Week 10 was a much-needed bounce-back week for fantasy scoring. Week 11 features some exciting games including a game that features the Cowboys and Chiefs offenses going up against Daniel Sorenson and Trevon Diggs in the opposing secondary, unfortunately, I will be in a marketing class during this kick-off.
Only a few weeks remain before most leagues start playoffs. Playoff strength of schedule needs to be considered for the final weeks of bidding. It is very important to know the league settings as some leagues do not allow waiver additions during the playoffs. As always, roster percentages provided are from FantasyMojo using data in FPC Championship leagues after the Sunday waiver run. FAAB does not roll over to next year, so spend it while you can.
Quarterback
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
12% rostered
FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Why not? Joe Brady will finally have a capable quarterback (sorry Theodore) to run this offense loaded with weapons. Last year in New England, Newton had nearly 600 rushing yards combined with 12 rushing touchdowns, does it really matter if he is washed as a passer? Newton will have an elite running back and a YAC monster alpha receiver that can add to his passing yards. In what will likely be his first start, Newton gets a defense that until this week was dead last in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Neither Tom Brady nor I will speak about what happened with the Football Team defense this week. Speaking of Brady, the Panthers are slated to play the Buccaneers’ pass funnel defense in a game that could have shootout potential in the fantasy playoffs. If a team is lacking an elite quarterback, I am targeting the former league MVP.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
67% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Tagovailoa was solid on Thursday night and no longer has to worry about the Deshaun Watson rumors until the offseason. Unfortunately for fantasy purposes, the Dolphins’ defense has markedly improved over the past couple of weeks, though the Dolphins continue to throw the ball at an above average rate. The Dolphins are slated to play the New York Jets twice down the stretch which can be seen as above-average matchups. Although Tagovailoa does not add a rushing upside ceiling, he can be a matchup-based spot started down the stretch. My Pros vs Joes team is in desperate need of a solid outing from Tagovailoa as the only active quarterback on my roster in Week 11. Pros vs Joes standings can also be found on the FantasyMojo site, as both Rich Hribar (@LordReebs) and myself are competing in separate leagues.
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
39% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Maybe Kyle Shanahan has his offensive mojo back after trouncing the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. That being said, he does not have the three first-round picks that were traded to move up in the draft to select bench-warming Trey Lance. Whether you believe Garoppolo or Lance should start, Shanahan clearly has Garoppolo slated in down the stretch if the 49ers remain in pursuit of a playoff spot. Garoppolo has multiple passing touchdowns in his last two starts and the receiving weapons of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are being schemed in numerous ways which make this offense explosive again.
Running Back
D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans
69% rostered
FAAB Bid: 2-4%
The Titans continue to run the ball and continue to win. Although I am a believer that this game plan will eventually have some result-based regression, the Titans have one of the easiest remaining schedules down the stretch. Foreman, rostered in 69% of FPC leagues, clearly has more juice than the ghost of Adrian Peterson. In Week 10 Foreman out-touched Peterson, but did not carry the ball in the first or last drive of the game. At some point, the Theory of Rational Coaching may lead to Foreman being used in a bell-cow role, but he is likely to see a time-share in and likely to share the valuable goal line touches with Peterson. Foreman will be the most coveted player this week and if team running back depth is thin, by all means, go get him, but this offense is likely to remain a split backfield in Derek Henry’s absence.
Wayne Gallman, Atlanta Falcons
8% Rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Gallman was featured in garbage time after the Falcons were embarrassed by the Cowboys. It also looks as if Cordarrelle Patterson will miss Thursday’s game against the Patriots. The upside is not there for Gallman to be a fantasy starter this week against the Patriots. Mike Davis, the Falcons’ offensive line, and Patriots’ defense are all barriers to Gallman’s success in a short week. Add on a running back depleted teams, but don’t have huge expectations.
Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins
49% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
More of a roster stash than a Week 11 play, but has starter upside if Myles Gaskin is hurt or benched. Ahmed has all three down skills and is worth a roster spot in hopes of an increased role.
Roster Stash of the Week
Jarret Patterson is only rostered in 85% of FPC leagues, do yourself a favor and stash this rookie. The Football Team plays the Eagles, Cowboys, and Eagles in playoff weeks. The rookie has league-winning potential, if Antonio Gibson was to end up on the IR with his ongoing shin injury.
Home League Target of the Week
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
9.9% rostered ESPN leagues
FAAB: 10%
After receiving the Ronald Jones-like treatment from coach Belichick earlier in the season, Stevenson was given the lead role out of injury necessity on Sunday. The two-hundred-thirty pound running back racked up one hundred yards on the ground, two touchdowns, and four receptions against a Browns defense that has been above average against running backs. Send out some offers in dynasty as this kid has the size to be a dominant runner in the league.
Wide Receiver
Byron Pringle, Kansas City Chiefs
7% Rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
In the dink and dunk offense that the Chiefs have been forced into, Pringle has earned a role as a small on short passes. Pringle out-snapped Mecole Hardman on Sunday and added a touchdown. In an offense that should flow through Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, Pringle is a nice ancillary option. The Week 11 game should be high-scoring and pass-heavy, not a terrible flex in leagues that require three starting receivers.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
65% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Although Bourne is not running a route on all of the Patriot dropbacks, he continues to be an efficient piece of the offense. Week 10 brought about four more receptions, usage in the running game, and a touchdown. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones is exceeding expectations, and the Patriots are starting to make some noise as playoff contenders. The Patriots are slated to play the Jaguars and Colts in the fantasy playoffs, who provide positive wide receiver matchups. Bourne is a nice stash but can be a flex play if needed, but if fully utilized could be a great addition for fantasy playoffs.
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
38% rostered
FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Smith was a recommendation last week and Smith was dropped in more leagues than he was picked up in. Smith led the team in routes and was tied with Mark Ingram with seven targets. The Saints have upcoming matches against the Bills, Cowboys, and Buccaneers and are likely going to be in negative game scripts. Smith should be rostered in all deep leagues moving forward.
DeAndre Carter, Washington Football Team
FAAB Bid 1-2%
Carter has six targets and one touchdown in consecutive games. The speedy wide receiver has made the most of his opportunity and was tied with Adam Humphries in routes run only trailing alpha wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Carter is quite dynamic and Scott Turner has made it a priority to get him the ball as he has also been used in the rushing game. Maybe more of a DFS tournament play, Carter doubles as a kick returner and has added a touchdown already this year.
Home League Targets of the Week
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
30% rostered
FAAB bid: 2-5%
Bateman is #goodatfootball. After watching Sammy Watkins decide to stop running in the end zone and then fumble the ball later in the game, Bateman is sure to see an increase in snaps moving forward. Bateman is averaging seven targets a game as a rookie, and the Ravens will continue to need to throw the ball at a higher rate as the injury-depleted defense is not as good as previous years.
Tight End
Ryan Griffin, New York Jets
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
The New York Jets continue to eclipse forty passing attempts in the majority of games. Griffin has run over thirty routes in back-to-back games. Learned lesson, in tight end premium leagues, roster multiple tight ends as the waiver wire is quite bare.
John Bates, Washington Football Team
0% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
Bates has the potential to be the starting tight end on Sunday if Logan Thomas and Ricky Seals-Jones are unable to play. Bates is a desperation dart throw that could be the benefactor of opportunity. Keep an eye on the Football Team injury report.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: 1%
In 2022, a football team will hopefully utilize O.J. Howard differently. Until then, Brate will receive the Buccaneers' tight end red zone targets as mentioned in last week's article. In Week 10, Brate continued to out-snap, out-target, and out-touchdown Howard.
Philadelphia Eagles Tight Ends
Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll, and Richard Rogers (currently on the practice squad) are options if Dallas Goedert misses time with a concussion.
Home League Target of the Week
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars
26% rostered ESPN
FAAB: 2-3%
How is Arnold only 26% rostered in ESPN leagues? This is criminally low as Arnold has been putting up consistent games on a terrible offense. Outside of joining the Jaguars on a short week, Arnold has averaged over seven targets per game. Roster Arnold and start Arnold unless you have an elite tight end. Week 11 may just be the week Arnold gets rewarded with a touchdown.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins 48% rostered
The Jets are fantasy gold, as they tend to give up a lot of points and run a lot of offensive plays which consist of passes. In what is likely Zack Wilson’s return to the offense, the Dolphins should have some sack and interception opportunities.
Look Ahead D/ST
Cleveland Browns
The Browns and Myles Garrett are matched up against an inferior offensive line in Week 12. The Browns also have some appeal against the Jared Goff-led Lions in Week 11. Garrett is likely to add to his league-leading sack total in the next couple of weeks.
Kicker
Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys 46% rostered
After Week 9 nine performance of handling only kick-off duty against the Broncos, Zuerlein missed Week 10 being placed on the COVID-19 list. The Week 9 zero-point performance and Week 10 mad dash to the kicker waiver wire has definitely added to my white hair, but I’m still buying any piece of the Cowboys’ offense possible. Note to all fantasy commissioners, either ban kickers from fantasy or use team kickers, gamers don’t need the headache of carrying two kickers in the playoffs in which waivers are closed.
