Each and every week, I’ll be covering a handful of players that I believe will either exceed expectations or let your team down in a major way. Here’s who you should be looking at for Week 11.
Starts: Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, Saints vs. Falcons
Jameis Winston is expected to start for the Saints while Drew Brees recovers from fractured ribs. Despite his propensity for interceptions, Winston has been an incredibly relevant fantasy option in recent years. He’s stepping into an ideal matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed 300 passing yards in eight of nine games this season. He’s at least a low-end QB1 this week.
Alex Smith, Washington vs. Bengals
Smith threw the ball 55 times in Week 10, piling up nearly 400 passing yards. Unfortunately, all of Washington’s TDs came on the ground, but it was still an encouraging performance. Smith has now gone over 300 passing yards in two straight games, one of which he didn’t start. I think he’ll make it three in a row against this Bengals’ defense which is allowing the 7th-most passing yards per game and fantasy PPG to opposing QBs.
Starts: Running Backs
Mike Davis, Panthers vs. Lions
Despite a disappointing Week 10 performance, I’m going back to the well with Mike Davis. Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss another week, which means that Davis will once again operate as the primary back. In CMC’s absence, Davis has handled nearly all of the RB touches. His high-volume role could pay dividends this week against the Lions, who are allowing the most PPG to opposing RBs.
Duke Johnson, Texans vs. Patriots
Hey, another Week 10 failure! Duke Johnson flopped in a big way against the Browns. He rushed for just 54 yards and didn’t record a single reception. However, he did handle an unprecedented 94% of the RB opportunities. In addition to all of the RB carries, Duke should see more passing game work this week in better weather conditions, and he has an above-average matchup against the Patriots.
J.D. McKissic, Washington vs. Bengals
McKissic has been a revelation in recent weeks, especially in PPR formats. He’s recorded at least 14 targets in back-to-back games, and he’s now 2nd in the league in RB receiving yards. The team has been creative with McKissic, playing him out wide and in the slot at times. These manufactured touches should keep his weekly floor high. He’s a strong flex option moving forward.
Starts: Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper, Cowboys @ Vikings
I never thought I’d be grateful for the return of Andy Dalton, but, then again, it is 2020. In two games with Dalton, back in Weeks 6 and 7, Amari Cooper saw 17 targets. He caught 14 passes for 159 yards and a TD. Now Dalton is back, just in time for a matchup against one of the league’s worst secondaries. Minnesota has allowed the 4th-most PPG to WRs and the most receiving TDs to the position this season.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots @ Texans
Jakobi Meyers was the only Patriots’ WR to receive a target in Week 10. He came through with 5 receptions for 59 yards, and he even threw a TD pass. After four straight weeks with at least 6 targets and 55 receiving yards, I’m ready to declare Meyers a weekly flex play. And he’s an especially good option this week against this poor Texans’ secondary.
DJ Chark, Jaguars vs. Steelers
Chark underwhelmed last week in a tough matchup. He managed just 4 receptions for 56 yards, and, to make matters worse, he was out-targeted by Chris Conley and Keelan Cole. Still, there’s no reason to panic. Chark still led the team in receiving yards, and he’s the best receiver on the team by a wide margin. Look for him to bounce back against the Steelers, who have allowed Tee Higgins, Willie Snead, and A.J. Brown to top 100 yards over the past four weeks.
Travis Fulgham, Eagles @ Browns
After an incredible five-week run, Travis Fulgham has finally come back down to earth. He was one of six Eagles to see 5+ targets in their Week 10 loss, but he finished with just 1 reception for 8 yards. With the return of Dallas Goedert, Alshon Jeffery, and Miles Sanders, and the continuing emergence of Jalen Reagor, the days of double-digit targets may be over for Fulgham. Even so, he’s worth starting against the Browns, who have allowed the 5th-most PPG to WRs this season.
Starts: Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Browns
Goedert hasn’t topped 8 fantasy points since Week 1. But he’s seen at least 6 targets in all of his healthy games, and he has a full-time role with Zach Ertz out of the lineup. Considering Goedert’s upside and the current state of the TE position, he should probably still be in your lineup most weeks. Upcoming is a matchup against the Browns, who have allowed the 6th-most TE receptions this season.
Sits: Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Rams @ Buccaneers
Goff’s Week 10 matchup was as favorable as they come. He played well against the Seahawks, completing 73% of his passes and going over 300 passing yards. But now Goff and the Rams will have to go on the road to face the Buccaneers, one of the league’s toughest defenses. The Buccaneers lead the league in interceptions and they’re tied for 2nd in sacks. Goff has underwhelmed in tough matchups thus far, scoring fewer than 17 fantasy points against the Giants, Niners, Bears, and Dolphins, so I’m not inclined to trust him in this hostile environment.
Derek Carr, Raiders vs. Chiefs
Derek Carr’s best game of the season came against these Kansas City Chiefs back in Week 5, but I’m not predicting a repeat performance. Carr has finished with fewer than 15 fantasy points in three consecutive favorable matchups, and his pass attempts have begun to decline. While the Chiefs’ dominant offense may force the Raiders to play more pass-heavy, I expect Jon Gruden will try to slow the game down with Josh Jacobs and Devontae Booker as much as possible. There are better streaming options this week.
Sits: Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Packers
To say Jonathan Taylor has missed expectations would be a massive understatement. Most believed Jonathan Taylor would be considered a league-winner by this point in the season, but instead he’s been usurped by Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines. Taylor has carried the ball 13 times for just 37 yards over the past two games, and he played on just 24% of the snaps in the team’s win over Tennessee last week. Despite an incredibly favorable matchup against the Packers, Taylor is a desperation play at best in Week 11.
James Conner, Steelers @ Jaguars
After a solid start to the season, James Conner is trending in the wrong direction. He’s been held under 4.0 YPC in three straight games, and he hasn’t reached 30 receiving yards since Week 3. Conner’s got another good matchup this week, but he’s incredibly TD-dependent at this point. Don’t be afraid to bench him if you have better options.
Mark Ingram, Ravens vs. Titans
In recent weeks, the Ravens have been content to divide the backfield touches evenly between Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Mark Ingram. I expect that trend to continue, which will lower the floor and ceiling of all three players. However, Edwards seems to be the preferred goal line back, and Dobbins is the best receiver of the three, so Ingram looks like the odd man out for the time being.
Sits: Wide Receivers
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Dolphins
Whether we see Drew Lock or Brett Rypien at QB, I expect the Broncos’ passing game to struggle against the Dolphins, who have been playing great defense for weeks now. Jerry Jeudy has had an impressive rookie campaign so far, but he could struggle against the likes of Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the outside. Look elsewhere this week.
Curtis Samuel, Panthers vs. Lions
Curtis Samuel has topped 55 receiving yards just once this season. He’s put together some solid fantasy performances on the back of rushing production and TDs, but he’s still the third option in this passing attack. If Teddy Bridgewater manages to suit up, Samuel is a low-end flex option. He isn’t startable if we see P.J. Walker behind center.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers @ Colts
After back-to-back blowup games, many will be eager to slide MVS into their starting lineups. However, Davante Adams is still going to soak up 35% of the targets in most weeks, and Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones are highly involved in the passing game, as well. The upcoming matchup against the Colts, who have allowed the 3rd-fewest receptions to WRs this season, feels like a trap.
Sits: Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Broncos
There are a few forces working against Mike Gesicki. A much-improved Miami defense has allowed the passing volume to come down significantly, and fellow TEs Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen have been more involved than anyone anticipated. Until Gesicki becomes more of an offensive focal point, he’s best left on the bench.
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