There are four positions in fantasy football at which managers can get by without a weekly startable option on their regular roster. QB, TE, Kicker, and Defense all lend themselves to streaming. Here are our top streaming options for Week 15.
All streamers are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues, unless otherwise stated. In-depth stats taken from Pro Football Reference.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers (at NOR)
*Before I begin, Trevor Lawrence is rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues, but if he is available in your league, he is the priority add over any of the QBs listed in this article.
Bryce Young has again teased his elite fantasy upside later in the season, but has been a difficult player to trust this year. However, the Carolina Panthers quarterback has put up two top-four fantasy finishes in his last three games, and is worth a shot in a dome.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback brings obvious risk, but his ceiling makes him a legitimate upside play this weekend.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings (at DAL)
Speaking of “difficult to trust”, J.J. McCarthy has been abysmal for much of this year, and has looked completely out of his depth in the NFL. However, on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback delivered his best game since Week 1, topping 20 fantasy points and finishing as the QB10.
The Dallas Cowboys defense has allowed 255.2 passing yards per game, the highest in the league, and their secondary has become a weekly target when streaming quarterbacks. McCarthy remains volatile, but the matchup gives him a clear runway to post another usable fantasy result.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns (at CHI)
Shedeur Sanders is one of the more intriguing swing plays of Week 15, after ripping the Tennessee Titans for 364 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow Week 14 loss. The Chicago Bears have allowed the 12th-most passing yards per game this season (224.8), and just gave up three passing touchdowns to Jordan Love.
The small sample size makes hesitancy understandable in a win-or-go-home situation this weekend. However, at the very least, continued improvement would make him a worthwhile stash ahead of a Week 17 match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns (at CHI)
Harrold Fannin Jr.’s performance against Tennessee was a showcase, as he turned 11 targets into 114 yards and a touchdown. Sanders’ more aggressive quarterbacking style hasn’t brought consistent fantasy production for all of Cleveland’s pass catchers, but things have clicked for Fannin.
After finding the end zone in each of his last two games, the rookie will be hopeful of a third against a Chicago defense that just gave up three receiving touchdowns in Week 14. Also, like Sanders, Fannin faces the Steelers in Week 17, making him a multiple-week asset in the fantasy playoffs.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
Isaiah Likely has played his way into weekly relevance at a position where volume can be hard to find, and Week 15 sets up as another friendly environment. After spending most of the season as an afterthought in fantasy, Likely has now logged consecutive games with at least six targets and double-digit fantasy totals.
The Cincinnati Bengals have allowed the second-most passing yards per game this season (254.9), and Likely should be among those to take advantage this week.
Andy Borregales, K, New England Patriots (vs. BUF)
Andy Borregales enters Week 15 with the consistency that managers crave from streaming kickers. Before his Week 14 bye, he delivered three straight double-digit fantasy performances and attempted nine field goals across his two most recent games.
Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings (at DAL)
Will Reichard is another appealing kicking option thanks to a combination of reliability and environment. He has not missed a kick since Week 8 and has only two misses all year. Minnesota showed offensive competence last week, enough to believe they can move the ball and create scoring opportunities.
Another key factor is that Reichard is playing indoors, unlike many other available kickers, who’ll be at the mercy of the December elements this week.
Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
Evan McPherson sits seventh among fantasy kickers for the season and carries a proven week-winning ceiling into this matchup. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, McPherson hit all eight of his kicks, including a massive six field goals.
We’re unlikely to see a repeat of that, but McPherson is a kicker in form and is connected to a high-powered offense in Cincinnati.
Jacksonville Jaguars DEF (vs. NYJ)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense has quietly become one of the most reliable fantasy units of the season, entering Week 15 ranked fourth overall with an 8.3 point average through 14 games.
Their recent form is even more impressive, with four top-nine finishes in their last five outings as their opportunistic style of play has repeatedly caused problems for opponents. They bring a stable floor and a real shot at another top-tier defensive score this week.
The last three defenses to face the Jets all recorded top-10 fantasy weeks, with two finishing in the top five.
Chicago Bears DEF (vs. CLE)
The Bears’ defense is built for fantasy production thanks to a league-leading 27 takeaways. Week 15 sets up another opportunity, as Cleveland has committed two offensive turnovers in three straight games.
The Browns have shown improvement, but still rank 32nd in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, and the Bears will be confident of making things happen on Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers DEF (vs. TEN)
San Francisco’s defense is regaining form at the right time, stacking three straight top 12 finishes before their Week 12 bye as they found a groove under Robert Saleh. The Titans’ offense has struggled to generate consistent yardage, let alone sustained scoring drives, which places the 49ers in a strong position to deliver another positive performance.
Miami Dolphins DEF (at PIT)
Miami’s defense carries significant momentum into Week 15 on the back of four straight top-eight fantasy finishes, with multiple turnovers in every game during that run. The Steelers have committed nine offensive turnovers in five non-divisional games since Week 5, compared to only two in divisional play, making Miami a solid bet this week.
