Fantasy Football Week 15 Cheat Sheet: Waiver-Wire Rankings and Flex Projections

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a shock to their system when quarterback Andy Dalton suffered a fractured thumb on his passing hand against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.

A broken thumb suffered this late in the season to one of the most effective quarterbacks in the game could be disastrous, but head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters that Dalton is not "necessarily done for the season."

Dalton will not play this week against the San Francisco 49ers. AJ McCarron replaced Dalton in the Bengals' 33-20 Week 14 loss at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be in the lineup against the Niners in Week 15.

Fantasy players who are looking for a waiver-wire pickup at quarterback should give McCarron quite a bit of consideration. 

McCarron played respectably against the aggressive Pittsburgh defense by completing 22 of 32 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

While the Steelers have some holes in their defense, McCarron came though when the Steelers had built up a sizable lead and were able to pin back their ears and come after the quarterback. It was not comfortable for McCarron, but he didn't get rattled, despite the duress.

McCarron should find life much easier against the 49ers this week. Their once-formidable defense has lost its bite, as they rank 29th in yards allowed and 26th against the pass.

Additionally, McCarron is working with a first-rate crew of receivers in A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert. The high-scoring tight end (12 TDs) did not play against the Steelers because of a concussion, but a return this week should help McCarron considerably.

Position	Player	Team	Opponent
QB	A.J. McCarron	Cincinnati	San Francisco
QB	Ryan Fitzpatrick	N.Y. Jets	Dallas
QB	Blake Bortles	Jacksonville	Atlanta
RB	Denard Robinson	Jacksonville	Atlanta
RB	Bilal Powell	N.Y. Jets	Dallas
RB	Tim Hightower	New Orleans	Detroit
WR	Tyler Lockett	Seattle	Cleveland
WR	Markus Wheaton	Pittsburgh	Denver
WR	Julian Edelman	New England	Tennessee
TE	Zach Miller	Chicago	Minnesota
TE	Will Tye	N.Y. Giants	Carolina

RB Denard Robinson, Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars are flying high after pounding the Colts in Week 14, 51-16.

Blake Bortles has been a true find for head coach Gus Bradley and fantasy players, as he has developed a tremendous rapport with wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns (20 receiving touchdowns).

But it's not just the passing attack that has taken opponents by surprise. The Jaguars have gotten consistent productivity on the ground from rookie running back T.J. Yeldon.

However, Yeldon is unlikely to play this week against the Atlanta Falcons because of a sprained knee. Even if Yeldon can play, look for Denard Robinson to get the lion's share of the carries.

Robinson has carried 42 times for 196 yards this season and has scored one touchdown. Robinson is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and can be difficult to bring down, even though he is not a thick-bodied running back. 

Robinson should have a wonderful opportunity to put big yards on the board against the pitiful Falcons, who have fallen apart with six losses in a row and seven in the last eight games.

When the Falcons were winning in the first half of the season, their run defense was putting up big numbers. However, they have slipped to 15th in the league against the run. Atlanta's defense has more than enough speed, but the Falcons lack size and strength and can be pushed around.

Look for the Falcons to wear down as the game progresses and for Robinson to benefit. Make him your waiver-wire pickup at running back.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Wide receiver Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have been a huge story over the last month in the NFL. After an indifferent first half of the season, the Seahawks have reeled off four straight wins and may prove to be the most dangerous team in the NFC down the stretch.

The Seahawks have been riding the red-hot right arm of Russell Wilson, who has thrown 15 touchdowns without an interception over the winning streak.

His receivers have been lighting it up, and while veteran Doug Baldwin has made a ton of big plays, the most important of the wide receivers may be rookie Tyler Lockett.

Lockett is an explosive speedster who started the season scoring on long punt and kickoff returns. Pete Carroll has given Lockett a chance to be a key contributor on offense, and he has caught 41 of the 50 passes that Wilson has thrown his way.

Lockett has 540 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Seahawks are hosting the Cleveland Browns and their 25th-ranked defense, and Lockett should have an opportunity for another impressive game.

Lockett needs to be the waiver-wire wide receiver pickup in your fantasy lineup.

Ranking	Position	Player, Team	Projection
1	QB	Russell Wilson, Seattle	310 yards, four TDs
2	QB	Cam Newton, Carolina	255 yards, two TD; 55 rushing yards, one TD
3	QB	Tom Brady, New England	300 yards, three TDs
4	QB	Carson Palmer, Arizona	290 yards three TDs
5	QB	Derek Carr, Oakland	275 yards, three TDs
1	RB	Adrian Peterson, Minnesota	135 yards, two TDs
2	RB	LeSean McCoy, Buffalo	100 yards, one TD; 40 receiving yards
3	RB	Doug Martin, Tampa Bay	95 yards, one TD
4	RB	David Johnson, Arizona	85 yards, one TD
5	RB	Frank Gore, Indianapolis	80 yards, one TD
1	WR	DeAndre Hopkins, Houston	145 yards, two TDs
2	WR	Odell Beckham Jr., N.Y. Giants	120 yards, one TD
3	WR	Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh	115 yards, one TD
4	WR	Allen Robinson, Jacksonville	105 yards, one TD
5	WR	A.J. Green, Cincinnati	100 yards
1	TE	Rob Gronkowski, New England	115 yards, two TDs
2	TE	Jordan Reed, Washington	100 yards, one TD
3	TE	Greg Olsen, Carolina	90 yards, one TD
4	TE	Julius Thomas, Jacksonville	85 yards, one TD
5	TE	Antonio Gates, San Diego	75 yards, one TD