Sleepers at Quarterback

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis (at NY Jets)

Richardson and the offense should get an adrenaline boost from his return, and the Jets defense looked listless last week against the mobile Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense. Richardson was actually playing much better than his stats indicated in the game before his benching, and he could be even better with a few weeks to reflect and regroup.

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh (vs Baltimore)

Wilson has been meshing well with the Steelers downfield targets, including Mike Williams, who caught the game-winning score last week. Arthur Smith seems to have a good grasp of where Wilson excels, which should also match up with the Ravens' problems defending downfield against the pass. Wilson could get into a shootout with Lamar Jackson and has a high ceiling this week, especially in leagues that give bonuses for long touchdowns.

Drake Maye, New England (vs LA Rams)

Maye should have a lot more of the offense fall on his shoulders this week against a Rams offense that will test the Patriots young secondary. With proven running ability as a scrambler and a very loose mindset as a downfield passer, Maye has a high floor and a high ceiling. The rookie is getting more in tune with his receivers and could break out in the second half of the season.

Bo Nix, Denver (vs Atlanta)

Nix’s ceiling this week depends on whether the Broncos defense can keep the Falcons offense in check. Patrick Surtain II matches up well with Drake London, but Darnell Mooney, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts can all win consistently in the passing game and keep the Broncos on their heels. If that happens, then Nix will have to open up the downfield passing game and probably be put in more positions to scramble and create offense on his own.

Sleepers at Running Back

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh (vs Baltimore)

Najee Harris has already missed practice with an ankle injury this week. Even if Harris can go, he’ll run at the strength of the Ravens defense. Even if he’s successful, the Ravens offense could open up a lead and force the Steelers to abandon the run. In just about every imaginable scenario, Warren is the better play of the two running backs, and it’s not difficult to picture him being a key performer for the Steelers and fantasy teams this week. Update: Warren is a legit questionable with a back injury. He's not a safe play this week.

Audric Estime, Denver (vs Atlanta)

Estime has fully taken over early down running duties, so he could build a head of steam if the Broncos' offensive line can generate a consistent push against the Falcons front. The rookie has very little wear and tear after being banged up earlier in the season and then playing behind Javonte Williams, so he should be a lot fresher than the Falcons defenders.

Raheem Mostert, Miami (vs Las Vegas)

Mostert’s role was mainly in the passing game against the Rams, and he fell behind Jaylen Wright in snaps. But he can still hit as a sleeper in the 2A running back role as long as he gets some of the numerous goal-line opportunities that could come in the home matchup against the hapless Raiders. Only the Deshaun Watson Browns have failed to notch at least one running back touchdown against Las Vegas.

Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville (at Detroit)

Tank Bigsby left with an ankle injury last week and is questionable at best for Week 11. Even if Bigsby was healthy, the Lions are stifling against opposing running games, and they are likely to build a lead and force the Jaguars to pass to try to come back, especially in the second half. Last week’s loss to the Vikings was a close game, but this one should be a laugher, which might lead to a lot of Mac Jones dump-offs to Etienne in a futile effort to create offense.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee (vs Minnesota)

Spears actually had his highest snap share of the season and his second-highest touch total of the season, only eclipsed in a 31-12 romp over Tyler Huntley and the Dolphins back in Week 4. Tony Pollard is getting veteran rest days in practice after getting overworked while Spears has been out. Spears should get enough chances in open field for his speed to make a difference to justify a what-the-heck flex play in deeper leagues.

Gus Edwards, LA Chargers (vs Cincinnati)

Edwards actually looked like he had a better initial burst than J.K. Dobbins last week, and Dobbins just passed his career high for carries in a season. The Bengals defense has given up at least 100 total yards or a touchdown to an opposing running back every week this season, and Edwards got more red zone opportunities than Dobbins last week.

Sleepers at Wide Receiver

Jameson Williams, Detroit (vs Jacksonville)

We’re still not sure if Sam LaPorta can play against the Jaguars this weekend, but the Lions should err on the side of being conservative. That includes sending LaPorta on downfield routes in the middle of the field where he can get blown up by a safety while making a big play. Even if LaPorta plays, he’s more likely to be a decoy to open up the deep part of the field for Williams, who can make your week on just one play. 

Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, LA Chargers (vs Cincinnati)

The Chargers receivers were quiet last week, but that’s because Justin Herbert only threw the ball 18 times in an easy win over the Titans. This week brings the Bengals to Los Angeles, and beating them will be anything but easy facing a red-hot Joe Burrow. Herbert will have to throw a lot more to match Burrow, and all three Chargers wideouts deserve consideration at lineup-setting time. McConkey has the highest floor, especially in PPR leagues, while Palmer and Johnston are both big-play, downfield threats with a high ceiling.

DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, New England (vs LA Rams)

Drake Maye only had to throw 25 times against a tough Bears defense last week to lock up a comfortable win - so comfortable that the Patriots were content to settle for field goals on four drives. They might have to take more chances to beat the Rams, which would include more downfield targets for Douglas and Boutte. Douglas is the emerging top target for Drake Maye, and he outproduced Boutte on about half of the snaps Boutte got last week. But Boutte was the only full-time receiver for the Patriots, so both deserve consideration in Week 11 lineups if you’re in a deep league or hamstrung by bye weeks and injuries.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans (vs Cleveland)

Don’t laugh. Derek Carr had a terrific deep ball connection with Rashid Shaheed earlier this season, and obviously, he and Valdes-Scantling are in sync. The last time we saw the Browns pass defense, they allowed two long touchdowns to Chargers receivers on busted coverages, and the Saints offense is designed to create big opportunities in the deep passing game against overaggressive defenses. Lightning can strike twice.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis (at NY Jets)

Anthony Richardson’s return to the lineup is considered a bit of a letdown for the Colts receivers, but that might not apply to Pierce. Richardson’s forte is the deep ball, and we’ve already seen Pierce have two strong games with Richardson before injuries and a quarterback controversy derailed his second season. If the Colts offense can get back on track this week, Pierce could be a big part of the story with his ability to run after Richardson’s numerous deep shots in Shane Steichen’s offense.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco (vs Seattle)

Despite playing fewer snaps, Pearsall had as many targets as Deebo Samuel Sr. and more than George Kittle last week. Kittle is nursing a hamstring injury, which could make Pearsall the top middle-of-the-field target against a Seahawks defense that gave up two scores to Kittle in the first matchup. The Seahawks' long, strong, and fast corners also match up well with Jauan Jennings outside, so don’t be surprised if Pearsall is Brock Purdy’s #1 target in Week 11.

Sleepers at Tight End

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh (vs Baltimore)

We think about quarterbacks and wide receivers when we want to target the Ravens' suspect pass defense at lineup-setting time, but we shouldn’t overlook tight ends. Bengals tight ends caught 11 balls and a score last week. Jake Ferguson, Brock Bowers, and Cade Otton all had at least 95 receiving yards against the Ravens. Even Zach Ertz averaged 17 yards a catch on four snags against them. The Ravens should be guarding against the deep ball to George Pickens, so Freiermuth will have a lot of room to operate in the middle of the field.

Dalton Schultz, Houston (at Dallas)

Schultz could get fewer looks with Nico Collins back, but he could also get less attention from the defense as they try to contain C.J. Stroud’s #1 receiver. The Cowboys have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends over the last five games, so that should raise your hopes that Schultz can hit as a waiver-wire fill-in for Trey McBride or Cade Otton.

Will Dissly, LA Chargers (vs Cincinnati)

You might be surprised to learn that Dissly is the top target getter for the Chargers over the last four games, and with five more than his nearest competitor. This week, he’ll face a Bengals defense that has been decimated by tight ends. They have given up six touchdowns to tight ends in the last six games, and seven tight ends have gone for at least 40 receiving yards against then over that span, including fantasy stars like Charlie Kolar, Jordan Akins, and Grant Calcaterra.

Zach Ertz, Washington (at Philadelphia) **Thursday**

Ertz probably has nothing but good feelings about his time in Phiadelphia, which included catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, but you know he’ll have a little extra in his first return to Philadelphia. Expect Washington to have some plays dialed up to feature Ertz in front of his old home crowd.