When it comes to fantasy football, injuries can be detrimental to the season-long success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for plug-in starters, especially after another action-packed, injury-riddled week of football. Keep in mind that there are four teams on bye this week (ATL, NO, IND, NE), which is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty roster spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
If you’re looking to do just that, here are the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 11 that could help push your fantasy team in the right direction.
All players must be owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups weekly column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Tuesday morning.
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QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Joshua Dobbs Fantasy Ownership (39.0%)
It’s hard not to love what Josh Dobbs does in fantasy football and at just 39 percent ownership, there’s a good chance he’s available in your league. He’s posted at least 24 fantasy points in both of his games with Minnesota and continues to showcase his running abilities. Turnovers are usually Dobbs’ kryptonite but he had a clean game in Week 10 against the Saints and should be able to build off of it and keep the trend going.
The Vikings have plenty of offensive firepower at hand and Dobbs has taken full advantage of it. Minnesota’s defense has improved over the last few weeks, making the game scripts even for Dobbs for the most part but he’s attempted at least 30 passes and picked up a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games.
Matthew Stafford Fantasy Ownership (30.1%)
Matthew Stafford is expected to be back behind center for Week 11 and his ownership has fallen quite a bit since he went down with an injury. Stafford has not been a great fantasy QB this season as he’s averaging just 14.0 fantasy points per game and currently ranks as the QB20 but his upside was from the sheer amount of pass attempts. From Weeks 1-5, Stafford attempted at least 37 passes in each game but that number decreased once he started dealing with his thumb and shoulder injuries.
There are many QB injuries and I understand that Stafford isn’t a super intriguing option but he has top-tier pass-catchers to work with and will almost certainly be playing from behind in the Rams’ next few matchups, which include the Browns and Ravens. Stafford should be a quality streaming option moving forward, especially if he continues to feed both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Keaton Mitchell Fantasy Ownership (23.3%)
Well, if you didn’t get Keaton Mitchell last week, now is the time to grab him. His ownership will rise quite a bit again after another impressive performance in very limited snaps. Mitchell has touched the ball just 14 times across the last two games but has totaled nearly 200 yards. His big-play ability is apparent and much-needed in Baltimore’s offense.
He is still in a tricky situation, however, because 1) Lamar Jackson runs the ball and 2) Gus Edwards has been eating inside the red zone lately, totaling eight touchdowns across the last four games. Nonetheless, it would be silly for the Ravens not to utilize Mitchell more and more as the season progresses. Don’t expect a 50/50 role anytime soon due to Edwards’ production and Justice Hill’s presence but his time is coming, which is why you need to add him before it’s too late.
Ty Chandler Fantasy Ownership (3.0%)
Ty Chandler finally produced some solid fantasy points because Alexander Mattison was forced to exit Week 10 with a concussion. Minnesota already ranks 27th in rushing yards per attempt (3.7) and Chandler averaged just 3.0 yards per carry in Week 10 but it seems like the backfield will be his if Mattison is sidelined. He was already part of the regular rotation even while splitting touches, suggesting he could be in for a full-time role now.
The Vikings’ offensive line makes things difficult for Chandler to produce a solid fantasy outing but at just under three percent ownership, he could be a solid plug-in play against both the Broncos and Bears. He has shown his pass-catching abilities in previous games this season and could see himself as the third-down back depending on how Minnesota views Myles Gaskin, who signed with the team.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Demario Douglas Fantasy Ownership (27%)
Demario Douglas has a significant cap on his weekly upside simply because he plays for the lowly Patriots but since Week 6, he has hauled in at least four catches in each game and has produced three double-digit fantasy performances. It’s unclear whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe will be QB1 coming off the Week 11 bye but Douglas has shown he can get open and make big plays when called upon.
Considering the Patriots just cannot figure it out on offense at this point suggests that they’ll continue playing from behind all season long, which boosts the pass-catchers’ value. Douglas has clearly solidified his spot as the top option in the passing game and will look to find the end zone for the first time against defenses like the Giants and Chargers.
Noah Brown Fantasy Ownership (27.1%)
With the way C.J. Stroud has been playing, grabbing as many Houston pass-catchers is a good call and it starts with Noah Brown, who is coming off of back-to-back 150-yard games. Robert Woods returned to the lineup and took away some of Brown’s snaps and opportunities but that didn’t slow him down whatsoever and he should be a regular part of the gameplan moving forward.
Brown’s 20.5% target share compared to Woods’ 7.7% is enough for me to add Brown and reap the rewards. Woods is clearly looked for in the red zone but Brown’s 6.4 yards after catch per reception in Week 10 was nothing short of impressive. As long as Nico Collins is sidelined and Stroud keeps cookin’, Brown will continue to produce solid fantasy outings.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Luke Musgrave Fantasy Ownership (17.0%)
After finding the end zone for the first time in his career in Week 9, Luke Musgrave followed it up with the most receiving yards in a game of his career (64) in Week 10. Granted, he had just two receptions in Week 10 but he’s officially adjusting to the NFL game flow. The Packers’ offense has struggled mightily for weeks now but the rookie has some momentum and can carry it into matchups against the Chargers and Lions.
Musgrave has hauled in 29-of-39 targets for 313 yards and a touchdown –– good for a catch rate of 74.4%. At just 17 percent ownership and tight ends underperforming, add Musgrave and hope he builds off of two solid outings.
Michael Mayer Fantasy Ownership (3.3%)
Another rookie tight end who is slowly claiming a consistent offensive role is Michael Mayer. His situation isn’t as good as Musgrave’s in the sense that he is still splitting snaps with veteran Austin Hooper, which has put a cap on his weekly ceiling. Nonetheless, the Raiders are a rejuvenated squad that has won back-to-back games.
Mayer has only garnered five-plus targets in just two games this season but found the end zone for the first time in his career in Week 10. Las Vegas faces Miami in Week 11 –– suggesting Aidan O’Connell and company will be playing from behind all game. Let’s hope Mayer can build off his strong Week 10 outing and string together double-digit performances.
