Waiver Wire Watch: Week 11

Nov 16, 2015

Editor’s Note: We’re happy that 4for4 Contributor Pat Fitzmaurice (formerly of Pro Football Weekly) is back on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He will continue to work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile this list of the top pickups each week.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 10. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor ($12)

Taylor had trouble solving a stalwart Jets defense in Week 10, throwing for only 158 yards, with one TD and no INTs. He also had six carries for 12 yards. But Taylor has been productive for most of the season, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per start, and he doesn’t have any tough matchups on the docket until he faces Dallas in Week 16. Taylor is still unowned in 53% of Yahoo leagues and is well worth a look if you need QB help.

Next up: @ Patriots, @ Chiefs, Texans

Bears QB Jay Cutler ($9)

Cutler is quietly playing some of the best and most mistake-free football he’s played during his seven-year tenure with the Bears. Smokin’ Jay completed 19-of-24 throws (79.2%) of his throws against a normally stingy Rams defense on Sunday and threw for 258 yards and a season-high three TD passes. Cutler has averaged 283.3 passing yards over his last six starts, with an 11-3 TD-INT ratio over that stretch. He has a bad matchup against the Broncos this week but extremely smooth sailing from Week 12 on. Playoff-bound fantasy teams might want to consider adding Cutler for the stretch run.

Next up: Broncos, @ Packers, 49ers

Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ($8)

Take note, streamers: Fitzpatrick has a very good matchup against the Texans this week and another appealing one against the Giants in Week 13. To say that #FitzMagic has been steady this season would be an understatement. He hasn’t thrown three or more TD passes in any game this season, but he’s thrown two TD passes on seven occasions. He hasn’t had a 300-yard game yet, but he’s thrown for more than 200 yards in six of his nine starts. If you take out the game against Oakland where he broke his thumb and left after throwing just five passes, Fitz has averaged 242.1 passing yards and 1.88 TD passes per game. There’s a safe floor here, and this week’s favorable matchup raises the ceiling a bit.

Next up: @ Texans, Dolphins, @ Giants

Titans QB Marcus Mariota ($7)

Mariota was ineffectual against the Panthers on Sunday, completing 16-of-24 passes for 185 yards, with no TDs and one INT. But the rookie QB won’t see another defense that tough until the Titans encounter the Jets in Week 14. Averaging 256.4 passing yards per game, with 13 TD passes and only six INTs in seven starts, Mariota will be a decent fantasy option over the next three weeks.

Next up: @Jaguars, Raiders, Jaguars