It's Week 15. The fantasy playoffs are here. And we are finally through the bye weeks on the NFL schedule. So, with all 32 teams going this week, I'm a little lighter today, as most managers in shallow leagues are set up for the postseason dance.
However, if you play in deeper leagues, or 2-QB formats, I have some players who can add to your lineups based on volume and what I'm seeing on the tape.
We'll start with a couple quarterbacks who can be played this week in superflex formats. We'll look at wide receivers, too, plus there are some running backs seeing a boost in volume, just before the start of the playoffs. As always, we'll end with a tight end and a defense to stream.
Let's make some moves and get that roster playoff-ready.
Players listed below are deeper-league targets, rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues entering this week's waiver period. Although you might notice overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are solely for this week's matchups and not based on the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (43.1% rostered; at Jaguars)
If you play in a 2-QB or superflex format, take the positive matchup here with Rodgers. Last week, in the OT loss to the Dolphins, Rodgers posted a season-high 339 yards passing, and he's scored 16 or more points in three of his past five. Plus, with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson, Rodgers can throw the perimeter one-on-ones or attack the voids versus Jacksonville's two-deep coverage schemes.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (15.8% rostered; at Cardinals)
Another starter in 2-QB or superflex formats, Maye gives you upside in the lineup due to his ability to create rushing totals. Maye, who has scored 15 or more points in three of his past five games, rushed for 59 yards (on five carries) in the Week 13 loss to the Colts, and he's averaging 4.7 carries per game over his past six starts. Play the dual-threat skill set of Maye versus the Cards' defense this week.
Wide receivers
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (54.3% rostered; vs. Cowboys)
With the surging play from Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, let's stay with Thielen for the second straight week. After catching nine of 11 targets for 102 yards versus the Philly defense in Week 14, Thielen has now scored at least 19 points in back-to-back games, with a total of 21 targets over that stretch. He's a savvy route runner who can find open space, and that works versus a Dallas defense allowing 7.3 YPA this season (29th in the league).
Ray-Ray McCloud III, Atlanta Falcons (14.8% rostered; at Raiders)
We targeted McCloud as a streaming option last week, and he responded with a season-high 16.1 points in the loss to the Vikings, catching eight of 11 targets for 98 yards, while adding one carry for 3 yards. McCloud has posted double-digit numbers in three straight games (with at least six targets in each), plus his catch-and-run speed creates big-play opportunities. He should be in deeper-league lineups again this week versus the Raiders.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (11.7% rostered; vs. Bucs)
With Ladd McConkey (knee) down for the Week 14 loss to the Chiefs, Palmer saw a bump in volume, catching six of a team-high nine targets for 78 yards (13.8 points). And Palmer can get loose at the third level in the Chargers route tree. Let's keep an eye on McConkey's injury status this weekend, because it could keep the door open for Palmer in a really positive matchup versus the Bucs.
Running backs
Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders (29.3% rostered; vs. Falcons)
With injuries in the Raiders running back room, McCormick has emerged as the primary early-down back for Las Vegas. McCormick had 78 yards on 15 carries in the Week 14 loss to the Buccaneers, and he also added two receptions for 11 yards. Plus, McCormick has been efficient as a runner, averaging over 5.0 YPC in each of his past two games. Let's continue to monitor the status of Alexander Mattison (ankle), as McCormick could be in line to lead the Raiders backfield again in the Monday night game versus the Falcons.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5% rostered; vs. Jets)
Bigsby took control of the Jags backfield in the Week 14 win over the Titans, as he out-touched Travis Etienne Jr., 19-8. Sure, Bigsby didn't post efficient numbers on the ground, rushing for 55 yards on 15 carries, and he's averaging only 3.3 YPC over his past two games. However, Bigsby did rush for a score versus the Titans, and the coaching staff's decision to give him the football over Etienne stands out here. So, if you play in a deeper league and need volume for your lineup, Bigsby is an option versus the Jets.
Isaiah Davis, New York Jets (5.8% rostered; at Jaguars)
With Breece Hall (knee) down for the Jets' Week 14 OT loss to the Dolphins, Davis saw his role expand as he shared the backfield with Braelon Allen. Davis totaled 67 yards on 14 touches, adding a rushing score, and he was deployed in the pass game (three receptions, 27 yards). Davis has now produced back-to-back games with double-digit points, and he should be on your radar in deeper leagues if Hall is out again for the Week 15 road game versus the Jaguars.
Tight ends
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (16.0% rostered; vs. Commanders)
I understand if the injuries to Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr (concussion/hand) give managers some pause here, even after Johnson scored 15 points in the Week 14 win over the Giants. But with the Saints now rolling with a backup under center (Jake Haener), I see Johnson working as an underneath outlet in the pass game. Sit routes over the ball, three-step concepts, boot schemes that cut the field in half (with a simple high-to-low read), etc. These are high-percentage throws to Johnson, who has 12 targets over his past two games and a touchdown in two of three.
D/ST
Washington Commanders (51.7% rostered; at Saints)
Let's jump on Dan Quinn's defense here with Carr out for the game. The Commanders have forced at least one turnover in five of their past six games, while recording 13 sacks during that stretch. And with a backup quarterback under center for the Saints, I think Quinn turns up the heat here. Look for pressures and late movement in the secondary to speed up the internal clock of the quarterback, and that's when you make impact plays on defense.