Fantasy football free agent pickups: Key additions to fuel your playoff hunt

The tenth Sunday of the NFL season started with an thrilling additional time affair in Germany, that includes Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor approaching 50 fantasy factors, adopted by one other terrific outing by New England Patriots MVP candidate Drake Maye within the early afternoon video games. Then, within the late afternoon, Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford tossed 4 TD passes for a document third consecutive sport.

After all, this being the NFL, not all the pieces that occurred Sunday was constructive. We’re nonetheless ready for New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson and Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore to attain a fantasy level. Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold scored solely 4.92 extra fantasy factors than they did. Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson scored simply 2.8 factors. New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart thrived once more, dashing for 2 touchdowns, however he needed to depart early on account of a concussion. He could not play in Week 11.

Every Monday, earlier than the present NFL weekend ends, we’ll determine gamers accessible in not less than 50% of ESPN customary leagues worthy of your consideration, from customary codecs to deeper choices. The NFL is a weekly league, and participant valuation and roles seldom stay stagnant. It doesn’t matter the way you purchase gamers to your fantasy rosters, simply that you just purchase them!

Quarterback

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Why fantasy managers ought to proceed to begin Caleb Williams

Matt Bowen breaks down why Caleb Williams has what it takes to proceed as a fantasy beginning quarterback.

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (33.3% rostered in ESPN leagues): Outdated Flacco comes off his bye week for a street tilt in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The final time Flacco confronted the Steelers, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin was under no circumstances comfortable about it. Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns (25.98 factors) in an exhilarating 33-31 win. Flacco has averaged 25 fantasy factors over his final 4 video games. Chances are high fairly good that your fantasy QB has not accomplished the identical.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (49.6%): Younger McCarthy stays an unreliable fantasy possibility, however whilst he accomplished fewer than half his passes in Sunday’s loss, he scored 14.72 factors, thanks partly to 48 dashing yards. The Vikings host the Bears in Week 11. McCarthy opened the season in opposition to these Bears and scored 22.22 factors. Maybe he can accomplish that once more.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

• San Francisco 49ers fill-in Mac Jones (5.9%) did not win his sport in opposition to the Rams, however he nonetheless offered 23.06 factors — his finest fantasy outing of the season. Maybe Brock Purdy (toe) returns to begin in Week 11 versus the Arizona Cardinals, however then once more, we now have been assuming his pending return for weeks.

• Not less than with Cardinals fill-in Jacoby Brissett (17.4%) we all know he’ll proceed to begin for some time with Kyler Murray (foot) on IR. Brissett scored 19.42 factors in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seahawks. He’ll face the 49ers this week.

• Washington Commanders fill-in Marcus Mariota (11.5%) carried out capably in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, and he’s one other affordable possibility for Week 11 in opposition to the Miami Dolphins.

• Houston Texans backup Davis Mills (2.4%), lively in 2% of ESPN leagues this week, led the place with 27.68 factors on Sunday. He engineered a late drive to upend the Jacksonville Jaguars whereas filling in for C.J. Stroud (concussion). If Stroud shouldn’t be able to play in Week 11 in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, take into account Mills as a result of, effectively, it is the Titans.

Working again

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Matt Bowen: TreVeyon Henderson is a difference-maker

Matt Bowen exhibits TreVeyon Henderson love after an incredible Week 10.

Trey Benson, Cardinals (49.9%): Benson (knee) stays on IR and, whereas he was anticipated to be again within the lineup by now, he has but to observe. Maybe he’ll return this week. Emari Demercado led Cardinals working backs with 13.4 factors on Sunday, however Benson — who the franchise selected within the third spherical of the 2024 NFL draft to be the inheritor obvious to starter James Conner — shall be given each alternative to interrupt out, when wholesome.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (27.8%): Allgeier rushed for a pair of touchdowns in Atlanta’s additional time loss to the Colts, giving him six for the season. Whereas that’s 3 times as many dashing touchdowns as star Bijan Robinson, it is nonetheless powerful to depend on Allgeier. He will get extra quantity than most backup working backs and even has 4 video games with double-digit PPR factors. Nonetheless, there have additionally been a number of video games the place he barely scored any fantasy factors in any respect. Contemplate him as a result of the Falcons play the Panthers, Saints and Jets over the following three weeks.

Tyjae Spears, Titans (37.9%): Spears and the Titans come off their bye week to face the Texans in Week 11. The Texans have their very own issues on offense, they usually weren’t so dominant defensively in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars. Spears, getting double-digit touches in latest weeks, has outscored “starter” Tony Pollard in three of the final 4 video games and is trending in the precise course.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

• We featured New York Giants RB Devin Singletary (10.3%) final week, as a result of it was clear Tyrone Tracy Jr. was going to share touches within the wake of Cam Skattebo‘s harm. On Sunday, Tracy earned extra quantity, however Singletary turned three receptions into 53 yards and outscored him. In the end, neither Giants RB figures to assist fantasy managers a lot, however the timeshare stays, and Singletary stays a bit too accessible.

• As with Spears, Kansas City Chiefs backup Kareem Hunt (47.9%) comes off the bye week and will have a featured position in Week 11 on the Denver Broncos, relying on the well being of Isiah Pacheco (knee). As with the Titans, neither of the Chiefs RBs is a must-play.

• 49ers backup Brian Robinson Jr. (21.2%) scored a dashing landing for the second consecutive week, which absolutely annoyed Christian McCaffrey‘s buyers. If you happen to assume Robinson can rating for a 3rd consecutive sport in Week 11, go for it.

Extensive receiver

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Why Jameson Williams is a must-start fantasy WR in Week 11

Liz Loza breaks down why Jameson Williams’ latest efficiency in opposition to the Commanders makes him a fantasy starter in Week 11.

Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27.9%): Emeka Egbuka, the nineteenth decide within the 2025 NFL draft, is the star right here. Nonetheless, there may be room for Johnson, picked 235th in the identical draft, to proceed posting related deep-league numbers. Johnson scored touchdowns on two of his 5 Sunday targets and he has averaged a related 13.3 factors over his final 5 video games. There is no such thing as a telling when Chris Godwin Jr. (leg) will play once more.

Mack Hollins, Patriots (0.6%): No one was discussing Hollins over the primary seven weeks of the season, for good causes. Nonetheless, Hollins has stepped up in two of the final three video games, catching seven passes for 89 yards in Week 8 and one other six passes for 106 yards on Sunday. With Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) out, it seems Hollins is related.

Parker Washington, Jaguars (16.9%): Washington figured to play a bigger position in Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Texans with Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) becoming a member of Travis Hunter (knee) on the sidelines. QB Trevor Lawrence, nevertheless, continued his struggles, finishing solely 13 passes. Washington scored a powerful sideline receiving landing and returned a punt for an additional rating. He could thrive once more in Week 11 in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

• We have now mentioned Colts’ deep risk Alec Pierce (36.5%) a number of occasions already this season. Pierce scored 18.4 factors on 4 receptions in Sunday’s additional time win, and coming off a 17.5-point efficiency the prior week in opposition to the Steelers. We have now a development. Different Colts WRs caught three passes in opposition to the Falcons. The Colts aren’t taking part in in Week 11, however one could make the case so as to add Pierce for future weeks.

• Vikings reserve Jalen Nailor (0.5%) entered Sunday with 14 receptions and 178 receiving yards in eight video games. There was no motive to look his approach in fantasy. Is there extra motive now that he caught 5 passes for 124 yards and a landing on Sunday? Probably not, until Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison get damage, however dare to dream.

Tight finish

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Will Trey McBride proceed to supply in Week 11?

Liz Loza particulars why it is essential for Cardinals TE Trey McBride to begin on fantasy rosters.

Dalton Schultz, Texans (27%): Schultz, so statistically quiet in the course of the first month, has scored double-digit fantasy factors in 4 of the final 5 video games, together with 18.3 factors in Sunday’s last-second win. Backup QB Davis Mills focused Schultz 11 occasions. The Titans are up subsequent, and it could not matter who performs QB for Houston. Schultz is a worthy addition.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (34.8%): Like Schultz, Otton began slowly this season and now he additionally boasts double-digit fantasy factors in 4 of 5 video games. He loved season-highs of 9 catches, 82 yards and 12 targets on Sunday. QB Baker Mayfield goes to maintain throwing the soccer and Otton, who was related in fantasy for a few of final season as effectively when others have been absent, is prospering.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

• New Orleans Saints starter Juwan Johnson (35.2%) tallied a powerful 19.2 factors in Week 10 and he has scored double-digit fantasy factors in 4 consecutive contests. Nonetheless, the Saints aren’t taking part in in Week 11. It could be powerful for a fantasy supervisor to roster a number of tight ends.

Bye weeks: To drop or to not drop?

• Solely two groups serve their bye in Week 11. One among them, the AFC South-leading Colts, boasts 4 key gamers rostered in additional than 90% of ESPN leagues. Clearly, preserve QB Daniel Jones, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Michael Pittman Jr. and TE Tyler Warren rostered. WRs Josh Downs (63.6%) and Alec Pierce (36.5%) have worth, however it’s comprehensible to chop them when you want the roster spot this week. The Colts play the defensively stable Chiefs and Texans subsequent.

• As for the Saints, preserve RB Alvin Kamara (93%) rostered, as his abilities and position demand it. Plus, he scored 14.5 factors on Sunday. Preserve WR Chris Olave rostered. QB Tyler Shough (1.2%) will most likely nonetheless be on the market in your league after the bye.

Protection

• The Baltimore Ravens D/ST (50.8%) scored solely six factors in Sunday’s win over the Vikings, however issues could significantly enhance the following fortnight versus the offensively challenged Cleveland Browns and Jets. Decide this Ravens D/ST unit, ravaged by harm, over its latest video games and never the primary half of the season.

• Recommending the Miami Dolphins D/ST (1.9%) could really feel flawed and there may be good motive why this unit is barely rostered in ESPN leagues. Nonetheless, the Dolphins stored Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and his buddies in verify on Sunday, scoring 11 fantasy factors. Subsequent up are the Commanders. This can be a streaming alternative.

• It is also affordable to contemplate the Dallas Cowboys D/ST (4%), as a result of they’ve scored double-digit fantasy factors in two of the final three video games. They’ll face the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday in Week 11.