The fantasy football playoffs are a few weeks away. Is your team ready? Whether you’re still fighting for a playoff spot, or jockeying for position with a good chance of competing, you should be combing the waiver wire now more than ever.
Ironically, the value on the waiver wire is probably the lowest it’s been all year. We now have 10 weeks of football behind us that has given us a clearer picture of who’s worth rostering and who gets left behind. Even if you think you have a great team, still give your waiver wire a look. Sometimes it’s worth grabbing red hot players to keep from your opponents if not for anything else.
WEEK 11 BYES: DEN, LAR
Below, we’ll look at players at each position, who are on 50% or less of most fantasy football rosters, that could be considered on the Week 11 waiver wire.
More fantasy football fun for Week 11: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers
Week 11 Waiver Wire Rankings
Running Back
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
There’s a good chance Dillon is not available on your league’s waiver wire. He’s been a flex option at times this year. However, now, Dillon will cement himself as a weekly RB1 as he replaces Aaron Jones as the lead back in Green Bay.
Aaron Jones is set to miss one to two weeks with an MCL sprain in his knee. Considering the Packers have a bye in Week 13, I doubt we see Jones until Week 14 at the earliest. That means Dillon gets at least two weeks as the clear-cut starter.
Dillon is about 40 pounds heavier than Jones but still has speed. Prior to Sunday’s battle with the Seattle Seahawks, Dillon was averaging just under five yards per carry. With 21 carries this past weekend, a season-high, Dillon could only manage 66 yards but bulldozed his way into the end zone twice.
What’s extremely encouraging about Dillon is his increase of a role in the passing game. He’s caught 16 of 18 targets this season for 196 yards and a score. The second-year back only caught 21 passes in three years at Boston College. His evolution into a complete back, with improvement as a receiver, provides an opportunity as a top-5 option each week with a top-10 floor.
If he’s out there, go get him.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
FINALLY! Stevenson’s breakout this past weekend is long overdue. The rookie carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns adding four receptions for an additional 14 yards. He is the most complete running back the Patriots have had in a long time. Stevenson is a must-add from the waiver wire in all formats.
As for starting him, I caution managers to wait and see about Damien Harris’ availability for Thursday Night Football. If he is still working through concussion protocols, then Stevenson becomes a plug and plug start again this week. Unfortunately for the young back, if Harris is active, he’s likely going to assume the lead back role. Harris has been exceptional this season as the starter which has made it difficult for Stevenson to get touches let alone playing time.
Assuming AJ Dillon is already on a roster in your league, Stevenson is the next best option at the position that is likely available. Even if you think you’re set at running back, Stevenson is more valuable on your roster than your opponent’s. You can never had too much depth at this position.
D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Foreman is the running back to roster from the Tennessee Titans. Last week, after losing Derrick Henry to a foot injury, the team added Adrian Peterson. Then, they went out on Sunday Night Football and dominated the Los Angeles Rams, with a huge effort from the defense. With that said, it’s been difficult to evaluate the backfield following a blowout game on such short notice.
In Week 10, the Titans battled against the New Orleans Saints and came away with a 23-21 victory. Foreman led the backfield in snaps as well as touches. It’s clear that Jeremy McNichols isn’t going to have much of a role for fantasy football purposes. He’s carried the ball just 11 times in the last two games with only six total targets. While Adrian Peterson has logged two more carries than Foreman in that same span, Foreman’s been more efficient averaging 3.68 yards per carry.
Foreman isn’t quite the “league winner” as some of the other running backs that have come and gone from the waiver wire this season. However, he’s likely going to operate as the lead back in an offense that likes to run the ball. I think he will continue to provide low-end RB2 value each week on one of the best teams in football right now.
Above all else, Foreman tore his Achilles a few years back. I never thought I’d be talking about him in fantasy football, but here I am. He wouldn’t be a waiver wire consideration if I didn’t truly believe he can put up worthwhile points each week. Adrian Peterson can still remain on benches, but Foreman can be plugged into most lineups that need him.
Other Running Backs to Consider
Your Fantasy Team’s Starting Running Back’s Handcuff should be even more prioritized this week than last week. I mentioned grabbing these handcuffs in last week’s waiver wire column. One of the backs I said was a must-add, AJ Dillon, is now the player to grab this week. It’s not the time of the season to pickup players “who could have potential in a few weeks.” No, no, no. It’s Week 11. Playoffs are nearing. Bulk up your bench and start cuffing your studs. We have championships to win!
Wide Receivers
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Moore is on a four-game streak with at least 10 PPR fantasy points. In Week 9, he was the WR1 for the week. Following up said performance, the rookie cashed in with a junk time touchdown. He finished with three catches for just 44 yards and a score, but against his arguably toughest matchup for the remainder of the season, the Buffalo Bills.
Moving forward, the Jets need to get Moore more involved. Since the combination of Mike White and Josh Johnson have taken turns at quarterback in Week 7, Moore has still been the second or third receiving option behind Jamison Crowder and Corey Davis any given week. Furthermore, he’s third in snaps behind the two, as well.
Even with limited snaps, he’s still averaging 6.5 targets in the last four games. Looking ahead, Moore’s schedule could lend to a very fantasy-friendly finish. Specifically, the Jets’ final four games are all against defenses that are top-11 in passing yards allowed per game, three of which are in the top-8.
If Moore does in fact get more involved, he could be an every-week starter down the stretch. He’s still seeing enough volume to warrant flex consideration. If he happens to be out there on the waiver wire, I’d make him a priority add for all rosters.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Another game for Bateman, another showing with solid volume. He now has six, six, eight, and eight targets in the last four games, the only games he’s played this season due to an absence from a preseason core muscle injury. Again, he’s still battling Marquis Brown and Mark Andrews for targets in this offense. However, it’s hard to find a player with consistent opportunities each week, especially with only four games to his name as a rookie.
Bateman is a playmaker and this is probably your last best chance to add him from the waiver wire. Following a dreadful Thursday Night Football performance from the Ravens, there’s a good chance other fantasy football managers fade Bateman. Don’t let the team’s shortcomings distract you from his 19.5% target share on just 55% of snaps. When he’s on the field, Lamar Jackson looks for him. Get him on your fantasy football roster.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Gallup was on my Week 10 waiver wire column as a wide receiver to possibly consider. I’ve moved him up this week as a player that should be on all rosters. It’s easy to think he won’t have much value behind Ceedee Lamb and Amari Cooper.
However, in his first game back since Week 1, Gallup managed to play the second-most snaps at wide receiver. Most of that has to do with the fact that Dallas trounced the Atlanta Falcons, and Lamb suffered a minor arm injury, but it’s still a great sign for a player who’s had an extended absence.
Regardless, Gallup still has an average of six targets per game in just two games this season. He completes an elite trio of receivers in Dallas who lead the league in points per game with 31.6. Don’t miss out on a piece of this pie, even if he’s just a bench stash for the time being.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Mooney is coming off of a bye but is the leading receiver on the Chicago Bears. There, I said it. As someone who has had a lot of faith in Allen Robinson, it’s time to admit Mooney has been flat-out better. Furthermore, he’s clearly Justin Fields’ favorite target with 28 total over the last four games. That’s seven more than Robinson and two more than tight end, Cole Kmet.
This is another receiver worth mentioning that is probably on a roster already. However, if not, and like those above him in this article, this is probably the last best chance to grab him off of the waiver wire. I don’t expect Mooney to slot in as anything more than a flex or maybe a WR3 each week. That’s okay, though, and a player you want on your bench at the very least.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
Marcus Johnson is the next man up in Tennessee as it pertains to their wide receiver group. In three games without Julio Jones this season, Johnson has seen no less than five targets per outing. In Week 10, he turned six targets into five catches for 100 yards. He gets an ideal Week 11 matchup at home against the Texans.
Robby Anderson is a case of a player who could be totally resurrected in fantasy football simply by a quarterback change. Cam Newton is back with the Carolina Panthers. With just a few days with the team, it’s no wonder he didn’t start. However, with just nine snaps on Sunday, Cam scored a rushing and passing touchdown, that of which went to Robby Anderson. I’m not saying Robby A is back to the value at which he was drafted with. However, Cam is likely an upgrade from Darnold and Robby should be speculatively added from the waiver wire to most fantasy benches.
Tight End
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars
Shame on me for waiting this long to add Dan Arnold to the waiver wire column. He’s not only leading the Jaguars’ tight ends in snaps, but he’s dominating the entire team in targets, specifically in the last three weeks. He’s been a fringe starter in the rankings as of late, but now figures to be a solid top-10 option moving forward.
Arnold’s seen 10, 7, and 7 targets in the Jaguars’ last three contests. That translates to 19.2%, 25.9%, and 20% of the team’s target share in those games. The volume is absolutely insane for a tight end. It cannot be ignored. Aside from Kelce (shocker), any consistent production from a tight end must be cherished. Dan Arnold is giving us what we want.
Quarterback
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Please do not pick up Cam Newton off of the waiver wire as your starter. That’s not why I have him here. However, if Cam is healthy, it’s conceivable he returns top-10 production any given week with his rushing ability. It’s still a “wait and see” situation for me, but he’s a must-add in 2QB formats. Otherwise, in deeper leagues, if you want to add him to your bench, by all means, do so. I’m just looking for the projected bump to Panthers players now that he’s BACK!
Week 11 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex
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