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Doug's Week 15 NFL DFS rankings for DraftKings, FanDuel. His top daily fantasy football rankings and DFS lineup picks for cash games and GPP contests.
It seems like we’ve said this a lot, but there aren’t a lot of high totals on this weekend’s slate. Four games have a total north of 40 points, and only one of those games is in the early window. You’ll need heavy player minutes remaining (PMR) heading into the 4 pm games if you want to compete. That’s somewhat limiting as you’ll almost force yourself into finding at least a mini-stack, or more, from the final three games of the slate.
Finding early-window players who can produce is going to be huge for your lineups in tournaments. Of course, you can always play Early Only slates and try to take advantage of people who are just throwing lineups in there while focusing more heavily on the later games. All of this strategy is fun and it makes skill a deciding factor in who will win the money this weekend.
I’m super excited for Week 15, and my goal is to create a hierarchy of plays so you know who to prioritize when building your lineups! Remember that this article is written early in the week, so please make sure to check in with our Discord for any updates as practice reports come in throughout the week and a clearer picture starts to come into view. Also, be sure to check out all of our other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big!
DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Quarterbacks
1. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers - $6,800)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Brock Purdy has been as consistent as it gets and he’s once again got a great matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s scored 23 or more DraftKings points and thrown for 270 or more yards in five of his last six weeks, with three games of three or more touchdowns over that span. He has the best weapons in the NFL, and he knows how to use them. Somehow he’s still priced lower than $7,000, which is insane.
Purdy is better at home than he is on the road, but the Cardinals are a bad defense that gives up production to every position. Christian McCaffrey could run all over them, and Purdy can still do enough to get where he needs to be to hit value. He’s the safest option on the slate and that’s what we want with our cash game quarterback. If you can’t get up to his price point, there are a handful of cheaper options that work, but if you can afford it, then there’s no real reason to not lock Purdy into your lineup.
2. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams - $6,000)
3. Sam Howell (Washington Commanders - $6,300)
Others in consideration: Jordan Love, Kyler Murray
Sunday update: Why not Case Keenum? Dan brought this up in the RotoBaller Discord and it isn't a bad idea at all. This week is one of the hardest cash weeks of the year because of all the mid-range value at running back and wide receiver, but it's also difficult to fit all those guys into one lineup...unless you use Keenum. Yes, Case Keenum has a much wider range of outcomes than I'd generally want from a cash-game quarterback. And yes, he's missing his top two weapons, but what does he really need to do to hit value? A game of 200 yards and a touchdown gets you to 12 DraftKings points and that's enough given what else you can do with your lineup. I'm not saying this is the play for the faint of heart, but if you find yourself struggling to fit in all the pieces you want this weekend than Keenum may just be the answer you're looking for. Lord help me I'm playing Case Keenum in cash this weekend, what have I done?
DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Quarterbacks
1. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams - $6,000)
Matthew Stafford has been quietly good for three weeks running. He has 10 touchdown passes in those three games, and he’s scored at least 22.96 points in each game. It’s extra impressive that he’s been this productive because one of those games was against a very good Browns defense and the other was on the road against the AFC’s top seed, the Baltimore Ravens. This week, he gets one of the most fantasy-friendly matchups he could have in a home matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Washington has allowed 29 or more real-life points eight times this year, and they’ve given up production to just about every passing game they’ve faced this year. Stafford has two great receiving options in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but you can also reasonably stack him with Kyren Williams or save some money with his tight end; be it Tyler Higbee or Davis Allen. The Rams should be popular this weekend, but that shouldn’t stop you from using them and finding other ways to get different.
Commanders Defense vs QBs
Over the past 10 games...
QBs are throwing for 66 yards MORE than their season-long average against Washington
Matthew Stafford has averaged 255 passing yards per game
255 + 66 = 321 estimated passing yards in Week 15
He's my fantasy QB3 this week
— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) December 13, 2023
2. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers - $6,800)
3. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys - $8,000)
Others in consideration: Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Will Levis, Sam Howell, Joe Flacco
Sunday update: The biggest change for me since I initially posted this article on Tuesday is that I'm getting to a lot of Jordan Love. The Buccaneers are a pass funnel defense and we've seen Love have many big games over the last month or so. He's cheap to stack and with the Packers struggling to stop opposing running games it's very easy to bring a Packers stack back with Rachaad White. I am playing a lot of early-only games and Green Bay is my top stack, and Love is my cash game quarterback.
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DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Running Backs
1. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons - $6,800)
There seems to be this misunderstanding that Bijan Robinson is underutilized. He may be misused, but he’s anything but underutilized. Since his “sick” game against the Buccaneers in Week 7, Robinson hasn’t had less than 15 opportunities in any game. Over his last four games, he’s had 20 or more opportunities three times, and in his other game, he had 17 opportunities. For the season, Robinson has seen fewer than five targets only four times. Bijan Robinson is getting a ton of usage.
He hasn’t blown up with these chances, but he’s also not been bad either. Over his last four games, he’s had one game of 10 points, and then he’s scored 17 or more DraftKings points in each of the other three games. This weekend, he gets a great matchup against a Carolina defense that can’t stop anyone on the ground. Robinson faced them in Week 1 and he scored 20 DraftKings points on 16 opportunities. This is the kind of volume we dream about for cash game running backs, and yet he’s priced at only $6,800. Take the savings and lock him in.
Bijan Robinson in Week 14:
10 carries
34 yards
1 TD
5 catches
54 yards
1 tackleWhat can’t he do pic.twitter.com/QwjRP2Zgjk
— Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) December 12, 2023
2. Ezekiel Elliott (New England Patriots - $5,800)
3. Breece Hall (New York Jets - $6,400)
Others in consideration: Christian McCaffrey, Rachaad White, Raheem Mostert, Kyren Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Sunday update: Kyreen Williams is gaining a lot of steam right now, but I'm focusing my Rams cash game attention on the passing game. Williams isn't a bad play at all, I'm just not getting to him. If I spend up I'm going to go all the way up to Christian McCaffrey. I'm holding steady on Bijan Robinson, especially on DraftKings where he's at least $700 too cheap. None of the players I highlighted on Tuesday are off my board, and the only name I'm adding is Clyde Edwards-Helaire with Isiah Pacheco ruled out once again.
DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Running Backs
1. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers - $9,300)
Christian McCaffrey had a floor game last weekend and still scored 19 DraftKings points. That’s a ridiculously high level of production, but McCaffrey could get passed on in tournaments given his high price point. He may find his way into some 49ers stacks, but how in the world can you use McCaffrey with a prime Rams stack, or a Bills stack, or a Cowboys stack?
It’s nearly impossible to do that and feel comfortable, and with so many good running back options priced at $7,000 or less, CMC could carry little ownership. Stacking McCaffrey with a Cardinals receiver, a cheaper main stack (Tennessee, Green Bay, Washington, Cleveland), and a mini-stack from one of the more popular games is going to be unique and could be the way to get McCaffrey into your lineup.
2. Raheem Mostert (Miami Dolphins - $7,100)
3. Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams - $7,500)
Others in consideration: Rachaad White, Breece Hall, Tyjae Spears, Bijan Robinson, Tony Pollard, Antonio Gibson, Saquon Barkley
Sunday update: If you can't swing CMC's price, then Raheem Mostert is a great pivot. I have more exposure to him in tournaments than any other running back. Rachaad White is the other running back that I'm getting to a lot of as part of a mini-stack with Jayden Reed.
DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Wide Receivers
1. Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers - $4,900)
There is a very reasonable path to creating a cash game lineup this weekend where you won’t have to get too cute at running back and receiver. Jayden Reed could end up being the least expensive member of your skill-position corps. Reed has become a major focal point of the Packers offense of the last five weeks. Over that time, he’s seen no fewer than five opportunities (targets and rushes) with three weeks of nine or more opportunities.
Most impressively, he’s produced with the added volume; scoring 15 or more DraftKings points in four of the last five weeks. The Packers have made a point to specifically use Reed in the red zone, giving him plenty of chances to score touchdowns; a poor man’s Deebo Samuel.
This week, Green Bay faces a pass-funnel defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and that’s a matchup to target for sure. Jordan Love has attempted 30 or more passes in 10 of his last 11 starts and it’s unlikely to change against a stout Bucs rushing defense. It’s more likely he’ll eclipse 35 attempts (a feat he’s achieved in seven of his last 11 games) rather than go under that 30 number. Given all of this, Reed is significantly underpriced at just $4,900.
players in the league this season with at least five receiving touchdowns and multiple rushing touchdowns:
christian mccaffrey
jayden reedthat’s the list
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) December 13, 2023
2. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams - $7,800)
3. Garrett Wilson (New York Jets - $5,800)
Others in consideration: Demarcus Robinson, Michael Gallup, Demario Douglas, Brandon Aiyuk, DeAndre Hopkins, Curtis Samuel,
Sunday update: Brandin Cooks has been dealing with an illness this week, and if he doesn't play then Michael Gallup is in a great spot. Even if Cooks does play, Gallup has gained some traction in the Dallas offense recently and is cheap enough to be a worthwhile cash-game punt. He could be the player that unlocks exposure to Christian McCaffrey if you wanted to spend up at running back. DeMarcus Robinson, coming off a 10-target game is also in play as a punt option if you don't want to spend nearly $8,000 on Cooper Kupp but still want exposure to the Rams offense.
DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Wide Receivers
1. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams - $7,300)
The Rams should be one of the more popular stacking options this weekend, but to get all the way there, it’s going to cost a large percentage of your salary cap. Matthew Stafford is only $6,000, but both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are priced over $7,000. Many tournament players may instead choose to stack Stafford and Kupp with whomever it is that starts at tight end, whether it’s a returning Tyler Higbee or an emerging Davis Allen.
That could mean Puka Nacua, despite being a highly productive member of a popular stack, could go underowned on this slate. Pivoting from Cupp to Nacua, or stacking them both, could make your lineup unique compared to other Rams stacks. While his producing hasn’t always matched his opportunities, Nacua hasn’t ever seen less than seven targets, so the volume will surely be there to take advantage of one of the best defensive matchups out there against the Washington Commanders.
2. Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers- $7,700)
3. Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs - $6,100)
Others in consideration: Cooper Kupp, Curtis Samuel, Gabe Davis, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Mike Evans, Marquise Brown, Brandon Aiyuk
DraftKings NFL DFS Rankings - Tight Ends
1. Chigoziem Okonkwo (Tennessee Titans - $2,900)
All of the pricey tight ends have rough matchups this weekend, so we can use this position to save money for the rest of our lineup. Fortunately, there are many low-priced options this weekend that have decent matchups. Chigoziem Okonkwo isn’t any better than those other options, but he is cheaper and his price is about $400 too cheap considering his target volume. Okonkwo has four or more targets in all but three starts this year, and he’s seen six targets in four of seven games.
He hasn’t done much with those targets, but volume is volume and that’s what we want, especially in cash games. The Texans are one of the more generous teams to opposing tight ends, which is a bonus given that Tennessee doesn’t have many scary receiving threats outside of DeAndre Hopkins. The combination of price, value, and even matchup makes him a good punt option at the tight end position.
2. Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers - $3,000)
3. David Njoku (Cleveland Browns - $4,700)
Others in consideration: Trey McBride, Cade Otton, Tyler Higbee
DraftKings NFL DFS Rankings - D/ST
1. New England Patriots - $2,300
They’re cheap, and that’s nearly the entire reason you’ll want to play the Patriots this weekend. With a plethora of high-end players in good matchups this weekend, it’s going to be imperative that we save some money in cash and the two best places to do that are with your tight end and defense. New England may not have a good offense, but their defense has been decent when it comes to limiting their opponents’ scoring.
They are hit-and-miss with sacks and turnovers, but they do have two sacks or more in four of their last six games. Kansas City’s offense hasn’t been lighting the world on fire, and this game in Foxborough gives the Pats a little extra juice. Make no mistake, though, it’s more important for what this does for the rest of your lineup rather than what the Patriots defense can do for you.
If you can spend the extra $400, and you may not be able to, then pivoting to the Giants gives you far more upside. It’s just going to be tough to get there with how much it will cost you to acquire reliable volume at running back and wide receiver.
2. New York Giants - $2,700
3. Los Angeles Rams - $3,100
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