Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
for that elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
The waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players that
might be available in 12-team PPR leagues. I’ll also provide
a brief update on the players I covered the previous week.
Week 11 Byes: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa Bay, Seattle
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan,
IND vs. Philadelphia – Despite all the criticism of the
Jeff Saturday hire, the Colts looked to Jonathan Taylor and their
running game, also getting a decent game from Ryan in a game management
role. While the veteran QB completed 21 of 28 passes for 222 yards
and a TD, he also did work with his legs, adding 38 rushing yards
and another score on four carries in Sunday’s 25-20 win over the
Raiders. Next week could require more throwing, but with the paradigm
shift in Indy, Ryan could have rejuvenated his fantasy relevancy.
Kenny
Pickett, PIT vs. CIN - Pickett was
somewhat sloppy in the win over the Saints, completing 18 of 30
pass attempts for 199 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions
while rushing eight times for 51 yards and a TD. Week 11 offers
a more palatable matchup and the chance for a shootout with Cincy.
UPDATE:Deshaun
Watson, CLE at Buffalo – He’s not
starting in Week 11, but if you have faith in him, some roster
space and you need an impact QB for the fantasy playoffs, Watson
could be the man. This is not a ringing endorsement, but we’ve
seen him post ungodly numbers before, even while he was (allegedly)
committing ungodly acts.
Other QBs to consider (Week 11 opponents in parentheses):
Marcus Mariota,
ATL (vs. CHI); Russell
Wilson, DEN (vs. LV)
UPDATE (players recommended last week):
Justin Fields, CHI – Fields (12 of 20 passes for 167-2-1
and 147 rushing yards with two more TDs on 13 carries) was electric
in Sunday’s 31-30 loss to the Lions. Those who got him in
his final possible gasp of fantasy free agency are happy.
Daniel Jones, NYG – Jones had an efficient day against
Houston in a hard-fought win, completing 13 of 17 passes for 197-2-0
adding five rushing attempts for 24 yards. Detroit offers a much
tastier matchup in Week 11.
Andy Dalton, NO – Dalton completed just 17 of his 27 throws
for 174-1-2 in Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Steelers. It was
his worst fantasy performance of the season among his seven games
played.
Running Backs
Elijah
Mitchell, SF at Arizona – Mitchell
(knee) was activated from IR and immediately jumped into the fray
as the ideal change of pace for CMC, rushing 18 times for 89 yards
in Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Chargers. He’s a good pickup and
could be worth a flex start moving forward, even in a complementary
role.
Jaylen
Warren, PIT vs. CIN – Warren outplayed
Najee Harris and rushed nine times for 37 yards while securing
all three of his targets for 40 yards during the Steelers’ win
over the Saints on Sunday. I’d anticipate more usage moving forward
as the Steelers tire of the ineffectiveness Harris has shown in
his sophomore campaign.
Rachaad
White, TB (BYE) – White rushed 22
times for 105 yards in Sunday’s 21-16 win over the Seahawks. Leonard
Fournette is expected to return from the Week 11 bye against Cleveland
in Week 12, but White has carved a role for himself in his rookie
season.
Jeff Wilson,
MIA – Wilson looked sharp in the Dolphins’ 39-17 win over the
Browns on Sunday. rushing 17 times for 119 yards and a TD and
bringing in two of five targets for 24 yards. He’s a must-start
in all formats from here on out, though he’s on a Week 11
bye.
Deon Jackson, IND – Jackson (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's
game against the Raiders and Taylor was back in his usual role.
Skip him.
Kylin Hill,
GB – With Aaron Jones healthy, Hill didn’t get a carry on
Sunday.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Christian
Watson, GB vs. Tennessee – Watson
overcame a chest injury to star in the Packers offense on Sunday.
He hauled in four of eight targets for 107 yards and three enormous
touchdowns in the 31-28 overtime win over Dallas. He should be
rostered in all formats ahead of Thursday's matchup against the
Titans, even though he’s just under 6% owned right now in ESPN
leagues.
Nick
Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN @ Green Bay –
Westbrook-Ikhine had 5-119-2 on eight targets in Sunday’s 17-10
win over the Broncos, and his fantasy stock is looking up. Next
week could be a high-scoring game.
Kadarius
Toney, KC @ Los Angeles Chargers –
Toney finally got used the way he wants and had 4-57-1 on five
targets in the win over Jacksonville. He should be owned in all
deeper formats and could be a solid WR3/flex if JuJu Smith-Schuster
misses time.
Darius
Slayton, NYG vs. Detroit – Once
again we forget about Slayton and he shows up. The Giants WR had
3-95-1 on four targets and remains a risk-reward fantasy play.
Odell Beckham Jr., FA – According to the sage commentary
of Adam Schefter, Beckham is desperately hoping to narrow the
list of teams he is considering and sign a contract by the end
of this month. We’ll see.
George Pickens, PIT – Pickens caught three of four targets
for 32 yards, rushing twice for 23 yards and a TD on Sunday. He’s
a solid contributor in 12-team formats.
Terrace Marshall Jr., CAR – Marshall hauled in just one
of two targets for 43 yards in the Panthers’ 25-15 win over
the Falcons on Thursday night. Meh.
TE Cole Kmet, CHI – Kmet was the play of the week at TE!!
He caught four of seven targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns
in the loss to the Lions and continues his burgeoning rapport
with Fields. Of the QB’s seven passing TDs over the last
three games, the third-year TE has been the recipient of five
of them. While most of his yardage came on a 50-yard touchdown
in the third quarter on a busted coverage by the Detroit secondary,
the 74 receiving yards were also a season high.
