NFL fantasy football: Top QB, RB, WR and TE Week 15 waiver wire pickups

December changes everything where the fantasy waiver wire is concerned. This is the point in the season when contenders need immediate help, while dynasty managers who are in rebuild mode are more focused on long-term upside.

Whatever your situation, the mission in the final stretch of the 2025 NFL season is simple: find the difference-maker - the pick-up who can flip a matchup while you’re watching the action unfold live on DAZN with NFL Game Pass.

With that in mind, here are the top NFL players worth circling ahead as we head into Week 15, including our top five options at every position.

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Quarterback

1. Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
2. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
3. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
5. Justin Fields, New York Jets
6. ***Bonus player*** Read on.

Texans' QB C.J. Stroud is excluded from this list because he is now owned in more than 50% of fantasy leagues. If he's available in yours, prioritise him above the others listed here.

Sanders had the best game of his young career, completing 23 of 42 passes for 364 yards, while throwing for three touchdowns and one interception.

Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski raved about the progress his young signal-caller has made.

"He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he's approached this game," he said. "I feel good about where his development is heading."

In Weeks 15 and 17, crucial games in the fantasy playoffs, Sanders plays two teams that rank in the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs.

Will the real McCarthy please stand up? The youngster has looked dreadful most of the season, only to erupt against the Commanders, completing 69.6% of his throws and throwing three touchdowns.

Lawrence has played better and more consistently in his last two games, and could keep that run going against the Jets this weekend before facing a tough matchup against the Broncos in Week 16.

Fields hasn't demonstrated the arm talent to be an NFL starting quarterback, but the youngster's rushing upside makes him worth considering if Tyrod Taylor's groin injury keeps him out.

According to head coach Dan Quinn, there are no "long-term concerns" after Jayden Daniels exited Week 14 with an injury to his non-throwing elbow.

But with the Commanders' season all but over, the likelihood that Washington shuts Daniels down increases.

Need a sixth option? Your bonus player is Philip Rivers, who may be returning to the NFL with a workout scheduled in Indy.

Running back

1. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
2. Devin Singletary, New York Giants
3. Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
4. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
5. Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals

The Bears' Kyle Monangai does not feature on this list because he is now owned in more than 50% of fantasy leagues. Prioritise him above all other tailbacks listed here if he's still available in yours.

Rams' head coach Sean McVay suggested that Kyren Williams and Blake Corum would share the load ahead of the playoffs. Corum just went off with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

As encouraging as Corum's recent usage has been, be wary of using him in Week 15 against a Lions' defense that has allowed the fewest points to opposition running backs.

Singletary led the Giants' backfield with 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown and also added 34 receiving yards. His Week 15 matchup with the Commanders should make him a priority on waivers.

Rodriguez continued as the primary running back for the Commanders last weekend, but the returns have been modest, with Washington forced to pass more often while playing from behind.

With Miami's DeVon Achane exiting early with a rib injury, Wright produced 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Achane was reportedly keen to return, which suggests he'll be ready to suit up in Week 15, but his status warrants monitoring.

Knight could vault up this list if Trey Benson is not activated from the IR list by Wednesday. Should Benson remain on IR, he'll be forced to miss the rest of the season.

Wide receiver

1. Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans
2. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
3. Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
4. Darius Slayton, New York Giants
5. Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints

Higgins was a distant second to Nico Collins in receiving yards, but was only three targets shy of his teammate, and should have bigger games with the Cardinals and Raiders next up.

The Houston rookie has no business remaining on waivers in all except the most shallow of leagues. In dynasty formats, both he and the next man on the list are must-owns.

Burden has been near the bottom of this list until recently, and now finds himself a close second after the injury to Rome Odunze and disastrous outing from D.J. Moore.

Mitchell's ceiling takes a significant hit if Tyrod Taylor misses time, with Slayton perhaps the better option following Jaxson Dart's return to the lineup.

None of the Saints' pass-catchers had strong games in Week 14, but Vele led the team in receiving yards and tied Chris Olave in targets.

Tight end

1. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
2. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals 
3. Theo Johnson, New York Giants
4. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Harold Fannin and Dalton Schultz are owned in 50% or more fantasy leagues, and therefore do not appear on this list. Check if they're still on waivers just in case.

Loveland has been touchdown-dependent after producing fewer than 50 yards in his last four games, but he was still second on the team in targets against the Packers.

Gesicki had his best game of the season against the Bills, finishing third on the team in targets (6), second in receiving yards (86), and also hauled in a touchdown - his first of the year.

The Bengals face Baltimore and the Dolphins in their next two games. The Ravens are not a great matchup for Gesicki, but Miami has allowed the third-most points to opposition tight ends.

Strange posted fewer receiving yards in Week 15 than he did in the two prior games, despite being targeted six times. He has otherwise been relatively consistent when healthy.

Likely needed a touchdown to save his day, but was targeted six times for the second straight week. The Ravens face the Bengals in Week 15, who have allowed more points to opposition tight ends than any other team.