I have to admit the pickings are slim on the waiver wire this week. There are a lot of guys coming off solid performances in week 10 who just have bye weeks in week 11 that I think you should keep an eye on. Former 2nd round pick Zay Jones for example had the best game of his career putting up 23 fantasy points in week 10 now that he finally has a real quarterback in — wait a minute — Matt Barkley?! Frank Gore had himself another double-digit rushing attempt game and actually did something with it putting up 12 fantasy points, but he’s resting in week 11 too. Baker Mayfield had his best fantasy game of the year with 22 fantasy points in week 10 — but again, bye week. For these bye week players, you’re welcome to add them now, but just know they’ll be filling up your bench for the week.
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning, 11.9%, vs TB: Everybody CHILL! I know Eli is a bottom-5 QB on the whole for the season. He’s had some okay games throughout the season (three 19 fantasy point games against the Texans, Panthers and Falcons.) Well here’s the thing for week 11: Eli is facing a Buccaneer team that has allowed the most passing TDs (23) and snatched the least INTs (1.) This is a recipe for success for Eli.
Joe Flacco/Lamar Jackson, vs CIN: Whoever starts this game for the Ravens is worth the stream. Personally, I’m hoping for Lamar Jackson. The kid has a world of talent in his arm and his leggs and it would be amazing to see him show them off. However, even if it is boring old Joe there is the potential for major fantasy points. The Bengals have allowed the third most passing yards in the league and allowed this same Joe Flacco to score 17 fantasy points on them back in week 2.
Running Backs
Mike Davis/Rashaad Penny, vs GB: Chris Carson sat out week 19 with a hip injury and now has a quick turnaround for a Thursday night game against Green Bay. Excuse me for not being as optimistic as coach Pete Carroll who said that Carson “will be ready” for Thursday. If he can’t go then I think Davis and Penny could both be in line for major snaps again like in week 10 when they split carries 12:11 in favor of Penny.
Theo Riddick, 19.5%, vs CAR: Riddick has back-to-back double-digit fantasy games solely on his talents in the receiving game. In week 9 he caught 7 passes for 36 yards and in week 10 he caught 6 passes for 60 yards. The Panthers have allowed 4 receiving TDs to RBs on the season and if Riddick is as targeted as he has been — he could make that 5.
Wide Receivers
Dede Westbrook, 29.7%, vs PIT: Donte Moncrief was the big fantasy scorer on the day, but a lot of that was on the back of 1 long 80 yard TD catch. Westbrook was again the most targeted Jaguar WR with 10 targets. Westbrook is averaging 11.1 fantasy points per game — it’s hard to find a WR owned as low as him who is averaging double-digit fantasy points per game.
Anthony Miller, 13.3%, vs MIN: Miller and Allen Robinson were quite the dynamic duo in week 10 putting up a combined 54 fantasy points. Miller himself is averaging 15.3 fantasy points per game in his last three weeks. The Vikings have been very tough against wide receivers this season, but Miller is still someone worth investing in for the long haul.
Josh Reynolds, 1.1%, vs KC: With the unfortunate season ending injury to Cooper Kupp I think Reynolds will be the primary beneficiary. In the 7 games Kupp played in healthy he averaged 18.7 fantasy points and was close to average 8 targets per game. While it’s no guarantee for Reynolds to be the same player as Kupp or receive all of his targets — the opportunity is there.
Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones, 13.8%, vs OAK: RSJ isn’t really the most reliable TE option, but he’s shown double-digit potential in the right match-up. Well here’s the match-up. The Raiders have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to TEs this season. If he can have another 5 catch, 50+ yard game then you’re looking at a solid replacement for David Njoku, Rob Gronkowski, George Kittle or any other TE who may have a bye this week.
Jonnu Smith, 0.6%, @ IND: After Delanie Walker went down in week 1 we were all hoping Smith would step up to be solid TE contributor. Until week 9, that was not the case. However, in week 9 he finally grabbed a TD reception and put up 11 fantasy points. Week 10? Another TD reception, another double-digit fantasy game. Hopefully this is the start of some chemistry being built between Marcus Mariota and Smith and it continues in his week 11 game against the Colts who have allowed the 5th most receiving yards to TEs this season.
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona Cardinals D/ST, 15.5%, vs OAK: The Raiders are the third-lowest scoring offense in the league. The Cardinals are the second-lowest scoring offense in the league. However, I’m choosing the Cardinals because the Raiders defense is averaging negative fantasy points while the Cardinals D has averaged 9 fantasy points in their last 5 games. Against another poor offense, the 49ers, the Cardinals have had especially good games putting up 26 fantasy points in two games this year. I’m thinking a mid-to-upper teens performance is in the cards for the Cards.
Kicker
Ryan Succop, 40.2%, @ IND: Here’s the story for this recommendation — the Colts have allowed kickers to connect on the second most FGs in the league (21.) The Colts have also allowed the 11th most total yards on the season. Tennessee’s offense might not be the best, but this is a match-up where they can get close enough to score and if they fail — Succop sucks up all the points!
