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- Week 11 Waiver Targets
By: Tony Kneepkens (@tonytk44)
These are the top players to consider adding from waivers this week. Unless otherwise noted, all players below are available in greater than 50% of Yahoo leagues (as of Sunday evening).
Week 11 teams on bye: Buccaneers, Cardinals, Giants, Panthers
Waivers disclaimer: We’re heading into the home stretch of fantasy leagues. I’m continuing to make FAAB suggestions based on a percentage of budget and relative to the recommendations throughout the previous columns this season. That being said, there are less and less high-priority recommendations (one this week, one total over the two previous waiver columns) as the fantasy regular season winds down. If you’re sitting on the top waiver priority or the biggest pile of FAAB you should be adjusting to your specific league and situation.
QB Pickups
Bo Nix, DEN, Week 11 vs ATL
Nix is likely somewhere around the 10th-highest scoring fantasy QB in your league so far this year. Since his worst career game, a brutal 60-passing-yard performance Week 4 at the Jets, he has nine passing TDs against only two interceptions over his past six games. He’s also added a useful 180-2 rushing line and caught a TD over that stretch.
Low-priority add. Nix has a couple of nice matchups coming up (vs ATL, at LV) and has shown the ability to score fantasy points through the air or with his legs. He does still have his Week 14 bye coming up.
10% or less of FAAB.
Justin Herbert, LAC, Week 11 vs CIN
Herbert is actually 55% rostered on Yahoo but is worth a mention for streamers who need another QB option the next few weeks (vs CIN, vs BAL, at ATL).
Low-priority-add. While the next three weeks look nice, Week 14 (at KC) and the fantasy playoff schedule is more of a mixed bag (vs TB, vs DEN, at NE). I prefer Herbert in leagues with benches deep enough to accommodate another QB option to play matchups with moving forward.
10% or less of FAAB.
Russell Wilson, PIT, Week 11 vs BAL
Russ has won all three of his starts for the Steelers and has been making some big plays in the process (six pass TDs, 8.7 pass YPA, 1 rush TD). He threw three TDs to three different pass catchers last week, including what turned out to be the game-winning score to newly acquired WR Mike Williams.
Low-priority add. While this isn’t the worst week for QB byes, Wilson’s game against the Ravens could be worthy of a spot start if you need it.
5% or less of FAAB.
RB Pickups
Jaylen Warren, PIT, Week 11 vs BAL
Warren is up to 51% rostered in Yahoo leagues, which means he was picked up a few times since Mike suggested him as an “Early Waiver Add” Sunday morning. He rewarded those who picked him up early with season bests in rush attempts, rushing yards, and scrimmage yards in a game the Steelers attempted 38 RB carries.
Medium-priority add. While we can’t count on the Steelers to have 38 RB carries each week, it did provide us a huge sample size in a close game to review how they used their backs. A total of 35 of those carries went to Warren or Najee Harris with a 60/40 carry split in favor of Najee. Najee added a TD and no receiving work, Warren was more efficient per carry and added a 2/29 receiving line. This sounds a lot like how we all thought this would go when Warren was a top-100 fantasy draft pick this summer!
15 - 25% of FAAB.
Audric Estime, DEN, Week 11 vs ATL
Estime had the most opportunities of his rookie campaign last week with 14 carries for 53 rushing yards. According to HC Sean Payton, Estime “will continue to get more reps” moving forward. The Broncos continue to use at least two, and often three RBs, in each week’s game plan.
Medium-priority add. While last week’s carry total was exciting, Estime wasn’t used in the passing game and he profiles as more of a runner than a receiver. The matchup with the Falcons this week is fine but the Broncos still have some tougher opponents against RBs (and their bye week) left on their schedule as well.
10 - 20% of FAAB.
Tyjae Spears, TEN, Week 11 vs MIN
Spears had 10 touches and 48 scrimmage yards in his return to the Titans’ lineup last week including a 19-yard rush, the team’s longest of the game. His RB teammate, Tony Pollard, continued to lead the team with 13 touches and 63 scrimmage yards of his own.
Medium-priority add. Similar to the Steelers situation above, the Titans’ Week 10 RB split looked an awful lot like we thought things might back in “fantasy draft season.” The Titans are near the bottom of the league standings at 2-7 and could potentially feed Spears, Day 2 draft pick last season, more opportunities down the stretch.
10 - 20% of FAAB.
Cam Akers, MIN, Week 11 at TEN
Akers has been running ahead of teammate Ty Chandler as the primary backup to veteran RB Aaron Jones the last two weeks. Jones was in and out of the lineup last week with a rib injury. Akers handled 13 carries and a target with Jones banged up.
Low-priority add. Even assuming Jones has no long-term effects from his most recent ailment, we can still add Akers to benches as a handcuff back. If Jones has longer-term concerns, Akers becomes a higher-priority waiver target.
10% or less of FAAB.
Some additional lower-priority RB adds to consider:
Trey Benson (AZ) - The Cards are on bye this week so Benson will probably remain on waivers in a lot of leagues, but he racked up 87 scrimmage yards on 12 touches in last week’s lopsided win over the Jets.
Braelon Allen (NYJ) - Eight touches on the other side of that same lopsided game. Remains one of the top RB handcuffs behind Breece Hall.
Tyler Allgeier (ATL) - 11/59 rushing last week, has double-digit carries in three of his last five games. Another of the elite RB handcuffs to stash on benches.
Gus Edwards (LAC) - Returned to the Chargers’ lineup and had an efficient 10/55 rushing line, leading the team in rushing yards last week.
WR Pickups
Ricky Pearsall, SF, Week 11 vs SEA
The rookie first-round WR now has 150 scrimmage yards and a TD in his last two games as he’s gotten healthy and stepped into a bigger role in Brandon Aiyuk’s absence. He was one of five 49ers to receive 4+ targets last week, and they were the only five players targeted.
High-priority add. Ricky is an even higher-priority addition for me than last week, as he scored a long TD and appears to have made the cut as a featured pass catcher in this current version of the SF offense.
30 - 50% of FAAB.
John Metchie III, HOU, Week 11 at DAL
Metchie broke out in the Texans’ disappointing loss to the Lions last week with a 5/74/1 stat line; his six targets were second on the team. Texans’ superstar WR Nico Collins missed last week but has come off of IR and seems likely to return to the lineup this week.
Medium-priority add. Metchie is my favorite of the Texans WR options to carve out a steady No. 3 WR role to replace the injured Stefon Diggs. He’s better suited for PPR leagues that start 3+ WRs but can be considered to have some contingent upside as well if Collins or Tank Dell misses any time.
10 - 20% of FAAB.
Adonai Mitchell, IND, Week 11 at NYJ
AD, a rookie second-round WR, had career bests with six catches and 71 receiving yards last week. He was afforded more opportunities with starting WR Michael Pittman sidelined with a back injury. HC Shane Steichen has called Pittman week-to-week.
Low-to-medium priority add. As of now, Mitchell’s fantasy relevance for season-long formats is likely tied to Pittman’s availability. I like him as a short-term option assuming Pittman sits again.
5 - 15% of FAAB.
Quentin Johnston, LAC, Week 11 vs CIN
While QJ ends up here just about every week, his ownership has now crept up over 40% and he had another 2/24/1 line in a game Herbert attempted just 18 passes.
Low-to-medium priority add. The Chargers have really spread the ball around on offense this year, but they would seem to have every incentive to feature QJ, last year’s first-round draft pick, more and more as long as he continues to perform well with the opportunities.
10% or less of FAAB.
Some additional lower-priority WR adds to consider:
DeMario Douglas (NE) - Leads Patriots receivers with a 39/356 receiving line this year, possible Flex option to cover byes in deeper PPR leagues.
Mike Williams (PIT) - Scored a go-ahead 32-yard TD on his only target in his team debut.
TE Pickups
Will Dissly, LAC, Week 11 vs CIN
Dissly led the low-volume Chargers passing game with six targets and five catches last week. He’s caught 24 of 32 targets in his past five games.
Low-priority add. Dissly is a fine option to cover for Trey McBride or Cade Otton’s bye, especially in PPR formats.
5% or less of FAAB.
Zach Ertz, WAS, Week 11 at PHI
Ertz led the Commanders with eight targets in their one-point loss last week. He’s second on the team in catches and receiving yards this season.
Low-priority add. Another solid PPR option to cover for bye weeks, etc.
5% or less of FAAB.
Some additional lower-priority TE adds to consider:
Dawson Knox (BUF) - Caught two of his three targets for 40 yards last week. Dalton Kincaid left the Bills’ Week 10 victory with a knee injury and is considered day-to-day.
Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR) - The rookie TE caught his first career TD last week and has 8+ PPR points in four of his last five games. Remember the Panthers are on bye this week.
DEFENSE (Top pickups for Week 11)
Dolphins (vs Raiders)
Texans (at Cowboys)
Packers (at Bears)