Assessing Week 15 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions Involving Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings

We’ve looked at start/sit decisions involving quarterbacks and running backs from Thursday’s games, but the FantasySP start/sit tool still has some Thursday players showing at the wide receiver position.

So, let’s discuss Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

San Francisco Receiver Outlooks

If you read my Thursday starting options story, you know I like Jennings over Samuel as a fantasy player. I said to start Jennings in most leagues and that I was leaning toward starting Samuel because of his upside, but depending on who I’m comparing them against, those decisions could change.

Jennings got back on track last week with a 28-point fantasy showing. He’d scored nine points in the previous two games. Jennings scored 25 points the week before that and 16 more in the week before that.

Jennings is clearly the top fantasy wideout on the Niners’ roster this season. There’s always the chance that Samuel or tight end George Kittle could outperform him, but Jennings definitely feels like the safest bet as a fantasy player right now.

His matchup against the Rams is one he’s probably looking forward to as well. Back in week 3, he went for 175 yards and three touchdowns across 11 receptions and 12 targets against LA. Jennings doesn’t have to deal with Brandon Aiyuk anymore, and has now established himself as the team’s top wideout. That’s why he is close to being a must-start fantasy player in my eyes.

Samuel has struggled as a fantasy player this season, but has the chance for a bigger role with the backfield all beaten up. Not only are Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason now out, but Isaac Guerendo is banged up coming into the contest. That should mean a couple extra touches for Samuel in the running game.

Samuel only scored six fantasy points last week, and only has 19 combined over the past four games. He hasn’t gone over 25 receiving yards in one of those games.

Samuel did not play in week 3 against the Rams, which was part of the reason why Jennings was able to excel. 

Recommendations on Trending Decisions 

Let’s dive into the FantasySP start/sit tool now and help fantasy owners determine the best starting options.

Jennings is in trending decisions with Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jakobi Meyers, Zay Flowers, Garrett Wilson, CeeDee Lamb, Courtland Sutton, Cooper Kupp and Malik Nabers.

Evans takes on the Chargers this week, which is a slightly below-average matchup for him. Evans scored 11 fantasy points last week, his lowest mark since returning from his injury.

Evans is definitely his team’s No. 1 wideout, but in the tougher matchup, he and Jennings are definitely close as fantasy options. I ever so slightly prefer Evans because he has less offensive playmakers around him, and fantasy owners agree.

Higgins takes on the Titans, who are a tough matchup on paper. Higgins is coming off a four-point fantasy showing, but scored 18 and 30 in the two games before that.

Higgins is the clear No. 2 in Cincy behind Ja'Marr Chase, and in the tougher matchup, that definitely scares me off him a bit. I’m against fantasy owners here and think Jennings is the better fantasy option for week 15.

Smith-Njigba takes on the Packers this week. Green Bay is a tougher matchup. JSN has emerged as a big-time fantasy threat of late, scoring at least 12 points in six straight games. 

Smith-Njigba is in a similar situation to Jennings, where there’s another wideout on his team (DK Metcalf) who could outperform him any week, along with a good secondary option (Tyler Lockett). The matchups are the difference here for me, and again, I’m against fantasy owners and think Jennings is the slightly better fantasy option.

Meyers will take on the Falcons this week, which sets up as a super favorable matchup for Meyers. The problem for him is that it will likely be Desmond Ridder throwing him the ball. Meyers scored 14 points last week, which was his lowest mark in three weeks.

Meyers is his team’s top fantasy wideout, but tight end Brock Bowers could also steal the show any week. Given the offenses both are on, I trust Jennings slightly more, and fantasy owners agree with me here.

Flowers will face the Giants, who are actually not a good matchup for receivers. He scored 10 fantasy points last week, and has been between 10-12 points the past three weeks.

Flowers should be his team’s No. 1 pass catcher most weeks, but he’s also been a bit below average of late. I like Jennings’ ceiling more, and fantasy owners again agree.

Wilson will face the Jaguars in week 15 - that’s a fantastic matchup for the Jets’ wideout. Wilson got back on track with an 18-point fantasy showing last week - he only scored 24 total points over the previous three games combined.

Wilson splits the targets and production with Davante Adams, and the Jets’ offense has been hard to trust consistently. In the favorable matchup though, I like Wilson over Jennings, and fantasy owners are thinking the same thing.

Lamb has a matchup against the Panthers, which is another surprisingly tough clash for a wideout. Lamb, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, scored 21 fantasy points last week, but had just six the week before that.

Lamb is definitely his team’s top fantasy option every week. He is a risky play in that offense right now, and while nursing his injury, but I still like him over Jennings. Fantasy owners agree with me.

Sutton takes on the Colts, who are an average matchup for wideouts. Sutton scored 16 fantasy points in his last game, and has 15 or more in six straight contests.

Sutton is definitely the Broncos’ No. 1 pass catching option. I’m a bit surprised to see that fantasy owners like Jennings over Sutton, because I like Sutton more, and it’s by a good bit.

Of course, Kupp takes on the Niners on Thursday night, and that’s a tough matchup on paper. Kupp scored 20 fantasy points last week, which was a great bounceback from a five-point showing in week 13. Kupp has 15 or more points in six of the past seven weeks.

Kupp is the No. 2 option in LA behind Puka Nacua, but Kupp has the capability of leading the way as a fantasy scorer any week. I like Jennings just slightly more, which goes against the thinking of most fantasy owners.

Nabers battles the Ravens this week, which is a super favorable matchup. Nabers will have Tommy DeVito throwing to him again, which I don’t think is that much of a change from Drew Lock. Nabers had 15 points last week, and has scored in double digits in six straight weeks.

Nabers is the clear top option for the Giants, but the offense is definitely not as trustworthy as the Niners. I’d give Jennings the edge, and fantasy owners agree.

Samuel is in a trending decision with just Adam Thielen.

Thielen has a matchup against the Cowboys, which is a pretty favorable one. He scored 19 fantasy points last week and had 24 the week before that.

Thielen is the Panthers’ No. 1 pass catching option, and that makes him the safer fantasy play despite being in a weaker offense. I like Thielen by a good margin over Samuel, and fantasy owners again agree.

Keep utilizing the start/sit tool to see how other fantasy owners are approaching things.