Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 11 (Fantasy Football)

It’s Week 11, make a wish! For some, the number 11 carries a special meaning, representing spiritual alignment or a connection to higher realms. In football, it is simply the number of players on the field for each team. Coincidence? Maybe. While we could delve into references to “Stranger Things” or the Apollo 11 moon landing, I will spare you the distractions and stay focused on what matters: your path to the playoffs.

Whether Week 10 left you feeling crushed after facing Ja’Marr Chase or like luck just has not been on your side this season, it is time to shake off those setbacks and focus on the road ahead. If you are feeling a little superstitious this week, a quick wish at 11:11 each night could add some extra good fortune to your matchup. Now, let’s dive into the Week 11 pickups that can help you turn the corner and keep your playoff hopes alive.

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Running Backs

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaylen Warren has headlined our last two waiver wire articles, yet remains rostered in just over 50% of leagues. His modest performances after returning from injury in Week 6 allowed him to fly under the radar, but his most recent outing following Pittsburgh’s Week 10 bye should make all fantasy managers take notice. 

Warren rushed 14 times for 66 yards and caught both of his targets for 29 yards, finally showcasing his dual-threat ability as both a runner and receiver. Although his late fumble could have cost Pittsburgh the game, they managed to secure a win over the Commanders, and Warren’s role appears safe for now. In this game, Warren outshined Najee Harris, averaging 4.7 yards per carry to Harris’ 2.5, and Harris’ resurgent season could be at risk if his efficiency continues to dip. Additionally, Harris briefly left the game with an ankle injury, returning later but potentially facing swelling in the days ahead. If Harris is limited or sidelined, Warren could be an intriguing Week 11 start against the Baltimore Ravens, though veteran Cordarrelle Patterson might also see an increased workload.

Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

Audric Estime, RB, Denver Broncos – After weeks of speculation around rookie running back Audric Estime’s role increasing in Denver, Head Coach Sean Payton finally pulled the trigger in Week 10’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Estime stepped up as the primary back, carrying the ball 14 times for 53 yards, an efficient showing at nearly four yards per carry. Meanwhile, former starter Javonte Williams had just one carry, and Jaleel McLaughlin only saw two. This was the first game where Estime looked like the clear lead back, and he delivered, making a case to solidify his role as the season progresses.

Through his first 10 games, Estime is averaging an impressive 5.68 yards per carry, easily outpacing his backfield competition. While his lack of targets in the passing game is a concern for fantasy managers, it is possible this area of his usage will grow as well. It is rare for a potential starting running back to be available on waivers this late in the season, making Estime a priority pickup in all leagues. With quarterback Bo Nix hitting his stride, Estime’s breakout potential is undeniable as Denver’s young offense aims to keep things rolling heading into a Week 11 matchup with the Falcons.

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Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers – It pains me to write about Gus Edwards as a waiver wire pickup, considering I drafted him on so many teams, hoping he would emerge as the Chargers’ lead back. That dream did not come to fruition, as JK Dobbins seized control of the role, proving, as the Rolling Stones aptly put it, “You can’t always get what you want.” Still, “The Gus Bus” seems to have regeared and tuned up nicely during his recovery, returning in Week 10 with a strong showing. Edwards ran 10 times for 55 yards in the Chargers’ win over the Titans, looking sharper and more efficient than at any point this season.

The Chargers’ new coaching staff initially planned to lean on the run game heavily, but recent weeks have seen a shift toward airing it out with Justin Herbert. Now that the backfield is fully healthy, the team might look to balance things again, which could carve out a fantasy-friendly role for Edwards, especially with their favorable schedule for running backs down the stretch. While Dobbins still leads this backfield, his recent inconsistency may give Edwards a shot to expand his workload if he can impress. Edwards has limitations in the passing game and will need to secure the goal-line role in order to provide consistent standalone value on a weekly basis. For now, he is a speculative addition to stash on benches, but if Dobbins were to miss time, Edwards could emerge as a potential league winner in the season’s final stretch.

Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Tyler Allgeier has made his way onto nearly every waiver wire article this season, yet he is still available in half of leagues. While Bijan Robinson continues to shine, Atlanta has shown a commitment to giving both running backs a steady workload each week. This approach has led to some standout fantasy performances from Allgeier, along with some duds sprinkled in. In Week 10, Allgeier again saw enough action to be fantasy-relevant, turning 11 carries into 59 yards. Although he could not convert any of his several goal-line opportunities, the volume he received in scoring situations signals a positive trend.

Despite his solid efficiency on the ground most weeks, Allgeier’s limited role in the passing game makes him largely touchdown-dependent to reach a fantasy ceiling where you would feel satisfied with starting him. As long as Robinson is healthy, Allgeier is best suited as a bye-week filler or injury replacement rather than an every-week starter. With that said, he still offers decent standalone value compared to many other options, warranting a roster spot in all leagues. Heading into a Week 11 matchup in Denver, if you decide to roll with Allgeier in your starting lineup, you will likely be counting on a touchdown to boost his fantasy production.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Cam Akers has miraculously clawed his way back to fantasy relevance this season, overcoming the odds at every turn. He began the year with the Texans, stepping in as the lead back when Joe Mixon was sidelined. Though his results were inconsistent, he showed enough promise to warrant attention whenever given a significant role. Once Mixon and Houston’s backfield were healthy, Akers became obsolete and was traded to Minnesota to support starter Aaron Jones alongside Ty Chandler. Despite Chandler’s strong finish to last season, his struggles this year allowed Akers to surpass him on the depth chart rather quickly.

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Even after this development, Akers’ role did not hold much fantasy value until Sunday, when Jones exited with a chest injury in the second half of Minnesota’s Week 10 win over the Jaguars. Akers took over with 13 carries for 38 yards and added a nine-yard catch, while Chandler managed just four carries, albeit with better efficiency. If Jones misses time, Akers is the back to prioritize. As we await updates on Jones’ status for a Week 11 matchup against Tennessee, Akers becomes a priority speculative pickup.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Trey Benson was one of my favorite players to watch in college football last season, but he landed on a team with a clear lead back in James Conner. After limited opportunities to start his career, Benson is now seeing a shift in usage that is worth getting excited about. It began in Week 9 when he ran the ball eight times for 37 yards and a touchdown while adding an 18-yard reception. This strong showing seemed to earn him more opportunities, as he followed it up with 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and 25 receiving yards on two catches in Arizona’s Week 10 win over the Jets.

While Conner has been stellar all season, he was surprisingly inefficient in this game, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry compared to Benson’s 6.8. Although it is unlikely Benson will continue to lead the team in rushing as he did on Sunday while Conner is healthy, his role could continue to expand enough to offer flex value in favorable matchups, much like Braelon Allen earlier this season. Arizona’s upcoming bye in Week 11 pauses Benson’s momentum, but he has shown he could be a potential league winner if Conner, who has struggled with injuries in the past, were to miss time. Benson should be rostered in all leagues, and his next chance to build on this positive momentum will come in Week 12 against the Seahawks.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans – Many hoped Tyjae Spears could carve out a true timeshare with free agent addition Tony Pollard in Tennessee’s backfield this season, but Pollard has firmly held the lead role. This situation only intensified when Spears was forced to miss three weeks with a lingering hamstring injury. Despite Pollard’s strong play, Tennessee’s coaching staff has signaled a desire to ease his workload, opening the door for Spears to earn more opportunities. 

In his Week 10 return to action, Spears made an immediate impact, rushing seven times for 47 yards and catching all three of his targets for four yards. Beyond the stats, he passed the eye test on the field, looking fully healthy and poised to get his season back on track. Although Spears’ fantasy ceiling will be capped while Pollard is active, he is a rare waiver find with both high-end insurance policy potential and decent weekly flex appeal. This makes Spears a highly intriguing pickup, even with a tough Week 11 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings up next.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

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Wide Receivers

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers – We have been urging fantasy managers to pick up Jauan Jennings ever since Brandon Aiyuk went down with a season-ending injury, even as some opted for other options while Jennings dealt with a lingering hip injury. Despite his absence, we emphasized that Jennings was too valuable to be left on waivers, given his potential impact upon return. Fortunately, the veteran wide receiver did not let us down, making an immediate statement in Week 10 with seven catches on 11 targets for 93 yards. He has established a clear rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, benefiting from the attention drawn by stars like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle.

Jennings already showcased his fantasy ceiling back in Week 3, with an explosive 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown performance when he stepped up as the team’s WR1. Even with San Francisco’s loaded offense, Jennings offers a solid weekly floor alongside an attractive fantasy ceiling. Coach Kyle Shanahan revealed post-game that this was Jennings’ first outing in the X receiver role; a role that he is set to retain for the rest of the season. If Week 10 is any indication, Jennings projects as a reliable WR2 for the stretch run. Due to this, he is a top waiver priority once again and should be started immediately in a favorable Week 11 matchup against the Seahawks.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers – In past waiver wire articles, I have highlighted Quentin Johnston’s disastrous rookie season, but he is now showing clear signs of a sophomore breakout. As a result, this will be the last time his rookie struggles are mentioned out of respect for his remarkable resurgence. Johnston has officially turned the page and is focused on what lies ahead, and so should we. He first grabbed attention this season by scoring three touchdowns in his first three games, though an ankle injury sidelined him for two weeks and stalled his momentum. Since returning in Week 9, Johnston has reignited his resurgence, posting a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown on four catches. While his Week 10 output was quieter, he still delivered with two catches for 24 yards and another touchdown.

Johnston’s fantasy production has been a bit volatile and heavily reliant on touchdowns. Still, with five scores in his seven active games this season, he has proven to be a viable starting option most weeks. Though his target share remains a bit lower than ideal, his talent and knack for finding the end zone make him a worthwhile gamble. Johnston should be rostered in all leagues and profiles as an immediate start in his favorable Week 11 matchup against Cincinnati.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers – While several rookie wide receivers have stolen the spotlight this season, Ricky Pearsall has been quietly impressive in his first three NFL games. A first-round pick, Pearsall’s journey has been anything but smooth, overcoming a near-tragic event after being shot just before the season. His remarkable recovery has put him on track for a strong second half of the year, just when the 49ers need a boost in their passing game following Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending injury. With Jauan Jennings also inactive in Week 8, Pearsall stepped up alongside George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, seamlessly fitting into San Francisco’s high-powered offense as a third option. In that game, he caught all four of his targets for 38 yards and added a 39-yard run on his only carry.

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Pearsall’s refined route running and speed makes him a versatile asset, and he followed up this solid performance with a breakout in Week 10 after the team’s bye, catching four of six targets for 73 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. His fantasy production was highlighted by a first-quarter deep pass from Brock Purdy that he took for a 46-yard score, showcasing his big-play potential. However, the challenge for Pearsall is finding consistent targets in a fully healthy, talent-loaded 49ers offense that includes Jennings, Samuel, Kittle, and a now-recovered Christian McCaffrey. Realistically, he may end up as the fourth option most weeks, making his fantasy value a bit unpredictable. Even so, Pearsall’s high draft pedigree and skill set position him as a potential breakout player, even in this crowded offense. He emerges as an intriguing waiver pickup as he aims to build on his role heading into a favorable Week 11 matchup against Seattle.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Adonai Mitchell & Alec Pierce, WRs, Indianapolis Colts – While the Colts’ offense has been a bit up and down with Joe Flacco under center, one thing is clear: Flacco has been a much better fit for the team’s fantasy assets than Anthony Richardson. This has primarily benefited Josh Downs and Michael Pittman, but with Pittman dealing with recent injuries, other receivers have stepped up to take advantage of Flacco’s elite play.

Alec Pierce has shown off his tremendous speed and big-play potential in multiple games, with Week 10 being another strong example. He caught four of seven targets for 81 yards and a touchdown, marking his third top-20 performance of the season (including three top-eight finishes), though he has also had five games finishing outside the top 50. Pierce’s unpredictable pattern reinforces his boom-or-bust nature for fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, rookie Adonai Mitchell has been mostly quiet early in his career, though he has flashed just enough potential to stay on the radar. In Week 10, those glimpses of hope finally turned into actual production as he caught all six of his targets for 71 yards.

If Pittman ends up sidelined, both Pierce and Mitchell offer some flex appeal moving forward, with your priority likely based on whichever player is more budget-friendly in your league. The duo will look to build on their Week 10 success in a Week 11 matchup against the Jets. Despite their strong reputation on paper, the Jets’ secondary has shown vulnerability in recent weeks, presenting an opportunity for continued big plays from both receivers. 

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, New Orleans Saints – The New Orleans Saints’ offense has been a trap for fantasy managers this season, with players flashing one week only to vanish the next. But with Rashid Shaheed out for the season and Chris Olave sidelined with another concussion, the Saints’ receiver corps has become one of the most depleted in the league. Even Bub Means was inactive in Week 10, leaving the door open for almost any wide receiver on the roster to step up.

This situation provided a perfect opportunity for veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS), recently signed by the team. In Week 10’s surprising win over the Falcons, MVS led the Saints in receiving, catching all three targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Such a performance is bound to spark interest, but caution is warranted. MVS has long been known for explosive games that are followed by lengthy droughts. If he previously struggled to be a consistent fantasy option with elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, it is hard to bank on consistent production with Derek Carr.

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That said, in deeper leagues, MVS might be worth a gamble for those desperate for a flex option that can hit on a big play. He will aim to take on the deep-threat role Shaheed left behind, offering more potential upside than other options on waivers like Tylan Wallace, who also had a surprisingly productive game. However, MVS remains highly volatile, with a floor that appears to be virtually nonexistent, making him a risky start in Week 11 against Cleveland, even if he manages to connect on a deep touchdown.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers – If you are in a dynasty league with deep benches, you probably heard of Jalen Coker as a potential taxi squad stash this offseason. If not, he is likely a new name for you and that previous sentence was highly confusing. Regardless of your level of fantasy degeneracy, Coker is a player to keep on your fantasy radar. The undrafted rookie out of Holy Cross has steadily earned more playing time since Week 5, showcasing his potential with some impressive moments. 

Week 10, however, marked a significant turning point. Although he only caught three passes for 41 yards, Coker saw a season-high eight targets and played 88% of snaps. This marks the first time all season that he was on the field for over 70% of snaps. This signals a more defined role in the offense as he steps into the WR2 role alongside fellow rookie Xavier Legette. Carolina’s offense is trending upward, with Bryce Young showing improvement and the team coming off back-to-back wins. While they head into their bye in Week 11, Coker’s progress is worth monitoring. If he continues this breakout after the bye, he could be an interesting bye-week filler or flex play as the season wraps up.

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Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

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Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots – It is rare for a player coming off a disappointing game to lead the waiver wire options, but Hunter Henry’s case is an exception. Despite being limited to one catch for 14 yards in Week 10, Henry has been productive this season and is still available in too many leagues. Prior to this dud performance, he averaged 6.7 receptions on 7.7 targets for 64.3 yards per game over his previous three games. Henry’s main challenge this year has been his lack of touchdowns, with only one score so far despite usually finding success in the red zone.

With rookie quarterback Drake Maye showing steady improvement, Henry is poised for a strong finish, making this past game an outlier worth overlooking. It is also notable that fellow tight end Austin Hooper posted three catches for 64 yards in Week 10, though that likely will not be a trend, as that volume could easily shift back to Henry. Given the favorable Week 11 matchup against the Rams on deck, Henry profiles as a confident start as he looks to rebound.

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Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins – After a slow start to his first season in Miami, Jonnu Smith has steadily boosted his production over recent weeks. In the four games leading up to Week 10, he saw six or more targets per game and averaged 56 receiving yards. His playing time has also risen significantly, with Smith on the field for the majority of snaps in recent weeks after not surpassing a 50% snap share in any game before Week 8.

In Week 10’s commanding win over the Rams on Monday night, Smith continued his upward trend, catching three of four targets for 45 yards. Although his streak of four games with six or more targets ended, Smith was effective again, coming just a yard short of a touchdown after breaking initial contact on an impressive catch and picking up extra yards. He has become a reliable presence in this offense, and there is little reason to expect his role to diminish moving forward. If you need a streaming option at tight end for Week 11, Smith is a promising play in a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

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Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants – While some higher-priority players might be available, rookie Theo Johnson is worth a look in deeper leagues. After a slow start to his NFL career, Johnson has been carving out a larger role in the Giants’ offense and looks increasingly comfortable. Last week, he caught three of six targets for 51 yards and a touchdown, and he followed that up with four catches on six targets for 37 yards. 

Johnson rarely leaves the field, and his towering size, combined with elite speed and athleticism, makes him a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands. Outside of Malik Nabers, the Giants lack consistent receiving options, giving Johnson the chance to grow his role despite underwhelming quarterback play. The Giants unfortunately have a bye in Week 11, but Johnson returns with a favorable matchup against Tampa Bay in Week 12.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Quarterbacks

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Team	Player	Roster %	Matchups
DEN	Bo Nix	44%	ATL / @LV / CLE
PIT	Russell Wilson	29%	BAL / @CLE / @CIN
LAR	Matthew Stafford	58%	@NE / PHI / @NO
DAL	Trey Lance	1%	HOU / @WAS / NYG
NE	Drake Maye	25%	LAR / @MIA / IND
IND	Joe Flacco	18%	@NYJ / DET / @NE
TEN	Will Levis	11%	MIN / @HOU / @WAS
CLE	Jameis Winston	13%	@NO / PIT / @DEN

Team DEF/ST

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Final Thoughts

The fantasy season often feels like a rollercoaster of highs and lows. I have some teams this year that started off dominant but stumbled due to injuries, dropping in the standings. Others began slowly but are now hitting their stride and making a serious playoff push. The reality is, you never know when luck will be on your side or when it might disrupt your week. One thing all of these teams share is that they are still in the playoff hunt and need to start stacking wins. This week, for the first time in a while, the waiver wire has multiple options that could be true difference-makers. Do not overlook their potential. Wishing you the best of luck this week and may these waiver pickups be the edge you need on your path to the championship.