FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 15 Fantasy Football QB and TE Rankings: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1892)
Host: Chris Welsh
Guests/Analysts: Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”), Andrew Erickson
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Andrew Erickson dive deep into the fantasy football quarterback (QB) and tight end (TE) rankings for Week 15 — a crucial week as fantasy playoffs commence. The trio discuss their consensus top-12 options at both positions, debate key start/sit decisions, and analyze questionable calls, significant injury news, and sudden starting quarterback situations, focusing particularly on matchups, trends, and rationales that will help managers succeed in win-or-go-home scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Rankings & Start/Sit Dilemmas

Consensus Top 12 QBs (03:46)

• Josh Allen (vs NE)
• Matthew Stafford (vs DET)
• Drake May
• Joe Burrow
• Jalen Hurts
• Lamar Jackson
• Dak Prescott
• Jackson Dart
• Patrick Mahomes
• Brock Purdy
• Jared Goff
• Trevor Lawrence

Drake May vs. Matthew Stafford Debate

• Welsh: “I hate the thought of sitting Drake May but I have Matthew Stafford in going against Detroit right now.” (00:38)
• Fitzy: Prefers Stafford this week due to Detroit’s injured and weak secondary, expecting a shootout:
  “That game is going to be a high flying shootout. So I just feel like the offensive environment might be a little bit better in that game.” (01:46)

Jackson Dart’s Ranking Split

• Welsh: “Jackson Dart is QB8 … Fitzy, you have him highest at 6 … ahead of Lamar Jackson.” (05:27)
• Fitzy:
  “They wanted him to be less aggressive as a runner, but Dart is still averaging six carries and 47.3 rushing yards per game in the last three weeks … you’ve got this positive passing game matchup against the Commanders who rank 29th in DVOA.” (05:59)
• Erickson: Cautious, ranking Dart at QB10, worries about his designed rushing opportunities after concussion and lower upside if he doesn’t run near the goal line:
  “If they’re not calling his name at the goal line, it has to be a scramble … I think that hurts him a little bit.” (07:12)

Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold & Streamer Talk

• Mayfield: ECR QB13, but both rankers slightly lower. Erickson prefers Trevor Lawrence, citing Mayfield’s recent lack of production.
• Fitzy:
  "Over his last seven starts, Baker Mayfield has only had two games with more than 200 passing yards and only one game with more than one touchdown pass … 5.3 yards per pass attempt in those seven games is just a terrible number.” (10:13)
• Darnold: Fitzy slightly higher on Darnold at QB14, but notes worries about low passing volume in a game where Seattle’s favored by a large margin:
  “If the Colts can’t keep up, I worry Darnold throws five or six times in the second half.” (11:17)
• Erickson: Leans Mayfield over Darnold for safety: “Mayfield feels a little bit safer … with Darnold there’s concern he doesn’t have to do a lot against the Colts.” (13:52)

Notable Quote

• “We’re trying to figure out what is the line that a 44 year old grandfather who hasn’t played in five years, who is he better than? … and it’s Kenny Pickett.” (16:18, Welsh/Pat)

2. The Philip Rivers Situation & Low-End QB Options

• Marcus Mariota starts due to Jaden Daniels injury, but not in the top-12 radar.
• Philip Rivers’ sudden fantasy relevance in deep/superflex leagues is discussed more as a curiosity than serious advice.
• Fitzy:
  “I do have him ranked ahead of Kenny Pickett. That’s my line in the sand.” (15:57)
• Laughs about having to choose between Rivers or Brady Cook for dire superflex teams.

3. Tight End Rankings & Key Decisions

Consensus Top 12 TEs (17:46)

• Trey McBride
• George Kittle
• Brock Bowers
• Tyler Warren
• Harold Fannin Jr.
• Kyle Pitts
• Travis Kelsey
• Brenton Strange
• Jake Ferguson
• Dalton Kincaid
• Mark Andrews
• Colston Loveland

Debate: Tyler Warren’s Role with Philip Rivers at QB

• Welsh: Advocates a big role for Warren with Rivers, calling him a potential “safety net.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a 40% target share to Tyler Warren this week … I think he is the safety net for yards after the catch.” (17:59)
• Erickson: Skeptical, ranking Warren at TE12, citing low TD upside and questions about overall Colts offense: “Look, if I start Tyler Warren and he went 6 for 6 on seven targets ... that’s fine … but I don’t think that’s going to translate to always TE4”. (18:29)
• Fitzy:
  “Over his last six games Tyler Warren has had one touchdown and one game with more than 53 receiving yards. … maybe this is too low, TE9, if Rivers is the quarterback, because he might be the number one go-to guy for Rivers.” (20:31)

Other Notable TE Discussions

• Harold Fannin Jr.: Big riser, both analysts in consensus as a TE1 after his recent breakout (8-114-1 last week); Shador Sanders improves his viability.
  Fitzy: “Tight end four for me. … I do think Shador Sanders makes Fannin more viable.” (22:10) Erickson: “Target leader since Shador Sanders took over … you just continue to play him.” (22:50)
• Brenton Strange:
  Erickson: “Six targets in total. Great matchup. … if that touchdown just counts last week, I don’t think we’re even second guessing.” (23:41)
  • Fitzy sees him as the end of the “low-end TE1 tier.” (24:38)
• Baltimore TEs: Mark Andrews vs. Isaiah Likely
  • Likely outproducing Andrews lately, especially in a plus-matchup vs Bengals.
  • Detailed stats on Bengals’ TE-friendliness (97/1258/15 TD to the position).
  • Welsh: "I am Likely over Andrews at this point because … Likely is also some volume with yards playmaking and he is getting targets from Lamar Jackson.” (26:27)
  • Pat: Still technically has Andrews higher but acknowledges case for switching.
    “Man like Likely. He’s had nine catches, 120 yards and a touchdown over his last two games … both these guys could have big days.” (26:39)
  • Erickson: Flips to Likely over Andrews after discussion:
    “Both are startable and you’ve convinced me it should be likely over Andrews.” (27:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Fitzy on Jackson Dart’s rushing upside:
  “Dart is still averaging six rushing attempts and 47.3 rushing yards per game … and has six touchdown runs in his last six games.” (05:59)

• Welsh on Philip Rivers' fantasy status:
  “We’re trying to figure out what is the line that a 44 year old grandfather who hasn’t played in five years, who is he better than? … and it’s Kenny Pickett.” (16:18)

• Welsh on Baltimore TEs vs. Bengals:
  “Trey McBride season. They make any tight end become Trey McBride.” (27:32)

• Erickson on Bengals’ inability to cover TEs:
  “I mean, I think they quoted Dalton Kincaid after the game and they said, yeah, it was a game for the tight ends. And I just wanted to comment … no, it was a game against the Cincinnati Bengals defense.” (27:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Drake May vs. Stafford: 00:33–02:20
• Top 12 QB rundown: 04:21–05:00
• Jackson Dart debate: 05:27–07:57
• QB streamer tier (Mayfield, Darnold): 07:57–15:12
• Philip Rivers/Superflex QBs: 15:12–16:39
• Tight end top 12 rundown: 17:46–18:29
• Tyler Warren debate: 17:46–21:48
• Harold Fannin Jr.: 21:48–23:20
• Brenton Strange: 23:20–25:35
• Bengals matchup: Likely vs. Andrews: 25:35–29:02

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• QBs: The consensus at the top is fairly chalky, but there’s healthy debate around key streamer tiers and upside QBs. Jackson Dart is a major upside play, but there’s risk if his rushing is limited. Mayfield and Darnold are fringy options, with Darnold capped by likely game script concerns.
• TEs: Trey McBride and George Kittle headline the position, with several “breakout” options like Harold Fannin Jr. and Tyler Warren (due to QB chaos) entering the TE1 mix. The Ravens TEs are uniquely attractive vs a Bengals defense that has yielded historic production to TEs.
• Strategic Note: In deep leagues and superflex, even unlikely options (Philip Rivers, Brady Cook) may need to be considered due to injuries or QB changes.
• Matchup Sensitivity: Several rankings (especially on Darnold, Warren, Likely) are heavily influenced by opponent strengths and weaknesses.

In sum:
Play it “chalky” with your studs, but be ready to pivot at the fringes. Favor volume and matchup for your streamers, and when it comes to tight ends — especially against the Bengals — chase upside!

For more start/sit questions or deep cut scenarios, catch the hosts live on Sunday mornings or leave your own tough calls in the YouTube comments.