FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast: 6 Must-Start Players for Week 15 | The Primer (Ep. 1894)

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcox & Derek Brown (“Debro”)

Episode Overview

In this crucial “Week 15 Primer,” Seth Wilcox and Derek Brown dive into the heart of the fantasy football playoffs, breaking down their top six sleeper starts. They provide deep analytical insight and actionable advice, focusing particularly on high-upside, lower-rostered players, and highlight a surprisingly attractive Commanders-Giants matchup as a rich mine for potential fantasy points. The show features their typical lively banter (including Marvel references galore), practical matchup analysis, and bold recommendations for managers looking to advance.

Key Points & Insights

The Stakes: Fantasy Playoffs & The “Do or Die” Mentality

• Seth sets the tone, explaining the pressure and uncertainty of the fantasy postseason:
  "Surviving and advancing is what I'm all about... This go around as I have no first round buys in any of my leagues. So do or die still." (00:34)
• Derek emphasizes the relentless grind of late-season management and adapting to the chaos of injuries and roster shifts: "We are living in this world of injuries and uncertainty... But we're all here for the sleeper starts to get W's and to move on to next week." (01:23)

Memorable Banter:

• The hosts kick off with a Marvel “Endgame” analogy to encapsulate the all-or-nothing atmosphere of the playoffs.
  • "If we're in the end game, Derek, does that make me Peter Parker? And if so, are you Tony Stark?" - Seth (01:47)
  • "You are definitely Peter Parker... For the pomp and the sarcasm I think Strange is probably the closest to me." - Derek (01:57)

Must-Start Fantasy Sleepers for Week 15

1. Quarterback - Marcus Mariota (vs. Giants)

Why:

• Rushing floor (avg. 35.6 yds in starts) + proven ceiling (QB3, QB6, QB9 finishes)

• Facing Giants’ porous defense (13th most YPA allowed, 11th most passing yds/game since Week 10)

• Game projected as a “shootout” with bad defenses on both sides

  “If that happens, Marcus Mariota is a top 10 quarterback in fantasy this week.”
  — Derek (04:27)

• Add-On: Enhanced by return of Terry McLaurin

  “He’s the type of quarterback I want to be invested with this time of year... rushing floor... QB1 upside...”
  — Seth (05:07)

→ [03:58–05:41]

2. Running Backs: Tyron Tracy & Chris Rodriguez (Commanders-Giants Game)

Tyron Tracy

• RB28 in consensus but should be an RB2 this week

• Volume is king: 23 touches, 130 total yds in Week 12 pre-injury

• Facing a Commanders D giving up the 2nd most rushing yds/game since Week 10

  “He should be ranked as an RB2... the Commanders can’t stop running backs.”
  — Derek (06:28)

Chris Rodriguez

• RB29; RB3 with RB2 upside if he scores

• Averages ~12.3 touches/60 yds per game, no pass-catching role but reliable volume

• Giants D allowing most rushing yds, highest explosive run rate

  “This game should provide a lot of fantasy scoring on multiple fronts this week.”
  — Derek (07:22)

• Discussion: Rodriguez compared to other low-end RB plays:

  “Who do you feel better about playing, Tracy in a great matchup versus... either one of the Steelers backs or anybody from Seattle or Carolina? So many split backfields right now.”
  — Derek (08:36)

  “Tracy, it just feels safe this week. And I don’t know how many more running backs would you say are going to get more receptions or targets than him this week? 10, 11?”
  — Seth (08:23)

→ [05:42–09:43]

3. Wide Receiver - Darius Slayton (Giants vs. Commanders)

• WR46 in ECR, but prime deep threat role

• Since Week 5: 13.9% target share, 14.5 aDOT, 3/6 games with Top-36 finishes

• Commanders’ D: 2nd highest passer rating and 3rd highest completion rate on deep targets

  “Why in the ever loving heck is Darius slayton at WR46?... Fire up your Giants, fire up your Commanders. I again think this is going to be a shootout.”
  — Derek (10:27)

• Advice:

  “Especially with so many wide receivers out there in the ether... with rough matchups or questioning quarterback play... you need to be really seriously considering the upside and floor of Darius Slayton this week.”
  — Derek (11:55)

→ [10:27–13:55]

4. Wide Receiver - Jaden Higgins (Texans vs. Cardinals)

• WR41 ECR, but averaging WR27-level fantasy production since Week 10

• Productive when called on; game script limited last week, but should rebound

• Cardinals allow the most PPR points per target to perimeter WRs since Week 10

  “This is another really good spot where Jaden Higgins, I have no problem starting him as a confident flex player wide receiver 3 and I think he can provide WR2 upside for you this week.”
  — Derek (14:48)

• On Texans’ offense:

  “This team... passes at the 5th highest rate right now. So, like, they're slinging it... I love the efficiency Higgins has had... really good connection to Evo late.”
  — Seth (15:25)

→ [14:13–17:11]

5. Tight End - Juwan Johnson (Saints vs. Panthers)

• TE14 in consensus; Derek ranks him in Top 12

• Production when Tyler Shuck (QB) starts: TE8 in fantasy pts/game, 17.3% target share, 1.94 YPRR

• Panthers: 6th most receiving yards/10th most fantasy points per game to TEs

  “Everybody kind of got caught up in all the Devon Val of last week... Juwan Johnson's kind of going under the radar this week and he gets a wonderful matchup with the Carolina Panthers...”
  — Derek (17:38)

• Floor vs. ceiling:

  “I think the ceiling is definitively there based off of the matchup this week, so I think it's a good mix of the two.”
  — Derek (18:49)

→ [17:38–19:05]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Marvel Motivation:

  “In a win or go home, it. I mean that's where we're living in right now, Seth do or die it is. Do or die it is. There is no tomorrow if you do not capitalize on today. So for me it is. I want to actualize the ceiling because if the ceiling hits, you're moving on to the next round of the fantasy playoffs.”
  — Derek (13:29)

• Marvel Character Tributes:

  • Thor “undefeated” (01:57–02:41)
  • Drax “top three character” (14:21)

• On tough decisions with mediocre offenses:

  “Maybe we can go back to the Marvel Endgame reference... complete offenses are gone off the table. The Jets, the Colts, like you've named them, they're so gross.” — Seth (12:07)

Segment Timestamps

• Show Start & Marvel Banter – 00:00-02:48
• Entering the Playoffs: Stakes Explained – 00:34-01:47
• Mariota QB Deep Dive – 03:58-05:41
• RB Sleepers: Tracy & Rodriguez – 05:42-09:43
• WR Sleepers: Slayton & Higgins – 10:27-17:11
• TE Sleeper: Juwan Johnson – 17:38-19:05
• Motivational Speech & Playoff Mindset – 13:29-14:03
• Closing – 19:05

Summary Table: Must-Start Sleepers (Week 15)

| Position | Player | Key Reason | ECR | Upside/Analysis | |--------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | QB | Marcus Mariota | Rushing floor, Giants’ broken D, shootout potential | 13 | Top-10 upside | | RB | Tyron Tracy | Workhorse volume, elite matchup vs. WAS | 28 | Should be ranked as RB2 | | RB | Chris Rodriguez | Steady 12+ touches, excellent matchup, possible TD upside | 29 | RB3 floor, RB2 upside | | WR | Darius Slayton | Deep threat vs. weak secondary, high aDOT, undervalued | 46 | Ceiling WR2/3 play if game shoots out | | WR | Jaden Higgins | Statistically hot, dominant matchup vs. ARI, proven connection | 41 | Confident flex, WR2 upside | | TE | Juwan Johnson | Productive with Shuck, strong matchup, underrated volume | 14 | Lock for TE1 finish this week |

Final Advice & Tone

The hosts urge managers to chase upside and not play “scared money” during the playoffs. With so many offenses cratered by injuries and difficult matchups this week, rewarding ceilings are to be found among the overlooked. Derek’s advice:

“There is no tomorrow if you do not capitalize on today. So for me it is. I want to actualize the ceiling because if the ceiling hits, you're moving on... If the floor is not there, screw it, you're losing anyway.” (13:29)

For Any Manager:

• Prioritize volume and matchups over name value or “safe” plays.
• Don’t be afraid to utilize overlooked “ceilings”—especially in must-win situations.

Good luck in Week 15!