Even More Waiver Wire Sleepers - Week 11 & The Stretch Run

Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots

I'm cheating here since Shane Vereen could be placed as an injury choice, but I'm going to slot him as a sleeper since he did play one game this season.  In Week 1, Vereen had a great game (101 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards) and was primed to have a fantastic season...then news broke out that he'd had a injury.  The good news is that he was placed on the IR with a return which is due this week.  If Vereen plays anything like he did in Week 1, you are looking at an excellent RB option to be used in the playoffs.  This is a player that can run and catch equally well.  In the preseason, many fantasy experts expected him to fill in for Aaron Hernandez's role in the New England offense.  If that's the case, he's a fantasy sleeper many players may have forgot about.

Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Where is Trent Richardson?  I'm guessing not in Indiana.  So far Donald Brown has outplayed Richardson and I see Brown getting more opportunities down the stretch.  I'm sure they will try to get Richardson attempts; I just can't see them giving any fewer opportunities to Brown.  I won't even attempt to sprinkle stats into this conversation... Brown is just better than Richardson right now for the Colts.

Deep Sleepers (in priority order)

Dennis Johnson, RB, Houston Texans

This week Arian Foster said goodbye to his 2013 season as the Texans placed him on IR.  With that move, Ben Tate becomes the starting RB in Houston.  But Tate is banged-up right now with some sore ribs and has some serious injury history.  If you are looking to get sneaky RB sleeper option on the cheap, Dennis Johnson could be very valuable for your team. Houston will be playing Jacksonville around playoff time, which means fantasy points!

Brandon Bostick, TE, Green Bay

As I've said a few times in my other articles, receivers and quarterbacks have to have chemistry.  So that brings me to Brandon Bostick, and some of you may be saying, "Who's that?!"  Well, he's currently the backup TE in Green Bay, so why am I recommending him?  First: Aaron Rodgers is out at least three more weeks; second: Scott Tolzien is the starting QB now in Green Bay and both he and Bostick were on the practice squad together; and third: last week he had his best game of the season last week with a TD and three catches.  I expect that this will continue at minimum until Rodgers returns.  Andrew Quarless is the popular TE pick in Green Bay in the fantasy circles... but I would bet that they change their tune later in the year.

Previously Awesome Players and  Injury Considerations (in priority order)

Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

This is a no-brainer really... if and when Harvin is back from injury, he's a top WR option.  I've been saying this over and over again this year.  If he's available he's definitely worth a pick-up. He will be back this week likely on a snap count but by the time the playoffs start Harvin will be full steam ahead.

Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Right now Dennis Pitta is on IR with designation for return and that return is 'closer than ever' per John Harbaugh.  If and when Pitta returns, he's a dynamic TE that will produce a high level of points that are difficult to find in this position.  Last year Pitta had a breakthrough season with seven TDs and 669 yards.  Where Pitta really shined was in the playoffs, where he had 163 yards and three TDs.  The Ravens have missed him this season and will be eager to inject him into their offense.

Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers

As I've stated in my WR articles, the San Francisco WRs have been horrible this season.  The good news is that the sun is about to shine on the 49ers.  Last week they got Mario Manningham back and now Michael Crabtree is about to return as well.  So far on the season, Colin Kaepernick misses Crabtree badly as the passing offense has been non-existent. If and when Crabtree is back, I expect this will open up the 49ers offense for all players on the team including Davis and Boldin.

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Below you can find some more Week 11 articles written by RotoBaller’s team of writers. Check them out as you prepare for your Week 11 fantasy matchups:

• Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups – Running Backs (RBs)
• Waiver Wire Sleepers – Week 11 & The Stretch Run
• Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs (RBs) – Deeper Leagues
• Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups – Quarterbacks (QBs)
• Week 11 Waiver Wire – Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
• Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups – Tight Ends (TEs)
• NFL Injuries – Fantasy Football Injury Report for Week 11

• Rest of Season (ROS) Rankings – Standard and PPR Leagues

We have compiled all of our weekly waiver wire recommendations on our famous waiver wire pickups list. If you haven’t seen it yet, the waiver wire pickups are categorized by position. Check it out and bookmark the page – we update it every week, throughout the week! Our fantasy football chat room is also here for you, at any time throughout the day. Our communities of writers and readers are always fielding sit/start questions, talking waivers, and giving live fantasy advice. Let’s win some leagues!