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The waiver wire players available in your fantasy football leagues by the end of Week 11 are not going to win you a championship singlehandedly, but they could help you win this week and propel your squad into the playoffs.
Fantasy football managers must deal with another four teams being on bye, although three of the teams are not exactly loaded with fantasy studs this season (Chicago Bears, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers). As per usual, there are also many big-time players whose status for this week’s games are up in the air. So if you did not pick up an insurance policy during the first round of waiver picks in your league, you better have a backup plan for the second round.
Without further ado, here are my pivot plays and post-waiver pickups for Week 11 --- and the questionable superstars who you might need to replace:
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Potential Pivot Plays for Fantasy Lineups
If Seattle’s Chris Carson (foot) cannot be cleared in time for Thursday night, you could go with…
Carlos Hyde (SEA, RB) vs. ARI
Seattle’s running back corps has been ravaged by injuries over the past several weeks, highlighted by Hyde and top tailback Chris Carson both missing several games due to lower-limb issues. While Carson’s status is up in the air for the Seahawks’ Thursday night battle for first place, Hyde looks like he is ready to give it a go.
The last time Hyde got a fair share of carries it came against the same Arizona team he is playing this Thursday. In that Week 7 divisional tilt, Hyde ran 15 times for 68 yards and a touchdown while also adding three receptions. One-week wonder Alex Collins and pseudo-starter DeeJay Dallas might factor in the running back rotation slightly, but Hyde will be the main man, especially down by the goal line. Look for Hyde on your waiver wire if you do not already have him stashed on your roster as an insurance policy for Carson.
If Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley (foot) cannot gut it out on Sunday afternoon, you could go with…
Jalen Reagor (PHI, WR) at CLE
Philly’s first-round pick from this year’s draft has not made any Eagles fans or fantasy managers forget about DeSean Jackson or Alshon Jeffery. That’s what happens when in four games you record a dozen catches with no 60-yard games and only one lone touchdown. The target total trend is on an upward trajectory for Reagor, though, (13 over past two games) and if he can get six-to-eight targets this Sunday his fantasy stats should be solid considering the defense that will be trying to cover him.
Reagor faces a below-average Cleveland pass defense this weekend. The Browns best cornerback this year has been Mother Nature. Just ask Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. Otherwise, the Browns have been near the bottom of the pass defense rankings throughout the season. As long as the weather is passer-friendly for Carson Wentz, Reagor should see plenty of looks and could supply fantasy players with 75 yards and a TD in their time of need.
If New York’s Breshad Perriman (shoulder) cannot get loose and give it a go Sunday, you could go with…
Denzel Mims (NYJ, WR) at LAC
You have to hand it to Perriman. It does not matter what uniform he wears or what situation he is in. The guy is the Jordan Reed of wide receivers when it comes to being constantly injured. Only he could come back after a multi-week absence to rack up 100 yards and two touchdowns in his triumphant return, then get a week off due to a bye and still be questionable heading into this week!
I think the explosive Mims can step right in for Perriman and duplicate his Week 9 effort. The Chargers have allowed quarterbacks to throw multiple touchdown tosses against them in five straight games. Mims had four catches (on eight targets) for 62 yards in the last game Perriman was on the field, so he should do even more if Perriman isn’t there alongside him. In a game where the Jets will be trailing and Joe Flacco will be throwing, Mims should pile up plenty of yardage and fantasy points for fantasy managers who spend a late-week waiver pick on him.
If Minnesota’s Irv Smith Jr. (groin) cannot find his way to the field on Sunday, you could go with…
Kyle Rudolph (MIN, TE) vs. DAL
Minnesota’s longtime top tight end has taken a back seat to the up-and-coming Smith in 2020. While Rudolph has been the blocker and the reliable one catching short passes over the middle, Smith has become the one running the seem routes and getting his number called inside the red zone. In his first seven games, Rudolph had exactly one touchdown and one game with more than 30 receiving yards. That’s why he is probably available in the majority of fantasy leagues.
Rudolph proved to naysayers that he can still cut it as a player with fantasy value this past Monday when he had the tight end spot all to himself and posted season-high across the board with four catches for 63 yards on five targets. He has found open space in secondaries with Pro Bowler Adam Thielen and rookie sensation Justin Jefferson distracting defensive backs. Dallas’ quarterback carousel and underachieving skilled-position players have largely overshadowed how bad the defense has been for the bulk of the season. If Smith cannot play on Sunday, Rudolph is line for another decent fantasy performance.
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