Some possible replacements on the waiver wire are Pat Freiermuth, Hunter Henry, Zach Ertz, and Stone Smartt. Without George Pickens, Freiermuth could see more targets. He has 14 over the last three games and has at least 9.0 PPR points in three straight games, including touchdowns in consecutive games.

Henry is coming off a bye and has at least 9.4 PPR points in three straight games, while Ertz could see more targets with Noah Brown out. Will Dissly will be out with a shoulder injury and Stone Smartt filled in last week after Dissly left the game. Smartt logged a season-high 22 snaps and caught all 3 targets for 54 yards. Next up is a Buccaneers team that allows the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends (14.1, PPR).

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Week 15 Start/Sit: Running Backs Galore

2. Watercooler: Sit A Star In The Playoffs?
   

A Must-Start RB in Tennessee

By John Laghezza and Gene Clemons

Welcome back to your favorite Start/Sit column, where John Laghezza and Gene Clemons dig deep into a fantasy football bag of tricks with non-obvious, outside-the-box lineup advice. John's a numbers guy (who writes our newsletter), and Gene is a literal football coach (who is on both our LG show and SiriusXM shows).

Let's jump in.

Have a Start/Sit dilemma of your own? Consult our data-backed Start/Sit tool with your custom league settings for the best answer!

Laghezza's Week 15 RBs To Start

Cowboys (vs. Panthers)

Dallas entered the season as one of the league’s worst run attacks before Dak Prescott went down and the whole offense bordered on untouchable. Props to Mike McCarthy for leaning into whatever strengths remained on the roster and still getting a viable offense on the field. Rico Dowdle returned from injury as the lead tailback the same week Prescott injured his hamstring—and his ascension to fantasy RB1 can’t be denied.

Dowdle’s inside the top 10 in usage with borderline-elite production since (I know)—his yards per rush (5.2), yards over expectation per rush (0.93), yards after contact per rush (3.9), and success rate (52%)—all rank top 5 in that span. Meanwhile, the Panthers allowed an insane 200-plus rushing yards per game this month, sitting dead last in defensive EPA/rush and yards/carry on the season. Hopefully, you held on to Dallas’ fourth-year UDFA—he’s my RB start of the week.

Titans (vs Bengals)

Getting anyone with a pulse in your lineup against the Bengals paid the bills all year. Keep striking while the striped iron’s hot—it’s second nature at this point until something changes. Lou Anarumo’s D couldn’t stop a snail race with a salt shaker, and it’s gotten worse as the year progresses.

Cincy’s circling the drain in EPA/rush (-0.12), rush success rate (43.1%), yards/carry (5.5), 20-plus-yard rushes (5), and explosive rush rate (14.5%). Now mix in the effectiveness of the high-flying Bengal offense for the perfect fantasy recipe (chef’s kiss).

Enter Tony Pollard, Tennessee’s overinflated beach ball being held underwater. For the elite dual-threat utilization this year (252 touches), it’s a shame Pollard posted just one top-10 positional finish. Yes, the Titans’ offense plays the weekly anchor, dragging down anyone attached to it. And yes, I mistakenly bought into Will Levis’ recent run—but I do expect a bounceback in a smash spot. I’d even queue up Tyjae Spears in deeper leagues. Music City could get funky.

Gene’s Bold Prediction: Start Sean Tucker

Let’s operate as if Bucky Irving will be ready to play this weekend. He's still dealing with an injury, so what will that mean for his touches in this game? Rachaad White is still in the mix and will likely always be as long as he’s healthy, but if you're looking for a starter in Week 15, the pickings may be thin. 

Enter Sean Tucker. 

Tucker is a tough, explosive runner who keeps finding his way into the lineup. Here are a few paths to a successful day for Tucker: 

• The first is goal-line/red-zone touches. Because he is a strong, tough back with explosiveness he can blast through small holes and run around bad angles. He could be in line for those tough carries to try and keep Irving healthy. 

• The second is if Irving or White gets banged up again and they need to leave the game; that will elevate Tucker into a role with much more responsibility. 

• The third? If the Bucs get out to a good lead they tend to salt the game away with their running backs, which means a bigger role for Tucker, especially if they sit Irving, White, or both to keep them healthy.

I can’t stress enough that this is a bold start and one that would only result if you did not have clearly better options … but there are paths to a good day for him even in a crowded backfield.

RELATED CONTENT

• Chris Allen outlines the best (and worst) WR matchups of the week.

• 32 teams, 32 facts. Ian Hartitz breaks down everything you need to know.

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The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:

🤷🏻 Can you possibly sit A.J. Brown during the first week of the fantasy playoffs?

❤️ You can almost hear the cheers in Matthew’s Week 15 Love/Hate.

🐬 Just how back is Tyreek Hill? He’s bound for paydirt in Week 15.

📈 The first Big Board for the 2025 NFL Draft is here … and Travis Hunter leads the way.

🏆 Amari Cooper just might be a league winner during the fantasy playoffs.

🔮 40 bowl games on tap, and Thor has picked the winners.

 🍩 Cooper Kupp had a donut that was not very tasty … and in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.  

🤔 Put on your tinfoil hat on … this is going too far.

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