2016 Fantasy Football: Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickup Rankings, Injuries & Playoff Matchups
FNTSY Sports Network’s Pat Mayo and Jake Ciely run through the NFL Injury report and debate Mayo’s Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings for every position. Plus, the top streaming QBs and DSTs for the upcoming week and the Fantasy playoffs.
Week 11: Waiver Wire Pickup Rankings | Waiver Pickup Debate | By Position: RB | WR | TE | QB | DST | RB Snap Counts
Week 14-16 Matchups: RB | WR | QB | TE | DST | Week 11 HOT TOPICS: Evans | Prosise/Rawls | Russ Wilson Rank | Kelley
Week 10 Ranks: FLEX | RB | WR | TE | QB | DST | Ranks Debate | Debate by Position: RB | WR | QB | TE | DST | Game Picks
Week 10 DraftKings: DK Picks | Full Preview | DFS Own% Proj. | $20 Tourney | DK By Position: RB | WR | TE | QB | DST
Pat Mayo Hour: Video | iTunes | Stitcher | Facebook | Twitter | Audioboom | E-Mail | Google Play | ALL DFS Info: Daily Roto
Best Of PMH: Wiener Juice is everywhere | Behind the scenes | Outtakes | Top Simpsons Eps | Bosa Hate | Geoff & Rivers
Week 10 Picks: Game Previews | Spread Picks | Best Bets | DFS NFL Strategy: Cash Game/Bankroll | Tournament (GPP)
Video: Subscribe to the Pat Mayo Hour on YouTube | Audio: Subscribe to the Pat Mayo Hour on iTunes | Stitcher | Audioboom
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Show Index
1:20 Rest of Season RB Pickup Strategy/Handcuffs
6:26 RB Pickups; Best/Worst RB Schedules
33:11 WR Pickups
40:22 Best/Worst WR Schedules
46:10 TE Pickups
50:32 Best/Worst TE Schedules
51:18 QB Pickups/Streams
52:00 Best/Worst QB Schedules
53:45 DST Streams
55:14 Best/Worst DST Schedules
Week 11 Waiver Wire Notes
All players must be less than 60-percent owned
Will Be Updated For Breaking Injuries & After Monday Nighter
Bye Weeks: Falcons, Broncos, Jets, Chargers
Week 10 RB Snap Counts
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Running Backs
CJ Prosise
Robert Kelley
James Starks
Kenneth Dixon
Bilal Powell
Dion Lewis
Kapri Bibbs
Jeremy Langford
Matt Asiata
Alfred Morris
Chris Ivory
Derrick Henry
Paul Perkins
Chris Thompson
DeAndre Washington
Cameron Artis-Payne
Kenyan Drake
Ka’Deem Carey
Wendell Smallwood
Dwayne Washington
Charcandrick West
Peyton Barber
Tim Hightower
Mike Gillislee
Thomas Rawls
DuJuan Harris
Andre Ellington
Damien Williams
Travaris Cadet
Kenjon Barner
Fozzy Whittaker
Lance Dunbar
Deangelo Williams
Alfred Blue
Knile Davis
Zach Zenner
Reggie Bush
Jalen Richard
Stepfan Taylor
Josh Ferguson
Bobby Rainey
Week 11 Waiver Wire: RB Injuries, News & Notes
Injuries were everywhere in Week 10—just not to the skill positions, so no one really noticed. That doesn’t mean it won’t impact your Fantasy squad however. If TJ Lang (Ankle) and David Bakhtiari (Knee) are missing from the Packers’ O-Line for any extended period of time, Aaron Rodgers is going to be running for his life. Likely, affecting the entire complement of Green Bay weapons you’ve come to rely on every week. Hopefully, they’ll be OK. In better news, we were able to glean a few things about that offense Sunday, which should help matters moving forward. The great TY Montgomery (Flea Market) experience appears to be over. Montgomery was relegated to back up duties at both RB and WR with James Starks returning to action. Starks played 55 snaps in the backfield against Monty’s 20. Plus, TY only managed a measly 2 snaps as a WR. This seems pretty clear: Add Starks, drop Montgomery. On Yahoo!, because of his WR/RB eligibility, and in deeper leagues, you’ll want to hang on to him, but it’s doubtful you can start Montgomery unless 10 plagues befall the Green Bay offense. I mean, it’s possible Jordy Nelson could slip on a poorly-placed sky frog like it’s a banana peel in Mario Kart causing him to blow out his knee again. Fiery hail taking out Davante Adams too. However that dude is spitting to much HOT FIYA already, it’s impossible he’d be affected. Like Ghost Rider. After dropping 156 yards on Tennessee, Adams is now averaging six receptions, 12 targets, and 100 yards (with three touchdowns) over the last four games.
There was only one injury to a MAJOR Fantasy player, and we’re not even sure if he’s actually hurt. Post-routing, Bears head coach John Fox insinuated Jordan Howard had suffered an ankle, or possibly Achilles injury. When prodded on the issue later on, Howard, showcasing his gripping command of the English language, refuted that claim, bellowing, “Nah, I ain’t suffer nothing.” So, who fucking knows? We do know, despite running all over the Bucs in the first half, Howard only played two snaps after halftime. That reeks of injury. Although, it doesn’t seem like we’re going to know the severity right away. Overall, Howard ended up playing 29 snaps against Tampa. If Howard has to sit, it appears like Jeremy Langford is the add over Ka’Deem Carey. Sans Howard, the Bears will likely revert to a committee approach, riding the hot hand in any given game. But, I expect Langford to rub the sticks together. Sunday, Langford more than doubled Carey’s snaps 19:8, and was far more active in the passing game; he saw five targets to Carey’s one. Langford is worth a spec add for volume’s sake, but even if one manages to play himself into a full workload, neither will rival Howard in Fantasy value. You see, there’s a problem, they’re not any good. Let’s just hope nothing is wrong with Howard and we can go back to pretending like these guys are John Nash’s entire inner circle – they don’t exist.
New to DraftKings? Sign Up here and get a BONUS $20 to play on Draftkings!!!
Jay Gruden stuck true to his word, not to be confused with His word, or maybe it should be if you’re a Rob Kelley owner. Matt Jones was a healthy scratch against the Vikings, leaving Kelley with the starting gig, pushing Chris Thompson back to his natural role as third down specialist. Kelley racked up 22 carries for 97 yards against a stiff Vikings run defense; he out-snapped Thompson 42:21 in a game where Washington threw the ball 33 times. This is great news for Kelley moving forward. The one issue: the schedule does him no favors. After drawing GB, DAL, and ARZ during the stretch run, the Skins get PHI, CAR, and CHI in the Fantasy playoffs. Of that sextet, the Eagles have been the easiest match up for running backs this season. They allow the 21st most Fantasy points to the position. Ruh Roh. This presents an odd situation, and it all depends on your league. Since Kelley’s only around 45% owned, he’s a clear pickup even with the brutal closing schedule. In more competitive leagues, though, where he’s been gone for a while, if it’s possible to cash in on this week and sell high, do it. If not, it’s no big deal. Since there’s such a dearth of talent at running back, merely getting 20 carries against any defense, even the good ones, will almost assure a Top 20 finish for the week. Just ask any Todd Gurley owner.
‘Member all that talk early in the week about Karpi Bibbs getting more work in Denver, which led to all Devontae Booker owners shitting their pants? Oh, I ‘member. Well, guess what? IT HAPPENED!!!!!! THE BIBBS played eight snaps in Week 10, more than doubling his Week 11 opportunity, taking the field 18 times. What became of that afterthought Booker? He played 59 snaps and out-touched Bibbs 26-to-7. Expect Bibbs’ snaps to hover around the 25-30% moving forward, but Booker remains the Denver back to own, and only one of play on a weekly basis.
On the other side of the field from Booker/Bibbs, the Mark Ingram/Tim Hightower situation found no resolution. Ingram got the best of Hightower in snaps 24:14, but we got a heavy dose of Travaris Cadet injected into the mix as well. The ever-so-sneaky Cadet snuck on to the field 10 times. The continued jinx of Ingram on all Fantasy owners continues.
Zombie Ryan Mathews returned from the dead to feast on the flesh of the Falcons. An alliteration! Mathews looked excellent, gashing Atlanta for 109 yards and two scores (touchdowns, not units of 20) on 19 carries, chipping in another 30 yards through the air. Now is the time to sell Mr. Mathews. Despite all the Fantasy glory, Darren Sproles still played the most snaps in the Eagles backfield (31, to Mathews’ 26), with that pesky Wendall Smallwood stepping between in the numbers for 19 plays. It should be noted, it was Smallwood, not Mathews who was called upon to run the clock out at the end of the game. Doug Peterson seems to still be wary of Mathews’ ITIS… fumbleitis. Maybe he needs to rub some tussin on the ball, get that all cleared up. Mathews is definitely worth owning, but he’s a bench guy you play in a pinch and pray he scores a TD. If you can flip him for a starter at, any position, do it. Sproles is the Philly back I’d want to own the rest of the season.
It’s unclear whether Kenneth Dixon will ever have sustainable value this season, but I’m holding on to him nonetheless. Dixon looks fantastic in his limited opportunities. He was used more Thursday night against the Browns, though. Dixon trailed Terrance West 34:26 in snaps, but was fixture in the passing game. The rook nabbed five catches on seven targets. If he can retain that role in the offense, it won’t be long before he starts eating away at West’s carry share.
Dion Lewis (Knee) was activated form the PUP list, but remained inactive Sunday night against the Seahawks. I still think Lewis has value in PPR leagues down the stretch. I mean, if James White can be a borderline starter every week in that format, the not-crappy Lewis should be a fringy Top 20 RB. Hold.
Thomas Rawls (Leg) could be back next week too. With Christine Michael struggling and playing through a tender hamstring, there is a path for Rawls to pass Michael on the depth chart. That may not even be good enough for participation ribbon however. CJ Prosise has established himself as the RB to own in Seattle. And, even if Rawls can supplant Prosise for a plurality of snaps, there’s little upside to be had. The Seahawks have the toughest schedule for running backs Weeks 14-16. I’d rather use that bench spot on an upside handcuff. Prosise, and his pass catching prowess, persists as a hold, and someone you probably want to play each week. If he continues to play all the passing downs, he’s going to keep falling backward into PPR points. It’s much like how Theo Riddick’s particular set of skills makes him immune to bad match ups.
Lamar Miller (Ankle) sat out briefly but ended up returning to the game. Phewwwwwwwwww. Keep an eye on his practice reports during the week just to make sure he’s OK.
DeAngelo Williams quietly underwent knee surgery Wednesday and will miss a couple weeks. Fitzgerald Toussaint is the new Le’Veon Bell handcuff, but has no value beyond being the next man up until Williams returns in a few weeks. Against the Cowboys, Bell played all 73 snaps. Toussaint got on the field once, during a two-point conversion, and mangled it so badly, he’s lucky to still be getting a paycheck.
Top Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Running Backs
Panthers: vs SD, @WSH, vs ATL
Buccaneers: vs NO, @KC, @ NO
Bills: vs PIT, vs CLE, @ MIA
Rams: vs ATL, @SEA, vs SF
Raiders: @KC, @SD, vs IND
Worst Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Running Backs
Seahawks: @GB, vs LAR, vs ARZ
Redskins: @PHI, vs CAR, @CHI
Lions: vs CHI, @NYG, @DAL
Giants: vs DAL, vs DET, @PHI
Week 10 RB Target Leaders
Darren Sproles 10
Le’Veon Bell 10
Melvin Gordon 8
CJ Prosise 7
Bilal Powell 7
David Johnson 7
Kenneth Dixon 7
Benny Cunningham 5
Isaiah Crowell 5
Jeremy Langford 5
James Starks 4
James White 4
Duke Johnson 4
Jerick McKinnon 4
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Wide Receivers
Kenny Britt
Jamison Crowder
Rishard Matthews
Eli Rogers
Kendall Wright
Cole Beasley
DeVante Parker
Robert Woods
Corey Coleman
Sammie Coates
Brian Quick
Tyreek Hill
Cordarrelle Patterson
Adam Humphries
Marqise Lee
Kenny Stills
Tyler Lockett
Pierre Garcon
Anquan Boldin
Albert Wilson
Adam Thielen
Jeremy Kerley
Mohamed Sanu
Brandon LaFell
Devin Funchess
Cameron Meredith
Chris Hogan
Tyler Boyd
JJ Nelson
Dontrelle Inman
Quincy Enunwa
Jermaine Kearse
Quinton Patton
Eddie Royal
Phillip Dorsett
Nelson Agholor
Cecil Shorts III
Tajae Sharpe
Chris Conley
Kamar Aiken
Dorial Green-Beckham
Torrey Smith
Justin Hunter
Andrew Hawkins
Robby Anderson
Victor Cruz
Seth Roberts
Week 11 Waiver Wire: WR Injuries, News & Notes
Larry Fitzgerald is scheduled for an MRI Monday on his sore knee. Since Fitz was able to haul in 12 receptions on a season-high 18 targets, this seems more precautionary than anything. Week 10 DFS darling JJ Nelson was an utter disappoint to Fantasy owners. I’m guessing his parents don’t want to look at him either. He generated a measly 29 yards on six targets, but fumbled and tipped up another catchable ball into the hands of the 49ers’ Eric Reid. NOT GREAT, BOB!!!! This opened the door for Michael Floyd to regain some of his mojo, breaching the 100 yard barrier for the first time this season. I doubt we see lethal doses of Nelson moving forward. Expect Fitz, Floyd and John Brown starting for the Cardinals next week in Minnesota.
Jeremy Maclin (Groin) skipped Week 10, opening the door for low aDOT aficionado Alex Smith to meet his match with short route specialist Tyreek Hill. Turns out, serving under the Warden of the North did Reek well, he’s now King of the Screen Pass: 10 catches, 13 targets, 89 yards. There’s nothing Smith loves more than a high-percentage, low upside pass. Which should bode well for Hill in the coming weeks with Maclin struggling to back to full health.
Travis Benjamin (Knee) sat against the Dolphins, but should be back on the field following San Diego’s Week 11 bye. The Chargers have one of the softest schedules to WRs in the Fantasy playoffs, so a dastardly buy low offer may be in order. If he hasn’t been dropped already. I far prefer Tyrell Williams to Benjamin the rest of the season. The Gazelle is a borderline WR1, but prying him away on the heels of a 125 yard performance may be difficult. Benjamin, you can get for nothing. Oh, and send Dontrelle Inman back from whence he came.
Week 10 WR Target Leaders
Larry Fitzgerald 18
Jordy Nelson 18
Antonio Brown 18
Julio Jones 16
Stefon Diggs 15
DeAndre Hopkins 13
Allen Robinson 13
Tyreek Hill 13
Kelvin Benjamin 12
Demaryius Thomas 11
Tyrell Williams 11
Pierre Garcon 10
Kenny Britt 10
Jordan Matthews 10
Top Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Wide Receivers
Chargers: @CAR, vs OAK, @CLE
Falcons: @LAR, vs SF, @CAR
Redskins: @PHI, vs CAR, @CHI
Lions: vs CHI, @NYG, @DAL
Worst Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Wide Receivers
Jaguars: vs MIN, @HOU, vs TEN
Colts: vs HOU, @MIN, @OAK
Titans: vs DEN, @KC, @JAC
Bengals: @CLE, vs PIT, @HOU
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Tight Ends
Eric Ebron
Julius Thomas
Cameron Brate
Vernon Davis
Zach Ertz
Dennis Pitta
Hunter Henry
CJ Fiedorowicz
Lance Kendricks
Ladarius Green
Charles Clay
Vance McDonald
Richard Rodgers
Jack Doyle
Virgil Green
Jesse James
Clive Walford
Larry Donnell
Week 11 Waiver Wire: TE Injuries, News & Notes
Ladarius Green played for the first time this season, so it wasn’t shocking to only get a glimpse of him in action. Jesse James still worked as the primary TE in the Steelers offense, playing 52 snaps. Green was second with 12, followed by blockers David Johnson (11) and Detective Xavier Grimble (10)… I’M A COP YOU IDIOT!!!! If you don’t have a reliable big man to play every week, and have bench room, I’d stash Green to see if he can seize control of this job full time. In Pittsburgh’s offense, it’s worth it if he hits. You can’t play him next week, though.
Eric Ebron underwent surgery a few weeks back to replace his hands with ones that can catch footballs. Tremendous results. Hopefully, the doctor who performed that experimental procedure didn’t reverse his work during the Lions bye week. At full health, there’s no tight end who’s a better pick up the rest of the season.
Jacob Tamme (Ankle) sat against the Eagles, but will return after the bye week. There’s no longer a need to hang with Austin Hooper.
He’s BRATTTTEEEEE!!!!!! And, Not because he’s making Fantasy teams Brate again either. Cameron Brate is a better long-term add than Julius Thomas, however, Thomas is playing the Lions this week. That pushes him ahead in the rankings this week. As will be the case for any big man until Detroit curbs its TE masochism fetish. Nine games, nine touchdowns to the position.
Top Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Tight Ends
Chargers: @CAR, vs OAK, @CLE
Bears: @DET, vs GB, vs WSH
Browns: vs CIN, @BUF, vs SD
Texans: @IND, vs JAC, vs CIN
Worst Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Tight Ends
Packers: vs SEA, @CHI, vs MIN
Ravens: @NE, vs PHI, @PIT
Saints: @TB, @ARZ, vs TB
Titans: vs DEN, @KC, @JAC
Week 10 TE Target Leaders
Delanie Walker 11
Julius Thomas 10
Antonio Gates 9
Jason Witten 8
Greg Olsen 8
Kyle Rudolph 8
Zach Miller 7
Martellus Bennett 7
Zach Ertz 7
Richard Rodgers 7
Cameron Brate 7
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
Blake Bortles at DET
Tyrod Taylor at CIN
Ryan Tannehill at LAR
Colin Kaepernick vs NE
Alex Smith vs TB
Brock Osweiler at OAK
Seven-Time NASCAR champion Bryce Petty got the nod for the Jets over Ryan Fitzpatrick. It went about how you’d expect. Not well. Looks like it will be Petty moving forward for Gang Green after the bye Week. RIP Brandon Marshall.
Cody Kessler got benched Thursday night after not playing all that poorly. He was replaced by Josh McCown who proceeded to be the worst. Kessler will be back under center Week 11 against the Steelers. Terrelle Pryor remains the only startable receiving option the Browns.
Top Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Quarterbacks
Chargers: @CAR, vs OAK, @CLE
Falcons: @LAR, vs SF, @CAR
Saints: @TB, @ARZ, vs TB
49ers: vs NYJ, @ATL, @LAR
Worst Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for Quarterbacks
Jaguars: vs MIN, @HOU, vs TEN
Colts: vs HOU, @MIN, @OAK
Packers: vs SEA, @CHI, vs MIN
Eagles: vs WSH, @BAL, vs NYG
Week 11 Waiver Wire: Streaming Defenses
Giants vs CHI
Cowboys vs BAL
Raiders vs HOU
Steelers at CLE
Eagles at SEA
Titans at IND
Redskins vs GB
Lions vs JAX
Top Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for DSTs
Patriots: vs BAL, @DEN, vs NYJ
Falcons: @LAR, vs SF, @CAR
Dolphins: vs ARZ, @NYJ, @BUF
49ers: vs NYJ, @ATL, @LAR
Worst Fantasy Playoff (Week 14-16) Schedules for DSTs
Panthers: vs SD, @ WSH, vs AT
Ravens: @NE, vs PHI, @PIT
Chargers: @CAR, vs OAK, @CLE
Bears: @DET, vs GB, vs WSH
The Pat Mayo Hour covers the entire scope of the Fantasy sports landscape from Football to Reality TV, daily and yearly leagues and everything in between. You can watch the Pat Mayo Hour every weekday at 3:00pm EST, 8:00pm EST and Midnight on the FNTSY Sports Network Television channel or on your Apple TV, Xbox, Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. If you have a Fantasy question, general inquiry or snarky comment, ship it to Mayo at PatMayoHour@gmail.com and the best will be addressed on the show.