Fantasy Football Must Starts Week 15

By James Collier

The fantasy playoffs are here! Congratulations and good luck to those of you still fortunate enough to be making Start/Sit decisions this week. 

Read on for our three Must Start players that we think will help ensure you are still setting lineups next week…

Adam Thielen vs Dallas Cowboys

There’s life in the old man yet! Thielen has been balling since returning from injury and has particularly turned back the years in his last two games, leading the team in targets with 21 and converting them into 17 receptions for just over 200 yards and a touchdown. 

And believe it or not the Panthers are actually favourites to win an NFL game this weekend against the Cowboys. The Dallas defense has been banged up all year and had as many as 11 players on the injury report this week, including the loss of standout rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown for the rest of the season. 

The 34 year old Thielen may not have the ceiling of those ranked above him but he has a top 15 week in his range of outcomes. 

ECR Ranking (PPR): WR30

Rico Dowdle @ Carolina Panthers (Lewis Wood)

“Since the offense has fallen apart, Rico Dowdle has suddenly become the bellcow. It would’ve been great if he could’ve done this with a real QB, but he’s still finished as a top 30 RB all but once since week 9, with two top ten finishes in that time. This week, he plays the worst rushing defense in football in the Panthers. There’s a good chance for him to finish top ten on the week with very few other options available to the Cowboys.”

ECR Ranking (PPR): RB14

Brian Robinson @ New Orleans Saints (Tom Strachan)

“Austin Ekeler is on injured reserve with his second concussion of the season and it’s possible we’ve seen the last of him till 2025, clearing the way for Brian Robinson to see more and more high-value touches. When Ekeler got injured he’d been enjoying more goal-line touches than over the rest of the season but then in Week 13 Robinson had one of his best performances of the year, rushing for 6.4 yards per carry and breaking 100 yards for the first time since Week 4. The Saints can’t stop the run, allowing a league-high 5.0 yards per carry, and they’ll likely be worn down without starting quarterback Derek Carr. Meanwhile, the Commanders are fresh off their bye week. Everything screams Brian Robinson getting twenty touches, two touchdowns and a top-8 weekly finish.”

ECR Ranking (PPR): RB15

Feature image credit: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

JAMES COLLIER

Lead Fantasy Football Analyst

A Washington fan since the early 2010’s, James had no choice but to turn to fantasy football in search of happiness – and it wasn’t long until it became an obsession. You can follow him on Twitter @jamesc294.

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