Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 10.
Week 11 Byes: Atlanta, New Orleans, New England, Indianapolis
Dobbs has stepped into the Vikings starting QB role and flourished
in less than two games, passing for 268-1-0 (completing 67% of
his passes) and rushing for 8-44-1 against a tough New Orleans
defense. Up next is the much more forgiving Broncos pass defense
that has allowed the 5th-most passing TDs. This will be the last
week to pick him up off waivers.
Love delivered a 289-2-2 passing line on 40 attempts against
a tough Steelers secondary. In Week 11, he faces a Chargers pass
defense that has allowed the most passing yards and 8th-most passing
TDs.
Will Levis, TEN @ TB: Levis struggled to re-create the magic
of his first game against Atlanta, as he threw 199-0-1 and completing
less than 50% of his passes against a weak Bucs secondary. He’ll
face another struggling defense in Week 11 (Jacksonville), but
with accuracy issues plaguing him the last two weeks, he’ll
be difficult to trust.
Joshua Dobbs,
MIN vs NO: See above. Dobbs sits as the QB4 heading into Monday
night.
With Alexander Mattison leaving in the first half with a concussion,
Chandler saw 15 carries for 45 yards and a TD against a tough
Saints rush defense. Although he wasn’t targeted, he may have
some streaming appeal in Week 11 if Mattison can’t get cleared
in time against the lowly Broncos, who have allowed the most fantasy
points to RBs.
With Dameon Pierce out with an ankle injury, Singletary balled
out with a 30-150-1 rushing line paired with 2-1-11-0 receiving
in a victory over the surging Bengals. He may force Pierce into
a secondary role (if he plays) against an Arizona team that has
allowed the 3rd-most fantasy points to RBs.
The Rams were on bye Week 10, but in Week 11 Henderson will face
a Seahawks rush defense that hasn’t allowed a lot of rushing yards,
but have allowed the 5th-most rushing TDs and receiving yards
to RBs. With Kyren Williams set to return off IR in Week 12, this
could be the last usable week for Henderson.
Dowdle handled 12 carries and scored a TD in mop-up duty as the
Cowboys jumped out to an early lead and then rested starter Tony
Pollard. Although he takes a clear backseat to Pollard, Dowdle
could see increased touches again if the Cowboys run up the score
against a woeful Panthers rush defense that has allowed the 4th-most
rushing yards and the most rushing TDs.
Spears has 15 targets and 11 receptions in the last three games
with Will Levis as the Titans’ starting QB. The Jaguars boast
a stingy rushing defense, but have allowed the most receptions
and 2nd-most receiving yards to RBs, so Spears should find some
success as the backup to Derrick Henry.
D’Onta Foreman,
CHI vs. CAR: Foreman had a nice day against one of the league’s
most forgiving defenses against RBs, going 21-80-1 on the ground
and 2-2-12-0 receiving. Up next are two stingy defenses (Detroit
and Minnesota) before a week 13 bye. With Khalil Herbert likely
to return, Foreman’s days in your starting lineup are probably
over.
Ty Chandler,
MIN vs NO: See above. Chandler sits as the RB22 in Half-PPR leagues
heading into Monday night.
Keaton Mitchell,
BAL vs. CLE: Gus Edwards still handles the bulk of the workload,
but Mitchell is starting to carve out a role with his explosiveness.
Going 3-34-1 on the ground and 2-1-32-0 through the air has started
to push Justice Hill out of the RB2 position for the Ravens.
Zach Charbonnet, SEA vs. WAS: Charbonnet is the clear backup
to Kenneth Walker, but he’s getting opportunities to showcase
his three-down skillset and would become a potential league winner
if Walker ever went down with injury. Charbonnet delivered a 6-44-0
rushing line to go with 5-4-18-0 receiving against the middle-of-the-pack
Commanders defense.
The Chiefs were on bye week 10, but Rice has seen his rapport
with Patrick Mahomes grow, as he’s either caught a TD or
had at least 50 yards receiving in the last five games. Up next,
he gets the Eagles and their league-worst defense against WRs.
Dotson was quiet against the Seahawks in Week 10, but the two
previous weeks he combined for 18-12-177-2. In Week 11 he faces
the Giants’ 3rd-worst defense against WRs, who just allowed CeeDee
Lamb and Brandin Cooks both to go over 150 yards receiving and
a TD.
Cooks had his best game of the season in a 10-9-173-1 blowup
against the Giants. Week 11’s opponent, Carolina, is tough
on WRs, but thereafter he faces three bottom-10 defenses against
WRs (Washington, Seattle, Pittsburgh), so he will be a popular
stash this week.
Brown had another monster game after Nico Collins was ruled out.
He has delivered a combined 14-13-325-1 over the last two weeks,
placing him squarely into flex consideration against a soft Cardinals
defense.
McBride had another huge day, going 9-8-131-0 against the Falcons
in Week 10. Since Zach Ertz went to IR, McBride has averaged 9
targets, 3 receptions and 83 yards receiving, while scoring a
TD (3 games). He looks to continue the strong results this week
against a Texans defense that is league-worst against the position.
With Kyler Murray back and looking fresh, start McBride with confidence.
Quentin
Johnston, LAC vs. DET: With Josh Palmer going on IR (as well
as Mike Williams earlier in the year), Johnston has stepped into
the No.2 WR role. While he saved his day with a TD, his overall
4-4-34 receiving line meant he was fourth on the team in targets
(behind even Jalen Guyton). His long-awaited breakout may still
be yet to come.
TE Jonnu Smith, ATL @ ARI: Smith faced a tough Cardinals defense
(against TEs) energized by the return of Kyler Murray, and with
starting QB Taylor Heinicke going down with a hamstring injury,
Smith only saw 2 targets and caught 1 for a yard. Kyle Pitts didn’t
fare much better, going 5-3-30-0. If Heinicke can’t go after
the Week 11 bye, Desmond Ridder could step in and utilize Smith
more.
Defense/ Special Teams
Dolphins vs LV
The Raiders have given up the most INTs and are in the bottom
10 of scoring. With new rookie starter Aidan O’Connell having
passed for a combined 362 yards over the past two games, look
for the Dolphins-D to feast if their offense can break out to
an early lead.
Lions vs CHI
The Lions look to defend their home turf against a Bears team
starting rookie QB Tyson Bagent. The Bears have allowed the most
defensive TDs and tied for 2nd-most INTs (as well as a kick return
TD) so look for the Lions defense to power them back into the
win column.
Vikings @ DEN
Minnesota is starting to find their stride as they ride a five-game
winning streak, having created 8 INTs and 3 fumble recoveries
while averaging only 17 points allowed during the streak. In Week
11, they face the Broncos, who rank in the bottom 10 in sacks,
fumbles and points scored.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Seahawks vs WAS: Seattle nabbed 3 sacks and
a fumble recovery against the Commanders, earning a victory at
home.
Steelers vs GB: The Steelers had one of their
better days, with 1 sack and 2 turnovers while holding the Packers
to 19 points in a home victory.
Saints @ MIN: The Saints defense struggled to
contain new Vikings starter Joshua Dobbs, only getting 1 sack
and 0 turnovers at home while giving up 27 points. They’re
on bye Week 11 but have a favorable matchup against the Falcons
Week 12.
