With Ryan on the mend this week, you’re stuck with me (Josh) for the Week 11 waiver wire column. I can’t promise the advice is as good, but I’ll follow the same blueprint Ryan has laid out for you throughout this season when it comes to waiver wire claims — pick up good players that can help you win games and get you into the playoffs.
Mind-blowing advice right there, people. Now let’s start off Week 11 the right way!
Pro Tip: Remember the bye weeks. Because of depth issues, managers may have to drop players that they usually wouldn’t. Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Miami Dolphins were all off. Check for players from those teams that should not have been cut. Also, with the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints on bye in Week 11, watch to see who is dropped during tomorrow’s waiver run.
Quick Note: All players listed are available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues. While not everyone plays on ESPN, studies show most do. So, if they’re available there, they’re likely available on your Week 11 Waiver Wire. Pick ‘Em Up!
Week 11 Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Normally, Ryan doesn’t advocate blowing FAAB on QBs. There are always plenty to choose from in free agency after waivers, and you should just stream the position. This list will usually be small, but if you’re desperate, this is who I would prioritize this week.
Joshua Dobbs (61% Available)
Having been traded at the deadline and the fact he’s a career backup, it’s easy to continue to fade Dobbs. But the reality is, he’s second among QBs in rushing on the season, and is the QB8 on the season (QB15 in PPG). If you need a QB to help you with your playoff push, he’s @ DEN, vs CHI, bye week (Week 13), and @ LV — all teams that can be beat. Oh, and he’s likely to get Justin Jefferson back in a couple of weeks.
Matthew Stafford (70% available)
Stafford is likely back for Week 11. Kyren Williams is also likely to return in Week 12, giving Stafford and the Rams a healthy arsenal of weapons as they look to close out the season strong. Stafford hasn’t thrown for a ton of touchdowns, but the yards have been there, providing a decent floor for if/when the touchdowns arrive. Stafford’s next two games are home against SEA and @ ARI, meaning he should be a viable streaming option the next couple of weeks.
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson (56% Available)
Am I ready to have my heart broken again? You probably didn’t know this, but the NFL leader in passing yards is **checks notes** Sam Howell. Gibson (and Brian Robinson, for that matter) are both being used in the passing game quite a bit. That has value in PPR leagues.
Ezekiel Elliott (64% Available)
Maybe Germany just agrees with Elliott, but we saw shades of the old Zeke on Sunday morning. In fact, the running game was about the only consistent piece of offense the Patriots had going for them this week. In week 12, coming out of the bye week, I’d have to imagine we see more of that since New England can’t figure out the QB position. When in doubt, lean on the run game. It’s time to roster Zeke.
Zach Charbonnet (69% Available)
Don’t look now, but the rookie has out-snapped incumbent Kenneth Walker for three straight games. Charbonnet’s role seems to be pretty well defined, and the Seahawks have a pretty tough schedule the next few weeks. That means a lot of throwing to catch up, and also means more Charbonnet on the field. With the likelihood of more opportunities on the horizon, he should at least be rostered.
Tyjae Spears (67% Available)
What do we have to do to get you to pick up Tyjae Spears? He’s been a frequent mention on this column, and just scored 10 PPR points against Tampa Bay. He’s the ultimate handcuff, while also seeing standalone FLEX value. And over his next three games, he faces teams that allow the fourth, the most, and the second most fantasy points per game to RBs since Week 6.
Jerick McKinnon (68% Available)
McKinnon has largely been disappointing in 2023, but he scored a TD in Week 9. And this is just a friendly reminder that McKinnon was the RB4 in PPR scoring from Week 11 on last season. Will magic strike twice again? You can get him for dirt cheap just to find out.
Keaton Mitchell (77% available)
Okay, maybe Mitchell isn’t just a flash in the pan. While he’s only seen 14 touches the last two weeks, but those touches have yielded a whopping 200 yards and two TDs. Mitchell is the definition of efficiency at the moment, but he’s dealing with a hamstring issue and has a quick turnaround to play CIN on Thursday night. Mitchell is worth being your top priority for when he’s healthy. He’s forcing BAL to put him more in the RB rotation.
Rico Dowdle (96% available)
Don’t worry, Tony Pollard is still the starter in Dallas. But also, WORRY because Tony Pollard is still the starter in Dallas. Pollard hasn’t been the same without a bruiser handling early down work to wear down defenses. With another potential blowout on the horizon this week against Carolina, might we see more Dowdle in hopes he can be that back for Dallas? He went for 79 yards and a TD against the Giants, so maybe there’s hope. A worthy stash for the stretch run.
Have you seen our Monday’s Hangxiety show? Josh and Ryan recap all the weekly action, and we let you know whether it’s time to panic or Chill TF Out! We’re live every Monday at 11 AM EST! (No new episode this week, unfortunately.)
Wide Receivers
Brandin Cooks (51% Available)
Cooks turned back the clock in Week 10, going for 173 yards and a TD, only his second game this season with more than four targets (10). With the Dallas offense looking better and better each week, Cooks is worth an add to see if they can keep the momentum going as you approach the fantasy playoffs.
Josh Downs (51% Available)
Downs came into Week 10 a little banged up, but still managed two catches on the day. More importantly, his replacement, Isaiah McKenzie, was often targeted. What does that tell you? Downs is on a bye in Week 11, so many may pass over him. But he saw six or more targets in five of his last six healthy games, and you need that kind of depth on your bench.
Romeo Doubs (60% Available)
Doubs’ rostership went DOWN after Ryan had him on last week’s list. And Doubs followed that up with 3-31-1 in an ugly game against the Steelers. He has a touchdown in three of his last four and faces the Chargers and Lions the next two weeks. Both teams have suspect secondaries, which could easily translate to future touchdowns for Doubs.
Demario Douglas (73% Available)
Even the WR1 on a shitty offense should be on a fantasy roster. Douglas has proven to be the best playmaker on the Patriots this season. The hope is that the bye week will help straighten out the offense. Regardless, Douglas is a top 30 WR since Week 7. Don’t let him keep chillin’ on waivers!
Noah Brown (73% Available)
If back-to-back weeks as a top 5 fantasy WR doesn’t scream, “Pick ‘Em Up!” I’m not sure what will. The simple fact is this — C.J. Stroud is on fire, and you want as many pieces of his offense as you can get, even if it’s just to stash them on your bench. Injuries have forced a new featured WR each week, so let’s play Houston WR roulette together!
Quentin Johnston (67% available)/Jalen Guyton (99.8% available)
With both Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer on IR, the Chargers have needed others to step up in their place. Both Johnston and Guyton scored TDs in Week 10 and will see plenty of run in this pass happy offense. Johnston still needs a lot of refinement as a WR, but the team seems to be looking his way when they can. Guyton has experience with this team and has a ton of deep speed. Both are boom-or-bust FLEX options the next couple of weeks.
Tight Ends
Much like QB, Ryan doesn’t usually recommend blowing any waiver priority or FAAB on a tight end, either. You can generally wait until Wednesday and play the streaming game. However, there are sometimes players that should be rostered due to a late-season breakout. These are those players.
Cade Otton (77% available)
A down Week 10 will likely turn people off of Otton, but that’s the TE game that is 2023! He should see plenty of low aDOT targets with the SF D up in Baker Mayfield’s face on Sunday. Should be a quality streaming option at worst.
Tyler Conklin (89% available)
Conklin was found often by Zach Wilson during the Jets Sunday night matchup to the tune of a 7-70 night. I’m not recommending you trust this Jets offense, but I am saying their Week 11 opponent, the Buffalo Bills, have been difficult to figure out this season. There are worse streaming options available.
Be sure you’re following Josh on Twitter! Also, you can find our Week 11 rankings here and the rest of our Week 11 content here!