Fantasy Overview - Week 11

Photo: USA Today Sports

The season is 10 weeks old, and for the most part, you've learned who the mainstays are in your lineup. However, here are a few under the radar players that I like this week who might be worthy of finding your starting roster, especially in deeper leagues. Take a look at the matchups and learn which defenses have been struggling lately. Is there an opportunity to catch lightning in a bottle with a non-traditional starter? It's easy to insert Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams into your lineup, but the diamonds in the rough can win your week. Here's a look at a few from each position that I like, especially for this week.

QUARTERBACK

1. Jameis Winston, NO (vs Atlanta) - The Falcons have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season including seven! 300-yard passers in nine games. Drew Brees is slated to miss a few games due to a rib injury and collapsed lung and the next man up is Winston. He may give way to Taysom Hill in some red-zone plays, but for the most part, Winston is expected to be the team's starting quarterback while Brees is out. The Saints schedule is favorable the rest of the way and it includes Atlanta in two of the next three games.
   
   
2. Matthew Stafford, DET (at Carolina) - Matthew Stafford is the 17th ranked fantasy quarterback this season so he may not be on your waiver wire. But if he is, consider him a strong option this week against Carolina. The Panthers have a rookie-filled defense that is trying to overcome inexperience. Their pass rush is a work in progress and their secondary is allowing a ton of short and intermediate completions. Carolina is last in the league in third-down conversion % on defense and they have forced only two punts in the last four games. Opponents have the second-most first downs in the league against them and they have allowed back-to-back 340+ yard passing games with 7 passing touchdowns in total the last two weeks. Carolina struggles between the '20s and then buckles down in the red zone where they allow a touchdown 58.5% of the time or 12th best in the league. Expect a high-pass yardage game with the possibility of two or more touchdown passes from Stafford this week.
   
   
3. Alex Smith, WAS (vs Cincinnati) - Smith is coming off back-to-back 300-yd games, and now he'll face a Bengals defense who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks since Week 6. Quarterbacks since Week 5 have tossed 2, 3, 5, 2, and 4 touchdowns against the Bengals. Smith has come out firing since he replaced Kyle Allen and he has a good passing matchup again this week.
   
   
4. Garrett Gilbert/Andy Dalton, DAL (at Minnesota) - Before the Week 10 bye, Garrett Gilbert made his NFL debut as a starter against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, and he held his own. He showed poise, leadership, ability, and toughness in a near victory against the best team in the league. This week Gilbert will have another week of practice as the starter while Andy Dalton recovers from a concussion. It hasn't been decided yet, but we may see Gilbert starting once again in Week 11 at Minnesota. The Cowboys were impressed with Gilbert's game vs. Pittsburgh and may consider him their best option moving forward. This game will be an indicator if he'll be counted on for the rest of the season, or if they hand the reigns back over to Dalton. Minnesota has been decent against the pass as of late, so this isn't the best matchup, but the potential is there. If Dalton is healthy enough and he gets the nod, he becomes a player of interest, but in my opinion, his outlook isn't as bright as Gilbert's. He know what Dalton can do, but Gilbert impressed against Pittsburgh with an unknown ceiling.
   
   
5. Brett Rypien, DEN (vs Miami) - The Broncos may be without the struggling Drew Lock this week due to a rib injury. Usually, rib injuries are painful and result in missed time, especially for quarterbacks who find themselves under heavy pressure week to week. If Lock is out, which I believe will be the case, Rypien becomes a player of interest. His matchup vs Miami at home isn't too rosy, but his downfield decision-making and arm are an improvement over Lock's. Miami has allowed five touchdown passes in the last two games (against Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert), so there is hope that their pass defense continues to be a challenge.

RUNNING BACK

1. Salvon Ahmed, MIA (at Denver) - The musical chairs situation for Miami at running back has stopped on Salvon Ahmed. He is the next man up with the most success since Myles Gaskin injured his knee. After a 21-85-1 performance against the Chargers last week, Ahmed becomes a player of interest while Matt Brieda (hamstring) and Myles Gaskin (knee) recover from their injuries. The 197-pound Ahmed showed he can play well and earned himself another chance this week at Denver who found themselves unable to stop the rushing attack of Josh Jacobs and Davonte Booker last week. Since Week 7 Denver has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing backs. Last week's failure to contain the Raiders ground game is a big reason why.
   
   
2. Trenton Cannon, CAR (vs Detroit) - The Panthers will host the Lions in Week 11 with two potential injury hurdles in Teddy Bridgewater (knee) and Mike Davis (thumb). It's almost a given that Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) will miss Week 11, but he hasn't been ruled out yet. If both McCaffrey and Davis are out, Cannon becomes a player of interest against the Lions who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Cannon returned a 98-yd kickoff last week and he brings a speed element to the running game. Even if Davis is active, Cannon should see some opportunities. If you're in dire need of a running back and you're in a deep league, Cannon may be a target for you, especially if Davis is deemed out.
   
   Update - Mike Davis (thumb) practiced on Wednesday and is slated to start this week despite the thumb injury. Trenton Cannon and Rodney Smith should also be available and could see multiple snaps Week 11 vs Detroit.
   
   
3. Damien Harris, NE (at Houston) - First rule of fantasy this season, play your starters against the Texans. This now includes the rising Damien Harris. There's a good chance Harris is not available on your wire, but if he is, snatch him up and put him in your lineup this week against Houston. Harris is coming off a 121-yard game against the Ravens and he has carries of 22, 14, 16, 10 over the last four games. He has scored only one touchdown this season, but he is due and the Patriots love to run the ball. The Texans have allowed at least one rushing touchdown by a running back in every game but one making this is a plus matchup for Harris.
   
   
4. Nyheim Hines, IND (vs Green Bay) - The future of the Colts at running back position is Jonathan Taylor, but last week they found the speedier Hines to be more effective against the Titans run defense. Hines may be 5'9, but he's 197 pounds and can withstand some of the hits that backs take between the tackles. This week may not feature Hines as the most-used back, but he's the one who showed success last week and it may carry over. At the least, Hines will be a fixture in the receiving game. Green Bay has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs since Week 6 including three 100-yard outings in the last five games. As a result, Hines becomes a player of interest coming off an eye-raising performance last week.
   
   
5. Duke Johnson Jr, HOU (vs New England) - David Johnson was placed on IR last week, which is an automatic three-game absence. He'll be out again this week, putting Duke Johnson Jr in a more prominent role again. The Texans will face the Patriots who struggled against the run in Week 7 & 8 (SF, BUF). They have since improved at run defense, but many times an opportunity is all that is needed for a back to produce. Don't rule out C.J. Prosise as a potential surprise this week as he gets another week of practice after being called up from the practice squad last Saturday.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (at Seattle) - Seattle is far and away the team you need to exploit your wide receivers against. This has a back-and-forth battle written all over it. Seattle has allowed the most first downs in the league - 246 (in nine games) or 27.3 per game. The most attempts, most completions, and most passing yards. Seattle has allowed at least one wide receiver to reach eight receptions or more in every game this season. In Week 7, Arizona had two, DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald. Christian Kirk is also a strong play this week, but he isn't exactly waiver material. Fitzgerald, on the other hand, is someone who might be available on your wire. You could do worse with waiver pickups this week.
   
   
2. David Moore, SEA (vs Arizona) - The Seahawks may have a poor pass defense, but their opponent this week, Arizona, has allowed the second-most wide receiver fantasy points since Week 7. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are not going to be available on waivers, but David Moore might be there. Seattle often uses a three-wide receiver set and Moore is the #3 receiver. He has three catches or more in six games this year with four touchdowns, including two over the last three games. If you're looking for a spark at receiver in a deep league. Moore is a decent claim.
   
   
3. Cam Sims, WAS (vs Cincinnati) - Last week Terry McLaurin led the way with 86 offensive snaps for Washington. Right behind him was Cam Sims with 83. The 6'5, 214 pound Alabama product is climbing the depth chart ladder and has over 160 yards receiving with 7 catches in the last two games - both 300-yard efforts by Alex Smith. It appears as if Smith has found Sims as a reliable option in the passing game. This week Washington hosts Cincinnati who has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers since Week 7. This is a big Terry McLaurin game, but if you need help at wide receiver, consider Cam Sims.
   
   
4. Chargers wide receivers other than Keenan Allen, LAC (vs NY Jets) - Both Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton have flex consideration this week with a lean towards Williams and his red-zone size. Both might be available on the wire in your league. In three games since Week 7, the Jets have allowed 100-yard games to Cole Beasley, Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, and Jakobi Meyers. Are the Chargers next? This is a big game for Keenan Allen, but don't forget about the secondary options for Justin Herbert, namely Williams and Guyton.
   
   
5. K.J. Hamler, DEN (vs Miami) - I rang the bell on Hamler a few weeks ago and scooped him up in a few leagues that I'm in. So far, he has come through with decent performances with a chance for more. He may still be available in your league. The switch to Brett Rypien may mean more downfield throws. Lock may have an affinity for Hamler that could vanish with Rypien, but in these cases, talent usually wins out. Hamler has 13 catches over the last three games with one touchdown to add to his totals. He has over 50 snaps in each of the last three games and is quickly becoming more of a focus in Denver's passing game. I don't love the matchup against Miami, but Hamler is a burner who can produce any given week.

TIGHT END

1. Gerald Everett, LAR (at Tampa Bay) - The Rams travel to Tampa this week and face a Bucs team who have given up six touchdowns to tight ends since Week 4. Tyler Higbee is probably unavailable in your league, but Gerald Everett might be. The Rams often use a two-tight end set in their offense making both Higbee and/or Everett potential wins any given week. Everett has games with 4, 3, 4, 5, and 2 receptions over the last five games with one touchdown. He's involved in the offense and could be the beneficiary of a red-zone score against a team that loves giving up red-zone scores to tight ends. If you need a tight end to play this week, Everett is a decent option.
   
   
2. Logan Thomas, WAS (vs Cincinnati) - Thomas was a surprise early in the year and may already be picked up in your league. If not, consider adding him as a streaming option this week against the Bengals. Thomas generally plays 90% of the team's offensive snaps and is the clear option at tight end for Washington. They use a single-tight end formation as their base offense and Thomas has been productive. He has topped three or more receptions in each of the last four games. Cincinnati has allowed six touchdowns to tight ends since Week 5. This is a good matchup for Thomas and may be worth a start if you're in need.
   
   
3. Jordan Reed, SF (BYE) This is a proactive claim. If Reed is available on your wire, consider adding him. George Kittle is out of the picture this season and Reed and Ross Dwelley are splitting reps at tight end, for now. Reed bested Dwelley with 5 receptions for 62 yards last week while Dwelley had one catch for 22 yards. Reed is the one with past success and likely the one who will emerge as the 49ers' go-to tight end option.

Good luck. Go earn that playoff spot this week.

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