Buy Low Opportunities Heading into Week 11 (Fantasy Football)

Last week was the trade deadline for a lot of fantasy leagues, which means that going forward the “buying” I will recommend involves waiver pickups and potential DFS targets. These can also be interpreted as “start” recommendations, as the reasoning behind each choice is based on potential upticks in production. Not every waiver target will be available in every league, so I will do my best to stick with sub-60% ownership for the choices that are “add” only. Time to win when it counts. 

Add or Start Gus Edwards  – RB, Baltimore Ravens (52% Rostered on Sleeper) 

The entire Ravens’ backfield has been a confusing mess this year, but the one steady constant is production from whoever leads the charge. At one point it was the Gus bus, followed by Kenyan Drake. Edwards has been a staple of the backfield for a few seasons in a row, and the Ravens have rewarded him financially for it. When Edwards is healthy, he gets reps. Thankfully he should return from his hiatus in Week 11 and be right back in the starting spot for John Harbaugh and company. I was surprised to see Edwards available in nearly half of the leagues on Sleeper, so there is a decent chance he’s on your waiver wire. The Ravens have the 2nd easiest schedule for running backs the rest of the way, which means that both Edwards and Drake could help boost the flex spots of teams that may have lost someone along the way. He’s a priority add where you can get him. 

Add Kyren Williams – RB, Los Angeles Rams (40% Rostered on Sleeper) 

Suggesting a Rams running back should come with its own asterisk, as they have all been dreadful this season. Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson have produced a whole lot of nothing, and the defending Super Bowl champs are on the verge of collapse. Cooper Kupp is heading to IR, which means the only offense they have left is no longer healthy enough to suit up. Sean McVay has never backed down from a fight, and he’s also never hesitated to try something new. Kyren Williams is an explosive young back that has gotten a lot of buzz in LA since the preseason, but his health was an issue up until now. He finally had a small impact this past week as he caught three of his targets for 30 yards in a loss to the Cardinals. Given the fact that the Rams have nothing left to lose and will see the easiest schedule in the NFL for running backs going forward, Williams is worth a dart throw. If he’s given a shot to be the lead back for a team lacking a clear lead back, it wouldn’t take much for him to secure the job. League winners we don’t even know about yet are sitting on waivers everywhere, so Williams is worth a speculative stash. 

Start Courtland Sutton – WR, Denver Broncos 

I have avoided every Bronco possible up until this point, for obvious reasons. The passing game has been a mess, the team stinks, and Russell Wilson seems to have forgotten how to play football. This may not sound like a ringing endorsement for Courtland Sutton, but not all is lost. Sutton is still the top option in the offense, he’s coming off a double-digit target game, and Jerry Jeudy may miss some time with an ankle injury. Sutton is the alpha who may see a few weeks of more alpha-ism, and the Broncos have the softest fantasy schedule remaining for wide receivers. Sutton may not have the big games we expected him to have before the season, but there is a solid chance he has his best stretch ahead of him here. He’s a premium flex option and a high-floor WR3 option the rest of the way. 

Start Chris Olave – WR, New Orleans Saints 

Chris Olave has likely already been in your lineups, but his shine has faded a bit in DFS due to his middle-of-the-road performances and average target volume. That trend should reverse soon, as Jameis Winston has all but forced his return into the lineup to DGAF the ball down the field to his rookie playmaker. The Saints haven’t officially named Dalton the backup again, but it would be pretty shocking if they don’t do so. In the last two games that Jameis was behind center, he targeted Olave a total of 24 times. Andy Dalton doesn’t exactly push the ball, but Jameis will do it at all costs. It’s going to be a great development for Olave, and the schedule pans out well for both of them. The Saints have the 4th easiest schedule for wide receivers the rest of the way. Jarvis Landry and Kamara will continue to operate underneath, and Olave should see bigger and better volume downfield. He’s an excellent DFS target this week in larger tournaments where his ownership isn’t likely to be too high. 

Add or Start Isiah Pacheco – RB, Kansas City Chiefs 

The 7th round wonder has finally made his way to fantasy relevance, and it happened in a shockingly definitive way. The Chiefs’ rookie running back was given 16 carries, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t even touch the rock once. Jerick McKinnon was sprinkled in, but overall it was the Pachec-show, and there isn’t any reason to assume that will change going forward. I highlighted Jerick McKinnon last week as an add, and I still think he will have some value there, but it’s tough to argue with the Week 10 volume given to the rookie. Quality fantasy running backs are not easy to find this late in the season, and the Chiefs’ offense is one of the best in football. He’s a priority add if he’s on waivers in your league, and a great flex start for a lot of teams.