Welcome to the Industry Expert Consensus picks for Week 15 of the NFL season. As always, if you want to see how the experts performed last week check out my Week 14 Industry Expert Grading column and the Industry Expert Standings for all experts. The Consensus picks remain near the middle of the pack in the overall standings.
As a reminder, the number in the parenthesis is the number of experts that chose that player so you have more context regarding the gaps between players and the tiers.
Here are the consensus plays for Week 15…
Quarterbacks
Highly Touted
- Russell Wilson (15) – Has 3+ TD passes in 4 straight games and has a favorable matchup against the Browns
- Carson Palmer (13) – Over 300 yards and 2 TD passes in each of his last two games with a favorable matchup against the Eagles secondary
- Cam Newton (12) – High price tag, but has a good matchup and might need to pass more with Jonathan Stewart out
Recommended
- Blake Bortles (9) – Has 8 TD passes over the last 2 weeks and gets another good matchup this week against the Falcons
- Tom Brady (9) – Got Gronk back last week and faces the Titans who have given up 3+ TD passes in 3 straight games
- Matthew Stafford (7) – Monday night against the weak Saints defense
Suggested
- Tyrod Taylor (4) – Must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive
- Matt Ryan (4) – Only 2 TD passes over last 3 weeks
- Aaron Rodgers (3) – Seems overdue for a big game, could come this week in potential shootout
- Alex Smith (3) – Facing one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, the Ravens
- Drew Brees (3) – High Vegas total in potential Monday night shootout against the Lions
Running Backs
Highly Touted
- David Johnson (15) – Over 100 total yards in back-to-back games since taking over as the lead RB in Arizona
- Adrian Peterson (14) – Had 103 rushing yards last time he faced the Bears
Recommended
- LeSean McCoy (10) – Has at least 18 touches in every game since Week 6
- Lamar Miller (9) – Back-to-back strong games and faces the weak Chargers run defense this week
- Denard Robinson (8) – Should get the bulk of the carries with TJ Yeldon likely out
Suggested
- Devonta Freeman (5) – Hasn’t had over 50 rushing yards since Week 8, but is active in the passing game
- Charcandrick West (5) – Will get full workload if Spencer Ware is inactive
- Tim Hightower (5) – Had 28 carries last week as primary RB for the Saints, cheap option
- DeAngelo Williams (3) – Has 25+ touches each of the last 2 weeks
- Jeremy Hill (3) – Up and down season for Hill, but he has a favorable matchup against the 49ers this week
Wide Receivers
Highly Touted
- Calvin Johnson (11) – Favorable matchup against Saints defense on Monday night
- Doug Baldwin (11) – Has 8 TDs over last 3 weeks and still reasonably priced
- Julio Jones (10) – Hasn’t scored since Week 8
- Jeremy Maclin (9) – Favorable matchup against the Ravens
- DeAndre Hopkins (8) – Fewer than 10 targets in 3 straight games
Recommended
- AJ Green (7) – AJ McCarron at QB, but he did find Green for a long TD last week
- Michael Floyd (7) – High-scoring offense with a good matchup against the Eagles, reasonably priced
- Allen Robinson (7) – Only 1 catch last week, but has still scored in 3 straight games
- Odell Beckham Jr. (6) – Tough matchup against Josh Norman and the Panthers
- Antonio Brown (5) – Tough matchup against the Broncos
- Alshon Jeffery (5) – Had 10 catches for 116 yards and a TD last time he faced the Vikings
Suggested
- Sammy Watkins (3) – Has 3 straight games with 80+ yards and at least 1 TD
- Randall Cobb (3) – Hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 2
- Golden Tate (3) – Has more targets than Calvin Johnson over last 4 weeks
- Demaryius Thomas (3) – Had 14 targets last week
- Larry Fitzgerald (3) – Most expensive Cardinals WR
Tight Ends
Highly Touted
- Rob Gronkowski (9) – Returned from injury and put up 87 yards and a TD
- Greg Olsen (9) – Banged up a little bit, but has a great matchup against the Giants
- Jordan Reed (7) – Has 8+ targets in 4 straight games
Recommended
- Julius Thomas (6) – Has a TD in 4 straight games
- Benjamin Watson (5) – Has 8+ targets in 3 straight games
- Delanie Walker (5) – Averaging 7 catches for 90 yards over last 4 games
- Gary Barnidge (5) – Has been consistent all season and faces a Seahawks defense that struggles against the TE
Suggested
- Eric Ebron (4) – Good matchup against the Saints and could see increased targets with Brandon Pettigrew out
- Antonio Gates (4) – The most consistent receiver the Chargers have
- Zach Miller (3) – Good connection with Jay Cutler and getting increased playing time with Martellus Bennett out
Hope you find the right combinations to cash in Week 15!
