Fantasy football projections, Week 15: Patriots-Broncos featuring Malcolm Mitchell, LeGarrette Blount, Emmanuel Sanders, more

The Week 15 matchup between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos features a team firing on all cylinders against arguably the top defense in the NFL. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

Prior to Week 11, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was a relative unknown in the fantasy football community. It’s clear now that he’s going to make a big impact in the fantasy postseason and likely in 2017 as well. Malcolm has four touchdown catches in the last four weeks. He caught four passes for 41 yards and his fourth score of the season against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Denver has given up fewer fantasy points to the wide receiver position than any other team in the league, but Tom Brady will still find a way to connect with Mitchell. Five catches, 50 yards and a touchdown is probably the best fantasy owners can hope for. Reaching those totals will get Mitchell above his projections in Week 15.

If Mitchell’s prospects aren’t appealing to some, the more conservative fantasy owner would place more value on running back LeGarrette Blount. As good as the Broncos are defensively overall, the team has given up 127 yards-plus to opposing running backs this season. Blount has scored rushing touchdowns in back-to-back games. There’s a good chance he finds the end zone for the third week in a row in the Mile High City. If he does so, his projections will be placed firmly in the rear view mirror.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders managed season highs in targets and catches against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. He finished the game with 11 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. It’s the second time in three games that Sanders has surpassed the 100-yard mark. While the Patriots are one of the best teams in the league at limiting the wide receiver position, a large early lead in favor of New England will lead to a higher volume of looks for Sanders. He’ll be close to his projections in Week 15, but don’t expect 100 yards.

The only other player worth starting from a fantasy perspective in Denver right now is fellow wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Much like Sanders, Thomas also had arguably his best fantasy day of the season last week. He was targeted 16 times in caught 10 passes for 126 yards. Even with all of the extra looks coming his way, Thomas failed to find the end zone against the Titans. He has now scored just once in the last six games. Thomas should be able to challenge his projections against the Patriots in Week 15, but it’s hard to count on a touchdown.