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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and start 'em sit 'em picks for Week 15 of 2025. Expert lineup advice from Scott Engel, Frank Ammirante, and Thunder Dan Palyo.
The fantasy football playoffs are finally here, and we aren't here for a first-round exit! If you have made it this far, you likely have a strong team, but with no teams on a bye, nailing your start-sit calls against other playoff-worthy rosters is key. We're here to help you chase that fantasy football championship!
It's time for the next edition of our RotoBaller staff start-or-sit calls. Three of the industry's best analysts are here to break down potential sleepers and busts ahead of the full slate of Week 15 NFL action.
These fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and busts are from top RotoBaller contributors Scott Engel, Frank Ammirante, and "Thunder Dan" Palyo.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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Week 15 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Picks
Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Titans (Frank Ammirante)
Brock Purdy should be rejuvenated coming out of the Week 14 bye, set to make an impact in the fantasy playoffs as the 49ers fight for the final NFC wild-card spot. This is a great matchup against the Titans, who are allowing 25.0 fantasy points per game (29th) and 8.17 yards per attempt (30th) to quarterbacks in the last four weeks.
Brock Purdy keeps it for a rushing touchdown!
SFvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/lOBLGvqmll
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
During this stretch, opposing passers have averaged 277.75 yards per game with eight touchdowns and one interception. With the 49ers having a 28.5-point implied total, you have to like Purdy's chances of a spike week here.
Woody Marks, Texans vs. Cardinals (Thunder Dan)
Marks is trending in the right direction this week and should be good to go for this juicy matchup against the Cardinals' run defense. Arizona continues to slide down the rankings in run defense, now ranking 26th in DVOA against the run, and has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Houston is a big favorite here and is playing their best football of the year. Marks should continue to lead the backfield in touches, especially if Nick Chubb ends up missing again this week.
Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks vs. Colts (Scott Engel)
It will take a leap of faith to start Shaheed in the first round of a fantasy playoff game, because he has not done much statistically since arriving in Seattle while easing into the mix. In five games with the Seahawks, he has caught eight passes for 104 yards. Very often, wide receivers who get traded during the season take time to adjust to their new environments. Last week, though, Shaheed started getting more involved in the flow of the passing game, catching four of five targets for 67 yards, with a long reception of 33.
There has been increasing talk from the team about how they want to get Shaheed more catches and make his presence felt alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Last week, Shaheed returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD, and it was apparent he was getting more comfortable with his new team. This will be the week when he has his breakout game with the Seahawks. The Colts have allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game among AFC teams to WRs over the past four weeks. The Seahawks need to get Shaheed rolling as they eye the huge Week 16 matchup with the Rams. If you need a deeper upside play this week, go with Shaheed.
Devin Singletary, Giants vs. Commanders (Frank Ammirante)
Devin Singletary put up 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 34 yards in his last game, back in Week 14 against the Patriots. In that game, Tyrone Tracy Jr. had only 10 carries for 36 yards with one catch for -3 yards. Even though this is still a committee, I prefer Singletary because he has a better chance at finding the end zone, scoring three touchdowns in his last two games (Tracy has zero in this stretch). The Giants have a 24.5-point implied total this week, setting up Singletary for success vs the Commanders.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders at Giants (Thunder Dan)
C-Rod got a practice under his belt on Thursday, and hopefully, he'll be ready to go on Sunday because the Washington rushing attack has the best matchup on the board against a Giants defense that has been the worst in the league at stopping the run. Rodriguez has been more effective than Jacory Croskey-Merritt and has been getting the most carries of any Washington back in recent weeks. If he does end up missing this game, then JCM and Jeremy McNichols would become interesting FLEX plays in his stead.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. rips off a 49-yard run for the @Commanders
WASvsATL on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/z875X7V00w
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025
Mark Andrews, Ravens at Bengals (Scott Engel)
Andrews has been a big-name fantasy TE for a long time, but he certainly is not a must-start fantasy player at his position anymore. In two of his past three games, he totaled less than three PPR points. Fantasy leaguers are very hesitant to use him right now heading into their playoffs, and that is totally understandable. In Week 13, however, Andrews showed some signs of life, with four catches for 47 yards against the Bengals.
This week, as Baltimore tries to keep its playoff hopes alive following a damaging loss to the Steelers, the Ravens must take advantage of the best possible matchup for TEs. The Bengals have allowed an NFL-high 15 receiving TDs to opposing TEs this season. The next closest team has allowed nine. Yes, Isaiah Likely is getting targeted more often. But a matchup with the Bengals will give both Baltimore TEs to make some important contributions. The Ravens need to treat this matchup as a playoff game, and Andrews’ significant postseason experience will translate to some important catches, including a TD reception.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Busts and Sits
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals at Texans (Frank Ammirante)
Jacoby Brissett has been terrific in fantasy football since taking over for Kyler Murray, averaging 21.1 points per game, which ranks as QB5. However, this is a terrible spot for the entire Cardinals offense. The Texans have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks are scoring the fewest fantasy points per game against them this season. We just saw the Texans limit Patrick Mahomes to only 160 yards with three interceptions. Add in the fact that Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is out for this game, and this has disaster written all over it.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Dolphins (Thunder Dan)
This matchup might look good for Warren at first glance, but the Dolphins have started to turn things around in the second half of the season in terms of their run defense. They held James Cook III to just 53 yards in Week 10. while also holding both Devin Neal and Breece Hall under 50 yards the last two weeks. Warren is also losing touches to Kenneth Gainwell as he's only handled 18 carries over the last two weeks and has ceded almost all of the third-down work as a receiver to Gainwell, too.
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers at Saints (Scott Engel)
After losing his job to Rico Dowdle earlier this season, Hubbard is back in the RB mix with Carolina. In the Panthers’ Week 13 game before the bye, Hubbard played on 59 percent of the snaps, his highest rate since the third week of the season. It seems like we are looking at a timeshare situation in Carolina right now. In Week 13’s upset win over the Rams, Hubbard rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries. Dowdle rushed for 58 yards on 18 carries. This week, the Panthers face the Saints, who rank 23rd in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs over the past four weeks.
The Panthers can seize firm control of the NFC South lead with a win over the Saints. Dowdle has displayed far more upside than Hubbard when displaying his best form. After a week off, it is very possible he starts performing at a higher level again while Hubbard cedes some statistical production to him. I see this as a Dowdle week, as he needs to re-establish himself, while Hubbard plays a more secondary role this week.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals at Texans (Frank Ammirante)
I'm doubling down on my Cardinals fade here. I know, it's tough to bet Wilson, especially with Marvin Harrison Jr. likely out for another game. But this is such a bad spot for the Cardinals. While they should remain pass-heavy, the Texans rank 1st in EPA vs the pass. With Johnson out, expect Brissett to be under constant duress, making it difficult for the Cardinals to sustain drives. It's also worth noting that the Texans are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts. Expect elite cornerback Derek Stingley to cause issues for Wilson here as well.
Breece Hall, Jets at Jaguars (Thunder Dan)
The Jets' offense is a complete disaster right now, and if Tyrod Taylor can't go this week, it will be even worse as his backup, Brady Cook, was unable to move the offense at all last week. Hall has been held under 70 yards rushing in four straight games, with just one touchdown in that stretch. The Jags have a strong run defense and have not given up more than 75 yards to an opposing back all season. It's best to sit Hall here as it's really hard to trust the Jets to do much of anything against a surging Jacksonville team on the road.
DK Metcalf, Steelers vs. Dolphins (Scott Engel)
Last week, the Steelers scored a very important win over Baltimore to claim control of the AFC North. Metcalf was a big part of the victory, setting season highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (148). It was a refreshing performance from a high-profile WR who failed to register double figures in PPR points in four of his previous five games. Metcalf was supposed to be the dynamic playmaker that significantly upgraded the receiving corps for Pittsburgh this season, but he has no consistent threat as a complement.
He has been totally unreliable for fantasy purposes. This week, the Steelers face the surging Dolphins, who have improved defensively in recent weeks. This season, Miami ranks third in receiving yards allowed to WRs. I am not expecting two consecutive strong outings from Metcalf. If you have a tight decision between him and another possible starter this week, lean the other way.
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