Week 15 was so much simpler when we didn't think Josh Jacobs had a chance to play. DeAndre Washington was set to be the Start of the Week and Jacobs' managers knew they need to make alternative plans. One tweet from Ian Rapoport changed all of that. Then Jon Gruden spoke cautiously about Jacobs and now it feels like we know nothing. Here's how I'm handling it.
The projections below still reflect Jacobs being out and Washington starting. They also show Washington as a top-12 back. That makes this very easy if you have both. If Jacobs is active, you start him. If not, you start Washington. If you only have one of them it gets more complicated.
This is a 4:25 game on Sunday so you're going to need someone like Kareem Hunt, Raheem Mostert, or Marlon Mack on your bench to seriously consider waiting it out. If you can get Washington or Jacobs into a flex then you could also use Mike Williams, Zach Pascal, or Dede Westbrook as a backup plan.
If you legitimately don't have any other top-35 running backs and Jacobs' status is legitimately up in the air at 1 p.m. Sunday it's going to be very difficult to start Jacobs or Washington.
One player I'd have to start over the Raiders (unless I had both) would be Le'Veon Bell. Bell is a borderline No. 2 back on Thursday night against Baltimore, but in PPR Bell offers a much better floor.
With the right information the Raiders starting running back could be a week-winner in season-long and DFS. The timing of when we get that information will be key. Just make sure you're prepared for any outcome.
Week 15 RB Preview
Who's Out
The following players are not being projected to play Week 15 at this time. Here's what it means:
Chris Carson should dominate touches against the best matchup in Fantasy.
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Adrian Peterson is in play in non-PPR.
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Numbers to know
- 19 - Even with Boston Scott stealing the show, Miles Sanders saw 19 touches. I'm starting him again against Washington.
- 60 - Tackles broken by Chris Carson this season. That's the most in the NFL.
- 9 - Snaps for Sony Michel in Week 14. He's played 22 or fewer in four of his past five games.
- 9.9 - Yards per target for Austin Ekeler this season. That's second-highest mark ever for a running back with at least 50 targets
- 5 - Patrick Laird has at least five targets in three of his past four games. He's a viable PPR starter this week.
- 13 - Adrian Peterson has received 13 touches or more in seven games this season. He's scored at least eight non-PPR points in all but one of them.
Matchups that matter
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Waiver Wire Targets
He's must-start if Jacobs is out.
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Laird's target volume gives him a nice floor and his matchup helps his ceiling.
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Thompson is a touchdown-dependent flex as long as Damien Williams is out.
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Edwards is looking at 15-20 touches per game with goal-line opportunities if Ingram goes down.
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Don't wait for an injury to try to stash Pollard.
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DFS Plays
Everyone should play Carson in every lineup. The only risk is injury.
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I don't want to fade DeAndre Washington, but where I'm looking to pivot, Laird will be my choice.
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Heath's Projections
Non-PPR Rank | PPR Rank | RB | FPTs | PPR FPTs |
1 | 1 | 23.36 | 31.20 | |
3 | 2 | 18.09 | 22.21 | |
11 | 3 | 15.10 | 21.53 | |
7 | 4 | 15.90 | 21.45 | |
2 | 5 | Chris Carson | 18.74 | 21.44 |
5 | 6 | 16.73 | 20.19 | |
6 | 7 | 16.59 | 19.72 | |
4 | 8 | 17.53 | 18.77 | |
16 | 9 | Austin Ekeler | 13.00 | 18.56 |
9 | 10 | DeAndre Washington | 15.63 | 18.56 |
10 | 11 | 15.23 | 17.98 | |
8 | 12 | 15.73 | 17.01 | |
12 | 13 | Miles Sanders | 14.09 | 16.85 |
23 | 14 | 11.80 | 16.83 | |
14 | 15 | 13.82 | 16.67 | |
13 | 16 | 13.88 | 16.19 | |
15 | 17 | 13.26 | 15.82 | |
25 | 18 | Kareem Hunt | 11.49 | 15.58 |
21 | 19 | 12.16 | 15.57 | |
20 | 20 | 12.16 | 15.50 | |
19 | 21 | 12.20 | 14.78 | |
28 | 22 | Patrick Laird | 10.50 | 14.30 |
27 | 23 | Le'Veon Bell | 10.99 | 14.28 |
31 | 24 | 9.85 | 14.03 | |
29 | 25 | 10.21 | 14.03 | |
24 | 26 | 11.69 | 13.77 | |
17 | 27 | Raheem Mostert | 12.36 | 13.76 |
26 | 28 | 11.04 | 13.71 | |
18 | 29 | 12.23 | 13 | |
36 | 30 | 9.10 | 12.86 | |
30 | 31 | 10.09 | 12.80 | |
22 | 32 | Adrian Peterson | 12.11 | 12.54 |
33 | 33 | 9.26 | 11.58 | |
32 | 34 | 9.49 | 11.14 | |
39 | 35 | 8.15 | 10.82 | |
37 | 36 | 8.74 | 10.72 | |
41 | 37 | 7.47 | 10.65 | |
34 | 38 | 9.25 | 10.29 | |
40 | 39 | 8.08 | 10.05 | |
49 | 40 | 5.41 | 10.00 | |
38 | 41 | Sony Michel | 8.66 | 9.20 |
35 | 42 | Marlon Mack | 9.12 | 9.12 |
50 | 43 | 5.12 | 8.39 | |
47 | 44 | 6 | 8.31 |
So who should you sit and start this week? And which surprising quarterback could lead you to victory? Visit SportsLine now to get Week 15 rankings for every position, plus see which QB is going to come out of nowhere to crack the top 10, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.
