Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Week 11 Byes: Arizona, Carolina, NY Giants, Tampa Bay
Herbert had another solid showing, throwing for only 164-1-0
but putting up a 9-32-1 rushing line in a win over the Titans.
Up next he gets a porous Bengals secondary that has allowed the
5th most points to opposing QBs, including the most rushing yards.
Wilson had a fine day against the Commanders, going 195-3-1 in
a squeaker win. He’ll have to be off the chain to keep up
with the Ravens this week, but that shouldn’t be a problem
against a team that has given up the most yards and TDs to opposing
QBs.
Nix has been surprisingly solid in his rookie year, and threw
2 TDs without an interception against the undefeated Chiefs on
the road. This week he gets a much easier assignment against a
Falcons defense that has given up the 7th-most points to opposing
QBs, including the 3rd-most rushing yards.
Aaron Rodgers,
NYJ @ ARI: Rodgers had a rough outing in a blowout loss to the
Cardinals, throwing for only 151 yards without a TD. This was
a surprising result and given he couldn’t produce in garbage time,
it’s fair to wonder if he’s that bad or the Cardinals are that
good? Up next he gets an easier matchup against the Colts.
UPDATE:Tua
Tagovailoa, MIA @ LAR: Tua had an up-and-down game in a win
against the Rams on Monday Night Football, passing for 201-1-1
and losing a fumble on one of his sacks. Up next he will get a
great matchup against the Raiders, but we have yet to see the
Dolphins offense be explosive since Tua returned from this year’s
concussion; he’s thrown only 6 TDs in five games.
Daniel Jones, NYG @ CAR: Jones saved his fantasy again with his
legs, rushing for 7-26-1, as he was awful throwing the ball, posting
a 190-0-2 line. Up next is a much-needed bye week, after which
he’ll get a burnable Buccaneers defense but can he take
advantage?
Warren continues to see more work, and delivered a 14-66-0 rushing
line to go with a 2-2-29-0 receiving line, and was the only Steelers
RB to record a target. It’s clear that Najee Harris is the goalline,
early-down hammer and Warren is the passing down back. Up next
he’ll get a Ravens defense that has been strong against RBs in
general, but has given up the 3rd-most receiving yards and 5th-most
receptions to the position.
Mattison was on bye this week, although he has been the lead
RB for the Raiders for the last five weeks and is 4th on the team
in targets. This week he gets a Dolphins team that has given up
the 7th-most points to opposing RBs.
We may be witnessing a changing of the guard in Denver, as Estime
dominated RB touches against the Chiefs, producing a 14-53-0 rushing
line while Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for
5 opportunities. It will be interesting to watch the workload
going forward, but in a tight contest against a division rival,
it’s telling that the rookie was given the bulk of the workload.
Javonte owners may want to pick up Estime for the stretch run.
Up next is a tougher matchup against the Falcons.
Jonathon Brooks, CAR vs NYG: Brooks logged full practices but
still was ruled out for the Giants game, most likely to give him
an additional week to strengthen his knee during the upcoming
bye. He’ll get a brutal matchup against the Chiefs in Week
12.
Tyler Allgeier, ATL @ NO: Allgeier is still the backup to Bijan
Robinson, but he managed to gain 59 yards on 11 carries against
the Saints. Up next is a road matchup against the Broncos.
Austin was 2nd on the team in targets against the Commanders,
going 6-2-20-0, and Williams caught his only target for a 32-yard
touchdown. George Pickens is still the WR1, but against a Ravens
defense that has allowed the most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy
points to opposing WRs, there should be enough scoring for a WR2
to have a nice day. Austin has been solid all season, but Wilson
may have found a nice connection with the recently-added Williams.
Tillman and the Browns were on bye Week 10, but Tillman has seen
a whopping 32 targets in the last three games, most of those from
Jameis Winston. This week he’ll get a Saints team that has allowed
the 6th-most receptions and 3rd-most yards to opposing WRs.
Pearsall had a nice day against the Buccaneers, going 6-4-73-1
in his third game played of the season. Up next he gets a Seahawks
team that has allowed 9 passing TDs to WRs in their last six games,
so Pearsall may be able to find the end zone again.
Douglas is 2nd on the team in targets, and had a decent 5-4-50-0
line in a surprisingly comfortable win over the Bears. Up next
he gets a Rams defense that has allowed the 5th-most TDs and 10th-most
points to WRs.
MVS was recently signed by the Saints, and with Rashid Shaheed
on IR and Chris Olave looking at an extended absence, MVS burned
the Falcons for a 3-3-109-2 line. Up next are the Browns, who
have given up the 5th-most TDs and fantasy points to WRs.
Vele was 2nd on the team in targets, and managed a 4-4-39-1 line
against a tough Chiefs defense. Up next is a much easier matchup
against the Falcons, who have allowed the 7th-most points and
3rd-most TDs to WRs.
Henry struggled against the Bears, catching only 1 of 4 targets
for 4 scoreless yards. He still played 89% of snaps, and given
it was his lowest target total since Week 5, he should be more
involved in games where they are trailing. This should happen
this week against the Rams, who have allowed the 9th-most points
to TEs.
Dissly has started to take over the TE1 role in LA, as he’s
seen 27 targets in his last four games. He posted a 6-5-30-0 line
in a win over the Titans in Week 10. This week, he’ll face
a Bengals team that ranks in the bottom six in allowing points,
receptions, yards and touchdowns to TEs.
Knox played more snaps with Dalton Kincaid leaving early with
a knee injury, and delivered a 3-2-40-0 line against the Colts.
If Kincaid sits, Knox would draw the start against a Chiefs team
that has given up the most yards and 2nd-most points to opposing
TEs.
Parker
Washington, JAX vs MIN: Washington couldn’t take advantage
of a porous Vikings secondary with both Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas
Jr. back in the lineup, and with Mac Jones filling in for an injured
Trevor Lawrence. Washington didn’t record a target and won’t be
a fantasy option despite another good matchup against the Lions.
Xavier Legette,
CAR vs NYG: Legette posted a ho-hum 4-3-40-0 line in a win over
the Giants, as Bryce Young only completed 15 passes. The Panthers
get a bye this week before coming back against the Chiefs in Week
12.
Andrei Iosivas,
CIN @ BAL: Iosivas was the WR2 with an injured Tee Higgins on
the bench, but he couldn’t capitalize in a shootout where Ja’Marr
Chase went nuclear and was even out-targeted by TE2 Tanner Hudson.
Up next is a tougher matchup against the Chargers, and with Higgins
expected back, Iosivas will be a distant WR3.
Adam Thielen, CAR vs NYG: Thielen was out again in Week 10, and
was never dealt at the trade deadline. He now has to be activated
this week or he’ll be out for the season. With the Panthers
on bye, it’s possible they were just getting him another
week of rest. Keep an eye on his activation status for Week 12.
Jauan Jennings, SF @ TB: Jennings has been out for the past several
games, but returned with a vengeance to lead the 49ers in targets,
receptions, and yards against the Buccaneers, posting a 11-7-93-0
line. Up next is another great matchup against the Seahawks.
Ray-Ray McCloud,
ATL @ NO: McCloud maintained his usual WR3 role with Drake London
suiting up for the Saints game, and managed a 4-3-30-0 line in
a loss. McCloud is far down the pecking order for targets, and
will find tough sledding against the Broncos this week.
UPDATE:
Jonnu Smith, MIA @ LAR: Smith caught 3 of 4 targets for 45
yards in a win over the Rams on Monday Night Football. He now
has 16 targets in the three games since Tua Tagovailoa returned
from IR, although he has yet to have more than 46 yards receiving.
Up next is another positive matchup against the Raiders.
Mike Gesicki, CIN @ BAL: Gesicki was 3rd on the team in targets
with Tee Higgins out due to injury, but could only muster a 9-4-30-0
line as TE2 Tanner Hudson grabbed a TD and Ja’Marr Chase
had a blowup game. Up next is a neutral matchup against the Chargers,
but if Higgins is back, Gesicki should see far fewer opportunities.
Defense/ Special Teams
Dolphins vs LV
UPDATE: Miami generated 4
sacks and 2 turnovers in a win over the Rams on Monday Night Football,
putting consistent pressure on Matthew Stafford. This week the
Dolphins get the Raiders, who have given up the most turnovers
and allowed the 5th-most sacks.
Texans @ DAL
Somehow the Texans got 5 turnovers and still managed to lose
to the Lions. They shouldn’t suffer the same fate against
the reeling Cowboys, who will have either Cooper Rush or Trey
Lance starting at QB. The Cowboys just gave up 5 turnovers to
the Eagles in a lopsided loss, and have lost the 2nd-most turnovers
in the league.
Packers @ CHI
The Packers lead the league in turnovers created, and now get
to face a Bears team that has allowed 15 sacks and only scored
12 points total in their last two games. Green Bay was on bye
this week so they should be well rested to take on their division
rivals.
Other DST to consider: Rams @ NE, Saints vs CLE
Last week’s waiver adds:
Bears vs NE: The Bears struggled again in a
loss to the lowly Patriots, although they did create a turnover
and get a sack. They’ll have a much tougher test this week
against the division-rival Packers.
Falcons @ NO: The Falcons couldn’t get
a win against a depleted Saints receiver corps, and failed to
get any turnovers or sacks. Up next is the feisty Broncos.
Giants @ CAR: The Giants extended their losing
streak to five games after losing in overtime to the Panthers
in Munich. They only generated a sack and a turnover on defense
against Bryce Young who has started to look better. Giants are
on a bye this week.
