Although we rely on big-name players to guide our fantasy football teams to victory, knowing how to locate the sleepers in a given week could be what pushes your team over the edge. With Week 11 of the NFL and fantasy football season on the horizon, here are some sleepers to keep in mind when setting your lineups.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers in Week 11
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
If we’re honest, this is not a good week for those streaming the QB position or looking for sleepers for Week 11. It’s just one of those weeks where the matchups aren’t fantastic. Still, Jared Goff could be usable after throwing for 236 yards in a touchdown in the Lions’ Week 10 victory over the Bears.
Goff ranks inside the top 10 in passing yards (2,270) and touchdowns (15) and faces the Giants in Week 11. Although it’s not a fantastic matchup, as New York sits 14th in points allowed to the position, Goff has shown the ability to put up high-end QB2 numbers and could do that for you in a pinch this weekend as a Week 11 sleeper.
Don’t want to risk your fantasy record? Well, you can always take a shot on Jared Goff in Underdog Fantasy Pick’ems by taking the higher or lower on his passing projections.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
I think it’s safe to say Kenny Pickett has not been the savior many Steelers fans hoped he would be. With that said, he threw for nearly 200 yards on 18 of 30 passing with one touchdown and no interceptions and added 51 yards on eight carries on Sunday.
That last part is a big deal, as Pickett has 15 carries over the last two games for 88 yards. I wouldn’t consider him a dual-threat QB, but Pickett showed his mobility while at Pitt, and even if he isn’t winning anyone over with his arm, an additional four or five points every week could move Pickett up multiple tiers.
By no means do I think he has incredible upside against Cincinnati, but there are worse options.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
You wouldn’t think Isiah Pacheco would still be listed as a sleeper after making his third start, but he’s rostered in less than a quarter of leagues. Pacheco took the majority of snaps on early downs with 33, which was more than both Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire combined (13).
MORE: Week 11 Fantasy PPR Rankings
Pacheco gained 82 yards on 16 carries yet unfortunately finished with only 6.2 PPR after a lost fumble. He loses some upside thanks to Edwards-Helaire’s presence and McKinnon’s usage in the receiving game, but Pacheco is the only Kansas City Chiefs RB I would roster now. He’s a sleeper worth targeting in Week 11 in all fantasy football leagues.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
After spending the last week and hearing from some that he would lose his job, Najee Harris rushed 20 times for 99 yards on Sunday for his best day of the year. But even that didn’t stop Jaylen Warren from recording 91 total yards on 11 touches with a touchdown too.
With Chase Claypool out of the picture, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Warren more involved in the receiving game, as he served as the team’s third-down back over the last couple of weeks. He would likely need an injury to surpass Harris on early downs, but Warren has the type of production and profile you look for in a fantasy football sleeper.
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
We finally got to see Kyren Williams as a part of the Rams’ offense for the first time, and there were some positive takeaways. Williams was involved in all areas, minus short-yardage carries, and while he only rushed for nine yards on his single carry, he caught three passes for 30 yards, which led the room.
Neither Darrell Henderson nor Cam Akers had a good day, each finishing with less than 25 yards. While Williams is no sure thing, his college film is littered with ways he can impact this offense and become more than just a sleeper. He was actually my favorite RB to watch the film on this offseason but is still facing an uphill battle.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns
I’ve been highlighting Donovan Peoples-Jones for the past couple of weeks, and it’s way past time for fantasy managers to take notice. Peoples-Jones was the top receiver for the Browns, catching five of nine targets for 99 yards on Sunday.
He’s now recorded 70+ yards in five of his last six games, and since Week 4, he is the WR31 in points and is 10th in the NFL in receiving yards. Not only has Peoples-Jones played on 75% or more of the snaps and every game this year, but he’s peeking at just the right time with Deshaun Watson set to return in two weeks.
MORE: Deshaun Watson Isn’t Saving The Browns
And although we could expect some rust for Watson, his deep ball ability, which made Will Fuller such a dangerous threat, could be pushed onto Peoples-Jones just in time for the fantasy football playoffs.
He’s a sleeper I want on my fantasy football rosters, as he might be more valuable than you think.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
What I said about Christian Watson in his pre-draft profile is the same as it is today. He could be great or the next Marquez Valdes Scantling as a boom-or-bust receiver. On Sunday, we saw what that ceiling could be.
Channeling his inner Randy Moss, Watson caught four of his eight targets for three touchdowns, including one of the wildest catches you will ever see. A hamstring injury has compromised his 4.3 speed, but Green Bay found success with more over-the-middle reads, which capitalize on Watson’s athleticism and after-the-catch capabilities.
MORE: Is Aaron Rodgers Back?
It takes time for rookies to learn the NFL, and it also takes time to rebuild your offense after trading away one of the best players in the world (Davante Adams) at their position.
I think what we saw on Sunday offensively will be a pattern moving forward, but I’m not sure you want to force Watson into your lineups in Week 11. He’s a sleeper you should consider adding, but I do not trust him quite just yet to start.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
It’s safe to say there is a problem in Houston. Although Brandon Cooks returned after missing last week, things are not quite the same. Cooks was stripped of his captain status before the game and played on just over 60% of the targets, catching four passes for 37 yards. He was limited during practice, so perhaps that led to it, but it’s puzzling nonetheless.
Instead, Nico Collins had a solid outing. Playing his first complete game since Week 7, Collins caught five of 10 targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. I wouldn’t call it a fluke, as Collins averaged six targets and 62 yards per game between Weeks 2 through 5.
Although the offense certainly has issues, there is an opportunity for Collins to take the No. 1 role unless things are patched between Cooks and the team.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
The hits just keep coming, as Zach Ertz has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Second-round rookie Trey McBride took over the primary role and played on all but one of the snaps over the last three quarters of the game.
He only caught one pass for seven yards, but that’s on Colt McCoy, not McBride. Despite what Greg Dulcich has done, McBride was the clear No. 1 tight end of this rookie class, and based on the role he is filling in town, it would not surprise me if he was a top-eight tight end over the rest of the season.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
I must admit, I love what has been happening for Cole Kmet. I’ve been waiting two years on this breakout, and I think we’re finally starting to see it. After a lack of targets to start the season, Kmet has a 26% target share over the last two weeks and caught four of seven targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s loss to the Lions.
After not scoring for the first seven games, Kmet scored five times in the last three games. Sure touchdown regression was expected, but now we’re on the other end of that scale as this rate is unsustainable. Still, Kmet is unquestionably a sleeper worth targeting for your fantasy team in Week 11 to solidify your TE position.