Josh Downs: After missing a game, Downs was back at practice yesterday following the Colts’ bye week. Last time we saw the Broncos pass defense they were giving up a 235-yard game to Jerry Jeudy. Do with that what you will.

Cedric Tillman: Speaking of Browns WRs, Tillman returned to practice yesterday as he works his way out of the concussion protocol. Tillman’s splits without Amari Cooper have been elite and I would happily start him vs. the Chiefs this week if he’s active.

Romeo Doubs: Doubs practiced in full yesterday, despite remaining in the protocol. The Packers/Seahawks SNF tilt has fireworks potential, so Doubs is certainly on the menu as a WR3/FLEX play.

Hollywood Brown: This is more of a wait-and-see for Week 16 than a Week 15 play, but Brown is expected to practice this week and is “getting close” to a return, per Andy Reid.

For more WRs to consider this week, check out Dwain’s Week 15 rankings below …

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Dwain’s Week 15 Rankings: Rico Dowdle ascends

2. Watercooler: Xavier Legette eats what?!
   

🏈 Division Rivals in Prime Time!

Score a massive First Bet Offer with BetMGM!

Make tonight's division tilt even more exciting by signing up for BetMGM's First Bet Offer!

Sign up now and take advantage of BetMGM’s incredible offer for new users: up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if your first bet doesn’t win. That’s right, place your first bet, and if it doesn’t hit, BetMGM will cover you with up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Sign up for BetMGM TODAY!

Week 15 Rankings: Rico Dowdle Enters New Territory

• by Dwain McFarland

It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 15, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those critical start-sit decisions.

Rico Dowdle | RB | Cowboys

Over the last three games, Dallas has turned to Dowdle as a near-every-down back with a 70% snap share and 8.1 Utilization Score, averaging 16.4 points per game. He continues to give way to Hunter Luepke in long-down-and-distance (LDD) situations and the two-minute offense, but Dowdle has usurped almost all of the early-down work from Ezekiel Elliott.

Dowdle's Utilization Score comps have performed well, averaging 15.4 points based on the last four seasons of data. The majority produced low-end RB1-worthy numbers.

• RB1 to 6 finishes: 0%

• RB7 to 12 finishes: 67%

• RB13 to 18 finishes: 22%

• RB14 to 24 finishes: 11%

The Panthers have granted the largest fantasy boost to the RB position at 7.9 points per game. Dowdle's lack of work on passing downs shouldn't be an issue in what should be a tight game (two-point spread). The Panthers have given up a 7.1 boost to opponents on the ground alone.

Dowdle UPGRADES to borderline RB1 territory and is a SMASH play.

Tyreek Hill | WR | Dolphins

Hill has come to life over the last four games, averaging 19.3 points per game. Over that span, he has WR12, 31, 11, and 5 finishes. However, his success has come due to the eruption of the Dolphins' passing attack, not an improved role. Hill has a 22% target share over the last four games, aligning with his season average.

Still, that is the sort of role where Hill has thrived before. In his time with the Chiefs, Hill never posted a target share higher than 23% while notching a top-10 finish in all five seasons outside his rookie campaign. With the Dolphins passing offense averaging 325 yards and 2.8 TDs over the last month, Hill is set up for a strong finish.

The Texans' defense has authored the fourth-largest boost (7.7) to pass catchers over the last month, allowing 39 fantasy points per game.

Hill UPGRADES to top-12 status as my WR10.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB | Giants

Tracy notched a season-high snap share (84%) along with a 9.6 Utilization Score and 19.3 fantasy points in Week 14. The rookie has eclipsed a 70% snap share in three of four games, averaging 15.6 points.

While those are massive positive developments, Tracy faces two hurdles in Week 15. First, the Giants offense is a mess, sporting an absurdly low team total (14.3), with Tommy DeVito slated to return to the lineup. They might not score a touchdown this weekend.

Second, the Ravens are the fifth-hardest matchup, holding opposing RB rooms to 2.1 points below their season average. Baltimore has held opponents to 34 yards below their season rushing average, making them the stingiest run defense in the league.

Thanks to his role, Tracy isn't a must-bench, but he DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB3 territory.

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:

👀 The QB the Giants have been searching for? He could be their answer in the draft …

✈️ Bill Belichick’s next gig? Heading back to school.

🚨 FRAUD CHECK — Can we trust Jared Goff?

🤔 More NFL draft predictions? Thor jumped on SiriusXM to break down his mock.

🤝 Updated RB handcuff rankings for the fantasy playoffs. Stay one step ahead!

🤣 Xavier Legette is hilarious. Watch ARSB’s reaction.

😎 Week 15 Starts and Sits … Dwain, Ian, and Chris dive in.

👎️ Doesn’t sound good for Breece Hall. Keep tabs on this.

Win your leagues. Win your bets. Get 12 months of fantasy football and sports betting coverage with FantasyLife+. 

Email subscribers get a 10% discount with code FAMILY