Week 11 Waiver Sherpa

The week 11 waiver wire looks like a bunch of desperation bye/injury fillers. I’d get more aggressive with your FAAB now, as there’s probably not much to be saving it for.  

I group the adds by position and then within the position, rank them in order of preference. The sherpa will only advise players who are rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues.

Single QB –  There’s a new man in New Orleans 

Jameis Winston (5-10%) – The infamous 30/30 man is back! With Drew Brees nursing broken ribs and a collapsed lung, Winston takes over for New Orleans against Atlanta. The Falcons defense have allowed career games to Nick Foles and Drew Lock already this season. Lock and load Winston for at least 2 weeks. 

Superflex / 2QB – An exciting XFL product gets a chance

Jameis Winston (all of it) – If Winston is somehow available in your SF league, this is a smash add.  

P.J. Walker (25%), Will Grier (10%) – Teddy Bridgewater left Sunday’s contest and got an MRI on his knee immediately after the game. Monday, the MRI reported no structural damage although there is swelling and soreness. He’s being listed as day to day. Walker is an exciting dual threat type who lit up the XFL last season and provided some electric highlights. He has been active on gamedays recently, showing that he’s the QB2 with Will Grier further down the depth chart. He could be a fun story running this offense should Teddy miss time. For those that miss out, I’d suggest stashing Grier as well. Walker’s hold on the job may be tenuous. 

Taysom Hill (10%) – The unique hybrid Hill could be in line for additional use with Drew Brees on the shelf. In multi-QB leagues he may be an asset over the next few weeks. A year ago, while Brees was out, he didn’t take over as the quarterback so there’s not a strong reason to believe he will this year. On the off chance they give him the baton, you’d want to roster him. 

Mitch Trubisky (5%), Tyler Bray (1%) – Foles went down Monday night with a back injury. Trubisky’s shoulder injury is murky but at least there’s some upside compared to Bray who should only be added if you’ll be taking a zero without him.

RB – Nothing too exciting but sometimes you just need something to FLEX

Nyheim Hines (20%) – With over 100 yards and 2 scores on Thursday night football, Hines gets back in our good graces. His role has been inconsistent but now has 3 games where he has scored multiple times. With neither Jonathan Taylor nor Jordan Wilkins seizing the backfield, the Colts may just turn to Hines for 15 or so touches a game. If that’s the case he is a low end RB2 or FLEX for the rest of the season, and an extra bump in PPR. 

Kalen Ballage (15-20%) – Well, color me surprised. Ballage had a spot start last week with Justin Jackson injuring himself in warmups but was sent back down to the practice squad mid-week. Then, Jackson was put on IR and Ballage promoted again to the big squad on Sunday. He was used as a feature back, seeing 23 touches and leaving the scraps to Joshua Kelley. One of the most improbable comeback stories of the year, Ballage now finds himself very relevant for fantasy until Ausitn Ekeler comes back.  He may even remain in what was supposed to be the Kelley role after Ekeler returns. 

Wayne Gallman (10-15%) – The gritty veteran has scored 5 TDs in last 4 games, and now Devonta Freeman will miss at least 2 more games on IR. Gallman is the last man standing and it’s certainly not going to excite you to start him, but he’s in the FLEX conversation now. 

Malcolm Brown (5%) – Here we go again. Because he scored twice, I am obliged to bring him up here. However, the Rams got rookie Cam Akers involved in week 10 making this a full blown 3 man RB-by-committee. We’ll need an injury to be comfortable playing any of these guys down the stretch. 

WR – A bunch of WR3 types to choose from 

Jalen Reagor (20%) – He’s good. Look through past columns to read more. A fine WR3 for the rest of the season.

Michael Pittman Jr. (20%) – The rookies get top billing here because their role should only expand and there is unknown upside with them. This is especially true for Pittman who has been injured on and off to this point. He’s seen 15 targets over the last 2 games, and looked athletic and versatile on Thursday hauling in over 100 receiving yards and even tacking on 21 rushing yards on an end around. With T.Y. Hilton disappearing into the mist, Pittman’s time as the top target may be now. 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (15%) – He’s really coming on, and provides a necessary deep threat in this offense. While Allen Lazard is making his way back, MVS has staked his claim with over 200 yards and 3 scores in the last 2 weeks. He should remain involved for the remainder of the season.

K.J. Hamler (10%) – The electric rookie saw 10 targets for the second week in a row which led the Broncos. Drew Lock is a bit of an anchor around the entire offense, but Hamler is a bright spot. He can be a WR3/FLEX for needy teams.  

Darnell Mooney (10%) – His role is growing by the week, and the Bears’ schedule down the stretch is full of beautiful matchups for the offense. You’ll have to roster him through the bye at this point. So unless he goes nuts on Monday night, wait a week.

Denzel Mims (10%) – The Jets offense is a disgrace, but Mims has emerged from the IR to become a focus of the passing game. There are some weeks he may be a spot start for you, such as weeks 13 and 14 against Las Vegas and Seattle.

Jakobi Meyers (10%) – He’s seen 10 or more targets in back to back weeks as the new WR1 in New England. Meyers looks like he belongs, but this passing game is so difficult to trust. He’s worth rostering but don’t expect more than WR3 type production. 

Allen Lazard (5-10%) – The Packers will welcome him back with open arms for their playoff push, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling has really stepped up of late. I’d imagine Lazard will be utilized, but it’s still Adams and everyone else. 

Jakeem Grant (5%) – Following the loss of Preston Williams, Grant stepped in and saw 5 targets while catching a touchdown. He’s a FLEX play if needed but the Dolphins have a great defense and have not needed to open it up much of late. 

Cole Beasley (5%) – If you can pick the weeks he’ll get over 10 targets you’re better at this than me. Heading into the bye, he’s probably not worth stashing. Doing my due diligence after a massive game in the desert shootout.  

TE –  Slim pickins

Logan Thomas (5%) – The bar for TEs is low, and Thomas meets it. He’s chugging along with 6 targets a game and that’ll play. 

Jordan Reed (5%) – The former stud in Washington has been productive in spurts this year when healthy and seeing targets. He’s seeing 6+ targets in a TE-centric offense and I would be comfortable rolling him out as a bye week play. 

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