Three low-owned fantasy football RB pickups to make in NFL Week 11 include Trey Benson of the Arizona Cardinals.
Depending on the size of your league, you may have found yourself staring at a less-than-inspiring selection on the waiver wire this week. That said, we are officially entering the deeper waters of the fantasy football season. Player injuries can shake up team depth charts and fantasy football opportunities at a moment’s notice. With plenty of uncertainty surrounding various NFL backfields ahead of Week 11, there are bound to be some prime opportunities for managers to target some low-owned RB pickups and streamers.
Let’s explore some of our favorite low-owned fantasy football RB pickups and streamers for Week 11. Also, make sure to check out our Week 11 fantasy football rankings!
Fantasy Football RB Pickups for Week 11
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (50.1%)
For the most part, we aim to focus on low-owned fantasy football RB pickups in this column who also carry enough upside in that given week to be considered a streamer at the position. Clearly, if Trey Benson makes his return from IR in time to play in Sunday’s game for the Cardinals, he is a streamer and then some. However, this target is much more focused on the long haul as opposed to immediate gratification. After all, Benson has yet to have his 21-day return window officially opened up at the time of writing. The move could still transpire this week, but it may be a bit longer before we see him make his long-awaited return.
Of course, when that return comes, you can expect his ownership percentage to skyrocket. While I understand that not every league has an IR slot, it is rather stunning to note that Benson’s ownership in ESPN leagues has dipped below 50% during his absence. The drop has come despite any and all RBs that the Cardinals have thrown into the fire to try and get by being less than inspiring. So much so that it’s anyone’s guess as to which player will lead the backfield in snaps and touches from week to week and even what roles each will occupy within the offense.
Case in point, when Benson does return to game action, he is expected to immediately reclaim the volume needed to provide weekly RB2 fantasy value to lineups. Thus, if he is somehow sitting on the waiver wire in your league, go out and add him now before it’s too late! For what it’s worth, if Benson is not activated for Week 11, Emari Demercado (19.3%) is the Arizona RB to trust above the rest as a streamer in a matchup against an injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers defense.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15%)
Does anyone really know what’s going on with Bucky Irving at this point? The Buccaneers never placed their lead RB on IR when he suffered foot and shoulder injuries all the way back in Week 4. This led many to believe that it would be a fairly short-term absence. In reality, we haven’t seen Irving take the field since, and it is now Week 11. Head coach Todd Bowles has already gone on the record and stated that Irving is not expected to suit up yet again this week, with a shoulder issue being the primary culprit. While it’d be nice to assume he will finally be back next week, it’s anyone’s guess at this point.
As for the here and now, another week without Irving means another opportunity for Sean Tucker. Yes, Rachaad White is still healthy, but Tucker has asserted himself as the better rusher of the two in recent weeks with Irving sidelined. His role has been trending positively to the tune of having only two fewer carries than White over the Bucs’ last two games. These two most recent games also represented Tucker’s highest snap and touch totals on the season to date. The former Syracuse standout is a better player than his UDFA beginnings in the NFL might suggest.
Looking at the Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills only adds to the excitement surrounding what Tucker might be able to provide as a low-owned fantasy football RB pickups value play. The Bills continue to be horrendous against the run, a common theme for this defense over the last number of years. Buffalo has allowed the seventh-most PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs, ranks 28th in defensive EPA/rush, and is 30th in total rushing yards allowed per game (147.6). Game script is a concern given that White is the preferred pass-catching back, but the recent usage trends and upside for Tucker in this matchup cannot be ignored.
More Fantasy Football Streamers Week 11
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (50.3%)
Although the Chiefs are coming off their bye week, the status of Isiah Pacheco remains firmly in doubt ahead of Sunday’s massive divisional showdown at Mile High. The latest comments from Andy Reid two days ago suggest that Pacheco is probably in line to miss at least one more game with the knee injury he picked up three weeks back. If this is ultimately the case, then the outlook for Kareem Hunt as a low-owned fantasy football RB pickups option for Week 11 naturally stands to benefit.
Thanks to 21 red zone carries and five rushing touchdowns, Hunt has been able to put forth some risky FLEX value in most weeks, even with Pacheco in the lineup until recently. At the ripe age of 30, Hunt continues to get it done in key situations for the Chiefs. As a result, they continue to trust the veteran over the likes of rookie, Brashard Smith. This could perhaps change somewhat coming out of the bye, but Hunt should continue to be the featured back down in the red area.
In the team’s last two games, with Pacheco getting hurt and then missing entirely, Hunt garnered nine and 11 carries, respectively, rushed for over 40 yards both times, and scored three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). Kansas City’s entire offense figures to have its hands full in Week 11 against a Broncos defense that notably ranks fourth in defensive EPA/rush. However, Pacheco’s likely absence and Hunt’s knack for finding the end zone combine to give him a moderately safe floor and fantasy football streamers-worthy upside.
