Waiver Wire Watch: Week 11 Targets

Nov 16, 2020

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Week 10 started off like a tilt-o-whirl, with unheralded and unrostered players scoring the first foray of touchdowns. However, things evened out with plenty of big names getting theirs, and other matchups playing dividends. We also saw several new, lesser-known players assert themselves in bigger, fantasy-relevant roles, and I try to highlight them all below.

Recommendations are based on a PPR-scoring, four-point passing touchdown, 12-team league, with ownership percentages coming from Yahoo. I try to mention when a player is a better streaming play (short-term/one-week starter) versus a long-term addition. Free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) suggestions are based on a $100 season-long budget. Lastly, the great John Paulsen will edit this article every week and adjust rankings and prices if necessary. Essentially, you’re getting two minds collaborating on this piece instead of one, so lucky you.

Now, with that out of the way, here are some players to target heading into Week 11.

TEAMS ON BYE: 49ers, Giants, Bears, Bills

TEAMS RETURNING FROM BYE: Jets, Chiefs, Cowboys, Falcons

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Raiders
Philip Rivers, Colts
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Jameis Winston, Saints
Baker Mayfield, Browns
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers
Kirk Cousins, Vikings

Derek Carr, Raiders, 37% rostered ($5)

Carr has two-plus touchdown passes in every game save three this season, but he’s failed to hit even 200 passing yards in each of his last three games. One of those games was the Wind Bowl against the Browns, though, and the other was this past week against the Broncos where the Raiders ran for 203 yards and four touchdowns. Up next for Carr is a dance with the Chiefs in Las Vegas. When Carr went to Arrowhead Stadium earlier this year, he threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns against this Chiefs defense. This game figures to be a shootout, giving Carr a solid floor and high-upside as a fantasy streamer.

Philip Rivers, Colts, 22% rostered ($3)

Rivers has not been great for fantasy this year, scoring 16-plus points in just three games this season. The good news is all three of those games have come in Rivers’ last four, and next up he has a date with a banged up and beatable Green Bay defense. Don’t let Green Bay’s fantasy points against numbers fool you, their last three quarterback matchups were Nick Mullens (on a short week with numerous Covid absences), Kirk Cousins (when Dalvin Cook racked up over 200 total yards and four touchdowns), and rookie Jake Luton (in a windy, cold Lambeau Field). Rivers will be indoors with close to a full complement of weapons, and he should be able to do some damage against this Packers defense.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins, 45% rostered ($3)

Tua consistently found himself on a short field thanks to his defense and special teams, so his yardage total (169) leaves a lot to be desired. However, the young passer threw two touchdowns and kept a clean sheet in the turnover column for the second week in a row. The Raiders hung 37 points on the Broncos, but did most of their damage on the ground, as Derek Carr threw for just 154 yards and no touchdowns (though his receivers did drop a couple of sure touchdowns). Regardless, the Dolphins are vibing right now with Tua under center, and he looks like a solid start next week in a decent matchup.

Jameis Winston, Saints, 1% rostered ($3-$5)

Winston will be a popular pickup in two-quarterback/superflex leagues this week after news broke that Drew Brees is likely to miss some time with a rib injury. Winston completed 6-of-10 passes for 63 yards against the 49ers, but we all know what he's capable of, fantasy-wise, from his days in Tampa. Winston has as much short-term upside as anyone on this list and his schedule is favorable (Atlanta twice, Denver and Philadelphia in the next four weeks). With a full week of starter's reps, he should be ready to take the reins against the Falcons, though the presence of Taysom Hill does lower his potential ceiling a bit.

Baker Mayfield, Browns, 34% rostered ($2)

Mayfield has played in back-to-back Wind Bowls (more or less), which is why he has only thrown for 254 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions over his last two games. That could change next week when the Browns face the Eagles. The only quarterback to not score 20-plus fantasy points against the Eagles since Week 5 is Ben DiNucci. The return of Nick Chubb will likely keep the Browns in a run-first mentality, but Mayfield should have opportunities to make some plays through the air when given the chance. He lacks the upside of other streamers but is a solid option.

Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers, 46% rostered ($1)

Bridgewater suffered a knee injury late in his game against the Buccaneers, but early reports are that he’ll likely be able to play next week against the Lions. Alex Smith just amassed 390 passing yards against the Lions, so the matchup is there for Teddy to put together a solid outing. However, his knee injury will need to be monitored throughout the week, and it already is lowering Teddy’s upside a bit as his mobility has been an asset this year.

Kirk Cousins, Vikings % rostered ($1)

Cousins hasn’t played yet this week, but he’s facing a tough matchup against the Bears on Monday Night Football. Next week he should find much less resistance against the Cowboys. There’s certainly a risk that this becomes a Dalvin Cook game, though, which severely limits Cousins’ fantasy ceiling. Cousins is a lower-end streamer.

Other streaming options: Drew Lock vs. MIA, Alex Smith vs. CIN