Bold takeaway: the fantasy playoffs are here, and every lineup tweak could be the difference between a title run or another early exit. Yet unpredictability looms with injuries and late-season flux. Here are three under-the-radar picks for Week 15 that could swing your DraftKings contests or season-long matchups, explained clearly so beginners can follow along. And because this is playoff football, understanding why these sleepers matter can save you from chasing hollow hype.
Sleeper 1: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders ($4,400)
With Jayden Daniels sidelined by an elbow issue, the Commanders lean on a shaky offensive situation, and Deebo Samuel is questionable due to an illness. Marcus Mariota steps in to lead the offense, and the matchup against the Giants—who rank near the bottom in rushing defense—offers a favorable path to points. While Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been the top back recently, he’s listed as questionable with a groin injury, and even if he suits up, his workload could be limited. That opens the door for Croskey-Merritt, a rookie who has shown flashes of upside in limited opportunities. Last game against Minnesota, he collected 32 yards on seven carries (4.6 yards per carry). If Mariota adds more rushing attempts and the backfield workload shifts toward the rookie, Croskey-Merritt is a compelling value at his price. He’s worth considering for lineup flexibility and potential breakout bursts in a favorable game script.
Sleeper 2: WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals ($4,100)
Tee Higgins is sidelined with a concussion again, which pressures Cincinnati’s passing attack. Joe Burrow remains the quarterback, elevating the floor for all Bengals receivers. Outside of Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati lacks proven options, so Iosivas could see amplified targets as the other dependable pass-catcher. Across the season, he’s accumulated 26 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, no other Bengals receiver aside from Higgins and Chase has more than seven catches, which can translate into increased opportunities for Iosivas when defenses focus on the top targets.
Iosivas has already shown he can contribute in a larger role, recording at least ten fantasy points in three of his last five games. He even notched a 29-yard TD against the Ravens on Thanksgiving. Baltimore’s defense has allowed a relatively high number of fantasy points to wide receivers this season, which bodes well for Iosivas’ upside. With the attention centralized on Chase, Iosivas could be an overlooked, high-leverage option in a key Week 15 matchup.
Sleeper 3: TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens ($3,400)
Baltimore’s offense has dealt with hits to its starter, Mark Andrews, and Likely has stepped into a larger role as a result. Through ten games, he’s posted 22 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown, which doesn’t scream elite fantasy value on the surface, but the Ravens have been far from fully healthy this season. Lamar Jackson’s playing time has been limited, which further amplifies Likely’s upside when he’s on the field.
In recent outings, Likely has shown a knack for big yardage and involvement, recording nine catches for 120 yards and a touchdown across his last two games, including a 5-catch, 95-yard performance against Cincinnati in Week 12. Cincinnati has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, making Likely a particularly appealing contrarian pick for Week 15. Baltimore utilized him on 60% of their offensive snaps last Sunday, signaling a solid role and an opportunity for a strong showing this week.
Bottom line: these sleepers offer a mix of upside and cost efficiency, ideal for strengthening your roster when injuries and volatility threaten deeper lineups. Do you see these picks fitting your Week 15 strategy, or would you prefer different risk levels or formats (DKS tournaments vs. cash games)?
