Week 15 Fantasy Football Quarterback and Tight End Rankings: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1892)

Summary

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

Transcript

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[Chris Welsh]

Hello friends and welcome into fantasy pros. This is the fantasy football podcast quarterbacks and tight ends for Week 15 fantasy playoff run. We're going to be going through the top 12 at each position. Little bit of streamy talk that'll be happening outside of that, outside of the top 12 guys and hopefully answering some questions that you guys are going to have. There are some tight quarterback questions. Gentlemen, I'm Chris Welsh. That is Pat Fitzmaurice and Andrew Erickson. I've got one. How about I'm gonna throw you guys one right now. I throw you one. In our fantasy pros guillotine league where I am rep. I'm a, I'm the representative of you guys because we've got like devs versus content and we're going into the finals. I have both Drake May and Matthew Stafford in our consensus ECR ranks. Matthew Stafford is 2, Drake May is 3. I hate the thought of sitting Drake May but I have Matthew Stafford in going against Detroit right now. Erickson, what side are you going on as a co owner of the content representative guillotine championship?

[Andrew Erickson]

You picked the wrong two analysts to ask a Drake May question versus Matthew Stafford.

[Chris Welsh]

I know. So I'm asking it. Fitzy.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

I've got Stafford ranked higher this week. I know this is an offense to my fellow Drake made disciples but yeah, I just. So no. Brian Branch for the the Lions is like Kirby Joseph has banged been banged up. I don't know if he's going to play Tyrion Arnold. Like their secondary is kind of a mess and 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. I don't know.

[Chris Welsh]

That's what I'm thinking. That's what I'm thinking. Well, here's the cool thing. You guys listening probably don't have that question so that's why I could ask it at the top. You're not like do I start Drake May or Matthew Stafford? But we are going, going to be hitting some quarterbacks that there are going to be some questions for. Usually the top end of any of these positions aren't big ones. There's a massive conversation to be had around tight ends as well with the Philip Rivers situation. We're going to talk about Tyler Warren. And just a piece of news that came down today as we're recording this. Jaden Daniels is officially out. He will not be cleared. So Marcus Mariota is going to be the starter. He wasn't in the conversation and maybe that was because of the question marks of if Daniels would play. But neither one of these guys were in the questions of the top 12. But some moving and shaking, man, there's some, there's some moving on some of these positional things. So hopefully we are going to get you guys covered with all of it. We're going to jump into quarterbacks here in a second. But giveaway time. If you want a chance to win the ultimate symbol of fantasy football glory, the fantasy football championship belt, courtesy of our good friends at Trophy Smack, the number one destination for epic fantasy football hardware, then this is your moment. This massive gold plated belt is built to make a statement. It's bold, it's heavy and it's guaranteed to turn heads in your league. Don't just win your championship, wear it. To enter, all you've got to do is subscribe to The Fantasy Pros YouTube channel. Do it right now. Drop a comment below on any of our videos suggestion. If you're here listening to this, do it on this video. Make yourself in life a little bit easier. And that's it. We'll be announcing a winner right here on the channel. So make sure you turn on notifications. Don't miss your chance to win this championship belt and free flex it on your entire league or make it part of the league. You can be like a superstar. You win that belt, you bring it, say hey guys, this is going to go to the championship. You're going to be the big winner. So look at that. All right, quarterback ranks. Let's take up the big board here. Your top 12 for the week. We've got Josh Allen coming in at number one going up against New England. Matthew Stafford and Drake may both mention that you're 2 and 3. Joe Burrow at 4, Jalen Hurts at 5, Lamar Jackson at 7.

[Andrew Erickson]

6.

[Chris Welsh]

The bottom half got Dak Prescott, Jackson Dart, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence.

I do think there's going to be people concerned about Lamar Jackson. I think there'll be questions that are going to pop up. I do think there's going to be questions for people around Patrick Mahomes and just his overall production. I understand all those viable questions. At the end of the day I think they're relatively chalky. Unless you are going to come to us of hey guys, I have Joe Burrow or Patrick Mahomes. So it's not something. My whole point. We're not going to sit on that. But let's talk about Jackson Dart. Jackson Dart is kind of thrown in this mix. I mean look at the sandwich there. You got Dak Prescott on top and Patrick Mahomes on the bottom and then Jackson darts right in the middle. It's a really good matchup. It is actually the only five star rating in our top 12 quarterbacks of any going up against Washington. He is quarterback eight and you two gentlemen are a little bit on opposite ends. Fitz, you are even more positive. You have him as the sixth rated quarterback. Can I take a guess? Do you have him above Lamar Jackson and Jalen hurts?

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

I have him ahead of Lamar Jackson.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay, I knew it was one of them.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

And directly behind. Directly ahead of Lamar. Directly behind Jalen Hurts.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay, so then who's the quarterback that. Because if he's eight, what is your five, six and seven.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

So five, six, seven is Hertz Dart. Lamar, I've got Dak at eight.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay, Dak. Okay, that's my brain. I was trying to process like where Dak was on there. Okay, so not about Dak here, but you're even higher on Jackson Dart. So let's hear the selling pitch.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Yeah, it's just so they wanted him to be a little bit less aggressive as a runner and his rushing volume is slightly down since the firing of Brian Dable. But Dart is still averaging six rushing attempts and 47.3 rushing yards per game in the three games under interim head coach Mike Kafka. And he's run for a touchdown in two of those three games and has six touchdown runs in his last six games. So still a lot of rushing value that we're squeezing out of. Jackson Dart. And then you've got this positive passing game matchup against the commanders who rank 29th in DVOA against the pass, have the worst opponent passer rating in the league are averaging A League worst 8.6 opponent yards per pass attempt. So it's an awful pass defense. Dart can make plays in the passing game and we know he can make plays with his legs. So he's a confident start for me this week.

[Chris Welsh]

Now, Erickson, you've got him a little bit lower than ECR10. You still have his QB1, that's all positive. I'm guessing there's got to be a matchup or two that's. That was lower that you just fell in love with. Or is this about just a hesitation that Jackson darts upside is really like what we're kind of making it out to be?

[Andrew Erickson]

Well, I'm a little bit more concerned about the designed rushes for him because in his first game back after missing a couple games with the concussion, he had zero design rushes against the Patriots. And that coincided with his worst fantasy finish of the year, which he was QB21, 13.6 fantasy points per game. It's not like the Patriots defense has been shutting out opposing quarterbacks. Now, they're not as bad as the Washington Commanders, so that's why you still have him as a top 10 guy. He's top 10 in my rankings as number 10. But I don't want to just ignore the fact that he's not going to get design rushes. Like, they're not calling, hey, Jackson dart QB run up the middle for a touchdown. So a lot of his production has been tied to rushing touchdowns. And if they're not calling his name at the goal line, it has to be a scramble. Well, I think that hurts him a little bit, so that's just why I'm a little bit lower. All right.

[Chris Welsh]

Two quarterbacks that did not make the top 12 and at least on ECR and kind of seeing where they're at, because I think this is where. I mean, looking at this list, I kind of think I want to say Purdy should be a question, but Purdy's probably not because it's Tennessee. We'll just, you know, plug their nose and go. Goff against the Rams is probably another plug your nose and go. And Trevor Lawrence has been good. So you could argue that maybe the questions start around like 9 or something like that. All of those are half decent matchups. But then you get into this world of a couple quarterbacks that are going to be in heavy conversations and Baker Mayfield is one of them. He is actually ECR13, so just missing this list. But both of you guys are a little bit lower than ecr. So Erickson, does Baker Mayfield belong in the tier of Trevor Lawrence or is he the start of like another tier?

[Andrew Erickson]

I think he's the start of another tier for me. I feel pretty confident about Trevor Lawrence facing the New York Jets. Terrible defense and Lawrence last nine games, one finish outside the top 15 quarterbacks, and that was at the Houston Texans, who we all know shut down every single quarterback. So Trevor Lawrence, I feel like pretty confident starting this week against the New York Jets. Mayfield is where you run into some question marks just because he hasn't been a top performer in recent weeks. But he is getting Mike Evans back. So I think that that matters. I think that he's appropriately ranked in that ECR. QB 13. I have him at 14, but to me it's like him versus Darnold versus Stroud, where these guys that are kind of more pocket passers. But if the, if the Texans and Seahawks are true to their implied team totals, which are massive because they're facing two terrible defenses and two terrible teams, or at least they should score a lot of points, then you're going to see the quarterbacks possibly benefit from that. So I'm trying to capture that, but I think Mayfield's probably someone. I'll move ahead once we get confirmation that Mike Evans is a full go for this week against the Falcons.

[Chris Welsh]

Yeah, and Fitzy, you've got, you're a little bit more pessimistic on Baker. I suppose you got him at 16. Is there any potential movement for you if, if Mike Evans is like officially activated or are you just kind of down in general? I guess this also kind of comes back to that like Igbuka conversation we had in the wide receiver episodes. But what's your take on Baker as a start this week?

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

So it's sort of both. I've moved him already up to QB15 with the looking like Evans return on Thursday night is pretty imminent. So he will go there. But I'm not, I'm not sure if I'm going to have him any higher than QB15. It's just like it's going to help for, for Baker, but man, things have not been good for him for a long time now. Like 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. And he's averaged 5.3 yards per pass attempt in those seven games is just a terrible number. So I don't know if Evans alone can sort of shake Mayfield out of this, you know, prolonged slump he's been in.

[Chris Welsh]

Now, Erickson kind of alluded to the other guy we were going to talk about. What about Sam Darnold for you, Fitzy? I think Sam Darnold is in that same kind of range. And you were saying maybe Mayfield moves up. So what does that internally do for Darnold who's going up against the Colts.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

So I've got Darnold one spot ahead now at QB14, and I just worry about what the passing volume is going to look like in a game where the Seahawks are favored by 13 and a half points. Like as it is, the Seahawks are the run heaviest team in the league. They are the only team in the NFL that's had more runs than passes so far this season and they've got the third lowest pass rate over expected at minus 7% on the season. So what happens if the Colts can't keep up in this game? Like, I have no concern about Darnold's effectiveness or efficiency and if we were only counting first half fantasy points for all the quarterbacks this week, I'd probably have Darnold ranked as a quarterback one. But I am just worried that he throws like five or six passes in the second half and winds up with 19 or 20 pass attempts for the game.

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[Chris Welsh]

Ericsson, you were kind of alluding, I think, were you saying Darnold over Mayfield when you were originally talking?

[Andrew Erickson]

I'm honestly still not sure what I want to do with these two players, so I'm gonna have to go back in the lab and figure out what exactly I want to rank them. I think it's close because the concerns with Darnold are real, but I don't always like following that process where, well, if this team kills this other team, then he's not going to score enough points and then, oh, well, send Darter through five touchdowns. And that's why they killed the Indianapolis Colts. So that is always something that's kind of in the back of my mind. But to Fitz's point, the Seahawks do like to run the football, so it's a little bit different from a team that's always very high pass rate over expectation, which really hasn't been the case with the Seahawks the last three games. For Sam Darnold, which have kind of been all blowout wins for the Seattle Seahawks, he's been QB11 and QB4 in two of those three games. But against the Vikings and Max Bruh smur, he was QB 30 in a game where he basically didn't have to do anything. So if we get that same type of game script. Well, you just started the quarterback 30 on the week with Sam Darnold, even in a quote unquote good matchup on paper. So I think I'd probably just lean towards Mayfield over Darnold because I think he feels a little bit safer a divisional game on a Thursday night. I think it's a little bit more back and forth, a closer spread where at least Mayfield is pushed a little bit more. Whereas with Darnold, there are the concerns that, yeah, he just doesn't have to do a lot against the Colts and Philip Rivers throwing the ball. So I think I am going to move Mayfield one spot ahead of Darnold.

[Chris Welsh]

And clearly the number one question on everybody's minds, we start in Philip Rivers this week.

[Andrew Erickson]

The amount of leagues you got picked up in, super flags, you're just like.

[Chris Welsh]

Oh, man, this is going to be fun legitimately. Like, if you were in a super flag, where does he rank for you guys? I know it's like jokes. There is going to. There are people out there that are like, would you start Brady Cook or Philip Rivers? Like, we actually saw, legitimately saw that question. Like, you can't feel super, super confident about it. But like, somebody also pointed out they're like someone's going to win one of those like Millie DFS contests with starting Philip Rivers this week. Is there any world Fitzy, where Philip Rivers is anything like. We're not advocating to starting him. I just wanted to say his name because he's one of the biggest stories that's out there right now.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

I do have him ranked ahead of Kenny Pickett. Who is going to fill in.

[Chris Welsh]

Excellent. Can I get. Can I get him over anybody else or is that your line?

[Andrew Erickson]

That.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

That's my line in the sand.

[Chris Welsh]

Well, the Kenny Pickett line.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

All right.

[Andrew Erickson]

So if you're going Brady Cook over over Phil Rivers if Brady Cook gets the star again. They just said he's getting all the first team reps because Taylor and Fields are not practicing today. Yeah.

[Chris Welsh]

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 we Kenny Pickett. So that's awesome. So is it also Brady Cook? That's how bad they are.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

That one. I'm gonna have to retreat to my lab for that. Let's go back to the lab.

[Chris Welsh]

Oh my gosh. I can't get. I told Erickson this. I cannot get big daddy out of my head where it's like hey old man river, zip it or I'll break your hip. And then the like the five year plan like all of those bits or some social like our social to. You got to do something with all that with Philip Rivers. But no, we're not starting him or doing anything with that. But it is the transition to the tight ends and it is going to be the first guy. We're going to talk about your top 12 on tight ends though. Here's the big board. We've got Trey McBride at 1, George Kittle at 2, Brock Bowers at 3. Tyler Warren. Yes, that Tyler Warren in at 4 still. Harold Fannin Jr. Coming in at 5, followed by Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelsey, Brenton Strange, Jake Ferguson, Dalton Kincaid, Mark Andrews and Colson Loveland. That's your top 12, Warren. So Warren is in at number four. You guys clearly hate this from a rank perspective. I've been kind of vocal about this. I don't think Philip Rivers is going to be great. They can't not have him throw the ball. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a 40% target share to Tyler Warren this week. I wouldn't be surprised if Tyler Warren does some stuff on the ground. I think they could gadget some stuff and I think he is the safety net for yards after the catch. Now where I could be wrong is he could have six catches for 40 yards because Philip Rivers can't throw more than nine yards. But I think Philip Rivers is not going to be looking for massive checkdowns, is going to be easy things and I think that really either is going to be some really bad throws to the first read wide receivers or it is going to be one read check down to Tyler Warren a lot. So I like him still as a top five tight end. You both do not. Erickson at 12, Fitz at nine. Erickson, let's start with you. You are barely putting him in as a starter so I'm guessing you're starting Mark Andrews. I know it's the Bengals. Kincaid, Fergus, you're starting everybody over Tyler Warren at this point.

[Andrew Erickson]

Well, I have him tight in 12 so that means he's still a guy. You can start to your point of the things that you laid out. Yeah, there is a case and a path where Tyler Warren is still involved in this Colts passing attack. It's a good matchup on paper against the Seahawks. Although they are going to get Julian Love back another week from his injury, he's one of their better safeties. So I think that could help kind of stuff out some of these tight end production the Seahawks have been giving up. So that's one concern that you have to consider. For me, it's just going back to upside right with tight ends and Tyler Warren as a player we know has a ton of upside, especially the way that they can get him the football in space. He can create yards after the catch. But look, if I start Tyler Warren and he went 6 for 67 targets or something like that, I feel like, okay, like that's fine. And last week that's what TJ Hawkinson did or excuse me, in week 13, that's what TJ Hawkinson did with Mac Brosmer as his quarterback and he was the tight end 14 on the week. So I understand your positive case for Hawk for Tyler Warren, but I don't think that's going to translate to Always tight end 4 on the week, especially if he doesn't score a touchdown, which is my biggest concern with this entire Colts offense. Look, even if Daniel Jones was the starting quarterback, how many touchdowns would we project for the Colts offense to score on the road against the Seattle Seahawks? So like that is my big pushback where it's like, dude, I've seen this Bengals defense play some of the worst tight ends and it doesn't matter Like Likely and Mark Andrews have so much more upside in my opinion than Tyler Warren does because I mean Isaiah Likely's basically been a top three tight in the last two weeks. If you could just we're going to talk about him, get into the end zone and just finish the play. So that's why I have him tight end 12 again not someone that I think that you have to downright bench because for the most part he's probably still better than most waiver wire tight ends. But I think it's a clear case for everyone I have ranked ahead of him. Why their upside is just higher.

[Chris Welsh]

So Vitz, you got Warren a little bit higher and I don't know if Warren needs to be four in a full ppr. My case is a little bit stronger half ppr. It's maybe not but I'm comfortable with him around six or seven something like that. But what say you on tight end nine for Tyler Warren?

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

I really want to talk myself into this premise that a rusty Philip Rivers who hasn't played since 2020 and has spent the last five years bouncing grand babies on his knee is going to be the guy who reverses sort of discouraging trends for Tyler Warren.

[Chris Welsh]

Let's do it.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Because over his last six games Tyler Warren has had one touchdown and one game with more than 53 receiving yards. He's had 26 or fewer receiving yards in three of his last six games. So.

Maybe this is too low tight end nine if it is Philip Rivers at quarterback because I do kind of agree with this premise that like he might be the number one go to guy for Rivers. As of now I have Tyler Warren behind Trey McBride, George Kittle, Brock Bowers, Harold Fannin, Travis Kelsey, Kyle Pitts and we just found out Drake London is not going to play on Thursday night. Dalton Kincaid and Mark Andrews who has that red carpet matchup against the Bengals. But I have Warren ahead of Isaiah Likely and I'm second guessing that because Isaiah likely also gets to face the Bengals. So I can't honestly see myself moving up Warren in the TE6 or TE7 range. Welsh.

[Chris Welsh]

All right, a couple other tight ends we are going to talk about. Likely to end Harold Fannin. Harold Fannin really jumps up. He is tight end five. You guys are pretty much in agreement here. Obviously Shador looked fantastic in that game and Fannin is going to be a target going up against the Chicago Bears. Fitzy, why don't you kick it off on Harold Fannin? Why? Harold Fannin is exponentially better than like taking a risk On a guy like Tyler Warren, too.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Yeah. Tight end four for me. And maybe, maybe I'm overreacting to Fannin's tight end. One overall finish last week, eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, 25.4 PPR points. But I do think Shador Sanders makes Fannin more viable than he was with Dylan Gabriel and the Browns. Other tight end, David Najoku, questionable with a knee injury. And the Browns are facing a Bears defense that's given up the 8th most receptions to tight ends. So I like the spot for.

[Chris Welsh]

For Fannin Erickson. Same thing. I think you have a med. No, you have him at five. Fitz, he's got him at four. Either way, you guys are just both super high on him. Fannin has moved up into another tier of tight ends and you seem to agree.

[Andrew Erickson]

Target leader since Shadar Sanders took over as the starting quarterback. The targets are really like consolidating around him. You know, Jerry Judy gets a couple here and there, but David and Joko is clearly not healthy, continuing to deal with injuries. So if you're getting a pass. Happy game script for the Cleveland Browns. Yeah, I like this spot for health and I don't think he'd overthink it. He's a really. He's a rookie tight end that broke out in the first game of the year and has flashed at points and it all kind of came together last week and I think that you just continue to play him.

[Chris Welsh]

Britain Strange is tight end 8 on this list. You guys are a little bit. You guys are both lower than ecr, y'.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

All.

[Chris Welsh]

You both have them though, as a tight end one. It's a good matchup. Trevor Lawrence slings the ball a bunch. We didn't see the big output we thought we would get last week. Erickson, you still haven't tied in nine, so you're like almost essentially at consensus. You're still a full go on Brenton Strange.

[Andrew Erickson]

Yeah, we got unlucky last week. He had a touchdown callback because of Opi. Right. So he would have been fine as a. Maybe not exactly top five, but he would have finished much higher than his three catch for 27 yards would indicate. And he had multiple red zone targets last week. Six targets in total. So great matchup against the New York jets again, another player that why should I start Tyler Warren over Brenton Strange this week? Bren Strange has been terrific since coming back from his injury. And like I said, if that touchdown just counts last week, I don't think we're even second guessing. Like moving him down in the ranking. So he's another guy that I wouldn't really think twice about starting Tyler Warren over Tyler Warren.

[Chris Welsh]

So Fitzy, you got him at 12, you're a little bit lower and I guess what I wanted to ask was like, do you have him in another I originally was going to say do you have him in the tier of Kelsey, but you just like clearly don't. Is he like the start of a different tier of tight ends or is he maybe the end of that tier that's like Tyler Warren and Ferguson and whatnot.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

He's kind of the end of that tier for me. I would say, you know, I'd group him with Ferguson likely.

Maybe even Theo Johnson and Colston Loveland because I think those guys haven't maybe even Mike Kasicki I'd put in that tier if, if T. Higgins is going to be out and it seems almost certain he would be like I just.

So Strange came back from his injury and had that five catch 93 yard game against the Cardinals and everyone kind of just fell in love with Bretton Strange as a mid range tight end one.

But since then, like I know he had the Touchdown called back three catches for 45 yards and the touchdown three catches for 27 yards last week. He's been averaging five targets a game since he's been back. He's fine. I just see him as more of a low end tight end one than a mid range tight end one because I don't think he's getting mid range tight end one target volume.

[Chris Welsh]

Okay. The final one I think is probably the most important because it'll have so many questions attached to it. This is both. We're going to do both of the Baltimore Ravens tight ends because he's going up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mark Andrews comes in at 11, Isaiah likely is 13. I can see that you both have Isaiah likely at 11 on this list. The question is are you likely over Andrews? And then I guess you already have likely as a tight end one your confidence level because I am likely over Andrews at this point because of not just Andrews is just touchdown equity. He's the Chris Rodriguez of tight ends. That's all. He is likely is also some volume with yards playmaking and he is getting targets from Lamar Jackson. So I am likely over Andrews. Clear. But where are you guys at fits likely or Andrews? And both are probably viable starters for you this week, I'm guessing.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Yeah, I, I mean you make a really good case. While shy. I do have likely behind Andrews right now and.

Man like likely. He's had nine catches, 120 yards and a touchdown over his last two games. I do think this matchup makes him a tight end. One the Bangles two of the Flukies.

[Chris Welsh]

Non touchdowns as well. Like the first one stupid. The catch last week. Like you if he has those two touchdowns. I don't. I think we're talking about likely in a completely different tier because everyone's losing their mind about the touchdown equity and everything. Sorry, I didn't mean to.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Like that's a good point. And it's funny that, you know, likely is on this. This upswing right as the Ravens kind of made their choice and signed Mark Andrews long term and looks like they're going to let Isaiah Likely walk in free agency. But there's a chance both of these guys can have big days against the Bengals. Bengals have given up to tight ends. 97 catches, 1258 yards and 15 touchdowns.

[Chris Welsh]

So Trey McBride season. They make any tight end become Trey McBride.

[Pat Fitzmaurice]

Like what it's like a vintage Tony Gonzalez season. Plus like add another good tight end from a different team and throw that on there and that's what the Bengals are giving up. It's just crazy.

[Chris Welsh]

That is wild Erickson. Same thing. Likely or Andrews and are both startable this week.

[Andrew Erickson]

Both are startable this week and you've convinced me that it should be likely over Andrews if if likely catches those two touchdowns. He's a top three fantasy tight end. Back to back weeks. And again, the Cincinnati Bengals made Dawson Knox okay. Antonio Gates last week. Dawson Knox had done literally nothing all season despite having like a pretty good role in the Bills offense when Dalton Kincai was missing time. I mean I think they quoted Dalton King Gate after the game and they said, yeah, it was a game for the tight ends. And I just wanted to comment and be like, no, it was a game against the Cincinnati Bengals defense. Like look, we don't always want to overvalue matchups, but when it's so clear that this match that the Bengals they just don't care. Like they don't try to stop tight ends in any capacity. So going back to who has top five upside this week, Top three upside, give me the Ravens tight ends over Tyler Warren. I just, I don't think that it's in his range of outcomes this week. He has to run so hot with big plays. Touchdown equity. I don't think the Ravens are going to have trouble finding the end zone this week. And you just got to cross your fingers that Likely can just squeeze the ball into the end zone all the way, get five feet in and we're good to go.

[Chris Welsh]

What do you guys think? Likely or Andrews? You can put it in the comments below and are both startable. That is going to do it for the quarterback and tight end ranks for week 15. Boy, you guys know where to find us. We've got lots of live streams over on Twitch. You can catch us over here on YouTube. Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast and make sure you got the app. All the tools help you out, become your best friend and if all else fails, Sunday morning you can catch us live for a couple hours answering all your last minute playoff fantasy questions and you can find us on the socials as well. That's going to do it for Erickson and Fitzy. I'm Welsh. You guys have a fantastic one. Good luck. Hopefully we talk to you next week in the playoffs and we'll do it right here on Fantasy Pros. Bye Bye.

[Podcast Host]

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