Week 14 was one for the ages for the wide receiver position. Especially if you had the Vikings and/or Rams duo, with 20-plus point performances in high-scoring affairs. However, the Dolphins and Jets receiving core, especially their main two starters on both sides also hit home for 18-plus point performances in PPR. There were some disappointments, as some top receivers had their teammates go off instead. Some examples include big names like Amon-Ra St.Brown, Drake London, Jayden Reed, Mike Evans, and DJ Moore/ Keenan Allen.
Justin Jefferson finally had his monster week and deservingly so, along with Jordan Addison and Puka Nacua. Cooper Kupp, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Davante Adams, and Garrett Wilson showcased why they were highly drafted back in August/ September. Injuries and byes did make options limited, as it was pivotal to win this week. But now with that out of the way for week 15, here are a few starts and sits for the first or second week of the playoffs for most fantasy managers.
Wide Receiver Must Starts Week 15
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
Post bye, the only two games Jauan Jennings wasn’t a focal point for the 49ers was the snow game and the Brandon Allen game. Brock Purdy looks for Jauan Jennings as their receiver one, as Deebo Samuel just hasn’t been the same player this year. Jennings and Kittle have been the trusted targets for Purdy all season and both have big play ability, showcased against the Chicago Bears. In a must win game against the Rams coming up, Jennings should be a must start on Thursday Night.
Wide Receiver Must Sits Week 15
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Even in a good matchup coming up with the New England Patriots, the rookie hasn’t been the top target for Kyler Murray. Trey McBride and even Michael Wilson have some more consistent targets week to week, as Marvin Harrison Jr. has been one of the more boom or bust receivers. The target volume and down to down consistency just isn’t there to be viable for fantasy weekly, even in good matchups. I am just not sure what type of Arizona Cardinals team shows up, as they didn’t against the Seattle Seahawks in a must win game this past weekend for the division.
Lock for Week 15
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have a wide receiver one, at least for fantasy in PPR. Khalil Shakir has one of the best catch rates in the NFL at 80.2% and has consistent volume in a top offense that won’t ever lose you your fantasy week when healthy, other than the snow game. Even with the lack of touchdowns overall, his floor was still high enough for double digit fantasy points.
In potential shootouts, he has a higher ceiling like against the Rams this past weekend. Both Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman have been in and out of the lineup, so Shakir has been stepping up. But even when they are back in the lineup fully healthy, the slot wide receiver should be a must start against the Detroit Lions this week and has developed chemistry with Josh Allen.
Fade for Week 15
AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles just don’t throw the ball much with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. This negatively correlates with AJ Brown’s lack of production coming off his injury, as he is still the main target in an offense that lacks passing volume overall. He hasn’t had more then 9 targets a game since week 1, where he had a season high 10. Brown has to be very efficient on his yards after catch ability and touchdown potential week to week to be worth starting. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while he might be a start in some cases, there might be other wide receiver options you could consider.
Sleeper for Week 15
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
The old Adam Thielen from last season might be back as a PPR merchant. We have seen vintage Thielan the last two weeks, even against a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. He is still the top target and best option for Bryce Young and their upward trajectory on offense should continue against the Dallas Cowboys in week 15. At the very least, his floor is double-digit targets and if he gets a touchdown, the veteran wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers will pay off as a start this week.
Conclusion
This was written before tonight’s Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys but wide receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and CeeDee Lamb are obvious starts regardless for any week. But it is an early look at the week 15 slate, as it is win or go home with the fantasy playoffs finally upon us, as most either have one or two-week playoffs the next two weeks.
Start your studs and try not to overreact to outliers or shaky trends like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, as the floor may fall out from under you and prevent you from getting to the fantasy championship. Keep an eye out for the status of George Pickens and Ladd McConkey, who were both out in week 14 due to injuries and will be questionable this week, but when healthy are must starts at the receiver position.
