With just a handful of matchups left until the fantasy football playoffs, owners need to be sharp and incisive with their waiver moves. Among the top Week 11 waiver wire pickups, there are a couple of obvious players worth high FAAB bids (Rachaad White, Isiah Pacheco), but just how much should you throw at Christian Watson, Van Jefferson, Kadarius Toney, Jaylen Warren, Juwan Johnson, and other worthwhile claims? Whether you're planning on going all-in for one of the RBs or you're looking to spend down on one of the affordable free agents, you need to have your budget in order and a multi-week plan in hand.
As we'll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let's break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 11 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Ray Kuhn
Ryan Tannehill (TEN). Yes, this is a boring, veteran quarterback, but Tannehill made his return from an ankle injury on Sunday against a tough Denver defense. He was able to throw for 255 yards and two touchdowns in what was his best game of the season. Going forward, Tannehill likely will not be asked to do too much, but if are looking for help under center, the veteran could provide it. Projected FAAB Bid: 2-3% of total FAAB budget
WEEK 11 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 11 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Rachaad White (TB). The rookie had been operating on the periphery of Tampa Bay’s offense and fantasy value to this point, but White took a huge step forward last week after Leonard Fournette exited with a hip injury. Fournette’s outlook is unclear to this point, and the fact that the Buccaneers are heading into their bye week means we might be in the dark a little while longer. It's interesting that White and Fournette seemed to be working in tandem before the latter’s injury, but the former finished strong with 22 carries for 105 yards, including big plays of 29 and 18 yards along with a quite impressive stiff arm. White nearly eclipsed his season total of 117 yards despite a minimal role in the passing game. White’s matchup off the bye week against Cleveland is a favorable one, and I would expect him to be a factor for the remainder of the season regardless. The problem is that full clarity will not be on our side before bidding. Projected FAAB Bid: 15-20% of total FAAB budget
Isiah Pacheco (KC). Is this the Pacheco we were searching for over the summer? After he logged 16 of the 17 carries out of the Kansas City backfield on Sunday while also overcoming a fumble, it's clear Pacheco is "the man" in KC. Pacheco showed the ability to move the chains en route to 82 yards on the ground, and we know that the Kansas City offense is one of the better ones in the league, so scoring opportunities will be there. Proj. FAAB Bid: 10-15%
Jaylen Warren (PIT). I talked up Warren as a stash a few weeks, so it should not have come as a complete surprise that Pittsburgh talked him up entering Sunday’s game. Najee Harris had a strong showing, picking up 99 yards on 20 carries, but Warren looked better at times, gaining 37 yards on nine carries while catching three passes for another 40 yards. It was the busiest game of the season for Warren, and I would expect this trend to continue. Proj. FAAB Bid: 8-10%
Gus Edwards (BAL). With Baltimore back this week following their bye, there could be a buying opportunity for Edwards, who is slated to make his return from a hamstring injury. After gaining 66 and 65 yards in his first two games this season, Edwards should slot in as the starter for Baltimore. It's all about the role here, and Edwards needs to be owned in more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Proj. FAAB Bid: 10-15%
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 11 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Christian Watson (GB). I know it's not any fun, but what level of caution must we exercise here? Entering the season, we knew that Green Bay was lacking in the wide receiver department, so they drafted Watson and our minds began to wander with anticipation. Of course, Watson proceeded to fizzle with just 10 receptions for 88 yards entering Week 10. Then he went out and caught four-of-eight targets for 107 yards and three TDs while looking quite explosive, so now anything seems possible. While we know not to expect that level of performance each week, it was nice to see Watson begin to truly form a connection with Aaron Rodgers. Projected FAAB Bid: 15-18% of total FAAB budget
Parris Campbell (IND). It looks like a totally different situation in Indianapolis, at least through one week, with Jeff Saturday on the sidelines and Matt Ryan back under center. Campbell previously had two strong performances earlier in the season, and that version of him was back in Week 10 (seven catches, 76 yards, TD) Over the past few weeks, it was easy to toss the Colts aside, but it might be prudent to put them back on our radars. Proj. FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Kadarius Toney (KC). The main thing for Toney is his health, and for now, he has it. In Week 10, Toney showed a touch of what he is capable of with the Chiefs while also benefitting from Mecole Hardman (abdomen) and JuJu Smith Schuster (concussion) being sidelined. He caught four of his five targets for 57 yards and a touchdown while carrying the ball two times for another 33 yards. Now that Toney got his feet wet, he will likely continue being a factor in the Chiefs’ offense. Proj. FAAB Bid: 12-15%
Van Jefferson (LAR). Cooper Kupp (ankle) is not someone you simply replace, but you're going to have to try. Enter Jefferson, who didn't make his season debut in Week 8 because of a knee injury and didn't have his first catch of the season until Week 10. Despite playing without Matthew Stafford (concussion) last week, Jefferson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. It's only natural that after having some success toward the end of last year, whoever is under center for the Rams is going to look Jefferson’s way, and that should continue going forward. Proj. FAAB Bid: 6-8%
Nico Collins (HOU). Collins was healthy entering action against the Giants, and while the Texans are not going anywhere this season, we did get to see what the receiver is capable of. Houston targeted Collins 10 times, leading to five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. There are targets to be found here, and I would expect to see them continue. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-7%
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN). Westbrook-Ikhine crammed a season’s worth of production into one game on Sunday, catching five-of-eight targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns. There is some level of chemistry between Westbrook-Ikhine and Ryan Tannehill, and targets are available in Tennessee, as well. This week’s effort is sure to catch your attention, but NWI is best left for those in deeper leagues. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 11 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Trey McBride (ARI). If you are desperate at tight end and sit comfortable with FAAB and the rest of your roster, then I can see taking a big swing on McBride, as you are likely not alone in needing TE help. McBride was drafted in the second round with a lot of buzz, but the rookie subsequently took a back seat to Zach Ertz as he got his feet wet in the NFL. Aside from catching all three of his targets for 24 yards in Week 4, we had not heard from McBride until this past week when Ertz suffered a season-ending knee injury. McBride then stepped in with backup quarterback Colt McCoy under center and caught his only target for seven yards. The more notable stat was the fact that he received 91 percent of the snaps after Ertz’s injury. We have talent and opportunity, so now we just have to hope the production follows. Projected FAAB Bid: 8-10% of total FAAB budget
Juwan Johnson (NO). Johnson has scored in each of his past two games and three of his past four, and he his season high with seven targets in Week 10. He turned that into five receptions for 44 yards, and I would expect him to continue with a similar workload. That's enough to make him a borderline TE1, especially in favorable matchups. Proj. FAAB Bid: 4-5%
Week 11 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn't spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week's potential streaming pickups:
- New Orleans Saints (vs. Rams)
- Cincinnati Bengals (@ Steelers)
- New York Jets (@ Patriots)
- Washington Commanders (@ Texans)
- Houston Texans (vs. Commanders)
