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Scott Engel features fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 15 (2025). He focuses on key NFL players to start when faced with tight Week 15 fantasy football lineup decisions.
Welcome to RotoBaller’s Key Starters and Tough Calls article for Week 15 of the 2025 season. Scott Engel's Week 15 Lineup Spotlights focus on notable players to start or sit when you are faced with challenging lineup calls in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
The fantasy football players included in this Week 15 rundown are based on Scott's Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the 2025 RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. The skill position analysis from Scott is based on his Week 15 premium PPR rankings.
To execute the best Week 15 lineup decisions, consult this analysis, the RotoBaller staff fantasy football rankings, and the free Who Should I Start tool for comparing up to four players. We help you make the best-informed decisions to advance to the next round of the fantasy playoffs.
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Running Backs - Fantasy Football Week 15
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
From Weeks 5 through 9, it looked like Dowdle would be the engine of many fantasy football championship teams this season. He was locked in as a fantasy RB1 after being drafted late or not at all in many leagues during the preseason.
As the fantasy playoffs open, though, Dowdle seems to be operating in a timeshare with Chuba Hubbard. He has only 24 rushing attempts in his last two games, and in the Week 14 upset of the Rams, Hubbard played on 59 percent of the snaps. Heading into the Week 15 matchup against the Saints, those who roster Dowdle are uncertain whether to start him in a first-round fantasy playoff game.
Rico Dowdle is Likely to Maintain A Decent Statistical Floor for Week 15 https://t.co/NXTDofyxHP
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 13, 2025
New Orleans ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed per game, so this can be a good matchup for both Carolina RBs. The surprising Panthers will seize full control of the NFC South lead with a win this week. If they are in a positive game script, you might see more of Dowdle than Hubbard, who appears to be the better RB to use on passing downs because of his solid blocking.
This will be a Dowdle week as Carolina avoids the trap game and he gets into the end zone at least once. Dowdle might not be looking like a standout fantasy RB anymore, but he is still a quality fantasy RB2 play.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall presents quite a dilemma for fantasy football players in the first round of their postseason bracket. There is no question that the Jets RB can see a healthy amount of volume, but he might not have any upside in Week 15. New York is down to third-string quarterback Brady Cook, and there are no other significant playmakers on the offense.
The issue for fantasy leaguers who roster Hall is to decide whether they want more touches or more upside when comparing the Jets RB to another potential starting option. Despite all of New York’s latest issues, Hall has scored 13-plus PPR points in four of his past six games.
This week, the Jets face the Jaguars, who rank third in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs over the past four weeks. The matchup and potential game script do not look promising. But if New York gets into the end zone before the game gets out of hand, there is a good chance Hall will be the one to put the TD on the board. No matter how much the Jaguars key on him, Hall is likely headed for a busy Sunday.
I would not start Hall over another RB on a better offense who is likely to get a heavy workload, or a time share guy who has more upside. But if you just need a guaranteed amount of work and possibly a decent outing to complement your top players, then Hall will be an adequate option.
Woody Marks, Houston Texans
Marks is another potential volume play, but with less of a possible statistical ceiling than Hall. The Texans have never effectively replaced Arian Foster over an extensive period since he moved on from Houston, and the RB position continues to be an area of consistent concern.
Marks is the current default starter for Houston because it’s clear that reclamation project Nick Chubb cannot be an effective lead RB anymore. Marks is versatile, but the rookie is not going to provide more than decent production at best. He has just three TDs from scrimmage this year and has not registered double figures in fantasy points in four of his last six games.
The Texans simply don’t have anyone better than Marks to turn to at RB. Very often, he will run inside and not get much going, but Houston wants to keep the defense honest and will still run the ball. Last week, Marks averaged 2.6 yards per carry.
The Cardinals have allowed the third-most Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs over the past four weeks, so the matchup is favorable. Marks is versatile and should see enough touches to post 10 to 12 PPR points. But don’t start Marks if you are looking for anything more than volume at a flex spot.
In dynasty leagues, I will look to trade Marks this offseason. I expect the Texans to once again seek upgrades at RB.
Wide Receivers - Fantasy Football Week 15
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
If you drafted Jefferson in the first round and still made the fantasy playoffs, the postseason push was successful despite his recent swoon. He has scored less than four PPR points in his last two games and less than eight in three of his past five.
Justin Jefferson's Continued Slump Creates Tough Call in Week 15 https://t.co/LYHAirUGWF
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 12, 2025
Minnesota routed Washington 31-0 last week and did not even need Jefferson to contribute. He caught two passes for 11 yards. There is no way that fantasy players can trust him to bounce back in the first round of their playoffs, but he does have the talent to rebound for a good game at any time.
Jefferson has been a big disappointment overall, as he has scored 15 or more PPR points just once since Week 5. Heading into the fantasy postseason, he should be viewed as more of a fantasy WR2. Look to him for a good floor in the matchup with the Cowboys. Dallas’ defense has improved in recent weeks, but still ranks 29th in FFPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
McLaurin has been back in action for two games, and we have seen one quality performance and one quieter outing. In Week 13, against a formidable Denver secondary, he caught seven passes for 96 yards and a TD. In the Week 14 blowout loss to Minnesota, he caught three passes for 41 yards.
In a game that only fantasy players and sports bettors might care about, Washington can shake last week’s loss off to play respectably against the Giants. McLaurin has dealt with QB concerns his entire career and should perform well enough with Marcus Mariota at QB. New York ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks.
The advanced forecast for Washington at New York points to temperatures below 30 degrees and to wind speeds right near the borderline of where it becomes more of a challenge to pass the ball. The Commanders lack a stable ground game, and even if McLaurin doesn’t succeed much downfield, he should be targeted frequently and function adequately as a fantasy WR3.
Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
This pick is for those searching deeper for a flex or WR option for the first round of the playoffs. Shaheed has not shown much statistically since he came to Seattle, but last week, he started to demonstrate why the Seahawks recently traded for him.
It does take some time for a WR to get comfortable with a new team if he is traded during the season. Shaheed began to make an impact with the Seahawks in Week 14 at Atlanta. He returned a kickoff for 100 yards for a TD and caught four passes for 67 yards with a long reception of 33 yards.
The former Saints speedster is getting more involved in the offense as Seattle drives towards the playoffs. The Colts rank 27th in receiving yards allowed to WRs over the past four weeks. Look for Shaheed to catch his first TD pass as a Seahawk this week. He will bust out just ahead of Seattle’s major showdown with the Rams on Thursday.
Quarterback And Tight End - Fantasy Football Week 15
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
In the NFC, there is much buzz about the Rams and Seahawks being the two best teams in their conference and division. But let’s not forget about the 49ers, who are right behind Los Angeles and Seattle in the NFC West. San Francisco has hung in the race despite multiple injuries and could be one of three teams from the division to make the playoffs.
Since he returned as a starter in Week 11, Purdy has not passed for more than 200 yards in a game, but he did throw three TD passes in his first game back and ran for a score last week. This week, he faces Tennessee, which ranks 25th in FFPG allowed to QBs. Purdy should perform well in a winnable game as the Niners keep their eyes on the postseason.
Start Purdy if you need a sturdy option for Week 15 and cannot quite trust your other starting choice.
Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
Those who drafted Warren as a possible impact rookie in fantasy football were mostly satisfied with the returns through the first 10 weeks of the season. But his output has started to taper off in recent weeks. He caught just two passes for 15 yards in his last game and finished with a season-low 3.7 PPR points.
I'm back to firing up Tyler Warren.
Yes, even over Harold Fannin. https://t.co/ZhFinYdzem
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 13, 2025
This week, the Colts are at Seattle to face one of the league’s best defenses. The main story is that they are desperately turning to a 44-year-old Philip Rivers to guide the offense. Most observers are predicting doom for Rivers and not expecting much at all from the Indianapolis passing game.
If the Seahawks have one defensive weakness, though, it is covering the tight end, as they have allowed the second-most FFPG to the position this season. Rivers is likely capable enough of getting the ball to his TE on some high percentage throws, so don’t bench Warren based on his QB situation this week.
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