Week 15 Positional Rankings

Rondale Moore

Michael Zingone Posted On December 16, 2021

The fantasy football regular season is OVER! Through 14 grueling weeks of waiver wires, trades, and lineup decisions, we’ve made it to the pinnacle of the fantasy football season: the playoffs. If you’ve earned a bye week in your league playoffs, take a well-deserved week off from lineup decisions! While I do personally have a few teams with bye weeks, I am in far too many leagues to outright ignore lineup decisions this week. Whether it is for playoff advancement or for a coveted extra draft pick in the “toilet bowl”, this week’s lineups are the most important decisions you’ll likely have made thus far. We’re here to make sure you make the right calls.

If you’ve followed this series for each of the last two years, you’ll be familiar with the overall structure. We’ll list the top 32 QBs, 60 RBs, 60 WRs, and 30 TEs each and every week along with some detailed analysis on a few standout plays. This year, I’ve collaborated with DLF’s Peter Howard to give you some additional data and rankings. In each section, you’ll mine my (@FFzinger) rankings along with Peter’s, presented in order of our average ranking. Any QB or TE not ranked in each of our top 30 was given a ranking of 35, and the same is true with RBs/WRs given 65. You’ll also find a Tier associated with each player, which is defined mathematically based on the gaps from one player to the next to define a relative “Tier” within our rankings. Finally, you’ll find a write-up from both Peter and I highlighting a particularly good play for the upcoming week in our rankings.

To generate this list each and every week, Peter and I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics. Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players who perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision.

Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s positional rankings!

Quarterback

Pos	Player	Matchup	@FFZinger	@PaHowdy	Average	Tier
QB	Kyler Murray	@DET	1	2	1.5	1
QB	Patrick Mahomes	@LAC	3	3	3	2
QB	Josh Allen	CAR	2	5	3.5	2
QB	Tom Brady	NO	6	1	3.5	2
QB	Justin Herbert	KC	5	4	4.5	2
QB	Dak Prescott	@NYG	4	8	6	3
QB	Matthew Stafford	SEA	8	7	7.5	3
QB	Aaron Rodgers	@BAL	7	9	8	3
QB	Jalen Hurts	WAS	11	6	8.5	3
QB	Taysom Hill	@TB	10	12	11	4
QB	Tua Tagovailoa	NYJ	13	10	11.5	4
QB	Kirk Cousins	@CHI	9	15	12	4
QB	Lamar Jackson	GB	14	11	12.5	4
QB	Joe Burrow	@DEN	12	13	12.5	4
QB	Jimmy Garoppolo	ATL	16	14	15	5
QB	Russell Wilson	@LAR	15	19	17	6
QB	Justin Fields	MIN	17	17	17	6
QB	Ryan Tannehill	@PIT	20	16	18	6
QB	Derek Carr	@CLE	19	18	18.5	6
QB	Ben Roethlisberger	TEN	18	21	19.5	6
QB	Carson Wentz	NE	21	21	21	6
QB	Taylor Heinicke	@PHI	22	23	22.5	6
QB	Teddy Bridgewater	CIN	25	22	23.5	6
QB	Mac Jones	@IND	24	25	24.5	6
QB	Cam Newton	@BUF	23	27	25	6
QB	Matt Ryan	@SF	26	26	26	6
QB	Trevor Lawrence	HOU	27	28	27.5	6
QB	Jared Goff	ARI	29	30	29.5	7
QB	Baker Mayfield	LV	35	24	29.5	7
QB	Davis Mills	@JAC	28	32	30	7
QB	Zach Wilson	@MIA	30	31	30.5	7
QB	Mike Glennon	DAL	32	29	30.5	7

FFzinger Highlight Player: Kirk Cousins, QB MIN

I had a whole section written up about Taysom Hill, but I’ll leave that to Peter below. Instead, I’ll call out Cousins as an easy top ten option once again in fantasy football this week. The Vikings are a solid 3.5 point favorites against the Bears with an implied team total of 23.75 points. With Dalvin Cook back in the mix and Adam Thielen out of the lineup, Cousins doesn’t quite have the touchdown upside to crack this week’s top five. However, the Bears are one of the most generous teams against opposing quarterbacks – ranking fifth-worst on the season – and Cousins should continue his 2021 season success in the fantasy playoffs. While not necessarily going to win you your week, Cousins is one of the best bets of the week for at least 15 fantasy points.

Pahowdy Highlight Player: Taysom Hill, QB NO

I had to work hard to bring Hill’s projection to something reasonable this week. Being “high” on a player is not a bad thing but projecting Hill over top-five quarterbacks in the playoffs isn’t… ideal. Hill is a rushing yard and touchdown play, I’ll admit, but against Tampa Bay points can often be had as the Buccaneers inflate scoring. The defense has also allowed an above-average completion percentage and “bad throw” percentage per PFR – something that can aid a quarterback who struggles to throw and has a higher interception percentage than most. I have Hill as a top-12 play this week, and unless you’re blessed with a truly locked-in starter, I think he could provide upside this week.

Running Back

Pos	Player	Matchup	@FFZinger	@PaHowdy	Average	Tier
RB	Dalvin Cook	@CHI	1	2	1.5	1
RB	Jonathan Taylor	NE	2	3	2.5	1
RB	Austin Ekeler	KC	4	1	2.5	1
RB	Nick Chubb	LV	3	4	3.5	1
RB	Leonard Fournette	NO	7	6	6.5	2
RB	Najee Harris	TEN	8	5	6.5	2
RB	James Conner	@DET	6	11	8.5	3
RB	Alvin Kamara	@TB	5	14	9.5	3
RB	Elijah Mitchell	ATL	11	8	9.5	3
RB	Cordarrelle Patterson	@SF	12	7	9.5	3
RB	Joe Mixon	@DEN	9	12	10.5	3
RB	Aaron Jones	@BAL	13	10	11.5	3
RB	Saquon Barkley	DAL	14	9	11.5	3
RB	David Montgomery	MIN	10	17	13.5	4
RB	Josh Jacobs	@CLE	17	13	15	4
RB	Sony Michel	SEA	16	16	16	4
RB	Antonio Gibson	@PHI	15	20	17.5	4
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	@NYG	20	15	17.5	4
RB	Javonte Williams	CIN	18	21	19.5	5
RB	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	@LAC	21	19	20	5
RB	Melvin Gordon	CIN	19	22	20.5	5
RB	James Robinson	HOU	23	23	23	6
RB	D’Onta Foreman	@PIT	22	25	23.5	6
RB	Devonta Freeman	GB	24	24	24	6
RB	Myles Gaskin	NYJ	30	18	24	6
RB	A.J. Dillon	@BAL	26	28	27	7
RB	Miles Sanders	WAS	28	26	27	7
RB	Rashaad Penny	@LAR	25	32	28.5	7
RB	Darrel Williams	@LAC	31	31	31	8
RB	Rhamondre Stevenson	@IND	27	36	31.5	8
RB	Chase Edmonds	@DET	29	34	31.5	8
RB	J.D. McKissic	@PHI	33	30	31.5	8
RB	Chuba Hubbard	@BUF	32	33	32.5	8
RB	Michael Carter	@MIA	39	27	33	8
RB	Devin Singletary	CAR	35	37	36	9
RB	Damien Harris	@IND	38	35	36.5	9
RB	Mike Davis	@SF	37	38	37.5	9
RB	Jeremy McNichols	@PIT	42	39	40.5	10
RB	Dontrell Hilliard	@PIT	43	40	41.5	10
RB	D’Ernest Johnson	LV	40	48	44	11
RB	Matt Breida	CAR	44	44	44	11
RB	Devontae Booker	DAL	47	41	44	11
RB	Ty Johnson	@MIA	45	45	45	11
RB	David Johnson	@JAC	65	29	47	11
RB	Brandon Bolden	@IND	55	43	49	11
RB	Jamaal Williams	ARI	34	65	49.5	11
RB	Nyheim Hines	NE	48	51	49.5	11
RB	Kenneth Gainwell	WAS	53	46	49.5	11
RB	Tony Pollard	@NYG	36	65	50.5	11
RB	Royce Freeman	@JAC	41	65	53	12
RB	Samaje Perine	@DEN	57	50	53.5	12
RB	Zack Moss	CAR	65	42	53.5	12
RB	Darrell Henderson	SEA	44	65	54.5	12
RB	Jordan Howard	WAS	46	65	55.5	12
RB	Latavius Murray	GB	51	60	55.5	12
RB	Carlos Hyde	HOU	59	52	55.5	12
RB	Godwin Igwebuike	ARI	65	47	56	12
RB	Ameer Abdullah	@BUF	49	65	57	12
RB	Craig Reynolds	ARI	65	49	57	12
RB	Mark Ingram II	@TB	50	65	57.5	12

FFzinger Highlight Player: Sony Michel, RB LAR

With Darrell Henderson sidelined the last few weeks, Michel has commanded at least 20 touches in back-to-back games. The Rams are currently in a messy situation with COVID-19, and many of their star players are in jeopardy of missing this week’s game against the Seahawks. Michel is currently not on the COVID-19 reserve list, and his team may lean on him substantially given the current situation as well as the juicy matchup. The Seahawks are the second-best matchup for opposing running backs on the season, and another 20 touches will vault Michel into fantasy relevancy once again in week 15. I’d feel a lot more comfortable if Michel was my RB2, but he ranks towards the top half of the RB2s this week. Start him with confidence in a great matchup.

Pahowdy Highlight Player: Myles Gaskin, RB MIA

The New York Jets have allowed less passing expected against them (70%) than Miami typically utilizes (79%). However, adjusted for their opponents’ average, the defense has encouraged above-average passing and rushing, as well as 11 top-12 running back finishes in 2021. Gaskin is vaccinated, so there is a good chance he can return for this game. He has a dual-threat role on the team and is second on the team in EP% to only Jaylen Waddle. I have him ranked as a top-15 running back play this week.

Wide Receiver

Pos	Player	Matchup	@FFZinger	@PaHowdy	Average	Tier
WR	Cooper Kupp	SEA	1	1	1	1
WR	Davante Adams	@BAL	2	2	2	1
WR	Justin Jefferson	@CHI	3	3	3	1
WR	Diontae Johnson	TEN	4	6	5	1
WR	Tyreek Hill	@LAC	6	4	5	1
WR	Deebo Samuel	ATL	5	7	6	2
WR	Chris Godwin	NO	8	5	6.5	2
WR	Stefon Diggs	CAR	7	11	9	3
WR	CeeDee Lamb	@NYG	9	10	9.5	3
WR	Keenan Allen	KC	10	14	12	4
WR	Ja’Marr Chase	@DEN	12	12	12	4
WR	Mike Evans	NO	11	9	10	4
WR	Hunter Renfrow	@CLE	15	8	11.5	4
WR	Tyler Lockett	@LAR	13	19	16	5
WR	Tee Higgins	@DEN	14	17	15.5	5
WR	Jaylen Waddle	NYJ	18	13	15.5	5
WR	Amari Cooper	@NYG	16	20	18	6
WR	D.K. Metcalf	@LAR	27	18	22.5	7
WR	Mike Williams	KC	19	21	20	7
WR	Brandin Cooks	@JAC	17	26	21.5	7
WR	Marquise Brown	GB	20	23	21.5	7
WR	D.J. Moore	@BUF	21	16	18.5	7
WR	Michael Pittman	NE	22	24	23	8
WR	Terry McLaurin	@PHI	24	25	24.5	8
WR	Brandon Aiyuk	ATL	23	27	25	8
WR	Darnell Mooney	MIN	26	28	27	9
WR	Van Jefferson	SEA	28	22	25	9
WR	Chase Claypool	TEN	25	30	27.5	10
WR	Russell Gage	@SF	29	38	33.5	11
WR	DeVante Parker	NYJ	32	31	31.5	11
WR	Michael Gallup	@NYG	30	37	33.5	12
WR	DeVonta Smith	WAS	31	34	32.5	6
WR	Christian Kirk	@DET	36	33	34.5	7
WR	A.J. Green	@DET	33	48	40.5	8
WR	Julio Jones	@PIT	34	36	35	8
WR	Jerry Jeudy	CIN	35	35	35	8
WR	Amon-Ra St. Brown	ARI	37	43	40	9
WR	Cole Beasley	CAR	42	46	44	10
WR	Marvin Jones	HOU	38	32	35	10
WR	Jamison Crowder	@MIA	39	40	39.5	11
WR	K.J. Osborn	@CHI	40	39	39.5	11
WR	Kendrick Bourne	@IND	41	42	41.5	12
WR	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	@BAL	47	52	49.5	13
WR	Tyler Boyd	@DEN	43	49	46	13
WR	Donovan Peoples-Jones	LV	46	29	37.5	13
WR	Jakobi Meyers	@IND	45	45	45	14
WR	Odell Beckham Jr.	SEA	44	65	54.5	8
WR	Sterling Shepard	DAL	48	44	46	8
WR	Gabriel Davis	CAR	49	56	52.5	9
WR	Courtland Sutton	CIN	51	51	51	9
WR	Josh Reynolds	ARI	52	41	46.5	9
WR	Rashod Bateman	GB	50	65	57.5	10
WR	Allen Robinson	MIN	53	50	51.5	10
WR	Tim Patrick	CIN	56	53	54.5	11
WR	Kenny Golladay	DAL	54	65	59.5	12
WR	Robby Anderson	@BUF	55	47	51	12
WR	Tre’Quan Smith	@TB	58	65	61.5	13
WR	Allen Lazard	@BAL	65	57	61	13
WR	Laviska Shenault Jr.	HOU	57	60	58.5	13
WR	Marquez Callaway	@TB	59	54	56.5	13

FFzinger Highlight Player: Darnell Mooney, WR CHI

Look, I know it could be really hard to trust Mooney in the fantasy playoffs coming off of two consecutive games under 30 yards. The peripheral numbers continue to be there though. He has just one game all season with fewer than five targets, and his air yard share over the last two games (his mediocre performances) has still been a solid 25%. He and Justin Fields will connect at some point, and it’s teed up to happen in week 15. The Bears play the Vikings, who rank dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers, and are expected to score a decent 20.25 points on the day as 3.5 point underdogs. Given his recent play, it’s hard for me to rank Mooney as anything higher than a high-end WR3, but don’t forget about his weeks 11 and 12 performances where he topped 100 yards in both games. The upside to finish much higher than WR26 is in the cards this week.

Pahowdy Highlight Player: Rondale Moore, WR ARI

I may not believe in vacated targets, but I do believe that Moore had a (slightly) higher expected points percentage than Christian Kirk, and a team without DeAndre Hopkins presents a higher chance for opportunity than one with him. Hopkins may still be available for this game, but even then, Moore has averaged five targets a game ever the last five weeks and is currently underperforming in touchdowns (501 yards per touchdown as opposed to a 170 position average). Yes, he has the aDot of a running back but not even that’s a terrible thing against a defense that has allowed nine top-12 weeks to the position. It’s a desperation play, as I have him ranked as a top-40 wide receiver, but I think he has potential upside as a WR3 against the Lions.

Tight End

Pos	Player	Matchup	@FFZinger	@PaHowdy	Average	Tier
TE	George Kittle	ATL	1	1	1	1
TE	Travis Kelce	@LAC	3	2	2.5	2
TE	Mark Andrews	GB	2	4	3	2
TE	Rob Gronkowski	NO	5	3	4	3
TE	Dawson Knox	CAR	4	6	5	3
TE	T.J. Hockenson	ARI	6	7	6.5	4
TE	Kyle Pitts	@SF	10	5	7.5	4
TE	Dallas Goedert	WAS	8	9	8.5	4
TE	Zach Ertz	@DET	9	8	8.5	4
TE	Dalton Schultz	@NYG	7	12	9.5	4
TE	Mike Gesicki	NYJ	11	10	10.5	4
TE	Pat Freiermuth	TEN	12	11	11.5	4
TE	Noah Fant	CIN	13	13	13	5
TE	Tyler Conklin	@CHI	15	14	14.5	5
TE	Tyler Higbee	SEA	16	16	16	5
TE	Hunter Henry	@IND	17	15	16	5
TE	Jared Cook	KC	18	18	18	6
TE	Ricky Seals-Jones	@PHI	14	24	19	6
TE	Cole Kmet	MIN	20	19	19.5	6
TE	C.J. Uzomah	@DEN	19	22	20.5	6
TE	Gerald Everett	@LAR	21	20	20.5	6
TE	Foster Moreau	@CLE	24	17	20.5	6
TE	Evan Engram	DAL	22	23	22.5	7
TE	Brevin Jordan	@JAC	26	21	23.5	7
TE	Albert Okwuegbunam	CIN	23	25	24	7
TE	James O’Shaughnessy	HOU	25	28	26.5	7
TE	David Njoku	LV	35	26	30.5	8
TE	Donald Parham Jr.	KC	27	35	31	8
TE	Jack Doyle	NE	35	27	31	8
TE	Nick Vannett	@TB	28	35	31.5	8

FFzinger Highlight Player: Dalton Schultz, TE DAL

Ideally, we’re getting a piece of the high-scoring Dallas Cowboys offense with this play. Schultz has been hit-or-miss this season. In fact, he has yet to have a game between 20 and 40 yards on the season. He has nine games above 40 yards and has four games below 20 yards. With the Cowboys expected to be the fourth-highest scoring team this week with an implied team total of 27.75 points combined with the fact that the Giants have allowed sixth-most targets to the tight end position on the year (including eight to Schultz in week five), it’s both a good environment and good matchup for Schultz to thrive. Expect a solid TE1 performance with a good chance to find the end zone for one of 2021’s breakout tight ends.

Pahowdy Highlight Player: Ricky Seals-Jones, TE WAS

Desperate play at the tight end position? I got you. The Eagles have allowed 11 top-12 weeks to the tight end position and have elevated the passing volume of their opponents this year. Seals-Jones has missed some weeks this year but immediately returned to a 12% target share in week 14, and could easily catch a top-12 week with a touchdown against this defense.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! If you’re wondering about a player we didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me or Peter Howard @PaHowdy on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and we’ll be back next week with more positional rankings.