When backfields are in flux this late in the season, fantasy football owners take notice -- especially when a backup running back runs for 100 yards. That's what Rhamondre Stevenson did on Sunday, and that's why he'll be among the top Week 11 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. To be fair, Stevenson's moment in the sun might be, well, momentary, as Damien Harris (concussion) seems likely to return this week, but Stevenson is still a worthwhile pickup as a top backup. The same goes for D'Onta Foreman, who led the Titans' backfield, and Cam Newton, who reminded us how dangerous he can be in goal-line situations.
OK, Newton isn't a running back, but his upside as a dual-threat QB still lands him on our full free agent list. Joining him are potential WR sleepers/streamers, such as Jamal Agnew, Tre'Quan Smith, and Rashod Bateman, players returning from injury soon, such as Logan Thomas and Will Fuller, and a host of Week 11 streamer suggestions at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST. As always, those can be found at the end of this list.
MORE WEEK 11: Full waiver list | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Stevenson will only be worth a top waiver claim (or any claim at all) if Harris is expected to be out for Thursday night. Otherwise, it's unlikely any player deserves claim this week. Foreman might command one simply because of how desperate some owners are at RB, but it's unlikely he's worth it. That also might be true of Jordan Howard, who's still available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, pending the health of Miles Sanders (ankle).
Similar to last week, more potential pickups will likely emerge on Monday and Tuesday, but for now, it looks like it's going to be a quiet week on the wire. The real work will start on Wednesday as owners grab some free agent streamers and lotto tickets for future weeks.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 11
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots. Despite not practicing all week while in the concussion protocol, Stevenson was a one-man wrecking crew for the Pats on Sunday. Starting in place of Damien Harris (concussion), Stevenson ran 20 times for 100 yards and two TDs and added another 14 yards on four catches (five targets). The versatile bruiser got a good amount of touches and yards in Week 9 when both he and Harris were healthy, too, so even if Harris is back on Thursday against the Falcons, Stevenson still has flex appeal. At the very least, he's a top handcuff for the stretch run.
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Titans. Foreman was the leader in the Titans backfield in Week 10, receiving 11 carries compared to eight for Adrian Peterson and four for Jeremy McNichols. Like both Peterson (21 yards) and McNichols (7), Foreman didn't do much on the ground, gaining just 30 yards, but he added 48 receiving yards on two catches and generally looked like the best back on the team. It's unclear if Peterson will still function as the goal-line back, but as long as Foreman is leading the team in carries, he has value. That will matter as soon as next week in a highly favorable matchup against Houston.
MORE WEEK 11: Full waiver list | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Jamal Agnew, WR, Jaguars. It's rare to see a WR with zero catches on our waiver wire list, but Agnew had five targets, marking the fifth straight game he's had at least five looks. He also received three carries, which turned into 79 yards and a score. Basically, Agnew has turned into what many expected Laviska Shenault to be before the season. Agnew isn't a high-floor player, but he has enough upside to be considered in PPR leagues most weeks. With favorable matchups against the 49ers and Falcons the next two weeks, Agnew will have fantasy value.
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. Newton played just a handful of snaps in Week 10, but with a goal-line rushing TD and goal-line passing TD, he reminded us how dangerous he can be near the end zone. There's a good chance he starts next week against Washington, which is one of the friendliest defenses to fantasy QBs. Not only is Newton a Week 11 streamer, but he could also have considerable value down the stretch. Grab him now just in case.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens. Against Miami in Week 10, Bateman caught six-of-eight targets for 80 yards to lead the Ravens in receiving. Some of that was in garbage time, but Bateman was on the field for over half of snaps despite the return of Sammy Watkins. Prior to last week, he had drawn seven targets per game and put up a respectable 241 yards. Bateman is worth rostering at this point and gets a favorable Week 11 matchup with Chicago, who is the seventh-worst defense against fantasy WRs.
For more waiver/free agent suggestions, including more streaming options at every position, check out our full Week 11 list.
