Which depth charts do you have clarity of thought for Week 15 lineups? Which are clearly ones to stay away?
- 49ers running backs
- Steelers running backs
- Patriots running backs
- Dolphins wide receivers
- Seahawks wide receivers
- Bengals wide receivers
- Buccaneers wide receivers (beyond Chris Godwin)
JASON WOOD
49ers running backs -- Kyle Shanahan loves to zig as we're expecting a zag, but how can you not view Raheem Mostert as the lead back? Mostert has 42 snaps in the last two games compared to 12 for Matt Breida and 11 for Tevin Coleman. And Mostert has made the most of his opportunity, putting up huge games and looking the part running inside, outside, and catching passes.
Bengals wide receivers -- Tyler Boyd's role is locked in. He's played at least 75% of the team's snaps in every game, regardless of who else is healthy. John Ross' return poses a threat to the other receivers, particularly Auden Tate. Tate's snap count fell to 39% from the 80% level upon Ross' return. Boyd is the only Bengals receiver you can trust right now, but Ross is a lottery ticket play because he can score two deep touchdowns on two targets. Ross is only viable if you're doing heavy multi-entry GPP builds.
PHIL ALEXANDER
- Dolphins wide receivers - If DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson aren't able to clear the league's concussion protocol in time for Week 15, there is value to mine in Miami. The Dolphins and Giants both play up in pace and New York ranks 28th against the pass (DVOA). Allen Hurns is cash-game viable in this matchup on full-PPR sites. And last year's seventh-round draft pick, Isaiah Ford, who out-targeted and outproduced Hurns in Week 14, becomes an intriguing GPP flyer. Ford is young, has decent burst, and was a solid producer at Virginia Tech.
- Buccaneers wide receivers (beyond Chris Godwin) - Tampa Bay has lined up in a three-wide set on 72% of their offensive plays this season, which isn't likely to change due to Mike Evans' injury. They may move Godwin around the formation a bit more frequently, but the Buccaneers base package will include Godwin lined up in the slot, along with Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson on the outside (assuming Scotty Miller misses his third consecutive game with a balky hamstring). Watson and Perriman are both intriguing athletes, but I plan on having greater tournament exposure to Perriman, who should inherit more of the fantasy-friendly deep shots usually reserved for Evans.
JAMES BRIMACOMBE
49ers running backs -- I am passing on this backfield as it could go as deep as four running backs seeing carries depending on the game script.
Steelers running backs - The Steelers are finding ways to win football games and it has been solid defense and a team effort on offense getting the job done. I don't want to have to pick a running back to excel out of this backfield, it is a situation to sit back and just watch for now.
Patriots running backs - I want to love Sony Michel this week against the Bengals soft rush defense but the lack of touches last week has me scared. I won't be the only one scared off so maybe he is worth a couple of tournament lineups.
Seahawks wide receivers - If you are playing GPP's you will want to likely fade Chris Carson at his high ownership this week and look to the Seahawks passing game at a really low ownership. I like taking some Wilson and Locket stacks to be different this week.
Buccaneers wide receivers (beyond Chris Godwin) - Justin Watson might be a decent value dart play this week as he is priced down and will likely see an increase in targets to help fill the Evans void.
JUSTIN HOWE
Mike Tomlin’s Steelers are always dedicated deeply to one runner at a time. Even when Le’Veon Bell had great depth behind him, and when Jaylen Samuels was running red-hot late last season, they’re reluctant to divvy up rushes. So, for as long as James Conner’s shoulder holds up, he’ll almost certainly dominate this ground game. Samuels is now locked into a pass-game role without much on the ground, while Benny Snell and Kerrith Whyte will likely fade into oblivion.
