December football is heating up, and for many, the fantasy football playoffs are officially underway! Whether you’re in the thick of the action or watching from the sidelines, there’s still a way to get in on the excitement: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). This weekend, we’ve got a fresh batch of DFS sleepers and value plays that could help you rake in some holiday bonus cash. Let’s dive into the best strategies to dominate your DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft tournaments!
Identifying Value: The Key to DFS Success
The No. 1 rule for success in daily fantasy? Identifying value. You won’t hit those DFS jackpots without maximizing your budget during lineup construction. It’s all about striking the right balance between consistent weekly stars and high-value sleepers. Think of it like mixing in some affordable stocking stuffers with your kids’ big-ticket toys—both are essential for a winning lineup!
For years, this very column has spotlighted the undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. Sure, anyone can spot the elite DFS stars, but it’s the sleepers and value plays that can elevate your lineups above the competition and start putting real money in your pocket.
Last Week’s Success: A Look Back
As we gear up for Week 15, let’s take a moment to reflect on last week’s hits. We’ve highlighted our biggest successes from Week 14, showcasing players’ salaries and their final DraftKings points production. Check out our impressive list:
| POS. | PLAYER | WEEK 14 GAME | SALARY | POINTS |
| QB | Sam Darnold | Vikings vs. Falcons | $6,100 | 37.6 |
| QB | Kyler Murray | Cardinals vs. Seahawks | $6,000 | 20.0 |
| RB | Zach Charbonnet | Seahawks at Cardinals | $6,000 | 41.3 |
| RB | Isaac Guerendo | 49ers vs. Bears | $5,400 | 26.8 |
| RB | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Giants vs. Saints | $5,800 | 19.3 |
| RB | Tony Pollard | Titans vs. Jaguars | $6,400 | 17.4 |
| WR | Jordan Addison | Vikings vs. Falcons | $5,300 | 42.3 |
| WR | Darnell Mooney | Falcons at Vikings | $5,500 | 23.2 |
| WR | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seahawks at Cardinals | $6,300 | 19.6 |
| WR | Ray-Ray McCloud | Falcons at Vikings | $4,500 | 17.1 |
| TE | Pat Freiermuth | Steelers vs. Browns | $3,800 | 13.8 |
| DST | San Francisco | 49ers vs. Bears | $3,100 | 13.0 |
| DST | New Orleans | Saints at Giants | $2,900 | 10.0 |
Bada bing, bada boom! That’s 13 big hits, including standout performances from our featured players Darnold and Guerendo. We also struck gold with Charbonnet and JSN in the Seahawks’ dominant win over the Cardinals, and Darnell Mooney’s resurgence was a pleasant surprise.
Week 15 DFS Sleepers and Value Picks
Now, let’s carry over that momentum into Week 15 and unveil our DFS sleepers and value picks across DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft. We’ll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, along with their cost or scoring boost on each DFS site.
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Week 15: Quarterback
Bo Nix, Broncos vs. Colts (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,600 | SD: 1.35x)
Nix has been a regular in our sleepers column for good reason. With ample starting experience from his college days, he’s poised to shine under coach Sean Payton in Denver. The Broncos are in the playoff hunt, and the Colts rank among the 10 most generous defenses to QBs in fantasy. Coming off a bye week, expect Nix to exceed his average of 18.3 DK points, possibly finishing in the 29-31 range for the third time this season.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins at Texans (DK: $6,100 | FD: $8,300 | SD: 1.4x)
Tagovailoa has quietly emerged as one of the best QBs in the league since returning from his third concussion. In fact, he’s the QB2 over the past month, trailing only Josh Allen. What’s even better? Tua comes at a DK price $2,400 cheaper than Allen! With a favorable matchup against a Texans team that has allowed the 11th-most DK points to QBs, Tua is primed for another big week.
Other QBs to Consider:
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. Patriots (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,800 | SD: 1.4x)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Bucs (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,500 | SD: 1.4x)
- Bryce Young, Panthers vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,300 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.5x)
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Week 15: Running Back
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders at Saints (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,300 | SD: 1.3x)
Robinson is back in form after a midseason slump, recently posting 20.9 DK points against the Titans. He now faces a Saints defense that has surrendered the 7th-most DK points to running backs. With the Commanders coming off a bye and likely to dominate time of possession, expect B-Rob to cruise to another strong performance.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots at Cardinals (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.35x)
The Cardinals have struggled defensively, recently allowing 176 rushing yards to the Seahawks. Stevenson may not have been spectacular, but he shines in favorable matchups. Trust him to deliver solid returns this week.
Other Strong RB Values:
- Rico Dowdle, Cowboys at Panthers (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,100 | SD: 1.35x)
- Rachaad White, Bucs at Chargers (DK: $5,800 | FD: $7,200 | SD: 1.45x)
- Gus Edwards, Chargers vs. Bucs (DK: $5,300 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.55x)
- Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Colts (DK: $4,700 | FD: $5,000 | SD: 1.65x)
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Week 15: Wide Receiver
Khalil Shakir, Bills at Lions (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,000 | SD: 1.25x)
Shakir has been a target machine, averaging nine looks over Buffalo’s past three games. With a strong performance against tougher defenses, he’s set to be a key player against a Lions team that has shown vulnerability lately.
Adam Thielen, Panthers vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,400 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.3x)
Thielen has thrived with Bryce Young, racking up 46.1 DK points over the last two weeks. The Cowboys’ pass defense has struggled, making Thielen a prime candidate for another big game.
Other Strong WR Values:
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins at Texans (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,200 | SD: 1.3x)
- Jameson Williams, Lions vs. Bills (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.3x)
- Jerry Jeudy, Browns vs. Chiefs (DK: $6,200 | FD: $6,900 | SD: 1.25x)
- Xavier Worthy, Chiefs at Browns (DK: $5,100 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.35x)
- Josh Palmer, Chargers vs. Bucs (DK: $4,600 | FD: $5,500 | SD: 1.5x)
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Week 15: Tight End
David Njoku, Browns vs. Chiefs (DK: $5,200 | FD: $6,500 | SD: 1.15x)
The tight end position has become a barren wasteland, making Njoku a legitimate value at his price. Over the last two weeks, he’s racked up impressive stats, making him a solid pick against a weak Chiefs defense.
Zach Ertz, Commanders at Saints (DK: $4,000 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.45x)
Ertz has been a reliable target, averaging 15.7 DK PPG over the past three games. He should exploit the Saints’ defensive struggles effectively.
More Week 15 TEs Worth Considering:
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys at Panthers (DK: $3,800 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.5x)
- Grant Calcaterra, Eagles vs. Steelers (DK: $3,500 | FD: $4,900 | SD: 1.55x)
- Chig Okonkwo, Titans vs. Bengals (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,900 | SD: 1.7x)
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Week 15: D/ST
New York Jets at Jaguars (DK: $3,000 | FD: $4,900)
With Trevor Lawrence sidelined, the Jaguars could struggle. The Jets’ defense is poised to capitalize on this opportunity against a team that is reeling.
Other D/ST Options to Consider:
- Denver Broncos vs. Colts (DK: $3,200 | FD: $4,800)
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Patriots (DK: $3,000 | FD: $4,400)
With these insights and strategies, you’re well-equipped to take on Week 15 and make the most of your DFS opportunities. Get ready to enjoy the games, and may your lineups bring you success!
