Week 11 Waiver Wire Additions: Is Trey Benson the Real Deal?

In the words of the great alt-rock band Smashmouth, “Sell, the weeks stop coming, and they don’t stop coming”…or something like that. Here we are already in Week 11 of the NFL season, and the fantasy football playoffs are looming! It wasn’t a good week for injuries (as the story has been all year), with news that quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Trevor Lawrence could be out for the season, tight end Sam LaPorta suffered a shoulder injury that could sideline him, and Buffalo Bills’ tight end Dalton Kincaid’s status remains up in the air. While I don’t have a lot of tight end options for you this week (because, let’s face it, tight end is a wasteland), I do have a few flex options from the Week 11 waiver wire that could help you shore up your team for the looming bye week.

Week 11 Waiver Wire Additions

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

Available in 45% of Yahoo leagues, 52% of ESPN leagues, and 46% of Sleeper leagues

Let’s face it: at this point of the season (especially if you’ve lost Prescott or Lawrence), the options available to you are few and far between. Yes, you could go after “reliable” older options such as Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith, but they’ve been volatile this year. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert is on the rise, and in Week 11, despite not throwing for many touchdowns, he salvaged his fantasy value with a rushing touchdown and his sneaky mobility. With running back Gus Edwards activated from injured reserve, defenses will no longer be able to key in solely on the run, freeing Herbert up to utilize his young receivers. He also has a favorable upcoming schedule against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Atlanta Falcons, just in time to make your playoff push.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Available in 59% of Yahoo leagues, 55% of ESPN leagues, and 41% of Sleeper leagues

For those of you keeping receipts, yes, I know I was down on Quentin Johnston earlier in the season. Sue me for not wanting to chase touchdown production. I’m still standing on that, but in this landscape, we’re chasing upside, and if you’re in dire need of a wide receiver, I’d rather have one on an up-and-coming offense. He’s still touchdown-dependent, but as this offense continues to develop the passing game, you want to make sure and grab him before your leaguemates do.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Available in 94% of Yahoo leagues, 92% of ESPN leagues, and 83% of Sleeper leagues

While a lot of people thought second-year man Josh Downs was going to be the play this week, rookie Adonai Mitchell exploded against the Buffalo Bills in his coming out game. Number-one wide receiver Michael Pittman could miss the remainder of the season, and if that comes to pass, Mitchell is more of a deep threat than Downs, giving him the edge in most formats. With Joe Flacco in at quarterback for the foreseeable future, expect Mitchell to continue seeing plenty of work.

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Available in 82% of Yahoo leagues, 84% of ESPN leagues, and 75% of Sleeper leagues

James Conner has been amazing; there’s no denying that. What we cannot ignore, however, is the emergence of rookie Trey Benson. Over the past two weeks, he’s had 18 carries, which isn’t huge in the grand scheme of things, but it’s what he’s done with those carries that’s impressive. With 5.5 average yards per carry, 14.3 yards per reception, and a touchdown, expect this upward trend to continue. In the scarcity of this running-back market, you can do much, much worse.

Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos

Available in 96% of Yahoo leagues, 99% of ESPN leagues, and 93% of Sleeper leagues

Move over, Javonte Williams; there’s a new sheriff in town. Well, at least for now. Since Williams’ last huge game, Estime has emerged as the number-one running back, seeing 14 carries to Williams’ lone attempt. Although the production was moderate, at only 3.8 yards per carry, the change in the guard is apparent. Their schedule is a little up and down in terms of difficulty, but again, in this running back landscape, at this point in the season, you take what you can get, and we want the guys who are getting the carries.

*Bonus Pick*

Devaughn Vele, WR, Denver Broncos

Available in 99% of Yahoo leagues, 99% of ESPN leagues, and 97% of Sleeper leagues

Two Broncos in this article? Who would have ever thunk it? In all seriousness, Devaughn Vele has emerged as a sneaky option in this offense over fellow rookie Troy Franklin. You’re only looking to add him in deeper leagues, but he’s out-produced guys we all thought were set up for huge roles (Jalen McMillan *cough*), and in deep leagues…well, beggars can’t be choosers. If he continues to gain Bo Nix’s attention in the red zone, he will continue to rise in the fantasy ranks.

Be sure you’re following Britt on Twitter! Also, you can find our Week 11 rankings here and the rest of our Week 11 content here!