There is nothing easy about making lineup decisions in fantasy football — it’s a necessary part of the game. Getting these decisions correct is key to your success as a manager. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions are more important than ever with us now being in the win-or-go-home portion of the season. So, let’s look at our Week 15 start/sit plays for the WR position.
Which WRs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (vs. PHI)
Even with QB Drew Lock under center, Tyler Lockett was able to post a really solid outing last week. His 14.9 fantasy points marked his best game since Week 10.
This week, things should be even better for the Seattle Seahawks’ WR2. The Philadelphia Eagles remain the most favorable opponent for wide receivers, allowing the most PPG to the position by a whopping 4.7-point margin.
This is a game where the Seahawks should have to throw 35+ times to attempt to keep pace with the Eagles’ explosive offense. It’s been a while since Lockett had one of his patented ceiling games. I think we get one this week.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at JAX)
It seems easy to pick a guy who is coming off consecutive 20-point outings, but let’s not pretend Zay Flowers has been this reliable fantasy starter all season. By no means has he been a must-start, but he is this week.
MORE: Week 15 Start/Sit Options — RB |Â QB |Â TE
The Jacksonville Jaguars allow the eighth-most PPG to wide receivers. Flowers is the Baltimore Ravens’ clear WR1 and has seen 18 targets over his last two games.
While the Ravens do sport an excellent pass defense, I think we could be in for a thrilling, high-scoring affair between the top-seeded Ravens and the suddenly sputtering Jaguars. Look for Flowers to extend his 20-point game streak to three.
Which WRs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. BAL)
In the start ’em portion of this column, I mentioned how I think this Sunday night contest could be high-scoring. You would think that’s good for Calvin Ridley. You would also think seeing 13 targets in a game would be good for Ridley. Yet, he posted a pedestrian 4-53 line last week on those 13 targets.
The Ravens allow the 12th-fewest PPG to wide receivers. They especially limit outside receivers, where Ridley almost exclusively lines up.
With WR Christian Kirk out, QB Trevor Lawrence is forced to target Ridley more. Unfortunately, Ridley simply isn’t good enough to do much with those targets. He just can’t get open.
Look for Lawrence to lean more on TE Evan Engram and WR Zay Jones this week, resulting in another dismal outing from one of the most overrated receivers in the game.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)
Two weeks ago, we faded Drake London. It worked. Last week, London was a recommended start, and he led the entire NFL in receiving. Now, we’re back off the London train.
For the Atlanta Falcons’ passing game, it’s quite simple: Will they have to throw? The answer against the Carolina Panthers’ run-funnel defense is “no.”
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Week 1 was admittedly a long time ago, but in that game, London didn’t catch a pass. I’m quite sure he will catch a pass in this one, but it might only be one or two — much like he did two weeks ago.
The Panthers allow the fourth-most ppg to running backs but the fifth-fewest to wide receivers. Expect a whole bunch of RB Bijan Robinson this week and for QB Desmond Ridder to attempt half as many passes as he did last week. Sit London.
Trending Searches for WR Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network? It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup.
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, so we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity.
Should You Start Tyler Lockett or Amari Cooper?
This one is about as close as it gets. The Start/Sit Optimizer has these two separated by just 0.1 points, as Tyler Lockett edges out Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper 10.8 to 10.7. In my Week 15 rankings, I have them right next to each other, as well.
The Bears have been surprisingly strong against the pass this season — they’ve been a below-average matchup for wide receivers overall. But more specifically, outside wide receivers have struggled against this team, averaging just 11.0 PPG.
Cooper has the advantage that comes with being his team’s WR1 — he saw a whopping 14 targets last week — but the game environment for Lockett should be much better.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these guys if forced to choose, but I lean toward Lockett by the slimmest of margins.
Should You Start Calvin Ridley or Brandin Cooks?
This is a tricky one. The Start/Sit Optimizer has Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks at 11.3 points and Calvin Ridley at 11.1, but it’s always risky starting Cooks, as you’re kind of just hoping for a touchdown.
Cooks has had some strong outings this season, with games of 16.5, 17.2, and 32.3 fantasy points to name a few. The problem for him, though, is in games where he hasn’t scored, his highest point total was 7.2.
The volume is not there. Cooks has seen more than five targets in a game just twice all season. He’s relying on splash plays and touchdowns.
For Ridley, volume hasn’t been a problem. He’s averaging 9.0 targets per game over his last four. The issue is talent — he just can’t get open.
The Ravens are a bad matchup, while Cooks could find himself in a shootout. If you need a floor play, it’s fine to go with Ridley, but the upside lies with Cooks.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
