One week of the fantasy playoffs is in the books, and as expected, there were some big days across the board. The good news is there are just as many points out there for fantasy owners in week 15. Follow my rankings and I’ll see you in the next round.
Wide Receivers
Could Impress: Andre Johnson. Injuries have really hurt Johnson’s fantasy stock this season, and this week is no different, with the big receiver nursing a hamstring injury. But if he can go, he’s got an ideal matchup against Carolina and should benefit from some suspect corner play.
Could Disappoint: DeSean Jackson. It’s not only the fact that Jackson will be the latest guest on Revis Island, but it’s also that he has topped four catches just once since week five. Unless he can get into the end zone, there is not much to like.
Injury Replacement: James Jones. It’s been an up and down season for Jones, who resigned with the Packers instead of competing for a starting spot on another team. He gets his chance to show his worth this week with Greg Jennings missing time. Green Bay spreads the ball around, so don’t expect him to put up Jennings-like numbers, but it’s safe to assume he’ll have something close to 4 catches and 60 yards.
WR Rankings
1. Wes Welker NE (@ Denver)
2. Roddy White ATL (vs. Jacksonville)
3. Calvin Johnson DET (@ Oakland)
4. Jordy Nelson GB (@ Kansas City)
5. Hakeem Nicks NYG (vs. Washington)
6. Larry Fitzgerald AZ (vs. Cleveland)
7. Steve Smith CAR (@ Houston)
8. Mike Wallace PIT (@ San Francisco)
9. Marques Colston NO (@ Minnesota)
10. Victor Cruz NYG (vs. Washington)
11. A.J. Green CIN (@ St. Louis)
12. Vincent Jackson SD (vs. Baltimore)
13. Brandon Marshall MIA (@ Buffalo)
14. Miles Austin DAL (@ Tampa Bay)
15. Percy Harvin MIN (vs. New Orleans)
16. Dwayne Bowe KC (vs. Green Bay)
17. Dez Bryant DAL (@ Tampa Bay)
18. Laurent Robinson DAL (@ Tampa Bay)
19. Steve Johnson BUF (vs. Miami)
20. Antonio Brown PIT (@ San Francisco)
21. Brandon Lloyd STL (vs. Cincinnati)
22. Andre Johnson HOU (vs. Carolina)
23. Santana Moss WAS (@ New York Giants)
24. DeSean Jackson PHI (vs. New York Jets)
25. Julio Jones ATL (vs. Jacksonville)
26. Anquan Boldin BAL (@ San Diego)
27. Demaryius Thomas DEN (vs. New England)
28. Nate Washington TEN (@ Indianapolis)
29. Santonio Holmes NYJ (@ Philadelphia)
30. Michael Crabtree SF (vs. Pittsburgh)
31. Mario Manningham NYG (vs. Washington)
32. Mike Williams TB (vs. Dallas)
33. Pierre Garcon IND (vs. Tennessee)
34. James Jones GB (@ Kansas City)
35. Eric Decker DEN (vs. New England)
36. Jabar Gaffney WAS (@ New York Giants)
37. Jeremy Maclin PHI (vs. New York Jets)
38. C.J. Spiller BUF (vs. Miami)
39. Lance Moore NO (@ Minnesota)
40. Doug Baldwin SEA (@ Chicago)
41. Torrey Smith BAL (@ San Diego)
42. Malcom Floyd SD (vs. Baltimore)
43. Damian Williams TEN (@ Indianapolis)
44. Donald Driver GB (@ Kansas City)
45. Plaxico Burress NYJ (@ Philadelphia)
46. Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK (vs. Detroit)
47. Nate Burleson DET (@ Oakland)
48. Deion Branch NE (@ Denver)
49. Johnny Knox CHI (vs. Seattle)
50. Reggie Wayne IND (vs. Tennessee)
Tight Ends
Could Impress: Rob Gronkowski. Give credit where credit is due, Gronkowski has impressed every single time out this year. That won’t end this weekend with a very nice matchup against Denver.
Could Disappoint: Vernon Davis. It’s no surprise that the Steelers have a very good defense, just like it should surprise no one that they are very good at stopping opposing tight ends. Even when San Fran was trying to throw last week, Davis got just one catch. Temper your expectations for this week.
Injury Replacement: Anthony Fasano. He’s become more involved in the offense, catching 7 balls for 122 yards in the last two weeks. Buffalo is among the league’s worst at stopping opposing tight ends.
TE Rankings
1. Rob Gronkowski NE (@ Denver)
2. Jimmy Graham NO (@ Minnesota)
3. Jermichael Finley GB (@ Kansas City)
4. Antonio Gates SD (vs. Baltimore)
5. Tony Gonzalez ATL (vs. Jacksonville)
6. Jason Witten DAL (@ Tampa Bay)
7. Brandon Pettigrew DET (@ Oakland)
8. Owen Daniels HOU (vs. Carolina)
9. Aaron Hernandez NE (@ Denver)
10. Vernon Davis SF (vs. Pittsburgh)
11. Kellen Winslow TB (vs. Dallas)
12. Dustin Keller NYJ (@ Philadelphia)
13. Greg Olsen CAR (@ Houston)
14. Jermaine Gresham CIN (@ St. Louis)
15. Brent Celek PHI (vs. New York Jets)
16. Jake Ballard NYG (vs. Washington)
17. Dallas Clark IND (vs. Tennessee)
18. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN (vs. New Orleans)
19. Heath Miller PIT (@ San Francisco)
20. Ed Dickson BAL (@ San Diego)
21. Marcedes Lewis JAX (@ Atlanta)
22. Anthony Fasano MIA (@ Buffalo)
23. Jared Cook TEN (@ Indianapolis)
24. Kevin Boss OAK (vs. Detroit)
25. Evan Moore CLE (@ Arizona)
Stephen Kelley is a contributor at The Sports Bank where he covers Fantasy Sports and Pro Drafts. You can follow him on Twitter @stephen_tsb.