Fantasy Football Week 15: Rankings, Stat Projections and Top Waiver-Wire Adds

For those fantasy leagues still playing in Week 15, the significance of fielding the right lineup is heightened exponentially as playoffs loom.

The right call at quarterback, running back, or wide receiver can prove the difference in a crushing defeat that costs fantasy managers a chance at their league titles while a win can propel others into contention for a title they may not have been able to sniff a few weeks earlier.

Equally as important as fielding the right lineup is delving into the waiver wire and finding a player or two that can bolster one's lineup, if even for a short time.

Dive into this preview of the upcoming slate and find out who should be on your roster for the greatest chance of victory.

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Week 15 features the first slate of Saturday games, so be sure to check your lineups for those who are inactive before the 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

Week 15 Schedule

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 3: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs off the field after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Thursday, December 14

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime)

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Saturday, December 16

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m., NFL Network)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts (4:30 p.m., NFL Network)

Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions (8:15 p.m., NFL Network)

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Sunday, December 17

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m., Fox)

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (1:00 p.m., Fox)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers (1:00 p.m., CBS)

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m., CBS)

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints (1:00 p.m., Fox)

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m., CBS)

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (1:00 p.m., Fox)

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m., CBS)

Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Rams (4:05 p.m., CBS)

Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills (4:25 p.m., Fox)

Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars (8:20 p.m., NBC)

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Monday, December 18

Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks (8:15 p.m., ABC and ESPN)

FLEX Rankings and Stat Projections

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: San Francisco 49ers Running Back Christian McCaffrey (23) looks on after the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles on December 03, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Flex rankings for the Week 15 slate are:

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (100 yds, TD, 3 rec., 45 yds, TD)
2. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (8 rec., 110 yds, TD)
3. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Commanders (115 yds, 2 TDs, 2 rec., 20 yds)
4. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills (10 rec., 115 yds, TD)
5. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings (75 yds, TD, 6 rec., 50 yds)
6. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (8 rec., 100 yds, TD)
7. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans (100 yds, TD, 4 rec., 35 yds)
8. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens (80 yds, TD, 6 rec., 45 yds)
9. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Commanders (9 rec, 115 yds, TD, 3 rush., 40 yds)
10. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (8 rec., 85 yds, TD)
11. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (60 yds, 5 rec., 15 yds, TD)
12. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants (60 yds, TD, 6 rec., 50 yds)
13. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (8 rec., 100 yds)
14. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos (8 rec., 85 yds)
15. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Commanders (8 rec., 75 yds)

Waiver Pickup: Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 10: Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Isaiah Likely is not going to tally Mark Andrews-level numbers but he is a YAC (yards after catch) player, who is faster than his teammate and can stretch defenses in ways that the Pro Bowler has not.

Look no further than his 54-yard touchdown against the Rams in Week 14.

Likely ended the game against the Rams with five catches for 83 yards and the aforementioned score.

If Lamar Jackson can find time, there will be opportunities to exploit a Jacksonville Jaguars defense giving up the tenth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends with 10.6 per game. The AFC South-leading Jags give up the sixth-most receiving yards with 760, per Stat Muse.

The Ravens are a run-heavy offense but Jackson dropped back 43 times against Los Angeles and if that trend continues, Likely could be a big part of the game plan.

If you are a fantasy manager in need of a tight end due to injury or underperformance, consider Likely, who has averaged 10 yards per catch in three of his last five games.

Likely is available in 51 percent of Yahoo and 40 percent of ESPN leagues.

Waiver Pickup: Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 10: Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

When Cincinnati Bengals starter Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending torn ligament in his wrist, there was every reason to believe the team's season was essentially over.

Not so fast, as it turns out.

Jake Browning has stepped in and played very well, scoring five touchdowns with just two interceptions and a passer rating of 110.9 on the season. He is not just filling in admirably for Burrow but is doing his part to help the Bengals win and stay in the playoff hunt.

Against the Colts in Week 14, he completed 18 of 24 passes for 275 yards, an average of 11.5 yards per throw.

It certainly helps that Browning has Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon at his disposal, but a lesser player would not be able to capitalize on that set of skill players. He has done everything asked of him and looks like a guy who could end up competing in a playoff game if he can continue to hold steady.

For fantasy managers in leagues that allow streaming, Browning is worth a pickup.

For managers who are not, but need improved play at the position or are dealing with an injured starter, taking a flier on Browning may be the difference between cashing your ticket to the playoffs or listening to your friends brag about their win for the next six months.

Browning is available is 26 percent of Yahoo and 28 percent of ESPN leagues.