Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com.
The fantasy football playoffs are here, and we have the deluxe guide to help you advance past the first round. For those who have earned a first-round bye, there is still work to be done this week, as you will have to battle the active teams for the top fantasy football waiver wire adds featured here.
As the postseason opens, there is no more time to stash players and wait for them to break out in most cases, and making sure you have good roster depth is a top priority. In the running backs section, I provide an important reminder of how to ensure that you have the right fantasy insurance options rostered for the playoffs.
Running Backs
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Kenneth Walker III
The Eagles have the sixth-best run defense overall, so some fantasy players may hesitate to start Walker in what will be perceived as a tough matchup. But over the past four weeks, Philadelphia ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed to RBs. The Eagles' pass defense ranks 28th in the NFL, so the Seahawks should also be able to move into position to give Walker a few shots at short-yardage TD opportunities. He should be started for at least adequate fantasy production in Week 15.
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Ezekiel Elliott
The former Cowboy was a quality flex option in Week 14 as he took over the lead RB role for New England. Elliott was busy as a receiver, as he had seven receptions and a TD on eight targets. The first-year Patriot finished with 140 yards from scrimmage. Elliott is a quality streamer or RB fill-in for Week 15, as New England attempts to keep up with Kansas City. The Chiefs rank 29th in receiving yards and 24th in rushing yards allowed to RBs over the past four weeks.
Other Recommended RB Starters For Week 15: David Montgomery, James Cook, Javonte Williams, Jerome Ford, Devin Singletary.
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Chase Brown
The exciting Cincinnati RB is capable of busting loose for a sizable gain at any time as both a runner and receiver. He is emerging as a quality playmaking threat out of the backfield for the Bengals, operating as a top complement to Joe Mixon. Brown only had 11 touches in Week 14, yet he turned them into 105 scrimmage yards. He raced to the end zone on a 54-yard catch-and-run for a TD. Mixon remains the No. 1 RB for the Bengals, but Brown is an upside play who can function as a promising flex option during the fantasy playoffs.
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Rico Dowdle
Dowdle is a prime example of what type of RB is essential to have on fantasy rosters during the playoffs. He is the No. 2 RB on the Dallas depth chart, and you should make sure to add the top guy behind your regular fantasy starter as fantasy insurance. Those who roster Tony Pollard simply must make the move to assure that Dowdle is on the team, too. In case of an injury to a starting RB, you don't want to compete for the elevated RB on the waiver wire. Dowdle will be a good fantasy option if ever pressed into more action for Dallas. He has five TDs from scrimmage in the last five games.
Other fantasy insurance RBs to roster include Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta), D'Ernest Johnson (Jacksonville) Jamaal Williams (New Orleans), Royce Freeman (Los Angeles Rams), and Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia).
Week 15 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire – Top 10 RB Adds
- Ty Chandler
- D'Onta Foreman
- Chase Brown
- Jerick McKinnon
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Tyjae Spears
- Tyler Allgeier
- Miles Sanders
- Zamir White
- Rico Dowdle
Wide Receivers
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Rashee Rice
If you have a tough lineup decision between the ascending Kansas City rookie and another WR3 or flex option this week, you should lean toward starting Rice in many cases. In his last three games, the Chiefs' second-round draft pick in 2023 has 23 receptions on 29 targets, while averaging 81 receiving yards per game during that span. Rice has three touchdowns in his last five games. He has the sixth-best WR/CB matchup grade of any WR against opposing cornerback groups for Week 15 on Pro Football Focus. New England ranks 21st in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs.
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Odell Beckham Jr.
The three-time Pro Bowler has resurfaced as a quality fantasy starter. He is the top waiver wire pickup of the week at WR, and Beckham should also be inserted into lineups right away if he is added. "OBJ" has 22 targets in his last three games, with 90-plus yards in two of those games. He has three TD catches in his last five games. Beckham should play a very important role in a significant AFC Sunday night matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville ranks 25th in FFPG allowed to WRs overall and 29th over the past four weeks.
Other Recommended WR Starters For Week 15: DeAndre Hopkins, Jayden Reed, Tee Higgins, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Philadelphia allows the most FFPG to WRs), Curtis Samuel.
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Zay Jones
Christian Kirk, who was an every-week fantasy starter, is currently on injured reserve with a groin injury. Jones should step forward and may be worthy of fantasy lineup consideration during the playoffs. He was targeted 14 times in Week 14, finishing with five receptions. Jones has seven TD receptions over the past two seasons, with seven games played so far this season. Jacksonville rookie Parker Washington, who caught a TD pass in Week 14, is a viable pickup in deeper leagues.
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Noah Brown
Injuries at WR for the Texans will keep Brown on the fantasy radar. In Weeks 9 and 10, he caught 13 passes for 325 yards. Brown challenges defenses with his combination of size and downfield playmaking ability. Add him for potential upside for the fantasy playoffs, as he recently returned from a knee injury and can start contributing in fantasy football again soon, especially when C.J. Stroud is cleared from a concussion.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire – Top 10 WR Adds
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Zay Jones
- Noah Brown
- Curtis Samuel
- Joshua Palmer
- Wan'Dale Robinson
- Quentin Johnston
- Khalil Shakir
- John Metchie III
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends
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Matthew Stafford
The Rams QB is another top waiver wire target that can be started right away if you pick him up. Injuries at the position have continued to be an issue for fantasy football players, and Stafford can be inserted as a starter for Week 15 if an immediate replacement is needed. He has passed for three-plus TDs in each of his past three games and finished with over 290 yards in adverse weather conditions in Week 14. Washington allows the second-most FFPG to QBs, and the Rams have the best pass-blocking advantage grade on PFF for Week 15.
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Joe Flacco
The 38-year-old Flacco is showing that he still can effectively lead an offense while posting quality fantasy totals in his first two starts for the Browns after originally being signed to the practice squad. He has passed for five TDs in two games and finished with 311 passing yards against the Jaguars in Week 14. You should aim to have decent depth at QB during the fantasy playoffs in case of an injury, and Flacco might be able to help your team in an emergency. In superflex leagues, where you can start a QB at a second flex position, Flacco should be a prime pickup.
In superflex formats, you should always take a flier on any QB who is projected to take over as a starter, such as Easton Stick of the Chargers, who will get the call for the first time this week against Pittsburgh.
Other Recommended QB Starters for Week 15: Russell Wilson, Jordan Love, and Sam Howell are all viable streaming options.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire – Top 5 QB Adds
- Matthew Stafford
- Jake Browning
- Joe Flacco
- Derek Carr
- Drew Lock
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Isaiah Likely
The second-year Baltimore TE has 13 targets in his last two games, and in Week 14, he caught five passes for 83 yards and a TD in rainy and windy conditions. Likely should be frequently involved in the Ravens passing game as the team attempts to eventually secure a top playoff seed in the AFC. The Jaguars rank 28th in FFPG allowed to TEs.
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Tucker Kraft
Some fantasy players may still be scrambling for TE help as the fantasy playoffs open. The Green Bay rookie has 10 targets over his past two games and finished with 64 yards on Monday against the Giants. Take a flier on Kraft to see if the rookie can continue to emerge late in the season.
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day during the 2023 fantasy football season.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 14 divisional matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Saturday, the Seahawks departed for the Bay Area for a division matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, but not before Olu Oluwatimi and Dre'Mont Jones showed their colors in the Michigan/Ohio St. rivalry.
The Seahawks departed Seattle as rain fell heavily as they boarded their Delta charter.
The Seahawks landed less than two hours later in San Jose to sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s.
On game day, Jarran Reed made his way to the team buses.
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba works with assistant coach Sanjay Lal during early pregame.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner goes through his early pregame warmups.
Seahawks specialists Jason Myers, Michael Dickson and Chris Stoll take a break during pregame.
Seahawks fans represented in the Bay Area.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett talks to the team before the game.
Seahawks captains Bobby Wagner, Nick Bellore, Quandre Diggs and game captain Jarran Reed head to midfield for the pregame coin toss.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba battles with 49ers defensive back Charvarius Ward.
Seattle's DK Metcalf attempts to hurdle 49ers defenders.
Seahawks fans catch the touchdown ball tossed to them by receiver DK Metcalf after he scored on a pass from Drew Lock in the first quarter.
Running back Zach Charbonnet bursts into the secondary on a long gain.
Seahawks special teams ace Jon Rhattigan celebrates after a hard hit and tackle.
Seahawks safety Julian Love dives to intercept a pass by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed sacks 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as Seattle's Jamal Adams flies in.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was injured and did not play, but contributed from the sideline.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett races for a first down along the Seattle sideline.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet dives for extra yardage.
Quarterback Drew Lock and 49ers defender Fred Warner trade gestures at the line of scrimmage.
At halftime, the defense listened to coaches in the locker room.
Defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt talks to the defensive linemen at halftime.
Quarterbacks Drew Lock and Sean Mannion listen as offensive coordinator Shane Waldron talks to the offense.
Kenneth Walker III breaks free after a cross-field run for extra yardage.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson dives into the end zone with a touchdown in the third quarter.
Quarterback Drew Lock signals to the offense for a two-point conversion in the third quarter.
Safety Julian Love talks with teammate Jamal Adams on the sidelines.
Head coach Pete Carroll encourages the defense after a sudden change in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Julian Love causes his second turnover of the game, forcing a fumble by 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Seattle's Tariq Woolen recovers a fumble caused by teammate Julian Love.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock leaves the pocket and looks for a receiver.
After the game, tight ends from both teams met on the field - Will Dissly, Brady Russell and Colby Parkinson from Seattle, and George Kittle from San Francisco.
In the locker room after the game, receiver Tyler Lockett talked with quarterback Drew Lock.
The team gathers for a final huddle in the locker room after the game.
