With the fantasy playoffs starting this week, let's identify some of the top streaming options for deeper league formats. There are two quarterbacks in here with positive matchups, running backs who will see volume and quality depth at the wide receiver position based on the Week 15 schedule.
While you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
So let's get into it.
Quarterbacks
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders (14.5% rostered; vs. Giants)
While Heinicke's play style can get chaotic at times and Washington doesn't want to be a high-volume throwing offense, I do like his Week 15 matchup against the Giants' defense. Heinicke has now thrown multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games and posted 17.6 fantasy points just two weeks ago against this same unit. I see a positive matchup here for Heinicke, who can find voids in coverage and create outside of structure. He is a deep league option for this week.
Other potential options: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (47.2% rostered; at Jets); Mac Jones, New England Patriots (9.7% rostered; at Raiders)
Running backs
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (55.1% rostered; at Texans)
McKinnon led all running backs in Week 14 with 32.4 PPR points. His numbers in the passing game jumped (seven receptions, 112 yards, two touchdowns), and McKinnon saw some run game usage too with six carries for 22 yards. While you can't bet on those high-end numbers again, you can take McKinnon as a matchup play against a Texans defense that continues to give up fantasy production to opposing backs. McKinnon is a solid flex option this week given his involvement in the Chiefs' passing game and the rushing attempts he will see against Houston.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (34.8% rostered; at Browns)
J.K. Dobbins is back, and he looks healthy. Dobbins still has the short-area burst to get loose, but let's not forget about Edwards in the Ravens run-heavy system. Baltimore utilized a split-backfield approach in Week 14 with both Dobbins (15 carries) and Edwards (13 carries) seeing volume. I expect that to continue given the Ravens injury situation at the quarterback and the matchup against a sub-par Browns run defense. Take the volume with Edwards and look to cash in if he gets some carries in red zone situations.
Other potential options: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (24.2% rostered; vs. Steelers); Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (33.8% rostered; at Saints)
Wide receivers
Elijah Moore, New York Jets (43.1% rostered; vs. Lions)
Moore has produced double-digit PPR numbers in two of his past three games. He's also seen a total of 16 targets over the past two weeks and gets a favorable matchup against Detroit that pushes him up in my Week 15 rankings. Moore will get some looks on underneath and quick game throws and can also be schemed as a deeper, middle of the field target. Expect him to be utilized often on second-level concepts that gives him room to run after the catch in Week 15.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns (48.9% rostered; vs. Ravens)
Peoples-Jones has been a streaming option here multiple times this season. Yet I'm surprised that he's still rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues. DPJ has registered double-digit PPR production in seven of his past eight games and he just posted season-highs in receptions (8), targets (12) and receiving yards (114) in the Week 14. Given his consistent fantasy production, and big-play upside due to his physical traits, Peoples-Jones is a deeper league WR3 for the Week 15 against the Ravens.
Other potential options: Darius Slayton, New York Giants (41.8% rostered; at Commanders); Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (26.3% rostered; vs. Giants); Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts (38.2% rostered; at Vikings); Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (10.7% rostered; at Vikings); DJ Chark, Detroit Lions (29.2% rostered; at Jets)
Tight ends
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (61.7% rostered; at Cowboys)
Engram -- and Trevor Lawrence -- have a tougher matchup this week against the Cowboys defense. But I can't ignore the recent production from Engram, despite his up and down numbers this season. He cooked the Titans defense this past Sunday, posting 39.3 PPR points with 11 receptions (on 15 targets), 162 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 14.0 PPR points the week before. Given the spike in volume (22 targets in his past two games), plus the high-level of play we are seeing from Lawrence, you can roll with Engram as a TE1 in 12-team leagues.
Other potential options: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (10.8% rostered; at Chargers); Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (41.6% rostered; vs Falcons); Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccanneers (6.0% rostered; at Bengals)
Defense/special teams
New Orleans Saints (50.8% rostered; vs. Falcons)
The Saints' defense hasn't posted double-digit fantasy points since Week 8. So, this is more of a gut feeling for me with Dennis Allen's unit against Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder in his first pro start. They have schemed fronts to create open rush lanes and pressure and a lot of late movement in the secondary, with safeties moving at the snap to shut down the middle of the field. Look for the Saints to confuse the rookie and heat him up. To me, this is a game where Allen can create sack and turnover opportunities for his defense and win the schematic matchup.
Other potential options: Denver Broncos (53.0% rostered; vs. Cardinals); Green Bay Packers (42.7% rostered; vs. Rams)