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Biggest Sleepers at Every Position for Week 15 Fantasy Football 2025
For many fantasy football managers, it's playoff time. If you didn't clinch a first-round bye, you're back in the free-agent pool looking for sleeper options to extend your season.
Before locking in your lineups, consider a few players in a matchup between the Washington Commanders and New York Giants. These teams have fallen out of playoff contention, but both clubs' struggling defenses could allow for a fantasy scoring frenzy.
Even in the fantasy playoffs, you may be able to rely on a rookie quarterback, especially if he's coming off his best outing. Also, a first-year wideout has made enough strides to earn consideration for a WR2 or flex spot.
You'll see two sleepers who made our Week 13 list, one of whom has the same favorable matchup from two weeks ago. If something worked once, it could pay playoff dividends.
Lastly, managers with an ailing star running back should add an insurance policy for Monday night's game.
Check out our biggest sleeper options who are available in more than 50 percent of leagues, according to FantasyPros' roster consensus percentages. We also listed DraftKings' daily fantasy sports price for each player.
QB J.J. McCarthy at Dallas Cowboys (27 Percent Rostered)
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Coming off his turnover-free, three-touchdown performance, J.J. McCarthy could finish in the top 10 in scoring at his position in consecutive weeks. He faces the Dallas Cowboys, who are the best possible matchup for quarterbacks, giving up the most fantasy points to signal-callers.
With or without wideout CeeDee Lamb, who's in concussion protocol, the Cowboys can rack up points, which may force the Vikings into an aggressive offensive approach to keep pace. Dallas averaged 34.7 points without the four-time Pro Bowler between Weeks 4 and 6.
If Lamb plays, McCarthy will need to get the ball to wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to stay competitive. He's in a favorable spot considering the likely game script, coupled with the Cowboys' 32nd-ranked pass defense.
QB Marcus Mariota at New York Giants (11 Percent Rostered)
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The Washington Commanders ruled out Jayden Daniels for Week 15, so Marcus Mariota will make his seventh start of the season.
Thus far, the 32-year-old has been solid in backup duty, throwing for 1,389 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 62.9 percent completion rate. He also has 255 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
In Week 13, Mariota threw for 294 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 55 yards against the Denver Broncos' fourth-ranked scoring defense. Yes, that game went into overtime, but the 11th-year veteran showed he has plenty left in the tank in a matchup with one of the league's stingiest defenses.
This week, Mariota will face a weaker defense than the Broncos' unit. The New York Giants rank 24th in pass defense, and they're giving up 5.8 yards per carry, the most in the league. Big Blue also allows the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Tight end Zach Ertz will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, though Mariota will have his top receivers, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, active for this game.
In a contest with two of the five worst-scoring defenses, Mariota could post QB1 numbers in a high-scoring battle.
RB Devin Singletary vs. Washington Commanders (33 Percent Rostered)
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Devin Singletary is part of a two-man backfield with Tyrone Tracy Jr.
In the New York Giants' last three games, Tracy logged 57 touches compared to 46 for Singletary. Still, the latter enters the upcoming contest in a secure role on the ground.
Since Week 11, Singletary is averaging 14 carries per outing. In a matchup with the Washington Commanders, who give up the fourth-most rushing yards and fifth-most fantasy points to running backs, he's a solid RB2 option.
Between Weeks 11 and 13, the 28-year-old scored three touchdowns, and he finished as a top 14 running back in fantasy scoring for two of those weeks.
In Big Blue's previous outing, the seventh-year veteran averaged 5.7 yards per rush attempt against the New England Patriots' third-ranked run defense, finishing as RB7 in point-per-reception leagues.
Singletary could help you get through the playoffs if you need assistance at running back or in the flex spot.
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RB Jaylen Wright at Pittsburgh Steelers (5 Percent Rostered)
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Keep an eye on the Miami Dolphins' injury report. De'Von Achane exited the team's previous outing because of a rib injury and didn't return in a lopsided game.
Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that the 24-year-old workhorse running back is "highly motivated" to suit up for Week 15. That said, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson noted the Dolphins' lead ball-carrier had an MRI.
As a fill-in for Achane, Jaylen Wright took advantage of his opportunities, logging 24 carries for 107 rushing yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets.
If Achane is limited or sits out, the second-year tailback could be in line for another heavy workload.
Over the last four weeks, the Dolphins have averaged a jaw-dropping 192 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed 466 rushing yards in their last two outings.
If you have Achane on your roster, Wright is a must-add insurance policy. Fantasy managers who will have a flex spot open for Monday should add him with the possibility he splits the rushing workload in a run-heavy offense.
WR Jayden Higgins vs. Arizona Cardinals (43 Percent Rostered)
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The Houston Texans' 20th-ranked scoring offense isn't a fantasy-rich unit, but Jayden Higgins is coming along in the passing game. He's caught at least three passes in five consecutive outings, averaging 46.8 receiving yards in that span.
This week, the 22-year-old could crack the top 20 among receivers in fantasy scoring for the first time in his rookie season. The Cardinals' 20th-ranked pass defense has given up an average of 234 yards over the last three weeks.
Despite his gradual development, Higgins is tied with lead wide receiver Nico Collins for a team-leading four touchdown receptions. If Houston has success moving the ball against Arizona's 26th-ranked scoring defense, he will see opportunities in the red zone.
As the Texans' No. 2 receiver, Higgins can win his one-on-one battles, while Collins garners most of the attention from the Cardinals secondary.
WR Darius Slayton vs. Washington Commanders (28 Percent Rostered)
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Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart raises the floor for the New York Giants' passing attack, which also makes the team's receivers viable sleeper options.
Although Darius Slayton and Dart have missed multiple games because of injuries, they've built a rapport over the last two months.
In Dart's last three starts, Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards. The seventh-year wideout also scored a touchdown in the team's previous outing.
They can build on their momentum in a matchup with the Washington Commanders' 30th-ranked pass defense. The Commanders allow the eighth-most fantasy points to receivers.
With the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys remaining on the Giants' schedule, Slayton is a short- and long-term sleeper option for the fantasy football playoffs.
TE Jonnu Smith vs. Miami Dolphins (32 Percent Rostered)
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Jonnu Smith will face his former team, the Miami Dolphins, who opted to trade the 29-year-old tight end rather than sign him to a new deal.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Smith to an extension, though they haven't seen much return on their investment.
In a crowded tight end room, the 2017 third-rounder has 30 catches for just 190 yards and two touchdowns. With those numbers, he's a risky option, but he could see more targets while fellow tight end Darnell Washington is in concussion protocol.
Smith, 30, could look like the 2024 Pro Bowl version of himself Monday night with more opportunities to showcase his pass-catching skill set. The Dolphins allow the third-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Whether motivated to face his former club or in a position to make more plays in the passing game, Smith should be on your fantasy radar.
TE Isaiah Likely at Cincinnati Bengals (19 Percent Rostered)
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The Baltimore Ravens recently signed Mark Andrews to an extension, though quarterback Lamar Jackson has found ways to keep his No. 2 tight end involved in the passing game.
Over the last two weeks, Isaiah Likely has hauled in nine out of 12 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown (and probably should've had a second score last week).
Two weeks ago, the 25-year-old racked up a season-high 95 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals, who allow the most fantasy points to tight ends. If you inserted Likely into your lineup for Week 13, don't hesitate to rely on him in a fantasy playoff matchup.
Baltimore is in desperation mode to keep its division title hopes alive. The Ravens should be in line for a higher scoring total than they had in their 32-14 loss to Cincinnati in November.
Likely could be a key playmaker in a high-scoring AFC North battle with bottom-seven pass defenses.
Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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