I always said, you know your league best, so those were always suggestions anyway, as leagues vary in aggressiveness. Now past the halfway point, guessing what potential budgets are left in the millions of Fantasy Football leagues would be a blindfolded dart throw after spinning in a circle 50 times and downing seven shots of tequila.
Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: QBs – Quarterback Streamers
Eli Manning, NYG (51%) – The Giants are terrible, but it’s hardly Manning’s fault. He has a touchdown in every game since Week 2with 17-plus points in five games and three more over 20, including last week. The Chiefs are one of the worst teams against the pass with five 23-plus point games allowed.
Blake Bortles, JAX (31%) – It may seem as if Bortles is trying to lose games…
but he’s still winning some in Fantasy. Bortles has at least 16 points and a touchdown in each of the last four games and faces the Browns weak pass defense this week.
Case Keenum, MIN (16%) – So Mike Zimmer spilled the beans that the team was planning for Teddy Bridgewater to start in Week 11… that was until Keenum went off in Week 10. The Rams are strong against the pass, but they also put up points in bunches, meaning Keenum and the Vikings will have to keep up the pace.
Joe Flacco, BAL (11%) – Flacco and the Ravens come off their bye and head to Green Bay. While the quarterback – heck, entire offense – has changed for the Packers this year, the defense hasn’t and is exploitable via the pass.
DON’T: Andy Dalton, CIN (54%) – Dalton is an intriguing streaming quarterback with the right matchup. A road game against the Broncos isn’t the right matchup.
Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: RBs
LAST CHANCE: Jamaal Williams, GB (5%) – Williams immediately goes into the last chance section, as if you don’t grab him wherever possible, you’re simply not doing Fantasy right. Williams hasn’t impressed much in his yards per carry and Trent Richardsonitis (see: running into the backs of the offensive linemen). However, Aaron Jones is potentially out for the year and Ty Montgomery aggravated his rib injury. Williams isn’t going to be a RB1 in the Packers offense, but he’s a must-add in all formats with high-end RB2 value.
Latavius Murray, MIN (43%) – It’s time to stop ignoring Murray. Even with the flashier Jerick McKinnon impressing most weeks, the Vikings clearly like using Murray near the goal line and as the lead in a timeshare. Murray has 15, 18, 19 and 17 carries the past four games with two touchdowns. The weeks with touchdowns were his only start-worthy weeks, but there is fill-in value here.
Samaje Perine, WSH (7%) – With Robert Kelley out for several weeks, Perine steps in as the lead option and short yard back. Perine has failed to impress this season in his opportunities, but the Redskins offense is still a quality group, giving Perine RB2 potential. That’s potential… not a lock.
Rex Burkhead, NE (11%) – I really wish I didn’t have to mention Burkhead.
As with Mike Gillislee and Dion Lewis before him, here we are. Let that be a lesson though, as Gillislee was a healthy scratch in Week 10. Any given week, Burkhead could be a RB1 or goose egg. Nevertheless, for now, Burkhead needs to be picked up and even started as a Flex option.
Danny Woodhead, BAL (35%) – There is a chance that Woodhead returns this week, and if so, he’ll immediately step back into his passing-game role. That role has provided RB2 value both in PPR and Non-PPR in the past.
Rod Smith, DAL (27%) – Alfred Morris led the way with 11 carries and 53 rushing yards, and that should continue. Nevertheless, Smith saw a higher snap count with the Cowboys behind, rushing for 14 yards on three carries and catching four of his six targets for 15 yards. Putting up 29 yards on seven touches in nothing to get excited about, but it’s clear that Smith is the passing game and catch-up option.
Austin Ekeler, LAC (3%) – Ekeler has been a regular of the “For the Future” section since Melvin Gordon first got banged up early this season. With reports of a toe injury and Gordon still less than 100 percent, it’s not only Gordon owners that need to grab Ekeler now. As seen last week, he’s explosive and has at least forced the Chargers to give him more touches in the passing game.
Matt Breida, SF (7%) – Just your weekly reminder to make sure Breida is stashed, even if you aren’t a Carlos Hyde owner.
Thomas Rawls and J.D. McKissic, SEA (29%, 3%) – With C.J. Prosise hurt again – seriously couldn’t even make it back for an entire game – Rawls will continue to see lead back work with McKissic having deep PPR value.
Elijah McGuire, NYJ (8%) – It sounds as if Matt Forte could miss more than one week. Bilal Powell is still the top option, but McGuire actually had more snaps and touches in Week 10. Nothing was working for the Jets, so don’t expect that to continue, but McGuire appears to be in a timeshare with Powell while Forte is out.
Terron Ward, ATL (0%) – Devonta Freeman is already out for Week 11, and Tevin Coleman won’t see all of the work. In fact, Ward had nine carries to Coleman’s 20, which proves he’ll be in the mix. Ward won’t have starter value, but if Coleman were to get hurt, he’s the next man up and could even see goal line work until Freeman returns.
Devontae Booker, DEN (8%) – This backfield is a mess, but if injury-prone C.J. Anderson missed games, the situation would clear up with Booker having RB2 potential.
Handcuffs: Chris Ivory, JAX; D’Onta Foreman, HOU; James Conner, PIT; Giovani Bernard, CIN; Charcandrick West, KC; Wayne Gallman, NYG; Benny Cunningham, CHI; Peyton Barber, TB; Lance Dunbar; LAR; Andre Ellington, ARI – Let Week 10 be another lesson. Stop wasting time before you get bit by the injury bug too.
DON’T: Trey Edmunds, NO (0%) – The Saints were running away with that one… literally. Fluke.
Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: WRs
LAST CHANCE: Marqise Lee, JAX (59%) – Lee is WR36 on the year. He has double-digits in three of the last four games and 72 yards in the other. Allen Hurns is likely out for Week 11. What are you even waiting for?
LAST CHANCE: Jeremy Maclin, BAL (58%) – Speaking of recent games, Maclin picked things up before the Ravens bye with 11 catches, 151 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 8-9. He’s still the Ravens top option in the passing game with a nice matchup in Week 11.
LAST CHANCE: Corey Davis, TEN (48%) – Davis saw the highest target share last week, and that’s not going to change at this point given his talent. This is a long Last Chance list this week, as there is no reason for these talents to be sitting on the waiver wire anymore. Although, I might be tempted to include Davis every week so I can continue to gush over how talented he is.
LAST CHANCE: Cooper Kupp, LAR (54%) – Week 10 was a bit disappointing, as Kupp didn’t see a red zone target, falling to second place for the first time in weeks. Don’t cry too much though, as 15 ranks second only to davante Adams for receivers (Jimmy Graham is tied with Adams at 18). Robert Woods has taken charge in the passing game, and Sammy Watkins has back-to-back weeks with a touchdown, but Kupp still has value and will see his time come again.
Marquise Goodwin, SF (15%) – Not only did Goodwin torch the Giants defense as expected, it actually came at the expense of Janoris Jenkins and not Eli Apple. Goodwin is the 49ers top receiver, and that means something.
Josh Doctson, WSH (29%) – Doctson slipped on a would-be touchdown, and if he hadn’t, more people would be excited about his performance. Doctson still had seven targets, only behind Jamison Crowder and Vernon Davis (11 each) and is still the most talented receiver for the Redskins.
Corey Coleman, CLE (22%) – Coleman is apparently “all systems go” for Week 11, and he will immediately be the Browns top receiver once on the field. It may take him a game to get back to full speed, but there is WR3 value here.
Dontrelle Inman, CHI (2%) – What did I just say about Goodwin? Actually, what have I been saying about Inman since the Bears scooped him up? Just as with the Chargers down the stretch last year, Inman is the best option for the team because he’s nearly the only option. Inman proved just that in Week 10.
Dede Westbrook, JAX (20%) – As mentioned, Hurns is likely out this week, and Westbrook arguable has more talent than any Jaguars receiver not named Allen Robinson. If Westbrook makes his long-awaited debut, he could impress immediately and make you regret not picking him up already.
Kenny Golladay, DET (7%) – Even playing just 11 snaps, Golladay made his mark on the game with two catches and 64 yards. His hype meter has been through the roof since his two-touchdown preseason game, which will always lead to overblown expectations, but the talent and red zone potential is real.
Jordan Matthews, BUF (24%) – The Bills were abysmal against the Saints, but there is still some hope for Matthews as he moves back into the slot with Kelvin Benjamin in town. Matthews still holds a glimmer of hope for some deep value.
Curtis Samuel, CAR (13%) – At best, he’s going to be third behind Devin Funchess and Christian McCaffrey, but he could have some matchup and deep-league appeal. Keep watch on the ankle injury over the bye.
DON’T: Bruce Ellington, HOU (0%) – You want to bank on Tom Savage being able to support the value of a second receiver? You’re just going to make yourself sick doing so.
Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups: TEs
LAST CHANCE: Greg Olsen, CAR (58%) – He should return after the Panthers bye, and most owners have planned ahead already.
Ben Watson, BAL (11%) – Watson has at least 8.6 PPR points in every game but one since being the Ravens main tight end in Week 2.
Ed Dickson, CAR (30%) – Cam Newton and the offense is inconsistent, but Dickson has flashed some potential, as seen once again Monday night. He has streamability (yes, I made that a Fantasy term).
Vance McDonald, PIT (0%) – All it takes is a touchdown for a player to finish the week as a TE1. McDonald is healthy again, and while purely a touchdown prayer, four of the next five Steelers games are at home.
Week 11 Buy Low and Sell High
Buy Low
Tyrod Taylor, BUF
Philip Rivers, LAC
Marcus Mariota, TEN
Leonard Fournette, JAX
Melvin Gordon, LAC – Both Fournette and Gordon are injury risks with panicking owners
Keenan Allen, LAC
Kelvin Benjamin, BUF
Cameron Brate, TB
Charles Clay, BUF
Sell High
DeMarco Murray, TEN – Touchdowns, yay! Still splitting touches and outgained by Derrick Henry, boo!
Dion Lewis, NE – Any time you can get away from the Patriots backfield, do it. Or should the owners that refused to trade Mike Gillislee share their thoughts with you? (Rex Burkhead too, if you already own him)
Joe Mixon, CIN – Touchdown dependent. That offensive line is not going to get better this year.
Robert Woods, LAR – From Scott Barrett of PFF @ScottBarrettDFB: “Since Week 3, Robert Woods ranks sixth among all wide receivers in FPPG (16.4), despite ranking 29th in targets per game (6.9).” (Give Scott a follow, btw)
Robby Anderson, NYJ – Several tough matchups after the Jets bye.
Delanie Walker, TEN – Hasn’t scored this year, bad matchup this week, is being held together by gum and string.
Droppable
Moving on from this section at this point of the season. Here’s all you need to know about your bench with the byes nearly over: fill it with a backup quarterback, handcuffs and players that could turn into starters/game changers. Ask yourself, “Will this player ever start for me?” If the answer is no, that player is droppable for one of the options listed. Sorry, John Brown.
Main Image Credit: AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack
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