN leagues.
Running Back
1. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
3. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
5. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
6. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
7. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
9. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
11. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
12. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
13. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
14. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
15. Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs
16. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
18. Zonovan Knight, New York Jets
19. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
20. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Overview
The most notable running back injury is that of Houston Texans rookie Dameon Pierce, who has been ruled out with an ankle problem. Tennessee Titans running back Dontrell Hilliard, who has minimal flex value even in deeper leagues, is also out.
It's worth noting, though, that Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was a limited participant in Thursday and Friday's practice. Jones hasn't missed a game this season and should play, but managers may want to monitor the situation. Since the Packers don't play until Monday, Jones does not yet have any official designation.
Ravens running back Gus Edwards is expected to split time with J.K. Dobbins, but he's still worth a pickup-and-play in Week 15.
With Jackson out, Baltimore is likely to be extra run-oriented against the Cleveland Browns, and that should lead to plenty of opportunities for Edwards. The 27-year-old rushed for 66 yards on 13 carries last week and should have an even more productive day against the Browns.
Cleveland has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. Edwards doesn't provide a lot of PPR value, but he could top 100 rushing yards this week.
It's also worth checking to see if New England Patriots back Damien Harris is available. He could see a lot of work, even while splitting reps with Rhamondre Stevenson, and he's only rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues and 57 percent of ESPN leagues.
Wide Receiver
1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
7. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
10. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
11. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
12. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
13. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
15. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
16. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
17. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
18. Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
19. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
20. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Overview
Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool has been ruled out with a knee injury, while teammate and fellow receiver N'Keal Harry is listed as questionable.
Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown is questionable, while Texans receiver Brandin Cooks is set to miss his third consecutive game with a calf injury.
Courtland Sutton has been ruled out for the Broncos, while Treylon Burks is out for the Titans. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are both questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jets wide receiver Corey Davis did not practice this week and has already been ruled out with a concussion. With his injury, teammate and fellow wideout Elijah Moore becomes a viable waiver target for Week 15.
Moore had a strong outing last week (six catches, 60 yards) and has a great matchup with the Detroit Lions. Detroit has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.
The caveat, of course, is that Wilson's return at quarterback clouds New York's offensive picture. Moore is rostered in only 36 percent of Yahoo leagues and 43 percent of ESPN leagues.
Colts receiver Paris Campbell is worth a look this week against a bad Vikings defense. Minnesota has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, while Campbell is rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues and 38 percent of ESPN league.
Tight End
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
3. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
4. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys
6. Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
7. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
8. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
9. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Overview
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson is questionable with an ankle injury. Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth did not practice late in the week but does not have an injury designation for Sunday.
Hayden Hurst has been ruled out for the Bengals, while Daniel Bellinger is questionable for the New York Giants.
Jets tight end Tyler Conklin should be in store for a fair day against the Lions. He's coming off a five-catch, 28-yard performance and will face one of the more lackluster defenses in the NFL.
Detroit has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Conklin also happens to be available in most formats, as he's rostered in just 30 percent of Yahoo leagues and 40 percent of ESPN leagues.
Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo is also worth a look after racking up 10 catches, 113 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks. The fourth-round rookie out of Maryland has started to carve out a role in Tennessee's offense, and he could maintain it moving forward.
Okonkwo is rostered in only 27 percent of Yahoo leagues and 12 percent of ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy scoring and roster information via FantasyPros. Injury information from NFL.com.