Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

It was another one of those weeks where third-string tight ends were scoring touchdowns and All-Pro players were completely shut down. Just remember process > results when making your add/drop decisions.

The waiver wire is more important in 2020 than ever. The players suggested here should be top priorities for early-week waiver claims; keep the others in mind for later in the week if necessary and check our NFL news feed for the latest injury updates.

As always, the options listed at each position below are listed in order of priority to help you plan your claims accordingly. Players listed include only those rostered in approximately 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues. For a deeper look at each position, check out our separate weekly waiver wire columns at QB, RB, WR, and TE.

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Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options

Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers - 19% rostered

With Justin Jackson placed on IR, Ballage got the chance to reprise his role as the lead back for the Bolts. He mostly delivered, totaling 102 scrimmage yards. Most importantly, he dominated touches and has made it even more obvious that Joshua Kelley has no more fantasy relevance.

#Chargers Week 10 RB opportunities:

Kalen Ballage - 18 carries, 6 targets
Joshua Kelley - 7 carries, 0 targets
Troymaine Pope - 0 carries, 0 targets

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) November 16, 2020

Ballage is definitely worth adding in all formats, as he can be officially declared the RB1 for L.A. He caught five passes as well, so there should be no fear of a low floor in PPR leagues.

Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins - 5% rostered

With Matt Breida possibly returning in Week 10, it was tough to recommend the UDFA as anything more than a desperation pickup in deep leagues. Breida remains out and Ahmed may have taken the starting job while Myles Gaskin is on IR. Ahmed carried 21 times for 85 yards and a touchdown, logging all but five of the backfield carries for Miami, not counting QB scrambles. In this disastrous landscape for running backs, that made him a top-10 fantasy performer and one of the busiest backs.

Week 10 RBs with over a 70% Opportunity Share:

Duke Johnson- 93.8%
James Robinson- 93.3%
Jerick McKinnon- 91.3%
Miles Sanders- 80.0%
D'Andre Swift- 77.8%
Salvon Ahmed- 75.9%
Kalen Ballage- 75.0%
James Conner- 71.4%

Just like we projected at the beginning of the season.

— Dave Wright (@ff_spaceman) November 16, 2020

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 40% rostered

Is it safe to say Hines is the Colts' best running back? He looked so on Thursday night, rolling up 70 yards on 12 carries. Rookie Jonathan Taylor keeps looking worse, this time only managing 12 yards on seven carries. Jordan Wilkins only put up 28 yards on his eight carries. Add in the fact Hines, as the team's primary pass-catching back, produced five receptions for 45 yards and scored twice in Week 10 and it's easy to proclaim him the most valuable fantasy asset in that backfield. The truth is that it's still an unappealing three-man committee where no player is guaranteed to be fantasy-relevant in a given week. Hines is a great plug-and-play for byes, which continue for two more weeks, or injury replacements, which happen pretty much every week.

Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders - 3% rostered

This is the revenge game narrative we should have paid attention to. Booker gashed his former team for 81 yards and two touchdowns in a laugher. It didn't come at the expense of starter Josh Jacobs, who ran for 112 yards and two TD of his own. The final score and the fact he scored both times in the fourth quarter might reek of garbage-time stats for Booker but he's been productive prior to this game. He ran for 62 yards back in Week 5 and went for 68 yards and a TD just last week. Booker won't cut into Jacobs' workload but he's serving a valuable role as the change-of-pace back and plays on passing downs as well. It goes without saying he's also a high-end insurance policy should Jacobs get injured.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams - 26% rostered

It was refreshing to see Akers get 10 carries in the win over Seattle, unless you have Darrell Henderson that is. Akers finally led the Rams in carries and rushing yardage for a game but it was Henderson getting the first goal-line score and then Malcolm Brown getting two short scores later. Seeing as how absolutely nobody started Brown this week, it is as frustrating a situation as exists in the fantasy world. It may take an injury to another back for Akers to become startable but his potential remains sky-high, making him a stash possibility.

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks - 0% rostered

The former Raven has resurfaced with his original team and became more involved than expected in Week 10. Rather than DeeJay Dallas carrying the load as he has been with Chris Carson out, it was Collins leading the team in rush attempts (11) and yards (43). If Carson finally returns in Week 11, this becomes nothing more than an insurance policy. With the amount of time Carson has missed and his physical running style, it's not a bad one to have if you can afford the space on your bench.

Others to consider: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (36% rostered); Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (34% rostered); Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (30% rostered); La'Mical Perine, New York Jets (24% rostered); D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans (0% rostered)

 

Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots - 48% rostered

If your league mates haven't caught on to the fact that Meyers is the top target in New England and now a viable WR3 in PPR leagues, take advantage while you can. The gaudy numbers he put up against the Jets last week could be dismissed but even in a tough matchup with the Ravens Defense, he was productive. Meyers caught five balls for 59 yards but he also threw a touchdown pass, helping his fantasy managers out. His seven targets continue the trend of being the lead receiver for Cam Newton. With the Texans Defense up next, Meyers is a must-add if he's still out there.

Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles - 26% rostered

Travis who? Reagor the rookie was the leading target in Week 10 with seven looks from Carson Wentz while Travis Fulgham caught one of five targets for eight yards. It only translated into four receptions for 47 yards for Reagor but it's a step in the right direction. With Cleveland up next and then a must-start matchup with Seattle the following two weeks, it's a good time to grab Reagor now.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers - 42% rostered

It seemed as if Lazard might be activated for Week 10 but he was scratched on the weekend. Barring a setback, he is almost assured of returning in Week 11. It's a far less favorable matchup on the road in Indianapolis but he's tied to Aaron Rodgers at QB on a passing offense that has been sizzling all season.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts - 19% rostered

It was Pittman's coming-out party in Week 10 as he posted his first 100-yard game on Thursday night. This offense will continue to spread the ball around, which naturally limits his ceiling on a weekly basis. It should still be noted that he has seen 15 targets over the last two weeks, leading all Colts wide receivers; the next closest is Zach Pascal with 11. Pittman has yet to reach the end zone but one would think they will find a way to utilize his 6'4" frame eventually. After a tilt with Green Bay this coming week, he gets a rematch with the Titans he just torched and two matchups with Houston's bottom-five pass defense over the next few weeks.

Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams - 5% rostered

Reynolds was a smart streamer in Week 10 against a historically bad Seattle defense, against the pass at least. His numbers over the past month make him look like a solid WR3 but the schedule is about to take a turn for the worse. Over the next three weeks, the Rams face Tampa Bay, San Francisco, and Arizona. All three of those teams are in the top-12 at limiting yards per target to wide receivers. The only reason to keep Reynolds around is the schedule during fantasy playoffs. In Week 14 the Rams face New England, which somehow is dead last at 9.97 yards per target. Week 15 brings the Jets Defense and Week 16 is the Seahawks Defense again. While Reynolds is an obvious sit with a letdown game likely this coming week, he could be a sneaky stash for frontrunners.

Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys - 47% rostered

It's not surprising that many GMs have rage-dropped Gallup We honestly don't know who will be the starting QB for Dallas in Week 11, as Andy Dalton may regain his job if healthy or Garrett Gilbert could get another shot. Either way, it's not super encouraging. Then again, Gallup has been targeted 19 times the last two games and had a decent output in Week 8. The ceiling isn't nearly as high without Dak Prescott at QB but Gallup is still a big-play threat and consequently a boom-bust Flex consideration.

Breshad Perriman, New York Jets - 8% rostered

It only took half a season but Perriman is finally living up to that preseason sleeper hype! He missed three weeks in the concussion protocol but has come back strong, including a 101-yard, two-touchdown effort before the team's bye. The team itself is forgettable but Perriman has flashed enough fantasy upside that he can be added in 12-team leagues.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers - 17% rostered

Oh MVS, why do you tease us so? After a promising season opener, he logged six games doing practically nothing for fantasy teams. Then came two touchdowns in Week 9 and his latest 149-yard outburst (with a touchdown) in Week 10. Not to be the skeptic in the room but it's hard to imagine he does much against the top-rated Colts Defense next week, especially if Lazard comes back. The Bears follow with another tough matchup. He's best used as an emergency flex, so keep expectations low.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants - 50% rostered

Don't look now, but the Giants offense is starting to develop some consistency. Since returning in Week 7, Shepard has been the team's leading receiver with 26 catches over the last four games. The Giants have their bye in Week 11, so Shepard may be dropped in shallower leagues. He makes for a smart post-waiver pickup for teams that have the bench space.

Demarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs - 2% rostered

With Mecole Hardman on the COVID list and Sammy Watkins still and forever battling a hamstring injury, Robinson enters the fray as a streaming option for deeper leagues. He's only two targets behind Hardman in terms of season totals and has the same number of touchdowns. The Vegas secondary has been vulnerable this year despite making Drew Lock look like, well, Drew Lock.

Jakeem Grant, Miami Dolphins - 5% rostered

Despite all the injuries and opt-outs at wide receiver this year, the Fins didn't make a move to acquire one before the trade deadline. Newly-added practice squad members Mack Hollins and Antonio Callaway haven't been factors either. Instead, the team has made kick returner Jakeem Grant its No. 2 target in the passing game. Grant came away with four receptions, 43 yards, and a touchdown in Week 10, finishing as the leading receiver. The upside is limited but his blazing speed and newly-expanded role in the offense give him flex appeal.

Cam Sims, Washington Football Team - 0% rostered

If Washington is going to be forced to pass that often, there can be value at the WR position. This squad doesn't have a legit WR2 but Sims has been the most productive since Alex Smith took over, which should be the determining factor. Sims is a sleek 6'5" and has shown some run-after-catch ability so far, resulting in an eye-popping 20.5 yards per reception. He's best left for leagues of 14 or more teams, however, as the floor is minimal.

Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers - 2% rostered

His latest output of four receptions for 24 yards isn't exciting but a matchup with the Jets is interesting. We've seen big plays from receivers like Jakobi Meyers and Mecole Hardman go against this defense in recent weeks, so consider Guyton if you need a desperation WR4 or flex.

Others to consider: Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills (50% rostered); Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (24% rostered); Randall Cobb, Houston Texans (21% rostered); Denzel Mims, New York Jets (5% rostered); K.J. Hamler, Denver Broncos (4% rostered); Willie Snead, Baltimore Ravens (1% rostered)

 

Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team - 33% rostered

In a game where Alex Smith threw the ball 55 times and racked up 390 yards, Thomas came in second in targets and yardage at six and 66 respectively. This could be a trend going forward as Smith has shown the proclivity to check down to running backs and throw shorter passes in lieu of stretching the field. There are obvious reasons for that. Thomas has seen six targets in each game Smith has played and both came in tough matchups for tight ends on paper. He is streamer material in Week 11 when they face Cincinnati.

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams - 53% rostered

Higbee was widely dropped in fantasy leagues after a slow start to the season where he has been the TE18 in PPR leagues. All three of his touchdowns came in one game, back in Week 2. Whether by design or simply a result of Seattle's generous defense, he posted a season-high six targets in the first game post-bye, resulting in three receptions for 60 yards. Not gaudy numbers but in a week where no tight ends did anything of consequence, it made him the TE10 behind guys nobody started such as Pharaoh Brown and Richard Rodgers. I wouldn't go so far as to start Higbee in Week 11 but there just aren't many options with his upside at this point.

Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers - 19% rostered

So far so good on the Reed comeback tour (2020 edition). He caught five balls for 62 yards and outproduced every receiver other than Brandon Aiyuk. Ross Dwelley saw just two targets. The Niners have a bye in Week 11 so Reed is simply someone to monitor or stash in very deep leagues.

Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints - 0% rostered

He may have gotten shutout by the 49ers but there's one reason to keep him on the streaming radar if you're desperate: a matchup with Atlanta in Week 11. They still allow the most fantasy points per game to the position, as they have all year long. Trautman had his first NFL touchdown in Week 9, so it's possible he repeats the feat.

Others to consider: Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (23% rostered); Jordan Akins, Houston Texans (5% rostered)

 

Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints - 0% rostered

Drew Brees had played at least 15 games in a season every year 2019. Now, he could be at risk of missing time again. Brees sat out the second half against San Francisco with an injury to his ribs suffered on a sack where he was driven to the ground. Enter backup Jameis Winston. A week after completing his first pass as a Saint and eating a W over his former team in Tampa last week, Winston saw his first real action in Week 11 and completed six of 10 passes for 63 yards. In typical Winston fashion, he also took a couple of sacks. If Brees is ruled out, there might be a brief debate about whether it's Winston or Taysom Hill who will start but the smart money goes on the actual full-time QB with a track record of NFL success (sort of). A matchup with Atlanta thrusts Winston, assuming he is the starter in Week 11, into the top-15 conversation.

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders - 37% rostered

Carr's solid fantasy season has hit a brick wall the last three weeks. He has failed to even reach 170 passing yards since Week 7 with a total of three TD in the last three games. The worst part about it - the Raiders have won all those games. With the running game suddenly looking dominant, Carr just hasn't needed to pass much. That's partly due to the schedule but that changes in Week 11 when the Chiefs come to town. In the first meeting between these teams, Carr threw for a season-high 347 yards and three TD. It's unlikely he repeats that statline but he should at least re-enter the streaming discussion.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins - 45% rostered

In his third career start, Tagovailoa was again efficient in leading his team to victory for a third straight week over a western division opponent. While 169 yards and two TD won't quite cut it for fantasy purposes, he has yet to throw an interception and has shown command of the game. If Miami's defense wasn't dominating the way they have been, maybe he'd be forced to do more one of these days. That's unlikely to happen in Week 11 as they face Denver, which has made a habit of falling behind early every time Drew Lock is behind center. Tagovailoa is best used as a high-end backup for now.

Alex Smith, Washington Football Team - 5% rostered

The Week 10 leader in passing yardage? Of course, that was the third-string QB for a 2-7 team, Alex Smith. He was forced to sling the ball 55 times, resulting in the high yardage total. He didn't reach the end zone, so don't be too sad you didn't play him in any GPP. Smith could find success again with Cincinnati on deck, making him rosterable in two-QB and Superflex leagues.

P.J. Walker, Carolina Panthers - 0% rostered

The other NFC South quarterback who left early with an injury was Teddy Bridgewater. While we await confirmation on the severity of his knee injury, the potential for any missed time makes Phillip Walker the starter. While his value would be limited to Superflex leagues, it wouldn't be a bad spot at home versus the Lions.

Others to consider: Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (22% rostered); Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (1% rostered)

 

Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options

Los Angeles Rams Defense - 43% rostered

The only explanation for seeing the Rams' vaunted defense so lowly-rostered is the fact many teams dropped them during the bye and too scared by the matchup with Seattle to add them again. They smothered Russell Wilson, sacking him six times and picking him off twice. While a road trip to Tampa Bay doesn't look good on paper, just remember how Tom Brady looked in his last home game versus New Orleans. He is still prone to sacks and turnovers at times and this Rams defense can be a set-it-and-forget-it DST the rest of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense - 41% rostered

This unit is definitely trending downward having allowed at least 29 points in six straight contests. They've collected a total of three sacks in the last three games, failing to register even one against a rookie QB in Miami last week. That doesn't matter because they play the Jets in Week 11, so stream away.

Cleveland Browns Defense - 18% rostered

The Browns have gone from an exciting young team to an old school throwback. They've wisely taken the ball out of Baker Mayfield's hands as much as possible, preferring to pound the ball on the ground and rely on their defense ever since Odell Beckham was ruled out for the season. It's working, as they've allowed 16 and seven points in the last two games. They aren't forcing many turnovers but Carson Wentz may help them out this coming week. Prefer Cleveland in leagues where points against are more important than turnovers, assuming the L.A. teams aren't available first.

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