Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Saquon Barkley, Rome Odunze, Calvin Austin

Week 11 is here, and if your fantasy football 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 11 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?

Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT)

“I like Calvin Austin III this week against a bad Cincinnati Bengals defense. Since his return from injury, Austin 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 No. 2 WR in the Steelers’ offense. Austin gets a home date with the Cincinnati Bengals this week, a 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. DK Metcalf is likely to draw something close to shadow coverage from the Bengals’ best cornerback, DJ 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)

Duds

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)

“Saquon Barkley has had a season full of ups and downs. I think that can really be said for just about everyone associated with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, record aside. This week, Barkley gets a doozy of a matchup against the Lions, who have conceded the second-fewest points to the running back position this season. This is in contrast to the 11th-most points conceded to opposing receivers, the point being that the way to attack the Lions may just be through the air. Expectations may have to be tempered for this one, and while Barkley may get a score, how much more he will get on top of that remains to be seen. Barkley might just be more of a top-15 play this week versus his usual top-12 standards.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Saquon Barkley is the top-40 player most likely to disappoint fantasy managers in Week 10. Despite ranking third in opportunity share, his efficiency has cratered, sitting just 32nd in points per opportunity and 121st in expected points added (EPA). Barkley has topped five yards per carry only twice all season, a sharp decline from last year’s consistency, and he’s struggled to convert touches into meaningful production. Facing a Lions defense ranked eighth in rushing DVOA (defense-adjusted value overage) and allows the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs, his outlook is grim. It’s difficult to see Barkley living up to his RB10 ranking this week, given his poor efficiency and brutal matchup.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)

“Even though Rome Odunze had a great fantasy performance in Week 10, I’m nervous for him in Week 11. Not only do the Bears spread the ball around a lot, but Odunze has been very inconsistent. His ranking of 38 overall and WR17 doesn’t leave any room for his downside. He’s scored fewer than five PPR points in three of the last five weeks, including zero in Week 9. I just can’t trust him at a WR17 value. I’m fine flexing him, but I’m hoping I have more trustworthy options for the wide receiver slots in my lineup.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)