Surprise Fantasy Football Studs, Duds - Real or Mirage?

Week 11 of the 2021 NFL season brought unexpected fantasy football surprises and busts. Mike Riggall analyzes overreactions to Rondale Moore, Myles Gaskin, Hunter Henry, and more.

Justin Herbert had a massive game against the Steelers on Sunday Night Football, throwing for three scores to finish as QB-1 on the week while Aaron Rodgers had four scores of his own coming in at QB-2. Jalen Hurts continues to improve with a top-five finish while Trevor Siemian, Cam Newton, Kirk Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, Colt McCoy, Tom Brady, Tyrod Taylor, and Tua Tagovailoa rounded out the QB1's. Tight end was fairly predictable this week but T.J. Hockenson continues to disappoint, suffering from poor quarterback play. Zach Ertz was TE-1 on the week while Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Adam Trautman, George Kittle, Mark Andrews and Anthony Firkser all had solid weeks.

Justin Jefferson had over 100 yards before the end of the first quarter against the Packers on his way to a WR-1 finish. Davante Adams and Elijah Moore each had massive workloads in the passing game and came through in a big way. Darnell Mooney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling each had long-plays that propelled them into WR1 territory. Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, Marquise Goodwin, Mike Williams, Adam Thielen, Brandon Aiyuk and Mike Evans rounded out the list of WR1's on the week, with Goodwin being the only surprising player on that list.

Jonathan Taylor scored five touchdowns to finish as RB-1 and Austin Ekeler added four of his own to finish as RB-2 on the week. Joe Mixon only scored twice so his 123-yard effort went somewhat under the radar while Christian McCaffrey appears to be rounding back into form, making several nice plays finishing as RB-4. Nick Chubb, D'Andre Swift, Dalvin Cook, James Conner, Devonta Freeman, Myles Gaskin, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Najee Harris rounded out the RB1's. Now, let's take a look at some of the outliers from Week 11 and evaluate whether they're worth a spot on your roster or in your starting lineup.

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Trevor Siemian, New Orleans Saints

Week 11 Stats: 22-of-40 passing, 214 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 2 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD

Trevor Siemian had a mediocre day throwing the ball as the Eagles dominated the Saints offensively and at times defensively. Siemian did run one in for a score in the first half, but his third touchdown throw came in garbage time with under a minute left in the game.

Bottom Line: Siemian's performance in Week 11 was ugly at times, but he accounted for four touchdowns so he came through. It might not be pretty, but Siemian has at least two touchdowns in each of his last three games and he should be viable against Dallas in Week 12 on Thanksgiving if you need a bye week replacement as long as Taysom Hill doesn't get named the starter.

Marquise Goodwin, Chicago Bears

Week 11 Stats: 8 targets, 4 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD

Marquise Goodwin was having a very average game deep into the fourth quarter in Week 11, but with under two minutes left, he got completely behind the Ravens secondary and was able to haul in a 49-yard touchdown from Andy Dalton. Allen Robinson was out of the lineup for the Bears which led to Godwin playing a season-high 71.2% of the Bears offensive snaps.

Bottom Line: Marquise Goodwin saw an expanded role in the Bears offense with Allen Robinson out of the game. Goodwin will likely fade away once Robinson returns to the lineup, but as long as he's playing, he will remain a boom-or-bust option if you're desperate.

Mack Hollins, Miami Dolphins

Week 11 Stats: 3 targets, 2 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD

Mack Hollins played just 30.6% of the Dolphins offensive snaps even with DeVante Parker out with a hamstring injury. Hollins was non-existent for most of the game until he got behind the entire Jets secondary and caught a bomb that he ran in for a 65-yard score.

Bottom Line: Mack Hollins should remain on waiver wires in all formats.

Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals

Week 11 Stats: 11 targets, 11 catches, 50 yards

The Cardinals struggled to run the ball against an improved Seahawks defense, gaining just 2.9 yards-per-carry. As a result, Colt McCoy dinked and dunked the ball to Rondale Moore deep into the fourth quarter almost as if it was an extension of the running game to keep the clock running. Moore played just 38.6% of the Cardinals offensive snaps which has been his normal compliment lately.

Bottom Line: Rondale Moore has had an up and down season as a rookie, showing signs of life and then disappearing, seemingly for games at a time. Moore is an intriguing wide receiver in dynasty leagues and is worth a roster spot in re-draft leagues. However, you can only consider using him in your lineup if DeAndre Hopkins is out of the lineup because there's so many mouths to feed in Arizona.

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

Week 11 Stats: 1 carry, 14 yards, 8 targets, 6 catches, 49 yards

The Raiders did a very good job containing Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase which forced Joe Burrow to look elsewhere in the passing game. In Week 8 the Jets also did a good job of taking Ja'Marr Chase out of the game which led to a big game from Tyler Boyd out of the slot. As the season goes on, it's become very clear that the Bengals want to run the ball with Joe Mixon first and foremost and Ja'Marr Chase is the clear No. 1 option in the passing game. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd simply aren't getting enough volume on a consist basis, making them hard to trust. Boyd has two one-catch games and has gained less than 50 yards receiving in seven games.

Bottom Line: You cannot rely on Tyler Boyd in shallower leagues unless Ja'Marr Chase has a prohibitive matchup.

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins

Week 11 Stats: 23 carries, 89 yards, 4 targets, 3 catches, 7 yards, 1 TD

Myles Gaskin has been up and down all year and he was able to come through against the Jets, who have given up the most fantasy points to running backs on the season. Even though he had a tremendous matchup, Gaskin still averaged less than 4.0 yards-per-carry and only came through because he scored late in the game. Gaskin's low yards-per-carry against this brutal Jets defense is concerning.

Bottom Line: Myles Gaskin can only be trusted if the Dolphins have a great matchup against a bad rushing defense.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Week 11 Stats: 3 targets, 2 catches, 25 yards

Over his last six games Hunter Henry hasn't gained more than 37 yards or seen more than four targets in any game. However, Henry has been on a tear catching touchdowns in six of his last eight games. Henry did get one endzone target in Week 11 but Mac Jones overthrew him.

Bottom Line: Hunter Henry is worth consideration as a TE1 on a weekly basis, but this week was a reminder that you shouldn't bench elite options for him because he's simply not getting a lot of targets.

Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints

Week 11 Stats: 8 targets, 5 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD

Adam Trautman came through against an Eagles team that's struggled badly covering opposing tight ends this season. Trautman has started to emerge lately, seeing at least six targets in each of his last four games, but he's also benefited from some solid matchups.

Bottom Line: Trautman has emerged as an intriguing dynasty prospect as of late. Unfortunately, Trautman injured his knee in Week 11 and is likely to miss four-to-six weeks which means he's basically droppable in re-draft leagues.

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