It is Week 15 of the 2021 fantasy football season. The playoffs are here or starting soon, congratulations to all who have qualified.
It’s been a long regular season. It’s been a grind. But in a few weeks when we are hoisting our fantasy football league-winning trophy, cashing out our winnings, and talking smack to our league-mates, it will all be worth it.
However, just because you made the playoffs doesn’t mean you’re on easy street from here on out. While NFL bye weeks are behind us, we must also account for injuries and COVID-19.
We can get through it. We have already made it this far.
My weekly fantasy football sleepers will help you find the best pivots possible to help you win your week and, when it is all said and done, a 2021 fantasy football championship.
Now, here are my Week 15 fantasy football sleepers. Let’s survive and advance.
*NFL bye weeks have concluded for the 2021 season
Please note that all NFL gameday odds and lines below are current as of 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 14.
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Quarterback
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Saints-Buccaneers Total: 46.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 46.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110)
Taysom Hill could be a fantasy football league winner. In his first two starts of the year, Hill has scored at least 26.3 fantasy points. Depending on your scoring format, it could be more or less. While Hill is an average passer, we love him for his rushing upside in fantasy.
In those two starts, Hill has rushed at least 11 times for 73+ yards. He’s also scored two times on the ground while throwing for two scores in that two-game period.
While I am not in love with Hill’s Week 15 matchup with the Buccaneers, it is an exploitable one. The Bucs are allowing the third-most FPPG to quarterbacks (24.0). They are also allowing the sixth-most rushing yards (294) along with three scores on the ground to the position.
Hill should go for another 20+ fantasy points in Week 15.
Deep QB Week 15 Sleeper: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings
Similar to why I like Hill, I am also in on Justin Fields for his rushing upside. While he had some question marks early in the year, Fields has flashed in the second half.
In four games since Week 8, Fields has finished with 19.1+ fantasy points in three of them. The only game he didn’t, Week 11 against Baltimore, he did not finish due to cracking his ribs after playing 29 snaps.
In those four games, Fields rushed for 45+ yards three times, including two games over 74. He’s also totaled five touchdowns (one rushing) in those three games as well.
Fields will get the Vikings in Week 15. Minnesota’s defense is yielding the fourth most FPPG (23.5) to quarterbacks. They are also allowing the ninth-most (269) rushing yards to enemy signal callers along with one score on the ground.
In the past four games, the Vikings have given up 26.9+ fantasy points to the opposing quarterback three times. Fields will pop in Week 15.
More Week 15 QB Sleepers To Consider
- Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons
DFS Week 15 Player Props To Play
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2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Running Back
Michael Carter, New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins
- Dolphins-Jets Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
Michael Carter has missed the past three games with an ankle injury but is expected to return in Week 15 against the Dolphins. Since Week 2, Carter has finished with 10.8+ PPR points in 6-of-9 games. It could have been seven games in the double-digits, but Carter injured his ankle in his last matchup at Miami back in Week 10. He managed 7.5 PPR points in 20 snaps.
As long as Carter returns to his featured role, he will serve as a terrific asset to the Jets offense who are without Corey Davis (core) and Elijah Moore (quad), and his fantasy managers down the stretch.
Look for Carter to get back on track in Week 15 against a Dolphins team allowing the ninth-fewest FPPG (20.8) to enemy backs. While the Dolphins were a great matchup in the first half of 2021, they have played very well in the second.
This doesn’t mean to fade Carter. He is a dual-threat rusher on a team that normally trails and is missing their top two wideouts. Carter brings a high floor into Week 15.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals
- Bengals-Broncos Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)
With or without Melvin Gordon active on gameday, Javonte Williams should be in all fantasy lineups for the duration. It took some time for Williams to find his groove, flashing at times earlier in the year, but in recent weeks, the highly touted rookie has taken off.
Williams has finished with 20.1+ PPR points in three straight games. He’s also scored in all three of those outings with four total touchdowns in that period. It’s not just touchdowns either. Williams is also getting the job done yardage-wise. He’s gone for 83+ total yards in four of his past five games, including three games with north of 100.
Look for Williams to keep it rolling in Week 15 against the Bengals. The Bengals’ defense is allowing 24.6 FPPG to the running back position, good for 10th most in the league. While the Bengals’ defense has tightened up against enemy backs in the past four games, the Broncos are relentless with running the football. They will keep pounding the rock until the Cincy breaks with Williams leading the way.
Deep RB Week 15 Sleeper: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo Bills
- Bills-Panthers Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)
While Chuba Hubbard must contend with Cam Newton vulturing carries and Ameer Abdullah stealing passing down work, he is still the lead back on a Panthers team that wants to run the football. Last week with Christian McCaffrey sidelined, Hubbard managed 10 carries for 33 yards and a score. While he only finished with 9.3 PPR points, he still finished as the RB30 in PPR. You could have done a lot worse.
I will go back to the Hubbard well in Week 15 against the Bills. While Buffalo’s defense is normally stout against the run, they are allowing 21.8 FPPG to the running back position in fantasy. In fact, in their past five games, the Bills have allowed four backs to score at least 17.1 PPR points on them. They are beginning to break down, down the stretch.
Hubbard will likely need to score and/or catch a few passes to finish as an RB2, but if you are desperate, I would roll him out there.
More Week 15 RB Sleepers To Consider
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D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks
Find better Week 15 fantasy football players on the waiver wire with our 2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Top Pickups.
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Wide Receiver
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks
- Rams-Seahawks Total: 47 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 47 (-110), Under 47 (-110)
Van Jefferson has exploded onto the scene in Los Angeles. Despite the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., who is playing well, Jefferson has emerged as an upside fantasy option and arguably, the WR2 on the Rams.
Jefferson has finished with 14.8 PPR points in each of his past three games, scoring in all of them. And while he only drew three targets last week, he’s still drawn 7+ looks in five of his past seven games.
While Jefferson’s matchup with the Seahawks isn’t a favorable one on paper, the Rams deploy a high-octane passing attack. They will keep throwing until they pop. Seattle’s secondary may be able to contain the Rams for some of the game, but it will only be a matter of time until they are exploited on the back end like they were in their Week 5 meeting.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons
- 49ers-Falcons Total: 45.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 45.5 (-110), Under 45.5 (-110)
The 49ers’ offense has been throwing the ball well and Brandon Aiyuk has been a big part of their success. Aiyuk has finished with 12.5 PPR points in four of his past six games. He’s also drawn 6+ targets in five of those six games and scored three times, including once last week. What’s more, Aiyuk has also drawn a season-high 11 targets last week as well.
In Week 15, Aiyuk has a chance to pop against the Falcons. The Falcons are allowing 38.1 FPPG to enemy wideouts, good for eighth-most in the NFL. They have been diced through the air all season and it’s not stopping anytime soon.
Deep WR Week 15 Sleeper: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals
- Lions-Cardinals Total: 47.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 47.5 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110)
Amon-Ra St. Brown is emerging out of nowhere. In his past two games, he’s finished with 15.3+ PPR points. In both of those outings, St. Brown has drawn 12 targets and caught 8+ passes for 73+ yards, scoring once.
As long as St. Brown can stay on the field and continues to get the opportunity, he will flourish.
In Week 15, St. Brown gets a matchup against the Cardinals. It is safe to say there will be plenty of garbage time opportunities for the rookie wideout. If you are in a bind, there aren’t many desperation plays lingering on the waiver wire drawing double-digit targets. St. Brown is your guy.
More Week 15 WR Sleepers To Consider
- Marvin Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
- Jamison Crowder, New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Tight End
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Raiders-Browns Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
Following a sluggish start to the year, Austin Hooper has been turning it on of late. He is not lighting up the scoreboards, but he has finished with 9.3+ PPR points in three of his past four games, including two games with 12.4+.
In that four-game period, Hooper has drawn 5+ targets three times, including two games with seven. As long as Hooper is getting targeted, he will bring a solid floor.
In Week 15, Hooper could have his best outing of the year. He gets a Raiders defense allowing the second-most FPPG (16.5) to tight ends. Since Week 3, the Raiders have allowed eight different tight ends to finish with 10+ PPR points. They’ve also given up a touchdown to a tight end three times in the past three games since Week 12.
Deep TE Week 15 Sleeper: Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams
- Seahawks-Rams Total: 47 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 47 (-110), Under 47 (-110)
Gerald Everett has played well since Seattle’s Week 9 bye, going over 10.8 PPR points in 3-of-5 games. In that five-game stretch he has gone over two targets four times and logged 6+ targets in three of them.
In the only game he drew fewer than four targets, he was still productive Everett finished with a 2/15/1 line on two targets last week against the Texans. He also rushed one time for 13 yards and ended the week with 10.8 PPR points.
Everett, who has scored a touchdown in two of his past three games, will face his former team in Week 15, in the form of the Rams. Insert the revenge game narrative. The Rams are ceding 12.1 FPPG to enemy tight ends, good for 19th in the NFL.
This isn’t a great matchup on paper, but it is an exploitable one. Everett is also garnering the volume and red-zone usage to warrant fantasy consideration in Week 15.
More Week 15 TE Sleepers To Consider
- Hunter Henry, New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
- Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia Eagles
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Kicker
Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
- Cowboys-Giants Total: 45 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 45 (-110), Under 45 (-110)
Greg Zuerlein has finished with 8+ fantasy points in four straight games since Week 11, including three games over 10. While the Cowboys’ offense has been struggling to find their way in the second half of the year, Zuerlein’s big leg has been putting up fantasy points.
Zuerlein’s production will continue into Week 15 at the Giants, a team ceding 9.1 FPPG to enemy kickers, fifth-most in the NFL. While Zuerlein may not bring a high ceiling, his 9.2 FPPG average won’t lose you your matchup in the fantasy playoffs.
More Week 15 PK Sleepers To Consider
- Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Football Team
- Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints
2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 15: Defensive Team
Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets
- Dolphins-Jets Total: 42 via Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 42 (-110), Under 42 (-110)
Coming off their Week 14 bye, the Dolphins get a favorable matchup with the Jets. One of the hottest D/STs in fantasy football, the Dolphins’ D/ST has topped 9+ fantasy points in four of their past five games, finishing with 17+ three times.
During that period the only team to hold the Dolphins’ D/ST to under nine fantasy points was the Jets in Week 11. However, the Jets will enter Week 15 shorthanded at wide receiver. Yes, they are expected to get RB Michael Carter back, but both top wideouts Corey Davis (core) and Elijah Moore (quad) are on IR.
The Dolphins’ D/ST should do work in Week 15.
Other Week 15 D/ST To Consider
- Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tennessee Titans
NFL Week 14 Injuries to Monitor
- QB Lamar Jackson (ankle)
- QB Taylor Heinicke (knee)
- QB Josh Allen (toe)
- RB Rex Burkhead (groin)
- RB Austin Ekeler (ankle)
- WR D.J. Moore (knee)
- WR Terry McLaurin (concussion)
Anthony’s Accountable: Sleeper Pick Success Rate
This is a recap of my plays from Week 14 (skill position players only). I consider a sleeper a hit if the player scores 10-plus PPR points (15-plus for QBs, 8-plus for D/ST):
Anthony’s Sleepers are 87-78-2 this season.
- QB Taysom Hill (26.3)
- QB Cam Newton (15.8)
- RB Dontrell Hilliard (1.3)
- RB Javonte Williams (21.3)
- RB Chuba Hubbard (9.3)
- WR Van Jefferson (20.5)
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (5.0)
- WR Elijah Moore (placed on IR the Saturday before the game)
- TE Zach Ertz (9.2)
- TE Gerald Everett (10.8)
- K Zane Gonzalez (6.0)
- DST Denver Broncos (10.0)
