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John Johnson looks at fantasy football landmines, busts, and avoids for Week 11 of 2025. Given these fantasy situations, consider benching these players.
It can be hard to bench starting players in NFL offenses in your fantasy football leagues, especially if you're in deeper leagues and need to start less commonly started players. For example, in 2QB leagues, you might be forced to start a quarterback that you don't like much.
Such is the nature of fantasy football. The problems come when players that might or might not already be risky fantasy options face tough matchups, or have to fight through more adversity in their games due to situations out of their control.
Injuries, players returning on the opposing team from injuries, teammates getting injured, bad schematic matchups, potential bad game scripts, bad play by players on the same offense, and more can cause players to start having dud games. With that in mind, let's break down four landmines you should avoid for Week 11!
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Trevor Lawrence, QB, vs. Chargers
While Lawrence has had to deal with injuries to his wide receivers, it's important to note first his career trajectory. He was once considered a generational prospect, was the sure-fire No. 1 overall pick in his draft class, and was basically anointed as the next John Elway.
That obviously hasn't happened. In fact, he's most notable for his seemingly complete lack of development as a signal-caller since he entered the league. He is, by all accounts, the same player as he was when he came into the league, which is baffling.
'SPEODHJFB[GNSTPMSE[N YOOO!!!!!
📺: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/wk5SoL3Q3T
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 9, 2025
Lawrence's favorite thing to do, and basically the only thing he does, is lock on to his first read. If his first read isn't open, he'll often throw the ball anyway, which leads to turnovers and incomplete passes. Often, he lingers in the pocket for too long and gets sacked as a result, or takes off, to mixed results.
It just doesn't make a lot of sense, but the writing is on the wall at this point. He's still playing on a massive contract because he's a serviceable starting QB with a lot of arm talent, but that doesn't cut it for fantasy football.
He's the QB15 on the year, but you're probably not happy about starting him even in 2QB leagues. The upside isn't there except in the occasional game he gets a rush TD. And he'll have to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11, who just absolutely shut down QB Aaron Rodgers in Week 10.
T-Law has only exceeded 20 fantasy points in three of his games this year. There are simply better options out there, often available in free agency, like Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, vs. Ravens
I know the hype train for Judkins is churning along despite him scoring under 5.0 PPR fantasy points in two of his last four games. I'm aware that he's one of the more hyped rookies from the 2025 NFL Draft, and I know this won't be a popular take, though it's certainly less unpopular given how he's played in the past few weeks.
I'd be very afraid if I were in a position where I had to start Judkins in Week 11. There are a lot of problems with Judkins this week. The first is the supposedly easy matchup he's facing that's not easy. Baltimore has been one of the better run defenses in the league in recent weeks.
Look at the pre-snap communication by Roquan Smith. Seems to know where the play is going. Sees the C/G pull and fits the gap with no wasted movement. pic.twitter.com/UYaMjfa0th
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) September 15, 2025
This was catalyzed by the return of linebacker Roquan Smith from injury. He's one of the best run-defending linebackers in the NFL, and he single-handedly turns Baltimore from one of the worst run defenses in the NFL to arguably the top-10. It's incredible.
Another huge issue is that the Browns have a horrendous offense. They don't challenge defenses down the field, they don't create explosive plays, and they don't force defenders to back off and play the deep passing game, which opens up space for running backs to thrive.
There is no NFL offense easier to defend than this one. pic.twitter.com/crYJDQc2zX
— Browns Film Breakdown (@BrownsFilmBDN) October 27, 2025
Judkins is really the only major threat the Browns have on offense because rookie third-round pick quarterback Dillon Gabriel makes sure the pass-catchers don't scare the defense. Not that they have a great pass-catching corps to begin with.
The Ravens have an excellent offense when their starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is healthy. He practiced in full on Friday and intends to play in Week 11. To make matters worse, Judkins is simply not a pass-catching back -- he handles almost exclusively rushing plays.
Judkins will be started in a lot of leagues for his upside, and he could punch in a touchdown if Cleveland gets close to the goal line, but I'm taking the under on his rushing yard props.
Jordan Addison, WR, vs. Chicago
Addison seemed to be challenging for the WR1 job in Minnesota for a time. That was before quarterback Carson Wentz (shoulder) got injured and was ruled out for the rest of the season. First-year starter J.J. McCarthy returned to play under center.
Things quickly got ugly not only for Addison but for WR1 Justin Jefferson. Addison was targeted 11 times in Week 10, but was only able to haul in three passes for 35 yards. In two games with his new starting QB, he's caught just five of his 15 targets for 83 yards.
JORDAN ADDISON ONE-HANDED DIVING TOUCHDOWN CATCH pic.twitter.com/k5tFvYQFmG
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) November 4, 2024
It's not that he's not talented, but the QB situation really needs time to work out. It might not be until next season that we see McCarthy take significant strides as a passer. It might happen this year, but until then, Addison should probably be avoided in fantasy leagues.
Deebo Samuel Sr., FLEX, vs. Miami
Samuel has been atrocious as a fantasy asset for quite some time now. He started off the season hot as one of the top targets for quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow). But now Daniels is hurt, as is Commanders WR1 Terry McLaurin (quad). Samuel seemed to do better with his starting QB and the team's WR1 taking the heat off him.
Since Week 6, Samuel has had just one game with double-digit PPR fantasy points. It's also possible that the heel injury he popped up with on the team's injury report ahead of Week 6 is still limiting him. He played that game and looked clearly hobbled, missed another contest, and hasn't looked very explosive since.
PICKED! The ball popped in the air and Mike Danna was there for the @Chiefs defense.
WASvsKC on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/yu4Sh4YvuW— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2025
Samuel's share of gaffes also doesn't give me a lot of confidence in his play. He's been the clear WR1 for the team for a few weeks of this season, and hasn't had much to show for it, though I still believe the injury plays the biggest part in his overall sluggishness.
He's dealt with a ton of injuries throughout his career, and some players tend to slow down as they pile up. In the leagues I have him in, he's parked on the bench.
Final Thoughts
It might be true that some of these players have good games. But it would be easy to just highlight four players that most fantasy managers already have on the bench. It's more helpful to try to identify players who have shown upside in the past, but are likely to have one of their down games.
We've seen all these players have big games this season. Lawrence scored over 25 fantasy points, Addison had a game with 21.8, Samuel averaged over 17.7 PPR points per game in the first five games he played, and Judkins scored three touchdowns in Week 7.
Even the best of fantasy players can have down games if they're unlucky enough, and all these players are dealing with situations out of their control that are hurting their ability to score fantasy points. You should strongly consider keeping them out of your starting lineups this week if you have other options.
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