RADIO
Week 15 of the fantasy football season is underway and while we may have drafted certain players at a premium, it is okay to consider benching them despite their name value, especially now that the playoffs have begun. We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. When injuries, tough matchups, and/or questionable team situations arise, we must adjust. Today, I'll be looking at Tua Tagovailoa, Brian Robinson Jr., and Chris Godwin.
It may be difficult to stomach benching a player drafted within the top 100 for a possible free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory throughout the fantasy football season.
Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 15. Will they bounce back or continue to underperform? For any issues and/or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on X.
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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 15?
Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
The Dolphins may be without star WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) and breakout RB De'Von Achane (toe) this week. On top of those injuries, starting C Connor Williams (knee) is out for the season -- a significant loss on a line that has been ravaged by injuries. These losses create an even more daunting matchup against a Jets defense that ranks third in DVOA (via FTN) against the pass. Tagovailoa is already not a superstar fantasy QB this season as he sits at QB14 in PPG, just ahead of Jared Goff.
Given the lack of rushing production from Tua and his overreliance on Tyreek Hill, his fantasy projection in Week 15 is mediocre and he is best left benched for upside elsewhere now that the playoffs have begun.
Who To Start Instead?
Russell Wilson - Denver Broncos @ Detroit Lions
The Lions' defense is allowing an absurd rate of explosive plays in the second half of the season. Their secondary is among the league's worst and the pass rush is almost nonexistent due to the lack of an EDGE-mate to standout Aidan Hutchinson. With these circumstances, Russell Wilson stands as a high-end QB for Week 15 given the availability of his top WRs and his proclivity to take deep shots when possible.
Sean Payton has kept Wilson under wraps for a large portion of the season to mitigate poor habits that reared themselves in 2022. However, the connection with Courtland Sutton cannot be understated as the duo has connected on 10 touchdowns this season with four games left to play. Meanwhile, Jerry Jeudy has seen his fair share of deep targets but the production is far more inconsistent thanks to Jeudy's drops and lack of focus downfield. Fortunately, these issues are correctable and can be a matter of timing, Maybe this is the week for Jeudy to break out and Wilson to benefit further.
Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 15?
Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders @ Los Angeles Rams
Brian Robinson Jr. is not guaranteed to play this week due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 13. Nevertheless, if he does practice and become active for this matchup in Los Angeles, concern for his touch and snap count is valid. The Rams' defense is below average against both the run and pass, but even so, former starter Antonio Gibson has played a significant amount in recent weeks and could be leaned upon, especially if the Commanders begin playing from a deficit.
Robinson's season to date must be frustrating for managers given his weekly volatility but a middling RB2 is still solid for someone available just after pick 100. Unfortunately, the coming weeks do not get much easier as the Commanders face a gauntlet between the Jets and 49ers...
Who To Start Instead?
Ty Chandler - Minnesota Vikings @ Cincinnati Bengals
With starting RB Alexander Mattison ruled out for Week 15, Ty Chandler is presumed to "carry the load" for Minnesota against a weak Bengals run defense ranking 27th in DVOA. Chandler's seen between 14 and 15 touches in three of the past four games and is seemingly trusted by the coaching staff. While a 25+ touch game is unlikely given his size and skill set, if Chandler could land somewhere between 18-20, there should be plenty of fantasy value for rosters to reap.
Chandler is a competent receiving back who has seen 11 targets over the past three games. With the less mobile Nick Mullens now starting rather than Joshua Dobbs, we may see a season/career-high in targets for the former fifth-round RB.
Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 15?
Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers
Godwin is nursing a knee issue this week on top of a litany of other injuries procured throughout the season. Every week, Godwin is on the injury report with a new problem but has toughed it out and played regardless. However, this has certainly impacted his fantasy output as he has not scored more than eight half-PPR points since Week 8.
He is certainly a talented WR but the offense is solely running through Mike Evans and Rachaad White. Godwin is the odd man out in fantasy given his lack of connection with Baker Mayfield despite many attempts this season to build upon it. Since Godwin's Week 8 performance, he has seen more than seven targets just once and that was last weekend when there was a concerted effort to feed him. This resulted in just 53 yards on five receptions, which is certainly below par and could result in fewer looks this week.
Who To Start Instead?
Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders @ Los Angeles Rams
The Commanders are now off of their late-season bye week and head to Los Angeles where a red-hot Rams offense awaits the NFL's worst pass defense. Expectations for this game should be plenty of scoring as neither defense is adept at stopping either facet of opposing offenses (especially Washington since trading their starting EDGE rushers).
The process of starting Terry McLaurin this weekend may seem folly to those who have managed him all season and witnessed his fantasy struggles but it is hard to believe the Commanders will not lock onto their offense's best WR in a game that will require them to throw. McLaurin posted a goose egg on three targets in Week 13 and is likely frustrated with his usage despite possessing four games this season with at least double-digit targets.
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