Lately, I have not just been giving you my favorite plays/fades of the week in this writeup, I have also been dropping some great strategy advice for the price of… on the house (kudos if you get that reference!). But, I am not done yet! This week, in addition to my Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings, I want to explain a strategy that I am going to employ in my keeper leagues this year.
So, as you likely figured out by now, I play in some keeper leagues. One thing I realized is that every year a team falls ‘you know what’ backward into some keepers. I mean, just this year, I ended up keeping Damien Williams. That was not my plan when the2018 season ended, but he got a huge boost in value over the summer. The same can be said for Tyrell Williams, Tevin Coleman, Jeric McKinnon last year, and plenty of others. So what is the strategy? If you are out of it, do some research on the upcoming free agents. Find the ones that you believe have talent and could end up in a larger role next year. Potential candidates for this are: Kareem Hunt, Kenyan Drake, C.J. Prosise, DeVante Parker, Robby Anderson, Phillip Dorsett, Nelson Agholor and I can’t leave off Josh Gordon.
For help getting ready for NFL Week 11, check out our Waiver Wire Recommendations and FAAB Guide.
But also, look at potential free agents that could create openings. For example, Peyton Barber and Derrick Henry could hit free agency next year. That would mean a larger role for Dion Lewis and Ronald Jones. Try to acquire them this year just in case. I especially like Jones as a player who could be in line for a full-time role next year.
Speaking of DeVante Parker, you should be trying to trade for him for the playoff push. He has been transformed into a safe WR3 with upside. He has scored at least 11 points in six straight games. He has at least 50 yards in six of his last seven, a touchdown in four of his last six and is seeing more volume, with eight-or more targets in three of his last four. But, he has the chance to blow up in the fantasy playoffs as he faces three of the easiest matchups in the Jets, Giants, and Bengals. I can’t believe I am saying this, but DeVante Parker has league-winner potential.
Remember in draft season when everyone was saying not to draft your handcuffs? That is good advice because it allows you to take more upside shots. But it is not draft season anymore. The last of the byes are next week. What does that mean? You have all of your starters every week. You can afford to sacrifice a bench spot or two to handcuff your top backs. When we get this late in the season you want to have the insurance in case anything happens to your starter. You do not want to risk getting outbid or having a lower waiver claim and missing out on the handcuff. Then you are diving deep to find a starter. Cover yourself and go get your handcuff now, when they won’t cost much.
Week 11 Notes:
- James White is a sneaky play to me this week. The Eagles’ strength is stopping the run. In fact, they’ve allowed just 64.6 rush yards per game to RBs this year, the second-fewest in the NFL. But, they have allowed 5.7 receptions per game to RBs. Bill Belichick is no fool (this just in) and I fully expect to see the Pats establish the “run” via short passes to White, rather than runs up the gut with Sony Michel.
- Ronald Jones II has seen big volume in two straight weeks, but now he faces the Saints, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs (17.34). They have also not allowed a 100-yard rusher. I like Jones moving forward, just not this week.
- The Eagles are facing the Patriots this week so… sit your Eagles! The Patriots have allowed the fewest fantasy points to QBs, RBs, WRs and the third-fewest to tight ends. Zach Ertz, you probably have to start, but other than him, sit them all!
- From the waiver wire directly into your starting lineup! Brian Hill faces the Panthers who have allowed the most touchdowns to RBs in the NFL this year. He saw 21 touches coming in relief for Devonta Freeman last week. Volume + good match up = start him.
- In 2018, Nick Foles threw to the slot 36.4 percent of the time, the second-most in the NFL. In fact, only the now-retired Andrew Luck did so more. Not so coincidentally, Westbrook has run 79% of his routes from the slot, the sixth-most in the NFL. I thought these two were a matchup made in slot heaven leading into the year and would look to start Westbrook this week with Foles back.
Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings
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