We’re headed into Week 11 and with the trade deadline getting closer, it’s time to ensure the wide receiver position in your fantasy football lineups is deep enough to handle injuries and other factors down the home stretch.
Let’s take a look at the top wide receivers to target on the waiver wire in Week 11 that you should consider adding to your team. All players listed below are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and/or Sleeper leagues.
Note that I have done away with FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced it with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Looking for other positions? Check out our Week 11 Waiver Wire article, which covers a plethora of players from all positions.
Ricky Pearsall, WR | SF
The volume isn’t quite there for Ricky Pearsall, but the talent sure looks to be. He’s improved in every game this season. Against the Bucs, the rookie caught four passes for 73 yards and an impressive catch-and-run touchdown.
First NFL TD for Ricky Pearsall ‼️
📺 #SFvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/J8kjN1jYLB
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 10, 2024
With the San Francisco 49ers healthy, returning Deebo Samuel Sr., Christian McCaffrey, and Jauan Jennings, it may be hard for Pearsall to have any consistency. Still, we’ve seen enough to believe he’s worth rostering.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Noah Brown, WR | WAS
It feels like Noah Brown’s ascent to the Washington Commanders’ WR2 role has gone largely unnoticed. Jayden Daniels has been one of the best quarterbacks in football, and someone besides Terry McLaurin has to catch passes. For the better part of the past month, that guy has been Brown.
In his last five games, Brown has seen at least six targets in four of them. He has two games in double digits and a third that just missed at 9.8 fantasy points. Now, to be fair, his 16.3-point outing was pretty much entirely the Hail Mary against the Bears.
Even so, Brown is matching McLaurin in routes run. He’s the clear WR2 for one of the league’s best offenses and, in deeper leagues, is worth a spot on your bench.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.5
Quentin Johnston, WR | LAC
At this point, I think this is who Quentin Johnston is. He only has 20 receptions on the season but seems to have a nose for the end zone, scoring five times.
You can certainly use Johnston in desperation scenarios, knowing there’s a higher-than-expected chance he scores. With that said, he’s never going to produce like a first-round wide receiver.
Johnston saw just two targets against the Tennessee Titans, catching both for 24 yards and a touchdown. The excitement from fantasy managers likely stems from his 4-118-1 game two weeks ago.
Johnston has now had two 22-point games, two games in the 10-12-point range, and three total duds.
That’s actually not terrible for a waiver wire pickup. You will never feel good about having Johnston in lineups, but if you need a Hail Mary swing, there are worse options.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Xavier Legette, WR | CAR
Fantasy managers are understandably looking to find WR1s on NFL teams. Ever since Diontae Johnson was traded, Xavier Legette has been that guy, presumably. Unfortunately, the production hasn’t really been there.
Legette has topped 42 receiving yards in a game just once this season. Were it not for touchdown grabs in each of Week 6, 8, and 9, Legette would have a six-week stretch of 7.0 fantasy points or less.
With the Panthers on bye this week, Adam Thielen being activated from injured reserve, and Jalen Coker seemingly overtaking Legette as Bryce Young’s preferred target, Legette is not a priority add.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Adonai Mitchell, WR | IND
Between Pierce and Adonai Mitchell, I would much prefer the rookie, if adding one of them. Mitchell caught all six of his targets for 71 yards, and looked like a much more complete receiver.
Pittman could be back next week. He also could be done for the season. That makes adding Mitchell highly speculative, as any fantasy value he might have is contingent upon Pittman remaining out. Nevertheless, he is a name to monitor.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Alec Pierce, WR, | IND
With Michael Pittman Jr. out, the Colts needed more from their ancillary players. On the surface, it may appear they got it from Alec Pierce. He caught four of seven targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. However, most of his production came during garbage time.
Pierce has splash play upside and is always liable to produce on limited volume. But he is not someone that can be trusted in lineups. I would not add him.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0