By Winsto (11/12/2024)
There are a few names here to consider for Week 11 and beyond. Remember that Arizona, Carolina, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay all have a Bye this week.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Bo Nix (QB-Denver)–This is Nix’s 3rd week in a row in this column. It’s all about the rushing potential and remaining schedule here. Not only does he have 9 passing touchdowns in the last 6 games, he also has 3 rushing/receiving touchdowns. During that stretch, he is averaging about 29 yards rushing and about 218 yards passing per game. He held his own against a solid Kansas City defense, and now his next 3 opponents are pretty generous to the QB position (Atlanta, Las Vegas, Cleveland).
Russel Wilson (QB-Pittsburgh)–For a Bye week replacement and beyond, Wilson has value here. As a Steelers fan told me, he had not seen the Steelers offense look this competent since the Ben Roethlisberger headed offense of years past. He now is averaging 245 yards passing, and he has 6 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, and 2 turnovers since taking over the starting role (3 games). His next four games (Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinatti, Cleveland) are VERY generous to QB fantasy points. There will be some moon shots to recently added Mike Williams (WR) in the next few weeks.
RUNNING BACK
Audric Estime (Denver)–The coaching staff discussed giving Estime more opportunities, and they delivered in Week 10. Estime saw 14 of the 17 RB carries, and he averaged 3.8 YPC for a total of 53 yards. That may not seem overly impressive, but this was against a very stout KC rush defense. He also passed the “eye test,” as he was able to always fall forward and get extra yards. He outpaced his backfield mates, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, in snap counts, as he was on the field for 45% of the snaps (compared to Williams’s 29% and MacLaughlin’s 12%). He may not catch many passes (0 targets on the season) and may not be used much on 3rd downs, but if he can continue to make the most of his opportunities (and avoid fumbling—2 on 29 attempts), then he has the look of a borderline RB2-RB3. One thing against him his Denver’s remaining schedule: 4 of the remaining 7 opponents are top 10 against fantasy points for RBs.
Handcuffs—These are players, rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, who I would grab if I had the space. They have little to no standalone value, but each could be a legitimate RB1 or RB2 if the opportunity presented itself. This is the order I would rank them as of now.
Blake Corum (LAR)
Trey Benson (Ari)
Zach Charbonnet (Sea)
Braelon Allen (NYJ)
Ray Davis (Buf)
MarShawn Lloyd (GB)–Remember, he was the 4th RB taken in the 2024 draft, and he is scheduled to come off the IR in the near future.
Kimani Vidal (LAC)
WIDE RECEIVER
Adam Thielen (Carolina)–Remember that he had a 1,000-yard receiving year in 2023 with Bryce Young (QB)? Diontae Johnson (WR-Bal) is now gone. He has been activated off the IR. Someone has to catch the ball in Carolina, right? Carolina is on a Bye week, but he is someone who will see targets down the stretch.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (New Orleans)–This is more of a desperation add. I would probably not try to chase his fantasy production from Week 10 here (3 receptions for 109 and 2 TDs); HOWEVER, Derek Carr has to throw to someone, right? In addition, New Orleans is facing a generous Cleveland passing defense in Week 11.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Kansas City)–This is more of a deep league consideration. Obviously, his fantasy value took a major hit with the Chiefs’ addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Smith-Schuster may still have some value. He looks to be returning from his injury (hamstring) and could play this week. We have not seen how this passing attack will look with both playing. I am not sure if this offense can support multiple receivers in fantasy, but Smith-Schuster does have Patrick Mahomes’s trust, and that has led to fantasy production in the past.
TIGHT END
Dawson Knox (Buffalo)–Dalton Kincaid suffered a knee injury in Week 10, and his Week 11 status is in the air. If Kincaid misses, Knox is a TE1 play against a Kansas City defense that is actually quite generous to the TE position. In addition, Keon Coleman (WR) has already been ruled out for Week 11, and Amari Cooper (WR) is very iffy. Knox could be looking at a substantial number of targets here.
Hunter Henry (New England)–Yes, Week 10’s 1 reception for 14 yards on 4 targets was not good, but Drake Maye has shown a solid connection with Henry. He has a bounce back opportunity this week against a Rams defense that is top 5 most generous to the TE position.
IDP
Last week’s mentioned players: Daiyan Henley (LAC) and Jamien Sherwood (NYJ).
Jack Gibbens-LB (Tennessee)–Gibbens has now seen 100% of the snaps in 3 straight games. He has accumulated 19 solo tackles, 18 assists, and .5 a sack during that stretch. Not too shabby!
DeMarvion Overshown-LB (Dallas)–I mentioned him as someone to watch at the beginning of the season as he has elite closing speed, and now he is playing a virtually every down role. Dallas’s offense does not look like they will be staying on the field very much for the rest of the season now that Dak Prescott is out, which means that there will be more snaps/chances for fantasy points for Overshown. Be mindful, however, that he left Week 10 with a knee injury, keep an eye on the practice reports this week.