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With injuries, bye weeks, and middling performances ravaging fantasy teams as we enter Week 11, it's okay to consider benching players with "name value" moving forward. Today I'll be looking at Derek Carr, Darrell Henderson, and Adam Thielen.
This may be hard to stomach as you bench your QB1 or RB1 for a free-agent acquisition, but sometimes such measures must be taken to ensure victory in the heart of the fantasy football season.
Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 11. Will they bounce back, or continue to underperform? For any and all issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on Twitter.
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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 11?
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos
Carr's fantasy season as a whole has been quite mediocre. He is averaging fewer PPG than Jimmy Garoppolo and Jared Goff despite having a healthy Davante Adams throughout the season. While the losses of Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller are notable, Mack Hollins, and in recent weeks, Foster Moreau have stepped up to play significant roles.
Overall, Carr is a matchup-dependent streamer this season. Heading into Mile High Stadium to face a Broncos defense that ranks 3rd against the pass, Carr can be left on benches or even waiver wires.
What To Do
Daniel Jones, New York Giants vs Detroit Lions
Daniel Jones is far from a trustworthy QB but he's displayed glimpses of good play throughout 2022 that reflect his rookie year more than his 2nd and 3rd seasons. Jones' rushing ability compensates in a big way for those plays where his deficiencies as a passer come into play. His mix of size and speed allow him to tuck and run consistently to churn first downs and extra yardage.
While he may be outside the QB1 range in PPG, Jones is a top-10 play against a Lions defense that ranks bottom-10 against both the rush and pass, allowing Jones multiple avenues to take advantage. With the help of premier RB Saquon Barkley, Jones should have multiple red-zone opportunities to score in this game at home to pay dividends for managers wise enough to start him.
Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 11?
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints
While Henderson is the best RB on the Rams, the team does not view him as a workhorse and continues to rotate him while limiting touches weekly. Henderson's been the only Rams' RB to represent any semblance of competence but the unwillingness to cut their losses with a frustratingly lost Cam Akers keeps Henderson at bay.
Meanwhile, the Rams activated scatback Kyren Williams who played 27% of the snaps in his first game involved with the offense, albeit in garbage time. The Rams are likely to play Williams more in the following weeks to see what they have in the rookie along with taking advantage of his blocking prowess to supplement their weak OL.
This matchup versus New Orleans is not the most difficult given that they rank 18th in DVOA against the rush--a falloff from recent seasons. Henderson though is unlikely to eclipse double-digit touches and for that, he is nothing more than a TD-dependent option best left on benches.
What To Do
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers
Isiah Pacheco earned 16 rushes last weekend in a 27-17 win over the Jaguars. This was a season/career-high along with his 56% snap rate. The needle is pointing up for Pacheco despite fumbling mid-game as he has overtaken Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the primary back in KC which is one of the more valuable in the league for backs that don't play workhorse roles.
This matchup against the Chargers is even better for Pacheco than last week as LAC ranks 29th against the rush (Jacksonville 13th). Assuming Pacheco is starting once more and touching the ball 15+ times, he is a must-start.
Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 11?
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys
Adam Thielen has had some fantasy-relevant games this season but he is no longer the Adam Thielen of old given his age. Thielen also underwent ankle surgery this past offseason that may be limiting his range of motion or twitch somewhat. It is unfortunate but nothing new to see a WR in his early 30's begin to decline after a stellar career.
In plus matchups, Thielen can continue being started due to his volume and connection with Kirk Cousins but against the league's 4th-best pass defense in Dallas, Thielen doe not warrant a starters label unless bye weeks or injuries elsewhere have limited your options.
What To Do
Darius Slayton, New York Giants vs Detroit Lions
Darius Slayton was running as a third-string WR in training camp while consistently mentioned in trade talks throughout this season but those never materialized. He has since become the Giants' most consistent WR option and is actually putting up numbers in fantasy during these past few weeks.
Since Week 7, Slayton is the fantasy WR17 in PPR averaging 15 PPG. Fellow starting WR Wan'Dale Robinson is dealing with hamstring issues and may miss the contest this Sunday entirely. Despite Slayton's inconsistent career thus far, he is a must-start option against an aforementioned Lions defense ranking 24th against the pass.
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