Should I start Dylan Sampson or Kaelon Black? (Standard Week 15 2026)

THE FF CALL

Start Kaelon Black

+1.2 projected edge · Standard

Start Kaelon Black over Dylan Sampson for Week 15 Standard: 6.1 projected points versus 4.8.

Kaelon Black: 8.4 FP recent scoring average.
Dylan Sampson: 6.5 FP recent scoring average.

Forecast updated Nov 12, 2026, 2:27 PM ET · Standard

FF PICK

Kaelon Black

RB · SFStats & schedule

6.1FF projected

↓ -1.0 vs ESPN

at LAC

Thu 8:15 PM ET

THE ALTERNATIVE

Dylan Sampson

RB · CLEStats & schedule

4.8FF projected

↓ -0.2 vs ESPN

at NYG

Sun 1:00 PM ET

Why this pick?

Kaelon Black

FF projection: 6.1 FP -1.0vs ESPN
ESPN: 7.1 FP
Sleeper: 4.8 FP
FantasyPros: 5.4 FP
Boosted Trees: 5.6 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Kaelon Black faces LAC in Week 15. Recent scoring average: 8.4 fantasy points.

Dylan Sampson

FF projection: 4.8 FP -0.3vs ESPN
ESPN: 5.1 FP
Sleeper: 6.0 FP
FantasyPros: 3.9 FP
Boosted Trees: 4.1 FP; Experimental · saved Oct 27, 12:03 AM ET

Dylan Sampson faces NYG in Week 15. Recent scoring average: 6.5 fantasy points.

Kaelon Black projects for 6.1 points in standard scoring, 1.2 more than Dylan Sampson. This is a projection-based recommendation, not a guarantee. Verify the latest injury report and active status before kickoff.

Updated Nov 12, 2026, 2:27 PM ET. Projections can change before kickoff.

THE MATCHUP, IN CONTEXT

What separates Dylan Sampson and Kaelon Black?

Kaelon Black holds a 1.2 FP projected edge over Dylan Sampson. Read that as an expected-points preference, not a promise that he will finish higher.

The available estimates disagree: Sleeper leans toward Dylan Sampson, while ESPN, FantasyPros, Boosted Trees lean toward Kaelon Black. That disagreement is a reason to examine the matchup and availability rather than count providers as votes.

Dylan Sampson

Dylan Sampson has a 4.8 FP forecast in Standard at NYG. His recorded recent scoring average is 6.5 FP, putting this forecast 1.6 points below that average.

Kaelon Black

Kaelon Black has a 6.1 FP forecast in Standard at LAC. His recorded recent scoring average is 8.4 FP, putting this forecast 2.4 points below that average.

Compare the saved forecasts side by side

Source	Dylan Sampson	Kaelon Black	Projected edge
ESPN	5.1 FP	7.1 FP	Kaelon Black +2.0
Sleeper	6.0 FP	4.8 FP	Dylan Sampson +1.3
FantasyPros	3.9 FP	5.4 FP	Kaelon Black +1.5
Boosted Trees	4.1 FP	5.6 FP	Kaelon Black +1.5

Model save times and conditional-input notes are listed in Why this pick. These forecasts use the selected scoring preset; they do not replace custom league rules.

Before the first kickoff. Dylan Sampson: Sun 1:00 PM ET. Kaelon Black: Thu 8:15 PM ET. If a questionable player has the later kickoff, keep an eligible later-game replacement available. Where your league allows it, putting a later-game starter in FLEX can preserve swap options.

This is a lineup choice, not an instruction to drop the other player. For bye coverage, roster moves and your league’s actual playoff weeks, build your GamePlan ↗.

Your next decision

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Scoring & lineup notes

PPR awards one point per reception; half-PPR awards 0.5; standard awards none. Custom league rules can change the result. Confirm active status, kickoff and lineup locks. Projections are estimates; completed-week scores are actuals.

FORTIFIED RANKINGS · Rankings position

RB. The bigger picture.

Ranked by FF expected points. Displayed ties favor the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin. Medians and ranges add context.

FF expected pointsMedian · when availableWindow: experimental middle 80%● ESPN● Sleeper● FantasyPros

3 shown · common FP scale

13.821.5

FF MEAN

1
Jahmyr GibbsRB · DET vs MINSun 8:20 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 18.8Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 16.9Sleeper 19.5FantasyPros 17.6
18.8Expected FP
2
Bucky IrvingRB · TB vs NOSun 1:00 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 18.7Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 17.4Sleeper 16.1FantasyPros 13.8
18.7Expected FP
3
Kenneth Walker IIIRB · KC vs NEMon 8:15 PM ETRange unavailable
Mean 18.4Range unavailable
Median unavailable
ESPN 21.5Sleeper 17.8FantasyPros 15.4
18.4Expected FP

How the forecast and ranges work

FF uses position-specific provider weights, rescored CBS and FFToday stats, and the existing bounded form, defense and metric adjustments. Saved Boosted Trees and Workload have bounded model influence when available. Monte Carlo supplies the distribution; it does not get a duplicate mean vote.

Every player is ranked by the FF expected score (mean), whether or not a simulation distribution is available. Equal displayed scores use the higher FF-minus-ESPN margin when both ESPN forecasts are known, then unrounded FF, a comparable FantasyPros/Sleeper estimate, and stable identity order if still level. This tiebreaker is not a measured probability of beating ESPN. The median marker is additional information and never changes the order. Missing or availability-conditional ranges do not switch the ranking statistic. The window shows the experimental middle 80% (P10–P90), rather than the difference between two model means. Its observed coverage under this new version is still collecting. Availability-conditional distributions are labeled and are not shifted to a different center.

Missing sources and incompatible scoring are excluded. Bye and confirmed unavailable players remain excluded. ESPN, Sleeper and FantasyPros are the benchmark markers. The common scale covers the displayed outcome windows and available benchmarks.

YOUR LINEUP · A CLOSER LOOK

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