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Fantasy Stock Watch Week 15
The NFL changes in an instant, which is why it's important to stay abreast of how your players are looking prior to Sundays. Below is a look at whose stock is rising and whose is falling, as we approach Week 15 and the second round of the fantasy playoffs. Keep an eye on these players heading into Sunday to help make the right choices for your fantasy lineup, as their stock could be on the move again before kickoff.

Well, the moment most of the football world has been waiting for has arrived: Manziel is starting on Sunday. He'll face a tough test against a stingy Bengals pass defense that has only allowed 13.44 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the last month. However, they've been gashed on the ground, which is where most of Manziel's fantasy appeal comes from. I'm not trusting him in the fantasy playoffs, but I'm definitely taking a stab with him in daily leagues.

Lacy has been limited in practice so far this week, leaving his status for Sunday up in the air, even though the team has deemed him as "probable." Lacy owners will want to watch his status closely heading into Sunday, but even if he does play he'll be bull dozing his way into the league's fifth-ranked defense. James Starks should be rostered in all leagues, as if Lacy sits Starks will have RB2-upside as he should receive the majority of the targets and touches.

With Brandon Marshall now on IR, the Bears will lean on Jeffery to lead their receiving corps. Will he respond to the challenge as the unquestioned No. 1 wideout? That remains to be seen. But he has the talent and matchup (the Saints) to make quite a statement this week on Monday night.

I'm not immediately buying into the idea that Manziel starting boosts the fantasy stock of Gordon. Gordon is still working his way back from a massive suspension, and he'll have to face a Bengals secondary this weekend that is one of the toughest on fantasy wide receivers. Would I be surprised if Gordon had a good game? No. But am I trusting my fantasy playoff chances on him? Also a no.

After the Raiders talked about waiting to hand the keys to the backfield to Murray, they did the exact opposite last week as he rushed the ball 23 times for 76 yards and caught two passes as well. Murray is clearly the lead back for the Raiders, and actually has a nice matchup against the Chiefs defense. While everyone knows the Chiefs have allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns on the season (two, both to Murray), they've also allowed the second-most rushing yards in the NFL.

Graham has been a shell of his former self this season, and that's in large part because he's been hampered by a a nagging shoulder injury. "Around the NFL's" Chris Wesseling wrote a fantastic piece chronicling Graham's on-field struggles amidst his injuries. I highly recommend you give it a read. Now, while Graham's stock is down, I'm still starting him in every league where I own him, because he can't really do nothing three weeks in a row. Right? RIGHT?!

After weeks of seeing his running game struggle, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson admitted he wanted to try and go back to having one main back. Fantasy owners can thank Giovani Bernard for letting us know that Jeremy Hill will be that back. This isn't terribly surprising, as Hill has the build and skills to handle a typical workhorse role. He has a decent matchup against the Browns middle of the pack run defense this weekend.

While Bernard's value is taking a hit, it's not exactly time to jump ship. He could still see plenty of work in a Darren Sproles-esque roll, or even win the backfield back if Hill struggles. I wouldn't start Bernard this week, but don't cut ties with him in the wake of this news.

After leaving last week's game with a neck injury it appears the McCoy is on track to start this weekend. While McCoy's value is average, he could be worth a flier in two-QB leagues as he plays the Giants middling secondary.

I honestly feel bad for Gore. I just don't understand what the 49ers are thinking on a weekly basis. When they give the ball to Gore, good things happen. Yet ... they hardly give him the ball, and now they'll very likely be on the couch in January with all of us. You simply cannot trust Gore anymore this season, which is likely his last in San Francisco.

Anderson will be making his second start of the season in place of the injured Cam Newton. Coincidentally, it will be against the same team he played in Week 1, the Buccaneers. Anderson threw for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in that game, good for a solid 18.20 fantasy points. The Tampa defense has improved a bit since then, but Anderson could be a sneaky play this week in daily leagues, or if you're in need of a quarterback.

Jones hasn't practiced all week after suffering a hip injury against the Packers on Monday night, and has officially been labeled as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Jones had been on an absolute tear in fantasy, scoring 56.80 fantasy points over the last two weeks. Even if he does play, owners can't expect that level of production once again. Keep a close eye on his status this weekend, and if he doesn't play that increases the stock of ...

White and Douglas both saw their targets decrease since everything was going to Julio last week, but if he's limited or even sidelined for their matchup against the Steelers, fantasy owners should expect a bigger output from both White and Douglas.

Jackson has practiced this week, but mostly in a limited capacity which led head coach Jay Gruden to put Jackson's chances of playing at "50-50." Even if he does suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Giants, his ceiling is really in the WR3 discussion, which makes him hard to trust in the fantasy playoffs.

Johnson had a breakout game against the Jets last weekend with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown. He should have had two touchdowns, but fumbled at the goal line. He faces a tougher matchup this week against the Lions, but the arrow on this talented youngster is firmly pointed upward.

Harvin is insisting he'll play this weekend, but after only taking part in team drills on Friday's practice, his status remains up in the air. The Titans defense isn't slowing anyone down these days, so if Harvin does go he could find some openings. However, I'm not trusting him this weekend in standard leagues.

This isn't so much an indication of Bridgewater's stock being on the rise for this week (he has to travel to Detroit to take on the Lions), but for the future. Head coach Mike Zimmer admitted this week that "This franchise is Teddy's," which is quite the endorsement for the rookie. If you're in a keeper league or especially a dynasty league, Teddy is a name to keep an eye on for the future as he's been showing growth as a passer as the season has gone on.

Johnson's status remains uncertain for this weekend's game against the Colts, as he's still going through the league's concussion protocol after suffering one in last week's game. Damaris Johnson could be an interesting option if Andre is sidelined, but his owners would be better served looking elsewhere for wide receiver help if he is officially out.