👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

NFL Rookies To Watch In Week 11

Each week, we will look at rookies who have either performed well the previous few weeks or who have a favorable matchup in the upcoming week. These may be high-profile names or under-the-radar depth players; the only thing that matters is that they are first-year pros ready to make a name for themselves.

Hopefully, by the time the season ends, many of them will be household fantasy names and be remembered for their performances in the 2017 season.

Without further ado, here are some NFL rookies to watch in Week 11 of the 2017 season.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Rookies Worth Your Attention

The Stud Youngster

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

Despite only mustering 50 yards from scrimmage in last week's game, Christian McCaffrey was able to score twice for the first time all season. Already an outstanding option in PPR leagues, McCaffrey's new touchdown upside gives him more value in standard leagues and potentially elevates him to stud status if he is able to continue to get work in both the running and receiving games. Although McCaffrey has not been a very dynamic runner this year and he shares a backfield with Jonathan Stewart, he should still be considered a trustworthy weekly option with the upside to be a game winner at a position filled with scarcity. Fire up Christian McCaffrey for the rest of the season; with a favorable slate of matchups coming up, he should be able to continue to produce for fantasy owners in all formats.

 

The One-Week Wonder

Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Two receiving touchdowns in his last game has made Austin Ekeler, the undrafted free agent from Western Colorado State a popular waiver wire add before Week 11. However, the addition of Ekeler to rosters must be taken with a word of warning. It is clear that Melvin Gordon is the lead back for the team despite his extremely poor game in Week 10. Just because of one game, fantasy owners will be nervous about Gordon in the coming weeks due to his less-than-stellar production, but he is clearly a fantasy stud and should be treated as such. Therefore, outside of deeper PPR leagues, Ekeler should be considered nothing more than a high-end handcuff with lottery ticket upside should Gordon's poor performances continue.

 

The Locked-In Starter

Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Although his yardage total the past few weeks have been less than ideal, Bengals running back Joe Mixon has found pay dirt in each game and has been given consistently the most touches out of anyone in the Bengals backfield. Although it is hard to trust the Bengals offensive line this season, Mixon has still been able to create some room for himself and has made some big plays throughout the season. Given the drought at skill positions for consistent weekly performers, Mixon has elevated himself to consistent starter status in an offense searching for an identity. Although he may not always have the highest yardage totals, he is worth the start due to his ability to produce regardless of the situation and in negative game scripts.

 

The Under-The-Radar Sleeper

Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers

Given the uncertainty of the Packers running back situation following injuries to Ty Montgomery and Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams once again has surfaced in a lottery ticket role after producing over 70 yards from scrimmage in last weeks game. Although the extent of the injuries to the Packers running backs is unknown, it is safe to say that Williams will figure into the rotation for the foreseeable future as both Montgomery and Jones try to get healthy again. Therefore, Williams may be able to carve himself a more sizable role and potentially take over the backfield if he is able to become an outlet for a team struggling following the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Keep Williams on your radar; he's a must add from waivers this week.

 

The One To Stash

Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers

I know. We've talked enough about Matt Breida. The rollercoaster ride of watching the 49ers backfield has truly been exhausting this season. Just as it looked like Carlos Hyde was going to run away with the job, Breida has to score a 33 yard touchdown. Breida has continued to make a case for more work out of the backfield at the expense of Hyde, much to the frustration of fantasy owners. However, Hyde's presence and lead back role limits the value of Breida to nothing more than a high-upside handcuff. At this point in the season, however, that makes him an excellent stash candidate. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been known to ride the hot hand, making Breida a small injury or breakout performance away from potentially receiving the majority of the workload in the 49ers offense. Keep an eye on Breida and make sure he isn't on your waiver wire - if he is, snap him up immediately.

 

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Merrill Kelly

to Start on Opening Day for Arizona
Jac Caglianone

to Have "Plenty of Opportunities to Play" in 2026
Jordan Lawlar

Could Earn Everyday Playing Time Early in 2026
Maikel Garcia

Poised to Build on 2025 Breakout?
Nick Pivetta

a Regression Candidate Following Career-Year in 2025?
Brusdar Graterol

Opening Day Availability in Question
Spencer Jones

"Currently Blocked" from Playing Time with the Yankees
Jace Jung

Taking Reps at First Base
Jasson Domínguez

Yankees Want Everyday Reps for Jasson Dominguez
Shota Imanaga

Adjusting his Pitch Repertoire
Andrew Chafin

Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins
Griffin Canning

Padres Agree to a Deal
Nick Castellanos

Heading to the Padres
Joey Gallo

Throwing for Interested Teams
Jason Adam

Thinks he Could be Ready for Opening Day
Zac Gallen

Diamondbacks Re-Sign Zac Gallen
Zac Veen

Overcomes Substance Abuse, Adds Muscle
Yohel Pozo

Drops Significant Weight Heading into 2026 Season
Sandy Alcantara

Adding a Sweeper
Riley Minix

Signs Two-Way Deal With Cavaliers
Nate Pearson

Coming Off Offseason Elbow Surgery
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Available for All-Star Game
Clarke Schmidt

Seen Throwing on Friday
Toronto Raptors

Chris Paul Retires From Basketball
Zach LaVine

to Undergo Season-Ending Hand Surgery
David Pastrnak

Gets Off the Mark at Olympics
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Another Goal Friday
Kevin Fiala

Stretchered Off Against Canada
Aaron Rodgers

Likely to Return to Steelers?
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
Deandre Ayton

Remains Day-to-Day for Lakers
LeBron James

Posts Historic Triple-Double in Win
Ja Morant

Still Without Clear Return Date
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Expected Back After All-Star Break
Oscar Tshiebwe

Enters Concussion Protocol Thursday
Naji Marshall

Exits Early with Foot Strain
Daniel Gafford

Leaves Game with Ankle Issue
Jordan Binnington

Records 26-Save Shutout Against Czechia
Connor McDavid

Ties Canadian Record With Three Assists in Olympic Debut
Josh Morrissey

Hurt in Olympic Opener
Robert Williams III

Will Not Play Against Utah
Deni Avdija

Sidelined vs. Jazz
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Multiple Weeks
Naji Marshall

Gets Upgraded to Probable
Myles Turner

Will Not Play Thursday
Caleb Martin

is Downgraded to Doubtful
Jeremy Sochan

Heading to New York
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Eligible for 2026 Season
Kyle Kuzma

Cleared to Play Against Thunder
Ryan Rollins

Remains Sidelined Against Thunder
Shaedon Sharpe

Sidelined Against Utah
CFB

BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
Cameron Young

Looking for Pebble Beach Success
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Turn Things Around at Pebble Beach
Collin Morikawa

Eyes Turnaround at Pebble Beach
Jake Knapp

Brings Hot Form to Pebble Beach
Nick Taylor

in Good Form Going into Pebble Beach Event
Viktor Hovland

Carrying Momentum Into Pebble Beach
Tommy Fleetwood

Set for 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Harris English

Looks to Build on Steady Form at Pebble Beach
Justin Rose

Tuned in for AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Keegan Bradley

a Boom-or-Bust Play at Pebble Beach
Maverick McNealy

Playing Well with Pebble Beach Looming
Russell Henley

Carries Momentum to Pebble Beach
Shane Lowry

Makes 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Michael Kim

Putting Well with Pebble Beach on the Horizon
Billy Horschel

a Little Rattled After Consecutive Missed Cuts
Ben Griffin

Solid But Not Spectacular Early in 2026
Wyndham Clark

Has Question Marks Heading to Pebble Beach
Daniel Berger

Heating Up at the Right Time for Pebble Beach
Jordan Spieth

Looking For a Return to Form at Pebble Beach
Juuse Saros

Starting Wednesday
William Nylander

Iffy for Olympic Opener
Martin Necas

Ready for Thursday
Drake Maye

Says his Shoulder Injury was Significant
Xander Schauffele

Trying to Get the Motor Going at Pebble Beach
Hideki Matsuyama

Trying to Overcome Sunday Collapse
Kenneth Walker III

Runs Away With Super Bowl MVP Honors
Vinicius Oliveira

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Mario Bautista

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyoji Horiguchi

Dominates At UFC Vegas 113
Amir Albazi

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 113
Rizvan Kuniev

Earns His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 113
Marc-Andre Barriault

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Gets His Third Win In A Row
Las Vegas Raiders

Klint Kubiak Confirms he Will be Next Raiders Head Coach
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return