FantasyPros Staff | Thu, Nov 13th 2025, 4:30am EST

Fantasy Football Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Sleepers (Week 11)

Week 11 is here, and if your fantasy lineup feels like it’s held together by duct tape, caffeine, and denial, you’re not alone. Between byes, injuries, and that one player who can’t stop dropping wide-open touchdowns, finding the right starters has never felt more like a trust fall. Luckily, our Featured Pros are here to catch you with their weekly list of Sleepers and Duds to help you spot the golden tickets and avoid the landmines. So take a deep breath, ignore your bench regrets, and let’s get to the names that could make (or break) your week.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start/Sit Advice

Sleepers

Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is a good sleeper start, and why do you think he has upside this week?

Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)

“Cedric Tillman returned to the lineup last week and played 73 percent of the snaps. He got near his usual starter workload. He had just two receptions for 11 yards on four targets. But he played and got his chances, so the potential is there for the big-play target. Remember, Tillman found the end zone in two straight games to start his season, including one against this week’s opponent, the Ravens, before getting injured. Baltimore allows the fourth most fantasy points to receivers and at least 245 passing yards in three straight games. Tillman might be worth taking a chance on this week.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Sean Tucker (RB – TB)

“It is crazy that the lead back on a top fantasy is ranked outside the top 100 for week 11, but that is the case with Sean Tucker. He isn’t posting Jonathan Taylor numbers, but he has averaged 10.5 carries the last two weeks and 47.5 yards. He appears to have overtaken Rachaad White as the lead back, and with there being no immediate date for Bucky Irving‘s return, Sean Tucker will grow more comfortable and help owners fill running back or flex spots left due to injuries. After games against Buffalo and the Rams, Tampa will close with Arizona, New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina, and Miami, and if Bucky Irving doesn’t return, Tucker could sneak into being a difference maker in the fantasy playoffs.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT)

“I like Calvin Austin III this week against a bad Cincinnati Bengals defense. Since his return from injury, Austin III has 19 targets over three games. While the production hasn’t been there for him, he has faced much tougher defenses. Not only are his reception totals going to see some positive progression, but he and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense have a much better chance of finding the end zone as well.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)

“While it hasn’t translated to relative fantasy success, Calvin Austin III could be a solid flex play this week. Austin has 19 targets in his last three contests, and is the clear WR2 in the Steelers offense. Austin gets a home date with the Cincinnati Bengals this week, a Bengals team conceding at least 27 points in every game this year except for one (Week 1 versus Cleveland). While Austin may need a score to really have a boom performance, there is a case to be made that there may be a floor here, making Austin a worthwhile play in Week 11.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Calvin Austin III is sort of intriguing this week. He’s playing in a potential shootout against the Bengals. D.K. Metcalf is likely to draw something close to shadow coverage from the Bengals’ best cornerback, D.J. Turner. The last time the Steelers faced them, Austin was out, and Turner limited Metcalf to two catches for 45 yards. If Turner keeps Metcalf in check again, it might be to Austin’s benefit in a game where the high-flying Bengals offense might force Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers to keep up.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Tyler Lockett (WR – LV)

“I’m going to keep beating the drum for Tyler Lockett. His current ranking of 102 overall and WR48 feels very appropriate, but his upside is pretty high. His matchup against the porous Dallas defense on Monday Night Football is very attractive to me. He could be the WR1 for the Raiders, which could cause him to be responsible for many Monday Night Miracles in Week 11. I’m fine starting him in my flex this week and am higher on him than 102 overall.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

Mack Hollins (WR – NE)

“Mack Hollins is an intriguing sleeper start outside the top 100 this week. With Kayshon Boutte sidelined in Week 10, Hollins capitalized on his opportunity, recording six catches for 106 yards on 10 targets and posting a season-high 16.6 fantasy points. He’s quietly been one of the most efficient receivers this year, ranking 3rd in QB rating per target and 5th in fantasy points per target while maintaining strong separation metrics. If Boutte remains limited with his hamstring injury, Hollins should continue to see a heavy target share. Facing a struggling Jets defense that ranks 31st in passing DVOA and allows the 27th-most points per game, Hollins has legitimate WR4 upside with sneaky flex appeal.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

Chimere Dike (WR – TEN)

“I hate seeing a red ranking when pulling a sleeper out of the muck, but Chimere Dike’s upside outweighs my distaste for his matchup against a Houston Texans defense that ranks in the top five in points allowed to Fantasy wide receivers. Dike passes the eye test and the recency love. He’s explosive, he’s had two double-digit scoring weeks in his last three, and he receives opportunities to contribute on special teams, where he scored a touchdown in week #9 against the physical Chargers. I’m not a buyer of the Texans, so a tough red-ranking looks to me to be more of a paper tiger than a bull with bite. The Titans have nothing to lose, Dike is the best athlete on the field on most snaps, and the Texans are primed for a clunker. Dike’s your low-ranked sleeper with upside this week. Don’t message me on Monday because all I’m going to do is give you the hand and say, “I told ya so, bro.””
– Chris Mitchell (FantasyData)

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)

“Rodgers can’t push the ball downfield. The Bengals refuse to cover tight ends. So, I’ll take Pat Friermuth in the return bout against Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed 12 touchdowns to tight ends, including four Rodgers throws (two to Freiermuth and 5/111 overall) in the first contest. He represents great value at TE26 (126 in the rankings overall).”
– Mike Harmon (Swollen Dome)

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