As we head into Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, many fantasy football managers are trying to advance in the playoffs. Injuries, offensive changes and emerging trends continue to reshape the fantasy landscape, making it vital to stay ahead of value swings. This week's fantasy football risers and fallers spotlight players whose stock is moving sharply in one direction or another, and how to adjust accordingly. For a deeper dive into player usage and evolving roles, check out the RotoWire NFL team depth charts.
Fantasy Football Risers
Quarterback
Sanders delivered one of the most surprising fantasy performances of the season with a 39-point eruption against Tennessee. The matchup turned into a pass-heavy script as the Titans built a big lead, allowing the quarterback to pile up production in garbage time. Even if the real-life evaluation remains shaky, this type of ceiling game is something many NFL passers never reach. With the stat sheet finally showing signs of life, Sanders sees his fantasy stock rise from the depths.
Running Back
Corum has quietly provided quality play behind Kyren Williams, but his fantasy value surged after two standout efforts. He posted 81 yards and a score on limited touches against Carolina before exploding for 128 yards and two touchdowns versus Arizona. Although those defenses pose little resistance, the efficiency and burst he showed match the expectations Los Angeles had when drafting him. With momentum heading into fantasy playoffs, Corum holds a rising profile as a complementary playmaker.
Harvey struggled with inefficiency in his first two starts, but recent weeks have brought meaningful improvement. After a two-touchdown outing against Washington, he finally paired volume with efficiency versus Las Vegas with 100 total yards and a score. The passing-game usage, including six receptions last week, further stabilizes his role. As Denver continues giving him lead-back duties, Harvey's value trends up even with difficult matchups looming.
Wide Receiver
Reed returned from a shoulder issue and immediately reclaimed a meaningful role in the offense, turning six opportunities into 53 yards against Chicago in his first action since Week 2. Although Green Bay has historically rotated its receivers, the early involvement is an encouraging sign. Reed now enters the fantasy playoffs with renewed optimism regarding his usage and output.
Burden's role has expanded steadily since missing Week 9, and the volume has stabilized between five and six targets in each of his last four games. After several modest outings, the receiver posted 67 yards against Green Bay in a game where Rome Odunze (foot) was unavailable. The gradual uptick in reliability is exactly what managers hoped to see as the season progressed. With his involvement trending upward, Burden's stock is firmly on the rise.
Tight End
Pitts hit his worst stretch of the season from Weeks 11-13, but the Falcons have leaned heavily on him with Drake London (knee) sidelined. In two games before Thursday night, the tight end produced 172 total yards on 13 receptions while averaging nine targets. But he exploded against the Buccaneers in a signature performance, catching 11 of 12 targets for 168 yards and three touchdowns. The connection with Kirk Cousins appears to be stabilizing at the best possible time. As long as this expanded usage continues, Pitts remains a strong fantasy asset moving forward.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Quarterback
Mayfield's season took a sharp downturn after early MVP chatter through the first six weeks. The quarterback had thrown one or fewer touchdown passes in six of his last seven games and hadn't reached 195 passing yards in the past month. He started to show signs of life Thursday with 277 yards and two touchdowns, but the overall offensive output remains a bit stagnant. Unless the offense totally resets with better health and execution, along with a return of Mike Evans, Mayfield's fantasy reliability is slipping.
Running Back
Walker briefly appeared to regain form in Weeks 11-12 before his production stalled once again. A disappointing effort against Atlanta, where he managed just 29 rushing yards, highlighted ongoing inconsistency. The Seattle backfield continues to fluctuate, and Walker has not separated from Zach Charbonnet in a meaningful way. Given the volatility, his fantasy value trends downward entering the playoffs.
Wide Receiver
Shakir opened the year as Buffalo's most reliable receiver but has seen a drastic role reduction in recent weeks. With the Bills leaning heavily into multi-tight-end sets, the wideout has played 53 percent or fewer snaps in three of his last four games. Outside of a blowout loss to Houston where he hit 110 yards, he has totaled just four catches for 18 yards in the other matchups (he did score one touchdown). Unless the usage rebounds, Shakir cannot be trusted in fantasy lineups.
Franklin was a steady contributor earlier in the season, consistently drawing 8-10 targets from Weeks 7-11. The last two games have been a complete reversal, with snap rates plummeting to 53 and 26 percent, respectively. His production has followed suit, averaging only 16 yards during this span. With Pat Bryant overtaking him in the pecking order, Franklin's fantasy value has taken a clear hit.
Tight End
Waller began the season as a major fantasy revelation before a chest injury derailed his momentum. After returning from injured reserve, his playing time and usage have been far more limited than expected. Miami has incorporated Greg Dulcich into a rotation that has capped Waller's receiving opportunities, resulting in just one catch for 13 yards last week. As long as the role remains uncertain, Waller's fantasy stock continues to decline.
Conclusion
As the playoffs march forward, evaluating fantasy football risers and fallers becomes essential for optimizing lineups and making timely roster moves. Several players are peaking at exactly the right moment, while others appear to be fading at the worst possible time. Staying flexible with roster construction and monitoring usage trends will provide a significant competitive edge. For updated projections and weekly lineup guidance, be sure to visit the RotoWire weekly projections page.
