After 14 strenuous weeks, the 2023 fantasy football playoffs are finally here. After the first four games of the week, championship aspirations are already slim for those who got put in an early hole by Jared Goff, Jordan Addison, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins, and others.
Not only were there several high-scoring studs over the first four games, but it wouldn’t be the conclusion of the season from hell if we didn’t have a rash of key injuries, such as CJ Stroud, Keenan Allen, Nico Collins, Chris Olave, Tyreek Hill, Devon Achane, and more.
Luckily, we put together some fantasy football Week 15 WR streamers to lessen the blow and hopefully swing your matchup in the right direction.
Let’s get it.
NOAH BROWN WEEK 15 FANTASY OUTLOOK
It appears the Texans’ fantasy fairytale is coming to an end at an inopportune time with CJ Stroud, Tank Dell (IR), and Nico Collins all missing their Week 15 matchup against the Titans. But with DeMeco Ryans choosing veteran gunslinger Case Keenum over Davis Mills at quarterback, Noah Brown can make some noise as the Texans’ default WR1.
Ever since his Week 10 injury, Brown has not been the player he was during his magical two-week stretch, where he corralled 13 of 14 targets for 222 yards and a touchdown with an absurd 25 yards per reception. However, a knee injury derailed his momentum and over the last two weeks, he’s recorded zero receptions on a lowly 12.5% target share.
This week, he gets to operate as Keenum’s WR1 against a Titans secondary that is very beatable by outside receivers, allowing the third-most receiving yards per game to that spot and the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Overall, Brown is a high-ceiling, low-floor receiver who should get peppered by targets with the Texans’ top-two receivers out of action. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he holds a 20% target share and finds the end zone.
ZAY JONES WEEK 15 FANTASY OUTLOOK
While the other options in Los Angeles might be the most apparent replacements, looking to the waiver wire is also a great option. Somehow, Jaguars’ receiver Zay Jones is owned in just 30 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Since returning from injury, Jones has quickly found himself in a great position to produce in fantasy. Just as Jones was making his return, receiver Christian Kirk was placed on IR with a groin injury.
Jones has been peppered with opportunities after assuming a full-time role in Week 13. Jones has seen 22 targets for a 25 percent target share in two weeks. Unfortunately, as his expected fantasy point numbers show, these targets haven’t led to the most significant production.
Even though the production isn’t there, the 14 targets that Jones had last week are hard to find on the waiver wire.
Jacksonville takes on a tough Baltimore offense this week, but given the expanded role in this offense, Jones is worthy of a start at the flex this week.
RASHID SHAHEED WEEK 15 FANTASY OUTLOOK
Like Noah Brown, Rashid Shaheed is a boom-or-bust option that brings little consistency to the table but could also win you the week and advance you to the semifinals. Although his quad injury was more serious than most thought, he’s off the injury report and ready to go against the New York Giants.
Shaheed is the ultimate lid-lifter, averaging over 16 yards per reception and 9.7 yards per target. He also boasts 16.5, 17.3, and 22.8 half PPR days. On the flip side, however, he also has eight single-digit games that could ultimately sink your season.
But, with Chris Olave (ankle) a true game-time decision and Michael Thomas sidelined for good, Shaheed could be the Saints de-facto WR1 against a Giants’ secondary that allows the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Just last week, they let up double-digit fantasy points to Jayden Reed and allowed 20-point bombs to teammates CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks back in Week 10.
The upside is boiling, and the matchup is there for the speedster to flip your matchup in the right direction.
DEMARCUS ROBINSON WEEK 15 FANTASY OUTLOOK
Matthew Stafford is back to his gunslinging ways, which has allowed him to make not one, not two, but three wide receivers fantasy-relevant as we enter the fantasy playoffs. We all know what Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua bring to the table, but old friend Demarcus Robinson is starting to cook as the team’s third receiving option.
With Tutu Atwell out in Week 14, Robinson took over the role by running 98% of routes and seeing a very strong 27% target share — higher than Kupp’s 24% and Nacua’s 22%. Even more impressive, he had a team-leading 17.7 average depth of target (aDOT), 48% air yard share, and 43% end zone target share. Oh, and he scored 16 and 14 PPR points over the last two games.
Truly absurd numbers by the journeyman receiver.
The dream will likely continue this week when he squares off against the pathetic Commanders’ secondary that’s allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and the most passing touchdowns in the league this season.
Available in 93% of leagues, Robinson is the best “deep sleeper” of the bunch.
