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Week 15 Flex Rankings for Fantasy Football

The fantasy playoffs are here, and all 32 NFL teams will be in action for the first time since Week 5! That means our rosters should be filled to the brim with reliable Flex options for the week ahead, right? Why else would I include a whopping 300 players in my Week 15 Flex rankings? Well, as Chris Rock once stated, “You can drive a car with your feet if you want to. That doesn’t make it a good (expletive deleted) idea!” By that, I mean that just because I listed a player below, does not mean that player is an option I’m excited about or one you should go out of your way to start this week. I just wanted to provide as many options as possible. Many of these players may not even play this weekend. Also, don’t drive with your feet.

On top of the litany of injuries that normally run roughshod through the NFL this time of year, we are also seeing an increasing number of players being placed in the NFL’s Covid-19 protocols. There have been nearly 100 positive cases among NFL players since Sunday. The vast majority are asymptomatic or dealing with minor symptoms, which is good news. Unfortunately, we as fantasy managers still have to deal with the fallout of these positive cases. Of course, not all are skill position players, but there are certainly enough to make an impact as we prepare for the first week of the fantasy football playoffs. Here are some quick news and notes along with this week’s rankings.


More fantasy football fun for Week 15: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers


Running Back Notes

James Conner enters Week 15 sixth among running backs in fantasy points and has emerged as Cordarrelle Patterson’s primary competitor for 2021 fantasy MVP. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in seven straight games and has been the overall RB2 since Chase Edmonds went down with an ankle injury. But Conner suffered an ankle injury of his own on the final play of Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Conner is considered day-to-day with the injury and is currently questionable for Sunday. Meanwhile, Edmonds is on track to return this week. The situation with Conner is one to monitor in the coming days. For now, I have Conner as a high-end RB2 and Edmonds as a low-end RB3. The matchup is certainly favorable against a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed 22 total touchdowns to opposing running backs this season.

Rams running back Darrell Henderson was reportedly due to return from a recent quad injury last week before being placed on the reserve/Covid list. The late-week development allowed Sony Michel to enjoy another 20-plus touch performance. Because the Rams did not place Henderson on the reserve list until Saturday, his status for Week 15 is still in question. In many cases, a player must be out for 10 days. If that is the case with Henderson, he would miss this week’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Because of that, I currently ranked Henderson well outside the range for starting a running back, even as a Flex option. Michel remains a volume-driven RB2 if Henderson cannot return to action this week. The Seahawks have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the running back position this season.

Next up on the NFC West edition of “Running Back Notes” is San Francisco’s Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell missed last week’s game due to a concussion. He is also dealing with a knee injury, and of course, broke his finger several weeks ago. Mitchell has not practiced yet this week, but I am optimistic that he can return for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. I ranked him as a low-end RB2, but he will likely end up a few spots higher if he can go this week. Jeff Wilson has disappointed from a fantasy perspective when allowed to be the 49ers’ lead back. Wilson was the overall RB36 a week ago after posting an RB31 finish in Week 11. Even if Mitchell sits another week, I would be hard-pressed to recommend Wilson as a Flex option in Week 15.

The Miami Dolphins currently have their top three running backs on the reserve/Covid list. We do not yet know the statuses of Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, or Phillip Lindsay for Week 15. There are several permutations as to how Miami’s backfield could look on Sunday. With a matchup against the New York Jets and their abysmal defense, almost any warm body in line for double-digit touches could become a viable Flex option. With that in mind, I have listed no less than a half dozen Dolphins running backs among this week’s rankings. We should have some clarity in the coming days as to which players will be available for Miami. That means that at least a couple out of the six will be removed from contention by Sunday. Keep that in mind when making roster decisions over the next 72 hours or so.

Wide Receiver Notes

Adam Thielen missed last Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an ankle injury. In his absence, Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn finished as top-15 fantasy wideouts. Of course, Jefferson’s results are more trustworthy than Osborn’s, and more projectable going forward. But as I mentioned last week, Osborn has produced when given the opportunity this season. The Vikings have not made any definitive announcement regarding Thielen’s Week 15 status, so I did include him in this week’s rankings. However, I am not expecting him to suit up against the Chicago Bears. If that is the case, I will probably bump Osborn up to low-WR3 territory as I did last week. No team has allowed more touchdown receptions to wide receivers than the Bears have this season.

Emmanuel Sanders suffered a knee sprain in Buffalo’s Week 14 loss in Tampa Bay. With Sanders sidelined, Gabriel Davis stepped up to a more prominent position in the Bills’ passing attack. Davis ran a route on a season-high 80.6 percent of Josh Allen’s dropbacks. As a result, Davis posted season-bests in targets (8) and receptions (5). Sanders is expected to miss this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. That means Davis is a serviceable Week 15 Flex option. He also should have a favorable individual matchup. Carolina is likely to use star cornerback Stephon Gilmore to shadow Stefon Diggs. That would leave Davis matched up against C.J. Henderson on a majority of pass plays. Henderson’s 45.2 Pro Football Focus coverage grade is fifth-worst among 120 qualified cornerbacks. Gilmore’s 90.0 grade would be the best in the league, but he has yet to play enough snaps to qualify.

Cleveland has placed top wideout Jarvis Landry on their reserve/Covid list on Tuesday. It is a tough break, especially with the Browns playing a game on Saturday this week. The short turnaround makes it unlikely that Landry will play against the Las Vegas Raiders. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins are the players most likely to benefit from Landry’s likely absence, with DPJ being a decent Flex option. Former Brown Odell Beckham has also been placed on the reserve/Covid list by the Los Angeles Rams. If he misses this week’s game, it would have less of an impact because the Rams have a rather rigid hierarchy in their passing game. Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson are already must-starts, regardless of OBJ’s involvement. Ben Skowronek could be a desperation option in deep leagues, but hopefully, you have more reliable reinforcements on your roster.

Tight End Notes

For the first time in what seems like forever, Travis Kelce is not my top-ranked tight end for the week. That distinction goes to George Kittle of the 49ers. Kittle has been an absolute monster over the last two weeks. During that stretch, he has 22 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns. For reference, Kelce has 24 catches for 315 yards and two total touchdowns over his last five contests. Time will tell if Kittle can keep up this level of production in the coming weeks, but fantasy managers who remained patient and held onto Kittle when he missed a month earlier in the season with a calf injury should continue to reap the rewards. Kelce is still an elite option going forward and can break out of his mini-slump at any time in a big way.

T.J. Hockenson is currently my TE12 for Week 15. But as is the case with many star players this week, his status for this week is in doubt. Hockenson missed last week’s game with a hand injury and has yet to practice this week. Reports suggest that Hockenson may be forced to miss another week with the ailment. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of inspiring tight ends still sitting on the wire for managers to scoop up if Hockenson cannot play. Pat Freiermuth is still somehow available in 21 percent of leagues. After that, it thins out pretty quickly. The most readily available tight end who could be a solid streamer this week for me is Ricky Seals-Jones of the Washington Football Team. RSJ gets the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season than the Eagles.

More Week 15 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex

Week 15 Flex Rankings

#PLAYER (TEAM)MATCHUPPOS
1Cooper Kupp (LAR)vs. SEAWR1
2Jonathan Taylor (IND)vs. NERB1
3Dalvin Cook (MIN)at CHIRB2
4Davante Adams (GB)at BALWR2
5Justin Jefferson (MIN)at CHIWR3
6Tyreek Hill (KC)at LACWR4
7Leonard Fournette (TB)vs. NORB3
8Nick Chubb (CLE)vs. LVRB4
9Austin Ekeler (LAC)vs. KCRB5
10Najee Harris (PIT)vs. TENRB6
11Alvin Kamara (NO)at TBRB7
12Chris Godwin (TB)vs. NOWR5
13Josh Jacobs (LV)at CLERB8
14Diontae Johnson (PIT)vs. TENWR6
15Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL)at SFRB9
16Joe Mixon (CIN)at DENRB10
17Ja'Marr Chase (CIN)at DENWR7
18Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)at NYGRB11
19Stefon Diggs (BUF)vs. CARWR8
20George Kittle (SF)vs. ATLTE1
21James Robinson (JAC)vs. HOURB12
22Deebo Samuel (SF)vs. ATLWR9
23Antonio Gibson (WAS)at PHIRB13
24David Montgomery (CHI)vs. MINRB14
25James Conner (ARI)at DETRB15
26CeeDee Lamb (DAL)at NYGWR10
27Tyler Lockett (SEA)at LARWR11
28Hunter Renfrow (LV)at CLEWR12
29Travis Kelce (KC)at LACTE2
30Sony Michel (LAR)vs. SEARB16
31Saquon Barkley (NYG)vs. DALRB17
32D.K. Metcalf (SEA)at LARWR13
33Mike Evans (TB)vs. NOWR14
34Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)at LACRB18
35D.J. Moore (CAR)at BUFWR15
36Javonte Williams (DEN)vs. CINRB19
37Jaylen Waddle (MIA)vs. NYJWR16
38Tee Higgins (CIN)at DENWR17
39Devonta Freeman (BAL)vs. GBRB20
40Rob Gronkowski (TB)vs. NOTE3
41Brandin Cooks (HOU)at JACWR18
42Aaron Jones (GB)at BALRB21
43Melvin Gordon III (DEN)vs. CINRB22
44Mike Williams (LAC)vs. KCWR19
45Amari Cooper (DAL)at NYGWR20
46Keenan Allen (LAC)vs. KCWR21
47Van Jefferson (LAR)vs. SEAWR22
48Christian Kirk (ARI)at DETWR23
49Michael Pittman Jr. (IND)vs. NEWR24
50Elijah Mitchell (SF)vs. ATLRB23
51Mark Andrews (BAL)vs. GBTE4
52Chase Claypool (PIT)vs. TENWR25
53Marquise Brown (BAL)vs. GBWR26
54Brandon Aiyuk (SF)vs. ATLWR27
55Terry McLaurin (WAS)at PHIWR28
56Miles Sanders (PHI)vs. WASRB24
57AJ Dillon (GB)at BALRB25
58DeVante Parker (MIA)vs. NYJWR29
59A.J. Green (ARI)at DETWR30
60Michael Gallup (DAL)at NYGWR31
61David Johnson (HOU)at JACRB26
62D'Onta Foreman (TEN)at PITRB27
63Darnell Mooney (CHI)vs. MINWR32
64Rhamondre Stevenson (NE)at INDRB28
65Marvin Jones Jr. (JAC)vs. HOUWR33
66Dallas Goedert (PHI)vs. WASTE5
67Devin Singletary (BUF)vs. CARRB29
68DeVonta Smith (PHI)vs. WASWR34
69Jerry Jeudy (DEN)vs. CINWR35
70Zach Ertz (ARI)at DETTE6
71Julio Jones (TEN)at PITWR36
72Gabriel Davis (BUF)vs. CARWR37
73Cole Beasley (BUF)vs. CARWR38
74Chuba Hubbard (CAR)at BUFRB30
75Kyle Pitts (ATL)at SFTE7
76Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE)vs. LVWR39
77Dawson Knox (BUF)vs. CARTE8
78Rashaad Penny (SEA)at LARRB31
79Russell Gage (ATL)at SFWR40
80Tyler Boyd (CIN)at DENWR41
81Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)vs. ARIWR42
82Mike Gesicki (MIA)vs. NYJTE9
83Jakobi Meyers (NE)at INDWR43
84K.J. Osborn (MIN)at CHIWR44
85Rondale Moore (ARI)at DETWR45
86Darrel Williams (KC)at LACRB32
87Myles Gaskin (MIA)vs. NYJRB33
88Chase Edmonds (ARI)at DETRB34
89Laviska Shenault Jr. (JAC)vs. HOUWR46
90Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB)at BALWR47
91Jamison Crowder (NYJ)at MIAWR48
92Sterling Shepard (NYG)vs. DALWR49
93Dalton Schultz (DAL)at NYGTE10
94Michael Carter (NYJ)at MIARB35
95D'Andre Swift (DET)vs. ARIRB36
96Tyler Higbee (LAR)vs. SEATE11
97Kenny Golladay (NYG)vs. DALWR50
98Damien Harris (NE)at INDRB37
99Courtland Sutton (DEN)vs. CINWR51
100Kendrick Bourne (NE)at INDWR52
101Mike Davis (ATL)at SFRB38
102Tim Patrick (DEN)vs. CINWR53
103Robby Anderson (CAR)at BUFWR54
104T.J. Hockenson (DET)vs. ARITE12
105Allen Lazard (GB)at BALWR55
106Pat Freiermuth (PIT)vs. TENTE13
107Laquon Treadwell (JAC)vs. HOUWR56
108Allen Robinson II (CHI)vs. MINWR57
109Josh Reynolds (DET)vs. ARIWR58
110Jeremy McNichols (TEN)at PITRB39
111Noah Fant (DEN)vs. CINTE14
112Braxton Berrios (NYJ)at MIAWR59
113Tre'Quan Smith (NO)at TBWR60
114Tyler Conklin (MIN)at CHITE15
115Jared Cook (LAC)vs. KCTE16
116Nelson Agholor (NE)at INDWR61
117Dontrell Hilliard (TEN)at PITRB40
118J.D. McKissic (WAS)at PHIRB41
119Marquez Callaway (NO)at TBWR62
120Rashard Higgins (CLE)vs. LVWR63
121T.Y. Hilton (IND)vs. NEWR64
122Devontae Booker (NYG)vs. DALRB42
123Rashod Bateman (BAL)vs. GBWR65
124Mecole Hardman (KC)at LACWR66
125Jeff Wilson Jr. (SF)vs. ATLRB43
126Kalif Raymond (DET)vs. ARIWR67
127Ameer Abdullah (CAR)at BUFRB44
128Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN)at PITWR68
129Hunter Henry (NE)at INDTE17
130C.J. Uzomah (CIN)at DENTE18
131Royce Freeman (HOU)at JACRB45
132Tony Pollard (DAL)at NYGRB46
133Gerald Everett (SEA)at LARTE19
134Nico Collins (HOU)at JACWR69
135Ricky Seals-Jones (WAS)at PHITE20
136Cole Kmet (CHI)vs. MINTE21
137Keelan Cole Sr. (NYJ)at MIAWR70
138D'Ernest Johnson (CLE)vs. LVRB47
139Matt Breida (BUF)vs. CARRB48
140Nyheim Hines (IND)vs. NERB49
141Foster Moreau (LV)at CLETE22
142Evan Engram (NYG)vs. DALTE23
143Ty Johnson (NYJ)at MIARB50
144Zay Jones (LV)at CLEWR71
145Kenneth Gainwell (PHI)vs. WASRB51
146Jalen Reagor (PHI)vs. WASWR72
147Darius Slayton (NYG)vs. DALWR73
148Zach Pascal (IND)vs. NEWR74
149David Njoku (CLE)vs. LVTE24
150Jack Doyle (IND)vs. NETE25
151Darrell Henderson Jr. (LAR)vs. SEARB52
152Carlos Hyde (JAC)vs. HOURB53
153James O'Shaughnessy (JAC)vs. HOUTE26
154Bryan Edwards (LV)at CLEWR75
155Adam Humphries (WAS)at PHIWR76
156Jonnu Smith (NE)at INDTE27
157Brandon Bolden (NE)at INDRB54
158Tevin Coleman (NYJ)at MIARB55
159Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN)vs. CINTE28
160Nick Vannett (NO)at TBTE29
161Jalen Guyton (LAC)vs. KCWR77
162Craig Reynolds (DET)vs. ARIRB56
163Samaje Perine (CIN)at DENRB57
164Duke Johnson Jr. (MIA)vs. NYJRB58
165Tajae Sharpe (ATL)at SFWR78
166Byron Pringle (KC)at LACWR79
167Ben Skowronek (LAR)vs. SEAWR80
168Olamide Zaccheaus (ATL)at SFWR81
169Justin Jackson (LAC)vs. KCRB59
170Boston Scott (PHI)vs. WASRB60
171DeSean Jackson (LV)at CLEWR82
172Godwin Igwebuike (DET)vs. ARIRB61
173Curtis Samuel (WAS)at PHIWR83
174Chris Conley (HOU)at JACWR84
175Cody Hollister (TEN)at PITWR85
176Sammy Watkins (BAL)vs. GBWR86
177Ryan Griffin (NYJ)at MIATE30
178Breshad Perriman (TB)vs. NOWR87
179Odell Beckham Jr. (LAR)vs. SEAWR88
180Geoff Swaim (TEN)at PITTE31
181Harrison Bryant (CLE)vs. LVTE32
182Alex Collins (SEA)at LARRB62
183JaMycal Hasty (SF)vs. ATLRB63
184Joshua Palmer (LAC)vs. KCWR89
185Donald Parham Jr. (LAC)vs. KCTE33
186Freddie Swain (SEA)at LARWR90
187Albert Wilson (MIA)vs. NYJWR91
188Hayden Hurst (ATL)at SFTE34
189Pharaoh Brown (HOU)at JACTE35
190Latavius Murray (BAL)vs. GBRB64
191James Washington (PIT)vs. TENWR92
192Josiah Deguara (GB)at BALTE36
193Zack Moss (BUF)vs. CARRB65
194Brandon Zylstra (CAR)at BUFWR93
195D.J. Montgomery (NYJ)at MIAWR94
196Mo Alie-Cox (IND)vs. NETE37
197Salvon Ahmed (MIA)vs. NYJRB66
198Corey Clement (DAL)at NYGRB67
199Antoine Wesley (ARI)at DETWR95
200Brevin Jordan (HOU)at JACTE38
201Chester Rogers (TEN)at PITWR96
202DeAndre Carter (WAS)at PHIWR97
203Ronald Jones II (TB)vs. NORB68
204Ray-Ray McCloud (PIT)vs. TENWR98
205Cameron Brate (TB)vs. NOTE39
206Anthony Firkser (TEN)at PITTE40
207Damiere Byrd (CHI)vs. MINWR99
208Kyle Rudolph (NYG)vs. DALTE41
209Jakeem Grant Sr. (CHI)vs. MINWR100
210Jauan Jennings (SF)vs. ATLWR101
211D'Wayne Eskridge (SEA)at LARWR102
212Kyle Juszczyk (SF)vs. ATLRB69
213Tavon Austin (JAC)vs. HOUWR103
214Devin Duvernay (BAL)vs. GBWR104
215Anthony Schwartz (CLE)vs. LVWR105
216Rex Burkhead (HOU)at JACRB70
217Tyler Johnson (TB)vs. NOWR106
218Will Dissly (SEA)at LARTE42
219Juwan Johnson (NO)at TBTE43
220Marcedes Lewis (GB)at BALTE44
221Malcolm Brown (MIA)vs. NYJRB71
222Jalen Richard (LV)at CLERB72
223Demarcus Robinson (KC)at LACWR107
224Peyton Barber (LV)at CLERB73
225MyCole Pruitt (TEN)at PITTE45
226Tommy Tremble (CAR)at BUFTE46
227Adam Thielen (MIN)at CHIWR108
228Jamaal Williams (DET)vs. ARIRB74
229Durham Smythe (MIA)vs. NYJTE47
230Darren Waller (LV)at CLETE48
231Quez Watkins (PHI)vs. WASWR109
232J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (PHI)vs. WASWR110
233Jimmy Graham (CHI)vs. MINTE49
234Denzel Mims (NYJ)at MIAWR111
235Brock Wright (DET)vs. ARITE50
236Kareem Hunt (CLE)vs. LVRB75
237Mark Ingram II (NO)at TBRB76
238Adam Shaheen (MIA)vs. NYJTE51
239Tony Jones Jr. (NO)at TBRB77
240Terrace Marshall Jr. (CAR)at BUFWR112
241Demetric Felton (CLE)vs. LVRB78
242Ian Thomas (CAR)at BUFTE52
243Ihmir Smith-Marsette (MIN)at CHIWR113
244Cedrick Wilson Jr. (DAL)at NYGWR114
245Kenny Stills (NO)at TBWR115
246Lil'Jordan Humphrey (NO)at TBWR116
247Mack Hollins (MIA)vs. NYJWR117
248N'Keal Harry (NE)at INDWR118
249Ashton Dulin (IND)vs. NEWR119
250Dexter Williams (MIA)vs. NYJRB79
251Kylen Granson (IND)vs. NETE53
252Wayne Gallman Jr. (MIN)at CHIRB80
253Emmanuel Sanders (BUF)vs. CARWR120
254Qadree Ollison (ATL)at SFRB81
255Jarvis Landry (CLE)vs. LVWR121
256Trent Sherfield (SF)vs. ATLWR122
257Travis Homer (SEA)at LARRB82
258Marquise Goodwin (CHI)vs. MINWR123
259Will Fuller V (MIA)vs. NYJWR124
260Greg Ward (PHI)vs. WASWR125
261Khalil Herbert (CHI)vs. MINRB83
262Isaiah McKenzie (BUF)vs. CARWR126
263Jordan Howard (PHI)vs. WASRB84
264Joshua Kelley (LAC)vs. KCRB85
265Derrick Gore (KC)at LACRB86
266Malik Turner (DAL)at NYGWR127
267Josh Gordon (KC)at LACWR128
268John Bates (WAS)at PHITE54
269Miller Forristall (CLE)vs. LVTE55
270Isaiah Ford (MIA)vs. NYJWR129
271Kene Nwangwu (MIN)at CHIRB87
272Jaret Patterson (WAS)at PHIRB88
273John Ross (NYG)vs. DALWR130
274Cam Sims (WAS)at PHIWR131
275Chris Moore (HOU)at JACWR132
276O.J. Howard (TB)vs. NOTE56
277Blake Jarwin (DAL)at NYGTE57
278Chris Manhertz (JAC)vs. HOUTE58
279DeeJay Dallas (SEA)at LARRB89
280Davion Davis (HOU)at JACWR133
281Gerrid Doaks (MIA)vs. NYJRB90
282Dyami Brown (WAS)at PHIWR134
283Stephen Anderson (LAC)vs. KCTE59
284Anthony McFarland Jr. (PIT)vs. TENRB91
285Austin Hooper (CLE)vs. LVTE60
286Zach Gentry (PIT)vs. TENTE61
287Dez Fitzpatrick (TEN)at PITWR135
288C.J. Ham (MIN)at CHIRB92
289Dede Westbrook (MIN)at CHIWR136
290Pharoh Cooper (NYG)vs. DALWR137
291Juwann Winfree (GB)at BALWR138
292Damien Williams (CHI)vs. MINRB93
293Lawrence Cager (CLE)vs. LVWR139
294Preston Williams (MIA)vs. NYJWR140
295Jermar Jefferson (DET)vs. ARIRB94
296Jordan Akins (HOU)at JACTE62
297Kadarius Toney (NYG)vs. DALWR141
298Shi Smith (CAR)at BUFWR142
299KhaDarel Hodge (DET)vs. ARIWR143
300Racey McMath (TEN)at PITWR144

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