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Fantasy football trade index and rest-of-season rankings: Welcome back, Deebo Samuel

Trading season ended a while ago and the fantasy football playoffs have arrived. Thus, it is time to say farewell to the rest-of-season rankings and trade index for the 2021 season. Free agency is your best way to find talent and, even entering Week 15, new and important names pop up each week. Strengthen those benches and think ahead to future weeks, whether your playoff entrants enjoy byes or not. Go for it, full speed ahead, always!

Thank you all for checking in each week and good luck the rest of the season!

Quarterback

Rankings changes: Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson may have dropped in these rankings even had he not sprained an ankle in Week 14. Jackson last reached 18 PPR points back in Week 9. Now, with the injury clouding his future, he tumbles in the top 10, though remains in it. In other relevant news, Seattle Seahawks veteran Russell Wilson appears to be safe again, New Orleans Saints runner Taysom Hill may be just as valuable as Philadelphia Eagles runner Jalen Hurts, and Chicago Bears rookie Justin Fields is appealing -- finally. Oh, and while you cannot ignore Carolina Panthers part-timer Cam Newton, you do not have to rely on him anymore. Again.

Keep an eye on: Lower-leg injuries to Jackson and Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, of course. Tyler Huntley of the Ravens could be viable, although his is a tough schedule. The 14 quarterbacks in the top 100 all seem like viable starters for Week 15, at the least, and that includes Hill. Some may believe Indianapolis Colts rejuvenator Carson Wentz belongs as a safe starter, but he does have the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals up next. That's not so much fun. Chicago's Fields intrigues, and his schedule works, but hey, this is a rookie. Always be careful there.

Running back

Rankings changes: A hearty welcome back to the Saints' Alvin Kamara and the Minnesota Vikings' Dalvin Cook! These were two of the top players in Week 14, and it appears as though fantasy football managers can rely on them both again. Could either miss a future game? Sure, but so could anyone. Go from week to week at this position after the obvious options. Denver Broncos rookie Javonte Williams looks awesome, while the Jacksonville Jaguars' James Robinson does not. That may change soon. Add the Tennessee Titans' D'Onta Foreman, the Seahawks' Rashaad Penny and the Detroit Lions' Craig Reynolds (definitely not the Houston Astros shortstop from the 1980s!) and you will see a very familiar name rounding out the running backs. Hey, Derrick Henry may play in Week 18, if it matters to you. Do not bet against him!

Keep an eye on: Injuries, as always, are a problem. Los Angeles Chargers star Austin Ekeler sprained an ankle, but perhaps it is a minor affliction. The San Francisco 49ers' Elijah Mitchell, the Lions' D'Andre Swift and the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Pollard all missed their Week 14 games. Meanwhile, the Broncos' and Green Bay Packers' timeshares are interesting, but today it seems all four running backs are viable.

Wide receiver

Rankings changes: The 49ers' Deebo Samuel returned from his one-game absence to remind fantasy managers how versatile and great he is. He returns to the top 10. The Las Vegas Raiders' Hunter Renfrow and the Houston Texans' Brandin Cooks continue to shine, without much help. We have a new Seahawks wide receiver in the lead. Injuries cost us Vikings star Adam Thielen and New York Jets rookie Elijah Moore and potentially Washington's Terry McLaurin, but this position remains deeper than does running back.

Keep an eye on: The 49ers have a friendly schedule, and Brandon Aiyuk is taking off. The Chargers have depth, and Justin Herbert is using all of it. Perhaps it is not too late for Panthers disappointment Robby Anderson to help us. Enough with the pathetic Jaguars, any New York Giants or Denver's mystifying use of Courtland Sutton.

Tight end

Rankings changes: Not too much. The 49ers' George Kittle continues to dominate, and the Ravens' Mark Andrews should be fine regardless of QB. The Bills' Dawson Knox and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Pat Freiermuth keep catching touchdowns. Keep an eye on whether the Raiders' Darren Waller returns to active duty soon.