NFL Waiver Wire: Week 11 Deep Dive

At first glance, this wasn't the most interesting week for waiver wire options. However, there are some potentially hidden gems available - particularly among pass catchers - as we get more information based on practice reports. Be sure to keep up on all the news before making any late additions to your lineup, as some projected roles in this article could substantially change by Sunday.

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa at Jets (40 percent ESPN)

Tagovailoa is back as the Dolphins' starter and is immediately a viable streamer. He's thrown for multiple touchdowns in a game only twice this season but has quietly rushed for three TDs and a matchup against a woeful Jets defense.

Justin Fields vs. Ravens (19 percent ESPN)

Fields has recently gotten more comfortable in the Bears' offense. He quietly threw six passes of 20 yards or more Week 9 against Pittsburgh and has multiple big-play completions in four straight games. Through his first five outings, Fields only produced one effort with multiple completions of 20 or more yards and failed to complete a pass of that length three times. Perhaps most importantly for fantasy purposes, he's tallied at least eight rushing attempts in each of his last three.

Trevor Siemian at Eagles (four percent ESPN, seven percent FFPC)

Siemian has seemingly held off the threat of Taysom Hill for the time being and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of his two starts. The Eagles have been a tough matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season, but Siemian should have a reasonable floor for those in a desperate spot or two-quarterback/superflex leagues.

Jimmy Garoppolo at Jaguars (11 percent ESPN, 54 percent FFPC)

The 49ers have done their best to hide Garoppolo this season, and that strategy proved effective in their win Monday night against the Rams. A matchup with Jacksonville seems most likely to devolve into an ugly low-scoring affair, though Vegas currently has San Francisco with 26.5 implied points. If that comes to fruition, someone has to get them to end zone.   

Running Back

Jeff Wilson at Jaguars (12 percent ESPN)

Wilson made his season debut Monday and earned 10 carries. He should remain locked into the second running back role for the 49ers, but could be in for more if Elijah Mitchell is surprisingly unable to suit up.

Ty Johnson vs. Dolphins (17 percent ESPN)

Michael Carter has taken over the Jets' backfield and Tevin Coleman is also back in the mix. Despite both of those factors, Johnson has seen at least five receptions in three of his last four outings. It's unclear exactly how Joe Flacco being under center may change the offense, though it's difficult to imagine him pushing the ball down the field aggressively.

Latavius Murray at Bears (25 percent ESPN)

Murray is expected to return from a three-game absence against Chicago. It's unclear exactly how coach John Harbaugh will split work between him, Devonta Freeman and Ty'Son Williams, though Murray recorded scored four touchdowns in six games this year. Don't expect an explosive effort, but he should be safe to at least pick up a few points for those fantasy managers in a desperate position.

Boston Scott vs. Saints (31 percent ESPN)

Miles Sanders may return after being designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the week. But if he doesn't, Scott should maintain a significant role out of the Eagles' backfield particularly as the primary pass catcher. He's a stop-gap option at best, as the Saints are a tough matchup and Sanders will almost certainly be back in Week 12.

Jordan Howard vs. Saints (32 percent ESPN, 44 percent FFPC)

The same analysis for Scott applies to Howard. The main difference is that Howard has zero receptions in three games this season, downgrading his fantasy value compared to Scott.

Ty'Son Williams at Bears (10 percent ESPN, 31 percent FFPC)

The Ravens' willingness to part ways with Le'Veon Bell likely means Williams will be active this weekend. His volume beyond that is even more uncertain, but he could be worth a speculative add.

Matt Breida vs. Colts (one percent ESPN, 12 percent FFPC)

Breida took on a minor role in the Bills' drubbing of the Jets in Week 10. That diminishes the short-term effect of his two-touchdown performance, though that effort could earn him more playing time moving forward. Breida is an uncomfortable Week 11 start as he has no floor, but could be a playoff hero if he can expand his role in an explosive offense.

Patrick Taylor at Vikings (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

For right now, Taylor is the only healthy player in the Packers' backfield besides AJ Dillon. That may not stick, as coach Matt LaFleur suggested the team could also look to outside options. Kerryon Johnson had a workout with the team Tuesday, but has yet to sign.

Eno Benjamin at Seahawks (seven percent ESPN, 47 percent FFPC)

Benjamin enters as the Cardinals' second back while Chase Edmonds remains sidelined. He accounted for 32 percent of the team's rushing attempts last weekend, though the game was such a blowout we should get a better idea of his role against Seattle. 

Wide Receiver

Rashod Bateman at Bears (40 percent ESPN)

Bateman saw a big spike in his roster rate, so he's likely not available in more active leagues. It's worth checking your wire just in case, as he commanded a 21 percent target share against Miami even with Sammy Watkins back in the mix.  

Elijah Moore vs. Dolphins (39 percent ESPN)

Moore has gained a foothold in the Jets' offense as a part-time player, accounting for 18, 21 and 23 percent of the team's air yards share over the last three weeks. On the other hand, there has to be concern about the team's offense with Joe Flacco under center so Bateman is currently the slightly more preferable option.

Amon-Ra St. Brown at Browns (eight percent ESPN)

Setting aside a puzzling Week 7 no-show, St.Brown has seen at least five targets in five of his last six games. The production hasn't necessarily followed thanks to the punchless Lions' offense, but there's at least some predictable volume for Brown.

Marquez Callaway at Eagles (40 percent ESPN)

Callaway has found a nice floor in the Saints' offense, combining targets (five or more in five of his last seven games) and big-play ability (15 aDOT for season). He's the top wideout in the Saints' offense, and Trevor Siemian has done a decent job of keeping the team competitive.

Tre'Quan Smith at Eagles (two percent ESPN)

Deonte Harris at Eagles (four percent ESPN, 24 percent FFPC)

Smith and Harris have less certain roles in the Saints' offense and are thus less desirable to target compared to Callaway. Smith remains more involved based on routes run, but Harris has doubled him in target rate for the season. Both will be involved, with Harris generally being the more available in competitive leagues.

DeAndre Carter at Panthers (one percent ESPN, three percent FFPC)

Carter's involvement in Washington's offense has significantly increased over the last few weeks, and he should see a continued window to produce. Curtis Samuel may be trending toward not returning this season while both Ricky Seals-Jones and Logan Thomas are hurting and will be potentially sidelined.

James Washington at Chargers (two percent ESPN, 20 percent FFPC)

Rostering and playing Washington this week is dependent on a number of factors. Most important is the status of Chase Claypool, who's currently battling a toe injury but somewhat surprisingly returned to limited practice Wednesday. Less important is the return of Ben Roethlisberger. While he'd be an upgrade over Mason Rudolph, Washington led the Steelers in receiving yards in 2019 with a combination of Rudolph and Devlin Hodges under center.  

Gabriel Davis vs. Colts (three percent ESPN)

Davis is coming off his first 100-yard game of the season. His effort overlapped with Cole Beasley seeing a severely decreased workload as the result of a rib issue. Beasley also didn't practice Wednesday, so the injury is still a problem and could put Davis in line for an increased workload.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Ravens (zero percent ESPN, one percent FFPC)

Allen Robinson opened the week on the injury report, which is concerning given the Bears are coming off their bye week. This is just a situation to monitor, but Goodwin would likely step into the second-wide receiver role should Robinson stay sidelined. While Goodwin isn't the most exciting option, he's managed five 20+ yard receptions in his last six appearances.

Bryan Edwards vs. Bengals (16 percent ESPN)

Edwards has been a headache for much of the year and that's likely to continue. Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller are the target hogs in the Raiders' offense, and the addition of DeSean Jackson will likely hurt Edwards in his role as a deep threat. However, Jackson didn't endear himself to his new team with a costly turnover Sunday against Kansas City, so it remains to be seen how these peripheral roles will shake out moving forward. 

Tight End

Cole Kmet vs. Ravens (11 percent ESPN)

Kmet has earned praise from coach Matt Nagy and has seen a steady increase in his offensive involvement during recent weeks. Coming off a bye week, this may be the last chance to roster him in shallower leagues.

Dan Arnold vs. 49ers (34 percent ESPN)

If anyone can be labeled the top receiver in Jacksonville, it may be Arnold. Like Kmet, this is likely the last chance to add him. And in many leagues, Arnold was likely gone several weeks ago.

Tyler Conklin vs. Packers (20 percent ESPN)

Conklin has joined Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as having a key role in the Vikings' offense. In the last three weeks, Conklin has seen no fewer than 16 percent of targets and has topped 20 percent of air yard share two times over that span.

Geoff Swaim vs. Texans (one percent ESPN, nine percent FFPC)

Swaim overtook Anthony Firkser as the Titans' top tight end long ago, but that role has more recently become noteworthy for fantasy purposes. Swaim has seen a 15 percent target share in each of last three weeks (season-long rate is eight percent). His aDOT is miniscule (4.9), so this isn't a high-upside pickup.

Gerald Everett vs. Cardinals (four percent ESPN)

Everett has reached 70 percent of offensive snaps for the Seahawks in five of his seven healthy games this season. He was also heavily involved for Russell Wilson's return, and could remain heavily targeted if Wilson can't push the ball down the ball effectively due to his finger injury. Everett was sidelined for Wednesday's practice with a groin injury, so watch his status heading into the weekend.

Jimmy Graham vs. Ravens (zero percent ESPN, 18 percent FFPC)

Graham has only produced two receptions across seven games this year. However, he saw two targets in the red zone (one inside the 10) in the Bears' Week 9 contest. If one of Allen Robinson or Darnell Mooney is sidelined Sunday, Chicago could opt for more two-tight end sets.