There are actually some running backs on the waiver wire. What a time to be alive!
To be fair, I had Audric Estime as an add last week, and Tyjae Spears is a little over my normal threshold for inclusion in this column, but who cares?
There are actually some running backs.
As a reminder, recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.
The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in no more than 5% of ESPN leagues for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because that decision comes down to too many factors including league size, team weaknesses, and the aggressiveness of the other managers in your league.
That said, I will try to clarify when there is a player I am going big on in FAAB bidding.
Also, FAAB Lab is a great, crowdsourced way to get a feel for how much a player will cost in FAAB bidding each week.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because frankly I don’t care about them and want them to disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
- Justin Herbert
- Drake Maye
- Anthony Richardson
- Trey Lance (Superflex)
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
- Audric Estime
- Tyjae Spears
- Gus Edwards
- Cam Akers
- Khalil Herbert
- Braelon Allen
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
- Alec Pierce
- Ricky Pearsall
- Mike Williams
- AD Mitchell
- Noah Brown
- Rashod Bateman
- John Metchie
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
- Will Dissly
- Jonnu Smith
- Dawson Knox
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Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
1. Justin Herbert — Available in 52.2% of leagues
Herbert is a little above my normal threshold, but he is in a good spot this week at home against the Bengals in primetime. The Chargers took a big step back in pass rate in their demolition of the Titans, but script played a role in that. The passing game should have to do more against a red hot Joe Burrow, and the Bengals defense has allowed 8.4 yards per attempt over their last three games including 290 yards and 4 touchdowns to Lamar Jackson last week.
2. Drake Maye — Available in 88.4% of leagues
Maye has not had his best games over the last two weeks, but the Bears offense did not push the Patriots at all on Sunday. The Rams should be able to move the ball on a vulnerable New England defense, which could lead to better passing numbers for Maye to go along with his solid rushing floor.
3. Anthony Richardson — Available in 61.6% of leagues
After saying on Monday that Joe Flacco would remain the starter, the Colts changed course and will go with Richardson this week. Richardson has struggled mightily as a passer, as we all know, but his rushing production gives him a great floor. He has averaged 43.6 rushing yards in his five full games, and the Jets defense has struggled lately.
4. Trey Lance (Superflex) — Available in 99.8% of leagues
This is exclusively for Superflex players, and Lance is only a stash since the Cowboys plan to give it another go with Cooper Rush (why?). Lance is unlikely to save Dallas' season, but he could offer something of a poor man's Anthony Richardson to fantasy football players. Lance averaged nearly 30 rushing yards per game in San Francisco and had 17 rushing yards on limited dropbacks Sunday.
Watch List: I went back and forth on including Jameis Winston above. The matchup is solid this week…Drew Lock is also worth a look in deeper 2QB formats as Daniel Jones' leash gets shorter and shorter, though Jones should remain the starter coming out of New York's Week 11 bye…Matthew Stafford has a good matchup this week, but he has needed a lot of volume to push 300 yards in the last two games. I am not sure he will get that against the Patriots…Derek Carr got going a little bit thanks to some deep completions last week, but he is still running an offense devoid of real receiving talent.
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
1. Audric Estime — Available in 98.9% of leagues
Though he was an add for us last week, I expressed some doubt about Estime based on Sean Payton‘s history of promising to get a player involved and then that just never happening. Well, I apologize for doubting you, Sean. Estime took over the lead job against the Chiefs, touching the ball 14 times to 3 touches for Javonte Williams and 2 for Jaleel McLaughlin. Estime did not light the world on fire (3.8 yards per carry), but it was promising to hear Payton say the rookie would continue to be involved after the game. How much he can offer as a pass catcher and how many scoring opportunities he will get remains in question, but Estime is the first real running back target we have had on the wire in a while.
2. Tyjae Spears — Available in 54.8% of leagues
I am cheating a bit on Spears because he is above my usual threshold, but I wanted to point out his usage in Week 10. Going back to the offseason, the Titans have consistently discussed their desire to have a committee in the backfield, but Spears has not been healthy enough to make that happen. That changed on Sunday, and Spears handled 43.8% of the running back carries and ran just 1 fewer route than Tony Pollard. I do have questions about Spears' ceiling as the lesser side of a timeshare in a bad offense — especially since Pollard has been the primary red zone back to this point — but his role appears to be growing.
3. Gus Edwards — Available in 79.4% of leagues
Edwards is in a similar spot as Spears, but there are some big differences. Edwards is in a better offense and profiles better to get work around the end zone (he had a goal-to-go carry on Sunday), but he offers next to nothing as a pass catcher. He has run 25 routes in 5 games this season. Edwards profiles as a touchdown-or-bust fantasy option, but he could be more than that if something happens to J.K. Dobbins.
4. Cam Akers — Available in 83.6% of leagues
It appears as if Aaron Jones will be fine considering he returned to finish the game after suffering his rib injury, but it is still worth looking to the backups on rosters with an open spot. While Akers is the primary target, it is worth noting Ty Chandler played more snaps than Akers and had just one fewer touch in the fourth quarter.
5. Khalil Herbert — Available in 86.1% of leagues
Unsurprisingly, Herbert played just 2 snaps after joining the team just days before the Bengals' Thursday night game, but he is still worth stashing to see how this situation plays out. Chase Brown has played well enough to keep hold of the job, but Herbert simply produces whenever he gets a chance.
6. Braelon Allen — Available in 78.1% of leagues
While the touch total was close, Allen played just 13 snaps to 45 for Breece Hall against the Cardinals. This is still Hall's backfield, rendering Allen just a handcuff, albeit a high-upside one. There are a lot more of them listed below.
Watch List: This is the weekly reminder to fill your bench with upside handcuffs when possible. Trey Benson, Blake Corum, Ray Davis, Roschon Johnson, and Jaylen Wright are some names that fit that bill. Singling out Benson specifically, he has 21 touches in the last two games and might be playing his way into some standalone value in deeper leagues…Zamir White did get into the end zone before the bye, but he had fewer touches than both Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah. White also offers next to nothing as a receiver.
Deep Cuts: John Harbaugh plans to get Keaton Mitchell “more involved moving forward,” but it is tough to see a fantasy viable workload without an injury ahead of him…An injury might have limited Tank Bigsby‘s usage in the second half on Sunday. If that is the case, it could open up more work for D'Ernest Johnson…We will keep watching Brian Robinson‘s availability. Jeremy McNichols is a decent bet to get a handful of touches whenever Robinson is out…MarShawn Lloyd has been designated to return for those looking for a lottery-ticket handcuff behind Josh Jacobs, though it is not clear Lloyd would get that work even if something happened to the starter…Kenneth Gainwell is ahead of him on the depth chart, but I wonder if Will Shipley would be the Eagles back to target if something happened to Saquon Barkley.
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
1. Alec Pierce — Available in 83.9% of leagues
I am not a big proponent of variance players in managed weekly fantasy leagues, but Pierce's usage in Week 10 offered some hope of a more stable floor. He tied for his season high with 7 targets against the Bills with his highest route participation rate this season. His second-highest route participation rate came in his other 7-target game back in Week 2. He was targeted twice the next week, so who knows if this sticks. All of this also goes out the window if Michael Pittman is able to return, although the Colts could be thinking about shutting him down given his back and now finger injuries. This is a dart throw, but there are at least some reasons to expect a more solid floor moving forward, assuming Pittman is out. That said, the return to Anthony Richardson adds another layer of uncertainty here.
2. Ricky Pearsall — Available in 75% of leagues
As I expected, Jauan Jennings worked as the No. 2 receiver in his return from injury, but Pearsall ran a route on 73.2% of San Francisco's dropbacks and turned 6 targets into a 4-73-1 line including a nice catch-and-run for a touchdown. His usage could be volatile as the No. 3 receiver and likely No. 5 option in the passing game, but Pearsall is a talented, young player in a good offense, and that is worth stashing on the bench.
3. Mike Williams — Available in 74.6% of leagues
Williams only ran 7 routes in his debut, but he made them count with a 32-yard touchdown to win the game. His role will only expand from here, though it is fair to question how much work he can actually get behind George Pickens.
4. AD Mitchell — Available in 91.8% of leagues
Even more than Alec Pierce, Mitchell's fantasy future is tied to the status of Michael Pittman. That said, his usage without Pittman in Week 10 (94.9% route participation, 6 targets, 71 yards) was promising. He is also a talented second-round rookie who could use the reps down the stretch.
5. Noah Brown — Available in 87.8% of leagues
Brown's Week 10 boxscore was not great, but things once again look good from a usage perspective under the hood. He ran a route on 97.3% of Washington's dropbacks and once again saw more targets than Terry McLaurin. If he continues to be used as the clear No. 2 in this offense, the big game will come.
6. Rashod Bateman — Available in 86% of leagues
I am throwing my hands up and saying I have no idea what to do with Rashod Bateman. I have to assume Diontae Johnson will get more work as we move forward, which will hurt Bateman, but Johnson ran just 3 routes in Week 10 while Bateman caught 6 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. With the way Lamar Jackson is playing, I want attachment to this passing game, and for now, it appears Bateman is that option on the wire.
7. John Metchie — Available in 99.5% of leagues
It would have been cool if Metchie had his big game two weeks ago when I hyped him up, but it was still great to see him come through given all he has dealt with since entering the league. Moving forward, you would expect Nico Collins to return and dominate work, but there is still room for a No. 3 option with Stefon Diggs out for the season.
8. Marquez Valdes-Scantling — Available in 99.4% of leagues
Valdes-Scantling is the classic waiver wire trap, but much like Demarcus Robinson last week, I have to mention a guy who went for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns. That said, his 3 catches were his only 3 targets, this passing game has not been good for a long time, and MVS has consistently been inconsistent in his career. I am letting someone else chase this big game on the wire.
Watch List: Adam Thielen is on bye, so I am not going to recommend picking him up, but there is a chance he is just the No. 1 target the rest of the way even if it makes a lot more sense to get the younger guys some targets…The Parker Washington dream is dead, but I still don't think I want to chase Gabe Davis in an offense that might be without Trevor Lawrence for the rest of the season…I am not chasing any of the secondary Cowboys receivers, even if Brandin Cooks is able to return at some point…As my write up last week hopefully made clear, I am not that surprised Demarcus Robinson fell back to earth, but as I will continue to say, he will likely have a few more touchdowns the rest of the way…Dontayvion Wicks had fallen behind Christian Watson in the pecking order before the bye week…The injuries at receiver opened up a big role for Curtis Samuel, but his style will keep him a low-upside option…The Patriots receivers continue to be tough. DeMario Douglas was back down to a 62.1% route rate last week but did get 5 targets, Kayshon Boutte continues to be a nearly every-down player, and Ja'Lynn Polk found the end zone on his one target. It is likely to be hit or miss the rest of the way for all of them.
Deep Cuts: Tylan Wallace had the game of his life in primetime, but he still ran just 5 routes and has not run more than 8 in a game all season…It probably will not matter because Mike Evans will likely be back after the bye, but Tampa's receiver usage was interesting. Despite being active, Jalen McMillan did not run any routes while Ryan Miller (29), Rakim Jarrett (27), and Sterling Shepard (24) served as the primary options…In our weekly Denver check-in, Devaughn Vele got into the end zone and ran the most routes among the secondary options…Hopefully Jalen Coker retains his role after the bye, but Thielen being activated is a concern…With my Mason Tipton dream dead, my Saints receiver fixation turns to Kevin Austin, who lit up the Combine a few years ago and ran a route on 50% of the dropbacks this week…As always, Mack Hollins is going to play a lot of snaps in a good passing game…Those in really deep leagues could look to Odell Beckham, who is healthy and would likely get a big bump in targets if Tyreek Hill‘s wrist injury ends up being a problem.
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 11
1. Will Dissly — Available in 98.3% of leagues
Even with Hayden Hurst back, Dissly has held on to his No. 1 tight end usage. He led the Chargers with a 33.3% target share on Sunday, catching 5 passes for 30 yards. It was not a massive day, but that kind of target share should lead to success this week against the Bengals, a team that should force the Chargers to throw a little more than usual.
2. Jonnu Smith — Available in 73.9% of leagues
Smith did not have the game we were hoping for on Monday night, but he still finished second on the team with 45 receiving yards. He gets another favorable tight end matchup this week against the Raiders, who have allowed 8.5 yards per target to the position.
3. Dawson Knox — Available in 98.8% of leagues
Dalton Kincaid‘s knee injury has him questionable for this week, which could open the door for Knox to play a bigger role. Knox has an 80% route participation rate with Kincaid on the sidelines this season — just 30% with Kincaid on the field. He only commanded 3 targets with Kincaid sidelined most of this past game, but the Chiefs would be a great matchup for Knox if Kincaid is forced to sit. Kansas City has given up 9.3 yards per target to tight ends this season, third worst in the league.
Watch List: Tanner Hudson is coming off a 7-target game, but he did that while running a third of the routes, which was his highest route participation rate of the season. Perhaps it turns into something, but it will be tough for him to produce on that kind of usage…Both Ja'Tavion Sanders and Theo Johnson are on bye this week, but both rookies are getting enough usage to be in streaming consideration in good matchups, though we will have to see what happens to Sanders when Tommy Tremble returns…Austin Hooper is coming off a solid game, but he still is not running a large enough share of the routes to be consistent…I don't think it really matters with the receiver room healthy, but Davis Allen has taken over as the primary tight end for the Rams…I am not really interested in chasing Detroit backup tight ends even if Sam LaPorta is forced to sit this week, but for those who care, Shane Zylstra ran more routes than Brock Wright in the second half on Sunday night.
