The Denver Broncos will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. We have fantasy football start-sit advice for every fantasy-relevant player for the Broncos so you can make the best decisions for your lineups.
Looking for more lineup advice? Head over to our Week 15 Fantasy Start-Sit Cheat Sheet, where we cover every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Bo Nix, QB
The Bo Nix profile looks good when you look at the macro. The rookie has five top-10 finishes and has been a top-seven producer at the position in three of his past six games. The speed of the NFL hasn’t been overwhelming and he’s showing increased comfort in challenging defenses vertically (56% deep ball completion rate over his past three games, up from 37.5% previously).
A more micro approach, however, will raise some fantasy red flags. The most damning fact is that he has nine rushing yards on his resume over his past four games. Nix isn’t Lamar Jackson, but he was previously averaging 32.8 yards on the ground, and that is the sort of production that can lift him up the fantasy rankings. On top of the limited rushing percentage, he has failed to reach a 60% completion rate in consecutive games for the first time this season.
At the end of the day, you have to be aware of a wider range of outcomes. That said, I’m willing to gamble in this spot. The Colts rank 27th in yards per pass against and second in pace of play — in short, they allow opponents to be efficient and give them the ball back quickly.
I’ve got Nix penciled in as my QB10 this week coming out of his bye, ahead of Week 14 darling Sam Darnold.
Audric Estimé, RB
We thought maybe that Audric Estimé was the lead back in Denver after he recorded 14 carries in the heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs in Week 10, but he has just 12 carries (15 touches) in the three games since.
There will be a fun conversation to be had this summer when it comes to which young Broncos running back we want to fall in love with, as Javonte Williams will be an unrestricted free agent once this season wraps up. But until then, there’s no realistic path to trusting any RB on Denver’s roster during your fantasy playoffs.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB
Jaleel McLaughlin is a part of this Denver backfield mess, which means you’re stuck in this weird holding pattern where you can’t play or cut any of them.
If I had to pick one to speculate on this week, McLaughlin would be my option. I like what he has shown in space, and with the Colts ranking as the fifth-best defense at creating pressure when blitzing, I could see a few designed screens and dumpoffs result in chunk gains.
You’re holding all exposure to this backfield and simply hoping that someone runs away with the lead role by the end of Week 15.
Javonte Williams, RB
Sean Payton doesn’t want his opponents to know what is coming on the ground, which means us as fantasy managers are fighting an uphill battle. Over the past two games, Javonte Williams has turned 12 carries into — checks notes — -1 rushing yard.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Williams’ six targets have netted just nine yards. I’m not 100% sure that if we condense all Denver RB production into a single back that it would rank favorably, but with three backs splitting that work, you can’t play any of them with confidence.
Courtland Sutton, WR
Courtland Sutton has seen at least eight targets in six straight games, but he’s not just a volume play.
During this run as the alpha in Denver, he’s produced 31.4% over expectations, meshing well with the developmental patterns of Bo Nix in an offense that ranks seventh in pass rate over expectation through 14 weeks.
The volume creates a nice floor, the efficiency gives us stability, and the matchup opens up access to a top-10 week. This season, the Colts are allowing the seventh-highest red-zone completion percentage (63.8%), a weakness I like Sean Payton to pick on given this offense’s struggles to run the ball.
I’m betting Nix’s over in pass attempts and completions — if those bets come through, you’re going to be thrilled to have Sutton in your lineup.