The bulk of Week 11 action is in the books and already we have some early waiver wire pickups for fantasy owners to check out to get a jump on the competition for Week 12. Injuries and big games have made some players far more valuable after this week.
Finding starters (let alone quality ones) this late in the season on waivers is rare. To find two quality starters on one team in the same week is downright unheard of. That’s the case this week as the two hottest adds are a pair of Ravens: Lamar Jackson and Gus “The Bus” Edwards. Outside of Baltimore, we have some great pickups and this week’s waiver wire ahead of Thanksgiving is the tastiest it’s been in a month.
Let’s take a look at some early suggestions for your waiver wire, including the player’s Yahoo! ownership and upcoming schedule. Players listed here typically have under 30% ownership. It’s time to break out the FAAB and feast on some great pickups. Enjoy!
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Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL): 18% owned
Jackson threw for only 150 yards and a pick but he ran the ball almost 30 times for 117 rushing yards, elevating his point total and making him a must-add this week. After the Ravens announced both Robert Griffin III and Jackson would split snaps this week, RG3 was almost non-existent as Lamar Jackson took the vast majority of the work. The schedule for Baltimore from here is unbelievably great and it would make sense for the Ravens to see what they’ve got in the former Heisman-winner with Joe Flacco almost certainly out the door at the end of the season. Jackson should be at the top of your waiver priorities.
Next three weeks: OAK, @ATL, @KC
Jameis Winston (QB – TB): 9%owned
Here we go again. The QB carousel keeps spinning as Winston was inserted into the starting lineup to replace a struggling Ryan Fitzpatrick. Dirk Koetter can’t seem to commit to either of these guys, so for at least next week, it looks like Winston will get the nod. The Bucs get a three-game home-stand against the Niners, Panthers and Saints up next, for what it’s worth.
Next three weeks: SF, CAR, NO
Other QBs to consider: Eli Manning (QB – NYG) 23% owned, Josh Rosen (QB – ARI) 6% owned
Running Backs
Gus Edwards (RB – BAL): 1% owned
Alex Collins has been the talk of the town recently for many fantasy writers (yours truly included) because of his cupcake schedule and uncertainty at the QB position. It was undrafted rookie Gus Edwards, however, who shined in this one. Edwards powered through to 115 yards on just 17 carries and crossed the end zone after Alex Collins was benched on a 7-18 rushing line. “The Bus” even converted a two point conversion to cap off his excellent performance. Edwards should be the pickup of the week at his position as a starting RB with tons of volume and a beautiful string of matchups down the stretch.
Next three weeks: OAK, @ATL, @KC
Josh Adams (RB – PHI): 32% owned
Adams still saw limited work (10 total touches) but he finished the game with 72 total yards and a TD. Wendell Smallwood (-4 yards) and Corey Clement (15 yards) played well behind Adams and it’s clear that this will be his backfield. It’s understandable to approach this pickup with trepidation because of Philadelphia’s week-to-week uncertainty in the workload given to RBs. Still, Adams has firmly planted himself in the driver’s seat and, as mentioned above, finding starting RBs on the waiver wire so late in the season is rare. Scoop up Adams, and you can feel comfortable employing him as a weekly flex option.
Next three weeks: NYG, WASH, @DAL
Theo Riddick (RB – DET): 32% owned
Kerryon Johnson hurt his knee in Week 11, but it doesn’t look like the injury will be season-ending. With a game on Thanksgiving, the “Wayward Son” isn’t likely to suit up in Week 12 and may miss an additional week or two. LeGarrette Blount will take the majority of the snaps in the run game, but Blount is washed up at this point in his career. I’d wager Detroit uses the short passing game as an extension of the run game, adding a lot of opportunities for Riddick. He’s seen at least seven targets in three straight. He’s worth an add.
Next three weeks: CHI, LAR, @ARI
Jalen Richard (RB – OAK): 44% owned
He’s a bit more highly owned than most of the other pickups in this article but Doug Martin missed the entire second half of the Raiders’ win over the Chargers this week. Richard ran well and he will be a valuable asset if Martin misses any more time. If he’s available, he’s certainly worth a look.
Next three weeks: @BAL, KC, PIT
Other RBs to consider: Elijah McGuire (RB – NYJ) 14% owned, Jordan Wilkins (RB – IND) 4% owned, Dwayne Washington (RB – OAK) 0% owned
Wide Receivers
Tre’Quan Smith (WR – NO): 25% owned
He had another huge performance like this way back in Week 5 and promptly followed it up with a four week disappearing act. Smith rebounded in an enormous way in Week 11, hauling in 10 of 13 targets for 157 yards and a TD. It will be hard to trust Smith as a consistent producer but he has a sky-high ceiling on a Drew Brees offense, making him a solid pickup.
Next three weeks: ATL, @DAL, @TB
Keke Coutee (WR – HOU): 30% owned
Coutee came back from a two-game absence and garnered nine targets from DeShaun Watson, catching five balls for 77 yards. New kid on the block Demaryius Thomas saw only one target and it looks like Coutee is the preferred second option in this passing game. He’s now seen at least seven targets in three of the five games he’s played in so far, totaling 31 in those games. The Texans’ remaining schedule isn’t scary for WRs and Houston plays their next three games at home.
Next three weeks: TEN, CLE, IND
Bruce Ellington (WR – DET): 0% owned
Ellington finished second to Kenny G in targets (9) in this one, hauling in 6-52. He didn’t stuff the stat sheet but in case you haven’t heard, Golden Tate left town. Marvin Jones is injured and someone else has to catch passes for the Lions. With a quick turnaround for a Thanksgiving matchup with Chicago, Jones may very well sit again, opening up opportunities for Ellington.
Next three weeks: CHI, LAR, @ARI
Other WRs to consider: D.J. Moore (WR – CAR) 39% owned, Christian Kirk (WR – ARI) 34% owned, Dontrel Inman (WR – IND) 0% owned
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith (TE – TEN): 7% owned
For the third week in a row, Smith turned in at least 44 receiving yards or a TD. He saw his most targets and receptions of the season, catching six passes for 44 yards on eight targets. He tied for the team-lead in receiving yards with fellow TE Anthony Firkser in a miserable game for the entire Titans’ offense. Marcus Mariota didn’t finish the game and it may be Blaine Gabbert at QB moving forward. Either way, Smith is the best pickup at TE in a wasteland of talent at the position.
Next three weeks: @HOU, NYJ, JAX
Other TEs to consider: Jeff Heuerman (TE – DEN) 24% owned, C.J. Uzomah (TE – CIN) 20% owned
D/STs
Any team facing Washington immediately becomes a quality streaming option after Alex Smith‘s season-ending injury. The same is true of Tennessee if Blaine Gabbert starts at QB.
Seattle Seahawks: 25% owned
Next three weeks: @CAR, SF, MIN
New York Giants: 25% owned
Next three weeks: @PHI, CHI, WAS
Dallas Cowboys: 17% owned
Next three weeks: WAS, NO, PHI
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Zachary Hanshew is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
