The waiver wire is one way to improve your fantasy football team, but not the only way, and perhaps not the best way.
Trading is the other avenue by which you can upgrade your roster. You can acquire star-level players in trades — the types of players you rarely find on the waiver wire — as long as you’re willing to sacrifice commensurate value.
But time is wasting. Trade deadlines are rapidly approaching in most redraft leagues. There’s no universally recognized trade deadline in the fantasy community, but in most leagues, the trade deadline is sometime in the second half of November. If you want to wheel and deal before the curtain comes down, you’ll need to act soon.
Negotiating a deal needn’t be a chore. In fact, it’s pretty easy if you’re a good trading partner. It’s a simple two-step process:
- Look at rosters and find the teams that have a surplus at your position of need, and a need at the position(s) where you’re strong.
- Craft an offer that works for you and that you believe the other manager would accept. Don’t cheat on that second part. Does the trade really help them? Put yourself in the other manager’s shoes and ask yourself, “Would I want to take this deal if I were managing that team?” If you can honestly — and I mean honestly — answer “yes,” then take the offer to the other manager.
That’s it. If it’s truly a fair offer, there isn’t even a need for negotiation. If you’ve made a fair offer and would be getting the short end of the deal by giving up anything more, then simply cut off the negotiation if the other manager declines your offer. You’ve tried your best.
But the key is making an earnest attempt to satisfy the other team’s needs. Abandon the idea of “winning” trades. If your objective is to win trades, you probably aren’t going to make many trades.
And of course, you do have the waiver wire to fall back on when you need to patch holes and build depth.
Let’s take a look at some of the widely available players who might be able to assist.
- More Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 11
Week 11 Waiver Grade: C-
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Week 11
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Running Backs
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 33% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @NO, NYJ
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Writing about Tyler Allgeier in the waiver wire column has become the most stable thing in my life. In a fantasy football world that turns upside down each week, it’s nice to know that an elite backup and potential Flex play is waiting for you on the wire. Bijan Robinson is the focal point of the Falcons’ offense, but when they want some powerful downhill running, they aren’t afraid to turn to Allgeier. In Week 10, this turned into 11 carries for 57 yards and both of the Falcons’ rushing scores in a loss to the Colts. With an incredible three-game schedule coming up, Allgeier should not only be rostered in all leagues but potentially placed into your Flex if you need a quick fix.
Blake Corum (RB – LAR): 26% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SEA, TB, @CAR
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: I started this section by discussing Tyler Allgeier, who has started paying rent since he lives in this article. He may be getting a roommate in Blake Corum over the next few weeks. The belief that Sean McVay likes to use one back has slowly been dwindling. A few weeks ago, McVay said he would like the backfield to be close to a 65-35 split between Kyren Williams and Corum. This held up in Week 10, with Williams playing 40 snaps to Corum’s 26. With 38 carries over his last three games, Corum’s role is here to stay. Double-digit carries in one of the league’s best offenses could make Corum a Flex option down the stretch.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT): 33% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @CHI, BUF
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: The Steelers might have the easiest schedule for running backs from Week 11 to Week 15. Even though the Pittsburgh offense has left a lot to be desired for fantasy, it has been able to move the ball well in favorable matchups. As a result, Gainwell is a worthy grab for his roughly eight touches per game, but especially for the contingent upside if Jaylen Warren were to miss time. In the one game the Steelers played without Warren this year, we saw Gainwell finish as the overall RB3 for the week. With great matchups coming up, Gainwell would be a fringe RB1 if given the opportunity.
Emari Demercado (RB – ARI): 37% Rostered & Bam Knight (RB – ARI): 26% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, JAX, @TB
- True Value: $2, $0
- Desperate Need: $4, $1
- Budget-Minded: $1, $0
Analysis: With Trey Benson‘s return possibly a week away, remain conservative with your bids for either Emari Demercado or Bam Knight this week. Over the last two weeks, Demercado has been the more valuable back for fantasy despite playing fewer snaps than Knight. In Week 10, the gap between the two shrank, with Knight playing 34 snaps to Demercado’s 32. Of the two, Demercado is the more valuable back for fantasy, and his usage in the passing game may help him retain some value when Benson returns. For Week 11, both can be considered Flex options against a beaten-up 49ers defense that was blown out by the Rams, 42-26. The 49ers allowed Kyren Williams and Blake Corum to combine for 139 yards and two scores on the ground. Demercado is a high-end RB3 for Week 11, with Knight a Flex option.
Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN): 37% Rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, SEA, JAX
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Will the Titans be able to turn their season around coming out of their bye? Probably not. However, there is always a chance we’ll see some improvement after the coaching staff has analyzed the team’s previous games to see what was working. What was working was a very short list, so I am sure the Tennessee coaches had plenty of time to find creative ways to implement more of it. Either way, Tyjae Spears is one of the few players who has brought juice to this offense. Getting five to nine carries each week, Spears’ true fantasy value comes from the passing game. Catching three or more passes in each of his last four games, he may be the only Titan producing against some very difficult matchups coming up. Starting any Titan against an elite Texans or Seahawks defense is a tough pill to swallow, but if there is a shot to take, I’d take it on Spears.
Devin Singletary (RB – NYG): 25% Rostered
- Next Opponents: GB, @DET, @NE
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Tyrone Tracy Jr. took the Giants’ lead back role from Devin Singletary last year, but we have seen both lead the way in the two games the Giants have played without Cam Skattebo. In Week 9, Singletary out-snapped Tracy 32-25. In Week 10, we saw this flip, as Tracy out-snapped Singletary 49-24. The main difference between these two games is that the Giants were playing from behind in Week 9 and were playing with a lead in Week 10. When they are trailing, it would make sense for Tracy to get increased snaps as the main pass-catching back. Instead, it was the opposite, creating further confusion for fantasy. I expect Tracy to be the more heavily used running back going forward. Unless you are rostering Singletary for his contingent upside if Tracy misses time, let your leaguemates deal with this headache. The Giants’ next few games pose difficult matchups, and it will be nearly impossible to confidently predict Singletary’s role.
Running Back Stash Candidates
Before the Bengals’ bye in Week 10, Samaje Perine suffered a high-ankle sprain. This opens the door for sixth-round rookie Tahj Brooks to back up Chase Brown. The Bengals have become one of the best offenses for fantasy, and their late-season schedule is favorable. It’s worth stashing Brooks, who received lots of praise in the offseason.
Wide Receivers
Written by Derek Brown
Alec Pierce (WR – IND): 42% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @KC, HOU
- True Value: $12
- Desperate Need: $16
- Budget-Minded: $8
Analysis: Well, Alec Pierce did it again. Pierce’s exploits against single-high coverage have been well covered in this article in previous weeks. Last week, Pierce faced a Falcons secondary that utilizes single-high coverage at the highest rate in the NFL, and Pierce soaked up a 26.9% target share and churned out 84 receiving yards and a score. He entered Week 10 with a 27.6% target share, 3.69 yards per route run and a 32.5% first-read share against single-high coverage, per Fantasy Points Data. Pierce should continue to eat in the weeks to come. Looking at the Colts’ remaining schedule, the only defense that doesn’t deploy single-high on 50% of their snaps (or more) is Seattle. Pierce will have plenty of spike weeks to conclude the season that can help tilt fantasy matchups in your favor.
Tez Johnson (WR – TB): 32% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @BUF, @LAR, ARI
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: In Weeks 6-9, Tez Johnson had an 81.1% route share, a 16.5% target share, 48.7 receiving yards per game, 1.70 yards per route run and a 17.7% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. In those three games, he had one red-zone target and three deep targets. Against New England in Week 10, Johnson had only an 11.6% target share, but he made his receptions count, with half of them resulting in touchdowns. Johnson finished with four receptions, 42 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Johnson should continue to produce solid weekly Flex value with Chris Godwin still not practicing.
Christian Watson (WR – GB): 32% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, MIN, @DET
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: In Weeks 8 and 9, Christian Watson had a 64% route share, a 10.8% target share, a 35.5% air-yard share (23.0-yard average depth of target), 71.5 receiving yards per game, 2.98 yards per route run and a 15.2% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Three of his eight targets in those two games were downfield. In Week 10, Watson had two catches for a team-high 45 receiving yards against the Eagles on a night when the Packers’ passing game was dysfunctional. He has operated as Green Bay’s field stretcher. This role should be extremely fruitful for fantasy managers over the next seven weeks. Watson gets matchups against the Giants, Vikings, Ravens and the Bears twice. Since Week 5, all of those teams sit inside the top 12 for deep ball completion rate allowed. Watson will have some spike weeks that could win you the week.
Parker Washington (WR – JAX): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @ARI, @TEN
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: In Weeks 7 and 9, Parker Washington had a 23.2% target share, a 34.6% air-yard share, 71 receiving yards per game, 1.89 yards per route run and a 25.9% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. In those contests, Washington had two red-zone targets and five deep targets. Washington followed those games up with a 30.4% target share, three receptions, 33 receiving yards and a score against the Texans. Washington should continue to be a volume-based Flex play moving forward until Brian Thomas Jr. or Travis Hunter is back in action. Jakobi Meyers will impact Washington’s target share moving forward once he is fully integrated into the offense. If all three of those receivers fill out the Jaguars’ starting lineup soon, Washington could find himself on the outside looking in for playing time.
Tyler Lockett (WR – LV): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, CLE, @LAC
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Last week was a nice ramp-up game for Tyler Lockett with his new team. In Week 10, he had a 65.7% route share with a 22.2% target share, 44 receiving yards, 1.91 yards per route run and a 21.1% first-read share. Those are all solid per-route metrics. He immediately hopped Tre Tucker in the Raiders’ target pecking order. He’s a strong out-of-left-field Flex option this week against a Dallas secondary that, since Week 5, has allowed the second-most PPR points per target to slot receivers.
Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT): 12% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @CHI, BUF
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Calvin Austin hasn’t been a strong fantasy producer all season, but he does have three top-36 finishes in weekly scoring this season among wide receivers (WR16, WR31, WR35). Entering Week 10, he had a 15.5% target share with 37.2 receiving yards per game, 1.53 yards per route run and a 20.5% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Austin should have a strong week against the Bengals if Cincy attacks the Steelers’ passing attack like they did last time these teams met. Austin missed that game with a shoulder injury. DJ Turner followed DK Metcalf on 78.1% of his routes and held him to only two receptions and 45 receiving yards in his coverage. I expect Turner to follow Metcalf again this week. That will leave Austin feasting on Cam Taylor-Britt (66.7% catch rate and 133.9 passer rating allowed) and Dax Hill (77.8% catch rate and 113.3 passer rating allowed) all day.
Malik Washington (WR – MIA): 17% Rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, BYE, NO
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Since becoming Jaylen Waddle‘s running mate in the Dolphins’ passing attack in Week 5, Malik Washington had a 62.3% route share, a 15% target share, 27.2 receiving yards per game, 1.19 yards per route run and a 16.1% first-read share through Week 9. During that span, he had six red-zone targets and one deep target. On Sunday against Buffalo, Washington had only three targets and nine receiving yards. I know that’s not an inspiring stat line, but this week’s matchup puts Washington back on the Flex radar. Since Week 5, the Commanders have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target to slot receivers.
Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU): 14% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, BUF, @IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Jayden Higgins is a player I could have easily dropped to stash status, but I want fantasy managers ahead of the curve if Houston stops fooling around with this wide-receiver-by-committee approach. In Week 10, Higgins played 57.3% of the snaps with a 53% route share. He had a 15.9% target share, which he turned into five grabs, 42 receiving yards and a touchdown. Houston keeps playing silly games with its wide receiver usage. Until the Texans stop limiting their players in a rotation, Higgins will remain a volatile and capped fantasy option. He has solid Flex value this week, though. Since Week 5, Tennessee has allowed the second-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Wide Receiver Stash Candidates
DJ Moore was in and out of Week 10’s Giants-Bears game, as he sustained a shoulder injury. Luther Burden is worth a stash in case Moore misses any time. Burden has been productive when on the field this season. Entering Week 10, he had a 25% target per route run rate and 2.80 yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. I wouldn’t go overboard with bids for Burden, though. If Moore doesn’t miss any games, Burden is likely still stuck behind Olamide Zaccheaus for slot work for the remainder of the season.
Last week, Kyle Williams stepped into the starting lineup for the Patriots while Kayshon Boutte was out with a hamstring injury. Williams had a 55.7% snap rate and a 58.3% route share, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Williams had only two targets, but he took one of them to the house for 72 yards. Williams is worth a stash in deeper leagues. He has fringe Flex value while Boutte is out, and could see his role grow in the weeks to come.
Quarterbacks
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Jacoby Brissett (QB – ARI): 20% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, JAX, @TB
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $3
Analysis: The year is 2025, and Jacoby Brissett has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in four consecutive games. This is the world we live in. With Kyler Murray on injured reserve (IR) and the new Call of Duty being released on Friday, it’s all systems go for Brissett. Whether he has faced good defenses (like the Packers and Seahawks) or bad defenses (like the Cowboys), Brissett has thrown for more than 250 yards and two scores in each game. He also has 15 rushing attempts in his last three games, further boosting his fantasy floor. If you recently lost Jayden Daniels or have been piecing together the position, you may have found your quarterback to start down the stretch.
Marcus Mariota (QB – WSH): 14% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, BYE, DEN
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: It has been a lost season for the Commanders, but Marcus Mariota is doing his best to show that he still has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. Despite the Commanders getting boat-raced by the Lions in Week 10, Mariota completed 16-of-22 passes for 213 yards and two scores. He’s also had 20+ rushing yards in each of his four starts. In Week 11, the Commanders take on the Dolphins, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the quarterback position and have given up four touchdown runs to quarterbacks. If you need a big week from a waiver wire signal-caller, Mariota’s ability to run and command this offense makes him an intriguing start in a great matchup for Week 11.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL): 22% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @NO, @NYJ
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Falcons must be a frustrating team to root for this year. Despite having huge wins against the Bills and Commanders (before they fell off), the Falcons have lost two games on missed kicks at the buzzer, and now they’ve lost an overtime game to the Colts. Thankfully, their schedule has a few favorable matchups coming up. This week, the Falcons face the Panthers, who shocked the league by shutting out the Falcons in Week 3. To the surprise of most, the Panthers have had a decent defense this season, allowing the 12th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. That said, they just allowed Tyler Shough to throw for 282 yards, two scores and zero interceptions en route to his first career win. With the abundance of talent on this offense, Penix is one of the safest waiver quarterbacks, but he continues to have a limited ceiling due to his lack of rushing production.
Aaron Rodgers (QB – PIT): 37% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @CHI, BUF
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been a high-scoring fantasy quarterback this season, but he has consistently produced double-digit fantasy points. With four weeks between 10 and 12 fantasy points and only two weeks over 20 points, he is a high-floor, low-ceiling option this year. In Week 10, he ran into a great game plan by Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. However, over the next two weeks, he faces the Bengals and the Bears, who both rank in the top four in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position. The last time he faced the Bengals, he and Joe Flacco combined for 570 yards and seven passing touchdowns. If there was ever a game for Rodgers to crack 25 points for the second time this season, it may be this matchup. Rodgers is a safe fill-in quarterback each week and has serviceable upside in favorable matchups.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): 19% Rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, BYE, NOS
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Plug your nose, close your eyes, take some Pepto-Bismol, do whatever it takes to stomach the possibility of putting Tua Tagovailoa in your lineup this week. Let’s start with why you might want to play him in Week 11. The Dolphins face the Commanders, who are allowing an average of 8.8 yards per pass attempt (most in the league) and an average of 311.3 passing yards per game over their last three games (second-most in the league). End of list. The bad? Tagovailoa has only finished as a top-15 quarterback twice this season. In 40% of his games, he has finished outside of the top 24 at the position. That includes finishing as the QB34 in Week 7. There are 32 teams in the NFL, and two teams were on bye that week. The Dolphins are also averaging the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. With that all said, they are playing the Commanders. Tagovailoa could have a good week in a favorable matchup, but we have also seen the Dolphins bottom out.
Tight Ends
Written by Derek Brown
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE): 42% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, @LV, SF
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Entering Week 10, with Dillon Gabriel under center, Harold Fannin Jr. had been the TE11 in fantasy points per game with a 19.6% target share, 48 receiving yards per game, 1.86 yards per route run and a 20.5% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Against the Jets on Sunday, he had a 21.8% target share with four receptions and 44 scoreless receiving yards. Fannin will continue to flirt with TE1 production weekly just based upon volume alone. He’s a decent weekly streaming option at tight end.
Theo Johnson (TE – NYG): 42% Rostered
- Next Opponents: GB, @DET, @NE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: From Week 4 to Week 9, Theo Johnson was the TE13 in fantasy points per game with an 18.6% target share, 31.7 receiving yards per game, 1.17 yards per route run and a 21.2% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Touchdowns helped Johnson immensely in those games, as he had six red-zone targets and five touchdowns in those six games. Against the Bears on Sunday, Johnson had another strong game with a 22.2% target share, seven receptions and 75 receiving yards. He’ll continue to flirt with TE1 production weekly as a strong streamer. He’s a key cog in the Giants’ passing attack and red-zone offense.
Luke Musgrave (TE – GB): 13% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, MIN, @DET
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Luke Musgrave will assume the full-time tight end role for Green Bay with Tucker Kraft out for the rest of the season. This season, Musgrave has had only a 23% route share, a 16% target per route run rate and 1.40 yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. I don’t want to stream Musgrave this week, but in Week 12, he is definitely on the streamer radar. Over the last five weeks, Minnesota has allowed the seventh-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Cade Otton (TE – TB): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @BUF, @LAR, ARI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Entering Week 10, in his previous four games, Cade Otton had a 19.2% target share with 59.3 receiving yards per game, 2.14 yards per route run, and a 12.5% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. He had another strong outing against the Patriots in Week 10 with a 27.9% target share, nine receptions and 82 receiving yards. I don’t want to chase last week’s production in the next two weeks with tough tight end matchups. Otton will be a strong streamer in Week 13 against the Cardinals, though. Arizona has allowed the seventh-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU): 34% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, BUF, @IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Much like Cade Otton, Dalton Schultz had a strong Week 10, but I don’t want to chase it in Week 11. Entering Week 10, Schultz had a 17% target share with 48.1 receiving yards per game, 1.75 yards per route run and an 18.6% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. He took advantage of a wonderful matchup against the Jaguars on Sunday with a 24.4% target share, seven receptions, 53 receiving yards and a touchdown. Schultz’s next two matchups are horrible for a tight end. Week 13 should provide a return to the streaming good graces, though. Indianapolis has allowed the fourth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI): 46% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, PIT, @PHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Colston Loveland returned to a part-time role in Week 10 with Cole Kmet back. Loveland had a 61.7% snap rate, a 56% route share and an 11.4% target share, per PFF. Loveland turned the workload into four receptions and 55 scoreless receiving yards. Even in a part-time role, Loveland is a viable streaming option over the next two weeks. Minnesota and Pittsburgh have respectively allowed the seventh-most and fifth-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends over the last five weeks, per Fantasy Points Data.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Atlanta Falcons: 11% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @NO, @NYJ
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Get a load of those recommended bids. Normally, we wouldn’t advise such spendy bidding on a defense. But this is one of the toughest weeks for streaming defenses that we’ve had all season, and the Falcons have a great stretch of schedule coming up, with games against the offensively challenged Panthers, Saints and Jets. Atlanta is a middle-of-the-pack defense with a decent pass rush, but as you know by now, defensive fantasy scoring is often more about the opposing offense than about the defense itself. The Panthers, Saints and Jets ranked 26th, 28th and 27th, respectively, in offensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) entering Week 10. These are good offenses to target with a streaming defense. Spend a couple of extra bucks on the Falcons this week; you won’t have to worry about grabbing another defense until Week 14.
Chicago Bears: 28% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, PIT, @PHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: This is not an endorsement of the Chicago defense. The Bears’ pass defense has been playing without its two best cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who are both on IR. Chicago’s defense entered Week 10 ranked 25th in pressure rate and tied for 22nd in sacks. This is all about targeting Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. In four starts this season, McCarthy has thrown six interceptions, fumbled four times and taken 15 sacks.
Minnesota Vikings: 38% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @GB, SEA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Vikings entered Week 10 ranked ninth in defensive fantasy scoring. They were only able to sack Lamar Jackson once on Sunday and weren’t able to force a turnover, but the Ravens are typically a bad matchup for fantasy defenses. The Minnesota defense became more dangerous two weeks ago with the return of EDGE rusher Andrew Van Ginkel from a neck injury. Van Ginkel is the queen in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ chess set — a versatile piece who gives Flores tactical flexibility. The Vikings get a good but not great Week 11 matchup against Chicago. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie in 2024 but has been sacked only 14 times in nine starts this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: 44% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, IND, @DAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Chiefs’ defense is averaging only 6.7 fantasy points per game, but the last time Kansas City didn’t finish in the top half of the league in defensive fantasy scoring was 2014. This week, the Chiefs face a struggling Broncos offense that has produced 28 points in its last two games. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has thrown eight interceptions in 10 starts this year.
San Francisco 49ers: 28% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, CAR, @CLE
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: As noted above, it’s a tough week for defensive streaming. On the surface, the injury-riddled 49ers defense doesn’t have much appeal. But the Niners get a playable matchup this week against a Cardinals offense that gave up five sacks to the Seahawks on Sunday and let Seattle EDGE rusher DeMarcus Lawrence score not one but two defensive touchdowns on fumble recoveries. Then, the 49ers get favorable matchups against the Panthers and Browns in Weeks 12-13. The San Francisco defense has been bitten hard by injuries, so by no means is this defense a must-have. But if you squint hard enough, you can see a path to fantasy value for the San Francisco defense over the next three weeks.
Kickers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Harrison Butker (K – KC): 43% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, IND, @DAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: With the Chiefs on bye in Week 10, Harrison Butker‘s rostership in Yahoo leagues fell below 50% for the first time this season. Butker is averaging 8.1 fantasy points per game, ranking 19th in that category among kickers who have played at least three games. Although he hasn’t been a fantasy dynamo so far this season, Butker has a strong career track record and is tied to the prolific Kansas City offense.
Evan McPherson (K – CIN): 34% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, NE, @BAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Since the Bengals traded for Joe Flacco, they’ve averaged 32.8 points a game. Evan McPherson has averaged 10.3 fantasy points per game over that stretch. This week, he faces the Steelers, who entered Week 10 having allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to kickers.
Will Reichard (K – MIN): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @GB, SEA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Will Reichard is averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game. He’s 16-of-18 on field goals this season and 16-of-16 on extra points, and the only two kicks he’s missed were field-goal attempts from 51 and 53 yards. Kickers with indoor games become more attractive this time of year, as inclement weather becomes more of a factor. Reichard gets a dome game at the Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday against the Bears.
Cairo Santos (K – CHI): 29% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, PIT, @PHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Cairo Santos wasn’t asked to do much Sunday on a windy day in Chicago, but he made all three of his extra-point attempts and knocked home his only field goal try, a 22-yarder. Weather was a factor for Santos and the Bears in Week 10, but it won’t be this week, when the Bears visit the Vikings in their domed stadium. Santos is averaging a solid 9.1 fantasy points per game this season.
Andy Borregales (K – NE): 6% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @CIN, NYG
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Andy Borregales hasn’t been a top-scoring kicker this season, averaging 7.3 fantasy points per game, but he gets an appealing home matchup against the Jets this week. The Jets are giving up a league-high 11.9 fantasy points per game to kickers.
Fool’s Gold
Jalen Nailor outperformed Vikings teammates Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on Sunday, catching five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. That isn’t going to happen very often. Nailor is a quality No. 3 receiver for Minnesota, but it’s not a valuable role for fantasy, considering that Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has averaged 173 passing yards in his four starts.
God bless Mack Hollins, who celebrates nearly every reception as if he’s just split the atom. Hollins did a lot of atom-splitting in Week 10, catching six passes for 106 yards. However, there has been only one other game this season in which Hollins has topped 47 receiving yards, and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is an egalitarian quarterback, spreading the ball around to all of his pass-catchers. Don’t chase Hollins’ Week 10 numbers.
Drop Recommendations
Droppable
Panthers head coach Dave Canales is trying to hide quarterback Bryce Young with his game-planning and play-calling. It’s probably not a bad idea. Young has averaged just 25 pass attempts over his last five starts — and the Panthers have gone 4-1 in those games. Young is averaging a paltry 5.6 yards per pass attempt. Young is still rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues. If you’re rostering Young in a 1-QB league, find something better to do with that roster spot.
Darnell Mooney has produced 17 or fewer receiving yards in four of his last five games. On Sunday, Mooney was targeted eight times, had one catch for 17 yards and was guilty of an egregious drop in the final minute of regulation, when the Falcons were trying to move into position for a game-winning field-goal attempt. Mooney’s season has been a disaster. He’s droppable.
Rookie tight end Mason Taylor has shown promise, but the Jets’ passing game is a barren wasteland. There are better streaming options at tight end. Circle back around to Taylor next year, when the Jets will presumably have a different quarterback situation.
Never mind that Cooper Kupp had a 67-yard reception on Sunday. The Seahawks’ addition of Rashid Shaheed at last week’s NFL trade deadline diminishes Kupp’s target outlook to the point where he’s no longer worth rostering. (Kupp had just two targets on Sunday.)
Droppable With a Chance of Regret
The Jets managed to defeat the Browns 27-20 on Sunday, even though Justin Fields completed 6-of-11 passes for 54 yards. Fields is a dangerous runner, but he simply isn’t an NFL-caliber passer. The Jets were seemingly on the verge of benching Fields in Week 8, but when Tyrod Taylor wasn’t healthy enough to play, the Jets had to stick with Fields, and he actually played well in a 39-38 win over the Bengals. Coming out of a Week 9 bye, the Jets stuck with Fields. They might stick with him in Week 11 since the Jets are on a two-game winning streak, but Fields is in danger of getting a quick hook in any game in which he struggles early. He’s no longer worth rostering.
With Kyler Murray on IR and destined to miss at least the next three games, it’s probably not worth holding him in most leagues. It’s possible Murray won’t have a starting job when he eventually comes back.
Chuba Hubbard is just a handcuff to Rico Dowdle at this point. Hubbard played 20.7% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps on Sunday, according to PFF. Hubbard now has to be considered one of the better backups in the league, and he’s a valuable handcuff in light of how run-heavy the Panthers have become. But if you play in a league with short benches, you might not have the luxury of being able to keep a running back who is no longer making a significant contribution.
The Minnesota backfield has shifted toward Aaron Jones. Against the Lions in Week 9, Jordan Mason out-snapped Jones 37-26 and out-carried him 10-9. But in the Vikings’ 27-19 loss to the Ravens on Sunday, Jones played 46 snaps and Mason only played 16, according to PFF. Mason hasn’t been especially effective as a runner of late, and he offers little, if any, value as a pass-catcher.
Don’t Drop Yet
We suggested last week that Alvin Kamara was droppable. I guess we have to renege on that. Kamara had one of his most productive games of the season in Week 10, collecting 115 yards from scrimmage. It was just the second time this season that Kamara has topped 100 scrimmage yards and the first time since Week 3 that he’s had more than 76 scrimmage yards. Kamara still hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1, but the nice performance on Sunday suggests that Kamara is worth holding. Just realize there are still issues here. The Saints’ quarterback situation isn’t great, and the offensive line is a mess. But it was great to see Kamara catch three passes for 32 yards in Week 10. It was just the second time he’s eclipsed 30 receiving yards this season. Perhaps rookie Tyler Shough realizes that throwing to Kamara often yields positive results.
Hunter Henry has averaged 25.4 receiving yards over his last five games and has scored only one touchdown over that span. But don’t drop Henry before a juicy two-game stretch of schedule that begins in Week 11. Henry’s next two games are against the Jets and Bengals. Entering Week 10, the Jets had given up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, and the Bengals had given up the most fantasy points per game to tight ends by far.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has provided disappointing results in recent weeks. Give him one last chance this week against a Miami run defense that was awful earlier this season (but has been showing signs of improvement).
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