Mike's Week 15 Player Grid

By :: Mike Johnson (@mjohnson86)

Welcome back to my (Mjohnson86) Player Grid. The format will vary slightly from JM’s Player Grid, as we each see things slightly differently and play in slightly different contests, but should complement his thoughts and content very well for those looking to build their lineups for the week. The format of this article will vary slightly from my FanDuel Player Grid, which will be more direct in terms of which players I like. Enjoy!!

The Core

This is a list of players that stand out to me at each position from using my “Checking the Boxes” criteria outlined in my course you can find in our Marketplace. This list is a starting point, from which I build out lineups using game theory and roster construction concepts (which we will also touch on) with the mindset being to find the best plays with big ceilings. Low ownership is a bonus, but not a must. This section will focus primarily on three positions – running back, tight end, and defense – as the other two positions (quarterback and wide receiver) tend to have more dependent tendencies which I try to attack from other angles (which we will get into in the other sections):

Running Back ::

• Christian McCaffrey – CMC has a high floor and a massive ceiling in this game as the 49ers are projected to score around 30 points, and he is the centerpiece of their offense. Receptions and big plays are on the table. Buckle up.

• Jahmyr Gibbs – Elite talent in a potentially wild game environment. Gibbs has 37+ points in four of his last seven games and I won’t be shocked if he does it again.

• Derrick Henry – Remember.

• Saquon Barkley – Lowest salary he has had as an Eagle in a home matchup in which the Eagles are likely to try to limit what they ask of Jalen Hurts after his implosion on Monday night.

• TreVeyon Henderson – Panic ensued after Henderson evenly split work with Rhamondre Stevenson on Monday night of Week 13 against the Giants. However, the Patriots controlled that game the whole way and had a Week 14 bye, while this week they face the Bills in a massive AFC East showdown. I expect Henderson to be the main guy this week, and he has a massive ceiling against this Bills run defense.

• Travis Etienne Jr. – Seems to have taken over the bell-cow role at this point and left Tuten in the dust. The matchup is solid and the Jags are a big favorite against a Jets team with a third-string QB. The biggest concern would be touchdowns going to other players early and the team preserving him late.

• Chuba Hubbard – Only $4,600 and in a “fine” matchup, good weather, and road favorite. Hubbard handled 19 touches in Week 13 against the Rams and looked the best he has all season, then had a bye week to add even more juice to his legs.

Tight End :: 

• Harold Fannin Jr. – 25% target share with Shedeur at QB. Bears have a solid secondary and won’t let the Browns run the ball at will, while Cleveland is likely in a trailing game script. Fannin seeing double-digit targets again won’t be a surprise.

• Mark Andrews // Isaiah Likely – Tight ends against the Bengals. Rashod Bateman is probably out. Both under $4k.

• Juwan Johnson – Just under a 20% target share this season, Johnson has athleticism and red-zone abilities. Facing a Panthers team that doesn’t get much pressure, he should be very involved.

Defense :: 

• Seahawks – Elite defense, at home, against Philip Rivers.

• Jaguars – Very good defense, at home, against Brady Cook.

• Eagles – Looking to get back on track at home against a Raiders offense that can’t block.

• Texans – One of the league’s best defenses at home against a team that will throw at a high rate.

GPP Game Stack Of The Week

Detroit Lions // Los Angeles Rams

This game reminds me of Detroit’s showdown with the Bills last season almost exactly a year ago. These are two of the league’s most efficient and explosive offenses and while their defenses can slow down weaker opponents, they can be had by strong competition. Detroit plays man coverage at a high rate and just lost its best defensive back as they go to face Stafford, Puka, and Adams. The Lions are condensing their usage and Los Angeles is a strong defense, but will let teams move the ball. This has the feel of the type of game that could turn into something special, and even at high salaries, we could see winning lineups with five or six players from this game.

Premium Passing Game Stacks

Cincinnati Bengals (BAL)

The Bengals will be without Tee Higgins once again for their rematch with the Ravens. The first time around, Burrow threw 46 passes despite the Bengals winning by 22 and leading most of the way. It feels likely that we will see him throw 40+ times again, and Ja’Marr Chase can easily blow up, while the cheap guys (Tinsley, Gesicki, Iosivas) make “Burrow Doubles” work from a salary perspective with high upside. On the other side, we have Lamar at a modest salary, facing a Bengals defense we’ve targeted all year, and who we can easily stack with one or both of his tight ends.

Buffalo Bills (NE)

Josh Allen's monster performances in December when his team is on the ropes have become an annual rite of passage. The Bills must win this game to stay alive for the AFC East title and lost to the Patriots the first time around. Expect the pedal to be down from start to finish in this one for the best fantasy QB in the game.

Unique Combos

Chuba Hubbard + Blake Corum

I discussed this towards the end of the second installment of “The Workshop” podcast for Inner Circle members this week. The context of the slate is an interesting one with 13 games and a lot of premium game environments. Both of these running backs are gaining steam right now and playing very well. Hubbard had 19 touches in his last game and should once again be very involved in a game where their offense could/should have success. Corum had a breakout game and is now playing in the game of the week. Their combined salary is $9,400 and each of them should at least give you around 10 points, while each has a path to 20+. The high end of this range of outcomes is in the 40-to-45 point range for the duo, and the beauty of it is what it allows you to do in terms of unique combinations of the expensive guys who can all put up 40 this week.

Harold Fannin Jr. + Ravens Tight End

Similar thought process here as above and as we discussed last week when I listed “Fannin + Loveland” in this section. You can play Fannin + Andrews for $7,900 or Fannin + Likely for $7,400. Fannin showed off his elite ceiling last week, but I don’t think that performance was a fluke and his salary is still far below where it belongs (he should be closer to $5k). At least one of these guys likely scores around 15 points, with a decent chance that both do in this matchup and/or one of them finds their way to 20+ at a modest salary. The world is your oyster.